The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  ^^^^

  The series of noises annoyed Joe as he drove the Jeep on the junction road between Beginnings and New Bowman. “Frank,” Joe quipped. “Quit that.”

  “I can’t.” Frank spit a nail particle out. “I hate this ride. It’s too long.”

  “It’s ten miles and we’re almost there. We passed that halfway sign of yours a while back.”

  “Thank God and thank God Dean’s been quiet in the back.”

  “Yeah.” Joe looked into the rear view mirror. “Why have you been so quiet?”

  Dean stared out the window and just shook his head.

  “Cat got your tongue, Dean?” Joe asked.

  Frank added, “Maybe he’s mute.”

  Dean gave a discouraging glance Frank’s way.

  Signaled by the UWA checkpoint at the edge of town, the drive had reached its end. They rode down the street toward Hal’s office. Dean was still quiet until they were ready to get out.

  “Okay.” Dean leaned between the front two seats.

  Joe paused in his exiting. “Now he’s ready to talk.”

  “Just hear me out. What do you know about this Manis guy?”

  “He’s gay,” Frank said.

  “Frank, stop!” Joe snapped. “He’s not gay.”

  “Then what do we know about him?” Dean asked again.

  “Why?” Joe was puzzled. “Robbie said he’s a good guy. He r runs Lodi. Why?”

  “I need to know. Ellen’s with him. Alone.”

  “Not for long though,” Joe replied. “Per you, Robbie is going back tonight to get her. She’ll be home tomorrow.”

  “But this Manis . . .”

  “Dean!” Frank barked. “Let’s not talk about this guy, Okay?” He started to get out. “It aggravates me.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Dean slipped from the car. “Then don’t let me tell you that I think he and Ellen are together.”

  Frank shut the car door. “I know they are together, Dean. They’re in Lodi.” He walked to Hal’s office building.

  “Not together in Lodi. Together,” Dean repeated.

  “Where?” Frank asked, holding the door open. “If they aren’t in Lodi, where are they together?”

  “Frank!” Joe snapped. “He means they are together as begin a couple. Is that right, Dean?”

  “Yes.” Dean nodded.

  “Ridiculous.” Joe scoffed. “I know Ellen’s fast but that’s too fast. No way.”

  “Yeah, Dean, no way.” Frank said as he walked up the steps.

  “Frank, I’m telling you, that’s what’s bothering me.” With Joe and Frank, Dean approached Hal’s open office door. “I called this morning. It would be around six their time, right? Ellen was sleeping and he answered the phone.”

  After peeking in Hal’s office and seeing it empty, Frank walked in. “So.”

  “So!” Dean barked. “He answered the phone, Frank. He offered to wake her. She was right there. Right there. He was whispering in that low tone, trying not to wake anyone. You know, that groggy whisper.”

  Joe took a seat behind Hal’s desk and shook his head. “Dean, please. I think you’re overreacting.”

  “No, absolutely not. Ellen spent the night with Manis. She spent the night. I think she slept with him, Frank.”

  Frank’s jaws twitched. “You really think?”

  Joe rolled his eyes.

  “I’m telling you,” Dean stated firmly. “I asked her who was with her and she answered ‘Mike’. Now, tell me what you think.”

  The soft clearing of a throat entered the room. “If I may?” Elliott interrupted.

  “No!” Frank snapped. “You may not.”

  “Frank,” Joe warned.

  “I apologize for overhearing.” Elliott stepped further in the room. “But Ellen did not spend the night with Chief Manis nor did she sleep with him. She spent the night at the hospital with . . . with a patient.” He nodded at Frank.

  Joe held out his hand. “There you have it. Now let’s drop this.”

  Arrogantly, Dean spun to Elliott. “And exactly how, Sgt. Ryder, would you know who my wife spent the night with.”

  “Ex-wife,” Elliott corrected.

  “Zap!” Frank instigated. “Ouch . . . man, that hurt.”

  “Frank.” Joe shook his head.

  Dean held back. “How would you know?”

  “I talked to her when she was at the hospital. We talked for a while,” Elliott answered. “Then she called me back at what would be three o’clock her time and we talked even longer.”

  “Yeah, but all night?” Dean asked with sarcasm.

