“M.E.K. and tarp.” Robbie dropped them. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Put your foot on him.”
“What?”
“Hold him down,” Frank ordered.
“Frank, it’s a baby.”
“It’s a fuckin lab creation. Secure it.”
Really not wanting too, but knowing he had to listen to Frank, Robbie stepped down upon the killer baby’s back. His combat boot held the squirming body down.
Grunting in relief, Frank removed his leg and stood up. He jumped around to get rid of the cramp. He bet down to the M.E.K., or Men’s Emergency Kit, and opened the small box. He pulled out a roll of duct tape. Ripping off a long strip, Frank crouched down before the baby. Its saliva and blood filled jaws snapped and it’s beady eyes stared with a hunger at Frank. Frank grinned, extended the duct tape to the infant, and tightly covered its mouth. He wrapped the tape all the way around the distorted head. “There.” Frank stood up, chuckled some as the infant swished its head back and forth trying unsuccessfully to free itself. “Safe now from the killer fuckin jaws of death.”
“Good.” Robbie still stood with his foot on its back. “What now?”
Frank smiled. “The tarp.” Frank grabbed the gray cloth. “I have an idea.” Frank undid his belt and pulled it from the loops. “Dad is gonna love it.”
^^^^
The tapping was light, fast, and steady as well. Joe couldn’t take it anymore. Setting down the phone, he raised his eyes up to Henry who sat in a chair across from his desk. “Henry. Knock it off.”
“Sorry, Joe. I’m just nervous. Go on.”
Huffing Joe picked up the phone again. He looked at Jason and began to dial. The tapping started again. “Henry!” Joe slammed down the phone.
“I’m sorry, Joe.” Henry held up his hand. “But my foot keeps going. This is monumental. Historical. Dial. Go on. Call George. I think . . .”
“Henry,” Joe said calmly but with a slight warning.
“Yes, Joe.”
“Quiet.” Joe placed the phone to his ear and dialed.
“Is it ringing?” Henry asked.
“I’m killing him.” Joe looked at Jason then shook his head. “No answer. Are we sure Rev. Bob gave us . . .” Joe paused and quickly looked up when the other line answered. “This is Joe Slagel. Whom am I speaking to? Steward who? Listen. I need to speak to George Hadley. Do you know who he is? Tell him . . .” Joe covered the receiver. “We’re still connected. He set down the phone. Maybe he’s . . .”
“Joe,” George stated his name.
“Dear God.”
“Close.”
“That’s a Frank comment if I ever heard one.”
“I just had my lunch. Don’t make me sick.”
Joe grumbled. “Listen, enough of the friendly thoughts. We have a problem. You and I . . .”
“You’re surrendering Beginnings?” George said arrogantly.
“Christ, no. This has nothing to do with our territorial wars here, asshole. This has to do with the Savages. I think we need to discuss this situation that seems to be . . . hello? Hello? Shit.” Joe set down the receiver. “He hung up.”
“Bastard,” Henry gasped.
Jason shook his head. “That’s fine. He’ll think about what you said. Trust me. It may take another attack, but he’ll remember why you called. He’ll call back. It’s our turn to wait. You did your part.”
Joe tossed his hands up in the air. “I gave . . .”
Joe’s office door flung open and banged loudly into the file cabinet, causing it to rattle. With a tromp of his heavy boots, Frank walked in. “Dad.”
“Jesus Christ.” Joe’s hand slammed down on the table. “What the . . .” He slowed his speech when Robbie walked in. “What in Christ’s name happened to you two?”
“Savages,” Frank said as he stepped in. “Man, their blood sprayed all over us.”
“Yeah,” Robbie stated. “We were so busy we didn’t notice.”
“Well go take a shower or something.” Joe waved his hand. “Are either of you hurt? How bad was it?”
“It was fuckin beautiful,” Frank commented. “They went down one, two, three . . .”
“Four, five, six, seven, eight.” Robbie grinned. “Fast.”
“Real fast.”
“Super fast.”
“Boys.” Joe stood up. “Why were we not radioed about this?”
