The Third Ten Read online

  How long did he stand there? Long enough to hear the end of one song and the start of their song. A verse, two, then Dean cleared his throat, took on a different composure, and shuffled in.

  “El,” he grabbed his lab coat. “I really hope this late night call is important.”

  “Oh, hey, Dean. It is.” She reached and shut off the player.

  Dean paused.

  “What?” she asked.

  “You turned it off.”

  “Yeah,” She crinkled her face. “It was our song, and with you here …” she shrugged. “It’s weird.”

  “Never was weird before.”

  “You never belonged to someone else before.”

  Dean only partially smiled.

  “Yeah,” Ellen exhaled. “She’s nice.”

  “El, when you two were talking earlier … you seemed awfully buddy-buddy. She didn’t tell you something she wasn’t supposed to tell you did her?”

  “What?” Ellen chuckled. “No, why are you keeping lab secrets from me?”

  “No.”

  “Was she gonna reveal some sort of kinky sex …”

  “No.” Dean cut her off. “It’s just that I know you. I know you well enough to know you don’t change your attitude that fast.”

  Again, Ellen shrugged. “Well, Dean, you’ve moved on, I’ve moved on. I’ve accepted that.”

  “In a day?”

  “Why, do you want me to mope?”

  “No. No.” He shook his head. “Not at all.”

  “Are things okay with you and Margaret?”

  “Sure.” Dean’s hand reached down to the counter and he ran his fingers over it.

  Ellen watched this. “Really.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And you’re getting excited about the baby.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Dean smiled. “Fingers crossed it works out.”

  “It works out?” Ellen laughed. “The pregnancy?”

  “I mean, you know what I mean. Anyhow … moved on, huh?”

  “Yep.”

  “Frank?”

  “Dean,” She snickered his name. “Getting back with Frank is never moving on. It’s really not even getting back.”

  “So you are.”

  “We’re getting there. But have I ever really not been with Frank?”

  “Not really.”

  “No,” Ellen said. “So, discussing our personal lives isn’t why we’re here. I want to talk to you about a patient.”

  “It’s not Ryder, Joe or any of the other ones you deem your own.”

  “No,” Ellen smiled. “It’s …” She reached up to the keyboard.

  “What?”

  She wanted to say shit. She didn’t pick out a patient. She looked at her watch. Where was Frank? He was supposed to have been there already.

  “El?” Dean snapped his finger. “Did you forget which patient?”

  “No, I had his info up here and it’s gone.”

  “Maybe you closed it out?” Dean asked.

  Maybe.” Ellen reached to open a file.

  “Who is it?”

  “What?”

  “Who’s the patient?”

  “Um, Hap.” Ellen smiled. “Yeah, Hap.” She looked for his name. ‘Come on Frank.’ She thought. ‘Where are you? And how in the world are you getting this blood?’

  Just as she thought that, Frank’s thunderous bark echoed in the lab.

  “Dean!” Frank walked in.

  Dean jumped. “God, Frank you startled me. “What’s up?”

  “This.” Before Dean realized it, or even Ellen for that matter, Frank pulled back, closed fisted and nailed Dean hard in the nose.

  After a hard jolt, fast spin, and sway, Dean’s eyes rolled and he dropped to the floor.

  ***

  When blood samples are taken from children, a tiny tube no bigger than an inch is used to collect the specimen.

  Ellen used an infant tube on Dean, running the vial under his nose as he lay on the floor.

  “I can’t believe you did this.” Ellen snapped.

  “Hurry, up he won’t be out for long.”

  “I can’t believe you punched him out.” Ellen capped the tube.

  “Did you get enough?” Frank asked.

  She held it up. “Should be, yeah.”

  Frank crouched down before Dean.

  “What are you doing?” Ellen asked rushed.

  “Waking him.”

  “Shit. Hold on.” She placed the tube in her jacket. “I’m heading down to the cryo to set things up. Meet me there.”

  “Okay.”

  Before Ellen darted out, she darted a quick kiss to Frank. He smiled at that, waited until she was gone, then lightly tapped Dean on the cheek. “Dean. Dean?”

  Dean groaned.

  “Get up.”

  “Frank, do you …” Dean moaned. “Did you hit me?”

