Dark Coup by David C. Waldron

kind of thing go,” Kyle said.  “I won’t be able to sleep at night.  Okay, I’ve been pretty sure there were people who would set up their own little kingdoms out there, but knowing there was one right in my back yard where this kind of thing is going on and then not doing something about it?”  Kyle shook his head.  “I can’t let this slide.”
    “And the fact that she was pretty had nothing to do with it,” Eric asked.
    Kyle had murder in his eyes when he reacted, and Eric scooted back.
    “Don’t you ever question my motives,” Kyle said, “especially when it comes to something like this.  You know how I feel about abuse, especially towards women.  I know I said don’t bring it up again, but that’s one of the things that set me off about the Major’s ex.”
    Kyle backed off a little physically, but the heat was still there.  “He threatened to go after her, and that’s when I made it my life’s mission to make it abundantly clear to him that it would be his last official act on this planet.  It took a little convincing–it turned out he was a bit stubborn–but I can be very persuasive.”  Kyle made a fist which cracked all the knuckles in his hand.
    “And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that she’s pretty,” Kyle said.  “Although, I will admit I did notice that first.”  Kyle blushed.  “It’s why I was watching her when she stopped and got slapped the first time.  And what are you doing noticing pretty women?”
    “I’m not,” Eric said, but didn’t even bat an eye.  “Situational awareness.  Just making sure your judgment isn’t impaired.”
    Kyle blushed again.  “Yes, Sir.”
    Eric nodded.  “Let’s get back to camp,” he said, and continued before Kyle could protest.  “I don’t want to leave it unattended for too long and you need to cool down before we do anything.  I’m not saying we are going to do anything, but even if we do, we can’t plan with you in this state.”
    Kyle nodded and took point for the trek back to camp.
    …
    “Mr. Mayor,” Mallory said as she approached Joel in the roadway.  “A minute if you would.”
    “A minute is about all I can spare,” Joel said, guessing what Mallory wanted, but determined to stonewall her.  “I haven’t been able to leave Promised Land for almost a month.  I haven’t seen my wife, or baby daughter, since the quarantine began, and I’m doing everything from the ‘healthy’ side of camp and without my assistant.”
    Mallory nodded and Joel knew that even though an apology wouldn’t be forthcoming, she felt for him.  “Speaking of seeing people,” she said, “I seem to have misplaced two of my men and apparently you were among the last to have seen them.”
    “Really,” Joel said, “who?”
    “Captain Tripp and Sergeant Ramirez,” Mallory said.  “Together, no less.”
    “I did see them, both individually and together, the day before Ben showed up,” Joel said.  “I’d been worried about Eric and started out by talking to Kyle first.  I’d noticed that Eric had been grieving, which was to be expected, but was starting to…” Joel paused for a second to look for the right words.  “He was acting engaged again, so I wanted to see how he was doing.”
    “So you don’t have any idea where they are,” Mallory asked, “where they may be headed?”
    “I’m afraid I don’t,” Joel said, honestly.  Eric hadn’t given him any specifics and Mallory’s questions hadn’t taken the right turn for him to have to start lying yet.  She was eyeing him like she wasn’t quite sure what to think of his story.
    “If you hear anything,” Mallory said, “please let me know.”
    “Will do,” Joel said and then continued on his way to his next appointment.
    …
    “Wedding Crashers calling Proud Papa,” Eric said into the radio.
    “This is Proud Papa,” Joel answered.  “Do not tell me where you are or where you’re headed.  The Major finally made a point of asking