Chapter 13
Mother suspended the clean out of new buildings during the planting. She made everyone put their efforts into the production of food, not the destruction of waste. Once their grains were in, they spent the last part of April and the better part of May tilling and prepping as many vegetable plots as they could reasonably care for, and by the end of May, had tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini, and herbs starting to grow in the front yards of the townspeople. Everyone would be responsible for their crops, but if they needed help, neighbors would pitch in. It was the only way they could think of to care for so much with so few hands. Nearly fifty people sounded like a big work force, but when it actually came down to it, the sheer amount of work they had to do threatened to overwhelm everyone.
Yet they pushed forward. During planting, days were long and they worked until there simply wasn't enough light. After planting, when grains and vegetables were in and the town was suffering under an unexpectedly warm early heat wave, Mother gave them all a week off while she regrouped. She spent her time planning, using Striker's skills to gather up as much information as she could, trying to see every aspect of the future of Newton. It wasn't until late June when she caught the whiff of rot carried on a strong wind after a brutal thunderstorm that she knew the clean out had to resume.
Chuck was eager to get back to work. He threw himself into the job with a gusto that Mother had to appreciate. It was creepy, but she still appreciated it. More and more, though, he and the handful of helpers were secluded from the rest. After long meals of careful observation, it became clear that the clean out crew themselves were just as much to blame, and she determined to let it run its course. If they needed space, they'd get space. She'd just keep an eye out for trouble against them.
The first burn in months took place the last week in June, and Mother stood in front of the pile wishing to be anywhere but that hot, sticky mountain top in front of a blazing fire. She had long since stopped wearing the rebreather mask, having gotten used to the smell, and was very glad she didn't have to wear yet another layer of gear that would just make her sweat more.
"Jesus. Think it's going to be this hot every year?" she called over her shoulder to Wolf.
Wolf pretended nothing bothered him, but away from the eyes of the townspeople, even he had removed his trench coat and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. He sat on a log he long ago rolled to the edge of the clearing and stared down into the valley below, wishing he could dive into the silvery river he could see by the light of the moon. It looked so cool, so refreshing.
"I would have thought those thunderstorms would break the heat," Mother continued. She always liked to talk during the burns, even though Wolf usually just sat and kept to himself. It kept her focus on anything but the task at hand. "You bring any water?"
"Yup. In the truck."
Mother jammed her poking stick into the soft dirt around the burn pile and walked to the truck. She found the bottles of water under the seat and cracked one open. She took a deep swig, then wiped her sweaty face on the towel she kept in the glove compartment. Usually she used it just to wipe off the worst of the ashes. She finished one water, grabbed another for Wolf, and slammed the door. She walked around the blaze and handed Wolf a bottle, which he took with a nod of his head.
"That's five hundred," she said, nodding to the fire.
"Five hundred what?"
"Shells," she said.
"You count them?" For some reason the thought horrified Wolf.
Mother shrugged and walked back to her poker. She pulled it out of the ground and pushed coals around. The fire hadn't been burning long enough to get a really good bed going yet, but even poking around in the coals was better than standing around bitching about the heat. There was a pop and she stepped back automatically, knowing the pile was about to shift, and as she did so, she lifted her gaze and stared through the flames into eyes.
Mother's heart thumped loudly in her chest and her grip tightened on the stick. A man stood across the fire staring directly at her. He was tall and dark, his eyes sharp and clear, and Mother got the distinct impression of danger.
"Wolf," she said calmly.
Wolf rolled his head to get the kinks out of his neck. God he hated the heat.
"Wolf," Mother said again with more urgency in her voice. The man across from her quirked an eyebrow. "We have a guest."
"What?" Wolf glanced over his shoulder, then jumped up and was by her side in the blink of an eye.
"Calm down, agent," the man said, holding up his empty hands. "I'm unarmed."
Wolf stared at the man for a second before his eyes narrowed. "I don't fucking believe this."
Mother looked from Wolf to the stranger. "You know him?"
