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Sarah nodded. “This bag of bones won’t cooperate. But yes, we’re good.” Sarah smiled at Jacob and Mark. “We appreciate you two letting us stay in your room.”
Mark nodded. “You’re welcome. Mom’s had us all in the same room since this started, though, so it’s no big deal.”
“Well we appreciate it regardless.” Jason chimed in before taking a seat on the floor. “So, D, you ready for tomorrow?”
“I think so. What time do you think we should leave?”
“Seven or so should be good. I’ll get the guns and ammo loaded up when I get up at six if you’ll take care of the food and water.”
“Sure thing. Let’s bring enough supplies to last for a couple days. We’re coming back by the evening but who knows what could happen out there.”
“Absolutely.”
“What are you two planning on doing, anyway?” Sarah looked at Jason and Dianne. “Just searching for these people or trying to rescue Tina or what?”
“Scouting is the primary goal.” Dianne replied. “We need to find out where they are, how many people are in their group and what kind of weapons and transportation they have. And we should probably figure out their general disposition. Maybe the ones we saw were… misunderstood?”
Jason chortled. “Please. Don’t give them that much credit.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Stranger things have happened, but it’s not likely.” Dianne’s smile faded. “I hope Tina and Dave are okay.”
“We’ll find out tomorrow, hopefully. If we can locate them.”
“What’s the plan for that again? Dianne got up and walked over to the kitchen table. Jason followed and the pair stood looking over a large map of the area that they had talked over earlier while making their plans for where to go.
“We should go west first. Head along the highway or the service road as much as possible. I’m betting they’re set up somewhere between Ellisville and Blacksburg. If not, though, then we should get to a high point—maybe the old water tower or radio tower—and keep watch for a few hours. If we see a vehicle we’ll try to follow them to see where they go.”
Dianne nodded. “Good. If we run into trouble we’ll head north and east and lose them in the back roads before swinging around and coming back here. Whatever we do we can’t let them know where we are.”
“You know, I was thinking about that.” Jason jerked his thumb in the direction of the fireplace. “I think I know why they haven’t found you from the smoke.”
“Why’s that?”
“The house is set down far enough and the lay of your land is such that most of it’s dissipated by the time it rises over the trees. The smell of the burning wood probably draws their attention sometimes but when they’re driving in the area they’d have a hard time seeing any smoke at all.”
“Huh. You’re probably right about that. Thank goodness for small favors.” She turned to Mark, who was listening in on the conversation. “I still don’t want any more fires than are necessary, okay? No sense in taking risks when we’ll be away.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded and Dianne turned back to Jason.
“What else should we bring?”
“Couple of thick coats, extra pair of socks and shoes and a couple blankets in case we get stuck in the truck. Other than that, though, I think we’re good.”
“Which truck do you want to take? I think yours is probably a bit quieter.”
“Yeah, I think so. Let’s do that.”
Dianne clapped her hands together. “I think we’re set, then. We’ll head out first thing, scout and see if we can find these people and figure out what the situation is with the Carsons.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 6
Somewhere in Russia
The Russian President sits at the head of the conference table, idly playing with a cap from a bottle of water sitting in front of him. He barely listens as his military leaders drone on with justifications for why they believe a missile strike on the United States is a prudent course of action. He has already decided that a strike will do nothing but lead to further bloodshed but given the influence the military leaders have he must take a more diplomatic approach.
“Gentlemen.” After twenty minutes, when they finally finish speaking, he addresses them. “I appreciate your concerns. I share them. The fact of the matter is that we will gain nothing from this strike.” He holds up his hands to silence the initial vocal objections. “I have given you the courtesy of speaking uninterrupted. You will do me the same courtesy, yes?” The question isn’t a question at all, but a statement. Despite the heavy influence each of the leaders wields they are still subject to the whims of the man at the head of the table.
