Fire in the Ashes

“So, you better retire from the bench, judge. You better do that before the Rebels get here, ‘cause I understand they pretty damned tough, and they don't take a whole lot of truck off folks. ‘Specially folks that backed the police state and the federal police and Lowry and them kind. So we'll see you around, judge. You take care, now—you hear?"

* * * *

The Joint Chiefs met in the New Pentagon in Richmond. None of them could conceal their delight at the Rebels moving out of the Smokies.

“Raines's Rebels are kicking ass up in the Kentucky, I hear,” General Rimel said. “Hartline lost over a thousand men the first day."

“Yes, the fool tried an assault on three bridges, a simultaneous attack. All Raines's people did was pull back and suck the troops across the river, then they closed the flanks around them.” General Franklin shook his head in disgust at the stupidity of that move; but he could not hide his smile.

“Let me correct that, General,” General Preston said. “Hartline wasn't there. I don't believe he would have made such a move."

“You're right,” the Marine agreed. “Hartline was in Richmond, I forgot. Well, anyway, that's a thousand mercs we won't have to deal with."

“Affirmative to that,” Admiral Calland said. “I'm just praying nothing happens that will pull us into this fight."

“What the hell could happen that would do that?” General Rimel asked. “Raines has given his word that he isn't interested in toppling the government, per se. All he wants is to return to Tri-States and be left alone. He isn't going to attack any of our bases."

“I just have a bad feeling about it all,” Calland replied. “You know—all of you—that I've felt for some time Lowry was not really behind it all. That someone is giving him orders. I can't shake that feeling."

“Who?"

“I don't know. I just don't think Lowry has enough sense to mastermind this. My God, you've all talked with the man. He's just as big a fool as Logan was—maybe more so. All that talk about him being the brains behind Logan. I never did believe it. Somebody else is behind all this. I know it."

“Again,” General Franklin leaned forward, “I ask who?"

“I don't know. I got a bad feeling about it, boys. A bad feeling."

* * * *

“You dirty, low-life bastard!” Sabra hissed at Hartline. “It isn't enough you've ruined my marriage. Now you have to rape my daughter. You son of a bitch!"

“Relax, Sabra-baby,” Hartline grinned at her. “I just wanted to have a little taste, that's all. It was tight, I have to admit."

“Goddamn you!"

When she again looked up, she was indeed looking up, the side of her face aching where Hartline had slapped her.

“Sabra-baby, how would you like me to take little Nancy down to the local barracks and give her to some of my men?"

“You wouldn't!"

“Oh?"

“You can't be that vile."

“Would you like to watch her take two at once?"

Sabra put her face against the carpet and wept from fury and frustration and helplessness.

Hartline kicked her in the butt. “Get up and go take a bath. You're meeting the vice president tonight. And when you get cleaned up, call Jane Moore, have her meet you here at seven. She's giving Al Cody some pussy tonight."

The woman slowly rose from the floor. She faced Hartline, no fear for herself in her. “I despise you, Hartline—you must know that."

“I know lots of things, baby. But you just go on playing your little games. You're not going to hurt me.” He cupped a breast and gently squeezed it. “I'll screw little Nancy anytime I want a nice tight cunt. And there ain't a damn thing you or anybody else can do about it. Hell, I might even let you watch the next time. Oh, and Sabra-baby? I went over to the studio this afternoon; got me a little peek at your Friday night news script—the little story on me? I made copies of it and took them over to the Bureau. It didn't take them long to break the code. You've been a very naughty girl, Sabra-baby. I'm going to have to think of some way to punish you for that. I'll give it some thought. I'm sure I'll manage to come up with something suitable.” He pushed her toward the bathroom. “Now go wash your cunt like a good little girl."

He was laughing as she stumbled toward the bathroom, the room blurring from the sudden tears of rage in her eyes.

* * * *

“I have a plan,” the familiar voice said. “Oh, my, yes. A very good plan. I think I know a way to rid ourselves of the president and Ben Raines at the same time. And,” he held up a finger, “get the military back on our side—all at the same time. It's so simple I'm ashamed I didn't think of it before."

Lowry leaned forward, interested. He glanced at the wall clock. Plenty of time before he was to meet Sabra at the retreat. “Tell me,” he said, his eyes bright.

The man leaned back in his chair. He began to speak. By the time he was finished, both he and Lowry were laughing and slapping each other on the knee.

Two