Nuclear Survival: Western Strength (Book 3): Make The Cut

by Tate, Harley

  “Deal.” Lainey flipped down the mirror and used it to straighten her hair while Keith and Owen switched places.

  Keith stood by the side of the Infiniti, camera in his hand. Lainey straightened her blazer and looked out at the sea of cars in front of her. She nodded and he brought the camera up into position.

  He motioned with his hand. “On one. Three, two—”

  “Hello again. This is Lainey Sinclair. I am coming to you from I-29 in North Dakota about a mile from the Canadian border. As you can see behind me, we are stuck in gridlock. People are camped out on the side of the road, some in makeshift shelters, others in their vehicles.”

  Lainey smiled like reporters do when they pause. “From what we have been able to gather, any border crossings at this point are slow and laborious. Judging from the state of some of the campers, it appears they have been here for days. It is unknown whether anyone is currently allowed to cross the border. We have not seen any aid, received any information, nor seen any police presence.”

  Keith panned back and took in the long line of cars while Lainey kept talking.

  “It will only be a matter of time before the situation deteriorates into something similar to what we experienced in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. If you are watching this from inside the United States, we have no good news regarding leaving the country. My advice would be to find a place to hunker down and wait. Somewhere safe, away from a major city and the violence that seems widespread in those areas.”

  Keith zoomed back in on Lainey’s face. “If you are a citizen of another country, please send your thoughts and prayers out to America. We’re going to need them.” She paused. “A special thanks to our Canadian friends to the north. You have been welcoming and hospitable through this ordeal and we hope the challenges this disaster brings to your country will pass.”

  Lainey made a motion and Keith stopped recording. “It feels like a fluff piece. I told the viewers nothing.”

  He shrugged. “You said enough. This isn’t for information-gathering, remember? We need to show News Winnipeg that we’re stuck over here and need help getting across.”

  She frowned and turned to stare in the direction of the border. “Should I do it again? Make it more desperate?”

  Keith understood her concern, but he didn’t think the lack of information mattered. America had become a train wreck the rest of the world couldn’t look away from. People would watch no matter what. He tapped on the window and Owen rolled it down. “I think it’s fine.”

  Owen took the camera and rolled the window back up as a woman emerged from the long line of cars. “Hey! Are you reporters?”

  Lainey shielded her eyes from the sun. “We’re just freelancers.”

  The woman strode up to her, steps elongated and arms pumping. Judging by the wrinkles in her shirt and stains on her jeans, she had been on the road for days.

  Lainey stepped back. “We don’t have a regular gig. Just recording now and hoping to upload when we reach Canada.”

  The woman spat on the ground. “Good luck with that. They’re not letting anybody through. It’s been like this for three days.”

  Keith didn’t like how the woman looked at Lainey. It was the same expression he’d seen when they interviewed people out on the street. Roving eyes, fidgety hands. A body that never stood still.

  “You got anything to help a fellow traveler?”

  Lainey glanced at the SUV, but Keith cut off any offering. “I’m sorry, we’re in the same position as you. It’s been a long trip on the road.”

  “Right. Like I believe that. You drivin’ that fancy SUV you gotta have somethin’. Food. Water. Some pills.”

  “Have you asked around?”

  The woman scoffed. “No one up here’s got squat. The stores are looted or empty. The gas stations robbed. Once you run out of gas that’s it. People push your car to the side of the road and inch up in line like you don’t exist.”

  “Have you tried walking to the border?”

  “’Course I have.” The woman snuffed and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “Lotta good it did.”

  Lainey glanced at Keith. The more she talked to the stranger, the higher her shoulders hitched. “I’m sorry. We really have to go.”

  “No! You got to help me. You can fit what, seven or eight in that thing? If you’re a reporter you can get us across the border, can’t you? Say we’re your crew or somethin’.”

  Lainey’s shoulder bumped into the Infiniti as she backed up again. “We’re in the same position as you. We don’t have any sway.”

