“Take off your jacket and turn all the way around,” the first man to approach him said.
Patton did so, slowly, always maintaining eye contact with the leader, assuring him that he was complying with every command. The man nodded and gestured towards Patton with his rifle.
“Now, turn around and put your hands up on the truck. Any sudden movement and you’re gonna be hamburger.”
Patton turned slowly. He felt calm. Another man roughly frisked Patton. He went over every inch of Patton’s body and after about a minute, seemed to be satisfied that Patton didn’t have a weapon.
“Okay now, hands down and take a step back.”
Patton complied, never letting his gaze avert from the leader.
“Asher wants to see you,” he said with a hint of glee in his eyes.
“That’s good,” Patton said, trying not to appear too confident. “That’s why I’m here.”
The leader snorted and gave him a wary smile.
That fact that Asher wanted to see him let him know he was safe, at least for now. He stood there, looking at the guards who were there to take him in. They turned him around, handcuffed him, and led him towards the lead Suburban. Part of Patton wanted to give some gallant speech, but there would be time for that if things turned out the way he planned. Instead, he remained stoic and let the guard force manhandle him into one of the large SUVs. A guard seatbelted Patton in. The vehicle made a wide U-turn and headed towards City Hall.
Patton gazed out towards the snow-topped mountains and sighed loudly. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d done the right thing.
Patton wasn’t sure what to expect, but this was definitely not what he envisioned Asher’s office would look like. It was a cozy room with richly stained wood trim and crown molding. There was a large fireplace, topped by a intricately-carved mantelpiece. A small fire was going. The only light came from the dull sunlight from two large windows that were behind the large mahogany desk. It was more like an old fashioned study than an office, Patton thought. There were doors on the other side of the room. One was probably a bathroom. The other probably led to a private entrance. The wall to the south was all glass with a door that led to the balcony.
David Asher was sitting in a large overstuffed chair in front of the fire, perfectly visible to Patton as he was escorted in. A large man was sitting in a chair in the far corner, a security guard no doubt. He seemed unaware of Patton’s presence, but Patton had no doubt that the man would be quick to respond if Patton were to make any sudden moves. Asher was probably carrying a gun too. Patton also noticed two men on the balcony. They were currently talking to one another, but one soon walked away.
Asher stood and walked towards Patton, his hand outstretched and a pained smile on his face. It was strange to be greeted this way by a man who’d ordered the deaths of so many people, including his own. His first impulse was to lunge at this man, this snake, and wrap his hands around his throat and choke the life out of him. But it would be the last thing he would do and it would avail him nothing. Instead, he stood there calmly, accepting Asher’s hand and giving him a strange smile of his own.
Patton was struck by how old Asher looked—not old compared to other people, but to how he looked on the train when they’d first met. Adding to this perception was the pair of thick-framed glasses that Asher was wearing. They were fashionable, but Patton had the sense that they were needed and weren’t just a fashion statement.
“Patton,” Asher said as warmly as he could manage, shaking Patton’s hand up and down. Patton released it and his instinct was to wipe his hand on his pants, but that would have made him seem petty and small. He was not intimidated by the man and wouldn’t put himself in a subservient position.
“David,” Patton said softly, nodding slightly.
Asher’s smile faded, making way for a serious, “let’s get down to business” expression. He gestured for Patton to sit in a second overstuffed chair and he retook his place where he sat before. They sat, obviously wary of one another. Asher leaned towards him, leaning his elbow on his knee.
“I won’t insult you with small talk Patton,” Asher said calmly. “You know why you’re here. This situation has to be resolved.”
Patton nodded in agreement.
“Good. I’m glad you understand,” Asher continued.
“I understand that my part in this war is over. I don’t know what you’ve been told but I’m not here to pledge my allegiance to you. If I die I die, but I will not live in the hell that you’ve created here.”
Asher turned away and looked at the fire for a moment. He’d expected this—dreaded it even—but he would not betray his disappointment.
“I’m sorry to hear that Patton. I really am. I have to say that you’ve been a worthy adversary but I can’t risk keeping you around. We’ve read this book before haven’t we.”
Patton nodded and chuckled lightly.
“Yes, we have, David. The only thing is, you’re reading out of the wrong book. You think you’re some hero when you’re nothing more than just another tin pot tyrant.”
Asher smiled at the insult.
“I have to say I’m surprised. I thought you would’ve gone for your wife again.”
Patton glared at him and said, “You thought that because you only care about yourself. I love my wife, but she’s not the only person I care about.”
Asher nodded. It was a fair assessment of him.
“In my experience, care has nothing to do with it,” Asher said. “Humans do what feels good.”
Patton leaned forward and asked, “How does ruining the lives of thirty-thousand people feel right?”
The statement obviously took Asher aback because he stood and began to pace around the room.
“You know, you’re just like you were when I met you on the train,” he said, his voice taking on volume. “You thought you had all the answers then and you still do. Things wouldn’t be so messed up if you wouldn’t have tried to get in the way.”
Patton shook his head, his mouth creased with a mirthless smile.
“You’re wrong, but what does it matter now? We’re not going to debate our way out of this, David,” Patton said condescendingly. “We’re here now. My friends are dead because of you. For all I know my wife is dead too. You have me here and could kill me and most likely nobody would ever know I was here.”
Asher nodded and said, “You’re right, but it’s hard for me to let you continue thinking you’re right. Anyway, it doesn’t matter—for all the reasons you just said. But it seems useless so let’s just agree to—”
He stopped when he heard a plinking sound coming from the south-facing window. He stood and motioned for his security guard to go investigate. The bald, burly man returned less than a minute later.
“It’s one of those quad drones that shoots those air soft pellets.”
“What?” Asher asked, his face crinkled in confusion.
“Probably just some kids,” the guard retorted. “You want me to call someone down to see if we can find who’s controlling it?”
Asher shook his head no and said, “No. This has happened before.”
Patton watched the two men talk, preparing himself mentally for what would come next. There were more plinking sounds, and just as the guard went to investigate the sound again, there was a loud crashing sound that emanated from the street.