Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure (12 page)

As
he and Vicki packed up their buckets, knives and other items from the booth,
Zach felt as if a thousand eyes watched. But whenever he looked, they quickly
turned away.

On
one shoulder Zach carried his bow and quiver. On the other he heaved the last
load of supplies from the fishmonger stall. Together with his sister, he walked
from the market. “What exactly did Bo want?”

“He
said it was time to pay for the stuff he gave Mom. I said we didn’t have any
cash, gold or silver…”

“We
don’t…well, not much anyway.”

“Yeah,
I said we’re just getting by. But that isn’t what he is after. He wants you to
get stuff from the armory.”

Zach
paused in surprise and then shook his head.

“That
was when you showed up. I’m really glad you did.”

As
they walked along the street, Vicki turned toward a wooded lot. Zach stopped
her. “Let’s stay in town under the streetlights as long as we can. I’d rather
meet Bo here than in or at the edge of the forest.”

As
they reached the outskirts of town the lights became few and the one up ahead
was out. A skinny dog ran into the shadows. The world was silent except for the
sound of a single car.

Zach
looked over his shoulder and even in the dim light recognized the gold Cadillac
sedan that Bo had won in a poker game. He dropped the duffle bag and readied
the bow.

“Let’s
run,” Vicki said.

The
car pulled past and parked along the curb.

“To
late for that, Sis.”

A
burly man stepped out from the driver’s side and then Bo exited from the back.
“Hey boy, did your sister tell you about my business offer?”

“That
I steal stuff for you? Yeah, she did.”

“It’s
more than that. I want….”

“Don’t
touch my sister,” Zach growled.

Bo
smiled. “Sorry about that. My business partners are eager to move this endeavor
forward.” He took a deep breath. “This could be a profitable venture for both
of us. I need someone inside the armory to provide information, gun parts,
ammo, brass, magazines and the like. You will be paid well.”

“You
do know they lock those things in a vault, don’t you?”

“You’re
a bright boy, you could figure something out. Just imagine, no more fishing.
You can buy your food and whatever else you want.”

 
He sighed.
No
more fishing. No more eating fish.

“Zach?”
his sister said softly.

He
turned and smiled at her. She seemed to be able to read his mind at times like
this and pull him back from the worst that he could be. “Don’t worry, sis.”
Looking at Bo he shook his head. “No.”

“Your
mom has been getting more than booze from me these last few weeks. In a day or
so she’ll beg you to cooperate with me.

Like
a volcano, rage rose through him and boiled over. He snapped the bow to the
ready.

The
burly man pulled a gun.

Vicki
screamed, “No!”

“Let’s
all just calm down,” Bo spread his arms. “Think about my offer. I’ll be by in a
day…or so.”

As
the two men stepped back to the car, Zach said, “I’ll never do business with
you.”

“I’m
asking now. Next time I won’t.”

As
the car pulled away Zach said to Vicki, “Come on, let’s hurry. I have a lot of
questions for Mom.”

When
the two got home their mother was sitting on the floor rocking back and forth
and staring at the fire in the woodstove.”

“Mom,
we need to talk,” Zach said.

She
shook her head and rocked even faster.

Scattered
on the floor were several pill bottles and small plastic bags. All empty.

Zach
stared at the mess on the floor. “Mom, what did you do?”

Tears
welled in Vicki’s eyes and she sniffled.

Speaking
in a whisper his mother looked at Zach. “Bo told me what he wanted from you. He
used me to get at you. This is better.”

Zach
dropped to his knees beside her. “No, it’s not.”

“Yes
it is.” She said with determination. “On that night, that awful night, we had
an offer…someone wanted to buy the store…but your dad didn’t want to sell.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks. “I should have been there…I should have been
working that shift, but we argued. I said I wasn’t going to work there anymore.
I should be dead…me…not him.” She looked at Zach with glazed eyes. “I’m sorry
I’ve been such a bad mother. If I could trade places with your dad I would.”
She smiled at them and seemed to let go of a deep sadness. “It is better this
way.”

For
the first time in years Zach hugged her. “No Mom, don’t say that.”

“I’ve
wanted to do this for so long.” Her eyes lost focus. “I finally did it.” She
collapsed on the floor unconscious.

Moments
later Zach banged on DeLynn’s door.

It
opened a mere two inches with the chain still latched. “What do you want?”
DeLynn’s father said irritably.

Zach
gasped for breath. “Please…I need to phone…It’s my mother….”

“No.
Get off my property.”

“She’s
unconscious…I think she’s dying. We don’t have a phone.”