  “Hey, Mary, whatcha goin’ on about?” A man sidled around the front of the SUV and Keith tensed.

  When it had only been one bothersome woman, he’d been relatively calm. Now that there were two of them, the situation changed. They needed to end this. “We’re done talking. Lainey, get in the car.” He reached for the door handle.

  “Wait. I know you!” The man wagged a finger in Lainey’s direction. “You’re that reporter lady who talked about the bombs.”

  Mary turned to the man. “Whatcha talkin’ about, Travis?”

  “That woman. You know. The one who was all over the TV right before everything went to—”

  “It is you!” Mary turned, mouth open in a perfect O. “You’re the reason the roads were chaos. You’re the reason everyone started runnin’ around like chickens with their heads chopped off causin’ accidents and keepin’ me from getting outta there.”

  Keith stepped forward to shield Lainey from the verbal onslaught. “That’s enough. You both need to turn around and go back the way you came.”

  Mary cackled. “Back the way I came? You mean all the way to Detroit? So I can watch the gangs tear each other apart and set the whole city on fire?” She huffed. “I bet that is exactly what you want me to do.”

  “No, it’s not.” Lainey eased around Keith. “I’m sorry what I said on TV caused a panic, but people deserved to know the truth. They deserved a chance to escape.”

  “My brother’s dead because of you.” The woman practically snarled the words as she curled her hands into fists.

  This had to end, now. Keith pulled the gun and pointed it straight at the woman’s chest. “Take another step and I blow a hole right through your heart.”

  Travis tugged on Mary’s sleeve. “Come on, honey. Ain’t no sense in gettin’ shot over John. He never gave a lick about you anyway.”

  Mary wiped the snot from her nose again and scowled, but she let Travis pull her back. “This isn’t over.”

  Keith didn’t move. He kept the gun trained on Mary until she disappeared from view behind a car. Only then did he open the passenger door and help Lainey inside.

  She trembled as he took her hand. “I really thought we did the right thing.”

  “We did. Stop second-guessing. People are alive because of your reporting.” He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. Owen had already relinquished control and was busy in the back hunched over his device.

  “I’ve already gotten a response.” He leaned between the front seats and read the message out loud. “News Winnipeg advises us to reach the border checkpoint by any means necessary. They are in conversations with the Border Services Agency. The officers on duty are aware of the make and model of our vehicle and will facilitate our crossing. They have requested we stay in the vehicle. Approach the exit lane at a high rate of speed.”

  He swallowed. “It will be dangerous. If too many other cars attempt to follow, they won’t be able to let us in. A member of the news team is on site and awaiting our arrival.”

  It was all Keith needed to hear. He turned to the back. “Bear, seat.”

  The dog scrambled onto the seat and Owen reached out and buckled him in as best as he could manage before reaching for his own seat belt.

  Once they were secure, Keith shifted the SUV into drive and angled toward the wild grasses separating the two sides of the highway. “Let’s see how a luxury all-wheel drive does in
three-foot-tall weeds.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  LAINEY

  I-29 Near Canadian Border

  Rural North Dakota

  Friday, 4 p.m. CST

  The SUV rolled into a muddy ditch and the front end groaned as it scraped along the ground. The tall grasses thwapped against the sides of the SUV and dirt flew in every direction behind them as the rear tires slipped.

  Lainey gripped the console with one hand and the door with the other as the border checkpoint came into view. “It’s jammed. I don’t see how we’re going to make it up there.”

  “They said to go through the exit.” Owen sounded matter of fact. “It’s the only way.”

  Lainey twisted around. “Are you sure? Aren’t they liable to shoot us on sight?”

  “It’s what News Winnipeg said to do.” Owen pointed up ahead. “We just have to get close enough. They’re waiting.”

  Keith checked the rear and side mirrors and Lainey did the same. At least two or three other cars had jumped on their bandwagon, driving through the weeds and scrub to pass the cars parked on the side of the road. Would they try to rush the gates? Most likely.

