The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  With the back of his hand, Frank wiped the blood from his face and turned around as he put his revolver away.

  “Oh my God.” Hal was horrified. “Frank?”

  Frank just swallowed, still wearing the cold expression.

  “How . . . how could you do that? They never saw it coming.”

  “They were traitors. They killed our people. Did we see what they did coming! No!” Frank shouted. “So sit the fuck down or leave. This is Beginnings and this is the way we deal with it.”

  “No one told you to do that, Frank,” Hal argued. He looked at his father who said nothing. Robbie, Dean, and Henry were silent as well. “No one.”

  “And no one does.” Frank took a step to him. “This is what I do.”

  “You shot them in cold blood,” Hal said. “How can you live with yourself?”

  “A hell of lot better now knowing not another one of our people will get hurt or die because of them.” Frank pointed to the pile. “Welcome to Beginnings, Hal.” Frank moved back, stepped over the pile, walked to the door, and left.

  “Christ.” Joe tossed up his hands. “He leaves us with the mess again.” Joe saw Hal was confused. “Hal, this is the way it works, immediate execution. Well, perhaps not that immediate.” Joe tilted his head. “They admitted to some pretty horrible shit.”

  Hal slowly blinked. “I . . . I understand. But . . . Frank? I just watched my big brother do something I could never do.”

  Robbie slowly stood up. “That’s his job, Hal.”

  “But it’s so . . .”

  “Cold?” Dean finished the sentence Hal was having a hard time saying. “Yeah, a lot Frank does takes the ability to lose all emotion. But I’ll tell you what, we in Beginnings are awfully glad Frank has that ability. Or else . . .”

  Henry interjected, “We would have been screwed a long time ago.”

  Still not having the best understanding of what, not only the post-apocalyptic world, but Beginnings had turned his brother into, Hal returned to looking at the bodies. He tried to let his beating heart slow down. He would get past it. He would have to.

  “O.K., well.” Joe stood. “I guess we should start thinking about that meeting tonight. It looks like the battle with the Society has come to an end.”

  “Not quite, Joe,” Henry spoke with solace. “You still have the first ever trial coming up. A trial for treason.” Henry hesitated before saying it. “Andrea’s trial.”

  Joe slowly let out a sad breath and turned to face the door.

  ^^^^

  Andrea rose slowly from her seat on the bed when the door to her Holding room opened. A lump formed in her throat when Joe stepped in and closed the door behind him. “Joe.”

  “Hey,” he spoke softly, his hands in his pockets.

  “I don’t know whether to hate you at this moment or hold you.” Andrea stayed strong.

  “I wish you would hate me because I don’t deserve anything else.”

  “Jess told me some of what was going on. Can you?”

  Joe nodded and stepped to her. “Let’s sit.” He motioned his hand to the bed and sat down at the same time as Andrea. “All right. Rev. Bob admitted to knowing everything and to being in contact with George. He states he partook in no wrong doing and he named the names of people that he said were actively involved in the Society ring within Beginnings.”

  “I see. And he named me,” Andrea said.

  “Yes.”

  “That son of a bitch.”

  “Andrea . . .”

  “What did he do, Joe? Just name names to get out of trouble?” Andrea asked.

  “Unfortunately the seven others he named gave full confessions, explained their positions, and listed wrong doings.”

  “Oh my God.” Andrea was shocked. “Seven people.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you think I’m part of this ring?”

  “No.” Joe shook his head. “I don’t. I asked you once if you were involved with George and you told me no. I will not ask you again.”

  “Then you believe me, despite what the others admitted?”

  “I do,” Joe told her.

  “So what happens now? I’m innocent.”

  “I know.” Joe took deep breath. “You’re gonna stand trial in New Bowman in a couple weeks.”

  Andrea’s eyes widened. “A trial?”

  “It’s the only way. We cannot present evidence to the people of Beginnings. Hal brought up a valid point. They’ll think of their losses and become a lynch mob. We’re going to chose twelve Bowman men who know nothing. We’ll pick someone to stand over the proceedings, like a judge. The jury will determine your fate.”

