“And how did they know to target Shangri-La?” Duke asked.
“We’re rather well known since the vaccine, Duke. I mean, we saved the world. We’re legendary. Which can be a bad thing, obviously.”
“Ask her how they knew I could lead them to Eve,” Duke demanded, his voice tight.
“I will, but my guess is one of the people you tried to recruit before talked to the wrong person. It doesn’t take much, and if they were traveling along the highway from the south, they’d have at least passed through Denver.”
“Who is this prophet?” Arnold asked.
“My guess is the nutcase who runs Denver. I’ve heard about him from other radio operators. He broadcasts incoherent sermons every few weeks. I can ask them, although I have to be careful what I say because anyone could be listening.”
“If she’s headed to Denver, there aren’t many roads she could take,” Duke said.
“Agreed. But she’s got over a full day’s lead on us now.”
“So we’ll have to go to Denver. Assuming she’s still alive by the time we get there,” Duke said. “We need a plan. Ellen told me there were thousands in the church. No way can we take on thousands of crazies.”
“No,” Elliot agreed. “Blunt force isn’t the way to go, which means we’ll have to use stealth instead. Just as they did with us.”
“What kind of religion justifies murder and kidnapping a little girl?”
Elliot’s brow creased. “There are countless examples of zealots twisting ideology to suit their aims. This is hardly the first time a religion has justified killing in the name of the Lord. One might say it’s the history of the Abrahamic religions. Think about the Crusades, as an example. Or about most wars – where God is on our side, which implies he doesn’t care about the enemy or their families. Whole cities have been firebombed or nuked based on that premise – that our lives are more precious than theirs. This sounds like the same moral loophole. I’d bet that’s how it’s framed to the true believers. For all I know, it’s acceptable to kill any but the faithful. Again, it’s not like that’s unheard of. A variation of the rules not applying to anyone but the chosen.”
“It’s nuts,” Duke spat.
“No disagreement. But the question is what do we do now?” Elliot said.
“See what other information you can get out of her,” Arnold said.
“Anything specific?”
“How the church recruits. Who this prophet is. Where their headquarters are. Logistics we can use to find and rescue Eve.”
“Very well. But I have to warn you that she could slip into a coma at any time. The intracranial pressure…”
“Then hurry,” Duke said, his voice pained.
Elliot returned to the interior just as Sierra arrived with a bandage wrapped around her head.
“Should you be up?” Arnold asked.
“I want to see her.”
“That’s not possible,” Arnold said. “Elliot’s questioning her with drugs.”
“I want to see her,” she repeated. “What did they do with my daughter?”
“We’re finding that out,” Duke said.
Sierra leveled a glare at him. “You brought these people into our life.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I had no way of knowing.”
She waved a hand in disgust. “Words. Damage is done.”
“We’re going to get her back,” Duke said.
“How?”
“We will. Now come on. I’ll walk you home. You won’t do any good here.”
“One of them died?” she asked. “I saw them burying her.”
“Yes.”
“Good. I hope she suffered before going straight to hell.”
Duke reached out to take her arm. “Let me help you…”
She jerked her arm away and pulled back. “Don’t you dare touch me.”
He held up his hands. “Fine. Arnold will help you back.”
Sierra’s demeanor cracked, and a tear rolled from her left eye down to her chin, the droplet accelerating until it stopped in defiance of gravity and trembled there. “I want my little girl back,” she said in a voice filled with pain.
“We’ll get her back,” Arnold said, and put his arm around her. “I promise, Sierra. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
Chapter 26
Two hours later Elliot emerged from his cabin, where he’d spent the last forty-five minutes on the radio speaking with kindred spirits throughout the region. Arnold and Duke were sitting at the fire pit, munching on dried meat, when he neared and sat beside them.
“Well, gentlemen, I’ve pieced together as much of this as I’m able,” he announced.
Arnold eyed him expectantly.
“The church sounds like a cult, based on what I’ve been able to garner. It’s led by a self-proclaimed prophet named Ulysses Granger, and controls Denver, which sounds more grandiose than it actually is. Apparently that area was particularly hard hit by the virus. Anyhow, as far as we know, he has roughly five thousand followers, who are rabid and will do anything he says. They view him as being as close to a God walking the earth as is possible, and he completely controls them.”
“That’s just great,” Duke said. “Like we don’t have enough problems.”
“One of my contacts told me that they’re having a big carnival to attract new blood next week. Which may provide us with an opportunity.”
“How so?” Arnold asked.
“If we can infiltrate them, perhaps we can learn where Eve is being kept, and free her.” He frowned. “Frankly, I see no other way to go about this.”
“Infiltrate them?”
“Yes. If some of us were to pose as travelers, with a few of the young women from our group, we would fit their target for recruitment. The idea would be to join the cult, mingle, and learn all we can about them.”
“We’d be recognized,” Duke said. “We have to assume Ellen will see us.”
“I never saw her,” Arnold said. “And they weren’t here long enough to meet most of the town.”
“That’s correct,” Elliot said to Arnold. “What I would propose is that you and Devin select two of the sharpest and most capable women between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, and pose as couples from New Mexico who are tired of the road and are seeking lasting peace.”
