Brushfire Plague Page 22

  “What are your requests?” he said impatiently.

  “First, I want to be armed—if you have something—and to become a regular part of your defense team. I’d be at least as good as some of the people you have out there on the line.” He knew that was true.

  Cooper paused for a moment, but only for effect. He knew he was going to agree, but wanted to make her wait for it. “OK. See Dranko. He’s up the street. Tell him I sent you. What’s your second request?”

  “I want to move in here.”

  Coffee sprayed across the room as he burst out laughing, “Damn lady, you don’t mess around, do you?” He wiped the coffee from his mouth with his shirtsleeve.

  Embarrassed and turning red, Angela waved her hands, “No. I didn’t mean it like that,” she looked at the ground. “Words aren’t my best suit.”

  “I guess not,” Cooper chuckled.

  “I just want to move in here. I’m not trying to get laid. Look, I’m smart enough to see that you’re the guy who most knows what he’s doing. I want to survive this thing and I figured bunked up here gives me the best chance. And, I won’t lie to you. Being here will help me be more quickly accepted with the others.”

  Cooper nodded his head, “OK, I get it. That makes sense,” he looked at her with a wry grin, “why didn’t you just say so?”

  She threw a napkin at him and chuckled, “I did! It took me a second to get there, that’s all.”

  “Of course you can stay here. We have a spare bedroom. It’s yours as long as you want it. You will have to help out around here and I may have you keep an eye on Jake sometimes.”

  “Not a problem. Thank you.”

  “And, don’t you worry about the other thing.” He stood up to leave the room and with his back towards her he added, “You’re probably not my type.” He missed the flash of disappointment across her face.

  From the kitchen, he heard another knock on his door. He repeated his security precautions and gestured for Angela to remain seated and quiet.

  It was Dranko.

  “C’mon in Dranko. You can have my last cup of coffee.”

  Dranko saw Angela and stopped, “I’m not interrupting anything am I?” Cooper had known Dranko long enough to notice the imperceptible smile lurking on his face.

  Angela didn’t miss a beat, “Just me joining your militia.”

  Dranko looked at Cooper incredulous. “That’s right. She’s in. Arm her up.”

  “And, no, I didn’t sleep my way in. I can shoot,” Angela added impishly.

  “OK, boss. I’ve seen you spot the lone, honest card player from that joint in Baghdad and the one virtuous lawyer in all of Oregon, so I trust your judgment.”

  “Thank you for your vote of confidence, brother. I don’t know how I’d get up every morning without it,” Cooper’s sarcasm was biting.

  “Screw you. You want to hear what brought me over here this morning?”

  “One question before that.”

  “What?” Dranko said in exasperation.

  “What was the name of that lawyer again? I don’t remember ever finding one like you say.”

  Dranko burst out laughing and punched him in the shoulder. Angela sat to the side, grinning widely and shaking her head.

  After it subsided, Dranko turned serious, “I’ve got the teams ready to survey the surrounding neighborhoods, like we discussed yesterday.”

  “Good.

  “But there is some news I thought you’d want to know. First, it was announced today that the Chinese are sending a flotilla of relief ships. Also, advance flights of airplanes are to start arriving in the next few days.”

  “What?” Cooper exclaimed.

  “The news is that they’ve been hit by this thing, but not as bad as everyone else. They quarantined faster than anyone else and there are some rumors that they have a medicine that is working.”

  “Famous Chinese discipline, eh?”

  “Something like that.”

  “Traditional Chinese medicine most likely too,” Angela added.

  Dranko and Cooper both looked at her in surprise, as if they’d both forgotten she was sitting there alongside them.

  “Sure, every virus or illness is different. Maybe they have something that is working that isn’t in the Big Pharma handbook. We don’t make anything that doesn’t turn a profit. On the other hand, they’ve kept stuff around for centuries.”

  “She is an ER Nurse,” Cooper quipped to Dranko. He pressed his lips downward in agreement.

  “Do we know what they’re bringing, exactly?” Cooper continued.

  “Just medicine and food. A few doctors. And police.”

