The Valley of Dry Bones Read online

  Gabrielle looked crestfallen. “I need to sit down.”

  They all sat at the kitchen table. Gabrielle put a hand over her mouth and closed her eyes. Finally she looked sheepishly at Zeke. “You’re serious. You’re not toying with me.”

  “I wouldn’t, Gabi. And I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have said anything if I thought Doc hadn’t told you. You have to know how badly he wants this.”

  “Well sure, but I thought he might like knowing Alexis and I were abstaining, since we would just be trading votes anyway. I mean, it’s just a gesture, but it would be just like him to ask me to renege and vote for him now.”

  “Oh, surely not,” Alexis said.

  “Don’t abstain,” the Lord told Zeke. “Tell her you’re going to vote for him.”

  “Gabrielle,” Zeke said.

  “Hmm?”

  “I, uh—”

  “You okay, Zeke?” Gabrielle said.

  “Say it,” God said. “The result is in My hand.”

  “Um, if you feel you need to vote for your husband, you should.”

  “That’s not what I told you to say,” the Lord said.

  “What are you saying?” Gabrielle said.

  “I will vote for him too,” Zeke said.

  “Z!” Alexis said. “I just promised to abstain! I’m not going to—”

  “And you should keep that promise, Lexi,” Zeke said, looking knowingly into her eyes.

  “Oh, no!” Gabrielle moaned. “What am I supposed to do now? Alexis, you have to know I didn’t come here to try to trick you into abstaining so I could—”

  “Of course, Gabi! I know you better than that.”

  “And Zeke,” Gabrielle said, “I don’t understand. How could you abstain, cause this election, and now vote for Adam?”

  Zeke shrugged. “I just feel led, that’s all. Let’s trust the Lord in this. What’s supposed to happen will happen, right?”

  “Well, sure, I guess, but my idea was that Alexis and I would abstain just for friendship’s sake.”

  “Nothing will come between us, Gabi,” Alexis said. “I’m abstaining, unless Rasputin here gets it in his head that I’m supposed to vote for Doc too. You vote your conscience—really, do what you feel you ought to and don’t feel obligated even to tell me. Okay? Promise?”

  Gabrielle nodded, rising, and as soon as she was gone, Zeke told Alexis what had happened.

  “Well, I figured it had to be God, but good grief, Z, why don’t you just hand Doc the job?”

  He smiled. “‘Rasputin,’ really?”

  “You like that one? I was proud of it. Hey, do you trust her?”

  “I do. But I don’t know her the way you do. She’s your friend. Don’t you trust her?”

  Alexis nodded. “She wasn’t faking it. She was really conflicted. But you have to admit, if that had been Doc, he would have tried to get me to abstain, just like you, and promised that he and she would do the same—for the sake of friendship, right?”

  “Right,” Zeke said, “then they would both vote for him and basically see a four-vote swing.”

  “You don’t think he talked her into—”

  Zeke shook his head. “But even if he did, God assured me the result is in His hands. I want only what He wants, don’t you?”

  “Absolutely. As long as it’s not Pastor Doc.”

  “You are a rascal.”

  “You already know what I think you are,” she said. “But I promise not to call you that in front of anybody.”

  “I don’t,” Sasha said, making Zeke jump.

  “Oh, great. How much of that did you hear?”

  “Let me think, Rasputin.”

  “Terrific. Do we need to remind you . . . ?”

  Sasha pantomimed pulling a zipper across her mouth. “Actually, I was on my way out here when Miss Gabi knocked.”

  “So you heard all of it.”

  She nodded.

  “Sash! You know better than to eavesdrop! You should have—”

  “I know. Sorry. But sometimes adult stuff is so, I don’t know—I just wish I could vote.”

  “Dare I ask who you’d vote for?” Zeke said.

  “You kiddin’?” she said. “I could vote for Doc, Mom could vote for Doc, Doc and Miss Gabi and even Rasputin could vote for Doc, and those would be all the votes he’d get.”

