Nuclear Survival: Western Strength (Book 1): Bear The Brunt

by Tate, Harley

  Her hope dimmed. KSBF and every other station had been reporting those facts for hours. “That’s it?”

  “Or you could turn in your resignation and pick up your last paycheck if you’d rather.” His smug satisfaction came across with every word. “Your choice, of course.”

  Lainey tamped down a string of curses. “Fine. If that’s all I can report, then that’s what I’ll do. When can I go on?”

  “Don’t rush. We won’t have a spot open until ten.”

  The line went dead and Lainey sagged against the passenger seat before glancing at her watch. Twenty-four hours ago, her sister had called with evidence about the end of the world, and what had Lainey accomplished? The FBI shut her down. She almost got arrested breaking and entering. Rick was missing. She choked down a sob.

  Maybe her sister and Poppy’s father had the right idea all along. Escape and watch the world burn.

  The door to the van opened and the smell of hot coffee and fresh biscuits filled the interior. Keith shoved a carryout box across the seat. “I thought if everything was going to shit, we might as well eat one last good meal.”

  Lainey laughed out of frustration and fear and took the box. “What about Bear?”

  “He snarfed an entire plate already. Whatever you don’t eat can be his second helping.”

  Lainey smiled in appreciation. “I couldn’t do this without you.”

  Keith nodded in return. “I’ll be outside. If I don’t keep an eye on him, he’ll terrorize the kitchen.”

  As he ducked out of the open door, Lainey lifted the lid on the box. The heady combination of salt, butter, and maple syrup made her mouth water. Keith was right. They couldn’t go on air until ten. Might as well dig in and enjoy it.

  South June Street

  Los Angeles, CA

  9:45 a.m.

  Lainey smoothed down her dress, but it was no use. She looked like she’d slept on the street after an all-night bender. Add in her lack of makeup and untamed hair and she was a hot mess. At least Becky had left a headband in the van so she’d been able to hide the worst of her hair.

  Maybe this could be the new style. Post-apocalyptic chic. She would have cried if she had any tears left. At least the cops and guards had left. The Consul General and his family by the looks of it, too. The driveway sat empty and not a single light glowed inside. Keith’s reconnaissance around back yielded an empty kitchen and outside trash cans overflowing with black garbage bags.

  The Brits had fled just like the piece of paper had said. Based on the time, Lainey guessed they were in a limo racing to San Bernardino airport and then on to Sacramento. In a few hours, this entire continent would be nothing more than a memory.

  She cleared her throat. “You ready?”

  Keith nodded from beside the van. “How do you want to play this?”

  “I’ll start out how Matt wants and then go from there. Don’t stop filming.”

  “I won’t.”

  Lainey checked her watch. Almost go time. She waited while Keith set up the satellite link and connected to the station.

  After a few moments, Chip’s annoying voice filled her ear. “Now we turn to Meredith to give us an overview of this weekend’s weather.”

  Hot and crispy with a side of radiation. Lainey pressed her lips together and tried to look professional as Keith focused the camera on her frame. She shifted her balance back and forth while Meredith droned on about clear skies and pleasant temperatures.

  As Chip took back over at the news desk, Lainey snapped to attention. Now or never.

  “We turn now to one of our reporters on the street.”

  Lainey smiled into the camera. There was always a few seconds of delay that made for awkward transitions. When it was clear Chip wasn’t saying anything more, she spoke up. “Like we’ve been reporting nonstop, Chip, we’re on hour twenty of the largest blackout in history. The entire eastern half of the United States is without power.”

  She imagined Chip mugging for the camera. “For those just tuning in, we’re speaking with our reporter on the street, Lainey Sinclair. Where are you, Lainey?”

  “I’m standing outside the British Consul General’s residence here in Los Angeles. According to our intelligence sources, there is credible evidence that the blackout was caused by a nuclear weapon.”

  Chip’s voice took on a somber tone. It was probably the twentieth time he’d heard the same spiel, but he still sounded fresh. “Do they know any details?”

