The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Dean.” Ellen tried to stop him.

  Dean continued. “How honorable is it to sleep with another man’s wife?”

  “Dean!” Ellen yelled.

  “No!” Dean stepped closer to Elliott. “He gets an understanding. He sleeps with you. The honorable Sgt. Ryder will probably . . .”

  “Dean, stop it,” Ellen told him.

  “Dr. Hayes.” Elliott remained in control. “There must be some mistake. I am not sleeping with Ellen.”

  “Oh don’t give me . . .”

  “Dean!” Again, Ellen made a vain attempt.

  Dean’s word slowed as he looked at Ellen. “That.” His eyes had revelation. “It’s not him.” He watched Ellen close her eyes and Dean laughed with instigation. “Then maybe you should know.” He looked at Elliott. “If she’s not sleeping with you, she definitely is sleeping with someone. So if you got it in your delusional honorable mind she’s saving herself for you, get it out. She openly told me she’s been having a blast in Beginnings. Then again, that’s just Ellen.”

  “Dean.” Ellen moved to him whispering, never seeing Elliott’s stone cold look on Dean. “Please stop this.”

  With his eyes glued to Sgt. Ryder, Dean spoke. “Ellen does what she wants with who she wants. Faithful has never been a word in her vocabulary. She cheats. She cheated on Pete, me, Frank, and she’ll cheat on you. The UWA soldiers, you, pride yourself on honor. Let me tell you something, when it comes to Ellen and men she has no . . .”

  “Elliott!” Ellen shrieked when she saw his emotionless face never flinch as he raised his fist and readied to strike Dean. She drove her body into him and pushed him back. “No.”

  Transfixed in his glare, Elliott’s fist became an angry point. His top lip twitched with the outrage he felt. His body nearly shuddered. Then after a moment of a heated stare, he retracted his hand. “Words cut. They create wounds that even the best of doctors can not heal. You open your mouth so many times without the knowledge behind what you say. We believe . . .” Elliott took a moment to breathe in. “. . . in our UWA that a man earns his sword, not by the might for which he can carry it, but by the wisdom and integrity for which he shows. In our book, Dr. Hayes, you aren’t even fit to carry a knife.” The stare-down between the two men was great, but Elliott lost his focus when he heard the release of a heavy breath and saw the blur of Ellen racing from the room. Swiping his red bandana and sword from the table he followed her. “Ellen.” He called out.

  Ellen stopped in the hall. “I need to take a walk.”

  “I made you angry.”

  “No Elliott, you made me see. And . . . so did Dean for that matter.” With a long sniff, Ellen ran the back of her hand under her nose as she turned around.

  It stumbled Elliott back. Was Ellen crying? His hand started to reach but Ellen moved back. “Let’s go off and talk.”

  “No.” Ellen shook her head. “You have so much to do before you head back and a time table. So you do that.” She cleared her emotional throat. “I have to work some things out and get back to my day.” She turned and began to walk. Ellen heard the call of her name from Elliott. She only raised her hand and picked up her pace.

  ^^^^

  New Bowman, Montana

  “Rev. Robert Heron, rather Hadley.” Rev. Bob sat calmly on the stand. Henry stood at the table.

  “How long were you a resident of Beginnings?” Henry asked.

  “Six years.”

  “You say Andrea knew of your true identity.”

  Rev. Bob nodded.

  “How is this?” Henry asked.

  “She told me.”

  “She volunteered this information, walked up and said, I know who you are. I know you are related to George?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” Henry fumbled through his notes. “And we are to just believe she knew your true identity. Take your word?”

  “Take hers.” Rev. Bob said. “Didn’t she admit to it?”

  “Oh.” Henry looked down as Stan arrogantly pointed to Andrea’s testimony. “No more . . . what?” Henry whispered a snap at Stan. “No. No.”

  Grace slammed her gavel. “Mr. Kusakari?”

  “No more . . .” Henry slapped Stan’s hand away. “Questions. Your witness, Danny.”

  “Thank you.” Slowly with his hands in his pockets, Danny walked to the witness stand. “Rev. Bob, Rev. Bob, Rev. Bob.” Danny flung himself at the railing. “You’re a liar.”

