Redemption (8 page)

These days Max could find very few things he took pride in and the command center was at the top of the list.   Having spent decades in chronic pain from a spinal column that would give a chiropractor nightmares, Max could not venture far from the compound.  His command center was among three of the most advanced communication centers west of the Mississippi so Max had little need to travel.  Five command centers were operating east of the Mississippi.  The only thing the eight command centers had in common was that they possessed powerful shortwave radio transmitters that could broadcast across the continent.  Anyone with the proper resources could join the club.

Every command center adopted their call sign from the nearest city that showed up on the most rudimentary maps of the former United States.  The command center in front of Max was actually on the shores of Jackson Lake but derived its name from the city of Denver, some sixty miles to the southwest.

Max entered the command center and retrieved the paperwork from his tray and pretended to read them while he scanned the faces of his staff for signs of anger or resentment.  Since most of his waking hours were spent navigating various stages of inebriation he never knew from day to day which people he had offended or humiliated.  No one seemed to be seething in anger so Max felt safe for the time being.  Max asked the room.  “Anything to report?”

“Things are shaking up in St. Louis,” said one of the two men sitting at the comm desk.

Max was intrigued.  St. Louis had been stable for years.  “Really?”

“Repeated broadcasts claim that Willie McCallon is dead.”

“Son of a bitch.  What the hell happened?”

“Someone killed him and his lieutenants.  At least that’s what the broadcast is saying.  Might be bullshit.”

“How long have they been broadcasting this?”

“Little over twelve hours.”

“Twelve hours is a long time to broadcast bullshit.  Who’s claiming power now?”

“You would think one of McCallon’s rivals would be loud and proud.  Whoever’s running St. Louis now hasn’t announced a coming out party.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What else?”

“Knoxville has a report for you.”

Max shuffled through the papers in his hands.  “I don’t see it.”

“He wants to speak to you directly.  He contacted us during the funeral.  Offered his condolences and said he’d be available for the rest of the day.”

“Far be it from me to ignore the likes of Benjamin Black.  Let’s get him on the horn.”

“You got it.”  The technician flipped some switches and tweaked the dial to Knoxville’s frequency.  “Knoxville station, Knoxville station, this is Denver.  Come in, Knoxville.”

“Go ahead, Denver, this is Knoxville station.”

“I have Mr. Harris on the line for Mr. Black.”

“Roger, wait one.”

A minute later, the booming voice of Benjamin Black filled the room.  “Max?  You there?”

“I’m here Ben.”

“Sorry to hear about Theo.  He was a good man.  Give Vanessa my love.”

“Will do.  What’s going on Ben?”

“Have some good news for you.”

“We can use it.”

“Your friend is coming for a visit.  Should be here day after tomorrow.”

Max immediately understood why his good friend wanted to deliver the news himself.  “You sure he’ll make it to the party this time?”  Dupree had been caught before but always managed to escape custody.

“I have a welcoming committee heading straight to him.  The kind folks escorting him seem to know what they’re doing and have been acquainted with his talents.  My people should meet up with him this time tomorrow.”

“That’s great news, Ben.  What do you need from me?”

“Just meet me half way and he’s all yours.  I’ll be coming along to keep him company.”

“When you confirm he’s in Knoxville, I’ll have my people on the road.  You have enough fuel?”

“You know I do, been saving up just for this.”

“That great, Ben.  You guys know about St. Louis?”

“Yeah, not sure what to make of it.  McCallon may have been an asshole, but he kept St. Louis locked down tight for years.”

“You guys know who’s calling the shots now?”

“No, but I’m gonna find out.  Not much choice.”

“Still no way around St. Louis?”

“Afraid not.  After McCallon took out the bridges in Memphis, you got two options to get a vehicle across the Mississippi – St. Louis or New Orleans.”

“Is New Orleans still standing?”

“Shit, Maxwell, you know as well as I do – anyone that makes it to New Orleans is never heard from again.”

“Ben, I can’t let you have all the fun.  Make camp a safe distance from St. Louis and wait for me to get to my side.  I’ll meet your recon team in the city follow them back to you.  We combine our forces and cross the Mississippi together.”

“Are you saying you’re actually making the trip yourself?”

“You know I am.  This is too important.”

“What will your lovely wife say?”

“Brother, you let me worry about that.”

