“Wow,” Rebecca said. “It’s getting worse and worse.”
Joshua frowned and shook his head. “Indeed. We’re watching the disintegration of the America we know and love.”
***
Joshua was in the clearing when Thomas’ Suburban made its way down the mountain. Tommy jumped out of the passenger side and ran over to meet him. “Mr. Winston, Dad wanted me to give these to you.” He handed Joshua a stack of the proposed camp rules. “Me and Dad are headed to see if there’s anything left at the store. Y’all need anything?”
“Not that I can think of. Are you taking any of our security guys with you?”
“I don’t know.”
Thomas and Tommy made their way to the store in Robbinsville, where the shelves were almost barren. Before they made it out of the store Thomas said, “Son, I forgot to get batteries. Go back and get ‘em and meet me outside.”
Tommy took the crisp $20 bill from his father. He looked for batteries but could not find them anywhere.
“We’re running out of a lot of things,” the store manager told him. “And we’re getting very few shipments of anything that isn’t produced locally.” Tommy thanked the manager and went outside.
***
“Nine eggs,” Rebecca said. “Not a bad day.”
Joshua nodded. “Maybe this ‘laying mash’ stuff Thomas picked up actually works.”
They met Bob and Kane in the clearing. “We have completed the first set of defensive structures along the road,” Bob informed them. “To the naked eye they appear to be part of the natural terrain, but are difficult for individuals or vehicles to cross. Additionally, we have constructed passageways inside them that can be used to travel around the perimeter undetected. We will resume work tomorrow. It will take some time to fully encircle the camp.”
“Sounds good,” Joshua said. “I’ll take a look at them tomorrow. I’ve got to finish getting ready for tonight’s meetings.”
“Both Thomas and Drew took off, didn’t they?” Rebecca asked. “Will they be back in time?”
Joshua answered, “I hope--”
Thomas’ Suburban rocketed up the path from the road, kicking up dirt and rocks in its wake.
“Why is he in such a hurry?” Rebecca wondered aloud. The vehicle’s brakes locked and it skidded to a stop. Tommy jumped out, pale and shaking.
“What’s wrong, Tommy?” Joshua asked. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Dad…” Tommy stammered and handed Joshua a sheet of paper. “Th.. this was on the truck...”
Joshua examined the paper. He frowned and handed it to Bob, who read it aloud. We have your father. You were able to escape when the old man bailed you out on the mountain road. If you want to see your father again, bring the old man who rescued you to us. 4:30 p.m. today, same parking lot where you found this note. No cops, and no one else. If you do not comply, YOUR FATHER IS DEAD.
“Where did this happen?” Bob asked.
“Um, at, the.. um, grocery store.”
“What grocery store?”
Joshua jumped in. “Tommy, was it the grocery store over in Robbinsville where your Dad took us last week?”
Tommy nodded.
“How did this happen?” Bob asked.
“We went through the checkout line and then Dad realized he’d forgotten batteries,” Tommy said, sounding a little more composed. “He gave me a twenty and sent me back in. When I got back to the truck the keys were hanging in the door and this note was on the seat.”
Bob continued his rapid-fire questioning. “Did you immediately drive back here after finding the note?”
“Um, yes.”
“Were you followed?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Are you certain?”
“Um, no.”
“Martin, perform immediate border security check along the road.”
“Yes, sir!” Kane answered.
“Joshua, postpone tonight’s meetings. Round up people from the other homes. Rebecca, go with Tommy and talk to Mr. Page’s family, then bring him back here.”
Bob explained the situation after Joshua rounded up Perry, Jack and Chuck.
“McGee, come with us,” Bob said. “Mr. Edwards and Mr. Jones, stay here and guard the camp. Let Mr. Davidson and the people in the other cabin know what has happened and that tonight’s camp and council meetings are postponed.”
“Will do,” Perry answered.
After a short time Rebecca and Tommy made the trip back down the hill in Thomas’ Suburban.
“How did Kim take it?” Joshua asked.
“She pretty much lost it,” Rebecca said. “I assured her that it’ll be all right and that we’ll get Thomas back.”
