Scavenger Read online

  They’d had their breakfast and the Suburban was warmed up the next morning, when Jimmy said, “Hang on a minute. I want to uncover the outside basement entrance.”

  She followed him around the building to unit #4. Under the living room window he began to dig. Lucy follow suit, having taken up a shovel when Jimmy did. It only took a few minutes to uncover and open the door.

  “That was a nice thing you did,” Lucy said, “Letting them have the basement, too. Like the others.”

  “Bah! Humbug!” Jimmy said, half under his breath. Lucy just smiled.

  Jimmy was cautious when he pulled up to the fifth quadraplex. The tenants had been pleasant enough when he stopped in on his first trip. He wasn’t counting on the same greeting. But there were children playing in the yard. “Just the pistols,” Jimmy said. He looked over at her. Lucy was looking at the children. “Don’t get distracted,” he said, as kindly as he knew how.

  Lucy started guiltily, but nodded. They both got out of the Suburban and were immediately mobbed by the children asking questions. Who they were, where did they come from, could they have a ride?

  Jimmy led the way, wading through the children, until he got to the front door of Unit #1 of the quadraplex. He knocked on the door.

  A totally amazed, buxom woman, in a skin tight blouse answered. “Hi. I’m Jimmy Holden. I’m here to collect the rent.”

  “George!” roared the woman over her shoulder. A big man, one of the ones Jimmy had talked to on his earlier trip, came running from the kitchen.

  “Oh,” he said, sliding to a stop. “It’s you. The rent guy.” Jimmy nodded.

  “All we gots extry is fire wood. You didn’t want it before.”

  Lucy suddenly touched Jimmy’s shoulder and jerked her head. Approaching from around the corner was a very dapper looking man for the times, dressed in black, carrying a black walking stick, with a single action revolver in a black holster on a black gun belt.

  “I’m the law here,” he said. “What is the problem? I heard Mrs. Haverton call out.”

  “I’m Jimmy Holden. Here to collect the rent.”

  “Let’s see the proof.” Jimmy handed it to the man in black.

  “It’s real, George. Pay up. That firewood you’ve been saving up since I’ve known you.” The man in black handed Jimmy back the documentation. “I’m in #2,” he said. “Come around when you’re done here and I’ll give you my share.”

  Jimmy nodded and turned back to George. “Still don’t need the firewood, but someone will. I’ll find a trade for the wood and come back.” He wasn’t asking. He was telling.

  Jimmy and Lucy went to the door of #2 and knocked. The man in black opened it. “I’m Sheriff Anthony Jones. I was told gold and/or silver was acceptable.” He pulled a leather coin case from a pocket of his black leather vest. “A tenth ounce of gold per month or equivalent.”

  Jimmy nodded and the man took a one-ounce gold Krugerrand from the coin case. “I assume you can make change. I’ve been here seven months.” He was looking Jimmy straight in the eye.

  Jimmy’s small smile curved his lips. “Sure. Unless you want some firewood.”

  The Sheriff looked startled.

  “I plan to trade off the firewood. I can’t take it all with me. I’m giving you first chance at it, at a discounted rate. I like having the law living in my place.”

  “Yes. One does. How much?”

  “Let’s see how much there is.”

  They walked around the quadraplex to where the wood was neatly stacked and covered with old tarps. “Looks to be fourteen cords,” Jimmy said. “A cord a month for the rent. Makes it a tenth-ounce per cord. Twenty-one tenths for the seven months’ rent and fourteen cords of wood. Make it easy and call it two-ounces even.”

  Lucy could tell that the Sheriff was reluctant, but he gave Jimmy another Krugerrand. “Thank you,” Jimmy said his smile larger now, and not quite the same.

  He and Lucy went back to the quadraplex and knocked on the door to #3. George had come out and stood out of the way while Jimmy and the Sheriff were looking at the firewood. “I think the Tanenbaughm’s are both working. In town, at the old hotel.”

  “Thanks,” Jimmy called. “By the way, I made a deal for the firewood. You’re paid up.” He went over to the door of #4 and knocked. It was opened by a woman with a very large revolver pointing at Jimmy.