  Cooper jerked his head up from his cup, “Police?”

  “Yes, they say to help us keep order during the crisis.”

  “What’s our Big Chief saying about this?”

  “So far, welcoming the help.”

  Cooper shook his head, “I never thought I’d see the day when we were the subject of relief. Hell, we are the ones who used to help everyone else.”

  “Not this time,” Dranko intoned.

  “Alright, what’s the other news?”

  “The National Guard is getting deployed, as well. Portland is on the list. Should be here any day now.”

  “That’s good news at least. What’s the latest news from across America?” He said, imitating the lilting voice of a newscaster.

  “Pretty bad. Complete breakdown in some cities. The bigger ones are doing worse. Panic is a terrible thing. In some places, the violence is killing roughly as many as the illness.”

  “You’re kidding me?” Angela gasped.

  “I wish I were. Word is that electricity is starting to falter in lots of places. Too many workers not showing up.”

  “Any word of any medicine that is working?”

  “No. You either get it and die within forty-eight hours or you don’t.”

  Light footfalls on the landing brought their eyes in unison to see Jake standing there, clutching a blue blanket up to his face. He let out a cough that was deafening.

  “Dad, I don’t feel so good.”

  Chapter 22

  Cooper’s coffee cup clattered against the table. Coffee spilled, staining the alabaster tablecloth.

  Adrenaline shot through Cooper like lightning. His stomach felt like he’d been hit with a sledgehammer. No, no, no, not this. He vaulted to Jake’s side immediately. He wrapped him up in his blanket, carried him to his room, and laid him on his bed.

  “We need to make sure you get rest, son.”

  Jake’s eyes were full, unblinking, “I’m going to die. Just like mom.” It was a statement, not a question. Cooper flinched, taken aback.

  Cooper cocked his head back to get a better look at him, “Don’t say that.”

  Cooper’s insides roiled. He frantically wanted to lie to his son, to tell him he would be OK. He knew the power of hope was all his son had now. He knew something else: because he had never lied to his son, he would believe him if he did so now. He also knew belief and faith could sometimes work miracle cures. The thought tortured him; I might save him if I give up my principles. His mind crashed back and forth.

  Finally, he found an answer.

  He laid Jake down in his bed and pulled the covers over him, “Here’s what we’re going to do. The Chinese are sending us help because they haven’t been affected as bad as we have. We think it’s because they have some medicine that is working. I’m going to find some of the medicine and you’re going to rest as best you can. OK?”

  Jake nodded. Cooper kissed him on the forehead and left the room.

  Dranko and Angela remained at the table, transfixed where they’d been. Deep lines of concern crossed their faces. Cooper motioned them to follow him into the kitchen, where they huddled.

  “How could he get this now? He was exposed days ago,” Cooper asked in a whisper.

  “Maybe it’s just a regular cold?” Angela offered hopefully.

  Cooper looked at her shar
ply, “I said ‘maybe’,” Angela responded, waving her hands, palms towards Cooper.

  “Maybe it’s mutated. Maybe it takes longer to incubate in kids. And, it is possible Angela is right and it’s a normal cold. Those do still exist.”

  Cooper pounded a fist into an open hand and talked through clenched teeth, “Don’t jerk me around. I don’t wish on stars or believe in the tooth fairy anymore. What I’m gonna do is everything I can to keep my boy alive,” he said emphatically.

  Even Dranko, who had known him a long time, was unsettled by his vehemence. Unnerved, Angela involuntarily took a step from him. She took a deep breath to calm herself. Dranko recovered first.

  “What do you want from us, brother?”

  “First, I need some kind of bitter tasting root or tea. I’ve got to convince Jake he has the new medicine.” He paused and held up his index finger, “But, don’t lie to him. Just tell him it’s Chinese tea, which it will be. Then, I’ve got to pray that mind over matter works.”

  He failed to see Dranko give Angela a wink when he was talking about the Chinese tea. Dranko didn’t have Cooper’s compunction about lies, even white ones.