  Lainey played along. “According to my sources, they claim a high-altitude missile carrying a nuclear bomb detonated at two o’clock Pacific Standard Time yesterday somewhere above Washington, DC.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “The bomb set off what’s called an electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, that has knocked out power across the eastern half of the United States, from Ohio to the coast and from New York City all the way to Orlando. We’re getting reports that Miami and portions of upstate New York and into New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine are online and fully operational.”

  “When will the power be restored?”

  “We don’t know, Chip.”

  “You’ve heard it, folks. Our intelligence sources are confirming what witnesses on the ground have seen. Combine the grid failure with what appears to be a mass disruption to late-model cars in the affected areas, and we’ve got a disaster on our hands.”

  Lainey smiled. Now was her chance. She cleared her throat and stepped closer to the camera. “What’s more important, Chip, are the latest reports from inside the building behind me.”

  When Chip didn’t cut her off, she continued. “We’ve heard from British intelligence that the EMP is only the first strike. More assaults to our country are coming. Some may even hit right here in Los Angeles.”

  “W-What, Lainey? What sources?” A rustling noise cut across her earpiece. Was Chip fumbling with the papers on the news desk? “Where are you getting this information?”

  Lainey pulled the earpiece from her ear. She couldn’t concentrate with Chip freaking out. She licked her lips and went for it. “Sources are reporting that the EMP was intended to cause panic and confusion as a cover to buy time. The real attack will be devastating. Everyone needs to listen.”

  She stepped closer. “Sources report up to twenty-five nuclear bombs are now en route to major cities across the United States. They could already be here. We don’t know when they will detonate or if the government will stop them in time. Detonation could be imminent. We—”

  A screech cut across the earpiece dangling around Lainey’s neck. She picked it up to listen.

  “We’re sorry folks, we’re experiencing technical difficulties with Lainey Sinclair’s news feed. As soon as we troubleshoot the problem, we will head back out to the Consulate.” Chip paused. “Until then, let’s go to the lifestyle desk for the recipe of the day.”

  Lainey cursed and stamped her foot. The station had cut her feed.

  Chapter Twenty

  LAINEY

  Outside Consul General’s Residence

  Los Angeles, California

  Saturday, 10:30 a.m. PST

  Lainey stared in disbelief as Keith lowered the camera. “So that’s it? I get one sentence in and they cut me off?”

  “Seems like it.” He shoved the camera into the back of the van and powered down the satellite connection.

  Lainey stood and watched him, still holding the mic like it would turn back on any second and magically connect her to people all over the country. “What are we going to do now?”

  He finished putting the gear away before he answered. “I think we should take your sister’s advice and leave.”

  “You do?” Lainey’s voice cracked. “You want to run away?”

  “I want to stay alive. If no one is going to listen to us, then we need to start thinking about our own survival.” Bear leaned out of the van and Keith gave his head a scratch. “Your sister gave you that information for a reason. She wanted you to leave LA.”<
br />
  Lainey knew that’s what her sister said, but Midge also knew she was a reporter. Lainey would never be able to leave a story like this and run. “I think she told me because she knew I’d get it out there. I’d tell the truth.”

  “You tried. But Lainey—” Keith stepped toward her. “You saw the same documents I did inside. If we don’t get out of here, we’re going to die.”

  “It depends on where the bomb detonates. If we’re far enough away from the blast—”

  “Then we’ll die of radiation. Is that what you want?”

  “I can’t be responsible for millions of deaths.” She turned the mic off and handed it over. “I can’t have those lives on my conscience.”

  Keith took the microphone with a frown. “I’ve gone with you this far, Lainey, but if you want to keep digging, I don’t know if I—”

  A trill sounded inside the van and Lainey jumped. “That’s my phone. Maybe Matt changed his mind. Maybe he’s agreed to run with the story.” She raced toward the passenger seat and swiped the phone open. “Hello?”

  “Can’t leave well enough alone, can you?”

