The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  Oscar nodded. Open mouthed, he tried with diligence to speak, flutters of syllables came out then he gave up. He screamed in panic.

  Everyone jumped.

  Oscar ran in place.

  “Ha!” Frank smiled. “I knew it was charades. Look. He’s running.”

  Oscar snapped his fingers and pointed.

  Proudly, Frank nodded. “See I’m right. Why were you running, Oscar?”

  “Gr-Gr-Gr-GR . . .”

  “Grace,” Frank said. “No, she’s dead. Oh! Wait. A grizzly. Fuck, we have another bear.”

  Oscar shook his head. “Kr-Kr-Kr-Kr . . . Kr . . .” Like a broken record, he repeated mouth noise over and over while his face turned red.

  Hal rose harsh to his feet. “Good Lord, say it! Say it!”

  “Hal!” Joe yelled. “Patience.”

  Oscar blasted, “Savage!”

  After the unison ‘what!’, the door to the office plowed open.

  War call.

  “Duck!” Frank ordered.

  Everyone did. A spear sailed across Joe’s office .

  “Christ.” Joe rose to his feet and watched as the Savage raged in. “Grab him.”

  Robbie and Hal jumped up, but the Savage leaped and landed on Joe’s desk, right before a standing Joe.

  Frank grunted “Is this ridiculous or what?” Standing, he pulled out his gun.

  “Frank.” Joe lifted his hands. “Not in my . . .”

  Bang.

  “ . . .office.” Joe winced.

  Frank put his gun away. “Got him.”

  Joe would have screamed. In fact, he wanted to. The words, ‘Frank you goddamn asshole,’ yearned to bellow from his lips, but Joe couldn’t. All he could do is wince and keep his mouth closed so as not to ingest anything. Joe did the only thing he could do. He swept his hand once down his face to clear the blood, and glared at Frank.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  A four mile walking distance, over rough terrain, was where Jimmy and Jess hid the packed Jeep. It had a tank full of gas with four extra containers and what they needed to take with them. They knew they wouldn’t make it too far in that Jeep. Maybe Texas if they were lucky. Not only were they taking the safe route home, they were taking the long one as well.

  Getting out of St. Augustine was foremost. They could survive the trip. They had what they needed, weapons included. They just needed to get moving.

  Rumors were spread though out the day after the massive amounts of explosions were set. The call was made to George. Johnny was spotted. Jimmy and Jess were moving in. As projected to George, all would go well and it would go down not long after sunset.

  ^^^^

  As he neared Holding, Joe wondered what his son was up to. Robbie stood just inside the door and Joe could see him. Robbie smirked with his head leaning back and his arms folded,. Shaking his head in disgust, Joe walked into Holding. “Robert.”

  Robbie cleared his throat. “Dad.”

  “Is Frank still in there?”

  “Yep.”

  “Did he get a late start?”

  “No. He’s just been in there.”

  “Christ.” Joe looked at his watch. “It’s been an hour. What the . . .” Joe jolted at the bang of something.

  Robbie shrugged. “They’re rough.”

  Joe grumbled a ‘hmm.’

  Robbie reached back and knocked. “Frank, Dad’s here.”

  Silence.

  A few footsteps and Frank walked out. “Dad. Whoa. Those two women are tough.”

  “I’m taking it the interrogations aren’t going well?” Joe asked.

  “No, not at all. I’m running out of options.”

  Seriously, Robbie looked up. “Have you tried love Frank? Maybe hugging them?”

  “No, but I will.”

  Grunting, Joe reached for the door. “I’ll handle this.”

  “At least you’re clean now.” Frank winked.

  “Yeah, Frank no thanks to you. You shot a goddamn Savage in my office.”

  “I got him though.”

  “Two feet from me.”

  “Still, I got him.”

  Robbie pointed. “He got him.”

  “No one asked you.” Joe grabbed the door handle. “This won’t take long. Give me thirty seconds.”

  “Why?” Frank asked.

  “I’m just saying to give me thirty seconds.”

  “Then what? Storm in?” Frank questioned.

  “No I’ll be out!” Joe said.

  “In thirty seconds? Then what?”