  “Second, get Calvin over here. I’m turning the reigns over to him once and for all. I’ve got to get a few things done.”

  Dranko looked at him intently, “I’ve seen that look before and I like it. What do you have in mind?”

  “I’m going to find out more about Admonitus. If there is something that can cure Jake, I’ll find it there.”

  “What?” Dranko and Angela exclaimed simultaneously.

  Cooper explained what the murdered lab technician had said to him and Julianne’s cryptic words. They listened in rapt attention, agreeing that it was worth an investigation.

  ******

  Angela returned first, with Lisa from across the street who delivered a packet of crushed birch bark.

  “This should do the trick. But, we think you should let us give it to him. Between the two of us nurses, we can convince him it will work. And, it just might.”

  Cooper thought for a moment and then nodded, “OK. Can you two keep an eye on him today? As much as I want to be with him, I need to go check out this Admonitus company because I think they might know something. I’m hoping there is medicine or a cure there.”

  Angela looked at Lisa and then responded for them both, “Of course, Cooper. We’ll have it covered. Keep your cell phone close and we can call you if anything develops.”

  He placed a hand on both their shoulders and looked them each, in turn, in the eye, “Thank you.” He enjoyed, just for a moment, the deep satisfaction that came with friendship.

  A knock at the door broke the spell. Angela set about brewing the tea, while Lisa went to check on Jake. Cooper glided to the door and saw that it was Calvin.

  His face wore a jumble of emotions. Cooper stifled a chuckle as he opened the door to let him in.

  He clapped him on the shoulder, “Relax, Calvin. You look like a hangman who showed up for work with dental floss in his bag by mistake!”

  Calvin chuckled nervously, unsure of what to expect. Cooper motioned him to the living room sofa and they sat down opposite one another. Cooper leaned in toward Calvin.

  Calvin spoke first, “I wanted to finish our conversation from earlier. I wanted to discuss some details about how we’d work together going…”

  Cooper waved him off, “I’ll make this easy. You’re in charge. Of everything. I need to be free to attend to some other things anyway.”

  Calvin sat back in surprise as the faintest smile escaped to his lips, “I’ll admit that was easy. But, I don’t want you to step aside.”

  Cooper grinned, “Well, I guess this will be another of our disagreements. I don’t have a choice.”

  His eyebrows drew together, “What’s going on?”

  “Jake’s sick.”

  Calvin’s face stiffened and he clenched his hands, “I’m so sorry to hear that. Oh my Lord, Cooper. I am sorry.”

  Cooper waved both his emotions and Calvin off with a flurry of his left hand, “Don’t worry about it. It will be OK, you hear me? It will be OK.” He spoke with the fury that only those trying to convince themselves can muster.

  “Sure, alright, Cooper,” Calvin said nodding in quick agreement. “I’ll take things in hand. But, I tell you this—as soon as everything is OK, I want you back. In fact, I’ve been thinking about it. I want you as Captain of our Guard. I’ll handle civilian matters, while you handle security.” His sincerity threw Cooper off.

  With a confused look on his face, he responded, “Alright, you have yourself a deal.”

  The two men shook hands and Cooper gave Calvin a few points of advice regarding their defenses. He promised to be as available as he could in the coming days. He informed him of the neighborhood survey teams that were going out today and they agreed to meet at Calvin’s house at five o’clock to debrief those teams together.

  Chapter 23

  Cooper was in the middle of looking in on Jake, when another knock on the door interrupted him. He kissed him on the forehead, which was already warm, and told his son to rest and do whatever Lisa or Angela told him. Cooper bounded to the door, restless to get moving.

  It was Dranko at the door, carrying two shoulder bags. Cooper let him in, asking, “What do you have there?”

  “The groceries,” he responded with a chuckle. He went to the couch and unzipped the two bags, “You need good food to stay healthy, right?” The bags revealed a few handguns and plenty of extra magazines filled with ammunition.

  Cooper grinned, “And sometimes you need more good food to keep you healthy while travelling, eh?”

  “Exactly.”

  “You never cease to surprise me.”

