The Horse Soldier: Beginnings Series Book 10 Read online

  “Is it a hard decision, Dad? Or am I over reacting?”

  Joe had to think about it. He looked to the score board. The last inning,. Nothing, nothing. Then he looked out to the field at the teenage boys out there. Robbie’s big decision. The team he played against was filled with boys Robbie had played side by side with all his life and since a division of streets, Robbie was moved to another league. Having to prove himself all over again as a ball player, Robbie spent most of his time on the bench in the new league, but not this game. Luck was with Robbie. Four players were out with illness and the right fielder was beamed with a ball and he too was out. Robbie was in. But luck was against Robbie as well. The pitcher, Robbie’s best friend, was about to set a record and receive an award. Larry was about to pitch his eighth consecutive no hitter. “It’s a tough one, kid.”

  “We have two outs. Maybe our guys will strike out, we’ll go into extra innings, and Larry will be done pitching. And I won’t have to hit until next inning.”

  “Maybe . . . maybe not.” Joe watched the second batter get hit in the leg with a ball. “You’re gonna have to bat now, Robbie. Get in the batter’s box.” Joe stood up.

  Robbie stood too. “Maybe this guy will hit a home run and the game will be over.” Robbie dropped his head.

  “Robert, just do what you have to do. OK?” Joe rubbed his son’s head and left the dugout. He walked up to the bleachers, plopping down between Frank and Hal. Joe nudged Hal. “Pay attention. Your brother is gonna be up.”

  Hal tuned away from the homely girl. “It’s about time they let him play. What’s he gonna do?”

  Joe shrugged.

  Frank huffed. “I’m not understanding the problem he has. What? Is he stupid?’

  “Christ, Frank.” Joe cringed. “He doesn’t know these guys he’s playing for. He knows the ones he’s playing against. Larry and him are best friends. Robbie can hit Larry every single time. It’s a matter of team loyalty to a team that never let him play, or friendship loyalty to a kid who’s about to get a hell of an achievement award.”

  Hal shook his head. “Robbie certainly is sure of himself.”

  “He can hit Larry,” Joe told him, “every single time.” He watched Robbie step to the plate.

  Jimmy looked up from his novel. “There’s no decision there. Robbie strikes out. He’s the third out. Larry gets his award and it’s extra innings.”

  “What, are you fuckin nuts?” Frank scoffed. “Is it any wonder why you picked the Navy? Go back to reading your book. It’s competition, friendship goes out the window. He fuckin knows he can hit the ball,. Step up to the box, nail it, screw Larry, be the hero, and get the trophy.”

  Joe rolled his eyes slightly. “It’s a principal, Frank. Your brother is taking this seriously.” He watched Robbie takes his batter’s stance and swing a few times. “I think he’ll make the right choice.”

  CRACK!

  “Oh yeah!” Frank shouted out.

  All four Slagels in the bleachers stood with the rest of the crowd at Robbie’s sailing ball. They watched it fly. Going, going . . . gone.

  “Dad? Dad?”

  Joe snapped out of his memory.

  “Where was your mind at?” Robbie snickered as he stood next to Joe.

  “Lindbergh field eighteen years ago,” Joe told him.

  “What happened at Lindbergh field eighteen years ago?”

  “The championship. You versus Larry.”

  “Oh.” Robbie remembered. “Yeah, that’s right. I won the game for our team. I was cool. What made you think of that?”

  “Watching you out there. Knowing how you have to make decisions.” Joe started walking with Robbie. “I was just remembering how that was probably the first hard decision you made in your life.”

  “Pretty stupid now.” Robbie laughed. “I can’t believe I was in such debate over that.”

  “Hey it was trophy or your friendship. You lost a friendship over that.”

  “No big deal now. He’s most likely dead.”

  “Robert.” Joe shook his head. “Anyhow, I was also thinking. You’re doing this very well, heading security. How are you going to feel when Frank returns?”

  “To be honest, Dad, relieved. I can’t wait to get back into mechanics. I miss it.”

  “Really?” Joe was shocked. “I had no idea you liked it so much.”

