Brett Battles - Sick

“Was it?”

“No, but it could have been.”

Billy got to work removing the dock from Ash’s arm. When it was out, he used some gauze and a bandage to cover the wound. He then looked at Pax. “Can I get back to what I was doing now, or do you have any more emergencies?”

“Have at it. I think we’re good.”

Billy forced a smile then said to Ash, “Welcome to the ranch.” With that, he headed back to the other room.

Ash half expected Pax to give him an excuse for Billy's behavior once they were in the hallway again, but, to his credit, Pax said nothing. He led Ash to a closed door at the far end and knocked.

“Come,” a muffled voice said from inside.

Pax opened the door and let Ash pass through first.

It was a big room divided into two areas. The far end was dominated by a large oak desk with a matching credenza behind it, while the area nearest the door was set up with a couch, chairs and a low-lying table. There were several windows, but wooden blinds prevented any clear view of the outside.

The only person in the room was a man sitting in one of the stuffed guest chairs in front of the desk. He was probably about the same age as Pax, only with a little less hair on top and no goatee. Though the man was sitting, Ash could tell he was big. Long legs and a broad chest. Somewhere in his past he’d probably been a high school linebacker. The man had angled his chair so he could watch a TV hanging on the wall.

Ash glanced at the screen just in time to see the Prime Cable News logo in the corner before the picture went dark.

“Glad to see you're up,” the man said, rising to his feet. He was tall. Six-foot-three on the low end, maybe as much as six-five. His grin was friendly and welcoming as he extended his hand to Ash. “I'm Matt Hamilton. Welcome to the ranch.”

Ash hesitated only a second before shaking. “I’m…” He stopped himself, unsure what he should actually say.

“You’re Captain Daniel Ash.”

“Yes,” Ash said with a sense of relief.

“Welcome, Captain. Why don’t you have a seat?” He gestured toward the couch.

Ash held his ground. “Excuse me if this sounds rude, but I’d like to know what the hell's going on.”

“Of course you would. I would, too, if I were you. What would you like to know first?”

“Let’s start with why I am here.”

Hamilton shrugged. “Easy enough. You needed someplace safe to hide.”

“And what am I hiding from?”

“That one is not so easy.”

Ash’s nostrils flared as he drew in a long breath.

“Hold on, Captain,” Hamilton said. “I’m not avoiding your question. It’s just that there are several different answers, and I’m trying to figure out which is the one you’re interested in at the moment.”

“That’s bullshit.”

Hamilton said nothing for a moment, then looked at Pax. “Can you give us a few minutes? Maybe make sure the captain’s quarters are ready?”

“You got it.” Pax nodded to Ash and left.

Once they were alone, Hamilton said, “You can stand, but if you don’t mind, I’m going to sit.”

Hamilton favored his left leg as he headed for the couch. He caught Ash looking at it as he sat down.

“I’m told a knee replacement will take care of the problem,” Hamilton explained. “Someday, I guess. When I have the time.”

Ash walked over. He thought about remaining on his feet, but it seemed a pointless protest so he took the seat across from the couch.

Neither man said anything for several seconds. Finally, Hamilton leaned forward. “By all rights, you should be dead.”

A faint sneer grew on Ash’s face. “I’m having a hard time believing anyone was planning on killing me. I only went with your people for one reason-to find out who murdered my family and why.” He hesitated, then added, “They did get me away from the explosion, so I owe you thanks for that.”

“You misunderstood me,” Matt said. “I wasn’t talking about the fact the order had been given to eliminate you before you woke, which it had been, or about the explosion, which wouldn’t have happened if you’d stayed.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“The disease. It should have killed you, too. But it’s my understanding that you never showed any effects of the illness. There were seventeen families living at Barker Flats. Seventeen families, all recent transfers to a base that, until two months ago, had been in mothballs. Of the sixteen families besides yours, none had any survivors. So what made you different?”

Ash stared at Hamilton in shock. “None? They’re all dead?”

A pause. “They are.”

Ash began breathing rapidly, his anger boiling just under his skin. He pushed himself up. “How many people?”

“There were fifty-seven total in the other families.”

“Fifty-seven?” With Ellen, Josie, and Brandon, that made an even…“Sixty total. My God.” He turned to the television. “It must be all over the news.”

Matt hesitated for a split second before saying, “It hasn’t been all over the news. There’s been no report whatsoever.”

“What?” Ash couldn’t believe it. He began pacing in the space in front of the door. Maybe the government didn’t want to cause a panic. The country took a pretty big hit after 9/11. Sure, everyone had rallied together, but there’d been so much confusion, too. “Do they know who did it? Have they found them?”

Matt took a longer pause this time before answering. “Captain, I will always tell you the truth. That’s the promise we make here. Sometimes, though, there are things that need to be held back. Perhaps someone isn’t ready to hear it yet, or perhaps the information is just too sensitive. When these situations arise, we won’t lie about it and try to cover it up, but the information will not be shared, either.” He paused. “There are things you don’t know and don’t understand. As soon as we’re completely sure we can trust you, you will be told. Just not now.”

“Trust me?”

“Just like you’re unsure whether you can trust us.”

As true as the statement was, Ash didn’t like hearing it. “What couldn’t you trust me with?”

“Is that a trick question?” Matt said. “Okay. How about this? The truth about what happened at Barker Flats.”

Ash stared at Hamilton. “Whatever happened killed my family! I have every right to know the truth!”

“I would feel the same as you,” Hamilton said calmly.

“Then tell me!”

“When the time is right.”

Ash stood motionless for several seconds then said, “Mr. Hamilton, I appreciate your hospitality, and whatever you did to help me get away from Barker Flats. There’s money still in my bag. Yours, I assume. I’ll leave it in the room. I don’t have any of my own to cover whatever expenses you might have incurred. I apologize for that.” He took a step toward the door. “If someone could show me the way to a main road, I’d be grateful.”

Hamilton considered him for a moment, then stood up. “It’s late. Spend the night and you can get an early start in the morning.”

“You’ll lock my door and keep me from leaving.”

Hamilton shook his head. “No. If you want to leave, we won’t stop you. But we also won’t be able to protect you.”

“I can protect myself.”

Hamilton nodded. “I’m sure you’ll do the best that you can. I only ask when they do track you down, you don’t mention the ranch or any of us here.”

“They won’t track me down.”

Matt remained silent for a moment, his expression blank. Finally, he said, “I’ll have Pax show you to your quarters. If you decide to stay the night, you’re welcome to join us for dinner at seven.”