Nine-Tenths (32 page)

“Wait,” Leonard said.

A sly, triumphant grin spread across Stearns’ face. “So he has a voice. You’ve got something to tell me?”

Leonard hesitated. What could he tell the Lieutenant? Was there anything that would save Natalia? Wouldn’t more information make it worse? Perhaps he could trade his freedom for hers. But they already had both of them in custody. What motivation would they have to bargain?

Stearns glared. “Oh, fuck this. Uncuff him, Mahler.”

Once Mahler released him, Leonard stood up and shook out his arms, his hands no longer instinctively rushing to cover his genitals.

“Get dressed,” Stearns grumbled turning away. “I can’t look at your ugly balls any longer. I’m going to lose my dinner.”

Mahler handed over the clothing, but he kept Leonard’s watch and wallet.

Leonard slowly dressed, still debating whether or not to reveal his true identity. As he buttoned his pants, he became aware of the smell of body odor and smoke. The Lieutenant was breathing in his face.

“I’m going to let you spend a little time in the closet, Cook. While you’re there, think about untrained hands fondling with…” He grunted. “…of course I mean
operating on
your daughter’s body.”

Mahler grabbed Leonard and cuffed his hands behind his back.

“Closet three,” Stearns said. “You can free closet one. He’s been in there all day. Stick him in solitary.”

As Mahler hustled him down the hallway, Leonard could not help but wonder.
If solitary is something else, what the hell is a closet?

Ten minutes and several flights of stairs later, the answer to that question revealed itself. Mahler dragged Leonard into a hallway lined with a series of six-foot high doors labeled one through five. Tightening his grip on Leonard’s wrist and fussing with a key ring, Mahler tried a couple of keys in door number three before he found one that fit. He grinned for the first time and swung the door open.

Leonard peered into
the closet
. It was no more than fourteen-by-fourteen inches.

Chapter Thirty-One

Leonard did not think it was possible for his body to be squeezed into such a small space, but Mahler the Meek had no trouble shoving him into the compartment. Claustrophobia set in almost immediately, even before his body registered the pain in his shoulders and back. In addition, the side of his head throbbed where Stearns had hit him. He stood there for hours, feeling as if any minute he might suffocate. Maybe one hour, maybe six. He had no idea. Closing his eyes, he attempted to transport himself into a Zen-like half sleep. For the most part, it kept him sane.

In-between short naps, Leonard brooded. He eventually decided that he must tell them everything on the stipulation that they allow Natalia to leave and return to Denver. There were no guarantees, but it was the only chance he had of saving her. His knowledge and skills might be traded or withheld depending upon Natalia’s status.

Yes,
he concluded,
it’s the only way.

When the door finally opened, he tumbled out and strong arms broke his fall. Leonard recognized the man. He was the guard, Sanders, who chastised the fat pervert that touched Natalia. In spite of the man’s hostile expression, Leonard could not help but feel some respect and gratitude toward Sanders.

“Sir?” Leonard began, his voice hoarse.

Sanders responded by jerking a black hood over Leonard’s head, grabbing him by the cuffed wrists, and pushing him down the hallway. They climbed several sets of stairs and passed through many doors, the last of which clearly led them outdoors — Leonard felt the chilly September air on his skin. Although his hood blocked all light, he guessed it was nighttime since he heard no voices or other daylight activities.

Sanders shoved him into the back of a car. The soldier remained speechless and Leonard decided it was best for him to do the same. The engine rumbled to life, and the driver made a large half-circle before bringing the car up to a reasonable speed.

After a few minutes, Leonard became aware of another person in the back seat of the vehicle. He heard soft, short breaths, and assumed it was another prisoner. He prayed it might be his daughter but dared not ask. The perverts back in the infirmary probably wanted to keep Natalia safe and warm under their watch. Trying to push those revolting thoughts away, Leonard’s nose ran and liquid trickled down his esophagus. He cleared his throat quietly.

“Dad?” a soft voice whispered.

Tears flowed freely. Leonard leaned to his left, hoping to make physical contact with his traveling companion. “Nat, it’s you. Thank God, it’s you.”

She wiggled on her seat and worked her way to his side.