“What about me?” Duke demanded. “I got us involved in this nightmare.”
“You could act as support, hanging back outside Denver.”
“Support?”
“With whomever you need to help. But you couldn’t go into the city – it would blow the entire plan.”
“What if they don’t take us?” Arnold asked.
“Seems unlikely. These types of groups need to proselytize to grow. That’s the constant in all cults – they require fresh blood to increase their reach and their influence. They’re constantly recruiting.”
“So we pretend that we’ve lost our minds and want to follow some prophet?”
“That’s the essence of it. Once a part of the cult, you can then nose around until you find Eve, and then come up with a plan to free her.”
“Just like that.”
“I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But without more information on how they’re structured and what their security and defenses are like, we can’t formulate a strategy.” He wiped his brow. “I’m sorry. That’s the best I can come up with.”
“Any suggestions on who we should ask to go on this suicide mission?” Arnold asked.
“I’ve heard that Anne is more than competent. And perhaps…Julie? They would both be welcome additions to any group, I should think.”
“What if they say no?”
“Tell them to speak with me. But do what you can to make it clear what’s at stake. We don’t have weeks to put this into action.”
“Denver’s a four-day ride if all goes well,” Duke said. “Three and a half if you really push and are lucky. If it rains, all bets are off.”
“Any idea what this c
arnival is all about?” Arnold asked.
“It’s a gimmick to attract any travelers down on their luck or any dissatisfied residents in the nearby communities. Greeley has a decent population that’s being protected by a militia, and Littleton and Aurora are run by criminal strongmen. The cult’s only real hope to grow is to lure some of their neighbors into the fold, or attract travelers opportunistically. It’s the perfect cover for us, really.”
“Let me go find the women and Devin,” Arnold said. “We still have most of today to ride if we’re quick about it.”
“I’ll pack,” Duke said. “Can’t see what dragging a battalion along with me will do but put them on alert, though. Better just me and Luis. I can swing by the trading post on the way to Denver.”
“You’ll need to agree on a preexisting spot to meet on the outskirts of Denver,” Elliot said. “I have a map of the city somewhere. Tracie indicated that the cult’s taken over the downtown area and the suburbs around it. They use the convention center as their headquarters. I’ll dig out the map, and we can decide on a good spot.”
“I’ll bring enough gold and ammo to trade for extra horses and weapons,” Duke said. “Other than that, can’t think of much else we can do but sit and wait.”
“All right,” Arnold said. “It’s not much of a plan, but it’ll have to do. We’ll make it up as we go along.”
“There’s no chance of Tracie staging a miracle recovery and escaping, is there?” Duke asked.
“Hardly,” Elliot replied. “The pressure is increasing, albeit slowly. If she makes it to nightfall, that will be miracle enough.” He rose. “Let me go find that map. I rather miss the old days when I could pull up satellite imagery to study an area.”
“I miss electricity,” Duke said. “And cars. And not having to sleep with one eye open and a gun in my hand.”
“Yes, well, let’s meet back here in half an hour. Hopefully the ladies will agree to help, and we’ll get this show on the road.”
Chapter 27
Western Oregon
Lucas and Art rode abreast of Sam and Bill, at the head of a long procession of men on horseback, possible now that the bikers’ animals were theirs. A head count put the fledgling army at over a thousand strong after a decent number of Salem’s young men had taken up arms and joined, and spirits were high after the easy victories in Astoria and Salem.
The mounted troops now accounted for well over half their force, and in the interest of travel time, Art and Lucas had decided to leave those without horses in Salem while they rode to Newport. If en route they couldn’t concoct a strategy to defeat two hundred Chinese with over six hundred men, they figured that four hundred more on foot, tired after marching hundreds of miles, wouldn’t tip the balance.
Lucas and Sam had gone to Clovis’s in the late morning to return the cart and buy his entire inventory, which had overjoyed the old man as much as the news that the assault on the bikers had been successful. He’d sold them everything except his beloved rooftop Browning and five thousand rounds in green ammo cans, which he’d reasoned would be sufficient to keep any threat at bay – and if not, insufficient ammunition likely wasn’t the problem.
They’d loaded ten carts with his arsenal and trundled it to the camp, and then selected what they could comfortably carry in saddlebags and on two carts. Because of the terrain, the roughly sixty-mile trek would take at a minimum three days on horseback, and they would have to slow as they approached the town for fear of inevitable patrols.
Lucas had begged Ruby to remain in Salem with Rosemary to avoid any more drama than was already baked into the situation, but his pleadings had fallen on deaf ears, and the two women were part of the medical triage team that would care for any wounded.
Art had handled the logistics of supporting such a large group. Unlike the trek from Astoria to Salem, where they’d had to forage whatever they could, the residents of Salem had bent over backward to show their appreciation for the group’s actions on their behalf, and had loaded them down with fruit, vegetables, and meat, ensuring they would arrive in Newport well fed and with no delays, other than to refill their containers with potable water.
