by Akart, Bobby
His sentence was interrupted by a radio call from the front gate. “Ryan, this is Main Gate. Over.”
“Go ahead, Main Gate.”
“Um, we have three women and a couple of kids approaching us on foot. Do you want us to deal with it?”
Ryan turned to Alpha, who said, “Go on. We’ve got this.”
Ryan’s eyes darted from Tyler to Alpha and then to the battered prisoner. “Okay. But, Alpha, I think the guy’s got the message. Do we understand each other?”
Alpha grinned. “Yep, I think he got it loud and clear.”
The radio crackled to life again. “Main gate to Ryan, over.”
“Go ahead,” Ryan responded.
“These people are missing their husbands. From the descriptions they gave us, it could be the guys we fished out of the water. Over.”
Ryan looked at Alpha and Hayden. “Let’s throw their fish back. Whadya say?”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Across the Henry River
Near the Main Gate
The Haven
Chepe’s men had taken up a position on a hillside overlooking the main gate of the Haven. They’d traveled around the river, using a route other than the one that ran parallel to the Haven’s walls after their foot surveillance discovered that armed men were guarding the bridge near the main gate. They used sketch pads to create a general outline of the Haven’s two-hundred-acre compound. Using various vantage points, they were able to identify buildings inside the property and likely uses.
They’d camped in the woods opposite the row of cabins on the Haven’s easternmost boundary along the river. They saw the two men thrashing in a panic as they bobbed down the river until they became tangled up in the fallen trees. Earl, who was an experienced fisherman, warned of the treacherous waters in that part of North Carolina during the wet winter season. The Henry River in particular was known to be a calm, fairly muddy flowing tributary that easily became torrent-like during heavy rains.
Ollie, whose eyesight was better than his older partner’s, adjusted the focus on the binoculars. He’d been watching the front gate ever since he saw the group of women and children approach from the road.
“Two women, three kids, and an old lady. They’re arguing with the guards, and now a guy just showed up in a four-wheeler. It’s kinda cool, almost like a small car.”
“That’s exciting,” said Earl sarcastically. “What’s the argument about?”
“I don’t know. Wait. Here come a couple of other four-wheelers. One looks like those golf cart wagons they cart busted-up football players on. The other is just a regular all-terrain vehicle.”
“Let me see.” Earl, who’d grown increasingly frustrated with Ollie as their mission wore on, took the binoculars. Ollie wasn’t interested in getting wet, dirty, or cold, opting instead for taking the easy way of surveilling the Haven. Earl, on the other hand, suspected this was going to be a target of Chepe’s, and he wanted to provide a full and accurate report.
Earl studied the body language of everyone involved. “It’s the two guys they pulled out of the river. One’s beat up pretty bad and they’re both in handcuffs. Heck, one of them can’t even stand up on his own.”
“What are the women doing there?” asked Ollie.
“Hang on.”
Earl continued to watch as the two captured men tried to pull away from their captors. The women and children rushed the iron gates and were trying to reach through the bars. The guards were doing their best to push them back but were unsuccessful.
Ollie grew impatient. “Well? I wanna head back to Charlotte soon.”
“I’m guessin’ they’re all family. They took the men through the small guardhouse and shoved them through another gate onto the ground. Looks like they’ve been released.”
Earl watched for another minute and then handed the binoculars back to Ollie.
“Now can we go?” Ollie asked.
“No. Let’s wait ’til around noon. I wanna study their drone activity. My guess is that these people will step up their surveillance after what happened with those two guys. I doubt that’s what Chepe wants to hear.”
Ollie began to study the skies over the Haven. “I just saw one lift off. It came from the middle of the property near that large barn we saw yesterday.”
“I see it,” added Earl.
“Here comes another one,” said Ollie. “It’s headed toward—quick. We’ve gotta take cover or it’ll see us.”
One of the Haven’s quadcopters flew straight toward them and then took an abrupt turn toward the bridge crossing the river. It lowered its altitude and buzzed out of sight toward the south. The two men stayed hidden in the underbrush until they heard it returning at a high rate of speed.
“Wow! Look at that thing go,” said Ollie.
The high-pitched sound of the drone grew louder as it approached their position on the hillside and then started to quieten as it passed. The men craned their neck to watch the drone sail past. Moments later, it flew past them toward the south again.
“They’re gonna start sweeping the river,” observed Earl.
Ollie thought for a moment. “Do you think they’ll pull people from the wall?”
Earl stood and backed deeper into the woods. “I’d count on it.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Little Red Schoolhouse
The Haven
Although the intruders were captured and subsequently expelled to their concerned families, the residents of the Haven were on edge as reality started to sink in. It was easy to forget about the dangers that lurked outside the protective walls that surrounded them. Most were not aware of the circumstances in cities and towns across America, where neighbor fought neighbor for scarce resources. The war of words waged behind the protective shields of avatars and made-up names on social media was replaced by the use of force, deadly at times, as people fought one another to survive.
Ryan and Blair agreed that everyone needed a day off to put the stress of the prior evening behind them. Alpha and his security team took the time to discuss what had happened and what breakdowns in security led to the intrusion, if any.
