“No point,” Terrie says. “That supervolcano blows and this cabin will be buried under several feet of ash. Won’t make a difference if this stuff is packed in boxes or sitting out. We won’t be coming back for it anytime soon, if at all.”
“True,” Mikellson nods and takes a seat at the breakfast table next to the open kitchen.
“This is a sitting visit?” Terrie asks, her hands on her hips. “Better just come out and say it.”
“Special Agent Tobias Linder just rolled into town,” Mikellson says. “Sure you don’t want to sit down?”
“Shit,” Terrie says, surprising both Kyle and Mikellson. “Pardon my French.”
She takes a seat and gestures for Kyle to do the same.
“Where is he now?” Terrie asks.
“Talking with Stephie, last I heard,” Mikellson replies. “She’ll get rid of him, but I don’t know how long that will take.”
“Who’s Special Agent Tobias Linder?” Kyle asks.
Mikellson gives Terrie a surprised look, but the woman just shakes her head and the deputy drops it.
“FBI,” Terrie says to Kyle. “He’s one of the reasons we live here.”
“I thought the FBI helped with witness protection?” Kyle asks. “Why are we afraid of him?”
“I’m not afraid of that man,” Terrie snaps. “Not ever.”
Kyle looks from his grandmother to Mikellson then sighs and crosses his arms.
“So, who is he?” Kyle asks.
“Trouble,” Terrie says.
“And a delay,” Mikellson says. “If he stays in town, then that means you can’t get on a bus.”
“I’d rather drive the Bronco anyway,” Terrie says. “The thought of being cramped in one of those school buses gives me the creeps. And Biscuit won’t like it none either.”
At the mention of his name, the huge hybrid looks up and gives a low woof, then settles back down and closes his eyes.
“See?” Terrie says. “He’s completely stressed out.”
“You two still haven’t told me why we are hiding from this Linder guy?” Kyle says. “Maybe Mom sent him. The US Marshals and FBI work together all the time. Maybe he’s here to help escort the buses to the convoy?”
“He’s not,” Mikellson says. “He’s here for you two.”
“I’m confused,” Kyle says. “Mom’s a US Marshall, Stephie is the sheriff of Lincoln County, and you pretty much live here.” Kyle points at Mikellson. “Or at least you always eat here. It’s not like we’re hiding from the law. Why are we worried about an FBI agent? Isn’t he one of the good guys too?”
“No, he’s not,” Terrie says. “And I don’t have time to explain it all to you.”
“Probably should have done that a while ago,” Mikellson says quietly.
“Shut your meat hole,” Terrie says, jabbing a finger towards Mikellson. “You have no idea what it’s taken to keep us hidden here.”
“I have a pretty good idea, thank you,” Mikellson replies. “Don’t think I don’t, Terrie Morgan.”
“Yeah, yeah, you do,” Terrie nods. “Sorry, Eric.”
“So no one is going to tell me who this guy is?” Kyle snaps. “Just gonna leave me in the dark like usual.”
“Oh, stop being such a drama queen,” Terrie says. “Finish packing the Bronco while I talk with Eric. You do that and maybe I’ll fill you in once we get on the road.”
The sarcastic reply dies on Kyle’s lips as he sees the look in his grandma’s eyes. Not the time to be a shit.
“Fine,” Kyle says as he stands up quickly, knocking over his chair.
Biscuit jumps from the couch barking, his massive jaws open wide.
“Biscuit!” Kyle shouts. “Shut up! It’s just me!”
The hybrid gives a last bark, then looks over at Kyle and whines.
“Come on, boy,” Kyle says as he walks over and grabs his coat. “You can help me pack.”
“Keep an eye on him,” Terrie says. “We’re leaving as soon as the Bronco is ready. We won’t have time to chase him down if he takes off after another darn squirrel.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Kyle says, sounding just like his grandma. “Come on, B.”
The boy opens the door and Biscuit rushes out, straight for the firs and pines that surround the cabin.
“Biscuit! Dammit! Get back here!” Kyle yells as he closes the door behind him.