Hayden trailed behind Lucas, and Lucas’s dislike of the man hadn’t abated with time. Lucas didn’t for a minute believe he’d lifted a finger to help his fellow townspeople, and figured that he’d turned tail at the first sighting of the ship. It wasn’t his problem, but he had no interest in spending a moment more than necessary around him and had deliberately made himself unavailable, too busy with planning and organizing to dither.
The afternoon sky darkened as they crossed the river and headed west, and they’d barely made it an hour before the heavens opened up and rain transformed the highway into a muddy slurry, slowing their progress to the point where they only made fifteen miles before calling it a day and making camp.
The storm continued through the night, explosions of thunder making it impossible to sleep, and by daybreak when they were on the move again, Lucas was having serious second thoughts about having allowed Ruby to talk him into heading up the army. As if reading his mind, she appeared by his side and threw him a sad smile. He shifted in the saddle, his eyes bloodshot and his clothes soaked, and gave her a dark look.
“Head up the army, she said. It’s for the good of the world, she said. But she didn’t say anything about saddle sores and pneumonia, did she?” he muttered.
“Good morning to you, too, handsome. I was going to ask whether you slept well, but I see you didn’t.”
“Did you?”
“Like a baby.”
“Figures.”
“Clean conscience and an innocent mind.”
That drew a smile. “Nice someone has either.”
“One of the benefits of age is you forget most everything.”
“Can’t wait.”
Ruby grew serious. “Sorry, Lucas. This is pretty miserable.”
“Next time you try to talk me into something, don’t.”
She nodded. “Unless it’s important.”
“That’s what I was afraid you’d say.”
Chapter 28
Denver, Colorado
Colorful streamers hung from lampposts along the largest thoroughfare in the city, and the aroma of grilling meats and baking confections wafted along the boulevard from sidewalk stalls. Groups of white-clad pedestrians ambled along the street, beaming smiles at other passersby, while children squealed and ran between them, laughing as they raced after each other in a never-ending game of tag.
A mime on stilts worked his way along the street, periodically blowing fire into the sky to the cheers of spectators. Teenage girls in white tunics followed, distributing daisies from overflowing baskets, with smiles as beatific as their eyes were vacant.
Music from the plaza in front of the convention center echoed off the empty towers of downtown, where a bluegrass band was strumming for all it was worth while a singer with a hillbilly drawl crooned a standard for the audience that watched from the expansive lawn. A boy maneuvered a kite high in the cobalt sky while three admiring girls watched, and a litter of Labrador puppies frolicked on the grass under the watchful gaze of their mother.
Arnold and Julie rode toward the gilt-edged arch that formed the official gateway to the carnival, and a pair of young men in ivory smocks and permanent smiles greeted them and told them that their horses would be attended to while they enjoyed themselves at the festivities. Devin and Anne dismounted behind them and handed the men their reins, and Arnold checked his padlocked saddlebags before turning to the closest of the greeters.
“What about our rifles and ammo?” he asked.
“You won’t need those. This is a weapons-free zone. No guns allowed. But if you like, you can lock your pistols and ammo belts and magazines in your bags – not that anyone would steal them. That kind of thing doesn’t happen here,” the man assured him.
They did as suggested. When they were done, the young man stuck his fingers in his mouth a
nd issued a shrill whistle, and a boy came running and led the horses away.
“How do we get them back when we’re through?” Arnold asked.
“We’ll be here for the duration. Just give us these markers and we’ll bring them from the stable,” the man said, handing him four numbered poker chips.
“Can we get some feed and water?”
“Don’t worry. They’ll be attended to. On the house!”
Arnold and Julie strolled through the arch with Devin and Anne, and Julie leaned into him and whispered, “Tell me this isn’t Stepford Wives creepy.”
Arnold grinned and whispered back, “Definitely feels culty, but no surprise.”
“What now?” she asked.
“Enjoy the food and drink, and wait for someone to pitch us on making this our life’s work.”
“You think they will?”
“Guaranteed.”
They walked to a cart where a portly woman was grilling chicken kebabs. The smell was mouthwatering, the onions and slices of apple on the skewers bubbling as the chicken cooked. “How much?” Devin asked.
“Oh, everything’s free during carnival! Eat as much as you want. There’s more where that came from.”
“No shortage of food here, huh?”
“Oh, no. Never. The Lord’s blessed us with plenty,” the woman said, her porcine face beaming with a sheen of moisture. “These will be done in a few minutes. You can get some cider or ale over there while you wait.”
They made their way to another cart, where a girl was pouring lemonade from a pitcher into plastic cups. Arnold took one, and Devin smiled at her. “Got anything stronger? Lady over there mentioned ale?”
“Yes, sir! We make it ourselves! Best ever, it’s said.”
“I’ll try one.”
The girl extracted a cold bottle from an iced compartment and handed it to him. “Enjoy, and God bless!”
Devin took a pull on the ale and nodded his approval. “That’s really good.”
“Told you!”
When they’d all gotten drinks, they went back for their chicken, and each took two skewers. They wolfed the delicacies down in no time and stopped at another cart with strips of deer grilling over a mesquite fire.
The Day After Never (Book 7): Havoc Page 14