  Dranko grew a frown, “Well, I wish I’d liked guns even more or had more money. The list of what I wish we had is a mile long. An Uzi, for example would be…”

  Cooper clapped his shoulder, “There you go again, thinking about what we don’t have. Think about what you did bring to our table.”

  Dranko laughed, “You’re right. You’d be going out there with a spitwad shooter if it wasn’t for me!”

  “Not quite,” Cooper said, tapping his sidearm.

  He kept his pistol in the concealed carry holster, but added a few magazine pouches to his belt. He now carried a total of five magazines, one in the gun and four on the belt. After he donned a dun-colored windbreaker, there was no evidence that he was wearing body armor or carrying a pistol.

  Cooper patted the body armor reassuringly, “I am glad you had an extra set.”

  Dranko nodded, “Hell, best couple hundred bucks I ever spent. It’s priceless now! I knew some others at the gun range who’d buy gun after gun after gun, but would never think to get armor. I bet they regret that now.”

  “I know I regret not getting some of the things you’d recommended,” Cooper responded.

  “Don’t worry, I still think you’re perfect!” Dranko mocked.

  Dranko was kitted up with a .45 pistol in a shoulder holster, extra magazines, another pistol holstered on his hip, and body armor. He wore a leather coat that flared out just below the hips. Finally, he had a lightweight .38 revolver strapped to his ankle. “My bail out gun, if everything else fails me,” Dranko stated.

  “Where are we going first?” he asked Cooper.

  “Julianne Wheeler’s house. I have to return this,” he responded, holding up an auto insurance notice.

  “You sly devil,” Dranko said, feigning astonishment.

  “I wish I could claim to have been so forward-thinking. I just got lucky. I found it lying near where she had put her belongings. It must have fallen out when she ran off. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than smart.”

  “That’s a good thing, because you don’t ever meet the latter,” Dranko retorted.

  Cooper didn’t miss a beat, “That’s why I travel with such genius friends. Can you get the door, Mr. Einstein.” His mocking tone forced the smil
e off of Dranko’s face.

  ******

  The two men piled into Cooper’s pickup. Cooper brought his shotgun and extra shells along. He let Dranko drive, giving him the address. While they drove, Cooper filled him on the little he knew, so far, of Admonitus and the chilling warning from the man just before he was killed.

  “So, what’re we looking for?” Dranko asked.

  “Information. Anything at all that can help Jake, and everyone else.”

  As they wended their way through several miles of the city’s streets, the various neighborhoods were a kaleidoscope of a society grappling with the plague’s effect. They passed areas that looked almost normal, except the dramatic reduction in both vehicle and foot traffic. A mile to the north, they encountered a neighborhood with a hastily erected defensive system, similar to their own.

  As they drove, startling images burned themselves into Cooper’s mind. A charred rocking horse was pitching back and forth in the street without a rider. He wondered where its owner was. The front door to the closest house was smashed open. Curtains from a large picture window that had been broken fluttered forlornly outside the home, wafting against the home’s walls. Dolls lay scattered about the lawn. Cooper’s heart sank.

  Further on, they passed a shot-up blue Dodge minivan. It was littered with hundreds of bullet holes from stem to stern. Every shard of glass had been ripped out of the windows’ frames. The ground sparkled around it, disconcertingly beautiful. Peering in, Cooper saw no bodies. Instead, thick bloodstains covered all three rows of seats. The side doors all lay ajar and blood trails moved away from the van before disappearing a few feet further into the street. Did they transfer the dead into another car?

  Then, they came upon a bizarre spectacle. A stand had been cobbled together from mismatched wood lengths. A sign over it, painted in black, “Lemonade! It’s cured hundreds in Australia!” Three heavily armed, dirty, men stood around it. Two clutched shotguns while a third wielded an AK-47. Sitting behind the stand, a blond child, Jake’s age, sat ready to serve. She was clean, wearing a pressed white dress, with her hair done up in bows. The contrast struck Cooper as comical. Down below, also in black, “$100 per glass!” They didn’t stop to ask.