Refugee Road (Freedom Fighters Series Book 1) (21 page)

Alec sat back against the seat, deflated. All the anger left his body. Slowly he inched his hand across the table to mine and held it, squeezing lightly.

“How did you figure it out?” He finally asked.

“I was in constant turmoil. Fits of rage would overtake me. I became violent. Inside I was torn between the monster that the nightmares wanted me to be and the man I really was. One night in my bunk I flew into a rage and broke all of the furniture. I busted the speakers on the wall when I threw a chair. When the broken pieces shattered, something small, and definitely not part of the speaker, fell on the ground. I picked it up out of curiosity and felt the hum and vibration running through it.”

Alec was absorbed, listening to every word. Donnovan continued.

“I’ve been on plenty of stake outs. We trust the technology the militia issues. The moment I picked that little bug up I knew exactly what it was. Shock almost made me doubt what was in my hand. But I knew. I’ve planted dozens of them, trying to find refugees. It was not an accident that I found it in my room. It was planted.”

Alec opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He sat in shock for a moment, taking in all of Donnovan’s words. He suddenly leaned forward, ready to speak, when the waitress showed up with our food. We ate mostly in silence. After a moment, I remembered something important.

“Michael, what about the drugs?” I asked, puzzled that he hadn’t mentioned it yet.

Alec looked over at me sharply. “Michael? Now you two are on a first name basis?”

Tension radiated off of him in waves. I sighed. “Not now Alec.”

He looked ready to argue. “Why not…
Elizabeth
?”

I took a deep breath. “Because you are being ridiculous and this is not the time to discuss it.”

He trembled slightly, taking a huge bite of his burger and chewing loudly. I ignored him.

Donnovan seemed to think it was funny. He chuckled until Alec sent him a dirty look.

“Once I found the bug I became suspicious of everything. I trusted no one. I became hesitant about anything that came from the militia. I was still having the headaches and nightmares but I was fighting them off a little more successfully. I stopped going to the mess hall to eat, simply to avoid confrontations. Whenever I came in contact with anyone, rage would overtake me. The mess was the worst. I recognized that solitude may help. After that, the headaches and nightmares became less frequent, and I felt more like myself. I had moments of clarity that lasted hours.”

Alec raised an eyebrow but didn’t interrupt. 

“Almost every night I would come here and have a beer and clear my head. I usually grabbed something to eat wherever I could. All of a sudden the nightmares and the headaches began to cease. I knew they didn’t stop because of nothing. The only thing that makes sense is that the food in the mess hall is being tampered with,” he concluded, finishing his beer.

I had no idea what to say. If this was true, then the militia was obviously experimenting on their soldiers without their knowledge or permission. Alec leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and pushing his empty plate aside.

“Why did you transfer?” He asked bluntly.

Donnovan looked momentarily surprised. “I honestly don’t know. I have no recollection of wanting to leave. My record was exemplary.”

Alec leaned back. “Shit.”

Donnovan smiled. “Yeah.”

Neither of them spoke for a minute, lost in their thoughts. Then Donnovan broke the silence.

“What does my file say?”

“Personal reasons.” Alec huffed.

“Ha.”

“Bull shit.”

“Yeah.”

They stared at each other and then smiled, speaking in unison. “They’re experimenting.”

I raised my eyebrows, momentarily creeped out by their sudden mutual understanding.

“What does that mean?” I asked, looking back and forth between them.

“None of this is an accident.” Alec responded.

“Nope. There’s a plan.”

We sat in silence. The waitress returned with drink refills, slightly annoyed we were still occupying a table. She slapped the check on the table and left.

Alec finally broke the silence. “They want the best.”

Donnovan nodded in agreement. “I agree. But why? Why experiment on your own men?”

Alec sighed. “Free and easily observable testing.”

My eyes widened. “Testing?”

Alec put his arm around my shoulders and hugged me close. “Testing weapons of some kind. Cause and effect. Biological warfare.”

I looked up at him. “Against the refugees?”

I was incredulous. Dumbfounded. Darren would never see that strategy coming. He knew nothing of the militia’s true intentions or plans. He would never see it until it was too late. Thousands of lives were in danger. Women and children.

Donnovan interrupted my thoughts. “My guess is that they have not been successful yet. The blinding rage is too unpredictable. What good would a weapon do if it only encouraged and emboldened the enemy?”

Alec reluctantly agreed. “I think you are correct but they will keep experimenting until they get it right. It’s only a matter of time. Not if but when.”

“Mass testing. All the militia infantry. You have to do something to stop them.”

“How? If they even think I knew their plans my life would be in danger.” Alec replied.

“And the alternative is what?”

“I don’t know.” Alec told him, shaking his head. “I can’t put Lizzie in any further danger.”