Before Wolf could answer, the other man's face broke into a wide smile. "How ya doin', old dog"?"
"What are you doing here?" Wolf asked. Mother could feel the tension radiate off him.
"I'm checking out the great Newton, of course."
Mother had enough. "Who the hell are you and what do you want with my town?"
The man turned his smile on her. "And this must be Mother." He waved a finger at her. "If you didn't want people stopping by, you shouldn't have put out the invitation."
"What do you want, Stealth?" Wolf all but growled.
"Stealth?" Mother looked back across the flames.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, taking a small bow. "At your service. I take it you've heard of me?"
Mother shook her head. "No. Should I have?"
Stealth put a hand to his chest. "You mean your puppy dog didn't fill your head with tales of my debauchery and dastardly deeds? You wound me, Wolfie."
Mother was hot. She was tired. She had PMS and was decidedly cranky and in no mood for stupid games. She rubbed her temple and looked at Wolf. "Start talking."
"As I just said, this is Stealth. I don't know about debauchery, but he's a stone cold killer."
"Hey," said Stealth.
"A mercenary," Wolf clarified.
Mother saw anger flash in the firelight that caught in Stealth's gaze. "No more than you, agent."
The vein in Wolf's forehead throbbed. Mother had never seen him so angry. "Whoa, now. Let's all just take it easy..." she said, placing her hand on Wolf's forearm in an effort to calm him down.
"You have no business here," Wolf said, ice in every syllable.
"I don't think that's for you to decide," Stealth said, tipping his head to Mother. "I don't think that's ever been for you to decide."
The bastard was right, and Wolf turned to Mother. "He's a hired gun. A trained killer. He has no business here."
Mother turned to Stealth. "Are you here to kill me, then?"
Stealth let out a loud laugh that echoed in the night. "Oh, sweetheart. If I was going to kill you, you'd be dead. Even your lap dog can tell you that."
Mother looked to Wolf. He was fighting some internal war, but she knew he wouldn't lie.
"It's the truth," Wolf admitted grudgingly, as if the words themselves were made of acid.
Mother sighed. "Well that's good. I'd hate for him to join the pile so soon into all this." She waved a hand around her head and Stealth laughed again.
Stealth had spent a week watching. At one point, he was sure Wolf caught on. But no, the man was slipping, and that did not bode well for the woman they called Mother. He'd heard of Newton at the last base he visited. Apparently, Newton had a techie that was hijacking all kinds of government information, and the army was none too pleased. Not only were there fifty or so people who had organized away from an army base, but they decided to actually search for information as well. He had left that base and started east to check Newton out for himself when he stopped in a tent settlement. Once again, he heard the name Newton, as the people from that tent community were heading to the same place. They told Stealth about the leader, this Mother person who was inviting people to share information and trade knowledge. He double-timed it to town afte
r that, his interest thoroughly piqued.
Stealth spent a week watching the town, watching her. She wasn't what he expected. For one thing, she was far younger, and he wondered why people listened to her at all. But they did. They all did. He watched and got a feel for the daily cadence of the town. He watched the different groups work in the fields or build on to the big farm house at the top of the hill. He watched them lead in three new cows and wondered at the impromptu celebration that night.
But it was the funeral that made Stealth sure he wanted to stay and learn more. The previous morning, in the heavy, rolling fog, the townspeople began to gather in the barnyard. Intrigued, he watched as a woman in a wheel chair was rolled down a ramp by Mother. The woman was loaded into a jeep, then the townspeople walked behind the vehicle as they slowly made their way to a grassy field. Stealth followed, close enough to see but never be seen, and watched as they crossed the field, something placed in the lap of the woman in the wheelchair. A hole had been dug under a tree, and the white sheet-wrapped object was taken off the woman's lap and put into the ground. Mother said some words, and as she spoke, it became clear they were holding a funeral. At first, Stealth thought that maybe the thing in the sheet was the wheelchair lady's baby. Mother sang a sad song, and her voice was surprisingly good. Just when Stealth was sure the woman in the chair would break down, she began to laugh. And Mother laughed. And the town laughed, and then they packed up and left. It was such an amazingly bizarre scene that he had to know the story or he'd die of curiosity.
