Summer's End, page 25
As Krista led Edison to their side of the table, Summer heard what sounded like a set of chains clanking together, then a run of pattering clicks.
When Summer looked to her right, that’s when she saw it—a dog. A big, gnarly-looking blonde dog, coming straight at her in a sprint.
She backed up in a fast step, keeping her arms in front of her for protection.
“Stop! Come here, boy!” Frost yelled, but the golden-haired German Shepherd never changed course.
Summer’s back hit the wall just as the dog reached her position. She screamed as the dog took a flying leap and knocked her down, twisting her sideways and onto her backside. She closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath, expecting the dog to take a chunk out of her face, but that wasn’t what happened.
A wet, slobbery tongue landed on her nose in a rapid-fire motion. She turned her head, trying to avoid the never-ending slobber maker. The dog’s focus went to her ear, leaving a smeared mess of goo, licking her earlobe in an upward motion.
“Ugh, gross! Someone get this dog off me!”
A scarred hand came into view and snatched the dog’s collar made of chain links, yanking the animal up and away in a blur of matted hair.
Summer rolled to her side, then pressed to her feet, wiping the drool from her cheeks, nose, and ear. It felt like she’d just taken an hour-long spit shower.
The animal’s front legs were off the ground when Frost yelled at it with his face only inches away. “God damn it! I told you to stop!”
Frost made a fist and drew his arm back, then let it loose, landing a sharp punch on the animal’s snout. The dog yelped with its legs still dangling, looking helpless. Frost brought his hands together and shook the dog hard in a choke hold.
A few seconds later, Frost let go with one hand and drew his fist back, readying another strike.
Summer ran and jumped on his free arm, screaming at him. “Stop it! You’re hurting him!”
Frost let go of the dog and flung Summer loose with a sweeping arm maneuver.
She hit the floor hard, tumbling across the room, coming to rest with her back against the wall. The impact stunned her for a moment, knocking the wind out of her chest.
Summer gasped for air, while the dog ran to her, turned around, and stood in front, its teeth showing, snarling at Frost like an angry wolf.
“Don’t you show me those teeth!” Frost snapped, his face red.
The dog took a slow step forward with its ears angled back and front shoulders low, growling with a foamy drool dripping from its mouth.
Frost started toward the pooch with fire in his eyes.
Krista jumped in front of him, landing a pair of stiff arms on his chest, stopping his advance. She was much shorter and half the man’s weight, but she didn’t seem to care. “That’s enough! We’ve got business to discuss.”
Fletcher never moved from his position behind the chair. Neither did the red-haired man, both apparently content to let Frost handle the situation on his own.
Edison hobbled past Krista and Frost, making his way to Summer. The dog let him pass, keeping its focus on Frost, who was engaged in a stare-down with Krista.
“Are you okay?” Edison asked, unable to bend over because of his back. He held out his hand to Summer, palm up.
“Yeah, just needed to catch my breath,” Summer said after a painful grunt. A few more breaths came and went before she was strong enough to stand. She got up without Edison’s assistance and went to the dog. The hound was still in defense mode, its attention solely on Frost.
Summer put her hand out, aiming for the fur across his back.
“You might want to rethink that. He doesn’t like to be touched,” Fletcher said.
Summer stopped her hand short of contact. “What’s his name?”
“Sergeant Barkley.”
“Easy there, Sergeant, everything’s okay,” Summer said as the mutt swung its head around and looked at her. She let her hand drift forward, watching for clues from Barkley. The dog didn’t react, so she continued until she made contact.
Barkley’s ears released the second she began to pet him, running her hand across the top of his back.
Frost and Krista separated.
“Now that everyone knows where they stand, how about we sit down like civilized human beings and take care of business,” Edison said, his focus moving from one person to the next.
“Come here, boy,” Frost said, snapping his fingers in the process.
Barkley never moved.
“I said come here!”
The dog planted his rear end on the cement with its tongue hanging out, panting like a freight train.
“I don’t think he likes you very much,” Summer said, wrapping her arms around the canine’s neck, giving him a hug. “Do you, boy?”
“Yeah, well, screw that dog. Fucking turncoat,” Frost said, turning away from Krista and returning to his side of the table. Frost sat in the middle chair, with Fletcher and the red-haired guy taking their respective seats as well.
Summer gave Barkley a few more rubs, ignoring the odor. She wasn’t about to complain. It wasn’t the dog’s fault. He just had a lousy owner.
Right then, Heston came through the door, carrying an extra folding chair. He must have sensed the tension, his eyes running a quick scan of the room. “What the hell did I miss?”
“Just a little misunderstanding,” Edison said. “But it’s all under control.”
Heston put the chair on the side of the table opposite Fletcher. Summer planted her butt in the new seat, assuming it was hers since she was the reason for it.
Krista sat across from the red-haired guy, giving him a smirk and shooting her eyes at the top of his head. “Still rocking the red, hey Dice?”
“And you the black. Nice headband, by the way. Bad hair day?”
She laughed. “Bad hair week. Been a little busy.”
“Aren’t we all.”
Edison shook Heston’s hand. “I’ll take it from here, Burt. Thank you.”