“Tommy, we need for you to go with us to get your Dad back,” Bob said.
Tommy nodded, still shaking.
“Rebecca, please stay with Kim until we come back,” Joshua advised. “Bob, what’s your plan?”
Bob’s eyes narrowed as he checked the magazine on his 1911 and forcefully pumped a round into the chamber. “Well, they said they wanted me. Let’s give the morons what they asked for.”
Kane returned from the woods and ran toward the cabin, stone-faced. “Bogey vehicle parked up the hill from the gate, sir. Two people in the vehicle. One man, one woman. Another man thinks he’s hiding in the woods across the road.”
“They followed Tommy when he returned here and are planning to ambush us when we leave,” Bob said. “The vehicle is a decoy, and the other man is likely the shooter. Martin, was Mr. Page in the vehicle?”
“Unable to discern, sir.”
Bob’s eyes narrowed as he outlined his plan. “Priority one is to ascertain Mr. Page’s location and retrieve him securely. Priority two is to ensure that our location here is not compromised.”
Joshua shot Bob a puzzled look. “How do you plan to avoid our location being compromised since they are right outside the gate? Hasn’t it already been compromised?”
“That is why we must eliminate the three bogeys.”
“By ‘eliminate’ you mean ‘kill’?”
“Affirmative. They will likely initiate conflict and force our hand. The larger challenge is ascertaining Mr. Page’s location before we eliminate the threat.”
“Won’t that just draw attention to us?” Joshua asked.
“If they are allowed to escape they will absolutely compromise us. And they have made their intentions clear.”
“What about local law enforcement? Shouldn’t we call them?”
“Negative! In the wake of all that has happened, and particularly in light of the incident at the farm, we cannot rely on or trust anyone. We must handle this ourselves.”
Joshua took a deep breath.
Bob barked out orders. “Martin, position McGee at a secure vantage point near the gate and yourself at the highest possible vantage point with eyes on the bogey in the woods. McGee, keep eyes on the bogeys in the vehicle. I will drive Mr. Page’s Suburban to the gate and exit the vehicle when I have eyes on the enemy. Joshua, follow me down the path but stay far enough behind to avoid being spotted. Be prepared to initiate pursuit if the other vehicle flees. McGee, be prepared to join Joshua in his truck.”
Kane nodded and motioned for Jack to follow him as he headed into the woods in the direction of the gate.
As Kane and Jack started for the woods Bob said, “Martin, we will wait ten minutes before proceeding to give you time to get into position. You have the green light to engage at the first sign of hostility.”
“Yes, sir!”
“What about me?” Tommy asked.
Bob put his hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “Son, things have changed now that the enemy has found us. You should stay here. I don’t want to put you in harm’s way.”
“NO! He’s my Dad, and I want to go.”
Bob looked at Joshua for guidance.
“Tommy, are you sure?” Joshua asked.
“YES!”
“Wait here
, son.” Bob walked to his utility trailer, returning with two vests and a helmet. He handed a vest and the helmet to Tommy. “Son, put these on and ride in the back. If you hear shots, get down in the vehicle and stay down.” Tommy put on the vest and helmet and opened the door to the back seat of his father’s Suburban and settled in. “Not the back seat, son. All the way in the back. As far out of sight as possible.” Tommy did as Bob instructed. Bob also donned a vest and covered it with his dark green coat.
After exactly ten minutes Bob began slowly driving down the path toward the gate. Joshua followed him, keeping his distance. His heart was beating a million miles a minute as he kept his hand near his 9mm. I feel like we’re in a war zone, but I’m not even sure who our enemies are. These guys seem like random criminals.
The short trip down the winding dirt path seemed like an eternity. As Joshua rounded the last curve before reaching the road he spotted the defensive hedgerow that Bob and Kane were constructing.
Bob stopped before reaching the gate. Joshua watched as he concealed his pistol under the back of his coat and walked out into the narrow two-lane road. A shot rang out and Bob went down. Relax, he’s wearing a vest, Joshua thought. Tommy disappeared down into the SUV. As Bob hit the ground another shot rang out, followed by the sound of tires screeching and another shot.
