Options Are Good

by Jerry D. Young

  “So you’re the one. Come on up. I’ll meet you out in front of the house. Mind the dogs.”

  Bandy saw the gate begin to slide sideways and got back into the truck to drive up the long winding driveway to the buildings on the slight rise of the property.

  He knew it was a test when the man standing on the walkway up to the house from the parking area stood where he was and let Bandy get out of the truck to be treated by three grown Airedales and four pups of various ages.

  Bandy took his time, let the dogs thoroughly check him out, and then stood up straight to walk over to greet Ana-Bella’s father, the pups running around him, still a bit excited. But the adults took off and the pups quickly followed at a word from Sheridan.

  “Mr. Sheridan?” Bandy asked.

  “Yes. Bob Sheridan.” Sheridan didn’t make the handshake a test, but it was firm. “And you are Bandy Hawkins. Not quite what I expected, from my daughter’s descriptions.”

  Bandy didn’t quite know what to make of it, so he didn’t mention it. “I just wanted to check in and let you know I was here.” Bandy grabbed his hat, and Bob grabbed his beautiful gray felt cowboy hat as a gust of cold wind stirred up some dust.

  “I’ll head in and find a motel. Ana-Bella has my cell phone number, so she can call me when she gets in and…”

  “Nonsense,” Bob said. “Come on into the house. You’ll be staying here for the duration. We’ll get your bags later. I’d like to talk to you about the situation before Ana-Bella gets here, anyway.”

  Deciding that going along with Bob Sheridan would be better than not, for this at least, Bandy followed the man up the stairs to the porch and then inside.

  His cowboy hat went on a peg of a long hat rack, and Bandy placed his alongside. He noted the gun case not far from the door. There were gun belts with revolvers hanging on pegs inside, along with a selection of lever action rifles and double barrel shotguns. The gun belts had shells in the loops, and there were bandoleers of rifle and shotgun shells on other pegs. This wasn’t some fancy display; it was a set of working guns.

  “We don’t normally pack in the house. If you are armed, I’d appreciate you hanging it up here.”

  “I carry at home,” Bandy said. “No permit for here. I do have weapons in the truck, though.”

  “That’s fine.” They took a few steps across the polished floor of the front room. “Magdalene!” Bob called quietly through a door, “We will be in the study.”

  Bandy heard a woman’s voice answer. “Yes, Dear. I’ll be in shortly. Show the gentleman the washroom.”

  “Oh. Yes,” Bob replied, to Bandy, not Magdalene. “Right through there.”

  Bob was waiting a couple minutes later when Bandy came out of the bathroom, standing by another open door. When Bob turned and went into the room, Bandy followed. It was a warm room, built with polished wood and furnished with polished wood and heavy leather furniture.

  Bandy took one of the button tufted leather club chairs in front of the massive desk while Bob took the desk chair. Bandy caught a slight wince on Sheridan’s face when he sat down and thought “Back problems.”

  Bob didn’t waste any time. “Just what has Ana-Bella told you of this situation with Angus?”

  “Well, sir, she told me that Mr. Longhammer has become interested in preparing for a possible future full of potential disasters. That a local militia type gang has been pressuring him to provide them a base of operations and the ways and means to essentially become the dominant force in this area in the event of a really major situation where normal channels of authority are no longer effective.”

  Sheridan leaned back in the chair and tented his fingers. “I suppose she does understand the situation a bit better than I gave her credit for,” he said.

  Magdalene, carrying a tray with a coffee and tea service came into the room just as Bob spoke.

  Bandy was on his feet immediately and took the tray to place it on the desk. “Yes, she does, Bob. I know you believe Angus will snap out of this ‘phase’ as you put it, but I agree with Ana-Bella that there is a real danger.”

  Bob sighed. “Yes. Yes. I agree now. But what to do about it? Angus is scared now, worried about his family. He wouldn’t tell me, but I think there were some implications, if not outright threats, that if he didn’t follow through with what they wanted, his family and business might be in danger.”

  “That is not good, Sir,” Bandy said. He quickly added, “Tea,” when Magdalene asked which he preferred. He took the cup when Magdalene poured it and shook his head at the offer of lemon, milk, honey, or sugar.

  “If they are willing to push the law to the limits now, they will have no compunction about doing whatever they want if there is no law to even try and corral them.”

  “The Sheriff is doing all she can to put a stop to the group. But this is a state and county that holds firmly with the Second Amendment, and she is between a rock and a hard place. There is nothing wrong with people owning and practicing with firearms, but there is something wrong with people that are planning to use force against law abiding citizens, especially in times of trouble.

  “She has support in trying to resolve the situation, but the militia also has some theoretical support, too, in general principle. I don’t doubt that if something would happen, those supporting the militia verbally would quickly change their minds. But that would be too late.”

