WWIV - Basin of Secrets (27 page)

Melinda cleared her throat and spit a wad of phlegm aside. Rolling his eyes, Willem shook his head at Howard. “Okay,” she began, “so we got here just before sundown. Andy talked with some little redhead who wouldn’t budge an inch. Couple old farts stuck their noses in, but it seems she’s the leader.”
 

Bored, Willem rolled his finger in front of her face.
 

She nodded, understanding that he wanted it quicker. “Andy says Camp Eight told him Bond and the Albrecht chick are here. We surrounded the place and waited for you.” With a finger to her lip, she tried to recall something else. “Oh yeah, we ran into a Guard unit on the way down here. Ended up killing them all. They got three of ours. Let’s see, it was–”

Willem held up his hand. “Please, that’s enough for now, Melinda. We’ll sort out the names of the dead back in Salt Lake and make proper arrangements for their families. Has anyone seen Bond or his daughter?”

Her face fell. “No, just some old crows from the assembly and the redhead. No one else.”

“And what do you know of Andy’s spies?” Willem asked, surveying the encampment 200 yards to the east. The place was larger than he had expected. Not as large as his outpost in the desert, but certainly not a grouping of canvas tents pitched in the middle of the woods. And the walls: so solid, so sound, so well thought out.

“He didn’t tell me about no spies, Willem. All he said is he had a couple of scouts watching a group. He had no idea who they were.” Finishing, she anxiously awaited his next orders, or perhaps praise.

Willem pondered her rushed but appropriate report. Sure, she had most likely missed something, but she wasn’t as observant as he. Perhaps a little more than Andy, but nowhere near as thorough as himself. “Not bad lieutenant, not bad.” Staring back at her, he frowned. “At least you didn’t screw anything up, unlike my incompetent cousin. At least nothing that you’ll admit to, I would imagine.” Studying her face, he searched for any remaining secrets. He shrugged and tipped his head to the right. Turning, he found Howard waiting next to him. “Grab four men please, Howard. The bigger the better.” Refocusing on the front gate, he grinned. “Time to go meet the neighbors.”

Cara watched the exchange through a slot carved into the fence. “That’s Willem,” Betsi announced, gazing out the slot next to her. “And Howard Melby, his second-in-command.”

Sighing, Cara held her hand out for Betsi’s grasp. “You need to stay out of sight. We won’t let them in. Just keep an open ear to our discussions. You’ll know how it’s going.”

Turning, she looked back at the beleaguered faces of her assembly mates. Putting on the bravest face she could, she gave the group a confident nod. “Okay, this is it. Now we stick together, and don’t let this man bully us. Together, as one, we will succeed today. Together, we make our stand.”

Carol Johnson’s pale face showed her deepest fears. Quietly, she moved with the group toward the small opening and their meeting with the devil. “Together, we just may die today,” she whispered.

Standing a mere 10 feet apart, the groups gawked at one another. Willem almost felt sorry for this band of merry farmers. Their clothes were dirty and dull and their faces were smudged with the soil of the land. Their hands, oh their poor hands, he thought. Worked to the bone, thin and frail. And it appeared as if each of them slouched forward; not a lot, just enough to give the appearance of being overworked, underfed and unappreciated. This wasn’t living; it was the exact opposite of what life should be like. Willem knew he’d rather be dead than barely exist in this place.

Finally, the stare-down concluded as the redhead stepped forward. “What do you want?” she demanded in a harsh tone.

The corners of Willem’s mouth made like he was about to smile, yet a full smile never appeared. “We’d like to talk to you. We’d like you to give us something you have, something that’s ours. May we be civil with one another?”

Cara remained expressionless. “We know what you want, Mr. Tarlisch. And I’m sorry to tell you, he’s not here.” Cara eyed his group. If she was afraid, Willem couldn’t find it anywhere on her person.

“Well, since you know who I am, perhaps introductions are in order,” Willem said, hoping to soften the fiery lass. “My name is Willem Tarlisch, but please call me Willem. This man next to me is Howard Melby, my dearest friend and most trusted advisor.” Willem inched ahead, extending his open right hand. “And you might be?”
 

“Someone who has no desire to give you any information. Someone who certainly doesn’t want to be touched by a person as rotten as you.” Leaning forward, her eyes firmed further. “Your reputation has arrived well before you, Mr. Tarlisch.”

