Resistance: A Prepper's War (4 page)

Chase was going over a blueprint of a new plant opening up on the east coast with a few investors when his brother Derrick burst through the door. The look that his brother had was the same face he had when he was a boy bursting into his room Christmas morning. Chase excused himself from the investors and walked out into the hallway outside his office.

“We’ve got something,” Derrick said. He handed his brother a folder. Chase opened up the file and a picture of Kevin Mears stared up at him. Chase looked to his brother who had a smile on his face. Chase smiled back and pressed his hand on the back of his brother’s neck and they leaned their foreheads together.

“Good work, brother,” Chase said.

With only a twenty-four hour notice and Samantha not in communication with anyone from her life in Phoenix, there wasn’t a very large turnout for the funeral. Matt’s parents had died before they met and he didn’t have any brothers or sisters. There was an aunt and uncle that came to the funeral that happened to live a few hours east, but aside from the few friends of Samantha that she could get ahold of the only other attendees were Coyle, Brett, Twink, and Jim.

Jim hadn’t slept for almost thirty-six hours. The bags under his eyes were as dark as the soil being spread over Matt’s coffin. Samantha had avoided Jim’s gaze since he arrived and Annie hadn’t said a word to him. He would have preferred some screaming and cursing as opposed to the silent treatment.

The priest finished his words and Samantha and Annie each took a handful of dirt and tossed it into the grave. Neither of them cried. There weren’t any tears left now.

Samantha picked her daughter up and headed back over to the black SUV as everyone dispersed back to their normal lives. Twink opened the rear passenger door for her and they climbed into the back seat. Brett hopped into the driver side and pulled out onto the road.

Coyle and Jim followed in another black SUV. Contrary to Coyle’s nature he kept his mouth shut the whole way back to Samantha’s apartment.

When they arrived Samantha headed upstairs to the apartment while Twink and Brett followed suit. Coyle and Jim hung back downstairs and watched the other four climb the staircase.

Coyle loosened his tie. “God I hate wearing these things,” Coyle complained. He glanced over to Jim who kept his eyes focused on Samantha’s apartment upstairs. “Are you afraid of what she’ll say?” Coyle asked.

“The only thing I’m afraid of is that she’ll say yes,” Jim said wearily. Jim then opened the car door and left Coyle to wrestle with his tie.

When he made it upstairs the door was open and Twink and Brett were being shown some drawings that Annie made. She was pointing at the different things she’d colored and Brett and Twink were nodding and smiling enthusiastically.

Jim stood at the doorway for a while until Tigs came around the corner of the bedroom hallway and saw him. The cat took off at a sprint and meowed as Jim knelt down to scoop up his old friend.

She purred as Jim scratched behind her ears, causing everyone to look at him, including Samantha. Twink and Coyle both looked up at him and stopped listening to Annie as she was still absorbed in telling the story of what the picture was supposed to be while Jim slowly entered the living room.

“And this is me and Tigs in the tent where I found him at the camp,” Annie said as she finally noticed the silence around her and looked up. It was the first time she’d looked her uncle in the eye since she saw him kill her father. Her eyes opened wide and she sat frozen looking at him.

Brett and Twink exchanged a look. “Hey, Annie,” Twink said, “Why don’t you show me the rest of the pictures you drew in your room?”

“That’s a good idea. Annie, why don’t you take them and show them what else you’ve drawn,” Samantha said as she kept her eyes on Jim who still had Tigs in his arms.

Annie picked up her drawings and Brett and Twink followed her into the hallway. Jim let Tigs on the ground and she trotted off after them. When Jim finally heard the door shut from inside the hallway, he started to walk over to his sister who sat motionless on the couch.

Samantha was expressionless. No emotion on her face. She was blank. Jim couldn’t tell what she was thinking, or what she was feeling. The space between them was thick with words waiting to be said.

“I tried calling,” Jim finally said.

“I know.”

Her words hit him like ice; cold, unforgiving, and harsh. Jim peaked around the corner of the hallway down to Annie’s room and then walked across the living room over to the sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony. “I didn’t know she started talking again,” he said.

“It started a few days ago,” Samantha replied.