  Lainey steeled herself. If the Canadian police didn’t kill them, a desperate American might.

  Keith glanced her way. “Ready?”

  She nodded. Keith punched the gas.

  The SUV skidded and fishtailed but he managed to hang on, flying past the cars clogging the entry lanes. The road split and a grassy field opened up between the entry and exit. People gathered in the space, sitting on blankets and chairs as they waited to cross. A child ran between the groups arms stretched wide.

  Keith cranked the wheel, cutting across a narrow strip of concrete before bouncing onto the exit lane. The bays of the border crossing stretched across the road in front of them, all clogged with American vehicles waiting for their chance to leave the chaos behind.

  “There!” Lainey pointed to the single chute without a line of waiting United States vehicles. “They’ve left one lane open for entry into the United States.” She squinted. “It’s blocked by a Border Services car. The lights are flashing.”

  Keith nodded and headed straight for it, driving way too fast for Lainey’s comfort.

  “Slow down!”

  “And give the people behind us a chance to stampede? Not a chance.”

  He raced up the empty exit lane. Border officers came into view. “They’re going to shoot us.” Lainey shrank back against the seat. “They’re pointing straight at us.”

  Three armed officers with rifles stood behind the flashing sedan blocking access to the lane. They all pointed straight at the SUV.

  “Let’s hope they actually got the message.” Keith didn’t slow, barreling toward the exit and the weapons pointed at their vehicle.

  “Slow down!”

  Keith ignored Lainey, nearing the exit lane without a suggestion of the brakes. She closed her eyes and ducked, bracing for a collision. He’d lost his mind. Somewhere in the last mile, he’d snapped. Could they survive a head-on collision with a stationary car? A hailstorm of bullets?

  “Hold on!” Keith barked out the command and the SUV shuddered to a stop, throwing Lainey against the seat belt. The fabric cut into her neck and she screamed. The stench of hot brakes and tires filled the car and she waited for the impact that never came.

  Lainey risked a glance above the dash. The Canadian vehicle was moving. They were waving them through. “What? I don’t—”

  Keith punched the gas again and she fell hard against the seat. He rushed through the opening barely big enough for the SUV and the Canadian officers rushed to close the gap. Lainey twisted to look out the rear window. Three American vehicles were headed straight for the exit.

  Lainey swallowed. The one in front wasn’t slowing down. As it came within twenty feet, the Canadian officers opened fire. The windshield shattered and the car rolled to a stop. The other two cars braked hard and swerved, escaping the same fate.

  Lainey couldn’t watch anymore. She turned back to the front and counted six guns pointed at her face.

  Keith buzzed down the driver’s side window.

  “Identification.” The closest officer held out a waiting hand. Keith, Lainey, and Owen handed over their IDs. The officer read each one before handing them back. “Any weapons?”

  “One handgun.”

  “Location?”

  “Console.”

  The officer took a step back. “Everyone step out of the vehicle, hands in the air, and present yourselves for inspection.”

  Lainey spoke up. “We have a dog. It’ll take a moment to get him out.”

  Not a single gun moved from their positions as the three of them emerged from the SUV. Bear bounded down like it was some game, tail wagging in happiness to be outside and on the ground.

  Multiple officers approached the SUV and inspected every inch, removing the handgun, but leaving everything else inside. After a thorough pat-down, they were escorted to the closest building. A woman wearing an ID lanyard and a black business suit stood inside the door, a smile plastered on her face.

  “You must be Lainey Sinclair. I recognize you from the video.” She held out her hand. “Monica Llewelyn, head of investigative reporting CTV News Winnipeg. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  All at once Lainey became aware of her disheveled clothes, greasy hair, and vague stink. She hadn’t brushed her teeth in days. She nodded. And shook the woman’s hand. “Thank you for coordinating our crossing.”