  “My fate?” Andrea gasped out. “Joe, I helped start this place. Why would I betray it?”

  “I know.”

  “They’ll shoot me or hang me. I know the way it works around here.”

  “But these are Bowman men. Bowman has held trials. They aren’t quite as severe as we are and . . . it works in your favor that none of these twelve men are from Beginnings, so therefore none of them have been personally affected.”

  Andrea closed her eyes. “What becomes of me until the trial?”

  “I’m working on that.”

  “How bad does it look?” Andrea questioned. “The truth.”

  “Bad,” Joe told her. “The letters. Testimonies. Your access to things . . . not to mention your close connection to Rev. Bob.”

  “He’s the Reverend. What does that have to do with it?”

  “This is going to shock you but Rev. Bob is actually Rev. Bob Hadley, George’s cousin. He’s family.” He looked for the shocked expression on Andrea’s face but saw none. “Andrea?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you know that?”

  Andrea let out a humming moan.

  “Oh my God and you never told me?”

  “I promised him. He swore that he was disconnected from George. I believed him. He’s a man of the cloth.”

  “And others will believe him too. He has a whole slew of testimony about you. With you knowing about him, this . . . this doesn’t look good.”

  “So basically in Frank’s words, I’m fucked.”

  Joe snickered. “No, we’re going to gather evidence to counteract it. Don’t you worry. Me and the boys will gather it.”

  “So tell me this. Who will prosecute me and who will defend me?”

  “I have an idea about your defense, someone energetic, quick thinking, bright, charismatic, likable and intelligent. Someone who loves to get to the truth and I believe he will. But just in case by that description, you’re thinking Frank . . .” He paused when Andrea laughed. “It’s not. I’ll let you know when I talk to him. I think he’ll do it and do well, but I want to check with him first.”

  “All right. And the prosecutor.”

  “Probably someone from Bowman.” Joe saw Andrea shake her head. “No? Why?”

  “I want someone that knows me. I want someone that will present their case fairly and not resort to any low blows.”

  “I understand.” Joe thought about it and smiled. “I think I know who. He’ll do a fair job, present what he has, and will gather evidence. For fairness purposes, we’ll probably assign a Bowman man as his assistant. But . . . if it ends up being someone you know, you cannot hold it against him or hate him.”

  “No, Joe I won’t.” Andrea reached out and grabbed Joe’s hand. “I’ll pray for him.”

  Joe tapped her hand with a reassuring smile, leaned to Andrea, and kissed her on the forehead. “We’ll get you out of this mess. I promise.”

  Andrea closed her eyes.

  ^^^^

  As she patiently awaited her lunch, Alexandra’s tiny body shifting back and forth on the stool caused a tiny squeak as she sat at the counter opening between the kitchen and dining area.

  “Alex.” Ellen laid a sandwich in front of her and one across from her. “Go to the bathroom.”

  “I’m fine.” Alex sniffed the sandwich.

&nb
sp; “O.K.” Ellen shrugged and walked back to the stove.

  “Hey, Uncle Hal.” Alex called out.

  Ellen laid down two bowls and peeked through the opening. “Hal?”

  “Frank here?” Hal asked as he stepped inside.

  “He’s banging around in the back. I don’t know what he’s doing.”

  “Did . . . did you see him?” Hal asked.

  “Nope.” Ellen slid a stool close to the counter on the kitchen side of the opening. “Want some lunch?”

  “No, I’m fine. Why aren’t you in school, Alex?” Hal asked. “Education is important.”

  “It’s Monday. I have lunch with Mommy on Mondays”

  “That’s nice.” Hal smiled. “Can I go back and talk to Frank?” He pointed with his thumb.

  “Sure,” Ellen told him. “See if he wants to eat?”

  As Hal nodded, he noticed Alex shifting in her seat. “Oh my God.”