So he had watched them that evening and followed up the hill. He hung back until the fire blazed and there was a wall of safety, then stepped out. As he stood and watched the play of emotions across Mother's face, the thoughts he swore he could see forming in her eyes, he was glad he stayed.
"I'm not here to kill you," Stealth explained. "I'm here to warn you. And if you'll call off your guard dog, I'll come over and formerly introduce myself."
Mother looked to Wolf. "Your call," he said in a clipped tone that told her exactly what he really thought of it. She hesitated only a second before nodding.
"Fair enough," she said to Stealth.
The man grinned and pulled a scarf up over his mouth, then stepped around the fire and stuck out his gloved hand. "I'm Stealth."
Mother shook his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."
His eyes crinkled with his smile. "The pleasure is all mine." Wolf snorted and Stealth turned his attention on the man. "Oh, yes. Best not leave you out, agent. Nice to see you, too."
Mother felt the tension in Wolf, and knew it was about to snap. "You must be roasting with that scarf on," she said, trying to get Stealth's attention off Wolf.
Stealth stopped trying to stare Wolf down. He had never been able to crack the agent, and never would. Still, it was fun to try. He turned his eyes to Mother. "Roasting or not, I said I wasn't here to hurt you, and I meant it. I've been around some tenties you haven't."
"Tenties?"
He nodded. "Yes. Roaming bands of people living in tents. Tenties."
Mother nodded slowly. Made sense. "Still, it's got to be uncomfortable."
Stealth shook his head. "I don't mind. Keeps you safe, keeps me from picking up anything here."
It was something she hadn't considered. Different germ pools, new problems. "Shit. We've got that group coming up from Ohio," she said to Wolf.
"Do a quarantine," Stealth said, settling himself on the log Wolf had abandoned. "Six week standard should do."
Wolf ground his teeth together. Town stuff, as he put it, wasn't his business, but it grated that Stealth thought of things he did not. He watched Stealth take a bottle of water from his backpack and take a quick drink before putting the scarf back in place.
"Wolfie here knows the protocols."
Mother quirked an eyebrow, and Wolf determined to fill her in later. "What is it you want, killer?"
Stealth shrugged. "What everyone wants, old buddy. A home. A wife. A family. I have hopes and dreams too, you know."
What an odd man, Mother thought. She had no doubt Wolf was right. Stealth exuded a dangerous aura and when Wolf called him "killer", Stealth couldn't hide the effects of the truthful words. And yet, he laughed. And yet he joked. He clearly knew Wolf well, and kept calling him agent. Did they work against each other in the past? She sat down and decided she definitely wanted to know more. "IRA and fancy home?"
Stealth's smile spread. "You know it, baby."
"Cut the shit," Wolf said harshly. "What do you want here?"
"I find myself at ends, big dog." He turned his look to Mother. "I'm a compatriot without country."
Wolf scoffed. "Oh please. You're loyal to one person and one person only."
"Careful, agent. You overstep your bounds."
The tone of Stealth's words sent a chill up Mother and she tugged on Wolf's pant leg to get him to sit. "Let's all stop talking in circles. You two clearly know some insider info I don't, and frankly this pissing contest is already old."
Stealth laughed. "Oh, Wolfie, you found a good horse to back this time!"
Wolf sat. He didn't want to. He wanted to get rid of an old problem once and for all. But that was clearly not what Mother wanted, and he sat down, stiff and tense and ready. That Stealth could be in town and he hadn't even known scared the shit out of Wolf. "State your business and move on," Wolf commanded.