  Zeke had trouble keeping a straight face, even when Alexis waxed serious. “Okay, Sasha, fun’s over. Got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You know you were wrong to keep listening.”

  “I do.”

  “To prove it, you’re going to show your maturity by never mentioning one word of this conversation again, ever. You know what that means?”

  “I think so.”

  “Tell me.”

  “We won’t talk about it, that’s all.”

  “Specifically, not even in jest,” Alexis said. “Tell me what I’m saying.”

  “Oh, Mom!”

  “Tell me.”

  “I can’t call Dad Rasp—”

  “Not even joking.”

  “Aw, c’mon!”

  “Unless you want consequences.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Thank you.”

  Sasha muttered something.

  “What was that, young lady?”

  “I said at least I got one in before the gag order.”

  “Lucky you.”

  Zeke went to bed at ten and set his alarm for 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, asking to be awakened only if Cristelle or Jennie took a turn for the worse or Raoul and Danley returned earlier than expected.

  He slept the slumber of the sleep-deprived and found it difficult to fully rouse himself when his alarm sounded. He hadn’t planned on showering, but having heard nothing of Raoul and Danley, he rushed through a cold one to ensure he would be fully engaged. A change of clothes would refresh him too, but Zeke was surprised when he didn’t feel right about slipping into his usual loose-fitting attire for padding about the compound after midnight.

  Pawing through his closet and drawers, he kept feeling drawn to his outside getup, the black outfit from boots to hat. It made no sense, but he didn’t feel comfortable even considering anything else.

  He was pleased to find Elaine Meeks on northeast scope duty, the direction from which the supply runners would come. If he could count on anything from her, it was encouragement.

  “Nothing yet?”

  “No,” she said, “but they should return in separate vehicles if all went well. I’ll be eager to see what they come back with for Dr. Xavier’s family. Well, look at you. Going somewhere?”

  “Ah, never know.” He checked his watch. “I would have expected some sign of them by now, wouldn’t you?”

  “Want the next look?” she said, switching places.

  They traded off this way for the next thirty minutes until he grew deeply worried. He didn’t hide that from Mrs. Meeks, but when Benita showed up looking for news of Raoul, he quickly affected nonchalance. She was clearly on the verge of tears.

  “It’s almost one, Zeke. They have never been this late before. What’s going on?”

  “Oh, no, Benita, look, I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re not back till three or even a little after.”

  “Katashi said midnight!”

  “I know, but he shouldn’t have. He forgot they got away a little late, had to take a longer route, and all they’ve got to do this time. You should try to sleep, because—”

  “Sleep! There’ll be no sleeping! I been prayin’, and there was clouds on the horizon this morning, and—”

  “Oh, we would have heard if that had come to anything. Don’t worry about that. No, remember, Doc is looking for some different medicine for both Cristelle and Jennie, and they had to shop for another vehicle. Then they’re driving back separately but they want to stay close enough to keep track of each other without attracting attention, all that. It’s way too early to be concerned, okay?”

  “What’re you doin’ down
here then?”

  “Just keeping an old lady company,” Elaine said. “You know how boring this can get this time of night.”

  “Go back and get some rest,” Zeke said. “If I don’t have him to you by three, come and check on me again, okay? I don’t really expect it will be before that. This is a much more complicated run. That’s why I chose Raoul as my main man for it.”

  “Now you’re just teasing me.”

  “Come on, Benita! You know what I think of him! Now go.”

  Usually nothing appeared blacker than drought-stricken California looking east in the wee hours of the morning with zero traffic. At least this Tuesday morning there was a quarter moon and the stars shone bright. Headlights would be visible from two miles, and the longer Zeke waited and the more he strained to see something, anything, the more he fidgeted.

  Ninety minutes later, all Zeke could think of was how many things could have gone wrong. Doc ordered his prescriptions through a medical group with an address in Lake Havasu City, and the holdouts’ vehicles were titled and licensed in Arizona to avoid attracting attention. The partners in the medical practice supported the mission and kept Doc informed of technological advancements, sent him the latest literature, and even let him know when he had to be in Arizona to keep his board certifications up-to-date. But still, every time supply runners picked up prescriptions, Zeke felt as if they were under scrutiny.

