Caged Eagles (18 page)

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“Blaine!” Laney shouted, as the large man entered the doorway. Trevor jumped off the couch to look past the man for Sarah. She appeared from behind him with a wide smile on her face. Trevor could tell she was proud of her achievement. He was up and across the room within three large strides, swinging her in his arms. She giggled with glee. Suddenly everyone was chattering.

“Welcome home.”

“How have you been?”

“It's great to see you out of that rat maze.”

Blaine quickly answered the questions bombarding him, but raised a hand to silence Donovan, Laney, and Trevor. His eyes fell on Sarah and Forrest.

“Hello, I'm Blaine Martin.”

“I'm Forrest Evans.” Forrest took his hand, shaking it firmly.

Trevor spoke up. “He was my first roommate in that hellhole.”

“I can see the stabbing didn't get the best of you.” Blaine smiled and moved to the couch. Everyone else filled in the seats around him.

“No,” Forrest touched his shoulder. “I was lucky, no vital organs were harmed.”

“No one told me you had been stabbed?” Donovan barked but Laney placed a hand on his back to calm his aggravation.

“It's fine, Don.”

“Now, we need to get moving in case they realize I've been released to a fake rehab center by a Lula Dell, I believe …” His eyes now fell on Sarah. She blushed slightly, looking from his face to her boyfriend's.

Trevor put an arm around her and said, “This is Sarah; she got you out of that place.”

“Did a damn fine job too.” Donovan looked pleased. A smile broke the stoney face.

“Hello, Sarah. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. You gave me a scare in there.”

“She did act the part well. We should throw a party!” Laney's was clutching her brother's arm.

“No,” Blaine said gently as to not hurt Laney's feelings. He stood up and moved toward the door he had just come through. “We need to get a move on things. I'm going to get the list, then we will need to hold a meeting.”

Laney grabbed her jacket and ran after her brother, “I'm coming with you.” She reminded Trevor of a five-year-old, eager to follow her older brother anywhere. Laney entwined her arm in his and Donovan's hand fiddled in his pocket to find the car keys.

Blaine's massive form left the basement with his two companions in tow.

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Blaine stood before thirty people crammed into the small basement. Everyone was asked to show the eagle to Donovan before entering. Trevor's breath caught in his throat. An object in the shape of an L hid beneath the back of Donovan's shirt–a gun. Trevor had not seen one since he was a child. He knew Donovan had created and maintained an impeccable security system since Blaine had been arrested. He swore it was impregnable even by the military.

As to not draw suspicion the supporters had begun to arrive at noon. Blaine had seen that the circumstances caused the neighbors on either side of the house to be gone. Donovan still stationed guards in trees, cars, and sheds up and down the street. They reported over transmitters every hour.

The first few people stood around, silent, until the room filled and chatter began. Laughter set Donovan off; his hand ran through his hair viciously. Blaine didn't mind and instead enjoyed the light conversations he became a part of. Laney knew many of the people so she introduced Forrest, Trevor, and Sarah as they drifted throughout the room.

Trevor expected to see rough, large men, but instead there were all types of people. A little man and woman gingerly strolled through the room talking to others almost in whispers. A young man stood in the corner with his arms folded. He carried on a conversation with a short man who had a trimmed pointed mustache pointing straight out. A baby cried, its mother rocked it back and forth while the father was stooped over a blue bag. Baby toys fell to the floor. Another man was bent down on his knees talking to two small girls. A man who looked like he was a biker entered with the eagle tattooed among the other very colorful pictures he had on the full length of his arm. A waitress entered, followed by a man with dust on his clothing and paint on his shoes. A young woman, wearing very short shorts, four-inch heels, and a tube top entered. Ten minutes before the meeting was to start there was a commotion outside. Donovan ran from the room. He looked almost happy when he returned. Trevor heard him whisper to Blaine about an intruder that didn't have the seal and that he would be dealt with. Trevor felt goose bumps run down his arm. Blaine lowered his head and nodded.

At eight o'clock Blaine went to the center of the room, stood stoically with his arms folded. The chatter diminished to whispers and then silence.

“Good evening to all. I'm happy to see everyone here, including those who are listening.”

