Keeper of the Truth
Disclaimer: I do not own The A-Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A-Team.
Chapter 9
Letting his face express puzzled surprise, Murdock knew there wasn't a good enough excuse to account for those bits of bread. "Wh . . . what're ya lookin' at?"
Maybe if I act like I don' know there's somethin' there, he won' lock me in 'gain . . . don' know if I'll make it if he does.
"Did you cheat, Merle? Did you have something to eat during your Season of Preparation?" Was it Murdock's imagination or did Brother Luke sound disappointed?
He could not deny they were not there when his guide locked him in. And now they were. How to explain their appearance? Maybe a half-truth?
"I . . . I . . . " Murdock stammered, making his face as remorseful as possible. Hunching his shoulders and averting his gaze to the ground, he dug the toe of his shoe into the gravel at his feet. "Someone came with bread t'ward th' beginnin' o' my time o' seekin'. I . . . " He gulped, hoping his act would fool Brother Luke. "I took it 'n' ate . . . " He hurried on with his words. " . . . but when they came back 'gain, I didn' take any more. I wan' t' know th' truth. Nothin' else matters."
"Who brought food to you?" His guide's voice hardened. He gripped Murdock's forearm in a vise-like hold. Murdock would normally have reacted by pulling away but he knew he had to act submissive.
"I . . . I don' know. Didn' give me a name. Jus' said they were a friend." The pilot hoped Luke wouldn't ask anything more. "Ya ain' gonna send me 'way jus' 'cause of one li'l mistake, are ya?" He made sure to choke out the last few words as if saying them caused him great emotional pain.
"I need to know who's doing this. You aren't the first to receive a visit." When Murdock remained silent, Brother Luke hissed, "The person who does this is an apostate. He wants to destroy everything the Supreme Keeper has established."
Murdock wasn't familiar with the word 'apostate' but he understood the menace behind the tone.
Supreme Keeper, huh? So that's what Barger thinks he is?
The guide released his hold and narrowed his eyes at the other man. "You're sure your helper didn't give a name?"
Murdock thought about the fear he heard in Aaron's voice when he spoke about his stepmother's devotion to the cult and its leader.
I gotta protect 'im. Time t' avoid any more questions.
Clutching the sides of his head with both hands, the pilot groaned and swayed. "S . . . so . . . dizzy . . . "
His intention was to feign passing out from lack of food and water. Brother Luke would be distracted from asking any more questions about the mystery visitor. At least, that was what Murdock hoped would happen.
It was something he had learned to do to avoid the more painful interrogations he had faced. Unconsciousness was a merciful friend when every joint and muscle screamed in agony from the enemy's torture techniques. It wasn't that he feared what these 'Keepers' would do to him if they should figure out he wasn't what he claimed to be. He'd go down fighting before he would give up any information about his mission.
No. He had to protect Aaron Schreiker even if the kid's own father wouldn't. Letting his knees buckle under him, he allowed his mind to go dark and too late realized it wasn't really an act.
The last thing he heard was Brother Luke's alarmed call for help.
oooooo
More waiting. Face wasn't sure how much more he could handle. He wasn't sure if it was Hannibal's seemingly calm exterior or the silence on Murdock's end which made him restless.
They had managed to intercept the phone calls without incident in the van and answer the questions about 'Merle Somers' and his inheritance. Hannibal used his best Southern accent as Face winced at the attempt. He decided the Colonel's best impersonation was a big swamp lizard that couldn't speak at all.
As Hannibal ended the last phone call, the con man fidgeted in the rear seat of the van.
"That should just 'bout do th' job," the Colonel drawled, a mischievous grin on his face. "Think they chomped on th' bait like a passle o' hungry perch. Should see some action purty soon."
"If you're done gloating, what next?" Face knew the answer, hated the answer, but needed to hear it anyway.
"We wait." Hannibal watched as B. A. stalked toward the van, his instruments used to transfer outgoing calls hanging from his tool belt. He removed his gold hard hat with one furious swipe of his hand.
One look at him told the con man that his team mate was as anxious for the assault on the compound to begin as he was. But Hannibal . . . grinning like a movie star about to take to the platform to accept his Oscar . . .
The younger man gritted his teeth and sank back in his seat. A frustrated groan escaped him.
"Problems with that, Lieutenant?" The Colonel's tone grew sharper. His smile disappeared.
Face shook his head and muttered a sullen "Not at all."
Getting in, B. A. slammed his van door a little harder than he needed to. "They buy it, Hannibal?"
Nodding, the older man let his jazzed-up smile flash again. "I have a meeting in town with Murdock . . . Merle . . . and representatives of the cult tomorrow night to talk about his inheritance and what needs to be done to sign it over."
"Ya ain't really gonna let 'em have the fool's Gramma an' Grampa's land, are ya?" B. A. frowned at the thought.
"No, but this meeting may be the only way to communicate with Murdock right now unless they give him back his glasses." Hannibal's tone had turned serious.
"But the fact they're going to meet with you means he's still alive. Right?" Face noticed B. A. straightened in his seat and partially turned toward the Colonel to better see his reaction to the question.
"Well, they can't sign any paperwork for him. He has to be there to sign." Hannibal stared out the side window, avoiding the frustrated glances his two men exchanged. "And when I see him, I'll know what condition he's in."
"And what if they've managed to break him, get him to go along with whatever they say? You know isolation does some crazy things to your brain."
B. A.'s voice was uncharacteristically reflective and low as he responded. "Murdock's tougher 'n that. He don't break all that easy."
"No, he doesn't," Hannibal agreed. But was that a hint of uncertainty in the Colonel's tone that Face detected?