Donnovan heaved a large sigh. “Then you know what has to be done.”

Alec did not commit himself but nodded.

“That’s also why I have to get out of there, as soon as possible.”

“I agree.”

He looked right into Alec’s eyes. “You know I have to. You know what they will do to me if they find out the truth.”

“I know,” he replied.

“I need help. Someone who has outside connections…someone who can put in a word for me with the refugees…” He trailed off, looking directly at me.

Alec immediately understood his meaning. His hands clenched on top of the table.

“Absolutely not.” His voice was menacingly low. Almost a growl.

“It’s the only way,” Donnovan argued.

“No,” Alec shook his head.

“They will kill me Alec,” he pleaded, “I can’t go anywhere else.”

Alec stood up, leaning over the table, just inches from Donnovan’s face.

“I…said…NO!” His hands trembled, sending a shiver up his arms that he barely noticed.

“Isn’t that her choice?” He asked softly.

Donnovan did not break eye contact. The muscle in Alec’s cheek twitched again. I had to say something. He did not have a right to make this decision without consulting me.

“I believe it is the right thing to do,” I spoke up.

Alec’s head immediately swiveled to me and he blinked. People in the crowded bar were starting to notice the commotion and looked our way. We were causing a scene.

“Alec, please…people are watching,” I pleaded, pulling on his arm.

He hesitated for a moment but sat down, turning to me in sudden anger. “You knew about this already, didn’t you?”

I met his stare guiltily. “Yes.”

“And you agreed,” he told me accusingly.

I sighed. Before I could tell him the truth, that I was not sure what I was going to do yet, he fired his ire at me.

“Have you forgotten that Darren tried to kill you?” He asked, angrier than I had ever seen him before.

His strong reaction was making me angry too. “Us. He tried to kill both of
us
Alec. And no, I have not forgotten.”

I was seething. How dare he?

Alec turned back to Donnovan. “She’s
with child
Donnovan.”

The unsteady and tumultuous emotion in his voice made it quiver. It was worry, fear, and a fierce protectiveness that made him overreact this way. He was angry because I wanted to put myself in danger. That knowledge fizzled my frustration. Slowly I raised my hand to his cheek and forced him to look at me.

“Alec…there is another way.”

He turned to me with tortured eyes. “No.”

“I can contact Mal,” I offered quietly.

Hesitation flickered briefly before he closed it off. “No.”

“You would be with me of course,” I told him, trying to relieve his fears.

He raised an eyebrow. “That is supposed to make me feel better?”

He was considering it. I could tell. The anger had almost left his voice.

“You know helping him is right,” I repeated.

He slumped back in the seat, looking defeated. As much as he wanted to keep me safe, he would not let an innocent person be murdered by the militia if he could prevent it. Neither of us would. Donnovan’s past mistakes did not make him an enemy. The militia had used and tortured him but he was no longer a threat. He was an ally and a friend now. We had to help him.

“Do you know how to contact Mal?” He finally asked.

Smiling, I nodded, fairly certain that I could. At least, I had an idea where to start.

Darkness descended upon the militia base with a heavy veil, blocking out the pale moonlight, and leaving only patches of artificial light spotting along the gravel roads. Lamplight in hazy yellow drifted down, startling against the black of night, illuminating little circles of asphalt. Quickly we dodged around the light, careful not to be seen. Wearing all black, and creeping around like burglars, Alec and I hurried toward the main gates.

We had left The Tap late. Long after curfew we left the safety of the townhouse. It was crucial I took care of this immediately. Communicating with Mal shouldn’t be difficult but it did pose a potential threat. I did not want to waste time so I convinced Alec to accompany me outside of the militia base.

There was an abandoned section of Old Mill Crossing that Mal often visited. A certain park with a specific bench was a place of solitude he often retreated to. I had a feeling if I could reach it, and perhaps leave a letter, I would be able to set up a time and place to meet.

Alec was not happy. The only reason he had finally agreed was to keep me from going alone. I would have. He knew it. An argument had followed and after about ten minutes nothing had changed my mind. In frustration and childish anger he had not spoken a word since we left the townhouse.

We passed easily through the gates, too easily considering the influx of refugees and civilians on base. The guards at the gate had been preoccupied. One was talking on the phone with his back to us. The other was sound asleep. I smiled triumphantly to Alec. All I received in return was a quick roll of his eyes.

There were perks to having a husband who was an officer. Alec knew everything about the militia. Tonight it worked in our favor. Off base there were only two bunkers where vehicles and army jeeps were located. Alec led us to the nearest one, taking a route that led us into the forest but kept us well hidden. Patrols would make their rounds. It would require a lot of explaining if we were caught outside the base, in the middle of the night, after curfew.