  Jimmy didn’t flinch, though Lucy stepped back. “Just here to collect the rent,” Jimmy said. “I don’t remember you from my last trip.”

  “I’m new. Only been here a few months. They said someone would be here for the rent. I didn’t believe them.”

  “Should have,” Jimmy said his voice even. “You can pay, or you can leave.”

  The woman hefted the revolver. “This says I won’t.”

  “No it doesn’t,” Jimmy said, snatching the gun from the woman’s hand before she could react. He handed it back to Lucy. “Look,” he continued. “I’m not unreasonable. Anything of value is acceptable.”

  The woman leaned out of the door and looked at Lucy, and then back at Jimmy. “If you didn’t already have a woman, I’d let you take it out in trade.”

  Before Jimmy could say anything, Lucy spoke up. “We aren’t together like that. He can have you if he wants to. I’ll wait in the truck.”

  “I do not want to take it out in a trade like that!” Jimmy said forcefully. “Anything of value will do. Except that.”

  “Your loss,” said the woman. “I’m very good. I don’t like to spend my gold and silver. How much that way?”

  “Tenth-ounce of gold per month. How long have you been here?”

  “Seven months,” she replied. Neither Lucy nor Jimmy commented on the fact she’d been there the same amount of time as the Sheriff.

  “Seven-tenths an ounce total,” Jimmy said.

  “I guess it is easiest. And I can get more.” She glared at Jimmy. “Expect chickens and a pig next year.”

  “That will be fine,” Jimmy said.

  The woman reached into her cleavage and pulled out a silk bag. She counted out the seven-tenths of an ounce, giving Jimmy a very warm half-ounce Eagle, and two equally warm tenths.

  “Thank you,” Jimmy said. Lucy handed him the revolver and Jimmy handed it to the woman. “I’ll see you some time next year.”

  She closed the door in his face.

  “Let’s go find the Tanenbaughm’s,” Jimmy said, turning to Lucy.

  Lucy found herself smiling as she looked out the passenger window as Jimmy drove them toward the town’s downtown district. The hotel was easy to find. It looked like it was the center of action, post war. There were three vehicles and half a dozen horses near the entrance. Jimmy parked and he and Lucy went in.

  “We’re looking for the Tanenbaughm’s,” Jimmy told the first person they saw. The woman was at one of several desks scattered about the lobby. She pointed toward the reception desk. Jimmy and Lucy went over.

  “Mr. Tanenbaughm?” Jimmy asked the man sitting behind the long counter.

  “Yes,” the man said, looking up. “Oh. You. You did come back. The wife said you would. I didn’t think so. Figured someone would have killed you by now.”

  “Not yet,” Jimmy said. “What do you have for me?”

  “It will have to wait until I’m off work. Meet me down at Bronson’s at four.”

  “Bronson’s?” asked Jimmy.

  “The town butcher.”

  Jimmy nodded. “We’ll find it. Four o’clock.”

  When they were back in the Suburban, Lucy asked, “Are we going to empty the cache?”

  Jimmy shook his head. “I don’t think so. I don’t completely trust that Sheriff. Think I’ll wait on this one.” They killed the time checking out the small town. It seemed to be making a real comeback. The government, such as it was, was based at the hotel. There seemed to be activity on many of the streets. People were friendly wherever the pair stopped. Having seen the sign at the butcher shop, Jimmy pulled up and parked right
at four.

  Lucy went inside with Jimmy after he locked the Suburban. Tanenbaughm came in only moments later. Tanenbaughm went over to the counter and spoke to the clerk. “I’m here for that meat,” he said.

  “Meat?” Jimmy asked.

  “Yes. My brother raises beef and swine. I help him out and he gives me part of his harvest. I’ve had part of it preserved as my rent.”

  “Sounds okay to me,” Jimmy said.

  The butcher went into the back and came back a few moments later carrying a large tote. He set it down on the counter and went back to get four more of the totes.

  “Jerky, some hams, bacon, summer sausage. Everything will keep until you get it back home,” Tanenbaughm said. “I hope it is enough. I don’t really have anything else to give you.”

  “It’ll be fine,” Jimmy said. “Hickory smoked?”