  Lainey pulled the phone away from her ear to read the number. Unknown. She put it on speaker. “Who is this?”

  Keith walked over to listen.

  The man on the line ignored her question. “First, you go digging around the dark web. Then you drag that poor private investigator into it. Now you’re broadcasting your conspiracy theories to the whole world.”

  Lainey swallowed. She didn’t recognize the voice, but from the tone, she guessed law enforcement or a position of authority. Older than her, but not by much. No discernible accent, but definitely American.

  She glanced up at Keith. He rolled his fingers in a keep-him-talking motion. She stuttered. “W-What do you want?”

  “Don’t you get it? No one wants to know.”

  “That’s not your call.”

  “No one can do anything about it. You should take your sister’s advice and run.”

  Goosebumps raced down Lainey’s arms. “What do you know about my sister?”

  “She makes mistakes under pressure.”

  What was that supposed to mean? Lainey’s brow pinched. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

  The man chuckled. “I’m not the one in the business of hurting those I care about.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Heard from Rick Easton lately?”

  Lainey froze. Who was this? Someone Rick confronted? A government official? An FBI agent? She chose her words carefully. “Do you know what’s happened to him?”

  “Doesn’t take a genius to figure it out.”

  “How about you explain it to me like I’m five?”

  “He’s dead.”

  The bottom fell out of Lainey’s stomach and she reeled. “You’re lying.”

  “You know I’m not.”

  “I talked to him yesterday and he was fine.”

  “A lot of things can happen in twenty-four hours. You should know.”

  Lainey’s heart picked up speed. Blood thundered in her ears.

  “You need to leave this alone, Ms. Sinclair. You need to walk away before more people you care about get hurt.”

  Lainey didn’t know what to do or what to say. Why was this stranger calling her and saying such horrible things? “I don’t believe you. If Rick’s really dead, give me proof.”

  “If I do, will you drop this investigation? Will you stop trying to save the world?”

  She looked up at Keith. He nodded and mouthed one word. “Lie.”

  “Yes. Yes, if you give me proof, I’ll drop it. I promise.”

  “Good choice, Ms. Sinclair.” The man sounded pleased. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  The call ended. A moment later, her phone beeped with an incoming text message. Lainey hesitated, her thumb hovering over the icon. At last, she clicked it.

  A single photo text from an unknown number. She took a deep breath and clicked on the tiny image. Oh, no. Nononononono.

  She’d asked for proof and she’d gotten it. Rick’s body sprawled across the concrete, blood welling in three places across his button-down shirt. His eyes were open and glassed over in death. Rick Easton had been murdered. And it was all Lainey’s fault.

  The phone slipped from her grip and clattered to the ground. She sagged against the van, fingers slipping down the dented metal as she fell to the broken asphalt. Rick was dead.

  He was dead and she might as well have pulled the trigger. She reached for her phone, tears splashing onto the screen as she dialed her sister. No answer. She called her mom. Same.

  For all she knew, they were dead, too. Lainey cradled the phone as the tears came hot and fast. They tracked down her cheeks and dripped off her chin, but she didn’t wipe them away. She thought back over the past day. How her sister had begged her to leave. How she’d only brought up Rick when Lainey refused to go.

  “If only I’d listened. If only I’d done what my sister wanted...” Her words trailed off as she devolved into a fit of crying.

  “It’s not your fault.” Keith’s words rang hollow and Lainey slammed a fist against the van.

  “Yes, it is! I played the big sister. I refused to do what she asked, insisting I knew best. What if she’s dead? What if she’s been dead this whole time?”

  Bear broke free from Keith’s grip and shoved his nose under Lainey’s chin. He licked up her salty tears and nuzzled her face. Not even Bear would forgive her if he understood what she had done. No one would.

  She pushed the dog away.

  “Lainey, we need to go.”

  “Just leave me here.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  Lainey looked up through soaked lashes. “You’re better off without me. All I do is get people killed. Take the van and go.”