The
older man stared at him with a face of stone. “She probably just passed out!
You and your friends stay away from my daughter.”

From
inside Zach heard DeLynn’s voice. “Daddy, can’t you see, this is serious?”

He
wanted to pummel the man and steal the car, but instead Zach turned and ran
downhill across the snow covered lawn toward the next house several hundred
yards away.

A
mechanical sound caught Zach’s attention as he ran. The garage door of DeLynn’s
home creaked up. The Hollister’s red sedan rocketed out, just clearing the
bottom of the rising door.

“Come
on!” DeLynn shouted. “Jump in.”

He
did and together they headed back toward the blue trailer and his unconscious
mother.
 

*
              
*
  
            
*

Caden
drove leisurely through Hansen on his way home. In many ways the street looked
normal. Lights were on in homes and businesses. Televisions flickered in some
windows. Despite the darkness and cool weather, children played and rode bikes.

However,
there were no other cars on the road and many more adults on bikes than he
recalled from earlier times. Trash collection was less often now because of gas
shortages, so garbage overflowed the bins at many homes. The smell of wood
smoke floated in the air.

In
the cup holder beside him, his phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was the
sheriff. “What’s up?”

“There’s
been a break-in at the school. My deputies are out east of town. Brooks said he
would send some men, and that you might be near the school.”

“I’m
coming up to it now. I’m just over a block away on Main Street.”

“You
didn’t pull over to take my call?”

“Ah….”

The
sheriff laughed. “Wait for me. I’ll be there in two minutes.”

The sound of a car
engine brought attention that Caden didn’t want, so he parked. He set his phone
to vibrate and then stepped from the vehicle. Near the school a dog barked. In
the distance came the laughter of children. Otherwise the night was still.

He
stood in the shadows a few feet from his car. Another dog barked nearby and
then others until a frantic chorus filled the night.

 
Caden was certain the dogs had detected the
break-in. He pulled his gun from the holster and, staying in the shadows,
walked gradually forward.

Within
seconds he heard a car engine and turned to see the sheriff drive up and park
with neither lights nor siren on.

Caden
stepped from the shadows.

With
a wave of his arm, Hoover motioned for Caden to follow.

Together
they ran down the street, turned and crept up an alley.

The
sheriff stopped and pointed to the greenhouse behind the school. Caden recalled
from his days of attendance that the Future Farmers of America club and various
science classes used the large commercial grade structure.

Caden
couldn’t see much in the darkness, but then, inside the greenhouse, he saw a
beam of light and then another blink on then off.

Flashlights? Turned on
and then off? Are people so hungry that they are stealing from the school
greenhouse?

Caden
looked for anyone on guard, but saw no one.

Hoover
whispered, “Take cover there.” He pointed to an old and very wide tree. Then,
with his gun at the ready, he moved to a nearby stone fence.

From
behind his tree, Caden stared at the door wondering how many were inside.
Hoover might have been wondering that also. He seemed content to wait for the
soldiers to arrive.

The
rattle of boxes and stumbling steps indicated there were at least two people
inside.

A
flashlight flicked on and off.

“Stop
that,” an angry male voice commanded. “We’ll get caught.”

“I
can’t see!”

“We’ve
got everything worth taking,” Another said. “Let’s go.”

The
doors opened.

“This
is the sheriff! Stop! Put your hands up!”

A
shot rang out.

Then
another.

Thud.

A
scream thundered from the darkness.

“Turn
on your flashlights,” the sheriff commanded.

“You’ll
shoot us!”

“If
you don’t turn them on, I might.”

When
their lights were on Caden saw the group huddled together.

Hoover
turned on his light, pointed it at them, and called for an ambulance.

“Back
inside the greenhouse.” Hoover commanded as he approached.

Caden
took one of their flashlights, examined the fallen man and applied pressure to
his wound. “He’ll need that ambulance, but he might live.”

Sirens
wailed in the distance.

Looking
over those standing, Caden saw one woman and three men. They were all clearly
scared, but not hardened criminals.

“The
government needs to do something. We’re starving,” one said.

“We’ve
got families to feed,” the woman added.

 
“You guys are hoarding all the food.”

“We
have rights!”

“Yeah,
our children have a right to eat!”

“Everyone
has a right to eat.”

There
was real hunger in the community, but these men appeared able and, while they
might have been hungry, none was starving. They could all do something more
useful than waiting for assistance or resorting to theft.

“You
don’t have a right to steal, but we will feed you—in jail,” the sheriff said.
“You’re all under arrest.” He pulled a handful of zip ties from his pocket.

*
              
*
              
*

In
the backseat of the Hollister family car, Vicki cradled the head of her mother.