Alec carried a set of keys. I never noticed before how many he actually kept with him. One of the keys unlocked the bunker and we crept inside. It was impossible to see anything. Black as sin, I could not see my hand in front of my face. Huge hulking figures squatted inside like giant ogres in the darkness.

The click of Alec’s flashlight startled me. He quickly scanned the room, looking for transportation. Most of the vehicles were too large for our needs. No trucks or loud jeeps. It did not leave a lot of options. We walked the entire bunker, looking among the vast rows of vehicles. I almost gave up hope when we found a small car in the back, hidden behind a tank.

Fifteen minutes later we were traveling the main roads, on our way to Worthington. Laying in the back seat, Alec had covered me with a blanket and ordered me to get some rest. A part of me considered staying awake just to defy him. I really hated being ordered to do anything. It went against my nature. Hadn’t I gotten myself in trouble more than once because of that very thing?

I found it difficult to sleep. Worry and anxiety fueled my thoughts. What if Mal never came back to the park? What if someone else found my note?

I must have eventually fallen asleep. Alec was gently shaking my shoulder.

“Lizzie. Lizzie darling, wake up.”

“Mmmm, all right,” I yawned.

Alec mumbled under his breath. It sounded like “I knew you would be tired” and “this is not good for you and the baby.” I ignored his comments.

We parked the car down the street from the park, in between street lamps. Alec took my hand and led me through the darkness. Fifteen minutes later we approached the bench. I walked over to it and sat down, feeing underneath, until I located a small metal box. When Mal and I got separated or if we needed to communicate in private, we used this box to send letters. To my knowledge no one else knew of its existence.

I opened the lid, expecting to lay my note in the empty box and close it. However, the box was not empty. There were at least a half dozen letters. All from Mal. Sudden guilt consumed me. In the last six months I had thought of him often. To be honest, I missed him very much. It was pretty obvious he had tried to contact me and missed me too. And I had left him waiting all this time, without a word.

I scooped up the letters and shoved them into the pocket of my sweater. Alec was watching me. I quickly put the note I had written to Mal earlier into the box. It was cryptic at best. Code. But he would know what it meant when he read it. I was certain now. Mal would find the letter. In three days, on Saturday, I planned on meeting him.

Now the waiting started. Alec and I left the park and walked in silence to the car. I may have been tired, but I felt like we were not alone. A feeling of uneasiness settled over me. I kept glancing over my shoulder and peering into the dark. It made me nervous. Was someone watching? Were Darren’s spies out this late?

“What’s the matter Lizzie?” Alec asked, noticing my distraction.

“I don’t know. I just had this feeling…that we were not alone,” I answered, still watching the darkness.

“Let’s get to the car. I’m sure it is nothing but I won’t feel better until we are safe at home.” His grip on my hand tightened, his strides lengthening in a rush to secure my safety. It was always the first priority in his head.

We made it to the car without incident. The drive home was made in record time. I slept most of the way, exhausted. Alec stored the car in the bunker and we took the same path back to the militia base. Entering the base was a little trickier than leaving. The guards were both awake this time. We had to wait almost half an hour in the cold before we could sneak back inside.

It had taken most of the night to drop the letter off to the park. It was almost four in the morning when we entered the townhouse. I hardly remember walking up the stairs. Alec and I collapsed on the bed in fatigue, asleep instantly. I slept like a rock. When Alec’s alarm went off at six thirty, I barely woke up.

“Lizzie,” I heard him whisper.

I mumbled something about being tired.

“Lizzie my love, I need you to wake up for a moment,” he insisted.

I opened my eyes slowly. “Yes?”

“I want you to use the chain lock on the door. Walk with me downstairs.”

I slipped out of bed, Alec helping me to my feet. I yawned and stretched. Downstairs he gave me a quick kiss and turned to leave. “Did you get any breakfast?” I asked sleepily.

He shook his head. “No, I packed a snack. I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Want anything special?” I asked, feeling guilty that I didn’t get up with him.

“Just you. Get some rest. I know you are tired.”

“I will. I’ll have to skip going to the hospital today.”

“Of course.” He bent down and kissed my stomach, rubbing it affectionately.

I smiled. “Love you Alec.”

“Love you too. Lock the chain. Don’t forget,” he reminded me.

He kissed me and left, closing the door behind him. I lifted the chain and locked the deadbolt on the door. Slowly I climbed the stairs and returned to bed. It was hours later when I awakened. I felt better but I knew I would be tired the rest of the day. I showered and got dressed, cleaned the house, and put a pot roast and vegetables into the slow cooker for dinner.

Pounding on the front door startled me around noon.

“Lizzie? Open the door! Now Lizzie!” Alec yelled.