  “Danny!” Andrea stood up.

  Slam went the gavel. “Mr. Hoi. Ms. Slagel, sit.”

  Andrea sat.

  Danny held up his hand. “Sorry.” He leaned so Perry Mason like against the witness stand. “How long would you say Andrea knew your true identity?”

  “The whole time.”

  “The whole time. She blurted it out in idle conversation over say, tea?” Before Rev. Bob could answer, Danny continued. “Isn’t it true that she discovered your true identity after the George episodes and when she approached you with it, you cried?”

  “No.”

  “You cried like a big baby and begged her, begged her not to tell.”

  “No.”

  “Yes.” Danny stood up straight. “You used your position as a man of the cloth to get her to keep the secret.”

  “No.”

  Slam. Grace leaned into her bench. “Mr. Hoi, you’re repeating the line of questioning and going nowhere. Get to the point.”

  “The point.” Danny held up a finger. “The point is . . . how would you describe Andrea Winters-Slagel?” Danny breathed in and walked slowly from the stand.

  “I would say she was a sweet wonderful woman who turned cold, heartless, and vindictive, fooling everyone.”

  “Oh Boloney!”

  Slam. “Mr. Hoi.”

  Dramatically, Danny spun and rushed to the bench, speaking rapidly to get it all in. “Isn’t it true you are attracted to Andrea?”

  “No.”

  “Wasn’t it true you make sexual advances . . .”

  “Danny!” Andrea stood up.

  Slam! “Mr. Hoi.”

  “Did you!” Danny pointed. “Grab her breast in the chapel . . .”

  “Danny Hoi!” Andrea shouted.

  “No.” Rev. Bob shook his head.

  “Ms. Slagel, sit!” Grace yelled and slammed her gavel. “Mr. Hoi, you are badgering this witness.”

  Danny went on. “And when she threatened to turn you in, you threatened to say she knew about George?”

  “No!” Rev. Bob shouted.

  “Isn’t it true that this whole thing is a cover up for someone else? That you, Rev. Bob, are a liar, cheat . . .”

  “Danny!”

  Slam! “Mr. Hoi, I urge you . . .”

  “Drunken, stinking, perverted, Bible thumper wannabe who would give his right arm and sell his soul to the devil just . . .”

  “Mr. Hoi!” Grace screamed. “Enough.”

  “Just to get out of trouble. No further questions.” Danny backed up to the table, holding in the snicker as he watched Rev. Bob wipe the sweat from his brow. Breathing out, he sat down at the table.

  Trish widened her eyes in a whisper. “What in the world was all that about?”

  Danny lifted his hands slightly and leaned to her. “Episode Ten. The jury always, no matter what, remembers the last thing you say.”

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  Johnny’s daughter, Amber, giggled as Ellen brushed her nose against her nose. “You’re so sweet. Yes, you are. Just what I needed today.”

  “So she’s fine?” Denise asked in the lab.

  “Oh, yeah. Her ears look good.” Ellen bounced the baby. “Thank you for bringing her by. I needed to cheer up.”

  “She wanted to see her grandmother.”

  Ellen’s eyes moved with her facial cringe. “Denise. Please.” She handed Amber back. “Frank may love being a Pap. Me? Never grandmother.”

  Denise laughed. “Actually, I’m glad it’s you that took a
look at her. I wanted to talk to you.”

  “About?”

  “Well, I have room for another understanding. And this is about . . . Jess.”

  “What about him?”

  “I know you guys have been hanging about a lot. I wanted to hook up with him, but if there’s something going on between you two.”

  Jess was just about to enter the lab but stopped when he heard his name. He didn’t know why. Maybe it was the ‘Head of Security’ position he had that made him want to listen like Frank lurking in the hall, but he did.

  “Oh. No,” Ellen stated cheerfully. “Jess and I, we’re just friends. Go for it.”

  Jess rolled his eyes along with his head and leaned back, disappointed, against the wall.

  “But then again,” Ellen continued. “It really surprises me you would want to go after someone as . . . old as Jess. I mean, he’s thirty-seven. You’re twenty-three.”