  “No, why?”

  “Own.” He brought his fingers to his nose. “I’m bleeding.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “You hit me.” Dean sat up.

  “No, Dean, I didn’t.” Frank helped him to stand. “We were just talking, next thing I know your eyes roll and you fell.”

  “I must have hit my nose.” He walked to the sink. “God. I thought you hit me. I swear I remember you hitting me.”

  “Are you all right?” Frank asked. “Because I didn’t hit you. Why would I hit you?”

  “I don’t know.” Grabbing a towel, Dean paused. “Where’s El?”

  “Who?’

  “Ellen?”

  “She left.”

  “I passed out and she left me?” Dean asked.

  “Actually, she left before you passed out.” Frank walked to him, stopping Dean as he brought the towel to his nose. “Let me see.”

  “That’s right, you’re the nose expert.”

  “I broke mine and Robbie’s enough.” Frank felt the bridge. “Nah, you just bumped it.”

  “Did I say anything before I passed out?”

  “Um …” Frank looked up. “Yeah, you said … err.”

  Dean grunted and shook his head. “And El was gone.”

  “Yep.”

  “Fuck,” Dean whispered out. “I can’t believe this happened again.”

  He dropped his last few words, but Frank caught them. “What was that?” Frank asked. “What happened again?”

  “Huh? Nothing.” Dean wiped his nose.

  Frank nodded once, he heard Dean’s words, but he also heard what he really said.

  ***

  Two shots worth.

  That was all Robbie was permitted before going on duty. Although he highly doubted if Frank really did care, but since Frank was stopping by tracking, and hanging out with Robbie, Robbie didn’t want to take a chance.

  His evening was simple, he was heading to tracking, watch the screens for a while, hang with Frank, then walk the perimeter of the mutilator region while Frank observed tracking.

  Nothing going on there.

  His two shots worth of moonshine sat in one glass, but Robbie poured a little into a shot glass and downed it.

  He figured if he did that enough, he’d feel like he drank as much as he wanted to.

  It was a Friday night. Why not.

  The hall was busy, the jukebox played, and Sam the Mannequin looked a little too annoyed for Robbie’s liking.

  “Nah,” Robbie held up his hand. “I’m good, thanks Sam.” He winked. Feeling the nudge of someone sitting down, Robbie turned “Oh, hey Dad?”

  “Rule is two. How many did you have?” Joe asked.

  “Half. See?” Robbie lifted the glass.

  “Doing the Hal thing.” Joe said.

  “It works.”

  Joe smirked. “Never did for me.”

  “That’s because you’re an alcoholic.”

  “I believe that’s Frank’s title.”

  “Oh, my God,” Jimmy’s voice interjected. “Tell me I didn’t hear that.”

  Joe shook his head. ‘S
orry, didn’t know you were there.”

  “Is it a habit to pick on Frank?” Jimmy asked.

  “Jimmy.” Joe turned his body completely toward his son.

  “Yeah.”

  “Sit. Quiet. Drink.” Joe pointed.

  Robbie snickered. “Anyhow,” He wiped the smile from his face. “Any word? Is the tracking replaced?”

  “Weren’t you listening to the radio?” Joe questioned.

  “I was, then when Henry started his bitching and whining, I shut it off.”

  “What did you hear last?”

  “They arrived at the gate and Henry refused to go through without Frank.”

  “They had to wait until Frank finished with Ellen and ... their thing.”

  “How’d that go?” Robbie asked.

  Joe gave a thumbs up. “So Frank went up there. Last I heard from Frank was he was heading home, making sure Josh could sit with the kids, then he was meeting you at tracking.”

  “Then Danny and Henry got it up and running?”

  “Yep.” Joe nodded. “They probably will be here.”

  Robbie groaned. “Then remind me to leave before Henry arrives. I hate when he whines.”

  “Me and you both.” Joe held up his drink. “Ever since he turned gay …” he whistled.

  “Tell me about it.”

  Jimmy gasped. “Do you two always talk about people?”

  “Yes.” Joe answered. “Get used to it., And … Holy Mother of God!”

  Robbie looked in the same direction as Joe. He laughed.

  “What?” Jimmy asked.