  Hal answered that as he walked in. “Three hours. Well, one hundred and seventy five minutes to be exact.” Hal grinned. “He used my phone.”

  “You know . . .” Dean nearly screamed. “No one asked you!”

  Joe intervened, “But you got an answer. Lay them fears to rest. Do the math.” He grumbled when he saw Frank hold up his fingers. “Not you, Frank.”

  Frank ignored him. “If he talked to Ellen at three in the morning for almost three hours . . . that means . . . they were on the phone until almost . . . almost . . .” Frank jumped when everyone yelled, ‘six’. “Six. Thanks. If they were together, Dean, she must have fallen asleep right after. This Manis guys must be fast, but that fast?”

  Hal shrugged “Possibly Frank. In a world where there is little female contact, the first time for a man would be fast. What a fear to carry. I wouldn’t want it. . . .” He glanced at Elliott. “Would you, Elliott?” He turned to his desk. “Father, you’re sitting at my desk.”

  “Yes, I am.” Joe nodded. “Grab a chair, boys. We have a meeting.”

  Hal was bound and determine to be in a good mood. The meeting would go well despite the fact that Frank was there. At least that was what Hal thought until he went to sit down next to Dean, and Dean abruptly moved. Then Hal rethought those ‘happy meeting’ thoughts.

  Several reactions occurred in that office following the questioning of Ben, Marma, Carol, and finally Misha.

  Misha sobbed. Joe listened. Dean rolled his eyes. Frank bit his nails. Hal took notes. Elliott looked as if he took notes, when in fact he took advantage of the fact that the Captain was preoccupied and wrote a letter to Ellen.

  With tears streaming, Misha huffed in some breaths, “May I go now, Mr. Slagel?”

  “Yeah.” Joe told her. “We’ll get in touch with you.”

  Frank pointed with a serious look. “Don’t leave town,” he snickered.

  Misha nodded, wiped her hand under her eyes, and stood.

  Hal stood as well and handed her a handkerchief. “Here.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Misha took it and walked out.

  Preparing to sit again, Hal saw the look Dean gave him. “Yes?” Hal asked.

  Dean shook his head. “Giving her a handkerchief.”

  “She was crying.”

  “She deserves to cry and you baby her.”

  “Baby her?” Hal scoffed. “I was merely being a gentleman.”

  “No, you were just showing that you could care less what she did, asshole,” Dean argued. “Because you don’t know what it’s like to feel the repercussion of this chip.”

  “Oh, you don’t think?” Hal asked.

  “Enough,” Joe concluded their argument. “We need to decide what to do. Misha states she didn’t think it would actually work and she didn’t mean for it to get out of control. Marma and Carol meant it as a joke for you to fall for Josephine, and Ben, well guilt by association, he let them use his computer. I told all four of you men to come up with solutions. What do you have?”

  Dean spoke up first. “Throw them out, at least Misha. Oust them.”

  Joe held up his hand to Hal. “Dean, we can’t throw them out.”

  “Yeah, you can, Joe,” Dean argued.

  “Yeah,” Frank stated. “We can. We threw Ellen out for less.”

  Joe looked up at Frank. “How in God’s name do you figure, Frank? She shot someone in th
e head.”

  “But it was Bev. Bev was . . . oh!” Frank snapped his fingers. “Why is it that Dean is the center of problems around young females? Maybe it’s Dean we should throw out.”

  Hal chuckled a soft airy laugh.

  With a snap turn of his head, Dean blazed at Hal. “You would love that, wouldn’t you?”

  Hal’s head tilted with arrogance as he sighed out, “Dean. Dean. Dean.” He brushed a piece of lint from his pants. “Contrary to what you say think, I do not hate you. I find you annoying lately, but I don’t hate you.”

  “I hate you.”

  Hal tossed his hands up.

  “Be that as it may.” Joe interceded. “Solutions. Frank?”

  “Ok, I didn’t really come up with anything. But . . .” Frank spoke with a lifted finger. “Let’s look at this logically. We really have no prison system. We should ask ourselves what our forefathers would do. What would the men of the 1800's do to someone who messed with a microchip?”

  Joe stared at Frank for a second, and then turned his head. “Elliott. What do you have?”

  Hal raised his hand. “Why does he go before me?”