  “No, I hate it especially working for the prick. But . . . I could hide and sleep all the time. Dad, when Frank walks back through the gate, the moment that he does, he’s getting his clipboard, his heavy fuckin keys, and I’m telling him take his damn job back and get his lazy ass to work.”

  Joe chuckled at Robbie’s comment, laying his hand on Robbie’s back for a moment while they walked. And though Frank probably would nail his little brother if Robbie actually said what he told Joe he would, Joe would enjoy it. No matter what transpired the moment Frank walked in through the gate, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Frank would be walking through the gate.

  ^^^^

  Hal was amazed as he watched the amount of preserved food that was being loaded into the truck that sat in the distance from where he and Henry were. He watched it in so much awe that he stopped paying attention to Henry.

  “They have to fill out the forms, Hal. Hal?”

  “I’m sorry. What?”

  “The men you’re sending. They have to fill out processing forms. Ellen has them.”

  “O.K.” Hal folded his arms and watched the truck. “You people have all this food?”

  “Yeah and we have more growing. Did Sgt. Ryder tell his men they will be utilized as field workers?”

  “They’re aware and have no problem.”

  “We’re getting housing ready for them and the other fifty men that are coming to get your town ready but we’re gonna have to put them four in a house.”

  “O.K.”

  Henry smiled, swaying his head. “This small building here is tracking. This is where we’ll eventually link you up.”

  “Been here.”

  “Have you? Oh.” Henry reached for the door. “I’m thinking this is where Joe is. It’s on his agenda for today. We’ll grab him and get Ellen.” As Henry opened the door, he heard the high pitch beeping.

  “Is that your alarm?” Hal asked.

  “Yeah.” Henry bolted in. “Mark, what’s going on?”

  “Tracking is screwed up.” Mark tossed his hands up.

  “How do you know?” Henry asked.

  “Look and listen.” Mark pointed to the radar. “No noise. No signals. Watch the area behind the under developed.”

  Henry shook his head. “O.K., nothing.”

  “Wait. It’s repetitive. Happens in time. And . . .”

  A long alarm beep occurred and a single light blinked on the screen shot across and back, then disappeared.

  Henry blinked in amazement. “What the hell was that?”

  Mark was sure of himself. “A malfunction.”

  Hal leaned closer. “I don’t know about this tracking thing but maybe it’s not a malfunction. Maybe it’s an animal.”

  Henry looked in debate. “I don’t know. Could be.”

  Another beep, another shooting light.

  Mark shook his head. “Malfunction. The signal is weak, too weak. If it is an animal, it’s no bigger than two feet long.”

  “Then it could be an animal,” Hal said.

  Mark picked up the clipboard with the computer sheet on it. “I’ll say it again. Malfunction. It’s been happening steady for over an hour.” Mark held his ear, cringed, and two seconds later it happened again. He handed Henry the sheet. “I ran it though the computer program.”

  Henry read the results. “All right, let’s watch for another hour or so. If it keeps up, we’ll go out and check the tracking back there. Danny’s leaving so I’ll have to do it and I’m busy right now.” He set the clipboard down.

  “Henry?” Hal gained his attention. “How can you be so sure it’s a malfunction and not
an animal? I’m curious, it just looks like a light to me.”

  The blink, flash, and beep happened again.

  “Did you see that flash and shooting light?” Henry asked. “Well that’s supposed to be the life signal. Smaller, weaker signal signify a small or weaker intrusion. Animal. And that can’t be an animal darting across that area that fast.”

  “That fast?” Hal was confused.

  “That fast,” Henry said then lifted the clipboard to show Hal. “That area the light shot across is close to two miles. And going by the speed computer estimates, I know of no such animal, that small, that can move at sixty-four miles per hour.” Henry took the clipboard back. “Malfunction. We’ll check it out later, Mark. Keep me posted.”

  Questioning in his mind about Henry’s quick dismissal of the situation, Hal took one more look at the tracking screen and hesitantly followed Henry out.

  ^^^^

  “Mr. Hoi.” Joe called for Danny as he walked up to what would be his new home. Danny added the final touches.

  Danny turned around with a grin. “All done Joe. I swear. Just making it look nice for your woman.”