  “It will be over, you ass. I’ll have it done.” Joe nodded. “Thirty seconds.”

  “Do you want me to count or be more official and look at my watch?” Frank asked.

  “Your watch, Frank.”

  “Got it.” Frank lifted his arm, “Wait.”

  “What! What!” Joe snapped.

  “To make it easier just wait until the timer . . . gets to . . . zero . . . go.”

  Annoyed, Joe walked in the room.

  Frank kept his eyes on his watch.

  “Where are we now?” Robbie asked.

  “Ten, eleven . . .”

  “Think he’ll do it?”

  “I’ll be pissed if he does.”

  The door opened.

  Robbie stepped aside. “Be pissed, Frank.”

  “He didn’t.” Frank still watched his watch.

  Joe smiled. “I did. I asked and they admitted to it. Get them secured somewhere and find me before we get Dean for a resolution. Thanks.” Joe just walked off.

  Robbie saw the look on Frank’s face. “What’s wrong?”

  “How did it do it so fast?”

  “He didn’t. You did. You wore them down. Bet me Dad went in there and stole your next plan of attack.”

  “He hugged them?”

  Robbie nodded. “He hugged them. I just bet you.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Look at the bright side, big brother. After we figure out what to do, it’s over. This Misha thing is done.”

  “True.” Frank opened the door slightly. “You don’t think Dad’s gonna start going around and hugging everyone now? I’d hate to think we ruined him.”

  “Dad? Hug?” Robbie laughed and followed Frank inside. “Nah.”

  ^^^^

  Knowing full well that Frank would have a field day with all the snow in Lodi, Ellen used that thought process to keep her mind occupied and off of the bitterness as she made her way to where she was told Mike sat. The old bank still had its glass doors but they were blackened out.

  ‘Inside, back vault’ was the instruction Ellen was given, so without knocking, she went in. Large tables were set up with what looked like maps sprawled about. Four men worked around one table. They all glanced up on her entrance.

  Ellen felt the oddity of the stares. “I’m just here . . . for Chief Manis.”

  Like they were mute, not any of them spoke though one smiled softly and pointed to the vault door.

  Getting ready to say ‘Thanks,’ Ellen stopped when she heard Mike’s voice blast out.

  “Right! Fuck that! Like we care when.”

  Ellen chuckled and as though the mute men couldn't hear either, she pointed at her ear to say, ‘I hear, thanks’. She walked in the direction of the vault.

  “So when does he say he’s coming now?” Mike’s voice questioned.

  “A few more days,” Buzz replied.

  Ellen raised her hand to knock.

  “Read that again.”

  “Chief, all Hadley said . . .”

  Ellen paused and stepped back.

  “Read it again,” Mike instructed.

  Buzz huffed, “Fine.” He cleared his throat. “Lodi, due to unexpected circumstances, combined with the weather, my arrival will be delayed several more days. I look forward to working out some sort of peaceful agreement. President George Hadley.” Buzz folded the note. “He didn’t even put a ‘sincerely’. Do you think he got scared?”

  Mike fluttered his lips, �
��Hadley? Nah, I think that . . .” Mike raised his eyes and slowed down his speaking. “Ellen.”

  “I’m sorry.” Ellen stepped into the vault. “I didn’t mean to overhear . . .”

  “No. No,” Mike said as if it were nothing. “Buzz, can you . . .”

  “Sure, Chief.” Buzz nodded and stepped out.

  Mike scratched his head with a slight look of embarrassment. “I didn’t want you to hear that.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Ellen, look I don’t want you to think that there’s any Society connection between . . .”

  “I don’t,” Ellen interrupted. “I know there isn’t. But, Mike, why is George coming here? It can’t be good.”

  “I think he wants us . . . . No, I know he wants us to either join him or move.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  “Neither.”

  “Mike,” Ellen breathed out. “You are not Society living on the Society side. You, yourself, told me you remained well hidden because of Tim Doyle. Tim’s with us now. How protected are you gonna be?”

  Mike shrugged. “We’re working on it.”

  “How will you handle the Society’s threat?”

  “I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.”