  “Because I said so.” Joe nodded. “Elliott.”

  Elliott glanced at Hal. “Captain?”

  Hal lifted his hand and gave half hearted ‘go on’ wave.

  Hesitantly, Elliott began, “Well, I’ve given the ordeal some thought. First, as much as we may like, we cannot throw these people out. Three of these four are very productive members of the community. Now Marma and Carol, by their own admission, were the brains behind it all. However, by their own admission, along with Misha’s, they saw it as a practical joke, one that would really cause no harm. Let’s face it. Dean would not have divorced Ellen if it was just . . .” Elliott choked a little on his words “Josephine that was the object of his affection. Misha was the main culprit. She intentionally was there when the joke went down and also encouraged Dean’s infatuation with her. In my opinion, she caused the most damage. Now . . .” Elliott saw Frank’s hand raise “Yes, Frank?’

  “Are you always this long winded?” Frank asked.

  “Frank,” Joe warned. “Continue, Elliott.”

  “Yes.” Elliott nodded. “Now, what is suitable punishment? We’ve cannot have the punishment match the crime because none of the people involved can suffer like Dean so we look at the word ‘suffer’. What would make them suffer? That is how we find our punishment. Also, make the punishment last as long as Dean dealt with the chip problem.”

  Joe nodded. “Since you gave such a speech, please tell me you’re not being a ‘Frank’ and you really do have punishments in mind.”

  “Yes, I do,” Elliott continued “Marma and Carol have an easy ride. Carol works as a secretary three days a week for the courts. That’s it. Marma works with Ben and Todd. One thing about these two women is they hate men. I say, sentence them to hard labor with men. Put these women in the mess halls of Bowman and Doyle camp for three weeks on top of their other jobs. Misha, well, she works with Ben, but she’s pretty lazy. I’d say punish her with facing the retribution of her action. I would recommend, once Ellen gets back, and since it was something Dean had to do because of Misha, I say put Misha in Containment for two to three weeks.” Elliott sat back down.

  “What about Ben?” Joe asked.

  Elliott produced a half smile. “He was truly not as guilty, but deserves punishment. Hit him where it hurts. Make him dress badly.”

  Joe nodded slowly. “Elliott, I’m impressed. You made very good suggestions. Hal, what do you think?”

  “I think his suggestions are wonderful,” Hal replied with a hint of sarcasm then turned to Elliot with a whispering ‘I hate you.’

  “Frank?” Joe questioned.

  “I liked mine better.”

  “You didn’t make any suggestions!” Joe yelled.

  “Oh.” Frank shrugged. “Then his are good.”

  “Dean?” Joe sought a response from Dean.

  “I think they suck!” Dean snapped. “I think we should throw them out. Of course they can suggest mild, peaceful punishments because none of them were affected like me. So typical UWA.” He shook his head

  Hal spoke up, “I beg your pardon? Typical UWA? What on earth do you mean?”

  “It means it’s typical. You pamper women,” Dean rebutted. “The UWA may be these ‘act real tough’ guys with swords but when it comes down to women, all of you are ball-less.”

  “Ball-less?” Hal questioned smug. “Ball-less? The last I checked, Dr. Hayes, I had my testicles, and to call my men eunuchs, I find that insulting.”

  “Uh, Hal.” Frank taped him on the shoulder. “He called them ball-less, not Eunuchs.”

  Hal sneered at Frank then returned to Dean. “It s an uncalled for statement and Sgt Ryder made valid suggestions that handle the situation.”

  “In a very wimp manner,” Dean came back. “There’s nothing harsh about it.”

  “Why does the punishment need to be so severe?” Hal asked. “Punishment is punishment. Why the severity? We seek punishment, not revenge.”

  Dean’s hand came down heavy. “Because you weren’t affected. I was. I lost my wife.”

  “You gave up your wife,” Hal argued.

  “Because of the chip! Because of them!”

  “That, my friend, is complete and utter bullshit.” Hal nodded. “Ask my brother when you gave her up.”

  “Uh . . . Dean?” Frank winced. “You said you were giving Ellen up long before you had the chip messed with. You said it was my turn. You were stepping aside.”

  Dean chuckled. “But if it hadn’t been for the chip, I might not have done it.”