  “That’s not why I’m here.”

  “Oh?” Danny looked to Joe and Herb, an older gentleman who worked the fields. He stood with Joe. Danny snickered. “Did you guys come to beat me up.”

  “Danny.” Joe said his name sternly.

  “I’m ready for ya.” Danny raised his fist and laughed. “Kidding. What’s up?”

  “Danny,” Joe huffed. “You were supposed to meet me an hour ago then we were all heading to the clinic together.”

  “Now see, Joe.” Danny walked from the house to him. “You didn’t tell me why I have to go to a meeting, so I got scared.”

  “You?”

  “Yeah. Clinic. Dean and Ellen.” Danny shuddered. “They may want to work on my brain. It is highly intelligent.”

  “I’m sure. No, no experiments but . . . now you have to rush.” Joe told him.

  “Rush?”

  “Rush. Go pack.”

  “Am I uh . . . leaving?” Danny asked.

  “You can say that. You would have known an hour ago, but you blew me off.”

  “I was busy, Joe, getting your house ready. Where am I going?”

  “To Bowman. I need you to get the power up enough so we can have some telephone communications with them.”

  “No shit. I’m going out of town on business.” Danny grinned. “Thanks. That’s cool. You know, they do call me . . .”

  “Mr. Telephone Connection Guy?”

  Danny laughed. “I wasn’t going to say that, but that’s good. No, Mr. Traveler. O.K., I’ll pack. See you at the clinic.” He quickly grabbed his tool box. “This is great. Not only will I be the man here, but there as well.” Danny began to dart off. He stopped. “Your house is done.” He ran again and came back. “But uh . . . watch that front door. It’s not really connected yet. See ya!” Fast Danny took off.

  Herb looked at Joe, a look of pleasure was not on his wrinkled face. “How long did you say I have to be in a closed in vehicle with that guy?”

  ^^^^

  Dean closed the large black case that set on the counter in the clinic lab. “O.K. El, the coolant pack in here should keep the meds good for five hours. The trip won’t be that long.”

  “But get it put away as soon as possible.”

  “Exactly.”

  “What about stuff from the cryo-lab? Am I taking any experimental stuff?”

  “Um . . .” Dean scratched his head.. “I don’t know. I was thinking about that.”

  “Yes? No?” Ellen asked, enjoying his debating look.

  “I’d like to send some down with you, but . . . you know they aren’t fully tested yet . . .on normal people, that is.”

  “I can take a couple new drugs down just in case.”

  “You know what? Let’s do that. Hal doesn’t have a processing, so who knows what he has. Take the new cold med down but only give it to . . .”

  “I know, I know, semi-SUT-equivalents.”

  “You got it.” Dean smiled, kissed Ellen quickly then kissed her again. “I’m gonna miss you.”

  “No you won’t.”

  “You don’t think?” Dean moved the black case to the other counter. “Think about it, El.” He walked to the lab door and closed it. The lock clicked. “How many hours in the day do I not spend with you. Not many.” He closed the blinds.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Saying goodbye. You leave me in a little over an hour.” Dean walked back to the counter. He placed his hands on Ellen’s waist and lifted her up to the counter.

  She giggled. “Look at you impressing me with your strength.”

  Dean took off his lab jacket.

  “Really, Dean, what are you doing?” She felt her legs part and Dean found a spot between them. He looked so serious. “Dean.”

  “El.” He smiled and kissed her.

  “Anyone could walk in.”

  “Oh no they can’t. It’s locked. No one is gonna get in here unless they are authorized and no one is around.” He pulled at her tee -shirt.

  “Stop.”

  “Nope.” He kissed her.

  “Dean, I’m only going for a couple days.”

  “And speaking of that, be careful. We know you’re ‘leaving Beginnings’ reputation.”

  “Don’t we though.” Ellen ignored him as he manipulated her.

  “Lift your arms.” Dean lifted them and then her shirt. He tossed it. He laid his hand on her cheeks and kissed her.

  “You do know, if you want to attempt this counter action thing, you’re gonna need a step stool.”