  With Jennie Gill as ill as she was, Zeke knew Doc was prescribing heavy-duty drugs, but he couldn’t imagine they were beyond the norm for a bustling Arizona practice serving an aging clientele.

  Could Raoul or Danley have run into a problem buying a vehicle? Sure, the holdouts paid the bulk of their auto purchases in cash, but car dealerships preferred that. They never borrowed, covering balances with cashiers’ checks issued through reputable institutions.

  Zeke was glad to have the pleasant Elaine to chat with, but he found he had to be on guard to keep from getting into too much behind-the-scenes stuff. She was a trusting soul who believed the best about everyone, and he had no interest in bursting her bubble. She wasn’t oblivious to Doc’s abrasive personality, but even when she brought up something concerning him, she proved circumspect.

  “I assume you realize the vote for pastor is a foregone conclusion,” she said. “I’m glad Katashi announced the secret ballot so Doc won’t be embarrassed. Losing alone will be enough of a blow.”

  “I never assume anything, Elaine.”

  “You know everyone loves you, Zeke.”

  “Well, I appreciate that, but Doc is a gifted man who has served everyone well when we needed it most.”

  “Sure, but—”

  “I’ll accept either outcome as God’s will.”

  “That is why it will be you,” she said, hidden behind the lenses of the periscope.

  Zeke glanced at his watch. It was pushing 2:50 a.m. The last thing he wanted was Benita taking him up on his offer to check back with him at three. Maybe if he quit obsessing and just continued the conversation with Elaine. “I have plenty on my plate already.”

  “Like most bosses, God seems to choose busy people to—oh, Zeke, come look. I’m detecting something. But only one set of lights.”

  Zeke nearly knocked her over. “Sorry!”

  “I’m fine. Am I right? Just one car?”

  “Looks like it. And advancing fast. Hope it’s one of ours. I’ve forgotten now what they left in. Check the log there, would you, Elaine?”

  He heard pages turning. She read off, “AWD C300.”

  “Oh yeah, the all-wheel-drive Chrysler 300.”

  It was the smallest vehicle in the fleet but had good power and maneuverability. Mahir had outfitted it with a fuel-injection converter that ran it efficiently on an economical hybrid blend that also allowed it to really fly when necessary. Whoever was behind the wheel apparently felt it necessary now. The car was zigzagging from the usual route this close to the compound.

  “Elaine, get down to the garage and open the door, but make sure the inside lights stay off. Don’t make him wait to get within range to open it himself.”

  “Shouldn’t you go while I keep an eye on him from here?”

  “No, because I’ll be able to tell if it’s not the 300 and will give you two clicks on the walkie-talkie if you need to abort. You know what to do then.”

  “Shut the door and hit the rally button.”

  “Exactly.”

  That would keep an intruder out, wake the adults, and bring them running, armed, to prearranged posts.

  “You’re ready, right, Elaine?”

  “Of course. And despite anyone else’s misgivings, you know I’ll do whatever I have to do to defend myself or any of my brothers or sisters. Even Mahir. What do you do about him if we’re breached?”

  That gave Zeke pause. “If I thought he was behind the breach, I’d leave him right where he is. Otherwise, I’d let him out, toss him a weapon, and take my chances.”

  18

  THE RETURN

  “IT’S THE 300, Elaine,” Zeke barked into the walkie-talkie. “Hurry back here so I can get down there.”

  As soon as he saw her, Zeke sprinted past Elaine to the garage. He called over his shoulder, “If it’s Raoul, I’ll click twice and you can let Benita know we’re on our way!”

  Raoul and Danley had had several errands to run, including picking up the meds at the pharmacy and shopping for a car for Doc, and then Zeke assumed Raoul would drive the Chrysler back and Danley whatever they bought. But he also figured they would return together, so he couldn’t be certain who was behind the wheel.