  Bandy sipped the tea for a moment as Bob took his coffee and did the same. Magdalene had taken the chair beside Bandy and she was drinking tea, like Bandy.

  A few seconds of silence and then Bandy spoke again. “It could come down to that, I’m afraid. Having to wait for something to happen is very disconcerting, but doing anything to the group now could get us in more trouble than the militia gets in.”

  “Exactly as I described,” Magdalene said. Bob sighed again and Magdalene continued. “Which means that people are going to be at much greater risk, over and above any risks that a breakdown would cause, if something does happen.”

  “And there are no doubts in my mind that we would be a major target here,” Bob said. He straightened in the chair and put the cup on its saucer. “I will not put my family at great physical risk, even to help Angus. So part of the solution has to be protection for my family and the ranch.

  “I had not thought of things in this light much before Angus began bringing up the subject of survival in difficult times, but this ranch would be one of the key facilities to maintain and feed the area population if food can’t be brought in.

  “Angus feels the same way about his place. That’s what got him so involved with the militia. At first he was just looking for some information on how to prepare. And then, when the leader of the militia suggested that they, the militia, become the enforcement arm for Angus’ operation, Angus fell for it.

  “Slightly, I must say, and quickly realized the dangers. But it was too late. The militia has a foothold in his life now, and knows enough about him and his family to put on the pressure.”

  “Really complicates things,” Bandy mused. He thought for a few more moments before asking, “He has a home place, in addition to the business location?”

  Bob nodded and Magdalene spoke. “It is a beautiful house on a large, very nice piece of property not too far from here. But it is just pretty much a normal house. I do know he put in a generator and has bought some supplies and such, and made arrangements to build some type of disaster shelter.”

  “He’s been holding off on building it,” Bob said, picking up where Magdalene left off, “ever since the militia leader started making demands on how it was to be built. Angus was really Gung Ho initially, once he got the survivalist bug, to get something done, since he thinks things are going bad quickly. But now he doesn’t want to make it easy for the militia to take it over.”

  “I see. So the militia wants something suited to a raiding lifestyle, while Angus and you and your family want something to protect yourselves, but to also allow you to help the co
mmunity in times of need. That pretty close?” Bandy asked.

  Bob looked rather surprised, after thinking about it, but Magdalene had immediately said, “Yes.”

  “I suppose that is what I would like to see. I thought Angus was drifting a little off the deep end at first, but I’m seeing what he was talking about happening, and the very presence of the militia is a sure sign that things would be dangerous, even in an otherwise difficult but more or less benign event.”

  All three looked over when Ana-Bella walked into the room. She looked at Bandy and said, “You came! Thank you!”

  “I’m beginning to see what you see in this man,” Magdalene said. “I believe he might be able to come up with a solution to help.”

  “Still not quite the legend you created,” Bob said, “But I do like the way he thinks.”

  “Oh, Dad! You just don’t like any man being interested in me. And vice versa.”

  Now that made Bandy feel good. And he smiled, bringing a broader one to Ana-Bella’s that both Magdalene and Bob noted. Magdalene with a small smile of her own, and Bob a slightly sour look, but only for an instant.

  “You’ve come up with a plan?” Ana-Bella asked, walking over to the desk and leaning a trim hip against it.

  “I’m afraid not,” Bandy said immediately. “Your mother and father were filling me in on what the situation was, in addition to what you told me. I’m getting an inkling of an idea. But…”

  Bandy looked from Ana-Bella to Bob. “But it could be somewhat expensive, a bit time consuming, put the family and place in more danger than it might be otherwise, and some elements of it are bordering on legal.”

  “I don’t like the greater danger part,” Bob replied. “The other doesn’t bother me. As long as it works.”

  “It would mean working with Mr. Longhammer and getting him to start doing things that are going to upset the militia if, or more likely when, they find out what it is that he will be doing. It would put his family at more risk, too.”

  “He’s ready to send them away for a while,” Bob said.

  “You didn’t tell me that,” Magdalene said.

  “It was just something he was considering. He didn’t want me to mention it. He hasn’t, or hadn’t, when we discussed it, even mentioned it to June.”

  “Oh,” Magdalene said. “June won’t go for it. The kids, probably, but she won’t run.”

  “It would be so much easier for this to work if all unnecessary people were out of harms’ way for the duration, wouldn’t you say, Hawkins?” Bob asked.

  “Don’t put him on the spot, Dad,” Ana-Bella said. “I’m not leaving, and once Mother has her say, she isn’t going, either. I can’t believe June would leave, other than to protect the kids. And they are old enough to be on their own for a while if needs be.”

  Bob didn’t like it. Wife and daughter were standing together on the situation. And he knew he wouldn’t like it with them gone, even if safer, if safer they would be.

  “All right. That discussion is over. Up to June and Angus to decide for themselves.”

  “You are a wise man, Dear,” Magdalene said.