  “I didn’t know Jess was that old?”

  “Oh, yeah, maybe even older. Gosh, he may be forty-something,” Ellen said.

  Jess silently laughed as he listened.

  “He doesn’t look it,” Denise commented.

  “Not from the neck up, no,” Ellen told her. “But the other night he spilled something on himself. He took off his shorts. Everything sags. It’s pitiful, especially with how handsome he is. But that shouldn’t matter? Right?”

  “Right,” Denise said with confusion.

  Jess heard enough. Acting as if he listened to nothing, he strutted into the lab. “Hey, El.” He slowed down and grinned widely. “Hi, Denise. Wow, what a surprise to see you.”

  “You too.” Denise cuddled her baby. “I really should be . . .” She walked up to Jess, extended her hand, and touched his chest. She tilted her head. “It doesn’t feel . . . never mind.” She smiled. “Jess, if you’re not doing anything later, call me.”

  “O.K.” Jess waved. “Thanks. I might.” He turned around to Ellen who immediately pretended to be working.

  “That’s nice of her. Are you going to take her up on it?”

  “I might. I’m in practice now so . . .”

  “I heard she falls asleep by eight. Johnny used to gripe about that, so keep that in mind. Kind of boring.”

  “I will.” Jess moved to her.

  “How come you stopped by?”

  “Curiosity,” Jess said. “You told me last night you were going to talk to Elliott about an understanding. And . . . who’s the other?”

  “Other what?”

  “Other man you may be interested in?”

  “I’ve really been thinking about that. I’ve had offers, but . . . you know, none from the . . . anyhow, it doesn’t matter. Things went array today.”

  Concerned, Jess stood from his lean. “What happened?”

  “God. Jess, if what I am could have been thrown anymore in my face today.” Holding back her bangs, Ellen paced. “Dean was being a vengeful Dean. He was in one of those moods, if ‘I can’t have her, I’ll ruin it for someone else’. Dean and I have this problem, always have. We . . . we say things to each other when we fight that we can’t take back. Still. And Elliott . . .” Ellen looked up and lowered her hand. “Elliott,” she whispered.

  Jess looked over his shoulder. Elliott stood at the door.

  Taking off his bandana, Elliott stepped inside, “Jess, I hate to interrupt, but could I have a moment alone with Ellen.”

  “Sure.” Jess stepped back. “I have rounds to finish. El, tonight?”

  Ellen nodded.

  In gratitude, Elliott smiled to Jess when he walked out. “So.” He stepped to Ellen.

  “So, are you here to say goodbye?”

  “Actually Dr. Godrichson has gone ahead. I felt this more important. See . . .” He took a deep breath. “We were interrupted this afternoon and I never was able to give you a response.”

  “Oh, Elliott.” Ellen closed her eyes and shook her head. “Forget it. Forget I asked. It was a stupid request. I feel foolish.”

  “Was I that bad?”

  “You?” Ellen chuckled. “No. Me. God. Honor this. Honor that. Dean is so right. I have no honor. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve felt cheap about myself for the way I am, but I always justified it. But never, never have I felt too cheap to be with anyone. I feel that way about being with you. You deserve more than what I am and more than I can give. I just wished this world had it to offer you.”

  “I see. So you’re rescinding your offer.”

  “Yeah. You’re off the hook. Friends?” She extended her hand.

  “I guess.” Elliott shook her hand. “I just wish . . .” Before he let it go, he brought it to his mouth and kissed it. “Ellen, I am disappointed. I can’t believe you would offer me something so good and take it away. But I guess it’s your right to change your mind. I shouldn’t have . . .”

  “Elliott? You want to do it? What about the way I am?”

  “The way you are?” Elliott shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with the way you are. Me, now, there’s a different story. I don’t know where to begin. Actually maybe it’s for the best because I was going to ask if the physical part of our relationship could be eased into but . . .”

  “We could,” Ellen spoke upbeat, “ease. I wouldn’t push. I just really like being with you.”

  “I really like . . . no, I love being with you.”

  Ellen smiled with a blush and lowered her head.

