A Time for Patriots

Patrick reached out and hugged his son tightly. “Your uncle Jon, son.”

“Wha- what ?” Brad gasped, and he started to sob into his father’s shoulder. “Uncle Jon’s dead ?”

“I’m sorry, Brad,” David said. He waited a few moments, then went on: “There’s more, Patrick.” He pinned a white plastic tag on their shirts. “They detected traces of radiation at the blast site — another dirty bomb. No lethal levels have been detected yet on the survivors — I think the bomb was so big that it cooked off most of whatever was in the van — but the blast site is pretty contaminated. The base is being evacuated and closed down. We’re going to transfer the casualties to Andorsen Memorial any minute now — everyone else will be taken to the high school for more examinations.”

“Jesus…” Patrick breathed, then hugged Darrow as well as his son. “I swear to God, I’m going to find these terrorist bastards and make them pay, I swear it.”

“Let the authorities handle it, Patrick,” Darrow said. “This… this is just too massive, too dangerous. It’ll take the Army to stop those terrorists. Your son needs you right now. You’ve done all you can. Let the authorities take charge.” Patrick could do nothing else but hug his son and Darrow — the energy just seemed to flow from his body like air escaping from a balloon.

“Dad?” Brad asked. “What’s going to happen? What do we do?”

“We’ll deal with it, son,” Patrick said softly, hugging Brad tightly. “We’ll be okay.” He turned and looked toward the entrance to the clinic… and saw none other than Judah Andorsen talking with FBI special agent Chastain…

… and standing beside and behind Andorsen was Michael Fitzgerald! He looked at Patrick with a painful, horrified expression, then averted his eyes.

Andorsen noticed Patrick looking toward him and stepped forward. Fitzgerald did not move, and he kept his eyes averted. “Hello, General,” Andorsen said. Both his voice and demeanor were completely changed — he no longer came across as the “aw, shucks” grandfatherly country rancher. “It’s good to see you’re okay. What a horrible thing, absolutely horrible. And I just heard they’re evacuating and closing the base today. God, what a mess. I’ll sure miss all of you, but I think it’s the best thing for the community. Obviously the base has been targeted by extremists, and even the Air Force’s best security can’t seem to keep anyone safe.”

He took a step toward Patrick, and sensing danger, Patrick pulled his son away from him and guided him into Darrow’s arms, then took a step toward Andorsen. The rancher got face-to-face with Patrick, then said in a low voice: “As you know, General, I like aircraft, and I like airports. I like this airport — nice long runways, lots of hangar space, lots of land, and, of course, the cool underground hangars that my father and grandfather built. I think I’d like to have this airport, and I think the county will sell it to me for next to nothing right after the Air Force gives it to them — after it’s been cleaned up and decontaminated, of course.

“I’m thinking I might get into the resort and hunting-lodge business — you know, fly wealthy folks in, have some golf and tennis and a spa for the ladies, take guys out hunting for bighorn and deer, then serve them a big meal in a five-star restaurant,” he went on, happily smiling at Patrick’s shocked expression. “We could turn the underground hangars into a big year-round shooting range. Or how about a big sex grotto, like Hugh Heffner’s? The world’s biggest brothel? That sound like fun to you? It’s perfectly legal here in Lander County, of course.”

He looked Patrick squarely in the eyes. “We don’t need the Space Defense Force, the Civil Air Patrol, your high-tech gadgets, or any of you creaky retired ex-military jocks here after this base closes,” he said, “and we certainly don’t need hotshots like you who think the military is the be-all and the end-all. You’ve had your day, General, but as of right now, it’s over. I have a suggestion for you: when you get out of federal prison, why don’t you just go back to wherever you came from, go find a nice comfy rocking chair, and stay put? You’re not welcome here. Take my advice, for the safety of your son and your friends: get the hell out of northern Nevada.” And with that, he left, Fitzgerald following close behind him.

“Why was Mr. Fitzgerald going with Mr. Andorsen, Dad?” Brad asked.

“That’s something we need to find out, Brad,” Patrick said. He shook his head in confusion, then turned to David. “Didn’t Fid go with Leif to the Freedom-7 mine?” he asked.

“Yes,” David said. “I spoke with him while they were on their way out there. He didn’t call you to tell what they found?”

“I never heard from either one of them,” Patrick said. “I assumed they didn’t get a chance to go.” He wore a very worried expression. “Now Fid is back — with Andorsen — and no one’s heard from Leif. Not good.” He thought for a moment. “We’ve got some work to do. Whack, I want the CID.”