Trevor, Forrest, and Sarah looked around for some sign of the device he was talking about. Trevor poked each of them and pointed to Blaine's ear.

Sarah whispered. “Do you think that is safe?”

“I'm sure it's a private line, one the government hasn't tracked, yet.” Forrest suggested in hushed tones.

“I need to know–does everyone here, except the children, have the seal?”

“Everyone but Mrs. Wardrop, has the tattoo.” Donovan answered from the doorway. Blaine addressed the woman holding the baby in the back of the room.

“Mrs. Wardrop, I know you couldn't receive the tattoo because you were pregnant and will receive it shortly.” He held his arms out and spoke to everyone. “I'm very pleased to see so many familiar faces. I do see some are missing, and unless they are listening–where are they?”

Somehow the group knew what he was talking about because one by one they began speaking. A young boy with his hands crossed over his chest went first.

“Sheila Bankey was caught soon after you and sent to prison. Jared Bell was arrested for robbery.”

The construction worker spoke, “Old Callahan was caught and there is no word from him.”

“Lexie Mosby has also been captured and no word.” The woman wearing the skimpy tank-top said.

“Moser was killed because he put up a fight.”

“Okay,” Blaine broke in, “I will need a list of those missing, in prison, or killed. Laney, I will assign that task to you.” His sister gave a curt nod and jumped to action. “I've received word of a few others not here that are listening in. Now, have there been any traitors?”

This time Donovan answered. “Yes, both Janice Roller and Seth Esser.”

Blaine took a deep breath and tension stretched and tightened the muscles in his shoulders.

“There is no need to worry; they have been taken care of accordingly.” Donovan replied quickly.

A shiver ran down Trevor's body. This was now getting dangerous. He could tell others agreed by the murmur that ran though the room. Donovan took his position seriously, and since he had been in charge of defense the number of betrayals had dwindled to almost non-existent.

“I'm glad to see we have all stood strong for our beliefs.” Blaine's voice boomed out across the room and silence followed. ”I would like a complete list of new members. Trevor Wells,” all eyes fell on him, “will be taking names after the meeting. He's a new point man and can be trusted with information if something happens. I'll contact Martha for a list of those listening tonight. Are there any questions so far?”

“Yes,” a voice across the room called out. “What about prison breaks, that is what we did last time.”

“Yes, and not too successfully.” Laney said. Blaine gave her a disapproving look.

“No, we will not be worrying about prison breaks to release our members. It's too risky, and they will probably realize what we are doing even before I make an attempt. My list,” Blaine held the paper above his head, “shows we have close to 160 million supporters. I know our members have grown considerably. I hope our numbers are close to 250 million. My hopes are higher this time. We won't be making any direct attacks. I don't want to lose more lives than I have to. Instead we'll begin by knocking down the defenses and self-esteem of the government.”

The guy that had pretended to be a body guard when Blaine was freed raised his hand to draw attention to the back of the room where he stood. “They will know it's another attack from us.”

“I've had that same worry, and that is why we are going to have ourselves a Boston Tea Party.”

Laughter and conversations filled the room. Above it a confused voice called out, “What does that mean?”

“That means we are going to make it look like someone else did it, not us.”

“Foreigners?” A dreamy blond by the name on Volkov asked.

“Yes, but I don't want to put any one country in danger,” Blaine moved to the maps displayed on the left. He placed a hand on them, “so our attacks will be neutral. They will not be able to pinpoint any one place to blame. We will leave them confused.”

“Do you think this will truly work? It's a huge risk. The media will be anxious to blame someone.” Trevor spoke up for the first time.

“Yes,” Blaine looked at Trevor then back to the crowd. “I think it's the best chance we have.”

“I agree with Wells, this is very risky for numerous reasons, Blaine,” Donovan agreed.

“I have thought about this, and if our attacks are quick, unexplained, and confusing they will be guessing for weeks, sending spies out everywhere to figure out what country it could be. They will find nothing, of course, and we will be two steps ahead of them.”

The nodding of heads told Blaine he was getting the answers he wanted. “I will need people willing to take risks. I will be in contact with those members once the complete list is made. I think this is good for our first meeting.”

Donovan cut in, “Blaine, I think we should run backgrounds on people.”