An older gentleman behind the small woman cleared his throat. “Now Cara,” he began. “Let’s not be too rude here. We don’t want any trouble.”
 

Cara shot the man a scowl.

Sensing his opportunity, Willem inched forward more. “Yes Cara, let’s be nice to one another. I don’t want trouble either. I just want what’s mine. I want my uncle, Talbot Bond. And I’m told he’s here.”

Searching Cara’s face for any small opening, Willem waited patiently as she considered his words. Her eyes shifted from his feet to hers, and then back to his again. When she looked up at him, he shot her the most sincere smile he was sure he had ever given anyone.

“He’s not here, Willem,” boomed a deep voice from behind Cara. Willem searched for the man behind the voice and found him standing between the group and Cara.

Willem glared at the new player, looking for some sort of recognition. “I’m sorry, do we know one another?” he asked. The voice, that voice sounded familiar to him. But the face was as fresh as a newborn fawn
.
“I never forget a face, ask anyone. But I must say, I can’t recall yours.”

From behind, Howard spoke first. “Hello, Steven,” he said to the gray-haired, gray-bearded man.

Willem’s head whipped around, sneaking a peek at Howard.
How could he see something that I might be missing?
he thought to himself.
Impossible.
Finally, he raised his eyebrows. “Steven? We know him?”

Howard nodded. “Steven Wake. You remember him.”

Stunned, Willem turned to the man. “Steven Wake? Mayor of Provo? United States congressman representing the fine citizens of Utah’s Third District? That Steven Wake?”
 

A simple nod told Willem everything was true.

“My God,” Willem continued. “I haven’t seen you in probably 15 years. Maybe more.”
 
Willem covered his mouth to suppress an uncontainable laugh.
 

“Something funny here, Willem?” Steven asked.

Tarlisch shrugged and grinned. “Well, you have to admit, you’re about the last person I’d ever expect to find up here.” Spreading his arms, he surveyed the camp and surrounding woods. “I mean, someone who was once a wealthy and powerful man like yourself. The darkness comes, and bang, you’re transformed into some gentleman farmer. You have to admit, Steven, it has all the makings of a fairy tale.”

“I’ve made my life here for the past 10 years,” Steven replied. “Good, honest life, away from all the corruption and anarchy ruining the basin.”

“You should have stayed and served as mayor when the grid went down,” Willem added. “The people needed a man like you, not that idiot Jones or Jonas or whatever his name was. He’s more evil than that corrupt Erickson; even you must admit that, Steven.”

“Joel Jacobs is a decent fellow. At least he was a decent man, once upon a time. Just lost himself when he realized no one was going to hold him accountable for anything.” Steven’s eyes moved from Willem to Howard. “Wasn’t he a friend of your dad’s, Howard?”
 

“Yeah, before Dad died, at least,” Howard somberly added. “But Jacobs didn’t lift a finger when Bond’s militia banished us to the Salt Flats. Just sat on his hands, all mute and stupid.”

Willem raised a finger. “I always have believed that Jacobs was in with Bond on taking the Tarlisch land. After he let us be sent to a slow and painful death.” He nodded at Howard. “I knew my feelings were correct. The whole place would have been better with you there, Steven. Much better – safer, actually.”

“That’s ancient history, Mr. Tarlisch,” Cara grumbled. “You came for Talbot Bond; we’ve told you he’s not here. Now please leave.”

Stretching his still sore back, Willem inhaled a large gulp of clean mountain air. “Oh, back to business. I admire that in a person. But…” He turned to face her again. “I have reason to believe that Talbot Bond is here. You see, that leader over in Camp Eight told Andy and several others that Bond had visited there ever so briefly and was on his way here. A mere three weeks ago, I believe.”

Chet stepped forward as help. “He was here. But he heard about all the trouble you brought to Salt Lake and hightailed it out of here. Headed for Colorado, I think he said.”

“I heard Wyoming, Chet,” Carol Johnson added.

Cara leered at Willem. “Strange, I heard Montana. Steven?”

“One of those places,” he answered. “All I know is that he isn’t here anymore. God’s truth.”

Willem nodded at the group, studying each of their faces. They seemed honest. But so had Marshall Erickson to the entire population of Salt Lake.