Stealth knew when he was about to push someone too far. It was his job to know. And right now, he was a hare's breath away from crossing the line with Wolf. He'd come close in the past, he looked forward to stepping right up to the edge in the future. But he wasn't stupid. He knew if push came to shove, it was a coin toss who would come out of a scuffle between them alive. "I heard about Newton and thought I'd come and see if my services could be used."
Mother's eyes went comically wide and it was all Stealth could do to not laugh. "I don't need anyone killed," she said in horror.
Stealth looked to Wolf and they shared a look of understanding. All differences aside, they both understood what she did not. She didn't need anyone killed yet. But she would. If she kept pushing forward, if she kept inviting people to her town, if she kept growing and gaining, the day would come where she most definitely would. The look of understanding passed between the two men, and Stealth took Wolf's unspoken warning. He'd tread lightly. "I assure you my talents vastly exceed killing. I'm a multitasker, really." He smiled to put her at ease. Wolf was annoying, but his lead had never failed Stealth yet and he'd follow.
Mother snorted. "Let me guess. You can kill and maim. Thanks, pass."
Stealth slapped his knee and hooted. "Oh, I like this one!" He shook his head and his eyes twinkled. "I happen to be a highly trained operative," he explained.
"Like a spy?"
There was a child-like excitement in her eyes that scared Stealth. Jesus, what was he getting into? Could she honestly be that young? A respect for Wolf and what he'd no doubt been through so far grew. "Like a spy," he said, with little humor.
"I don't need one of those either."
Wolf hated Stealth. He was a loose cannon with an utter lack of morals. He had no loyalty, he worked for the highest bidder. Stealth represented everything Wolf determined he'd never let himself become. But damned if the man wasn't right. He hated Stealth, but if the man could be trusted, he'd be an asset. "Why don't you let me catch up with my old friend?" Wolf said with no trace of a smile.
Mother leaned toward Wolf. "This is definitely town crap," she said quietly.
"This is definitely security crap," Wolf countered. Mother gave him a bland look and he shrugged. "Fine, it's both. So let me see what he's really up to and then you can decide from there."
Stealth didn't have to hear the conversation to know what was being said. He took another sip of his water and watched the interaction between the two. Everything about Mother's stance said she trusted Wolf completely, and everything about Wolf's said he was in deep. Interesting. He'd never seen Wolf take a
n actual interest in the person before, just the job. He'd beg if he had to, but Stealth was determined to stay through the winter, if only for the entertainment of watching Wolf squirm. The little discussion ended, and Mother stood and walked to the other side of the fire. Though she kept her eyes on them, she was far enough away so they could speak without being heard. Still, when Wolf walked over, he sat on the log next to Stealth, but faced away from Mother. Interesting indeed.
"Why are you really here?"
"Don't beat around the bush, old buddy."
"I'm not your buddy."
Stealth sighed at the venom in Wolf's voice. "But you could be."
Wolf didn't want to be, and they both knew it. "Either you start talking or..."
"You're slipping, agent," Stealth said in all seriousness. "I've been in town a full week."
The hairs on Wolf's neck stood up. He wanted to believe Stealth was just blowing smoke up his ass, but he couldn't. Hell, he knew he was slipping. He was all by himself in a job that should have had at least four others. He couldn't defend himself and didn't even try.
"The real question is," continued Stealth when Wolf remained silent. "What the hell are you doing here? What's she playing at?"
"Making a town."
Stealth snorted. "And then?"
Wolf shook his head. "No then. That's the plan. Make a town."
"What she's making is enemies."
Wolf knew she would eventually, but he was surprised it was happening so soon. "Who?"
"Who do you think? Come on. I know you've been holed up in this little corner of the woods for awhile now, but you know the players. The government, and right now, that's army."
Wolf frowned into the night. "What does the army care? Let her have her town."
Stealth laughed and caught Mother's gaze from the other side of the fire. She was standing so close to the flames that even from his vantage point, he could see the sheen of sweat on her brow. "Why does she do this herself?" Stealth asked, distracted by the sight.