  “Ah,” Hal intruded. “So not only are you a bitter man, but a man who fails to keep his word.”

  “That is enough out of you!” Dean yelled.

  “Gentlemen,” Joe tried to call order.

  “Yes.” Hal, ignoring his father, lifted both his hands. “I’ll say nothing further. Lord knows we don’t want to get you roused up and angry you may seek . . . revenge on me.”

  “Okay. That’s it.” Dean stood up. “Peace talks or not, I’m not waiting. Let’s go.”

  “Let’s go?” Hal asked.

  “Let’s go. Outside.” Dean nodded.

  Frank laid his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Dean. Stop. Don’t. I mean it. I can’t step in. You’re on your own.”

  With his eyes on Hal, Dean spoke coldly. “I don’t need your help against him.”

  Hal held back the snicker. “Dean, let me get this straight. Are you challenging me to a physical confrontation?”

  “Yes.”

  “A street brawl of sorts?”

  “Yes, asshole.”

  Hal cleared his throat. “For as much as I’d like to indulge, for as much as I tire of these petty name callings you do with me, my apologies Dr. Hayes, but out of fairness, I will decline the challenge. The provocation just isn’t there.”

  “Oh, yeah. Well how about . . .” Dean looked around. He saw the palm tree paperweight on Hal’s desk. Index finger extended, Dean flicked it and toppled it over. “How about now?”

  “Now you’ve gone too far.” Hal stood up. “You want this. You’ve got this.”

  “Boys!” Joe yelled. “Stop this. Sit down.”

  Dean headed to the door. “No, Joe, I need this. Hal needs to see he should be taking me seriously.”

  “You’re grown men, for crying out loud!” Joe pointed to the chair. “Sit. Dean!” Dean had walked out. “Hal.”

  Hal en route to the door, stopped. “Trust me, Father, when I tell you this won’t take long.” With a grin, he walked out.

  Joe wanted to get another argument out but couldn’t. Hal and Dean had left. Following Frank’s kid-like shout of, ‘Oh yeah, fight’ just before Frank raced out behind Hal and Dean all Joe could do was grumble a ‘Christ.’

  Frank hovered. He was a crowd all by himself. He followed them out to the street to see the fight that he kne
w would not take long. He tried to convince Dean again, maybe not as diligently as he could, but Frank tried. Dean ignored him.

  Elliott looked nervous. “Captain.”

  Hal handed Elliott his jacket.

  “Captain, I implore you, out of fairness,” he whispered, “don’t do this. It’s an unfair challenge.”

  Hal rolled up his sleeves. “Good God, Elliott. I’m not fighting a child. I’m fighting a man.”

  “A small man.”

  Dean barked out, “I heard that!”

  Elliott raised his hands, ‘fine.” He stepped back.

  Rearing and ready, Dean moved to Hal. “Ready?”

  “Let me show you something, Dean.” Hal lifted a finger, a single finger.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “One punch, one single punch and this is over,” Hal said smugly. “One punch,”

  “You think?”

  “Oh, I know.”

  “Try me.”

  “Very well.” Hal, fist clenched, smiled.

  Blackness.

  ^^^^

  It was Lars’s turn to do the examination and give his theory. It was simple to see what happened, but to explain it was the difficult part.

  “It should be short term,” Lars explained, “after the medication settled. I don’t think Johnny will believe in his womanhood for long. A week, maybe. It only goes to figure since we were injecting the behavioral portion of his brain.”

  “But how does he think he’s a woman?” Ellen asked.

  “Almost like an alter ego, maybe.” Lars shrugged. “Whatever the case, he believes he has always been a woman and even goes as far as recalling his first menstrual cycle. He slash she has Johnny’s memories with the personality of a woman. It’s as if this woman was the one that came to Lodi, this woman left Beginnings, not Johnny.”

  Mike stood up. “This is strange.”

  Ellen raised her eyebrows. “Well, this is minor. Wait until you get to Beginnings. What about when he looks in the mirror, Lars?”

  “He sees a woman, a distorted vision of himself.” Lars sighed. “No matter what we tell him, he sees not Johnny, but Jenny.”

  Ellen’s attention was caught. “Jenny?”

  “Yes, I figure it’s a feminine form of Johnny.”