Bob was back on his feet in a flash. Jack rushed from the interior of the hedgerow and sprinted to the passenger side of Joshua’s Silverado.
“Martin, clean up the mess,” Bob yelled.
Bob motioned for Joshua to follow as he gunned the Suburban. The tires screeched as he spun out of the driveway onto the road. Joshua floored it and followed him out. Here we go! He saw another vehicle off in the distance speeding away. Bob was in hot pursuit and Joshua tried to catch up. Kane crossed the road behind them, presumably going in the direction of the shooter.
“What happened?” Joshua asked Jack.
“Kane took out the shooter. I took a shot at the vehicle, but it began a quick U-turn as soon as I squeezed the trigger and I missed the driver.” Jack frowned as he replaced the spent rounds in his rifle. “I think I took out a female passenger.”
Joshua’s heart pounded as he followed Bob and the bandit. He gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands as the mountainside streaked past in a dizzying blur. The old Silverado shook and rattled as it hugged the narrow, winding mountain road. They didn’t cover this in drivers’ ed, he thought.
“I just hope Thomas is okay and that we find him,” Joshua said.
“We will,” Jack assured him.
Joshua felt beads of cold sweat on his forehead as the chase continued for several miles. As they rounded a curve he spotted the getaway vehicle streaking down a narrow dirt path on the right. Bob did not follow them, instead passing the entrance to the path and continuing down the road.
“Should we turn?” Joshua asked.
“No, follow Bob,” Jack answered. “I think I know what his plan is.”
When they rounded the next curve they found Bob pulled off onto the shoulder. A thick cluster of trees obscured the view of the valley and the path down which the getaway vehicle had fled. Joshua’s old Silverado skidded to a stop.
“What’s the plan, Bob?” Joshua asked.
“They think they lost us. Joshua, go back past the dirt path and drop McGee off. McGee, you go into the woods and come down the right side of the dirt path. I will enter the woods here and come down the left side. Joshua, you maintain position in your vehicle, out of sight, from a vantage point where you can see any vehicles coming up the path. Keep your eyes open, and if you see the other vehicle trying to escape use your truck to block its exit.”
“What about me?” Tommy asked.
Bob’s tone transformed from that of a commanding officer to a concerned father. “Son, you stay here in your Dad’s vehicle. We’ll get him back for you.” Tommy nodded.
Bob disappeared down the mountainside and Joshua drove back up the road past the dirt path down which the getaway vehicle had turned.
“Let me out here,” Jack said.
Joshua obliged and Jack began his trek down the embankment.
***
Bob nimbly made his way down the side of the mountain into the small valley where Thomas’ kidnappers had fled. Halfway down the incline he spotted the getaway vehicle parked between a small brown house and a rickety old wooden barn in the clearing below. Is this where they’re holding Thomas? he wondered. A dark red El Camino was parked near the getaway vehicle and a run-down trailer sat near the property’s edge. The yard was cluttered with rusty barrels, five-gallon buckets, boards and three lawn chairs.
The embankment was steep, but Bob was unhindered as he stealthily descended toward the house and barn. As he neared the base of the slope a man exited the back door and rushed to the barn. Bob watched him through a telescope. During the brief instant the barn door was open he spotted Thomas, blindfolded, gagged and tied up against a pole. A shot of adrenaline pulsed through his veins. We’re in the right place.
After reaching the edge of the yard Bob surveyed the steep hill on the other side of the house. Jack was still far up the mountain, slowly descending.
Bob clenched his teeth. “Hurry up, McGee,” he mumbled under his breath. “I don’t have all freakin’ day.”
Bob froze as a mangy brown mutt stepped around the corner of the barn and stopped. He could feel the dog’s glare laser-focused on him. He put his hand on his holstered 1911. Bob swallowed hard. If he starts barking I’m blown. The dog silently fixated on his position for what seemed like hours, then abruptly turned and slowly meandered away from the barn. He exhaled as the dog disappeared into the woods off to his right. After the dog was safely out of sight Bob began a slow belly crawl forward.
