by Mark Goodwin
Josh patted Emilio on the back. “See there, we got the job done without having to make a mess of my cave.”
Emilio cut the restraints from the chair, then zip-tied the man’s hands behind his back. “I never knew the Saudis had a bio-warfare program.”
“When you’re sitting on the world’s largest oil reserve, you don’t need a bio-warfare program. You just buy from someone that does.”
“Who do you think would be suicidal enough to sell something like this? If it had gotten out, it would have been a pandemic.”
Josh thought. “Who knows? China, North Korea, Russia…Iran had a pretty advanced program, but I doubt they were doing business with the Saudis. North Korea is the most isolated and probably stands the best chance of surviving a pandemic.”
“Okay. I’m going to get this guy out of here. I’m going to put together my report for Brian. When that’s done, I’ll shut down my apartment, drop off the map, and come down here.”
“Carole-Jean Harris never asked about me?” Josh inquired.
“Oh, she asked alright.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I told her the truth. I said that you’re a loose cannon, and I avoid you like the plague.” Emilio smiled and ushered his prisoner toward the car.
“Yeah, right. I’m the loose cannon. When do you think you’ll be back?”
“I don’t know. Soon.”
“Don’t dilly-dally. You should try to be here no later than next Wednesday.” Josh pointed to the prisoner. “Not that I don’t trust this fine gentleman, but he may have inadvertently left out some details.”
Emilio frowned. “Yeah. Plus, if I were King Abdullah, I’d probably have a backup plan in case the first group of martyrs got scooped up or came down with a bad case of cold feet.”
Emilio ducked low as he led the prisoner out of the cave. “Are you going to tell the others about the threat?”
Josh followed them out. “I have to. Hopefully, Brian can stop it, but like you said, it’s not a done deal.”
Emilio continued toward the car. “I’ll see you when I see you. Tell Nicole I said goodbye.”
“You better tell her yourself. She’ll be upset.”
Emilio laughed. “If I tell her myself, I’ll never leave. I need to get this thing wrapped up so I can get back.”
“I understand.” Josh watched Emilio stuff the man back in the trunk and drive away.
***
Later that evening in the living room of the old farmhouse, Josh briefed the group on what they’d learned from the interrogation.
Rev stared at his Bible pensively.
“You look like you’ve got something to say, Rev.” Christina put her arm around her daughter, Lindsey.
Rev looked up. “I was just reading about the second seal. It says a great sword was given to the rider on the red horse. Also, it says that they should kill one another. I’d always taken this prophecy to mean that people would deliberately kill each other. But in the case of a weaponized virus, people will kill each other without even knowing it.”
Poochy pushed his glasses up on his nose. “I’m no expert on prophecy, but if this is the work of King Abdullah, isn’t he the one doing the killing? I mean, that sounds like a deliberate act of violence to me.”
Rev nodded with a somber face. “Yes. I suppose you’re correct.”
Josh ran his hand up and down Stephanie’s back to comfort her. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here. If we’re able to stop the outbreak from ever happening, then obviously it’s not a fulfillment of Scripture.”
“What about Solomon?” Christina asked.
“What about him?” asked Josh.
“I mean, can we tell him?”
“You can tell him that we know of a credible threat and that he should come to the compound now if he’s planning to come at all,” Josh replied.
“That’s pretty vague. I’m not sure he’ll respond.” Christina ran her fingers through Lindsey’s hair.
“Use any language necessary to convey the seriousness of the matter, but you can’t get specific about it being a virus.” Josh crossed his arms. “I’m sorry. Too much is at stake here. We can’t risk the information spreading and the Saudis having an opportunity to circumvent the JTTF’s efforts to stop them.”
Nicole added, “Make sure he knows that he needs to be here before the flag goes up. We can’t risk having him come after the fact. If the Saudis do manage to pull off the attack, we’ll have to go into lockdown mode. No one in or out until the virus burns itself out.”
Christina’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, is that the same rule for Emilio? If he’s not here by the time the outbreak happens, are you going to turn him away?”
“He’ll be here before,” Nicole answered with an aggressive tone. Her voice softened as she turned to her brother. “Won’t he?”
Josh held up his hands. “Let’s all take a breather. Emilio has done everything possible to put a stop to this threat. I have all the confidence in the world that the attack won’t happen. We’re simply acting out of an abundance of caution. But to answer everyone’s question, Nicole is right. If the attacks were to take place, we would have to go into lockdown mode until the virus burns out. We won’t be able to make any exceptions…” He glanced at Christina and Nicole. “…for anyone.”
Micah raised his hand. Josh pointed to him. “Go ahead.”
Micah asked, “We’re already running around-the-clock security. We’ve stockpiled food. What else is going to be included under this abundance of caution—besides being locked down?”
Josh nodded. “Good question. I’ve done some calculations, and we have enough food to last everyone for about four months.”
Nicole interrupted. “That number goes down with every new mouth we add to the compound.” She glanced over to Christina.
“Are you talking about Solomon again?” Christina’s voice got louder. “How many calories a day does Emilio consume? He’s a pretty big guy.”