  “Do you want me to call my father and . . .”

  “No.” Mike stood up. “No. No,” he stated firmly. “This is my town, Ellen. My town. Thank you, but I don’t need Beginnings to run to my rescue.”

  “It’s not a rescue Mike. It’s extra help.”

  “I’ll deal with it.”

  “Well, don’t think I won’t tell my father.”

  “I’m certain you will.” Mike sat back down.

  “I know George, Mike. I know him very well. I know what he’s capable of and he’s fully capable of doing whatever he can to get you to move.”

  “I know. I’m dealing with it buy he’s gonna have to move me cause I sure as shit ain’t leaving freely. Change of subject please.”

  Ellen nodded in agreement. “Johnny.”

  “How is he?’

  “Doing good. He seems to be handling things well and sleeping heavily, as expected. Tomorrow will tell if there will be side effects. We’re feeding the treatment at slow, small intervals. We’re gonna do the last one in about an hour and call it a night.”

  “I’m glad things are going well.”

  “Did you eat? I didn’t know if you wanted to grab a bite, go see Johnny, or . . .”

  “I can’t.” Mike shook his head. “I’m staying put. We have Savage problems along with . . .” He gulped. “Killer babies.”

  Ellen’s eyes widened. “You have them too?”

  “It seems the Society dumped them on us as well.” Mike raised his eyebrows. “Usually they don’t bother us but today, they’re rowdy. Maybe we’ll luck out and the Savage problem will get solved by our killer baby problem.”

  “They helped us.”

  “I’m sorry. I feel bad abandoning you like this. I thought Lars would be . . . .”

  “Lars is sleeping. He’s taking the night shift. I’ll be fine I’ll head back to the clinic now. I’ll figure out something to do tonight.”

  “Did you walk here by yourself?”

  “Yeah. I better head back.”

  “Hold on. I’ll get someone to walk with you.” Mike stood up.

  “No, I don’t need . . .”

  “Yeah, I’d feel better.” Mike aimed his voice out the door.

  “Mike, I . . .”

  “Elliott, can you come here.” Mike turned around. “Just let him . . . Ellen?”

  Ellen had a pleased smile on her face.

  “Ellen?”

  “You just gave me an idea on how to spend my time.”

  “I did?” Mike asked, then turned his head when Elliott walked in. “Elliott, can . . . Oh, I get it. Elliott.” He nodded.

  “What?” Elliott asked.

  “Not you, Elliott,” Mike said.

  “I am,” Elliott replied.

  “Not you. Elliot made her smile.”

  “I did?”

  “Not you. Elliott,” Mike repeated.

  “I am.” Elliott snapped back, a little annoyed.

  Mike grunted. “Forget it.”

  “I wish I could, but I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about, Chief,” Elliott said.

  “Ellen?” Mike snapped his fingers. “Send word to me later if you can.”

  “I will.” Ellen smiled and moved to the door with Elliott. “I’ll even stop by if that’s Okay.”

  “I’d like that.” Mike returned the smile. “I think I know where that mind of yours is. Enjoy whatever it is you plan on doing with Elliott tonight.

  Elliott looked surprised. “We’re doing something?”

  Mike grumbled. “Not you. Elliott.”

  “I am.”

  “Go.” Mike pointed to the door.

  “We’re going.” Elliott, at the point of looking frustrated, took Ellen’s arm. “Sorry about all that. I don’t know what’s up with the chief. He’s confusing me.”

  “Oh,” Ellen waved out her hand. “He’s nothing. Just wait until you meet a Beginnings man named Frank. Better yet . . .” She slowed down and looked back to the vault. She turned to Elliott with a bright smile. “I think it will be even more interesting when Mike meets Frank.”

  ^^^^

  “You know . . .” Irritated and angry, Joe slammed a clipboard into Frank’s chest as they walked. “You ought to grow up.”

  “What?” Frank asked in his usual confused manner.

  “Look at what you wrote on that report.”

  Frank read it. “Yeah, so?”

  “You don’t see anything wrong with it?”

  “No. It’s normal.”

  “Frank . . .”

