I’m pretty sure.
The screening rises to reveal a tunnel. The enclosed space is cool and tight with low ceilings and cement walls. We navigate through to the parking area where another van, two jeeps, and some quads are parked.
We all climb out, Frank circling twice before managing to follow my sit command. Blue, Nila, and Frank wait while I plug the van in—we went all electric vehicles about six months ago. The island has a lot of sun and wind…not so much gas.
“This way,” I say, leading Merl to the elevator.
I laugh as the doors close on the six dogs and two of us.
“What?” Merl asks, smiling at me.
“I was just imagining if a squirrel was locked in here with us.”
Merl laughs. “That would be intense.”
“Frank could not handle it.”
“No,” Merl agrees, looking down at Frank whose tail is attempting to hammer its way through the floor of the elevator.
The doors open up to the lobby, which still maintains the interior design from before we took over. There is wicker furniture and glass doors leading out to a circular driveway, the more conventional route to accessing our jungle redoubt. Speakers mounted in the ceiling could play muzak if we were so inclined.
“Hi,” I say to Steve, the Joyful Justice member working the front desk today. He’s wearing the unofficial uniform around here—T-shirt and shorts. Steve’s black hair is cropped close to his head and his brown eyes are focused on a magazine.
“What’s up, Rye?” he asks with a grin. His gaze falls to Merl’s dogs and then to the man himself. Steve stands up, straightening as if he is a soldier and a general just walked in.
“This is Merl; Merl, Steve.” I introduce the two men.
Steve nods, blinks, looks at the dogs, blinks some more.
“Nice to meet you,” Merl says, holding out his hand.
Steve did not have this reaction to me. Which makes me smile. Often members of Joyful Justice get all kind of torn up about me—like I’m some kind of role model. Which…no. Just no. Terrible idea. Just plain wrong.
Merl, on the other hand, is someone worth emulating, worth striving to be like. The man is suave, strong, smart, sensitive, and deadly. What’s not to admire?
“It’s an honor,” Steve says, shaking Merl’s hand.
Merl smiles. “Thank you, Steve, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Steve finds the key to Merl’s room—right next to mine—and grins at him.
“I’ll be offering morning tai chi while I’m here,” Merl says. “I hope you’ll join the class.”
“Yes, sir,” Steve says.
“Call me Merl,” he answers with a soft smile.
“Yes…Merl.” Steve laughs at his awkwardness and Merl grins.
“See you later, Steve,” I say, taking Merl’s arm and leading him toward the elevator banks.
Merl’s gaze travels around the room. “Interesting place,” he says. “I remember when Dan found it, I pictured something out of Dr. No…”
“Yeah, it’s a little like a motel, right? Albeit a motel carved into a hollowed-out mountain.”
Merl laughs, glancing at the view. “I’d say it’s got better views than the average motel.”
“True, and the suites are nice too.” We step onto the elevator and I press the tenth floor. “I’d say the interior design is upper end highway hotel but with spectacular views. Very thoughtful of the former owner to include windows in his bunker’s design. It’s a pretty nice place to wait out the apocalypse…or start it…”
Merl laughs. “Fair enough.”
There is also a fitness center, cafeteria, medical facilities, and a shopping center where members can get groceries, clothing, and other supplies. Then underground is the command center of Joyful Justice—a large space that reminds me of NASA headquarters in movies. Lots of desks facing a massive screen.
“We can go down and check out the command center once you’ve had a chance to change.”
“You don’t like my suit?” Merl asks, his voice teasing.
“It’s awesome,” I admit. “You look great. But it’s not exactly island wear.”
“I don’t have a lot of resort wear,” Merl says as the elevators open.
“Hopefully you brought at least one kaftan.”
Merl laughs and so do I. It feels so good to be laughing with him.
“This one is yours,” I say stopping in front of his door. “I’m right next door.”
“Perfect.”