  The butcher nodded. “Salt cured hams, hickory smoked. The bacon, too. The summer sausage is a standard mix. The jerky is plain. Just a touch of salt.”

  Jimmy and Lucy carried everything out to the Suburban, with Tanenbaughm’s help. They shook hands and then Jimmy and Lucy drove off, headed for the sixth and last quadraplex. On the way, Jimmy explained what had happened on the first trip out.

  They took their time getting to the last quadraplex, camping out beside a river a couple of days to replenish their water, and take the opportunity for a quick, rather cold, swim. When they reached the town, Jimmy went directly to the quadraplex. Again he was told to leave and not come back.

  Jimmy found a good spot to camp outside of town, and they set up camp. As he had before, Jimmy uncased the Barrett and went hunting. It went much the same as it had at the other hostile holding, except it took four days of sniping before the group cut and ran during the fifth day, as Jimmy watched through the Swarovski scope on the Barrett.

  He continued to watch for two more days, carefully scouting the area. Sure enough, he found two snipers waiting, with the rest of the group holed up nearby. He eliminated the snipers, and put two rounds into the group’s new temporary home. Jimmy tracked the group when they left, until he was sure they were headed away from town permanently.

  It had taken a week, but Jimmy and Lucy had occupancy of the quadraplex. Like the first one they’d liberated, this one was a pig sty. They began to clean it up. Besides the cache they recovered, Jimmy and Lucy loaded up what firewood had been left from the previous winter, and the few useful items the squatters had left behind. During that time, several curious people cautiously approached, to see what all the commotion in the area had been about.

  Jimmy explained that it was his property and he’d run off squatters unwilling to pay rent. Though, like the other quadraplexes, this one had to have water brought in, it was set up well for the cold winters and was therefore of prime interest to those with less amiable accommodations.

  In no time Jimmy had five new renters, by opening up the basement and renting it out separately, after removing the cache. It was another small town making a comeback. All the new renters were agreeable to the rent Jimmy was asking, particularly since it could be paid in goods. All five families knew one another and were cooperating on several enterprises. They would pay the rent as a group.

  One of the enterprises was biodiesel. Jimmy was able to refill the empty fuel tanks on the Suburban and trailer for just two tenth-ounce Eagles, two hams, a side of bacon, and three summer sausages. In addition to the fuel, the exchange netted them some winter left over potatoes, carrots, and onions.

  With summer in full swing, refueled, and with plenty of food from the rent payments, trade, and recovered caches, Jimmy asked Lucy if she wanted to go back to the farm.

  “Not really,” she said. “I know we have to go back before winter, but I’m in no hurry.”

  “Well,” Jimmy replied, “I consider my first quadraplex a lost cause, but I guess I could check it and see if I can clean it up and put it back in use.” He explained what had happened and Lucy made a face. “Ew! How do people live like that?”

  “It finally got to them, I guess. There was nobody there when I pulled the cache. I’m not really sure it is worth it. I may just pull the wood stoves and let it go at that.”

  “That sounds like a very good plan,” Lucy said with a smile.

  They took their time, camping out in wooded areas and going through the towns on the route without stopping until they got to the quadraplex. Wildlife was making a strong come back in the area, despite the heavy hunting and since they weren’t actively hunting, Jimmy and Lucy often got close looks at the wildlife.

  Then they were at the quadraplex. And much to their surprise, especially Jimmy’s, all four units were occupied. They got out of the Suburban and Jimmy introduced himself. Like another of the quadraplexes, this one was tenanted by an extended family clan.

  “I’m Joe Gladstone,” said the senior member of those that came out of the building to greet Jimmy and Lucy. Weapons were around, Jimmy noted, but there were no threatening moves of any kind.

  Jimmy heard a generator running. It looked like all of the yard space of three of the units was garden. The fourth yard had obviously been disturbed, but had grass growing on it.

  “How did you decide to move in?” Jimmy asked. “When I checked a little over a year ago, there was a foot and a half of sewage in the basement, and the pipes were all busted up.”