“No,” Blaine held his hand out. “We've already ran backgrounds on these people. They have all proven to be trustworthy so as their leader I won't doubt them.”

Again there was more nodding. Blaine walked into the crowd, becoming bombarded with more questions. As people gradually signed their names in Trevor's notebook, he talked with Donovan in whispers.

“Do you think … ?”

“It doesn't matter what we think, it's done.” Donovan replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Yes, but obviously you and I see concern ….”

“Yes, but Blaine is a smart man, he will see that his plan works.”

Donovan grumbled under his breath and stalked off. Sarah put one arm around Trevor's lower back.

“Are you about done with your list?”

“Yeah,” Trevor kissed her on the cheek. “What have you been up to?”

“Forrest and I were talking. We think we should come clean with Blaine about everything.”

“I agree.” Trevor replied, “We'll tell him afterward.”

Laney lounged on the couch after everyone left but jolted upright when Forrest came into the room. Trevor, Sarah, and Forrest appeared hesitant. Donovan noticed and said Blaine's name. Their leader looked up from the kitchen sink where he was getting a drink of water.

“What's going on?” Donovan asked.

“We need to tell Blaine some things.” Forrest replied, holding Donovan's eyes.

“What things?” Donovan's voice rose slightly.

“Oh Don, calm down.” Laney climbed off the couch. “I think everyone should sit down at the table so we're all paying attention.”

Donovan became very tense and settled down at the kitchen table so he wouldn't miss a single word or action.

“Is something wrong?” Blaine sounded extremely calm as he took a seat.

“There are a couple things we need to discuss. I will let Forrest begin.” Trevor felt that Laney and Forrest should tell Blaine about the baby.

“When I got out of prison I started dating a girl named Brandi Lewis.”

Blaine's brows rose and his eyes went to Trevor.

“I found out who she was and left her. I went to Alaska with Trevor. When we got back we ran into her. She's pregnant and the DNA test proves it's my baby.” He pulled the test from his wallet. Donovan's face turned scarlet.

Laney spoke, “She has no idea about this, she is only a jealous piece of ….”

“The point is,” Blaine cut her off, “what about the child?”

“Laney and I have decided on telling her I have a new job, one I travel a lot for. We think this will work since Trevor is who she really wants.”

Blaine's forehead furrowed and his eyes narrowed slightly, almost like he was concentrating too hard on something. Trevor saw the concern on Blaine's face so he said, “She is so obsessed with me that it's all she is worried about. I will take her to doctor's appointments when Forrest is busy.”

“I want daily updates on the situation, if you find you are skeptical about anything I need to know.”

“Okay.”

“Alright, if that is all, I'm going to go take a shower.” Blaine stood to leave the table.

“Wait,” Trevor looked at Sarah and Forrest, who nodded. There was no point in avoiding the subject so he blurted it out. “Leslie Taylor had a spy follow me to Alaska, I don't know if he's still in her employment.”

“
What
!?” Donovan erupted. Blaine sat back down very slowly. “
How could you not tell me
?”

“Donovan,” Blaine calmly said.

“
Idiots, all of you
!”

“
Donovan
,” Blaine bellowed like a bull. This stopped the ranting.

“What do you mean, a spy, Trevor, because this could ruin us?” Blaine leaned forward to keep a better lock on Trevor's attention.

“I found this,” he pulled the name and number out, “in Leslie's apartment.”

“Have you called this number?”

“I hope not, it could have been tracked!” Donovan was fuming.

“Yes, we found out he was a man. We couldn't get any more information.”

“I'm on it, Blaine. I will find out if that stupid woman and her spy have caused ….”

“No, Donovan.” Blaine's reply suspended Donovan halfway between sitting and standing. “I expect Trevor to take care of this. He knows Leslie Taylor the best. I will need your help putting our plan together. As for Mr. Evans, he needs to see to his baby. Laney will be researching and interviewing about the people not here tonight. Sarah will fill in where she is needed. If something goes wrong I expect to hear about it and will personally deal with consequences.” He stood and went toward the bathroom.

“Blaine, are you crazy!”

“Donovan, I have had two years to think, and I'm done. Now it's time for action, but first I'm taking a bath.”