Frank scratched his head. “Because we got busy up there.”
“Really busy,” Robbie nodded.
“Super busy,” Frank reiterated. “Which . . .” He held up his hand. “Brings us to the reason why we’re here. I have a plan.”
“Oh brother.” Joe dropped to his chair.
“I need a meeting, a big meeting. Can I have one?” Frank asked.
“Why?” Joe questioned.
“Hold that thought.” Frank pointed and darted out the door. He came back with the tarp bunched up like a sack and secured with the belt. It wiggled. “Solution time.” Frank walked over to Joe’s desk and dropped the tarp on it with a thump.
“What in God’s name is that?” Joe asked of the moving tarp sack.
“Check this out,” Frank nodded. “A killer baby.”
“Killer baby!” Joe scolded and Henry’s chair squeaked as he flew backwards out of the way. “Frank, why are you capturing killer babies?”
“I have plan, I told you but I need to get in touch with Dean or at least get him up here. Can we have a meeting?”
“Why? Is the baby situation bad?” Joe asked.
“I think,” Frank answered. “In fact, we were talking in the Jeep. We now estimate . . . a lot of them up there. I think their reproducing.”
Joe just stared at Frank. “Reproducing?”
“Yeah. You know, when you get a male killer baby and a female killer baby and they . . .”
“Frank, I know what reproducing is!” Joe yelled. “The killer babies are not reproducing!”
“Dad, they are.”
“Frank, they aren’t,” Joe said, annoyed. “They’re babies for crying out loud.”
“Killer babies,” Frank corrected. “And if they aren’t multiplying, how are we getting more?”
Joe took a calming breath. “Perhaps the Society sent them.”
“Oh,” Frank stated. “That’s possible but not probable.” Frank jumped at Joe’s hard hitting hand on the desk. “What? I’m thinking rational here. But . . . I have a plan that has to do with our Savage situation and our killer baby situation.”
Joe peered to Robbie. “Do you know about this plan?”
“Yeah,” Robbie nodded. “Dad, I think it’s good. You ought to listen to him. Frank, despite temporary mental disabilities, strategically comes up with some good ones.”
“True.” Joe bobbed his head.
“Wait.” Frank held up his hand. “It’s Tuesday. I’m finished being temporarily mentally disabled.”
“If I may,” Jason interjected, “Frank, only Dean can determine that. He diagnosed you so until he gives an all clear, you’re still temporarily mentally disabled.”
“Fuck.”
Joe glanced at Jason. “Thank you very much for that . . . O.K., Frank, one hour we’ll get together for the meeting but get cleaned up first. You smell like death.”
“Got it.” Frank turned for the door. “See you in an hour.”
“Frank,” Joe called out as Frank was leaving. He stood up and lifted the moving sack. “Your friend. Take him to Dean.”
“Oh yeah, thanks, I will.” Frank turned, took a step, reached sloppily forward, and grabbed the sack. “I’ll be back.” As he turned to follow Robbie out the door, the filing cabinet clanked loudly when the sack swung into it. “Whoops,” Frank snickered and walked out.
“Christ.” Joe shook his head and plopped into his chair.
Quantico Marine Headquarters
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t understand what you’re saying.” Steward leaned closer to George’s high back wheelchair.
“Sorry.” Steward placed his fingers under George’s chin and pushed him back up. “Perhaps if we strap you to the chair.”
“No.”
“Just a suggestion.”
“Dr. Walker says it will come back eventually. Now . . . as I was saying, Beginnings must be in trouble to be calling us about the Savage problem.”
“It could work in our favor,” Steward said. “I’ll speak to Johnny to see what he knows.”
“Good idea. And ask how it’s been going. They haven’t checked in since yesterday.”
“I’ll ask.”
“Ask about my cousin Bob as well. I need to know when I can expect to have to send a team for him.”
“Do you think they’ll let him go?” Steward asked.
“In exchange for his testimony, yes. Joe’s a man of his word. He’s an asshole, but man of his word.”
“Do you really think he called for help?” Steward questioned.
“No,” George replied. “Beginnings wouldn’t ask us for help.”