  Joe replied, “I’m a plumber. Wasn’t that much trouble to pull the floor drain grate and flush the basement out, and scrub it down with swimming pool chlorine. Fixed the plumbing, put in a septic system, well and generator. With the wood stoves in the units, and the way they are built, it was no real problem. You aren’t going to try to make us move out, are you?”

  Jimmy shook his head. “I’ve been collecting rent on my other properties, had essentially abandoned this one. Since you’ve done so much to recover and put it back into use, I’ll just have to give the deed to you.”

  Joe’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

  Jimmy nodded. He went back to the Suburban, opened up his briefcase and took out the deed. He signed it over to Joe and gave it to him as Lucy looked on.

  “Well, consider yourselves always welcome at our door,” Joe said, taking the deed gingerly.

  “Since you mention it, and you have running hot water, and we’ve been camping out the last several weeks, I wonder if we might use one of the showers?”

  “Why, certainly!” Joe boomed. “Annabelle, show these nice folks to our bathroom.”

  “Come along, honey,” Annabelle said, leading Lucy toward the building. “Ladies first.”

  “Let me get my bag,” Lucy said eagerly. She went to the Suburban and then followed Annabelle.

  Joe and Jimmy sat down at Joe’s kitchen table and discussed the surrounding area while Lucy was getting her shower.

  It was near noontime, and Joe and Annabelle invited Jimmy and Lucy to stay for lunch. Jimmy suspected it was a bit more elaborate than the family usually had for lunch. Jimmy and Lucy got back on the road shortly after they had their lunch.

  Jimmy headed back to the farm. Again they took their time. Jimmy only wanted to get back in time to help with the harvesting. Lucy was in no hurry to get back at all. She and Jimmy had fallen into a companionable relationship. She maintained her modesty and Jimmy made no attempts to take her up on the offer she’d made when she first joined him on the journey.

  On the last night before they would be back at the farm, Jimmy cleared his throat while they were setting up the tent for the night. “Lucy. Um… Well… I want to say you’ve been far more help on this journey than hindrance. I want you to keep a portion of what I collected in rent… some of the meat. And that gold and silver I gave you that time.”

  “I forgot all about that,” Lucy replied. “It just been automatic to stash it in my clothing when I get dressed, the way you wanted. I’ll give it back.”

  “I didn’t bring it up to get it back. I want you to keep it for helping me out. That and your choice of som
e of the meat.”

  “I didn’t go with you to get paid. I just wanted to get away. I should thank you and… I should thank you, and I do. Thank you.”

  “Lucy, come on. If you’d been here, you’d have been helping. I don’t know what you do to help make ends meet, but you didn’t have that opportunity this summer. You need personal funds.”

  “I can’t accept… Well, maybe the meat. My in-laws will certainly appreciate it, but the gold and silver…”

  “You earned it,” Jimmy insisted.

  “Promise me you’ll let me go next summer. But no extra money. What you’ve given me is more than enough.”

  “Oh. I don’t know…”

  “Come on, Jimmy. You said I was of help. And we did okay together, didn’t we?”

  “Well… Yeah. Well, I’m not going to promise, but I will consider it. There are too many variables to say right now.”

  “Good enough,” Lucy said. “I’ll keep the gold and silver and take a little of the meat.”

  It wasn’t without some disappointment on both their parts when Jimmy and Lucy parted ways upon their return to the Farm. Lucy went back to her room in one of the Farm houses, and Jimmy went back to his motorhome. He began to help with the harvest, and Lucy began helping with putting it by for the winter.

  Things were going quite well when the brothers and sister came to Jimmy’s motorhome to talk to him.

  “Jimmy,” Sheila said, “We have something of a problem. You know we stocked up on replacement grow lights for the greenhouses, like you suggested. Well… It turns out they shipped us the wrong ones. Everything was right on the paperwork. It was just the wrong boxes when he started to get them out. We need to start replacing some or lose a lot of production this winter.”

  “I see,” Jimmy said slowly. “This is bad. No way to convert the fixtures?”

  “We could, if we had the parts,” said the oldest brother, Frank. “We actually thought about getting parts so we could switch types, if we ran across some, after the fact, but we never did. We need either the parts to switch, or the original style of bulb.”

  Jimmy nodded. “You want me to go looking.”