  “Oh my God,” Robbie continued to laugh. Dan from Security walked in. His long ponytail, which he always wore pulled back, was gone. In fact, all his hair was gone. “Uh! I’m blind.” Robbie shielded.

  Dan rubbed his dome. “You don’t like? I do.”

  Joe gave thumbs up. “Thought you’d never get rid of that mop. Good job. Frank will be pleased.”

  Robbie reached over and ran has hand over Dan’s bald head. “Why’d you do it?”

  “Bentley said it’s the latest rage.”

  Joe, who was sipping his drink, nearly choked. “Rage? Latest rage? In Beginnings.”

  “Yeah, Joe,” Dan replied. “Beginnings has rages. Don’t you remember the flat shoes rage the woman had?”

  Robbie added. “Or the pink fur parkas?”

  “Then there was the how many ways can you sing the silly song.” Dan said.

  “Oodles of Dan noodles.” Robbie pointed.

  “Still a rage,” Dan commented.

  Joe shook his head. “You know what happened to the good old days when the envision of the apocalypse was bleak?” He asked. “Not a world with pink parkas, flat shoes, remade Raman noodle and rock bands, speaking of which…” he looked this watch. “Where is our band? Shouldn’t they be playing?”

  “Oh.’ Robbie said. “Danny booked Paul and Jim at Hoi Hoi on the Range, so they canceled.”

  “Christ,” Joe shook his head. Wait I get a hold of him. He has that brat boy in Jordan town. He can play there. We need entertainment in Beginnings.”

  “Karaoke starts in a half hour.” Robbie said.

  “Who’s hosting?” Joe asked.

  “Ben from Fabrics.” Robbie answered.

  Joe nodded. “I’ll stay, it’ll be good.”

  Dan looked at his watch. “Where is he, shouldn’t he have the books out. I wonder if he got any new tunes.”

  Even Jimmy turned his head and looked at Dan the same way as Joe and Robbie.

  “What? It could happen?” Dan asked. “Hey, you guys want to hear a joke?”

  “No,” Joe snapped. “Your jokes are old and retold. Besides, we have enough jokes.” He lifted his drink with a point. “Henry just walked in.”

  Jimmy, curious, looked at his father. “Why don’t you like people?”

  “Have I ever?” Joe quipped.

  Jimmy shrugged. “Guess not.”

  Henry with a slump moved to the bar. He ran his hand through his hair. “Your son, Joe.”

  Joe only peered at him. “Which one I have three.”

  Robbie’s eyes widened and he held up a hand with four fingers to Joe, then pointed to Jimmy,

  “Four, Dad,” Jimmy said. “You have four.”

  After the slightest of winces, Joe waved out his hand, “Um, three, I don’t count Frank.” He winked at Robbie.

  Henry sighed. “Well that’s the one I want to gripe about.”

  “Christ, Henry, when don’t you gripe?” Joe pulled a bottle forward. “Have a drink. Relax.”

  “I can’t Joe,” Henry rattled. “Frank was playing chicken with the killer babies.”

  “I thought there weren’t any in that region.”

  “When Frank showed up there were.” Henry said. “They smell him, Joe, I know it. The scent of their leader.”

  “Well, Henry, he is their God.”

  “Yeah, and they don’t eat him. They tried to eat me Joe.”

  “What?” Joe laughed.

  “Yeah, he said, ‘get him’, the Killer Baby shot my way, then Frank, said, “stop’ right when it was an inch to my face.” Henry grabbed his chest. “I thought I was a goner.”

  “I’ll speak to him, Henry.”

  “Thank you Joe.” Henry grabbed the bottle. “I need a drink.”

  Jimmy was perplexed by this, “Henry, my brother actually made a Killer Baby go after you?”

  “Oh yeah, I was almost a late dinner. It was really close, Joe. I smelled death.”

  Robbie fluttered his lips. “You know damn well, my brother wouldn’t put you in harm’s way. You’re exaggerating.”

  Henry gasped. “You weren’t there, how do you know.”

  “Cause I know my brother, and I know you. You’re just afraid of everything.”

  “I’m afraid of killer babies.”

  “Everything.” Robbie taunted.

  “Robert.” Joe warned.