  The Chrysler came sliding in, tires screeching, headlamps illuminating Zeke as he stood by the overhead door control. As soon as the back end cleared, he hit the button, and when the door hit the floor, he switched on the lights and saw Raoul emerge. Zeke clicked his walkie-talkie twice as the Mexican slammed the car door and rushed to embrace him.

  “Danley?”

  “I don’t know, man. I lost him about twenty miles back, but we had a signal—”

  “Twenty miles? We never leave a man—”

  “Hear me out, amigo. First I gotta see Benita, and then I’ll tell you everything.”

  “She knows we’re coming.”

  Raoul popped the trunk and they each stacked three post office–style cartons filled with books, magazines, snacks, and pharmaceuticals to lug into the compound. When they reached the Commons, Benita came running and grabbed Raoul’s boxes, slinging them on the table while jabbering at him in Spanish. She showered him with kisses and wrapped herself around him head to toe.

  “Thanks for the help, Benita,” Zeke muttered.

  She peeled herself away from Raoul and pointed at Zeke, smiling through tears. “You’re on your own, gringo.”

  “Enough welcoming, Mexicali Rose,” Zeke said. “Let me debrief him.”

  “I put some food on,” she said. “Hungry?”

  “Sí!” Raoul said. “I ain’t eat since about two.”

  “The yanqui won’t like it,” she said, leading them down the hall. “But I got enough anyway.”

  Zeke walkie-talkied Elaine Meeks and told her to let him know as soon as she saw any sign of Danley. “Hey, Raoul, what’s he driving?”

  “You won’t believe it, man. A Land Rover.”

  “Tell me it’s not as nice as the one Doc had.”

  “Almost.”

  As soon as Raoul returned from the bathroom and dropped onto the couch, Zeke said, “So what happened? Do I need a search party?”

  Raoul kicked off his boots. “If he’s not here soon. And I’ll go with you.”

  “You kidding? You have to be exhausted.”

  “But like you said, we don’t leave people. He flash me three times about twenty miles back, our signal that he pick up a tail and he gonna shake ’em.”

  “By going which way?”

  “South. And he’s a good driver. No way he lead ’em here. Still, I don’t like leavin’ him. I almost go
back.”

  “You did the right thing, Raoul. We can’t have you both out there, not knowing where you are. When do you think he should be here?”

  “No more’n twenty minutes.”

  “Did you really not get there till two?”

  “It took us forever, man, like almost three hours longer than usual.”

  “But you still wanted your reward.”

  “’Course! Makes that loco drive almost worth it, you know?”

  Raoul was talking about the privilege supply runners got for their five-hundred-mile round trip: a sit-down meal of their choice, even if it meant a different restaurant for each man.

  “You didn’t go all the way up to that place on the Colorado?”

  “Lo siento.”

  “You’re sorry. Raoul!”

  “But it was the only place we went. We couldn’t find one Haitian place anywhere, so Danley agree he try Mexicano. And Rio Cantino is—”

  “The best, I know.”

  “El más auténtico!”

  “Yeah, but Parker Dam is so far, and—”

  “But right on the river, man, and Danley loved it. It was worth it.”

  “You still think so? Even now?”

  Raoul shrugged as Benita set plates before them. “This is authentic,” she said. “Even if the meat is reptile.”

  “Gracias, novia,” Raoul said, then turned to Zeke. “Rio Cantino make us only a little more late. We eat fast and drive straight back to Parker, where we had left the prescriptions. But something wasn’t right, man. The pills, they weren’t ready.”

  “How long since you’d left them?”

  Raoul made a face. “More than an hour. Maybe two. Okay, more than two hours.”

  “Somebody new in there?”

  “No, but the guy was actin’ strange. He wouldn’t look at me. He say it was bigger order than usual and some different medicines. ’Course I knew that, but I didn’t let on, you know?”

  “Good. Did he say he had to order them from somewhere else or anything? What was the holdup?”

  “No, he just say it gonna be a little longer. So while me and Danley are pickin’ up supplies, an Indian comes in from one of the tribes we work with, only I don’t remember which one.”

  “What? We don’t work with any tribes there.”