Wolf frowned and glanced over his shoulder. "The burns?" When Stealth nodded, Wolf turned back towards the dark night. "She doesn't want anyone else to have the nightmares."
Stealth felt a weight settle on his shoulders as he stared at the mysterious woman across the fire. "You're not fucking with me, are you? She really is what she seems."
Wolf turned to look the man in the eye. "Yes." Stealth swore. Wolf had to agree.
"Jesus, Wolf. They're going to eat her alive, you know."
"Don't you think I fucking know that?" Wolf hissed.
The heated panic in the cool agent's voice told Stealth everything else he needed to know. "I'll stay and help."
Wolf wanted to reject the offer. In fact, if it had been about the town, or himself, he would have. He would have told Stealth to slink off and crawl back under his rock. But facts were facts, and if the army had already taken notice of Newton, Mother needed more than just Wolf at her back. He hadn't let pride get in the way of a job since he was young and green, and he wouldn't now. Wolf wasn't stupid, though, and he certainly wasn't going to blindly agree without knowing the stakes. He wouldn't protect her from one enemy by serving her up on a platter to another. "What's your price?"
It was a fair question. Still, Stealth winced. He'd tried to prove himself to Wolf in the past, and the man always jumped to the wrong conclusions. While Stealth wanted most people to do just that, while he took care to groom that very image in the eyes of most, he really didn't like the fact that he sold that picture so well to Wolf. He wanted to tell Wolf the truth, that he'd stay with no strings attached and do what he could. Wolf wouldn't believe that. Stealth had been so good at his job that anyone who knew him before wouldn't believe he could do anything for free.
"I need somewhere to plant my ass for the winter."
"Winter's months away."
"It'll be on us in a blink, and you know it. Figure my quarantine in, and it's what? Half through August before I can actually be part of the town. That's not a lot of time to find a lady and start shacking up before the snow flies."
Find a lady. The words rolled in Wolf's stomach. "Don't be getting any ideas in that direction," he warned carefully, nodding his head in Mother's direction.
A smile spread under the scarf and Stealth's eyes twinkled with glee. "Aw big dog, don't tell me you've laid claim to..."
"No," Wolf said firmly. "And neither will you."
Interesting indeed. "Well, now," Stealth said, stretching his legs out and crossing his arms over his chest. "The winter's long and lonely. Never know what the future holds."
"And I'm never five steps from her, so don't even think about it."
Stealth knew a legitimate threat when he heard it. There were very few people that could issue one against him and still live. He'd poked the Wolf long enough. He wouldn't make any promises one way or the other, and it if came down to a battle between the two of them, so be it. For now, he needed to calm the beast. "I get a place to live and meals."
Wolf's eyes narrowed. Stealth changed the subject entirely too quickly for his liking. He knew right then it would be an issue that would come back up. Wolf silently cursed life for making Stealth's presence necessary. But not liking something didn't make it untrue and he took a deep breath to try and accept facts. "What else? You never work so cheap."
Smart man. The glint in Stealth's eye twinkled brighter. "No questions asked."
"Can't do it."
"You have before," Stealth reminded Wolf quietly.
Wolf swore and looked out across the valley. He had used Stealth's unique set of skills, and he hadn't asked. He didn't want to know, and frankly, if that's what it took to keep the job safe, he had no personal qualms about Stealth's methods. He didn't. But Mother would. "She'll ask."
Stealth shrugged. "Let her ask."
Wolf snorted. "Let her ask? She finds out how you get things done and you'll be out."
"Look, Wolf. You and I both know that if she keeps doing what she's doing, the target on her back will grow. She's stealing state secrets. She's erasing government documents. Shit, she even wiped a whole FBI database!"
Wolf closed his eyes and dropped his head forward. "Oh fuck." So that's what she was doing with Striker late at night.
Stealth laughed. "You didn't know? Jesus, old man. You're slipping."
Wolf ran a hand down his face. "Okay, so what. So what if she's mucking around in all that shit? No one's left who should care."