  Ana-Bella grinned, but Bandy quickly hid his behind the cup of tea.

  “Humph!” Bob looked over at Bandy again. “So what is this plan of yours?”

  “I’d rather not say at the moment. I’d like to talk to Mr. Longhammer, get a good look at his business and home, and look this place over in terms of defense. I’ll have something to give you and Mr. Longhammer before I leave after Thanksgiving.”

  Again Bob didn’t particularly like it, but again he didn’t protest other than with a look.

  “Mother, Dad, I’m tired. I’m going to lie down for a while before supper. I pushed to get here as soon as I could. But I’ll be fine to help with Thanksgiving preparations after supper.”

  Ana-Bella looked over at Bandy. “You need some help with your bags before I go up?”

  “I still think I should go into…”

  Three firm looks shut him up. “No. I can manage the bags. Thank you.”

  “Okay. Follow me up. I’ll show you the room you’ll be using and then you can get your gear.”

  The two left Magdalene and Bob in the study to have their own discussion.

  Bandy wished Ana-Bella had let him go up the stairs first. Going up behind her was pleasant, but disconcerting. But she was all business. She showed him a small room, with a bathroom just down the hall. “Pretty much just be you using this bathroom, so spread your things out if you want.”

  She started to turn away, but hesitated and turned back. “Bandy?”

  Bandy tilted his head in question.

  “I’m so glad you came. Thank you.” She was in his arms for a hard hug, and then gone before Bandy could react.

  Deciding to keep his thoughts off Ana-Bella and on the situation at hand, Bandy went down to get his gear, including his laptop computer. He stopped in the study for a moment, finding Bob there alone, to get the Wi-Fi connection instructions so he could get on the internet for some research.

  “Son, seriously, do you think my family will be safe?” Bob asked suddenly, the look on his face tearing at Bandy’s heart. Bob was really afraid of what might happen.

  “I do, Sir. I intend to see that they are, just like you.”

  Bob nodded and Bandy went on up to the room. He was going to be a very busy person for a few days.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Bandy’s offer to help with the Thanksgiving preliminaries that evening was declined and he spent the late afternoon with Bob, looking over the ranch in detail.

  He could tell Bob was curious about the notes Bandy was taking, but he didn’t want to discuss them until he had time to analyze them. Bob Sheridan had good people working for him. Things weren’t great for defense, but they weren’t terrible. Especially if the defensive shelter Bandy was beginning to envision was acceptable to Bob and his family.

  After a quiet supper, with the conversation mostly centered around Ana-Bella’s last few runs and the operation of the ranch, Bandy joined the family in the study. Ana-Bella and Magdalene were both reading, and Bob, like Bandy, was on a computer.

  There was the occasional interruption as the public service band scanner broke squelch with some type of activity and everyone stopped to listen. There was a little chatter on the ranch’s radio system, but not very much.

  A bit before nine, Bandy spoke to Bob. “Sir, I will send over some links for you to check into, if you’ll give me your e-mail or Skype address.”

  “Yes. Of course.” A minute or so later and Bandy was sending a series of links to websites that Bandy wanted Bob to look at. Ana-Bella put her book down and went to watch over her father’s shoulder as he began to open the various websites and check them out.

  “Honey, if you would get your computer, perhaps Bandy will send you the links,” Bob finally said, after Ana-Bella stopped him, pointed out something, or suggested he click on this or that link.

  “Of course,” Bandy said.

  Ana-Bella grinned and stood up straighter. “But it won’t aggravate Dad as much. But it sure would be better for my back. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.”

  Just as she’d said, Ana-Bella was back shortly with her own laptop. After another minute or two to get it up, running, and connected to the Wi-Fi, Bandy was sending her the same links he’d sent her father.

  “Either of you… I’d rather wait on questions about what to do until I have a better plan laid out. That should be Saturday night. But if you have general questions about something on the websites, feel free to ask.”

  Bob immediately asked, “People are actually paying this much for being prepared? Especially for shelters!”

  “Yes, Sir. Some do spend large amounts. Into the millions. Not necessary for most people and certainly not affordable for the majority, but the capability is out there for those that want it. For a price.”

  “Hmm. I know Angus dropped a bundle on that load that Ana-Bella picked up
for him.”

  “It doesn’t include a couple of key items, either,” Bandy said. “Expensive ones.”

  “He said he had everything he needed but labor and concrete,” Bob protested.

  “‘Almost everything’, I believe was the quote, Bob,” Magdalene said without looking up from her book.

  “Perhaps it was,” Bob admitted.

  “There is more than one way to skin a cat,” Bandy said carefully. “Options are good, and there are plenty of them. Some better than others, some more expensive, some less. All depends on the ultimate goal and budget.”

  “Well,” Bob said, looking first at his wife and then his daughter, “The budget will be there. Though I can’t speak for Angus, I think he’s willing to do almost anything to get out of this mess.”