  “You’re welcome. Lucky for you, he’s a good driver.” She nodded a Keith. “It will take a few hours to process your entry. I will be here until about six this evening, then I will hand you off to the fine officers here.”

  For the next few minutes, Lainey spoke to the woman from News Winnipeg. She explained how they were prepared to offer them work visas in exchange for agreeing to become the very first investigative team in Canada focused on the terror attack. Lainey asked about potentially broadening the team to include her sister and a few computer nerds.

  Ms. Llewelyn seemed to think it was possible. Lainey was relieved. She knew there would be interviews and news reports to suffer through, but she couldn’t wait to see Midge in person and tell her everything would be all right.

  After initial processing, Keith, Owen, and Lainey were separated and questioned. It was all routine entry questions, asking about their intent to work and goals for staying in the country. She spoke truthfully about her sister and her need to find her, but also her desire to add value to Canadian television. For a moment, she’d worried about disclosing the truth about Midge, but they were past lying now. If Midge was going to stay in Canada, she needed to be there legally.

  Lainey finished first and sat alone on a cold metal chair in an empty hallway.

  “Ms. Sinclair?”

  Lainey glanced up. A female officer stood in front of her with a steaming cup of coffee. “Ms. Llewelyn had to leave, but she asked me to follow up. I’ve been told you’re eager to find your sister, is that correct?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The officer smiled and sat beside her, holding out the cup of coffee. “I’m Officer Baggin, but you can call me Lisa.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Lainey took the coffee with a grateful smiled and sipped.

  “With News Winnipeg sponsoring your arrival into the country, we have created emergency papers for you all. You are free to travel anywhere inside the country.”

  Lainey’s mouth fell open. “You mean we can leave?”

  The officer smiled. “As soon as your companions complete their entrance interviews, you are free to go wherever you need. Ms. Llewelyn said she will be in touch first thing Monday morning.”

  Relief flooded Lainey and she almost dropped the coffee. Everything was finally coming together. She could leave, find her sister, and take a moment to breathe before being thrown back into the reporting world. She bent her head. “About my sister—”

  “I’ve sp
oken to Ms. Llewelyn about her and I believe they are willing to consider an additional sponsorship assuming your sister can provide something of value.”

  Lainey grinned. Could she ever. “Thank you.”

  A door down the hall opened and Bear burst into view, followed by Keith at the end of the leash. The officer stood with a smile. “I’ll leave you to it.”

  Bear reached Lainey first, practically running into her and sloshing the coffee in the cup. “Easy, boy. Easy.” She looked up at Keith. “Everything okay?”

  He nodded. “We’re clear to go.”

  “Same here.” Owen walked toward them from the opposite direction. “Had a bit of an issue with the stolen satellite phone, but I worked it out.” He patted his bag and grinned. “We’re still in business.”

  Lainey shook her head. “I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

  “Take a shower and sleep for days, probably.” Keith held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s go find your sister.”

  They walked out of the border patrol building and were escorted to the SUV by an armed officer. Lainey stopped outside the SUV. “Who’s driving?”

  Keith offered, but Lainey shook her head. “After today, I’m not sure I ever want to ride with you again.”

  “Don’t look at me.” Owen held up his hands. “I can’t drive anything bigger than a Honda Civic.”

  Everyone laughed and Lainey climbed into the driver’s seat.

  Meadow Lake

  Saskatchewan, Canada

  Saturday, 6:00 a.m. CST

  It took all night to reach Meadow Lake, but as the sun brightened the horizon, the sign for the Super 8 stuck out above the road. Lainey turned into the parking lot and slowed, searching for the right room. She parked and turned off the vehicle. She’d done it. She’d really done it.

  Lainey turned. Keith, Owen, and Bear all slept on, exhausted from the drive and the rush of reaching Canada. She had driven all night, but Lainey wasn’t tired. Not when her sister was one flight of stairs away. She eased out of the Infiniti and shut the door gently behind her before running up the flight of stairs.