“Fair enough.  Stay close to the radio this time tomorrow.  The minute our guest is comfortable I’ll call you.”

“I look forward to it.”

***

“Honey, I’m sorry for everything.”

Max and Elizabeth had retired to their bed for the evening.  Patience was not Elizabeth’s strong suit, but she knew that her husband was waiting for complete privacy from his walkie-talkie, from knocks on the door, from everything.

“It’s okay, I promise.  I understand why you kept it a secret.  Everyone was better off thinking he was dead.  I’ve slept a lot better thinking he was rotting in hell.  I can’t imagine the torture you’ve been living all this time.”

“Gives my alcoholism a certain level of validation, doesn’t it?”

“Where is he, Maxwell?”

“In custody on his way to Ben.”

“Are you serious?  He’s been caught?  Max, that’s great news!”

“He’s been caught before.  The man used to be a Navy SEAL and escaped from a supermax prison.  Not a lot these days can keep him under lock and key.  Ben will know what to do with him.”

“Is Ben bringing him here?”

“If Dupree ends up secured in Knoxville, I’m gonna meet Ben in St. Louis for the handoff.”

“I’m going with you.”

“St. Louis is a powder keg right now.  Not safe, you’re staying here.”

“Max, don’t make me say it.”

“Elizabeth, I need you in charge here while I’m gone.”

“I really need to say it?”

“Elizabeth, please.”

“He killed our son, Maxwell!  I’m coming with you!”

CHAPTER NINE

“You’re insane.”

“Dr. Biggs, while I will freely admit that I am a narcissistic sociopath, I am quite sane.”

“Are you joking?”

“Far from it.  The icepick lodged in Mr. McCallon’s ear speaks to that point.”

Sebastian had actually forgotten about the corpse still in the room.  The fact that Charles knew his true identity was enough to make the good doctor forget every facet of reality.  The entire reason Dr. Biggs abandoned his previous life was so that his extensive knowledge of artificial intelligence wouldn’t fall into the wrong hands.  The last thing the world needed was another up and coming dictator like the late Simon Sterling creating an artificially intelligent war machine.  Sebastian never imagined his knowledge of aeronautics would attract anyone.

“Dr. Biggs, I can assume you have two very basic questions – how and why?  Am I correct?”

“You could say that.”

“Well, the reasons why I wish to embark on this endeavor need not concern you.  How we will proceed from this point is quite the opposite.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Of course you do!  Come now, Sebastian!  I can’t imagine you’d turn down such an opportunity.”

“You’ll forgive me if I doubt your abilities.”

“I’d be concerned if you didn’t.  Trust me; your doubts will soon vanish.”

“You say your reasons don’t concern me.  They concern me a great deal.”

“And why is that, Sebastian?”

“You really think I’m naïve enough to believe your motivations for getting into space are for science?  For the good of mankind?”

“My goodness, Sebastian, why else would I want to embark upon such a grand endeavor?  Is it so hard to believe that an old man at the end of his life would aspire to achieve something so remarkable?”

“I find it very hard to believe that all you want is to scratch an entry off your bucket list.”

“I’m sorry, and what is a ‘bucket list’?  I’m not familiar with the term.”

“Really?  You know, uh, things to do before you die … kick the bucket?”

“Ah, you Americans are so clever.  I assume you’re worrying my plans center around some nefarious purpose?”

“That sums it up, yes.”

“I wonder, what evil plot can you envision?”

“Uh, well, I don’t really know.”

“Neither can I, Sebastian, neither can I.  While I am very adept at killing, I don’t know what it is you think I want to accomplish up there that would jeopardize mankind.  I’m simply offering you the chance to reclaim the glory of your previous profession, the very notion of which you no doubt abandoned a long time ago.  How can you turn down such an opportunity?  Even if I’m a delusional old fool, what do you have to lose?”

“My time.”

“Dr. Biggs, I’ll be more than compensating you for your time.”

“Which will be what?”

Charles looked to the floor.  “A position of power here in St. Louis has become available.”

Sebastian looked to the floor and back at Charles.  “I like the sound of that.”

“I’m honestly surprised to hear you say that so quickly, Sebastian.  I thought it would require a lot more effort on my part.  You’ve been in hiding for so long; I figured such a bright spotlight would be hard for you step into.”

“That much power?  Are you kidding?  Being in charge of the last great city in America?  Why would I need to hide?”