His voice sounded urgent. Almost afraid. I unlocked the chain, stepping aside as he entered.

“Oh, thank God,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, confused.

He took my hand and pulled me outside. The video camera over the front entrance of the house was broken. The handle of the front door had been scratched and sported several dents. It was clear that someone had tampered with the door and the lock. Someone had tried to enter the house and broke the camera to cover their identity.

I stared at the damage, shocked.

“Did you hear or see anything Lizzie?” He asked, his eyes scanning my face anxiously.

“No Alec, nothing. I slept most of the morning.”

He nodded and hugged me close, one hand resting on my belly. I felt a tremor run through his body.

“I’m glad that I insisted that you get up and deadbolt the door and use the chain lock. It prevented the intruder from getting inside.”

Alec had a faraway look in his eyes. They turned instantly cloudy grey and moody. Fatigue from the night before showed on his face, adding to the haunting look. Dark circles were under his eyes. He was exhausted and frazzled.

“I won’t have time to fix the door before I have to return to work,” he told me, staring at the broken camera.

“That’s fine. I will keep both locks on the door,” I promised.

His eyes narrowed. “You are not staying in this house today without me.”

I stared at him. The tick in his jaw was back. Nervously I chewed my bottom lip.

“Where am I supposed to go?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.

He took several deep breaths before answering. “With me.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. In all the time we had been married, he never asked me to come to his work. Not once. I assumed it was not allowed.

“Alec…why?” I asked, thinking he was overreacting.

“It’s too risky. I’m not willing to take the chance that whoever did this will return to finish the job.”

“Alec, they couldn’t get in the door with both locks. I’ll be fine,” I assured him.

“You’re coming with me,” he replied, his voice rigid.

I refused to acknowledge him when he turned into a dictator.

“I made some sandwiches for lunch. Do you want a pickle?” I asked, completely changing the subject.

He scowled. “I’m not leaving you here.”

“And I’m not going with you. I’m tired. I want to take a nap,” I told him, just as stubbornly.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Lizzie, you are being unreasonable.”

I was being unreasonable? Good to know.

“Lizzie.” He saw the expression on my face.

He followed me into the kitchen, ignoring the plate of food I set on the table for him. Leaning against the sink, I turned to face him.

“I hate it when you treat me like a child,” I told him, pouting.

He sighed. “That is not my intention. You know that.”

“I know. It still bothers me,” I admitted.

Alec stood in front of me, tilting my chin up toward his face.

“You are my whole world Lizzie. If anything happened to you…I don’t know what I would do. Just knowing you are in danger is making me crazy.”

Tears glistened in his eyes, the grey resembling a swirling morning mist.

“I know,” I told him, swallowing the sudden lump in my throat.

“Come with me, please. I’ll make sure you are comfortable,” he promised.

I finally gave in. “All right.”

He kissed me softly on the lips. “Let’s eat. I’m starving.”

We ate a hurried lunch before leaving the townhouse and walking toward the main building on base. I spent the afternoon with Alec, became bored out of my mind, and fell asleep on the couch in his office. It was an impressive room with a masculine décor. Mahogany woods and leather, oil paintings on the walls, and contemporary art pieces. It didn’t make me any happier. I was still sleeping on his couch instead of my nice soft bed.

Later that afternoon, after work, we returned home after visiting the hardware store. Alec replaced the camera and door handles and reinforced the front door. By the time we had dinner and settled down to relax on the couch, he was nodding off. I could only imagine how tired he was feeling. The last twenty four hours had been hectic and stressful for him.

I let him rest, not quite ready for bed. Lovingly I ran my fingers through his brown curls and he sighed in contentment. His head was resting in my lap, right next to my belly. He leaned his cheek and hand against it, a small smile on his face.

The baby kicked and moved, the regular movement a confirmation of his continued health and growth. Library books on pregnancy and childbirth littered the coffee table. Alec had been reading everything he could find, from medical books to parenting. I was impressed and relieved. I think he knew how nervous I was but we never discussed it. He would be capable and confident when our son was ready to be born, that was good enough for me.

Sudden emotion brought tears rushing to my eyes. A fierce love for them both filled me. They were my whole world, as Alec had mentioned earlier. There was nothing I would not do to keep them both safe. The attempted break in and the intruder proved someone had plans that involved either my capture or my demise. Now I was placing myself in greater danger to help Donnovan. When would all of this chaos end?

I remembered the letters from Mal after Alec left for work Friday morning. One by one I read them, the oldest first. Mal was worried, really worried about me. Until I read the last letter, I had no idea what he had been going through. Once I did my heart skipped a beat and I sank to the couch, partly in shock, and partly overcome with emotion. Mal…