  “Ha, ha, ha.” Dean took off his own shirt. “Watch me.” He moved closer to her and, so softly, he caressed his lips on her neck.

  Ellen’s voice soften. “Dean. No. We can’t.”

  Dean’s fingers laid on her bra straps, sliding them slowly from her shoulders as he kissed her where the straps once were, then he moved his mouth down to her chest, so softly, barely touching,

  “O.K., maybe we can. What the hell.”

  Dean lifted his head and grinned. “Music to my ears.” His whole tone changed. He slipped his hand under her hair and despite Ellen’s giggle, he kissed her and backed her down to the counter.

  Buzz . . .

  Johnny’s laughter rang in the room.

  Dean, stunned and still leaning on top of Ellen in his counter position, looked up.

  “Dean” Ellen whispered. “You said no one was coming.”

  Johnny just walked in as if nothing was going on. “Do you guys think you should be doing that in a clean sterile environment such as the clinic?”

  “Christ.” Joe walked in. “I’d like to know that too.”

  Dean’s eyes widened. “Can anyone else walk in here?”

  And with that, a running Danny Hoi bolted in. “Whoa. Hey. Should I refrain from asking what’s up?”

  Joe turned his head to Danny then back to Dean and Ellen. “Do you two mind?”

  “Yeah.” Robbie entered the lab. “Unless you were planning on entertaining us.” He grunted painfully when Joe back handed him in the gut.

  Dean, shaking his head, lifted himself then pulled Ellen up. “Of all moments to be grand central station.”

  “It’s a goddamn clinic, Dean.” Joe scolded. “You have a home.”

  “But Dad . . .” Robbie instigated. “They have that reputation of liking the clinic best. Dean, could you put on a shirt? I’m really turned on by you at this moment.” Robbie noticed the overly serious glance Joe gave him. “What? I’m kidding.”

  Dean sought out Ellen’s shirt and gave it to her. He bent down and picked up his own. “Sorry El.”

  Ellen tossed on her shirt. “No I think it’s pretty funny.” She slid from the counter. “Danny, what are you doing here and also Herb?”

  Danny answered. “It’s the big leaving for Bowman meeting. I’m going as her protection, Dean.” Danny winked.
“So fear not. No seriously, Joe wants me to hook them up. Not hook them up like Dean was about to well but . . . try to get communications semi . . .” Danny snickered. “Up. Sorry, Dean.”

  Dean immediately looked down.. “You’re an ass, Danny.”

  “I got you though,” Danny rambled. “Hey Joe, when are we gonna start this meeting? I’m getting excited, not Dean excited, but I want to go.”

  Joe rubbed his own eyes harshly. “Danny, Christ. As soon as Henry gets here.”

  “What about me.” Henry walked in. “Did I miss anything?”

  Robbie looked at Hal and Henry. “Just Dean and Ellen having sex on the counter.”

  Dean tossed his hands up. “We weren’t having sex.”

  “Not yet,” Johnny corrected. “Had I been a minute later, perhaps.”

  Robbie laughed. “Then it would have been over with.”

  Hal looked mortified. “Should we be in here? They’re married and perhaps they want some time alone.”

  Joe spun on his heels to his son behind him. “Not in a public place they don’t need time alone. Now can we all drop the Dean and Ellen pretending to be kids and get on with this goddamn meeting before I have a stroke?” Joe watched Henry shut the door. “Thank you.” He took in the faces in the lab, all the faces that awaited the finish off meeting before the Bowman trip. Joe knew the short briefing would be far from brief. They never were, when there were more than three people from Beginnings in the same room. He had to wonder how he ever got anything accomplished at any meeting he had. And that thought was reiterated when, in Joe’s small pause of thinking, the group took advantage of that and began chattering about things that had nothing to do with Bowman.

  ^^^^

  Binghamton, Alabama

  Dressed out of Caceres Society uniform and in shorts, Frank cooled down in his office after taking an unscheduled break from training on what seemed to be an extremely hot day for September. “Fuck.” Frank rubbed his hand over his head as he sat in his office.

  Richie snickered. “It’s not that bad.”

  “You’ve been in here all day. I ought to make you train with everyone.”