Fire in the Ashes

She touched his arm. “I never meant to hurt you, Matt. Please believe that."

“Oh, I do, Jerre. You laid it right on the line from the first night we ... I mean..."

“I know what you mean, Matt."

They were silent until they pulled into the drive of a home set overlooking the Pacific, just north of Crescent City. He helped her into the house (she was always amused at his overprotectiveness) and into a chair.

She had to laugh at him. “Matt, I'm not at death's door; I'm going to have a couple of babies, that's all."

“Scary business, Jerre. Spooks me,” he admitted. “I'm a big chicken when it comes to stuff like that."

“We're only a few miles from the clinic, so quit worrying. You're making me nervous."

He knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. “Jerre..."

She shushed him with a genuine kiss. “Don't say it Matt—not yet. You know how I feel about Ben."

“Then ...?"

“I had to, Matt. I had to let go. Ben has a mission; I'm not sure even he knows it—or will admit it—but he does, and I just couldn't be a drag on him. It wouldn't be fair to a lot of people."

“And me, Jerre?"

“You know how I feel about you, Matt."

“But you love General Raines?"

“Yes. And always will, Matt. Let's be honest this time around, too."

He grinned at her. “I'll just wait then, Jerre. And I'll wait with you—if you don't mind."

“I don't mind,” she said softly. “I don't mind at all."

* * * *

“If you were ten years younger, I'd whip your ass,” Ben said to Doctor Chase.

“You can't reach that far,” the doctor fired back over the radio. “Not from Tennessee to Wyoming. Besides, she made me promise not to tell you."

“Why did she do it, Lamar?"

“I ... really don't know, Ben,” the doctor lied. “I guess she just wanted some time to herself."

“I think she wanted to find some nice young man her own age. Hell, I'm twenty-five years older than Jerre."

Age has nothing to do with love and affection, you crazy gun-soldier, Chase thought. But if it's easier for you to believe that, have at it. “That may be it, Ben."

“That young man she used to see—Matt something-or-another, he's out there. Yeah, that's it. Well ... I hope she's happy. God knows the kid deserves it."

To be as smart as you are, Raines, you don't know jackshit about women. “Doctor Canale's a good man, Ben, runs a fine clinic. Jerre will be all right. We intercepted one of Ramos's transmissions; set on the same scrambler frequency. I like your plan, Ben."

“I think it's the only way, Lamar. The people have to get involved. We can't do it all for them. Hell, I won't do it all for them."

“We're moving to link up with Ramos in a few weeks, Ben. You know the plan—I'll see you on target."

Ben grinned. “Watch your blood pressure, old man. It's tough taking care of a woman young enough to be your granddaughter."

“What! How ...?"

Ben signed off, leaving Doctor Chase bellowing into a cold mike. He turned just as Ike walked into the communications tent. Ben's second-in-command wore a funny expression on his face.

“Ike."

“Ben ... you ‘member that female reporter on NBC; that one you always said you'd like to strangle for her liberal views?"

“Roanna Hickman. Yes. What about her?"

“She just pranced her ass up to our easternmost outpost. Says she wants to do a story on you—for broadcast."

Ben looked at him for a few seconds. “Well, I'll be goddamned."

“Probably,” Ike agreed. “But let's not get into that."

Nine

The word went out from the Joint Chiefs of Staff to all base commanders: Order all personnel to keep a low profile when off base. No interference with Ben Raines's Rebels unless the men are provoked. This is a fight between Lowry and Raines. Stay out of it.

The message was intercepted by Al Cody's people. Cody went straight to VP Lowry. He tossed the decoded message on the VP's desk and sat down.

“It's all in the open now, Weston. No more playing pitty-pat."

VP Lowry read the message and then pushed it from him. “Fuck the military. We don't need them. Hartline is beefing up his men to the tune of a hundred a day. The intelligence reports we've received all state that Raines won't make a move before the first of the year—at the earliest. By that time Hartline will have a full division under his command. Maybe more than that. Raines is helping destroy himself and doesn't even know it. The bastard is stupid."

Cody shook his head. “Don't ever think that, Weston. Raines may be a lot of things; stupid is not one of them. He's got something up his sleeve."

But Lowry would only shake his head. “He's too confident in the people. Oh, they've had their little victories in the towns around the mountain base of Raines. But that is because Raines's main force is so near. Let him play his game—it just gives us more time. Hartline's plan is working.” The VP giggled. He clicked on a Betamax. “You never saw this, did you?"

“Saw what?"

“Sabra Olivier sucking Hartline's pecker."

“You've got to be kidding!"

“Watch."