  “What?” Ellen asked.

  “She does the same thing as you. Alex, honey, do you want me to walk you to the bathroom?”

  Alex giggled. “I can walk myself. I can’t go though. Uncle Frank says not until he cleans all the blood from the tub.”

  Ellen looked up in shock at the same time Hal looked at her. “Hal?”

  “He’s fine. He’s not hurt. He’ll tell you about it.” Hal nodded with one eye closed.

  “O.K.” Ellen said apprehensively. “Tell him I have lunch.”

  “I will.” Hal walked down the hall that led to the bedrooms. At the end he could see Frank carrying a bundle of clothes and wearing only a towel. “Frank.”

  “Hey, Hal.” Frank walked by him. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Sure. Let me throw these in the washer.” Frank kept moving toward the living room.

  Hal followed him.

  Alexandra giggled as Frank walked by in his towel. “Look at Uncle Frank.”

  Ellen’s eyes shifted to the pile of clothes in his hand. “Frank?”

  “We’ll talk later.” Frank walked behind her and kissed her. He left a damp spot on her cheek from his wet goatee. When Ellen cringed, Frank grinned at Alex. He stole half of Ellen’s sandwich and move to the laundry room. “Be out in second!” Frank yelled. After a few bangs of the metal washer and the rumbling of water, Frank emerged into the kitchen with the sandwich in his mouth. “El, can you . . .”

  “I’ll make you one.”

  “Thanks.” He took another bite and laid the rest on her plate. “That’s good.” Dusting off his hands, he headed back to the hall. “Hal?”

  “Yeah.” Hal snapped out of it. He was stuck in the thought of how nonchalant Frank was. He trailed behind Frank to the bedroom.

  “So what’s up?” Frank walked into his and Josh’s room. “Hey, Hal, check out how good I taught Josh to make a bed.”

  “Tight.” Hal ran his hand over the spread.

  Frank stepped into his boxers and pulled them up under his towel. “So what’s going on? Why the visit?”

  “I’m worried about you.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, Frank.” Hal reached back and closed the door. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine. How are you?”

  “No, I’m talking about . . .”

  “Today.” Frank nodded. “Well, don’t worry about that. I’m used to it.”

  “Really. It bothered you?”

  “No it didn’t.” Frank started to get dressed.

  “Frank, you swallowed.”

  “I swallowed?” Frank laughed. “I always swallow.”

  “But you swallowed heavily.”

  “O.K.” Frank tossed his tee shirt on over his head.

  “You showed emotion for a split second. That means it bothered you.”

  “Hal.” Running his hand over his wet hair, Frank stepped to his brother. “You brought it to my attention, that’s all. No one ever has.”

  “That’s because no one wants to.”

  “What?” Frank questioned. “What do you mean?”

  “If they bring it to your attention, then you may start to think about it, and you may stop. They can’t have it because they don’t want to do it. I’m worried about how all this is affecting you.”

  “It isn’t.”

  “It has to,” Hal told him.

  “Hal, it doesn’t. I’m used to it. I shut it out. I turn into someone else. It’s what I have to do, yes, because no one else will take care of it. I appreciate your concern, little brother, I do.” Frank pulled on his pants and zipped them.

  “Well, just know if you need to talk about it, let someone else outside of these walls know you aren’t always the big tough guy . . .”

  Frank laughed.

  “What.”

  “Hal, please. I’m always tough.”

  “O.K.” Hal laughed. “You’re Frank.”

  “That’s right.” With a tilted head, Frank grinned. “Ease up on the concern. It’s not you and it’s making me feel weird.”

  “You’re right.” Hal shook his head. “But just know . . .”

  “I know.”

  Hal let out a breath and watched Frank tromp into his boots. “How about that lunch?”

  “Sounds good.” Frank stood up as Hal led the way from the room. He laid his hand on Hal’s back as they walked as a means of gratitude Frank wasn’t fully verbalizing to Hal for wanting to be there.