“Just yell if you need my guards. They’ll be right outside.”
“Thanks, but I think we can handle it from here,” Edison answered as he sat down across from Frost. “We all want the same thing.”
Barkley nestled in next to Summer and sat down, his neck pressing into her hand. She understood what he wanted and went into petting mode, scratching and rubbing, while keeping an eye on everyone in the room.
CHAPTER 33
Stanley Fletcher sat quietly next to his boss as the monthly meeting continued, his ears tuning out all the dick-measuring, testosterone-filled rhetoric.
Edison and Frost were engaged in a temper-charged battle for the lead moderator position, discussing today’s exchange with sharp words. None of this was a surprise. It happened each month.
Fletcher’s focus was on what would take place in a few minutes, when the meeting was about over. At least, that was the timing he expected.
The two leaders seemed content to put the altercation over the girl and the dog behind them. Fletcher figured Heston and his well-earned reputation had something to do with that, his men stationed outside with the only rifles in camp.
The girl sitting across from Fletcher was obviously nervous, her eyes giving away her emotions. He remembered those eyes—amped up and wary—from their encounter. It was only moments after she’d been rescued from the rogue Scab gang his team had hunted down and eliminated to restore order.
Her name was Summer, the same name that Slayer and crew had found on the back of the necklace recovered at the defunct cannery. Not a common name to be sure, but it did seem to fit her.
Granted, Fletcher had only met her once before today, but somehow his gut knew the name fit. Perfectly. Not for some mythological reason. More along the lines of a name matching the intellect hiding behind the eyes. A unique name for a unique person type of thing. She wasn’t pretty by classical standards, but there was something endearing about her.
Perhaps it was her cleverness. Or her wit. Not many her age could have given Frost’s patrols the slip—twice. Men who’d gunned down plenty in recent years and could hunt with the best of them.
Her ability to escape against overwhelming odds indicated she had plenty of guts and a set of balls bigger than his. More so since she’d accomplished those feats while traveling alone and unarmed. Impressive.
Summer was no slouch, that was for sure. The girl had skills. Yet, despite her smarts, he got the impression she was a bit off center from the short conversation he’d had with her. Not an obvious choice for Edison to drag along to an important exchange like this.
So why the girl? Why today?
Fletcher assumed the frizzy-haired young woman recognized him as well. The obvious tension in Summer’s face and her random glances indicated she did, appearing apprehensive in this high-pressure summit.
It’s an obvious conclusion when you see someone sitting with rounded shoulders and slumping in her seat. Even if you missed those tells, an astute observer would spot her trembling fingers, laced together on the table.
So far Edison hadn’t introduced her since his group had arrived in the room. Probably a good thing, since Frost didn’t know who she was. Not yet. A minute ago, Fletcher had considered informing his boss about her true identity but decided to wait to see where this was going, especially with what was planned for the rest of the day.
There are times when a subordinate should keep his comments to himself. More so when the comments are undiscovered facts. Facts that might escalate the bloodshed and ruin a perfectly laid plan.
He could always bring her identity up later, if need be, but once she was outed, there was no way to walk back the reveal. His tactical awareness skills were screaming at him to keep his mouth shut, so that’s exactly what he’d decided to do.
Fletcher was sure his trusted friend Dice would agree. He leaned forward and looked past Frost, catching the attention of the former craps dealer sitting at the other end of the table. Fletcher raised an eyebrow, knowing Dice would understand the inference.
Dice gave Fletcher a nod back, then adjusted his flaming red ponytail, indicating he was ready.
“Everything looks in order,” Edison said, his eyes scanning the last of the inventory list that Frost had given him on paper only a minute before.
“Like I said, we’ve completed our end. Now I need to see yours,” Frost said.
Edison turned to Krista, who’d been quiet since the meeting started, and held out his hand. Krista gave him a folded sheet of paper.
Edison opened it, spun it around, and slid it to Frost with a tentative look on his face.
Frost took a minute to review it before he slammed his fist on the table. “You must think I’m a fucking idiot!”
“On the contrary—” Edison said, not able to finish his sentence before Frost spoke again.
“There were supposed to be six battery packs. Not five.”
“I was just about to explain. We had a small problem with production. The last pack didn’t test out as well as we’d planned.”
“That’s not acceptable.”
“I understand, but sometimes these things happen.”
“Don’t break your word to me, Edison. A deal is a deal,” Frost said, leaning forward.
“My apologies. We should have it replaced for you next week. We didn’t want to provide you with something that wasn’t up to specs.”
“Apologies are for pussies,” Frost said before turning his attention to Krista. “I’m sure your second would agree.”
Krista didn’t hold back her response. “Agree with you? Never.”
Edison cleared his throat, his voice turning deeper and more intense, no longer looking or sounding the part of lowly professor. “You should know by now that we’d never come here without being prepared to offer additional compensation.”
“As well you should,” Frost replied.
“I’m prepared to negotiate, Simon. What’s it going to take?”
Frost took a few seconds before he answered. “For starters, we’re going to hold back half of the fuel we brought.”
“For a battery pack? That seems a bit steep.”