Zach
looked over his shoulder from the passenger seat. “Is she still breathing?”

Vicki
nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Zach
sighed. “We’ll be at the hospital soon.” He turned his gaze to DeLynn. She had
a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel. “Do you know the way?”

She
nodded. “I drove to town with Dad several times, but never on my own.”

“You’re
not alone now.” Zach looked ahead, conflicted. He wanted her to go faster, but
was scared that she might and slide off the icy, unsanded road. Taking his eyes
away from the winding country lane for just a moment, he looked at her again.
The muscles of her neck were tense as she stared straight ahead. Still, she was
beautiful. “Thanks for doing this.”

“My
dad is a jerk.”

“He
doesn’t know I’m the one giving you the fish and the rations does he?”

She
shook her head. “He’s so proud. I was afraid he would rather starve and Mom and
I with him, but I will…I will tell him.”

For
some reason the fact that she hadn’t told him hurt Zach, but all he said was,
“It’s okay.”

Moments
later he sighed as they turned from the narrow road that led away from their
homes and onto the wider and straighter avenue into town. It was the same
street he and his sister had encountered Bo on less than an hour before.
Glancing back at his mother, rage boiled within him.
I’m going to kill you, Bo.

Zach
rubbed his eyes as DeLynn stepped into the waiting room. “Hi.”

“Any
word from the doctors?”

He
yawned and shook his head “She’s still unconscious and in intensive care. What
time is…?” He looked at his watch. “I’m late. The fish traps need to be set.
Why didn’t anyone….”

“Relax.
Vicki and I did it this morning.”

He
blinked. “You in waders, standing in the middle of a freezing stream placing a
fish trap?” He smiled. “That must have been a sight.”

In
a mock indignant tone she said, “Vicki says I did just fine—believe it or not.”
She sat in the chair next to him. “I spent the night at your place. I’m still
pretty mad at my dad. I don’t want to go back home.” She looked him in the eye.
“Can I move in with you?”

Zach
stared at her while fireworks lit the black sky of his life. He wanted to
shout,
‘yes,’ but reality’s rain dampened his jubilation.
Her parents will hate me more than ever.
They’d never stand for it. Her moving in with me would confirm all they already
think of me.
“Ah…well…if you did your dad would never approve of me.”

“I
don’t care.”

“You
will someday, and I would like his approval. I don’t want him thinking I’m a
bad influence and I’ve corrupted you.”

She
giggled at that. “I’ve never met such a good bad guy.”

“I’ve
made some bad choices, but I want to make the right ones with you. If you need
time away from your dad, stay with Vicki as long as you want, but I’ll bunk at
the armory.”

DeLynn
frowned, but nodded.

“I
better get going. It’s a long walk to the armory.”

“I’ll
take you. I still have Dad’s car.”

“You
better get it back to him before he has you arrested.”

“I
will—tomorrow.”

As
they stepped from the room, Zach looked her up and down. “You might look good
in orange.”

She
thumped his arm with her fist. “I’m not sure I’d want you to join up, but you’d
look nice in uniform.”

“Don’t
worry. They won’t let me for a couple of years.” He looked around. “I want
someone here in case the doctors have news. Where’s Vicki?”

“She’s
coming. I told her to give me a minute to talk to you.”

Zach
sighed deeply and took her hand as they walked down the hall and out of the
hospital.

As
DeLynn drove toward the armory, Zach considered what to do about Bo. He tried
to be rational, but he kept drifting back toward plans that involved torture,
murder or both.

Several
squads were finishing their morning run as DeLynn pulled up to the post gate.

One
soldier smiled and said, “I wish I had more friends that looked like her.” He
gestured at those with him. “And less that looked like you guys.”

Many
nodded.

“Too
good for you. What’s her name?” another asked with a grin.

“What’s
her phone number?”

Zach’s
face warmed and he was glad she was already headed away.

“Why
would she be interested in any of you smelly knuckleheads?” the First Sergeant
asked. “Get showers and then clean the barracks. The XO will inspect at 0900.
Zach, come with me.”

As
they walked away Fletcher said, “Don’t let those guys bother you. I’m sure
she’s a nice girl.”

“She
is, First Sergeant. The best.”

“Then
treat her good. That’s one thing I’ve learned.” He handed the boy a sheet of
paper. “Here are your duties for today. If you get done, second squad is
practicing with pistols this afternoon.”

Zach
looked up at Fletcher and nodded. As he gazed at the older man in his combat
uniform, Zach recalled DeLynn’s comment that he would look good in one. “First
Sergeant, could I get a uniform?”