“Samantha…” Jim started, but couldn’t finish. He’d imagined this moment for months. It kept him awake at night, distracted him on his missions, and caused him hours of stress.

“There isn’t anything you can say, Jim,” she said. “Whatever you planned on saying, or thought about saying won’t change what happened.”

“I know,” Jim said. He glanced out the glass door onto the parking lot below and saw the two SUVs they arrived in.

Samantha shifted herself on the couch and rested her hands in her face. “Why are you here, Jim?” Samantha pleaded.

Jim turned around and saw his sister’s first look of pain since he arrived. Her face was tired, hurt, and angry. He knew that face because it was the same face he’d been staring at in the mirror for the past three months, and there was only one thing that Jim knew could help fight the symptoms of loss; action.

“You received something from Matt a few days ago?” Jim asked.

Samantha nodded. “Yeah, I already sent it to the military aid,” she said.

“I know,” Jim replied. “That’s why I’m here.”

Jim saw the wheels turning in her mind as he told her what Locke wanted her to do. Whatever feelings she had about him were surpassed by her need for truth. She wanted to know why her husband chose the life he had. She wanted to know the reason why he was willing to give up everything they built together as a family for a group of people she never even knew about. She wanted to know who her husband really was.

Samantha stayed quiet for a long time, then she finally got up off the couch and walked over to Jim who was still standing by the sliding glass doors.  “If I do this Annie doesn’t get anywhere near the trouble. understand?” Samantha demanded.

“I won’t let anything happen to her,” Jim said.

“Promise me then.”

“I promise, Sam.”

Samantha nodded and as Jim looked at his younger sister he realized for the first time just how strong she really was. She’d been in the reserves and a police officer, but he never really saw her resolve until right now.

“When do we start?” Samantha asked.

“Tomorrow,” Jim said as he pulled out a cell phone. “We’ll call you on this moving forward. We’ll have somebody stationed nearby keeping an eye on you.” Jim leaned in close. “If you feel like there is anything wrong just click the power button three times. It’ll send us a distress signal that we’ll be able to track and come and get you.”

“What about Annie?” Samantha asked.

“We’ll use Matt’s aunt and uncle as cover if we need to get her out and keep her somewhere safe,” Jim said.

“That’s why they were there,” she said to herself.

“Samantha,” Jim’s voice was calm and low, “if you do this there isn’t any going back,” he said.

“I need to know, Jim,” she replied. “I need to know why my husband kept this from me for so long. I need to know why he did what he did.”

Jim understood. The truth can haunt you and follow you for the rest of your life if you don’t try and face it. The truth can be hurtful, frightening, unforgiving… But it’s a necessary step. As much as Jim wanted to protect her he couldn’t bring himself to stop her from getting to what she needed to feel whole again.

“Sometimes the truth tricks people into thinking it’ll make them feel better,” Jim said.

“I’ll call you if I need anything,” Samantha said. Samantha went and got Brett and Twink out of Annie’s room leaving Jim alone in the living room.

Twink and Brett gave hugs to Annie and Samantha and headed out the door. Annie stood staring at her uncle and when Jim moved forward to hold her she backed away. Jim stopped immediately as he fumbled with his hands and watched Annie go back into her room. Jim had been shot, burned, and stabbed before, but none of that hurt compared to the sight of that little girl running away from him.

Samantha followed Jim to the door and the two of them lingered for a moment. Samantha had her arms folded and Jim’s hands hung limp at his sides.

“Let us know if you anyone contacts you,” Jim said.

“I will,” she replied softly.

Jim lingered by the door wanting to tell her more. He couldn’t find the words, so he gave her a small kiss on her forehead. Samantha’s face winced in pain for only a moment then regained her composure when Jim pulled away.

Jim walked out into the hallway and headed for the stairs. Samantha watched him leave and just before she shut the door Jim turned around to her. “Samantha,” he shouted.

The door opened back up and she poked her head out. Her eyes wide as her brother looked back at her.

“I’m… What happened back in Phoenix…” Jim tried but he just couldn’t find the words. Sorry wasn’t enough, but it was all he had. “I’m sorry.”