  “No. I’m not leaving you.”

  “I’m not coming with you! Get out of here!” She was shouting now. “Take Bear and the van and get the hell out of LA. Save yourself!”

  Keith whistled. “Bear. Inside.” The dog hopped up into the van. “I’m not leaving you.” He bent down and scooped Lainey off the ground like she weighed nothing at all.

  Lainey beat against his chest. “Stop it! Put me down.”

  “No.”

  She kicked at his back. “I don’t deserve your pity!”

  “This isn’t pity.” He deposited her in the passenger seat.

  Lainey threw out her arm to stop the door. “I am not coming with you.”

  “Yes, you are.” Keith grabbed her by the wrist and bent her arm back inside. “You’re coming with me and we’re going to find a way to get back on television if it’s the last thing we do.”

  Lainey blinked. “W-What?”

  “You heard me. Now buckle up. We’re taking a drive.”

  Keith slammed the passenger door shut and walked around to the driver’s side. Lainey sat in silence, tears still flowing. She didn’t dare look at her phone. One more glimpse of Rick’s body and she would completely fall apart.

  She didn’t understand why Keith refused to leave her. Anyone with half a brain could see she was trouble. “Just drop me at my apartment. You can take the van and go anywhere.”

  “Stop being ridiculous.”

  “I’m being realistic. I’m only going to slow you down or get you killed.” She picked up her phone and waved it at Keith as he pulled the van out onto the street. “Whoever that was probably knows exactly where we are. If you stick with me, you might end up exactly like Rick.”

  “That’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

  “Why?”

  Keith slammed the brakes. The van shook and shimmied to a stop. Bear skidded across the back and bumped into Lainey’s seat. “Because I care about you, dammit. I’m not going to dump you on the side of the road like a liability just because the going gets tough.”

  Lainey’s lip trembled. “Isn’t that exactly what I did to you?”

  A horn ho
nked behind them and Keith accelerated. “That was different.”

  “Was it really?” Lainey snuffed back a wave of snot and dug out a handful of fast food napkins from the glove box of the van. “I wanted a career and I couldn’t figure out how to get it and be a decent girlfriend, so I dumped you. The only boyfriend I’ve ever had who’s been worth a damn.” She wiped her face and blew her nose and tried to get it together. “What a catch.”

  Keith was silent for a while, focusing on navigating through the streets of LA. Lainey stopped crying and sniffling and Bear settled down into a ball in the back.

  As they turned north, Keith glanced over. “That’s why you called it quits? Because you felt guilty?”

  She picked at a nail. “You deserved better.”

  Keith’s grip tightened on the wheel. “One of these days you’re going to stop underestimating yourself, Lainey Sinclair.”

  Lainey’s mouth fell open as Keith eased the van into a familiar parking lot. “What are we doing here?”

  “Not giving up.”

  “But this is KTLA.”

  “So?”

  “We’re never going to get past the security desk.”

  Keith parked the van and killed the engine. “I’m not giving up that easily and neither are you.” He pushed the door open and Bear stood up, but Keith waved him off. “Not this time, buddy. You’ve got to stay here.” He looked up at Lainey. “Aren’t you coming? I thought you had a story to report.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  KEITH

  KTLA

  Los Angeles, California

  Saturday, 11:00 a.m. PST

  If that security guard looks at me one more time… Keith ran his hands over his hair but it was no use. Thanks to their adventure at the Consul General’s residence, dirt stains covered his jeans, welts and gashes pocked his bare arms, and he stank like the men’s locker room.

  He swiped open his phone and called Robbie again. They weren’t good friends; hell, Keith hardly knew the man, but he was the only connection outside of KSBF to a TV news program that he had and the guy owed him a favor. The jerk refused to pick up or return his texts. After the security guards refused to let them upstairs without an escort, they’d retreated to a corner of the lobby and waited. At first Lainey walked in circles, hands pressed to her temples, intermittent sobs escaping her lips as she replayed the phone call and the photo of Rick’s corpse.