He wouldn't ever know because at that moment the receiver linked to the transmitter hidden in the frame of Murdock's glasses crackled and came to life.
oooooo
Murdock drifted in and out of consciousness. He was aware several someones with strong arms lifted him from the ground and carried him somewhere. Memories of being carried back to his team mates in another time and place kept him from sinking deeper into the darkness of his mind. He had to be sure where he was and who these people were. His mind told him he wasn't in Nam, wasn't in the POW camp but the memories were so vivid, they seemed like the present.
He knew he hadn't been tortured this time. Nothing felt broken or dislocated and his guards were taking care not to drag or drop him. Their hold on him was gentle. He tried to shake the hollow fuzziness and ringing from his mind. The guards were never gentle back in Nam.
"Merle? Merle, can you hear me?"
Merle? Who th' hell's Merle?
It was a voice he heard not too long ago and he focused on remembering who it was. Until he did, he couldn't speak or he might say something that would get him in trouble. And he had to figure out who Merle was and why this person called him that.
Well, he could at least moan to let the person know he heard. He let a soft groan escape. Light shifted behind his closed eyes and the voice commanded, "Here. Put him on this cot. Get me a wet cloth, Brother Amos. You others may return to your duties."
Brother?
As the pilot felt his senses slowly return to him, he began to piece together where he was and who was with him.
Th' mission. How'd I forget so easy?
Someone placed something cool and soothing across his forehead. Another person held his wrist, taking his pulse.
"Another close one. This one's strong. Should be a valuable contributor to our community." That was the man who Murdock now remembered to be his guide Brother Luke.
Sounds r'lieved. I wonder how many don' make it . . . 'n' what happens t' them if they don'?
"Reverend Barger will be pleased. Another seeker has seen the light," Luke continued.
Sounds like Luke's bought th' whole thing, hook, line 'n' sinker. Hope he ain' gonna cause too much trouble for me.
"Yes. He will be very pleased." That voice wasn't familiar. It carried a hint of mocking and Murdock wondered at the tone. Was this 'Brother Amos'?
Curiosity begged him to look to see who the other speaker was and if there were others but he resisted the strong urge. He knew he shouldn't open his eyes and let them know he could hear them yet. Not when they mentioned Barger. He might catch some valuable information about the leader and his followers.
The next second he was glad he decided to feign semi-consciousness.
Luke responded. "Brother Merle was approached by our mystery apostate. He was given food and possibly water, too." Murdock was surprised to hear how indignant his guide sounded.
"Well, then are you sure Merle's one of us now? Remember Schreiker had the same thing happen, pretended he saw the light and then bolted the first opportunity he had." That was the other person with Brother Luke.
"Yes, I know. Reverend Barger was very displeased about that. Mocking the ultimate truth like Schreiker did only condemns him to an eternity in hell. At least his wife and son didn't choose to follow his lead. Sad to break up the family but he was leading them straight on the path to damnation." Brother Luke's tone turned pensive as if he really cared about the status of the man's soul.
Despite his apprehension, Murdock found himself feeling sympathy for his guide. Maybe not everything Reverend Barger preached was bad.
"So what about this guy? How can you be sure about him? We checked out his story and it seems to be confirmed but we weren't able to speak to his friend Chuck Heller. At least not in any way that told us much. He didn't talk about anything except a POW camp in Vietnam." Murdock heard the man snort in derision. "Heck. It was like he didn't even know we aren't fighting over there anymore."
Chuck? They went t' see 'im?
His stomach did a quick flip-flop when he heard that. The pilot frowned and then remembered he was supposed to be on the edge of consciousness. As if rousing from his faint, he turned his head from side to side and murmured, "Billy?"
Someone removed the warm cloth from his forehead and replaced it with another cooler one. The same person . . . at least Murdock thought it was the same person . . . gently patted his shoulder.
"Brother Merle has seen the light. He has heard from his spirit guide," Luke affirmed defiantly.
"We can't make another mistake," the other man warned.
"Do I need to remind you that you have not yet earned your brown robe? You have not demonstrated the wisdom and discernment that you must have to wear it." The guide responded harshly but in the next moment softened his tone. "Believe me. Brother Anthony may not have seen through Schreiker's ruse but I know in my heart Brother Merle is one of us." In a wistful murmur, Brother Luke added, "I wish I had found my spirit guide as quickly as Brother Merle did."
Murdock felt certain that his assigned mentor was not part of the scheme to rid recruits of their valuables and property.
He really b'lieves all this stuff. I wonder if his spirit guide's as real as Billy is t' me.
The squeak of a chair and rustling of clothes told Murdock that someone had gotten to their feet. He hoped it was Brother Amos who was about to leave. He sensed the other Brother was not as devoted as Brother Luke was to the 'Supreme Keeper'. Tricking him might be more difficult.
"I must report to Reverend Barger and let him know Brother Merle is recuperating. When he wakes let him have his glasses and other personal items. They're in this envelope. Then help him get settled in in the men's barracks."
"Yes, Brother Luke." Murdock detected another hint of sarcasm in the reply. "Anything else?"
"Make sure he starts listening to the tapes right away. We must help him continue on his path to the truth. I'll come to talk to him as soon as I've spoken to Reverend Barger."
Tapes?
Murdock heard footsteps as someone walked away. With a feigned soft moan, he let his eyelids flutter open to see Brother Luke leave the building and close the door behind him.
Another hooded figure sat next to the cot. As Murdock pretended to scan his surroundings in confusion, the Keeper spoke.
"Ah, you've woke up. How do you feel, Brother Merle?" The man's voice dripped with artificial concern.
Murdock focused on his face. He heard Billy whisper to him, Don' trust 'im, brother. He ain' what he wants ya t' b'lieve he is.
The pilot answered Billy silently even as he struggled to sit up. I know. But I gotta play 'long for now.
He hoped it wouldn't be for very long.