“A valid point.  Good for you, sir.”

“What about Willie’s lieutenants?”

“Easily dispatched.  I simply preyed upon their lust for power.  Each thought I was murdering Mr. McCallon on their behalf so they could take his place.”

“That’s what you were doing while I was out in the hallway guarding the door?”

“Precisely.”

“No way Frank was on board.”

“He wasn’t.  An unfortunate accident befell Willie’s partner.”  Charles felt it imprudent to disclose the intimate details of Frank and Willie’s sexual relationship.  His professional standards would not allow such indiscretion.

“You’ve been planning this for a long time.”

“Indeed, I have.  You were the last piece of the puzzle.”

“What would have happened to your plan if you couldn’t find me?”

“Oh, Sebastian!  Anyone can be found.  All that is required is time and patience.”

Sebastian could feel himself getting drunk with power and he liked it.  “You’ve definitely got my attention.  What do you need from me?”

“For now, only your patience.  Do you play chess?”

“When I can find a worthy opponent, which is rare.”

“Such arrogance, doctor!  A trait I find endearing when deserved.  As you know, the pawns are expendable, a means of drawing out your opponent so you can strike.”

“I’m one of pawns then?”

Charles laughed.  “Oh dear, Sebastian!  If anything, you are the king.  Far too important to fight and get your hands dirty.  All you need to do is sit back and wait for the game to be won.  That is the point I was trying to make.  Right now the pawns are entrenched in battle.  You see, this game was won before it even started.  I already know what every piece is going to do before they do it.  You and I just have to be patient while the game is played.”

“And how long will that be?”

“Not long.  We just have to wait for some of the key pieces to realize they are playing and make their move.”

“You’re not making a lot of sense.”

“Suffice it to say, Sebastian, it would take far too long to explain and I don’t want to bore you with the details.”

“I do have one question.”

“Hopefully I can provide an answer.”

“Am I going to be your puppet?  Why don’t you just take control of St. Louis yourself?  You don’t need me.”

“Do pay attention, doctor.  I’ve already answered that question.  If you recall, I told you that I am not a fan of St. Louis and I meant it.  After our business is concluded, you can burn St. Louis to the ground for all I care, makes no difference to me.  I am simply offering you payment for services to be rendered.”

“Fair enough.”

Charles stood and retrieved a pair of gloves from his pocket and put them on.  Sebastian looked at him with confusion.  The gray haired gentleman dropped down to one knee and placed his palm on Willie’s forehead.  “I’d say it’s been long enough.”

Sebastian was definitely confused.  “For what?”

“This.”  Charles grabbed the icepick with his free hand and slowly retracted it from Willie’s ear.  “After enough time has elapsed, gravity takes over and blood pools at the lowest point.”  Charles pointed at the hole in Willie’s ear.  “See?  No blood.  If you are too quick to retract after the lethal blow, blood will pour out and make quite the mess.  Drive it into the skull down to the hilt and very little blood spills.  Much tidier this way.”

“I really didn’t need to know that.”

“Nonsense, doctor, a man of science such as yourself?  I thought men like you had a thirst for knowledge.”

Sebastian’s apprehension returned.  “I don’t need to know everything.”

“There you go again, doctor!  You need to relax!  Sure you don’t want to spit on him?  Offer still stands.”

Sebastian faked a smile. “I’m good, thanks.”

CHAPTER TEN

Richard Dupree was learning very little from his captors.  He had spent the night in the makeshift prison cell alongside the now stinking remains of the bounty hunter who sang like a bird about Richard’s war criminal status and the large reward on his head.  He had yet to see the “judge” he had heard so much about.  The last bit of information he could glean from anyone was that the judge would see him in the morning.  Beyond that, he had no idea what was in store.  Richard could see nothing outside of his cell save for a few bullet holes in the ceiling.  He spent the first few hours trying to politely engage in conversation with the people he assumed were still in the building.  He wanted to get in their heads to get an idea of what was in store and to learn their weaknesses. 
Please, you have to let me go.  I haven’t done anything wrong.  I don’t know why I’m here.
  The classics didn’t elicit a response so during the next few hours he graduated to the angrier protests. 
You got the wrong guy!  This isn’t right!  You can’t do this to me!  Let me out right now!
  Human psychology was simple – everyone has a limit to the amount of aggravation they will tolerate before they snap.  Richard had yet to find that limit.