Stealth snorted. "She's getting to stuff before they do. Of course they care. She's stripping their upper hand. You know what it like on the bases these days? Most of the people left were on Red Detail."
Wolf nodded gravely. He had personally been in the room with the handful of politicians that were left to issue the horrible, last ditch order to try and stop the spread of Pandora. Thousands of soldiers were dispatched to the towns the government considered to be on the front lines of the pandemic with one goal: stop the spread. Man, woman, child, elderly, infirm...it didn't matter. Every citizen was killed. Some units chose to shoot, going door to door in a sweeping fury. Some chose to gas the area, thinking it a more humane method. A few towns were bombed sky high. The hope was to create a biological barrier, giving the virus nothing new to infect and stopping it in its tracks. But Pandora was already wild. There was no stopping it, and the only thing Red Detail did was to create thousands of men who would spend the rest of their lives with innocent blood on their hands, thousands of men who had to live with the memories of shooting their friends, neighbors, children. It never seemed right to Wolf that those men got the benefits of gas masks and biological warfare protocol. In his opinion, the world would have been much better off if they died with the rest.
Stealth's words got more heated as he spoke, raw and honest with none of the usual bravado, and that spoke volumes. "It hasn't even been a year yet and society's shit. Absolute shit. Their minds got twisted, Wolf. You look in their eyes and they can't get past killing t
heir brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers. They're stuck. You've seen it. PTSD, only now, those are the people in charge. And not only are they in charge, they're strong-arming people to join them. They're lying. They're tricking the poor shits who didn't have the good sense to die with the rest into joining and being perpetual victims.
"So you've got the bases, where life is absolute hell. And then you've got the wanderers, the tenties. No more than scavengers trying to scrape by day to day. You think life's a picnic there? Huh? In the cities the mob families are already taking over. New York's a war zone that even I won't dare to enter!" He pointed across the fire. "And then you've got her, and about a handful like her across the whole country. Maybe five, six, scraping out a living, not for themselves, but for the others. You know, doing what people should fucking do. It's staggering how few are doing it. And she's totally clueless. She's got no idea what she started and what she's in for. Of course she's a target. She's doing what they all can't."
It was perhaps the longest Stealth had allowed himself to shoot straight with someone since he was an adult. He preferred to defer, evade, joke and jest and keep people guessing, and the speech left him drained. "I'm offering you help, Wolf, plain and simple. I'm not asking for anything but the basics of survival. Maybe I'm getting soft, but I want this to win. I want people like her to win, okay? I can't..." Stealth shook his head and swore, trying to get the rare bubble of emotion inside to settle. "I've seen some shit, right? And I can't get the image of the last base I was at out of my mind. You think they don't know they're going to lose in the end?"
Wolf knew it was probably the only truly honest thing he'd ever heard come out of Stealth's mouth. He knew the man was telling the truth. Wolf knew for himself that there was something special about Mother the first time he saw her, and he knew it would make her a target. He didn't know she was playing with the files she shouldn't even know existed, and he made a mental note to chew not only her out for it, but have a man-to-man with Striker as well. But what was done was done, and the enemy already knew. It put a new sense of urgency in his plan for Newton and Mother's safety. "Fine," Wolf said eventually. "I'll allow it. But it's not my call. And if you stick around, you're working for me."
Stealth laughed and slapped the man on the back. "Good one," he said, rising to cross to the fire. "I got the nod from your lap dog," he said to Mother, keeping the fire between them. "Part one of the interview is over. Now I'm told it's your turn." He took off his scarf and breathed in, then choked on the smoke.
"Why are you taking the scarf off?" Mother asked, used to the smoke and sickly sweet smell by then.
Stealth motioned to the fire. "You think my germs can get to you through that?" He watched Mother tip her head and consider as she poked at the coals. "Besides, it's hot as fuck." He took his coat off and tossed it behind him. "Don't get close, puppy," he said to Wolf.