“I know, Jim,” she said as her eyes started to water. She closed the door and then leaned back on it. Silent sobs escaped her as she slid down onto the cold, tiled floor.

Jim wanted to go back over and knock, but he decided against it. If he couldn’t find the right words by now he wasn’t going to find them.

Coyle was waiting for him in the SUV. When Jim piled in the vehicle he glanced back up at the apartment window that was Annie’s room.

“So, what now?” Coyle asked.

Jim kept his eyes on the window above. “Now we get to work,” he replied.

As Coyle pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street they drove past a parked grey sedan. Once the SUV turned the corner down the road the car door opened up and Derrick stepped out in a black suit and tie with a white dress shirt and sunglasses. He buttoned the top button of his jacket as he walked through the entrance gate of the apartment complex.

Samantha picked herself up off the floor and started to walk back to Annie’s room to check on her when she heard a knock at the door. She hoped Jim would come back. She desperately wanted to untie the knot in her stomach and tell her brother that she understood what he did. She wanted the chance to tell him that she forgave him, but when she opened the door and Derrick Brenner appeared her face went from a sad smile to fear.

“Mrs. Kearny,” Derrick said sympathetically, “My most sincere condolences.” He placed his hand over his heart as he spoke and gave a slight bow of his head.

Samantha started wiping the tears off of her face with her hands and shirt. “Can I help you?” she asked through her runny nose.

“I should be asking you that,” he replied with a soft smile as he took a swift step inside the door before Samantha had a chance to close it.

He walked in with an air of entitlement. He acted as if this were his home. He acted as if he were an old friend coming in announced. The gun; she desperately wish she had it on her now. Samantha backed up into the living room as Derrick closed the door behind him. “Who are you?” she asked.
“My name is Derrick Brenner. I’m here on behalf of my brother Chase,” he said. “We both knew your husband, Matthew.” His eyes darted over to the couch and he looked back at Samantha who kept her eyes locked on him. She slid her hand into her pocket and clutched the phone that Jim gave her.

“May I sit?” he asked.

Samantha nodded. Derrick leaned back onto the couch and crossed his legs at his ankles. He smiled up at Samantha and then saw Annie creep out from around the corner of the hallway and peered into the living room.

“Hello there,” Derrick smiled and waved his hand at Annie. Samantha rushed over to her daughter and picked her up. She placed her in her room and told her to stay in there and lock the door. Annie nodded as Samantha closed the door and headed back into the living room.

When she turned the corner, Derrick was still leisurely sitting on the couch. He pointed at Annie’s room through the wall. “Your daughter is beautiful, Mrs. Kearny,” he smiled.

“Thank you,” she said. “Now, how did you know Matt?” she asked.

Derrick’s smile slowly faded from his face. His tone went down an octave as he spoke. “I think you know,” he said.

Samantha’s hand went back into her pocket and her finger hovered over the power button.

“You can call for help if you want, Mrs. Kearny, but I was hoping you could at least give me the courtesy of hearing what I have to say,” he requested as he leaned forward in his seat.

Samantha stared at him for a moment. Then her hand came out of the pocket and she walked over to the couch and sat on the opposite end from where he sat.

He smiled at her. “You must think we’re terrible people,” Derrick said as he shook his head.

“The only thing that’s terrible is there’s more than one of you,” she said deadpan.

Derrick started to laugh. “Matthew said the same thing when we met,” he said.

Samantha’s eyes darted to her room. If she needed to get the gun she’d have to get closer. She started to regret her sitting on the couch.

“I’m not sure what you’ve been told, but we’re not what you think we are,” Derrick continued.

“Being labeled a terrorist make it hard for you to sleep at night?” she asked.

Derrick narrowed his eyes and rubbed his hands together. “The military has asked you to spy for them?”

“I volunteered,” Samantha replied quickly.

Derrick flashed another smile. “Nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer. I have no doubts about that.”

The distance between the two of them on the couch seemed to shorten. The apartment was quiet. Derrick wanted to choose his next words carefully, so he took his time.

“I think,” he started, “that I should get to the point of me being here. My brother Chase, whom I told you I represent, would like to meet you in person.”