The rest of the Haven enjoyed a respite from their normal daily activities. It was an unusually warm day, which allowed the children to play outside rather than attend school. Some of the children practiced their quadcopter operations while others simply enjoyed an opportunity to be kids.
At the Little Red Schoolhouse, Meredith and Hannah were working on the lesson planning for when everyone returned. Meredith was just about to write the outline on the blackboard when she got a visitor.
“Knock, knock!” The man announced himself in a sheepish tone of voice. “Is anybody around today?”
“Sure!” replied Hannah cheerily, but her mother tamped down her enthusiasm.
“Wait, Hannah. Let me see who it is first.”
Meredith walked out of the main classroom and carefully peered around the corner. X-Ray stood alone in the doorway, waiting for her invitation to come in.
“Oh, hi,” she said hesitantly. “You’re X-Ray, right? We saw each other at the main house one evening but never really got a chance to talk.”
“Um, yes. My real name is Walter, but everyone calls me by my nickname, X-Ray.”
Meredith’s eyes darted around the room and then past X-Ray toward the grassy area in front of the school. She smiled and waved him inside. “Come on, I’ll show you around.”
Hannah emerged from the classroom. “Hi, Mr. X-Ray. I like your name!”
X-Ray fidgeted, nervously kicking at the floor with his sneakers. “Um, thanks. My grandfather gave it to me. It’s better than Walter, I guess.”
“Mom, I wanna cool nickname like his. I’m gonna talk to Daddy about it tonight.”
Meredith and X-Ray shared a laugh.
“Come on, let’s show our guest around,” said Meredith. For the next ten minutes, the Cortland women walked X-Ray through the Haven’s school, pointing out the thoughtful f
eatures incorporated into the curriculum by Blair and Ryan. After he’d received the nickel tour, X-Ray paused.
“Say, do you think your kids would like to learn more about computers? I have a couple of extra desktop PCs. You know, I could teach them the basics, depending on what they know already.”
“That would be great, Mr. X-Ray. I had my own iPad at home, but I haven’t been able to use it here because we don’t have wireless.”
X-Ray looked down at Hannah, who appeared to be anxious to learn. “Well, there’s a whole lot more to a computer than the internet. I’d be glad to show you some things that will help you later in life.”
X-Ray gulped and closed his eyes for a moment, an emotional reaction that caught Meredith’s eye.
She patted him on the shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry. Things will settle down soon and we’ll all be able to return home to our normal lives.”
“That’s right, Mr. X-Ray. My daddy promised that all of this will pass and we can go home to Mobile once it’s over. You’ll see.”
X-Ray sighed. “You know, I think you’re right. Meredith, Hannah, I’m gonna go back to my cabin and sort through some stuff. I’m anxious to help the kids out any way I can.”
With that, Hanson Briscoe’s inside man slipped out the door without another word.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Schwartz Lodge
Off U.S. Route 222
Near Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Schwartz and Briscoe found they had more in common than once realized. Although they were from opposite ends of the political spectrum, their upbringing and family history followed similar paths. One thing they both agreed upon was the fact that a nation required a catalyst, a massive upheaval, in order to effectuate real change. Whether it be a continued lurch to the left and an adoption of European socialism tenets, or a retreat to the past, to the days of the nation’s founding, the winds of change could only occur through an internal struggle. Call it a civil war or insurrection or a battle of ideologies, to Schwartz and Briscoe, it was necessary for one set of core beliefs or the other to take the lead.
The other thing the two men shared was their desire for revenge. Both of them lost sight of what had drawn the ire of George Trowbridge in the first place.
To be sure, Briscoe had attempted to assassinate Trowbridge’s son-in-law. He’d begun to feel genuine remorse for his actions, even contemplating an apology.
Jonathan was not quite as contrite. On the contrary, he maintained that politics, and the ideological war being waged in America, was fair game to now use all manner of techniques to gain the upper hand. Jonathan maintained that Trowbridge had just as many financial and potentially criminal skeletons in his closet as his father, and therefore the extraordinary decision to take advantage of the martial law declaration to imprison him was beyond the pale of fair play. As a result, he was prepared to stick Trowbridge in the heart by taking away the Cortland family, just as the old man had taken away Jonathan’s father.
The men were once again sharing a brandy on that cold evening, sitting by the fire and talking about successful political strategies they’d utilized. They both agreed the events since New Year’s Eve would create a wholly new dynamic in the U.S., one in which the old rules and methods of operation would no longer apply. Whichever side won the battle to come, they faced the daunting task of bringing the nation back together and rebuilding the destruction resulting from the conflict.
By prior arrangement, Jonathan had instructed Chepe to call him precisely at eleven that evening, and they agreed to speak for less than one minute. Early in the day, Jonathan and Briscoe had driven into town on a Kawasaki Mule side-by-side four-wheeler, wearing camouflaged hunting gear stored at the Schwartz lodge. They’d purchased more brandy, some food supplies, and half a dozen Tracfones to be used for future calls with Chepe.