Wolf sighed heavily. This would be fun. Yeah. Big, big fun. He rubbed his eyes and took out a pack of cigarettes and sat listening as Mother began to grill Stealth.
"Where are you from?"
"Most recently? Out west."
"Are there still outbreaks?"
"Yes."
Mother swore. "How many lived?"
How the hell should he know? "Not many."
"What's quarantine protocol?"
Stealth grinned at her from across the flames. "You like to hop subjects, don't you?"
Mother leaned on the poker and assessed the question. "Do I?" she asked Wolf.
"Yup," Wolf called over his shoulder.
"Huh." She never thought of it. She just asked what she thought of. "Well what else is there to know? People are still getting sick, lots of people died, not many people are left. What more is there to ask?"
Stealth's smile flashed again. "I guess not much."
Mother nodded. "Exactly. Now, what's quarantine protocol?"
"It's kind of a standard when populations mix. Not in modern times, but in times of plagues. And it's always been sort of a contingency plan, worst case scenario," Stealth explained.
Mother snorted. "I guess this qualifies."
That was an understatement. "Yes ma'am, I guess it does."
Mother thought about it for a second. "I don't see how keeping people apart will do anything to temper the germ pool."
She was a smart one, that was for sure. "It won't. But six weeks is about the longest it takes most viruses to show signs and symptoms. It's more of an observation period. Either someone will get sick, and you'll know to keep them away until the symptoms are gone, or they'll be fit as a fiddle and ready to mingle."
"Unless they are immune carriers." Mother noted the look of surprise on the man's face. "Don't look so shocked. I've been the town doctor for months. I've never considered a quarantine period for people coming, but I do understand the basics of spreading germs. You really think a full six weeks is necessary?"
Stealth shrugged. "Just telling you standard protocol. Your town, your call."
"Hm." Mother would have to give it thought. It made sense, and was yet another thing she hadn't considered. Every day it seemed that particular list grew. If she let herself think of all her inadequacies, she'd get a complex. She made a note to discuss quarantines with the group at the next meeting, placed it in a box in her mind, and shut the lid. "So tell me what brings a spy to my town."
She jumped subjects again and it tickled Stealth. "I heard Newton was a happening place and decided to come check it out."
"Happening, eh?"
"Very."
"And what, exactly, are you planning to do in my 'happening' town?"
"Oh, little of this, little of that. Help your dog herd sheep."
"I do not herd sheep," said Wolf, flicking his cigarette into the dark and quickly lighting another.
"I do the herding," Mother clarified. "He does the glaring."
Stealth liked her. He'd already half made up his mind to after observing her all week, but now he was sure. "What did you bury?" he asked out of the blue.
Mother frowned. "What?"
"Yesterday, at the funeral. I see you burn bodies. Good call, by the way. Most places still bury."
Mother's frown deepened. "You were watching?"
Stealth didn't even have the good grace to look embarrassed. "Sure was. So what was it?"
Mother didn't like the fact that she was spied on. She didn't like the fact that someone had sneaked in and silently watched. It chilled her to know that they were so vulnerable and she shivered in spite of the heat.
Stealth watched her face. She was uncomfortable, and he didn't miss the shiver. Good. At least Wolf had trained her enough to understand what it meant that he could sneak into town. She was visibly shaken, and that was a very good start. He'd needle a little further for now to hammer home his point, then back off. "Yeah, I was here all week. I like to scope a place out before I introduce myself." Her wide eyes caught his in the light and he saw fear and anger. "So what was it?"
Mother considered not telling him. She considered ordering him out of her town. She considered yelling and screaming. She considered all of these things in the span of about two seconds before she accepted not only their futility, but their sheer stupidity. While she didn't know the extent of Wolf's qualifications, she knew enough to understand that if he didn't notice Stealth prowling around, then Stealth was not only good at being a spy, but really good. And she knew if she tossed him out, he'd just prowl around again. It was clearly very easy for him to do, and nothing about the man said he'd give up with just a few angry words from her.