“Then, why do you think he called about the Savages?”
“I haven’t a clue. I guess we’ll figure it out” George lifted his one good hand. “But we’ve been hit only once so really, they aren’t our problem.” George’s head dropped drastically and suddenly forward. “Steward.”
Steward reached out and aided George.
New Bowman, Montana
There was a slight separation between Elliott Ryder’s thick frozen lips of that seeped out small huffs of steam filled breaths. His eyes were transfixed upon Hal as he looked up to the much bigger Slagel in wonder.
Hal blew the smoke from his mouth and tossed his cigarette. He watched the training of his men in the new field and applauded their efforts. When he returned to looking at Elliott, the expression hadn’t changed. “I like that look.”
“Tell me you’re joking, Captain.”
“I’m not.” Hal grinned arrogantly.
“Begging your pardon, I like your father . . .”
“So do I.”
“But what is he thinking?” Elliott asked.
“Of solutions.”
“Solutions?” Elliott quickly shook his head a couple times. “Remind me not to get into any trouble.”
“That’s the whole point.”
“Terrorism.”
Hal laughed heartedly and gave a swat to Elliott’s back. “Actually, it’s not that bad. Really, think about it. In cases such as Andrea’s, Gergerace will preside over the proceedings with no decisions to be made. Those will be made by a jury. She’ll just make sure rules are set and followed. That’s a good thing.”
“But . . . but you mentioned other things she will handle.”
“Ah, the proverbial domestic instiller.” Hal laughed. “Look, Rev. Bob is no longer working in Beginnings. Our priest couldn’t possibly . . . well, he could, but come on, he wouldn’t want to handle people’s domestic squabbles, now would he?” Hal did a fake hiccup and stumble. “God help those who seek his advice.” Hal raised his eyebrow and smiled.
“Can Gergerace mediate domestic problems?”
“She was a circuit court judge but no one is really going to sue. The way it will work is she basically will handle the relationship decisions like Rev. Bob did, granting divorces and so forth.” Hal shrugged. “As far as John Smith versus Joe Brown in a battle over whose lawn mower it is, things will still have to be settled on their own.”
“So basically she’s only handling things your father doesn’t want to be bothered with right now?”
“Yes.” Hal nodded. “And neither do I. Plus she will handle punishment issues like who will spend time in holding and for how long. Oustings will still be decided by Council unless there is argument to warrant trial. Then, like with the Andrea proceedings, the jury will decide fate.”
“What about appeals. Her word is final?” Elliott questioned dubiously.
“No,” Hal answered. “My father thought of that. A combined joint effort by Beginnings’ Council and ours will not hear another hearing but will review why Gergerace made her decision and stand behind it or ask her to change her mind.”
“What is Grace’s view on all this?”
Hal laughed. “Her head is spinning right now. But I think our illustrious she-warden of the House of Lesbians is enjoying this. She picked a secretary and guess where they are now?”
“I wouldn’t begin to.”
“At the small court house . . .” Hal snickered. “Cleaning. Cleaning, Elliott, can you believe that? They said they are also tossing out all old docket files and getting ready for new.”
“Oh my God.” Elliott’s hand went to his face. “I’m frightened, sir.”
“Nah.” Hal removed Elliott’s covering hand. “It’ll be fine. There are some law books in the court house, but my dad is sending a team to get federal statute books for Gergerace. She’s into this establishing firm rules.”
“And this is all stemming from the need to have someone preside over Andrea’s hearing?”
“Yep. You do know she is on the Neville committee.” Hal gave a ‘so there’ look.
“Who . .. who is our Council, Captain. We don’t have one.”
“Sure we do,” Hal said upbeatly.
“No, sir, we don’t.” Elliott shook his head. “You run New Bowman.”
“And you’re second in charge. If I die, you’re the man, so you’re on Council. Good job.” Hal gave a thumbs up.
“Third member?”
“I haven’t decided. I’ve been referring to the third member as ‘him’ in front of my father, so don’t let on.”