Tonight’s call would be the last one between the two men utilizing Jonathan’s old cell phone. They spoke for a moment and Jonathan advised Chepe he’d be calling back on the burner phone, after activating them through the satellite internet system at the lodge. Schwartz-affiliated operatives had tapped into the MegaFon internet service provider network in Russia.
Established as part of Russia’s Digital Economy National Program, the system was designed to segregate Russia’s own web from the rest of the world to prevent future cyber attacks. MegaFon, the third largest communications provider in Russia, was partially owned by Gazprombank, an international banking conglomerate controlled by Schwartz family interests.
Chepe, who’d grown frustrated with his inability to place cell phone calls to his operatives, had switched to satellite phones provided by Schwartz.
Jonathan placed the phone on speaker so Briscoe could engage in the conversation as well.
After Chepe had reported the details of his operatives’ surveillance, Briscoe explained that he had a man on the inside who might be of assistance.
“This young man is one of hundreds of trusted operatives—insurance policies, as I call them—I employ around the country who are bought and paid for. Of course, as is almost always the case, I have some type of personal information on this young man that would be devastating to his future career paths or, at the very least, extremely embarrassing if it were to be made public.”
“Is he a danger to my men once the operation begins?” asked Chepe.
“No, on the contrary, he comes across as meek and timid. The people who should be concerned about his presence within this compound are the families of teenage boys. In any event, that’s not the issue at the moment. He’s an asset and can be used as we see fit. I can message him. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know about the compound?”
Chepe was silent for a moment. “I mean no disrespect, but I don’t know him, and trust is a factor with the type of attack I have in mind. I would rather that he not be told we’re coming.”
“I understand, but he does have value as a set of eyes inside the compound,” countered Briscoe.
Chepe thought for a moment and then said, “Well, simply instruct him to advise you if the Cortlands leave. We’ve downloaded images from our people in Brussels who still have internet. Thank you, by the way, for the satphones in your last delivery.”
“You are welcome,” responded Jonathan. “When do you plan on moving on the compound?”
“Day after tomorrow,” replied Chepe. “There is one more operation to undertake in the Wedgewood area of Charlotte, near the Northlake Mall.”
“Are you going shopping?” Jonathan showed a rare jovial side. Perhaps it was a combination of the brandy soaking into his body coupled with the prospect of driving a dagger through the heart of George Trowbridge.
“Something like that,” replied Chepe. “Unless there is something urgent, I suggest we not speak again until I report in following the attack.”
“Agreed,” replied Jonathan. He glanced over at Briscoe, who nodded.
Jonathan disconnected the call and raised his glass of brandy to Briscoe. “To revenge!”
Briscoe clinked the two glasses together. “Yes, to revenge.”
Briscoe set his glass down and retrieved his phone from his pocket. He reinserted the SIM card for the sole purpose of sending this text to X-Ray.
Keep your eyes on the eagle and advise if he takes flight.
Godspeed, Patriot!
MM
Unfortunately for Briscoe, there were more sets of eagle eyes than just the ones that he employed.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Main Gate
The Haven
“Main Gate to Alpha. Over.”
The radio transmission interrupted the morning briefing as Alpha was discussing increasing the patrols along the river. Annoyed, he yanked the radio out of his belt. “Go ahead.”
“We have a group approaching the gate in a vehicle. Our scouts along the road indicate it is a man, woman, and a teenage boy. Pennsylvania plates. Just wanted to give you a heads-up, as our residence roster sh
ows as full.”
Delta, who was standing at the rear of the room, as had been his practice, stepped forward slightly and addressed Alpha. “Did he say Pennsylvania?”
“Yes,” said Alpha. “Why?”
“Would you ask the make and model of the vehicle?”
Alpha pressed the mic button on his radio. “Front gate, give me a description on the vehicle.”
“Maroon. SUV. Dodge, I believe. It’s slowly approaching now. Should I engage?”
Delta began to wave his arms. “I know who it is.”
“Stand down, Main Gate, but stay on alert. We’re on the way.”
Alpha turned back to the group. “Bravo, will you finish this up for me? Ryan, Delta, let’s go.”
Alpha was all business as he shouldered his rifle and headed for the rear of the room. He glared at Delta as he walked past. Ryan spoke briefly to the group and then he hustled to catch up.
Once outside, Alpha waited by Ryan’s Ranger for Delta to join him. “Let me guess. It’s the ex and your kid.”
“I think so, and if there’s a man with them, it’s my former partner and the guy who took up with Karen. His name is Frankie.”
“Is he dangerous?” asked Ryan.
“Not before this,” Delta began to reply. “Truthfully, before the incident in Philly, and his subsequent taking of my wife, he was a pretty good partner. Now, of course, I’ve got no use for the guy.”
Alpha exhaled and piled his large frame into the front seat of the Ranger. Ryan sped away, and within a couple of minutes, they arrived at the front gate, where Frankie and Karen stood in front of the SUV with their hands raised over their heads.
Ryan had barely brought his Ranger to a stop before Delta jumped out of the backseat and jogged up to the gate.