"Oh, come now, Stealth," Mother finally replied. "How good of a spy are you if you don't even know who the funeral was for?"
An excitement swelled in Stealth's chest. He was starting to understand why people listened to Mother. "I thought it would be rude to pry into someone's grief," he sparred back.
Mother's eyes twinkled. "I didn't know spies had such ethics."
Stealth put a hand on his che
st, loving the back and forth. This is what he needed, this is what he missed. He needed to have someone to talk to, to play with. "You wound me, Ma. Spies have hearts."
God Stealth was a handsome man. The fire highlighted the sharp angles of his face, his strong jaw, the dark, animated eyes. Mother knew he'd be a distraction in town. The ladies would all fall over themselves for a piece of him. She frowned slightly, considering. Maybe it would be a good thing. Maybe they'd have some babies to look forward to. Blaze was considered the young gun in town, and though he was certainly attractive, his personality left him lonely. This new spy was handsome and proving to be charming.
Stealth wondered what Mother was thinking. He could see the gears turning, but had no idea why. It didn't happen often, but in that moment, he was thoroughly stumped. "So what was it?" he asked again, not liking the feeling of uncertainty about anything.
"A leg," Mother said, his question bringing her back to the moment.
Stealth opened his mouth then closed it again. He frowned and tilted his head, a bemused smile on his face. "Did you just say you held a funeral for a leg?"
Mother looked up and flashed him a wide grin. "Yep, sure did. My friend Cora's leg. Our first casualty. It bravely gave itself in a farming accident and as soon as Cora was well, we decided to give it a hero's send off."
Not many things in life surprised Stealth. It was a refreshing sensation. He threw his head back and laughed. "In a million years, I never would have guessed a leg."
Mother pointed the fire poker at him. "See? I knew you weren't a very good spy. Didn't even notice Cora's stump, did you?"
He had, he just never put it together. A funeral for a leg? It was just so absurd. And yet, the townspeople had been into it. They all attended, they all laughed, they all followed her. He wondered who she was in the life before. He put his hands up to concede. "Fine, I'm a terrible spy. I should give up my spy glasses and all the fun gadgets and just be an accountant."
Mother snorted. "Good. I need someone to track inventory."
"I was joking."
"So was I. I'd never let you around my inventory. Spies have notoriously sticky fingers."
"You're thinking of pirates, not spies."
Mother waved a hand. "Same thing until I trust you." Her smile faded and she turned serious. "If Wolf approves, and since you're still standing here and not dead on the ground I'll take that he does, then he knows you'll have value here. I take his opinion to heart. I'll let you stay. There's an empty neighborhood just cleaned out," she motioned to the burning bodies. "I'll get a crew over there to scrub out a house for you and stock it with supplies."
"I can take care of my own supplies," he assured her.
"You're part of my town, you'll share in the store. That's how we work."
Stealth didn't argue further. It seemed very important to Mother.
"There's phone service still in most the town. If you need something, I'll give you the number to call up to the house. I think your idea of six weeks might be a little excessive, but then again, I only play a doctor on tv. What do I know?" Stealth smiled at the reference. "I'm taking a huge risk here, Mr. Spy. Don't make me regret it."
"I won't," he promised.
She nodded firmly. "Good. Then welcome to Newton!"
They spent the rest of the burn talking, Stealth sharing what information he knew about the state of the nation and Mother asking dozens of questions, some even he couldn't answer. By the time the fire had burned down and the bodies were little more than glowing embers, Mother felt like she had a better idea of Stealth, and he gained a deeper respect for her. Mother promised the house would be ready by mid morning, and reiterated her warning.
"I mean it. Screw me over and I'll let Wolf have at you."
Once again, Stealth promised he'd behave. After she an Wolf left, Stealth sat for long hours until well after dawn, staring in the fire and hoping that was true. For the first time in a really long time, he felt like he had a purpose, a goal, a place. And he'd do his level best to keep it.