Richard Stephenson - Collapse

Richard’s son walked to the back of the RV and slid the partition closed. The old man waited for the sound of the movie to drown out their conversation, “I’m no fool, mister. That boy back there looks just like you. You’re his daddy, I know that. I’m sure you’re worried about Chrissy, and you should be.”

“Sir, I didn’t get your name,” asked Richard.

“Morris Jackson.”

“My name is Richard. What do you think happened to her?”

“Well, that’s just it. I’m not sure. I’ve been trying my hardest to get the truth outta that boy. He has his mother believing the story he made up. Barbara believes everything that boy tells her. She refuses to admit that our son has problems. We’ve raised him up to be a God fearing, Christian man, but he…”

“Morris, I got him to tell me the truth and I need your help.”

“Oh Lord help that boy. Chrissy not with that family? She not meetin’ us here?”

“She’s with the family, sir, but they’re not meeting us here. Your son sold my daughter for a tank of gas.”

As Morris began to weep uncontrollably, Richard continued. “Sir, I need your help if I’m gonna get Chrissy back. I’m hoping you met this family and can describe their RV to me.”

“Oh Lord Jesus! That sweet girl! What did he do to that precious girl? Lord in heaven above, I beseech thee to keep that innocent lamb safe from harm! Please Jesus, please!” Morris fell to the floor and pleaded and begged through desperate tears. “Oh Heavenly Father, I beg of you to spare that innocent child! Please!”

Richard was uncomfortable listening to the man pray. Richard believed in God but was cursed with the memories associated with the Winchester Street Baptist Church. Worship had never been the same since Oswald Jefferson and that fateful day. Richard waited until Morris was done petitioning the Almighty and helped him up off the floor.

“Morris, you can help me save my daughter. Tell me about the family, and try to remember what the RV looked like.”

“Mister, I’m afraid I can’t help you. I never met them or saw the RV.”

“Your wife?”

“No, sir, she would have never let Chrissy go with anybody. No way, no how.”

Richard closed his eyes as crushing despair fell down on him. He only had one course of action — kidnap Chad and double back down Interstate 25. “Morris, I’m gonna have to take Chad with me so I can track down my little girl. I trust my son is in good hands?”

“Absolutely. I will protect him to my dying breath.”

“Sir, you have my sincere gratitude. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“If we’re not here in the RV, then we’ll be down in this bunker place that’s supposed to be here.”

“Thank you.” Richard exited the RV and raced back to the spot where they’d confronted Chad. He looked around but couldn’t see Tank in the immediate vicinity. Then Richard saw several people running and decided to follow them. He rounded an RV and was shocked to see two uniformed police officers. One was an absolutely gorgeous woman, and the other was a man in his early forties with a very noticeable limp. They had their weapons drawn and pointed at someone. Richard walked around the crowd to get a better look.

Tank was standing with both arms raised in the air. In his left hand he was holding up Chad by his hair. In his bloody right hand he was holding a chunk of torn flesh from Chad’s neck. Richard looked at Chad’s face, his eyes open and vacant. Chad was dead. He was on his way to hell to meet Oswald Jefferson and share with him the secret of Chrissy’s whereabouts. Richard’s face turned red, and the veins in his forehead bulged. He balled his fists as he looked at Tank and howled in rage.

He was going to kill that motherfucker.

Chief Maxwell Harris and Sergeant Elizabeth Reed were sitting in their SUV a mile away from Beck Estates. The two police officers couldn’t believe what they were seeing in front of them.

“Son of a bitch,” said Max.

“What’s the plan, boss man?” asked Elizabeth.

“I have no idea.”

“I feel much better. Glad to know you’re on top of things.”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

“I don’t have any.”

“You’re a big help.”

“Hey, I’m just along for the ride.”

In the valley below them stood the largest house they had ever seen. While the house was impressive enough to take their breath away, what concerned them was the military base being built across from the main gate. It was massive. Row upon row of temporary buildings had been erected, and an entire platoon of soldiers stood guard at the main gate of Beck Estates. Max and Elizabeth watched in awe as a formation of helicopters took off from an adjacent field and headed south.

“And to think I pictured us just knocking on the front door.”

“Not thinking that’s an option.”

“Clearly.” Max had no idea what to do. He thought about just turning around and driving back to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico to pick up Dr. Stone. They had come too far to turn around. The military force in front of him had kidnaped four innocent civilians against their will. Their poor families deserved an explanation.

Elizabeth turned to face Max. “You know they’re not just going to let us sit here. Pretty soon they’re going to send someone up here to find out what we’re doing.”

“Did it cross your mind that we might be drafted into military service?”

“I would look positively stunning in a military uniform. Your crippled ass probably wouldn’t make the cut. If they did let you in, you’d be sitting in front of a desk shuffling paperwork.”

“You’d look stunning in a potato sack. And you’re definitely right. I don’t see me passing any physicals.”

“What do you want to do?”

“The only thing we can do — drive up to the front gate and demand to speak to someone in charge.”

“Probably shouldn’t make any demands. I’d stick to saying pretty please.”

“Good idea.”

Max drove forward very slowly. When he was a few hundred yards from the front gate, he flipped a switch and the red and blue lights on the roof lit up. He figured it was a good idea to display a little authority. Twenty yards shy of the gate, an armed soldier signaled for him to stop.

“State your business,” said the soldier in a stern voice.

“I’m here to see your commander.”

“Sir, I need to see credentials for both of you.”

“Of course.” Max and Elizabeth reached into their shirt pockets and pulled out their badges. Max handed both ID wallets to the soldier and waited as he inspected them closely.

“I need to inspect your vehicle. Please step out and surrender your firearms.”

“Sure thing.” Max and Elizabeth slowly stepped out of the SUV and handed over their weapons.

The first soldier spoke, “Chief Harris, what brings you to our nation’s capital?”

Max and Elizabeth exchanged puzzled looks. “I’m searching for four missing persons. I was hoping that your commander might be able to share some information that would aide in the search.”

“Sergeant! Come take a look at this!” said one of the soldiers searching the SUV. The first soldier placed Max and Elizabeth’s IDs in his front pocket and walked to the back of the SUV. He glanced in the back and walked back to Max.

“Chief, I need you explain why the back of your vehicle is full of gasoline.”

Max smiled. “Not a lot of gas stations open these days. We’ve come a long way.”

“Very true. This is what I’m going to do. I’m going to fill out a confiscation form and store the gasoline in a secure area. Once you leave, it will be returned to you. I’m sure you understand the precaution.”