“Take it easy,” Josh said. “I’ve already added Emilio and Solomon into the equation. Back to what I was saying, we needed to increase our stockpile anyway. This threat is actually a good motivator. I want to build our food supply to at least one year. Also, I’d like to get some animals, chickens, rabbits, maybe some cows.”
“Chickens and rabbits are a good idea,” said Rev. “But if you’re going to get cattle, you’ll need to be able to feed them in the winter. They’ll need feed or hay to keep them alive when the grass isn’t growing fast enough for them to graze. Also, you have to decide if you want dairy or beef. If you go with beef, you’ll have to figure out a way to store the meat. A couple of good deep freezers will do, but if times get tough and the power goes out, the beef will spoil unless you turn it into jerky.”
“We’ve got plenty of pasture land,” said Poochy. “We can grow hay.”
Rev replied, “You can grow it, but with no tractor, mower, or baler, that’s all you can do.”
“What about those things they used to cut hay with?” asked Micah.
“A scythe? I suppose you find one of those in an antique store,” said Rev. “But it’s a learning curve. And you’d still have the storage problem. Goats, on the other hand, could also provide meat and dairy. They’re not quite as picky as cows when it comes to what they’ll eat. And, we’re ten people, if Solomon and Emilio join us. We could easily eat an entire goat in two days before the meat spoils.”
Josh nodded. “Good idea, Rev. I think that makes more sense for our situation. We’ll stock up on any seeds we can find as well.”
Everyone agreed that the plan was sound.
Josh continued, “The only matter remaining to be dealt with is how to pay for it all. I know Christina and Rev had to shell out a lot of money to purchase the RV and the trailer. I’ve expended a large part of my available capital on the property and the supplies we already have. I don’t mind putting in everything that I’ve got, but it’s not going to get us where we need to be.”
Poochy was the first to raise his hand. “I have 1000 marks. I withdrew it in cashier’s checks, 100 marks each, made out to bearer like you suggested.”
“I’ve got about another 400 marks, also in cashier’s checks,” said Christina, “But how are we going to spend cashier’s checks?”
Josh replied, “I can deposit them into the account I set up in my alias. Then, we can use the debit card from that account to make purchases.”
Rev took a wad of paper out of his pocket. “Here’s 300 marks. It’s all I’ve got left.”
Josh accepted the donation. “Thanks.”
Christina stood up. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll give you 500 for now. Let me know if you need more.” Poochy pulled out his wallet and handed five cashier’s checks to Josh.
Christina returned to the living room. She offered two cashier’s checks to Josh. “Here’s 200. I’d like to hang on to some for a rainy day.”
“I completely understand.” Josh graciously accepted the money and checked his watch. “It’s getting late. I’d like to get these in the bank before the end of business. Then, I’ll see what provisions I can secure before everything closes up. I’m afraid we might not find much to choose from as it is. We’ll have to be thankful for whatever we get. Micah, bring your rifle. We’ll keep it behind the seat of the El Camino. Bring your pistol and wear your biggest hoodie to cover it up.”
Micah sprung up from his seat, seemingly excited about the outing.
“Why does Micah have to go?” Stephanie protested.
“He’s with me. I’ll keep him safe,” Josh assured her.
“Can Lindsey come?” Micah asked.
“The El Camino doesn’t have a back seat,” Josh replied.
Micah quickly provided a solution. “She can sit in my lap.”
“Absolutely not!” Christina said.
“I can sit in the middle.” Lindsey pleaded with her mother, “Please, Mom. We’re probably going to be stuck on this farm for the next year waiting for this virus to pass.”
Christina sighed and looked at Josh. “It’s up to Mr. Stone.”
Josh reluctantly agreed. “You can come. But we do things my way. No arguments, no discussions.”
“Yes, sir!” Lindsey looked at Micah with joy.
CHAPTER 3
When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages, and do not harm the oil and the wine.”
Revelation 6:5-6 MEV
Josh dashed back to the El Camino after depositing the cashier’s checks into his Peter Gray alias bank account. He found the teens being suspiciously silent and wondered what they’d been doing while he was in the bank. “We’ll hit the Glasgow Walmart first, then head on over to Lowes. We’ll take what we can get as far as food. Then we’ll need fencing supplies, materials to patch the chicken coop, build a rabbit hutch, plus I’d like to make some repairs on the barn.”
“What about animals?” asked Micah.
“I don’t know where to buy any. But might know someone who does. Either way, we need a place to keep them before we bring them home.”
The rest of the day was spent purchasing supplies and ferrying them back to the farm. The group worked diligently on Tuesday and Wednesday to stash the food they managed to acquire and then focused on preparing the enclosures for the desired livestock acquisitions.
Thursday morning, Josh took out his burner phone and placed a call to the local man from whom he’d purchased the compound.
“Hello?” said the voice on the other end.
“Hoot, hey, this is Peter Gray.”
“Peter, good to hear from you. Gettin’ settled in alright?”
“Yes. Thanks for asking. Listen, I was wondering if you knew anyone who might be willing to sell some animals.”
“I got an ornery ol’ dog that I’d pay you to haul off for me. Of course, it’d have to be when the wife isn’t around.”