“I’d hug you if I could,” he said. “What did they do to you?”

“Put me in a cell,” she whispered. “With a cot and a bucket to pee in.”

“They didn’t touch you?”

“They didn’t even talk to me.”

Leonard heaved a sigh of relief.

“Did they do something to you?” she asked, concerned.

“Nah,” he lied. “Same as you. I was just worried.”

“You two better shut your traps,” Sanders snapped.

They continued on in silence.

Eventually, Sanders stopped the vehicle abruptly and opened Natalia’s door.

He pulled them out of the car and removed their head coverings, throwing the hoods on the ground on top of a pile of something Leonard could not quite make out in the shadows. Then Sanders flipped the car lights off and they were in total darkness. Trying to remember the phase of the moon over the past few days, he surmised that it must be a new moon. The darkness intimidated Leonard. He glanced around, squinting to no avail. After his eyes adjusted, he noticed a large mound towering over Sanders’ car. If Leonard was not mistaken, they were near the blockade at Highway 40 and Henderson Mine Road.

Sanders un-cuffed each of them in turn.

“I only have a few minutes, so listen well and keep quiet,” the soldier said, his voice hurried but not hostile. “I’m supposed to take you to the quarry to spend the night. I will return without you. Do you understand?” Sanders bent over, picked up the hoods, and threw them in the car. Retrieving the other objects on the ground, he handed something to Leonard and something else to Natalia.

Caressing the item in his hand, Leonard realized that he held one of the backpacks. His heart pounded and a rush of warmth passed over his body. The man was helping them escape.

“Thank you, Mr. Sanders,” Natalia said.

Shocked that Natalia had addressed him by name, Sanders faltered for a moment. Then he spoke firmly. “If you are caught, I’d appreciate you not mentioning my name. You appear to be good at keeping secrets. Otherwise, I’m doomed.” He sighed. “I may already be a dead man.”

Leonard gazed at their unlikely ally, wishing he could make out the expression on the man’s face. What could possibly motivate a person to risk his life on behalf of strangers? It didn’t make sense. He reached out and touched the soldier. “Why?” he whispered.

Sanders took his time formulating a reply. “Rumor has it that this young lady is your daughter.”

“She is,” Leonard admitted, a split second before realizing it might be a trap.

“My daughter is almost fifteen. I have not seen her in over a year. She became a ward of the state and moved into CAPERS housing.” He took an uneasy breath. “I applied for this job because I could not look at my wife any longer. Could not bear to live in that house. What I’ve seen in these mountains abhors me, but it is far better than living in the empty hole that once was my home.” With these last words his voice elevated in pitch and trailed away.

Leonard did not know what to say. He put his arm around Natalia.

Sanders regarded them and then laughed faintly — the pained, false laugh of a broken man. “If my daughter were to run away with me, I would be the happiest man in the world.” He cleared his throat and suddenly became professional. “Now get going.”

Leonard glanced around. Their limited vision concerned him. “Are there any guards patrolling this area at night? We were apprehended by the reservoir. You guys seemed to come out of nowhere.”

“One of our cadets noticed you driving through town. He reported it to his superior officer. Eventually, they sent him to follow, but you were gone without a trace when he reached the blockade. He called for backup and we found your car. Otherwise, there is no one out this far.”

“Why? Aren’t they concerned that prisoners might escape?”

“The prisoners who live here are weak from torture, slavery, and starvation,” Sanders replied wearily. “No one expects them to make it past a mile.”

“Oh.”

“I have to go now.”

A minute later, Leonard and Natalia were alone, the sound of an engine fading swiftly.

Chapter Thirty-Two

They quickly donned the thermal hoodies. Natalia had to roll her sleeves back several folds, but they both agreed that the hoodies were surprisingly warm. Once ready, they walked cautiously along Henderson Mine Road. It was difficult to negotiate the piles of rubble that blocked their way, but Leonard’s vision improved as his eyes adjusted. After they traversed the blockade, the walk was easier. Still, they proceeded slowly.

“How are you doing, Nat?”

“Okay. But I can’t see farther than a few yards here,” she complained. “The stars are gorgeous though.”