  “Ha!” Henry balked. “Like what?

  "Like everything.” Robbie said.

  “Robert.” Joe groaned out.

  Robbie continued. “With this mutilator I bet you’re even afraid to walk Beginnings at night.”

  Henry scoffed. “Please, I’m not afraid of the mutilator.”

  “Prove it.” Robbie said.

  “Prove it?” Henry asked.

  “Robert.”

  “Prove it.” Robbie coked his head. “Meet me tonight by the fields.”

  “You’ll set me up and try to scare me,” Henry stated.

  “Then if you get scared, you proved me right.” Robbie gave an arrogant look. “Meet me. 2 am?”

  “Fine.” Henry held out his hand. “You’re on. Let’s bet.”

  “If you don’t get scared, then … then I’ll fill in one entire evening of your Mechanics work. If you do get scared, you take tracking for a night."

  “Deal.” Henry shook. “2 AM at the fields.”

  Robbie smiled and finished his drink.

  Henry shook his head. “Drinking on duty?”

  Robbie looked at his watch. “Not yet.” He gasped out, and set down his drink. “See you at two.” He leaned down and kissed Joe on the head. “Night Dad.”

  “Be good and be careful.” Joe instructed.

  Henry pulled up a bar stool. Joe just stared.

  “What?” Henry asked.

  “Did I invite you?’

  “Joe, you are so mean. You are.” Henry shook his head and turned to Jimmy. “I certainly hope you aren’t like your brothers.”

  Joe shrugged a point. “He likes Jenny Matoose.”

  Henry hesitated. "Oh. Okay, well, I won’t hold that against you.”

  Jimmy just shook his head. “I can’t believe how mean everyone is around her.” He stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, I see Jenny now.” Jimmy wore a bright smile as he stood.

  Henry nudged Joe. “He likes her.”

  “Yeah. Yeah.”

  “Jenny Slagel.”

  “H
enry. Quiet.”

  Perky, and upbeat, Jenny approached. “Hi Joe! Jimmy.”

  Joe lifted his hand. “Jenny.”

  “Hello …” Her voice took on a different tone. “Henry.”

  “Jenny.” Henry responded in the same manner.

  Again, like a switch, her demeanor changed as she looped her arm through Jimmy’s. “Want to get a table?”

  “Absolutely, I see Ben is putting out books.” Jimmy said escorting her from the bar.

  “Are you going to sing?”

  “I always was the talented one.”

  Joe was watching, turning his head over his shoulder listening. When they sat, he lifted his drink and stood.

  “Where are you going, Joe?” Henry asked.

  “There’s an empty table behind Jenny and Jimmy.”

  “Oh, Joe.” Henry asked. “Are you going there to eavesdrop?”

  “No, Henry, I’m going over, enjoying my drink. Enjoying Ben’s Karaoke show, and if I hear what they talk about so be it. Excuse me.” Joe walked away.

  Henry sighed out and lifted his drink, shaking his head with disapproval at Joe.

  “Left alone?” Dan asked as he claimed Joe’s bar stool.

  “Yep.” Henry looked at him. “What happened to your hair?”

  “I shaved it. Bentley said it’s the latest rage.”

  “I heard about that.” Henry said.

  “Wanna hear a joke?” Dan asked.

  “Sure, why not.” Henry shrugged. “I can use a good joke. I have to deal with Robbie tonight and his challenge.”

  Dan snickered. “Yes you do. Which is why I’m telling you the joke.”

  “Go on.”

  Dan cleared his throat. “Two Beginnings men were walking behind the fields. One left to go back to work one remained on a bet. He then became the next mutilator victim.” Dan started laughing, hysterically, as if his joke were the funniest thing.

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. That’s not funny.”

  Dan, still laughing stood up and left to join Joe.

  “Not funny,” Henry whispered to Sam. “I’m marking this down. You’re my witness. Something happens to me. He’s the prime suspect.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Ellen tucked, and tightened the spread, then kissed her sleeping daughter. She watched her child, like any parent. The peacefulness on her face, the slight flutter to her lips.

  “Okay,” Frank’s whisper startled her. “Sorry.”

  “That’s all right. What’s up?” Ellen raised.