Mikellson looks at Terrie, but she holds up a finger. “Don’t say it.”
“You still haven’t told him who Linder is?” Mikellson asks.
“I said not to say it,” Terrie replies. “And, honestly, it wasn’t my choice. Lu is the one that said she’d tell him when she thought the boy was ready.”
“But, Terrie, knowing who the man is, is important to keeping you safe!” Mikellson exclaims. “You know better!”
“And so does my daughter!” Terrie snaps. “But no matter how many times I bring it up, she just says she’ll do it later.”
“Why do you think he’s here now?” Mikellson asks. “There’s a freaking volcano about to fully erupt and cover most of this country in feet of ash. Strange time to all of a sudden pick up the trail.”
“It’s not strange at all,” Terrie says. “He must have gotten a hold of Lu’s call logs.”
“Why would that matter?” Mikellson asks. “Lu uses burners when she talks to you. You never call her work number. Did she screw up and call here with a damn federal phone?”
“She didn’t screw up, Stephie and I did,” Terrie says. “When the evacuation information came in, and we found out it was going to be a lottery system for all civilians to get on the ships leaving Galveston, New Orleans, and Mobile, Stephie called Lu directly to see if we could get the folks here in Champion on one of the military carriers.”
“I know all of that,” Mikellson says. “Why would that lead Linder here?”
“Lu didn’t have a chance to get a new burner when this all happened,” Terrie explains. “The only way to get a hold of her was to call her on her official cell phone. It was one call and only lasted five minutes.” Terrie spreads her arms to indicate the cabin. “It has taken Stephie a lot of work to make a home for us and keep us safe. To say Lu owes the woman a favor or two is an understatement. Stephie took a risk to cash in on those favors. We thought that even if Linder was snooping on Lu’s phone logs there’d be no way he could come up here now, not with the chaos of everything.”
“I guess you were wrong there,” Mikellson says.
“Yeah, we were,” Terrie says. “Don’t rub it in.”
“What’s the plan?” Mikellson asks. “How do we get you two out of here without Linder knowing?”
“I’ll take Kyle with me in the Bronco and we’ll head over to Bonners Ferry,” Terrie explains. “We’ll wait for you there.”
“But you have to go right through town to get to 37,” Mikellson says. “If he’s still there he’ll see you. I can tell this guy doesn’t miss much.”
“He doesn’t know my Bronco,” Terrie says. “And I won’t be driving.”
“Who will?” Mikellson asks then pauses. “No...Kyle? You think he won’t recognize him?”
“It’s been years,” Terrie says. “Lu barely recognizes the boy each time she sees him and that’s every three months or so. It’ll be enough to get us through town and onto the highway.”
“I hope so,” Mikellson sighs. “For that boy’s sake, I really do.”
***
“Just stay right there,” Kyle growls at Biscuit as he drags the hybrid over by the Bronco. “Don’t move. No more chasing squirrels.”
The hybrid woofs, and then lies down in the ash by the rear wheel of the big SUV. A classic 1984 full size Bronco, the vehicle has been outfitted with heavy duty suspension, a turbo charged V-8 multi-fuel engine, oversized tires, and reinforced front and rear bumpers. Kyle calls it the Tank.
He lowers the back and tosses in two duffel bags, then turns to go back to the porch for the suitcases. Biscuit watches him
go, then his hackles rise and he jumps up barking.
“Jesus, B!” Kyle yells, leaping a foot into the air. “You scared the shit out of me!”
Biscuit keeps barking and barking and Kyle is about to stomp over there and whack him on his massive snout, but he stops as he feels his legs start to tremor.
No, not his legs, but the ground. The ground is tremoring. Then it’s shaking and after two or three seconds, it’s full on quaking.
“Grandma!” Kyle yells. “Grandma!”
Terrie and Mikellson burst from the cabin and stare at the swaying trees around the cabin.
“This can’t be good!” Mikellson shouts over the sound of the earthquake.
Kaiju Winter is available from Amazon here
Kaiju Apocalypse III Page 7