Josh laughed. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m in the market for some chickens, rabbits, goats, that sort of thing.”
“Oh, alright. The woman down the road from us sells bees and bee boxes. She sells honey too. Builds the boxes herself. Been doin’ that for twenty-some-odd years. We trade with her from time to time. My guess is that she’d rather have some of them coins like you traded with me rather than that global funny money.”
“Bees, huh? I hadn’t thought of that, but I’m interested. What about the other animals?”
“I don’t know right off the top of my head—feed store gets chicks and rabbits in the spring. But I can’t imagine they’d have anything now. Lots of folk keep chickens, but I don’t know anyone who sells ‘em. Course, the way things is so tight around, I expect you can buy just about anything if you’ve got the means to pay for it.”
“Okay. Where do I find the bee lady?”
“Take Bon Ayr south all the way to Old Bowling Green Road. Then head west to Red Cross Road and take a right. First house on the left will be hers. You can’t miss it. She’s got a hand-painted sign out by the road that says, Bees, Hives, and Honey.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the information.” Josh found Micah on the porch. “Come on buddy. Grab your gun. We’re going to get some bees.”
Micah picked up his rifle which was leaning against the wall of the house. “This sounds dangerous.”
“Yeah. Let’s hope the old lady sells suits as well.”
Josh and Micah took the El Camino to their destination. An elderly woman came out onto the porch with an old shotgun in her hands. “Can I help you folks?”
Josh stuck his hands out the window to show that he was not a threat. “We’re looking to buy some bees.”
“I don’t take no credit cards,” the woman insisted.
“I have cash—and silver. Whichever you prefer.”
“Silver coins?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Josh slowly opened the door and took five American Silver Eagle coins out of his pocket to show the woman.
She picked up one of the coins and inspected it. “I reckon I’ll sell you a box of bees for all of them.”
Josh chuckled. “I’m sure you would. Silver was trading at 13 marks an ounce. That’s $260 in pre-crash prices. I should think one ounce would be plenty for a box of bees and a good bee suit.”
The woman placed the coin in her pocket. “I’ve got an old suit I’ll give you. It might need a little duct tape in a place or two. How about you take a second box of bees for another one of them coins? I’ll throw in a smoker.”
“One box will be plenty,” said Josh.
“But we need a smoker,” said Micah.
“I can give you paper money for a smoker,” said Josh.
“Ain’t hardly nobody takin’ paper no more.” The old woman retied the threadbare apron around her waist. “What else are you in the market for?”
“Rabbits, goats, chickens, seeds.”
“I’ve got half a dozen hens I’ll let you have for another coin.”
“That’s about $40 a chicken. Seems steep.”
“Ain’t nobody gonna sell you birds for a nickel. Times is bad—might get worse.”
Josh knew the woman’s assessment of the future was likely accurate. “I need a rooster, also. I’d like to breed them.”
She smiled as if Josh were a simpleton. “You don’t just stick a rooster in a hen house and make chicks. You need sittin’ hens. But one good sittin’ hen will care for a dozen or so fertilized eggs. I tell you what, you give me another coin, and I’ll give you a good sittin’ hen, a rooster, and teach you what you need to know. ‘Cause I can tell you don’t have any idea what you’re doin’ with chickens.”
“Even so, that’s steep. Over $500 for eight chickens.”
“I’ve got s
ome seeds, too. I’ve got the best sweet corn you ever ate. Been savin’ seed from that corn since my granddad was around. Folks won’t believe it’s heirloom it’s so sweet. Got some good mator seed, squash, green beans—I’ll give you half of everything I saved from last year’s crop.”
Josh liked the sound of the offer. “And throw in a smoker?”
The old woman spitted on her hand and offered it to Josh. His eyes grew wide. He found the gesture repulsive but didn’t want to upset the apple cart by refusing to shake on the deal. He did not spit on his own hand, but did take hers and shook it vigorously. Josh hoped Emilio’s efforts would stop the biological attack. If not, the woman’s antiquated method of sealing a bargain could lead to her demise.
The woman diligently explained what Josh and Micah would be required to do to keep the broody hen away from the others and to place the fertilized eggs beneath her without disturbing her brooding behavior. She lectured them on caring for the bees and even provided detailed information on planting the seeds.
“We appreciate everything you’ve done for us. Would you happen to know anyone who might be willing to sell goats or rabbits?”
The old woman looked out toward the road. “Clara Evans raises rabbits. She’s loony as an outhouse rat.”
“Could you tell me where she lives?”
“Up Bon Ayr toward Park City. Big two-story yeller house—looks like it’s about to fall in.”
“I think we passed it on the way here.”
“Well, if you can get past them mangy ol’ dogs, she’d probably sell you some rabbits. Mean devils though…”
“The rabbits?” Micah was confused.
“No, boy. The dogs.”
“Oh.”
“Thank you again for everything,” said Josh.
“Y’all come back if you need anything else. Your silver is always welcome here.”
Josh waved. “Okay. Have a good day.”
On the way home, Micah commented, “We didn’t get a lot of goods for the amount we paid, but I suppose she made up for it in education.”
“My thoughts, exactly,” said Josh.