  “Did I spell something wrong?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t even begin to tell me I filled it out wrong. I’ve been filling out stupid reports for . . .”

  “Frank!” Joe yelled.

  “What!”

  “It’s not what you wrote in the report. It’s what you wrote on the report.”

  “I’m lost.”

  “As usual.” Joe stopped walking and took the clipboard. “Here.” He pointed. “Are these comments necessary?”

  “In my defense, I didn’t put them in the report. I put them on the border of the report. I was doodling.”

  “Doodling?” Joe asked. “Doodling is pictures. These are phases, Frank. Chief Manis sucks? Chief Manis is gay.”

  Frank snickered. “He may be.”

  “Why are you writing obscenities about a man you don’t even know?”

  “He has Ellen. He took her.”

  “He didn’t take her, Frank. She went there.”

  “Well, he won’t give her back.”

  Joe grumbled, “I don’t understand this hostility you and Dean both have toward that town. You with Manis, him with Rayburn. You know Robbie says that Mike and Lars are the Lodi Frank and Dean.”

  “So this Mike looks like me.”

  “That’s not what . . . .”

  “He must be a handsome guy.”

  “Frank!” Joe snapped. “Enough.”

  “You started it.”

  “I’m finishing it. Why are we going to the house? We’re looking for Dean.”

  “Dean’s there. He’s gonna go back to the lab later.” Frank neared the porch.

  “Is he living here, Frank?” Joe asked. “I know this is or was his house, but he moved out.”

  “He’s here now. He’s cured of the brain malfunction. He feels bad now.”

  “Playing devil’s advocate, he did divorce Ellen, moved out, and gave you the house.”

  “I know. I know.” Frank stepped on the porch. “But like I said, he feels bad. He needs to be here, home with the kids.”

  “And you’re letting him?”

  “Call me the sensitive friend.” Frank nodded proudly.

  “What are you gonna do with h
im when Ellen gets back?”

  “Oh, he’s fuckin gone.” Frank opened the door. “He gave this up.”

  “So much for being the sensitive friend.” Joe let out an airy chuckle and followed Frank inside. Joe stomped the snow off his feet with a look that fast was becoming typical. He glanced to Frank, who sniffed. “What are you smelling?”

  “Nothing.” Frank sniffed.

  “I don’t smell anything.”

  “Exactly.” Frank shut the door.

  Joe tossed up his hands. “I give up.”

  “So do I.” Frank shook his head “Dean!”

  Dean emerged from the hallway,. “Oh hey Joe, Frank.” Dean looked at his watch. “You’re early. Good. I can head to the lab.”

  “Not early enough that I wouldn’t smell it,” Frank griped.

  Dean chuckled. “What?”

  “My dinner, Dean. Why isn’t it cooking?”

  “Shit, I forgot. I got busy.”

  “Busy?” Frank questioned. “Dean, did you go into the kitchen at all?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Did you see the note I left on the fridge?”

  “Um . . . yeah.” Dean moved to the coat rack. “And the one on the coffee pot.”

  “How about the one I left on your dresser?”

  “Yes.” Dean grabbed his coat.

  “The toilet?”

  Joe looked at Frank. “Why are you leaving this man a note on the toilet?”

  “Cause, he’ll go, he’ll see the note, and remember. Which he did, but didn’t. How can you forget, Dean?” Frank asked. “All you had to do was put it in the oven. I came home this afternoon, took the time to get it . . .”

  “Enough.” Joe halted him. “Have a late dinner. Dean, before you skip out of here, clear your schedule for tomorrow about eleven. We’re going to New Bowman to try to figure out what to do with the parties involved with your chip descrambling so think of some repercussion.”

  Dean’s hands paused as he fixed the collar of his jacket. “You guys got confessions?”

  Joe nodded. “Marma, Carol, and . . . to my surprise . . . Misha.”

  Frank looked stunned. “When did you get Misha to confess?”

  “Just before I met you. I stopped at the bakery, pulled her aside, told her Ben, Marma, and Carol all confessed and then asked her if she was involved.” Joe shrugged. “She said yes.”

  Frank gave a swat to Joe’s arm. “Good job, Dad. I’m impressed. You do good.”