Yelling and cursing rang out from the barn. Bob had crawled about halfway to the structure when the door opened. He froze and watched as the man he had seen earlier left the barn and returned to the house. Bob heaved a sigh of relief when the house door slammed shut without the man noticing him on the ground less than fifty feet away. That could have imperiled the mission.
Bob un-holstered his 1911 and continued his silent belly crawl to the barn. Once there, a quick glance between the loosely fitted boards confirmed that Thomas was still tied to the post. He again studied the adjacent hill, where Jack was only about halfway down the mountain. I don’t have time to wait on you, McGee.
Bob stealthily slipped around to the back of the barn, putting it between himself and the house. He quietly slipped through the door and made his way toward Thomas.
“Thomas, it’s Bob Kendall,” he whispered. “We’re here to--”
He felt a blow to his back and fell forward onto his knees. His pistol flew from his hands and skidded across the dirt floor, out of reach. Bob vaulted up and spun toward his unknown attacker. WHACK! His face was met by the broad side of a shovel. He tumbled backward, dazed. The last thing he saw was the shovel descending toward his face.
***
Joshua was growing impatient. He studied the valley below through a pair of binoculars, unable to get a clear view of what was happening. What’s going on down there? Off to the right he spotted Jack, still making his way down the mountainside. It’s not that far. I could make it down the path in no time. I might even be able to beat Jack there...
***
Groggy, Bob struggled to regain his senses. His swollen right eye resisted his efforts to open it. He was inside a dimly lit structure that was permeated by a dank, musky odor. After a moment he realized it was the barn where Thomas had been held. He tried to stand up, but the tightly bound ropes would not allow it. As the blurriness receded Bob realized Thomas was still tied up a few feet away. His blindfold had been removed. A tall, skinny man in worn jeans and a frayed green flannel shirt stood ten feet away holding a shotgun.
“Old man, you destroyed my truck the other day. Today you killed my little brother and my girlfriend. Now it’s your turn!” He punched Bo
b repeatedly, then kicked him in the ribs and spit in his face for good measure. “I’m gonna enjoy this! You’ll watch your friend here die. Then you’re next!”
Where is McGee? Bob thought. Slow bastard.
The man squatted near Bob, the heavy stench of his foul breath saturating the air like a toxic cloud. “Who do you think you are? Rambo? Jack Bauer? You’re just an old man who will be forgotten in a week!” He pumped a shell into the chamber of the shotgun as he walked away.
“I’m the one you want,” Bob pleaded. “Let him go and kill me. He’s done nothing to you.”
“It’s too late for that! He’s seen our faces,” the man snarled, pointing at Thomas. “And the last thing you see before you die will be proof that you failed to save him!”
Bob’s heart sank under the weight of his inability to accomplish his mission. “Thomas, I’m sorry I failed you.” Thomas looked at him helplessly.
The kidnapper let out a sadistic laugh and took aim at Thomas. Bob closed his eyes, unable to watch. He heard one shot, then a pumping shotgun, then a second blast. Then a body hitting the floor. Thomas was on the ground. That person was standing up. Bob opened his eyes and saw the kidnapper lying on the ground, blood oozing from beneath his lifeless corpse. Tommy stood in the doorway closest to the house, a smoking 12-gauge in his hands.
“Dad…” Tommy ran to his father.
“Son!” Tears streamed down Thomas’ face. “You saved my life! But you shouldn’t have risked yourself!”
Tommy stood up straight with an air of defiance. “I couldn’t sit up there and do nothing!” He laid the shotgun on the ground and began untying his father.
“Your father is right, you shouldn’t have come down here.” The stranger’s voice was followed by the sound of a pumping shotgun. “Hands up. NOW.”
Another man stood in the doorway. Bob’s heart sank as he realized this was the man he had seen go from the house to the barn and back earlier. How could I not have suspected there were two of them? Where the hell is McGee? He should be here by now.
After the Republic Page 15