“Never.” Elliott shook his head. “Sir, I don’t mind being second in charge, but this Council thing, I don’t know. It’s . . .”
“It’s your duty, Elliott and a way for you to make frequent trips to Beginnings. There are gonna be meetings my father will want me to attend. You, as official Council, can go there.”
Elliott smiled. “I guess it wouldn’t be all that bad.” The smiled dropped from his face. “Uh-oh, Captain.”
“What.”
Elliott pointed to the training men. The large group in the field parted ways allowing for a strong Grace to come through. “She doesn’t look happy.”
“She loves me now.”
“Righ,” Elliott snickered. “Do I have to watch this?” he asked as Grace came closer.
“What?”
“You know what she’s like.”
“Nonsense. Not anymore.”
“Captain.” Grace snapped out.
Elliott grinned. “See.”
Hal only shifted his eyes to Grace. “Yes?”
“Captain, my dear man.” Grace reached out and sweetly took his hand. “Would it be too much trouble for you to issue me an escort on the Dan-tram to go to Beginnings? I’ve phoned Mr. Slagel and he does have some new attire he can issue me. The Dan-tram is due to arrive shortly.”
“An escort?” Hal asked. “You need new clothes?”
“I must for my new position.” Grace smiled. “Plus, I’d like to visit that barber I heard about. May I? I’ll be alone with the exception of your escort.”
“But of course,” Hal grinned. “An escort to take you there would not be a problem. In fact, no need to wait for the Dan-tram. A woman of your stature shouldn’t ride mass transportation.” Hal stepped back. “Elliott, Council man, take a truck escort Judge Grace to Beginnings. Thanks.”
Before a stunned Elliot couldn’t even respond, a snide grinning Hal escaped, barking orders to his training men. Cringing with a fake smile and thinking how much he was going to kill the Captain, Elliott looked at Grace.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Beginnings, Montana
“Andrea.” Danny Hoi followed her about the Clinic.
“Danny, I am so busy.” Andrea dropped a stack of charts on the nurse’s counter as she stopped to take breather.
/>
“I realize this but you have a trial coming up.”
“And I’m sure you’ll handle it.”
“I need to find time to talk to you about this.” Danny leaned on the counter. “Joe found a judge.”
“Good.” Andrea stayed upbeat. “We can end this thing.”
“I need witnesses.”
“I’m sure you’ll find them.”
“Andrea, I know being optimistic is the good thing to do but we have to sit down and lay this out. I want to go over my strategy.”
“Danny, please. I’m trusting you.” Andrea tapped him on the hand and opened the chart. “You’ll find witnesses to help me.”
“We had seven but unfortunately Frank put a bullet in their heads before they could be cross examined or broken on the stand . . .”
“Listen to how authentic you sound. Broken on the stand, cross examined. Danny, you are just gonna do great.”
“Andrea, Henry has the videotaped confessions in his corner.”
“I’m certain they aren’t that incriminating. Really, Danny, I’m innocent. What could they say? Did you see these tapes?”
“Not yet but now since Joe found a judge, we’re in an all-go.”
“Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have forty-seven patients to attend to and I’m up to my knees in vomit and diarrhea.”
“Gross,” Danny cringed.
“Just keep me posted.”
“I will, but I still need a viable, heart wrenching, George worker witness.”
“Andrea!” Jenny Matoose came down the hall. “Glad I found you.”
“What’s wrong?” Andrea asked, a hint of panic and concern in her voice.
“John.” Jenny caught her breath and grabbed Andrea’s arm. “John’s come out of the coma.”
Saying nothing more to Danny, Andrea flew down the hall with Jenny. Danny smiled brightly.
^^^^
Grace was nervous. Her stomach actually fluttered. She hoped she looked all right. She did her hair but now felt self-conscious about the big blue dress she wore especially since she arrived with Sgt. Ryder through the gates of Beginnings. She sat in Joe’s office, feeling worse by the second as he was on the phone. Not often did she leave her home, but never did she leave the sanctity of the Bowman township, whether in Montana or North Dakota. Now she had ventured out. A part of Grace liked it.
The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20 Page 67