“And why should I tr-“

“Trust me?” he finished her sentence before she could. “Because we can offer you something the military doesn’t have,” he said, “Answers. And in return you can give us the codes that your husband sent to you.”

This is what she had been looking for. She had a way in. “When would your brother like to meet?” she asked.

Derrick pulled a business card out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “The date, time, and location are all on there.” He got up and adjusted his jacket as he headed towards the front door while Samantha stayed seated on the couch examining the handwriting on the note.

As Derrick opened the door he looked back at Samantha. “We hope you can make it,” he said and with that he exited and shut the door behind him, leaving Samantha alone with the ball in her court.

Derrick climbed into the driver’s seat of his car and dialed a number on his cell phone. “It’s done,” he said.

Chase was sketching on a pad in his office. “You think she’ll show?” he asked.

Derrick started up the car and put on his seatbelt. “She’ll show,” he answered.

“Good work,” Derrick said and ended the call. He flipped the pencil over and erased a few jagged lines, then wiped the excess rubber off the paper. He was intently focused on the sketch and after a few more movements he set the pencil down and smiled at the work he’d done. On the paper lay a phoenix, rising from the ashes.

Kate was sitting in her cell when it clanged open and Locke walked in. The corporal brought a chair in and Locke eased into it. His belly rested on his lap as he attempted to get comfortable.

“I appreciate you coming to see me, General,” Kate said. Her hands were cuffed together and her feet were shackled to the steel posts on her bed. She couldn’t get up even if she wanted to.

“I’m surprised you asked to see me, Mrs. Hill,” the General responded. “From what I understand you haven’t been very,” Locke searched for the right word, “forthcoming.”

The chains rustled as she shifted on the bed. She knew Locke was a smart man. Her superiors had told her that he was clever. She wasn’t sure how much he knew, so she took it upon herself to open up the conversation. “I take it that by the lack of visits I’ve received from your men over the past twenty-four hours you’ve found something,” Kate said. “Whatever it is that you found I can help you decipher it.”

Locke leaned forward in his chair and it gave a slight bend under his weight. “Whatever it is you think we’ve found doesn’t mean the visits will stop. If anything, my men will be in here more often,” he said. “What is it that you want?”

“I want to see my children,” she responded a little too quickly.

“No, you don’t,” Locke responded flatly.

The right corner of her mouth twitched upwards in a hint of a smile.

“What do you want?” Locke repeated.

“You must have quite a lot of trust in your men, General,” Kate said.

The chair creaked as Locke leaned back into the seat getting comfortable. He pulled a cigar out of his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. A flame sparked out of the silver lighter as it torched the end of the cigar while Locked puffed in the smoke ensuring that the cigar kept the slow burn. Smoke blew from his mouth and nose as he tapped the end of the cigar and ash fell to the floor of the cell.

“Did you hand pick these men yourself?” she asked.

“I did,” he responded.

A more noticeable smile came across her face this time. “It’s one of your biggest flaws, General,” Kate said.

“What is?” Locke asked.

“Your trust,” she responded coldly. The smile was gone from her face now. Her body became rigid. “You’re making the mistake most men in leadership do. You put your faith and your resources into men,” she said as the spit flew from her mouth. “Men lose sight of goals in place of their own ambitions, but an idea,” she paused, “an idea slithers into all of the places men can’t reach.”

Locke took another long drag from the cigar and his face turned grey through a filter of smoke. Locke rose up from his chair tucking the cigar into the corner of his mouth. He had his hand on the door and was pulling it open when Kate spoke again.

“We’re going to win, General,” she said contently.

Locke turned around and took the cigar out of the corner of his mouth to speak. “You say to put your faith into an idea. That an idea is stronger than a man?” Lock asked. “Well, my idea is to kick your idea’s ass,” he said.

Locke’s assistant Chris met him down the hallway and he had to double step to keep up with Locke’s pace. “Secure all of our files and assets,” Locke ordered. “Tell Jim we need surveillance on his sister immediately.”

Chris was feverishly taking notes. Locke reached his door and turned around to his assistant with a quiet voice, “We have a mole.”