“Interesting,” Willem replied. “My uncle heard I was coming for him, and he ran for the safety of the next state.” Moving closer to Cara, he leaned in, exploring her eyes. “But here’s the problem. I don’t believe it. Any of it. You know you can’t lie to me…Cara. I can see through these things. And, believe me, this is important. As much as a murderous thief as my uncle is, he’s not a coward. No, he wouldn’t shy away from a fight. Especially one that involved his beloved Salt Lake.”

Unmoved, Cara leaned near his right ear. “That’s all hogwash, Willem. We both know it. And Talbot Bond is most certainly gone.” Reaching for his chest, she gave a mighty shove, pushing him away. “So mount your horses and leave.”

Willem gawked at Cara as he rocked back and forth. Careful to show no emotion, he studied every feature of hers. The pale alabaster skin, the green eyes, the tiny nose. Nodding slightly, an evil smile came to his lips. “I know you,” he whispered. “I remember you. It’s taking a few moments, but somewhere in my past, we’ve met.”

Cara waved him off and laughed while looking away. “Hardly. I’ve never associated with men like you. Men without morals, men with no decency. Trust me, I have no recollection of you.”

Leaning closer, Willem reached to touch her face, only to have his hand slapped away. He motioned her nearer. “That’s the second lie you’ve told me today. One more, and we’ll have a problem here, Cara Henten.”

A quick flash of guilt crossed her face, affirming Cara’s secret was lost. “I don’t believe so, Mr. Tarlisch,” she fumed.

“Betsi’s friend, from Salt Lake. Same height, same size, same beautiful red hair, But most importantly, something I would never forget – those haunting green eyes.” Willem grinned, shooting her a wink as he backed away. “Green, with little specks of yellow all throughout. Betsi and I talked about your eyes many times. How unusual they were…are.”

Joining Howard again, he shot the campmates a satisfied smile. “One more time, and no lies now. Where is Talbot Bond, Ms. Henten?” Willem paused and pointed his folded hands at Cara. “Please, carefully consider your response. It’s a matter of life and death. My life, your death.”

Cara gazed from Tarlisch to his troops, scattered throughout the forest. Studying them closer in the light of day, she could see that they were well-armed. Even Tarlisch and Howard carried side arms. A quick peek at Steven told her he noticed the same. It felt as if the ring of soldiers was closing in on the camp – closing in on them, like a noose tightening around the condemned’s neck. Unable to catch a breath deep enough to fill her lungs, she felt her world narrow. They needed a miracle, and as hard as she searched, she couldn’t find one anywhere amongst the forest, the camp or any person nearby.

She opened her mouth to reply, then paused. Something in Tarlisch’s face changed. Gone was his hardened expression, and a smile spread quickly where just seconds ago there was a frown. His eyes glided away from Cara and toward her right, at half the height. He stepped forward as she peeked to see what had captured his attention.

“What a beautiful child,” Willem exclaimed. Rosie leaned against the fence, three posts from Cara. She’d never been one to clutch at her mother’s skirt tails. No, this child was much more like her father: free, confident and unafraid of almost everything. Even of the pure evil now kneeling in front of her.

Tarlisch reached and brushed the red hair from her face, slightly touching her cheek. “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

With a smile, she looked at the man. “Rose. What’s yours?”

Tarlisch flashed a quick grin Cara’s direction. “My name’s Willem.” Pointing at Cara, he leaned forward. “Is that your mommy?” Rose looked and nodded, still beaming. “Of course she is,” Willem continued. Looking back at Howard, his head shook slowly. “Genetics are such a wonderful thing.”

He reached for the girl, and she allowed herself into his arms. A gasp escaped before Cara could trap it. If Rose would show no fear, then neither would she.

Returning to his spot next to Howard, he bounced the child higher on his hip. “I must tell you, Cara, she is a beautiful child. So precious, so confident, so trusting.”
 

Cara tried to swallow but found her mouth dry as a desert. What little breath she could manage now was stuttered and staccato. Her pulse quickened, her fists balled. She felt as if her world rested in the arms of Satan. “Please leave her out of this, Mr. Tarlisch. She’s done nothing.”

Willem looked baffled. Shrugging, his gaze went from Howard, to Rose, to Cara. “I’m not going to hurt her, Cara. Why on earth would I ever harm an innocent child? You really don’t perceive me as that large of a monster, do you?”

Steven stepped forward past his frightened wife. “Put the girl down, Willem. Come in and search the camp if you need to. He’s not here; but if that’s what it takes, by all means then.”