  “So.” Elliott clapped and leaned against the counter next to her. “How does this work? This is great. Will you stay with the Captain or with me? My home is open to you when you come to New Bowman.”

  “Yes. I mean, however you feel comfortable working it.”

  “To be honest, I would love for you to stay at my house. Just to have you there in the evening.” He smiled peacefully. “The company alone . . . Ellen, thank you so much. Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me.”

  “I have to.” He faced her. “Who . . . who is the man who is having the understanding with me? Maybe I should thank him.”

  “Um, no one yet. There’s nothing finalized. I’ll let you know as soon as I do. He’s from here though,” Ellen said. “I think it’ll work really great. Here will be my relationship with him. In New Bowman, I’m all yours.”

  “No, Ellen. You’ve got that wrong.” Elliott spoke softly, bringing his lips to her forehead. He kissed her and pulled back. “In New Bowman, I’m all yours.”

  ^^^^

  New Bowman, Montana

  “State your name and occupation for the record,” The court officer said.

  Jason shifted in his chair. “Dr. Jason Godrichson. Resident and physician in Beginnings. I also serve on Council.”

  Henry slowly stood up, turned a sheet of paper, and smiled at Jason. “No questions.” He sat back down.

  Grace looked oddly at Jason. “Mr. Kusakari, I will warn you only once. If you deliberately avoid asking questions again, you will be removed.”

  “Really. I don’t have any questions,” Henry said.

  “All right.” Grace sat back. “Mr. Hoi.”

  “Thank you.” Danny stood up. “Dr. Godrichson.” Danny moved to the witness stand. “I was reading over your deposition. You stated Andrea gave you letters to mail.”

  “Yes.”

  “What letters are these?”

  “I believe Stan showed the court.”

  Danny walked to the evidence table and held up two letters. “State’s Exhibit ‘D’. Letters found in George’s possessions warning of the plague and doom. By Ms. Slagel’s own admission, she said she typed those letters. Do you know when?”

  “I believe about a year ago, maybe less.”

  Danny chucked some. “And so, she had a little bit of menopause psychosis and warned of a plague and doom that already happened. I don’t see a crime in that. Do you?”

  “No.” Jason cleared his throat. “But tests show that those letters are nine years old.”

  “But you said she typed the
m a year ago.”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t understand, Doctor. Perhaps you can clear it up. How did Andrea type letters in Beginnings a year ago, in a world created post plague, but tests show the letters are nine years old? Are your tests incorrect?”

  “No.” Jason shook his head. “We believe that George was given the letters nine years ago, mailed to him by me.”

  “So you sent the letters.”

  “I mailed them.”

  “When?”

  “A little under a year ago, but I didn’t know what was in the envelopes. I didn’t know she was sending herself a letter to forward.”

  “I’m confused.” Danny scratched his head. “How did you, without a postal service, mail a letter a year ago to George, nine years ago?”

  “My Regressionator.”

  “You’re what?” Danny asked.

  “My Regressionator. Time machine.”

  “Time Machine?”

  “Yes.”

  “An H.G. Wells, go back and forth time machine?”

  “Yes.”

  Danny tilted his head far back and mimicked a laugh. “A time machine?”

  “Yes,” Jason stated.

  “No further questions.”

  ^^^^

  Beginnings, Montana

  Elliott actually held the corners of his eyes to stop the tears from forming in his laughter. “The Captain did that?” He leaned with his elbows on counter directly beside Ellen.

  “Yep.”

  “And you two . . .”

  “No, so get it out of your mind. Hal set that up. Posed me and everything to make his men think we . . . well. But we didn’t. Never have. He’s like a brother and . . . not to mention he looks way too much like Joe. I remember Joe at Hal’s age, or close to it. They are exactly alike.”

  “I can see that.” With a long breath Elliott stood up. “Speaking of the Captain, I have to return.”

  Ellen looked at her watch. “It’s pretty late. I have to be getting the kids. Thanks for staying.”

  “Thanks for the opportunity. I promise not to abuse it.” Elliott took her hand. “I just really like the idea of knowing when you come to New Bowman, I don’t have to find a reason to spend time with you. I’ll have that already.” He released her hand. “May I call you later?”