“Rapture, Henry,” Jopek said, wiping his mouth on his wrist. “Looks like they got the main road into the city pretty well locked up. I will get on my knees this night, I tell you. I will get down and thank the Lord that I found out when I did, folks. Yes I will.”
“What do you mean?” said Hank.
Jopek stood there in the dusk, his chest huge inside his shirt, his pointer finger emphasizing each word like a teacher giving a lesson. And it was fascinating, the way Hank took the bottle that Jopek gave back to him: grateful and respectful, and a bit afraid. It was fascinating, the way Hank watched Jopek speak: I’m the good guy. Here are your Instructions on What Is Next in Jopek Land. And it was fascinating, because Michael knew exactly what Jopek was going to say.
“We’re safe for now, thanks to your captain,” Jopek said. “But folks, we’re a platoon, so I’ll be honest: that’s the last piece of good news I got. You-all can believe that the Rapture bein’ near the only road into town is powerful bad for the unit coming into town.” He put his hands to his hips, shaking his head regretfully.
Holly sniggered bitterly at this, so softly that only Michael heard it.
Hank nodded, comforted with the routine.
Jopek locked eyes with Michael.
“Until we know what we’re dealing with, I’m sad to say it’s my duty to advise all units that enterin’ Charleston is currently too dangerous—”
“The Rapture told you to meet them there,” said Michael.
He felt Holly stiffen beside him; he sensed Hank’s mild confusion. But he didn’t feel Freaking from his brother: he only heard Patrick’s humming, a light anxiety being lessened by a development in The Game.
“What, now?” replied Jopek. He had the mildly annoyed expression of a teacher who has been interrupted.
“You knew exactly what was going to happen.”
Now Jopek dropped his hands from his hips, his head cocking. He half smiled.
Hank laughed at Michael, but its dismissiveness sounded a little uncertain.
“They were saying the captain was supposed to bring the boy. And you know what’s funny is, you didn’t seem too upset that they were shooting at us.”
Should he go on? Should he say the last of it? Yes-yes.
“’Cause Jopek, you’re the Betra—”
But Jopek interrupted: “And you know what’s funny is, how you’re pig shit retarded.”
“Wait. Uh, sorry. Captain, so you did know they were going to be there?” Hank asked cautiously.
“Henry. Hell yes, I did. And I don’t think I like your tone.”
“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Hank protested, surprised and confused.
Jopek turned to Michael.
“That priest, Rulon, he left me a letter last night, Mikey. He said he wanted to negotiate some kinda agreement, said we could have our weapons back, and yeah, he mentioned I should bring ‘the boy.’”
“Bull,” Michael said, nearly laughing at the audacity of Jopek’s lie. “If Rulon wanted to trade me for weapons, or if he wanted to trade”—he silently indicated Patrick with his eyes—“then why would his people start by shooting at us?”
“Their community is not a shinin’ goddamn example of sanity, genius. His letter didn’t even make sense, just rambling shit about coal and ‘the Son.’ I think Father Asshole up in Almost Heaven, West Virginia, is going a little extra batty lately since Jesus hasn’t invited him to dinner yet. I think he’s gettin’ desperate and ‘sacrificing’ more of his followers. Judging from the tiny number of folks he sent to Walgreens, it don’t seem like he’s got all that many followers left alive, neither. So I think Rulon’s runnin’ low on options about how he can ‘atone.’ My guess? Since you killed ‘their First Chosen,’ Rulon wants to sacrifice you, Mikey. He thinks that offing you would make everything just dandy again.”
Now slowly Jopek marched toward Michael. “But you might’a noticed something, big boy: even though the Rapture broke the bargain and attacked us out there—you’re still alive and safe. So I guess that ol’ Captain Jopek knew what he was doing.”
“Yeah, except you know what I think, though?” Michael replied. “I don’t think you just wanted to get the weapons back; I think you wanted to get back at Rulon for stealing them. I think you ‘wanted to have two words with Rulon, and they weren’t happy birthday.’” Michael imitated Jopek’s voice: “‘Broke into my city, didn’t they? I better show them I was born for some special greatness.’”
At Michael’s mocking, Jopek’s eyes went wide. He stopped a few feet