  ^^^^

  “All right then, it’s settled.” Joe sat at his table position before the rearranged Social Hall packed with silent Beginnings residents. He finished writing on a sheet of paper and handed it to Henry. “And . . . and I want to thank all of you for that,” Joe spoke in sincerity. “I know it took a lot, but I promise you, I will insure the rules you set forth. Also, should anyone have any questions regarding what transpired this afternoon and why, please feel free to see me at anytime I’ll answer any questions you have. All right . . .” Joe stood up. “Next on the agenda, Council position. Andrea, by her own accord, dropped from Council. That position needs to be filled. How we’ll handle it is one of you will nominate, someone else has to second, I’ll approve or disapprove on qualifications, and then the community votes. Got it? Let’s do it. Anyone?”

  There was silence and then Jenny spoke up, “I nominate Dean Hayes.”

  Ellen’s short shriek of excitement rang out. She held tightly to Dean’s hand as she sat next to him “You’ll be so good at that.”

  Dean grunted a ‘hmm’.

  “I second the nomination.” Robbie spoke then gave a thumbs up to Dean.

  “Nomination approved,” Joe said. “Dean, do you accept the nomination?”

  “Yeah, sure. Why not?” Dean tossed his hands up.

  Henry peered up from his papers. “I nominate Jason Godrichson.”

  “Second,” a voice called from the crowd.

  “Nomination approved,” Joe said. “Jason, do you accept?”

  Jason nodded with a closed mouth. “Sure, Joe. Thanks.”

  Danny Hoi raised his hand. “I nominate Ellen.”

  “I second it,” Ellen interjected quickly.

  “Ellen,” Joe snapped, “you can’t second your own nomination.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you can’t.”

  “Then I second it,” Frank called out.

  “Figures.” Joe rubbed his head. “Nomination denied.”

  “What!” Ellen gasped out. “You can’t do that.”

  “And you can’t serve on Council.” Joe pointed his pencil at her. “When are you going to find time, Ellen? You work in Bowman, at the Clinic, Containment, and in that sick torturous laboratory.”

  “Henry works on Council and he does a lot,” Ellen defended.

  “Henry doesn’t have all those children either. Christ, Henry has one child he pawns off.”

  “Joe,” Henry shouted. “That isn’t very nice.”

  “Ellen.” Joe looked to her. “Do you really want to be o
n Council?”

  “Yes Joe. Not only would it be fun competing with my husband, but I’d be really good and work hard too. I’d be a voice of the people.”

  “Christ, all right. I’ll put you on the ballot.”

  “Yes.” Ellen nearly jumped from her chair. “Wait. You know what? Never mind.”

  Joe grumbled loudly. “Anyone else?” He called out. “Anyone?” No one responded. “Then we have Dean and Jason. We’ll have a normal secret vote procedure. Come on up and write down your vote. Remember people, this isn’t a popularity contest. Pick the Council member based on who you think would best work for the community. Whenever you’re ready, you may begin.” Joe sat back down next to Henry who was already ripping strips of paper.

  In the far corner of the Social Hall, Dean stood with Ellen. It was quiet there and the hall was packed. Everyone hung out waiting for Joe to tally the results.

  “El.” Dean saw her staring off. He kept one hand in the front pocket of his Levi’s. She watched toward the front as Joe sat alone counting. Dean had his back to Joe. “El.”

  “Did you ever notice how differently this place looks when the tables are moved out of the way and the lights are all the way on?”

  “Yeah, well Joe should get a new place for meetings. We can’t fit everyone in here anymore.”

  “Oh, Dean, that can be your first order of business as new Council member.”

  “El, I really don’t want to be on Council.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “No, I don’t.” Dean stepped to her. “El, let’s just go home. Get the . . .”

  “Hey, El,” Henry interrupted. “Look at my finger tips.” He held up his hand.

  “Oh, Henry.” Ellen looked at the tiny sliver slices. “What happened?”