“Not just for that, old friend,” Frost added, snapping his fingers at Fletcher in a hurry-up manner.
Fletcher dug into his pocket, pulling out the paper item he’d brought along. He gave it to his boss.
Frost unfolded the map and slid it forward to Edison. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Edison took the paper in his hands, his eyes scanning it for a few seconds. “Where did you get this?”
“On our side of the No-Go Zone. My men cornered one of yours.”
Edison swung his head around and shot an angry look at the girl slumping in her seat. He held up the paperwork. “What is this, Summer? Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
“I knew it,” Krista mumbled, though Fletcher heard the words.
Frost stood in a flash, pointing a finger at the girl. “That’s Summer?”
“Yes, she’s my new assistant,” Edison said, his focus returning to Frost.
Frost fired his eyes at Fletcher. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Honestly, I didn’t recognize her. Probably those bandages on her face. Plus, she was all wrapped up yesterday. Never got a good look at her.”
Frost squinted with his forehead creased, bringing his lips together in a thin, tight line. His faced beamed red, looking as though he was about to shoot a bolt of lightning from his eyes.
His expression vanished a moment later, then he put a hand into his pocket and took out the necklace that Slayer had found, shortly before he was gutted and killed.
Frost held it up, dangling it in front of Edison. “We found this, too.”
Edison peered at Summer once again, clearly looking for answers.
Summer shrugged but didn’t respond, scooting farther down in the chair, looking as though she wanted to disappear under the table.
Frost tossed the necklace at Edison. “You broke the treaty, Professor. Now there will be penalties to pay. Steep ones, otherwise there can never be peace.”
Edison looked pissed, but Fletcher wasn’t sure if that anger was meant for Frost or for the girl. Probably both, he guessed.
“I’m listening,” Edison said.
Frost looked at Summer. “Her, for starters.”
“Huh?” Summer said, sitting up in a flash. She looked at Edison. “What does that mean, Professor?”
Frost answered instead. “It means you’re mine, bitch. You cost me two good men. Now get that skinny ass over here, next to me.”
“No! No! No!” Summer said, shaking her head at Edison.
Krista stood with her shoulders back and chest out. “Nobody is touching the girl.”
Fletcher did the same, matching Krista’s stance and posture.
Edison put his hands up as a stop sign indicator. “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement, but Summer is off the table.”
“The hell she is,” Frost said, motioning to Fletcher to retrieve the girl. “It’s my right to demand compensation as I see fit. Those are the rules, Professor. Your rules, or have you forgotten them?”
“I’m well aware of the rules, but we’re not going to start peddling flesh,” Edison said as Fletcher walked around the end of the table, taking a step to their side of the room.
Krista met him, her eyes staring into his.
Fletcher could feel the heat from her breath washing over his face.
Frost slammed the table again. “Bullshit. You must have known I’d demand this; otherwise, why did you bring her along?”
“I brought her along to teach her something.”
“Well then, I’d say she’s learned all she needs to. Failure is never an option.”
“Professor, please! Do something!” Summer said.
Frost continued, “We need someone to handle the cooking and cleaning. Plus, provide a little entertainment for the men. Since she’s the one who broke the treaty, she’s the one who should pay the price.”
“Entertainment?” Summer snapped. “No way! I’m not cleaning up shit, either.”
Edison rose from his chair, his hands in scramble mode, moving air in a panic. “We can work this out. But first, I need everyone to remain calm. There’s no reason for this to escalate.”
“We’re way past that, Professor,” Frost said, his eyes sending a command to Fletcher to move ahead.
“Stand aside,” Fletcher told Krista in a firm tone, his jaw clenched.
Krista never moved. “Not a chance, asshole.”
Summer flew out of her chair and backed away, her feet taking her to the wall behind. The dog went with her, remaining at her side, its ears back and fur standing on end.
“I’m not going to ask again,” Fletcher said to Krista, planning to eliminate the dog next.
Krista clenched her teeth, pushing air through them as she spoke. “Then you’d better take your best shot because I’m not letting anyone put their hands on that girl.”
“Please, Simon. We can work this out,” Edison said in a frantic tone.
Before his next heartbeat, Fletcher heard a long string of pops outside. They were random and at a distance. Gunshots. Dozens of them. They were followed by a chorus of commands. Frantic. Amplified.
Edison whipped his body around to face the door. Summer and Krista did the same. All eyes were now in the direction of the noise beyond the door.
Fletcher followed suit just as Heston broke through the door, his eyes wide and breath short. “We have a situation. I need everyone to follow me.”
Nobody moved. Only stunned silence.
“I said, let’s go! Now!”
Krista collected Edison and led him to the door. Summer followed and so did Sergeant Barkley, his paws pounding at the floor.
Fletcher looked at Frost, waiting for orders.
“You heard the man, let’s move!” Frost yelled, his feet moving first, following the others out of the door and into the foyer.
Fletcher closed ranks behind Frost, as did Dice, the two of them coming together.
Dice sent his fingers into the knot of hair that made up his bushy ponytail. He pulled out a cylindrical tube about the size of a Chapstick. They’d hidden it inside his thick mop, where they knew Heston’s guards never checked.