Leonard did not feel like admiring the heavens. “Keep an eye on the left side of the road. I don’t want to miss that fork.”

When they found the southbound dirt road Leonard’s anxiety diminished only slightly. Nerves on edge, he listened for helicopters, vehicles, and voices. But all he heard were the sounds of crickets and animals moving through the foliage.

They shuffled through a cleared area, sand pits of some kind.

“We missed the reservoir,” Leonard said. “I intended to fill our empty bottle.”

“It’s okay. I’ll drink sparingly. We’ll find a stream in the daylight.”

“
And
I’ll be able to see our compass. For now, the road is our safest option.”

They happened upon a series of switchbacks. Leonard prayed they weren’t climbing up a steep mountain. But the switchbacks ceased after a few hundred yards and the dirt road continued along an edge.

“Dad…”

“Yes?”

“I…I need to go to the bathroom.”

“No problem. We’re making good time.”

“But…”

“Go ahead. In the trees.” He gestured to the woods. “Just not too far.”

“I can’t go pee in the woods.”

Leonard put his hands on his hips. “I don’t want to be insensitive, Nat, but we’ve got a lot of hiking ahead of us. You’re going to need to learn how to go in the woods.”

“Okay,” she whispered reluctantly.

It seemed like an eternity before she returned.

“I did it!” She sounded very pleased with herself.

“We can move on?”

“Yup.”

A moment later, Leonard stopped and groaned.

“What?” Natalia asked.

“Now I have to go.”

She laughed. “Go ahead, Dad. In the trees.”

Soon they were on their way again. Leonard struggled to examine the surrounding terrain as they walked. Suddenly, he noticed a large dark area on their right. He approached it carefully in case it was a huge pit. Fortunately, it was another reservoir. He filled the empty bottle and removed the paper label.

“What are you doing?”

“We’ll need to treat this, but I’ll have to wait until I can read the directions on the water purifying packets.”

“Oh.”

“I want to make sure I know which bottle is which,” he explained. “Just thinking ahead.”

“Good idea.”

Unfortunately, only minutes later, Leonard and Natalia came to the end of the road. A river continued on the left in a direction Leonard hoped was south or southwest, but he was no longer certain.

They sat down, drank some water from the clean bottle, and attempted to share an MRE. It was not pleasant eating something unidentifiable before it hit the tongue. But after a few bites, Leonard deduced that the menu consisted of chili, crackers, and some kind of cheese spread, as well as a small fruit drink. Not at all palatable, the meager rations nevertheless provided them with a surge of energy. Leonard did not realize how tired and listless he had become until they finished their bland meal.

“We could rest here and get some sleep,” he said. “However, I think we should move as far as possible by night while we’re this close to the infirmary.” He glanced at his bare arm. “I have no idea what time it is. Do you have a watch?”

“No.”

“We could have another six hours. We could have two. The soldiers will not notice we are missing until they fail to find us at the quarry in the morning. The farther we get the better. Plus, we just ate. That will carry us for a while.”

“What about animals? Bears and…stuff.”

Leonard took a deep breath. “There’s always that risk. But I’d rather face a bear than return to a prison cell.”

“Okay,” Natalia agreed.

“We should follow the river. Let’s go.”

“What if we’re headed back to the infirmary?”

Leonard frowned. It was a possibility.

“Dad?”

He pursed his lips to one side, pondering the situation. “I’ll bet the watchtowers have searchlights. I haven’t seen any searchlight sweeps.”

“And they’d be impossible to miss.”

Suddenly, Leonard experienced a wave of optimism. “In fact, that’s another good reason to travel in the dark. We’ll get plenty of warning if we are close to the prison…infirmary…whatever.”

Natalia touched his shoulder. “I’m good to go if you are.”

Leonard led his daughter to the river’s edge. It appeared to be flowing at half its capacity. This played to the travelers’ advantage. Although rocky, the riverbed was easier to negotiate than the woods. They moved at a modest pace, trees towering above them. Based on the tug in his knees, Leonard concluded that they were steadily climbing.

After about two miles the density of the trees began to dwindle and the incline became steeper. They emerged from the trees, their breathing intensifying with each step.