“You’re
not in the military, so why do you want one?”

He
didn’t want to say it was to impress his girlfriend. “Ah…cleaning. Most of my
clothes are either too nice or worn out. ACUs would be good for working,
polishing brass, cleaning weapons and other stuff around here.”

Fletcher
shrugged. “One thing we have a surplus of is uniforms. I’ll get you some, but
no rank or insignia—and keep’em clean.”

The
boy nodded and headed off to his first job with a smile.

*
              
*
              
*

Caden
sat at his desk reading papers while a radio played softly in the background.

Maybe paperwork isn’t
so bad. When I have time for it, the day has gone well.
He signed the report
and moved it from the pile in front of him to the growing stack on his left.

All
morning the station had played a mixture of news, commentary and music. He had
heard all the news, so the radio was merely blocking the noise of the world
around him.

Another
paper moved to the left.

Ominous
tones ushered from the radio. Followed by, “Breaking news!”

Caden
turned to listen.

“Senators
and representatives of the re-established congress met for the first time today
in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In addition to passing a number of resolutions opposing
recent executive orders, the Senate has refused to ratify the Treaty of Mutual
Friendship, Aid and Cooperation with China. In a joint resolution the new
congress asked countries of the world to continue providing aid, but not seek
economic or political control of American resources or sovereign territory.
There has been no comment yet from the Durant administration in New York.”

Caden
ignored the litany of reporter remarks as he mulled the news. Turning from the
radio, he noticed Brooks standing in the doorway.

“What
do you think about that?” the XO asked.

“Treaties
must be ratified by the Senate.” Caden leaned back in his chair. “I think the
new congress outmaneuvered Durant.”

“Then
maybe there won’t be a civil war.”

Caden
shrugged. “If Durant recognizes the authority of the new congress there won’t
be, but do you see that happening?”

The
XO’s shoulders slumped. “No.”

*
              
*
              
*

The
sun was low in the sky casting long dark shadows across the ground when Zach,
clad head to foot in a montage of camo uniform parts and hunting clothes,
crawled on his belly from the woods onto a rock outcrop across from Bo’s home.
He had never been in the house, never wanted to, but from there he could
observe it. First he would learn the routine of the man who had put his mother
in a coma and then he would extract judgment.
 

The
living room was dimly lit and the house appeared unoccupied as Zach peered
through the scope. Bo mentioned that he had inherited the large two story home
on a secluded road at the edge of town. The backyard sloped down to a lake.
Other homes were nearby, but far enough away for privacy. Bo’s inheritance
would make any family in town a nice home, but Bo boasted it was merely a place
to sleep and make deals. He seemed always to be making deals. Zach knew the
crook was into drugs, booze and guns. What else, he didn’t know.

Zach
was certain the house was also a place to show off. Bo was a small-town hood,
but he played the part well. He had never been arrested; he owned a nice house,
a fancy car and had enough money to do what he pleased. Zach hated him and
envied all he owned.

A
black Chevy drove up and parked in a shadowed area near the home, but no one
got out.
That’s weird.
The car had a
clear view of Bo’s house.
Is someone else
keeping an eye on Bo?
Zach looked through the scope at the car, but
darkness hid whoever was inside.

He
quickly lost interest in the car and returned his attention to the house.
Minutes slipped away with nothing happening.
This isn’t accomplishing anything.
Still he stayed. He wanted to
see the man he hated and begin the stalking of his prey.

It seems more exciting
on TV.
He
sighed and waited.

The
sound of a car caught Zach’s attention. Within seconds Bo’s gold Cadillac sedan
came down the road and pulled in the driveway.

The
Chevy roared to life and streaked into a blocking position behind the Cadillac.
Four men jumped out waving pistols and surrounded Bo and his bodyguard.

It
was hard to see detail in the fading light, but Zach, looking through the
scope, was sure the men were Hispanic with multiple tattoos on their necks and
much of their faces.

Bo
tried to say something, but one of the guys pushed him and shouted, “We don’t
have time for this!”

One
guy seemed to be in charge, shouting and pushing. Bo responded, but Zach
couldn’t make out the words.

An
involuntary shudder went through Zach as he remembered the night he shot Cruz.
Are these guys MS-13?
 

 
“We paid you, but so far we got nothing but
promises. You better deliver or, I swear man, I’ll cut your throat.” In a flash
a knife was at Bo’s neck.

Bo
stumbled backwards mumbling.

Zach
pressed his eye into the scope.

The
gang members walked back toward their car.

What is going on?
Zach crawled back into
the woods.
Maybe I won’t have to kill
you, Bo.