The Shadow Patriots Box Set 2

by Warren Ray

  “Well, it makes it hard to live with her. I was supposed to be going away to college this last year and was really looking forward to it.”

  “What about your dad?”

  “Off to war like everyone else’s.”

  Finley and Laney stepped outside ready to go.

  “Can I come?” asked Collette.

  Winters was expecting the question and had already decided to let her come. He didn’t think it’d be a good idea to let her stay there with her mom. “Of course you can.”

  “Yes,” said an excited Collette.

  “C’mon girls, the sun’s gonna be up pretty soon.”

  Winters floored the car and headed toward the police van having decided to have Finley drive the Impala to her house. There was no sense in not utilizing both vehicles to save time. Besides, he needed to finish up so he could get some sleep.

  He pulled into the field and found the van untouched.

  “Listen, girls, we need to save some time. Finley can you take the car and pick up your mom and sister.”

  “I can do that,” said Finley who then turned to Collette. “You want to come with me?”

  “Sure.”

  “Okay, now don’t take any chances. In fact, you might want to park the next street over and sneak in. I’m sure that one guy in the boxer shorts went for help.”

  “Oh, you mean, Bobby.”

  “Bobby? That’s his name, really?” asked a surprised Winters.

  “Yep,” said Finley.

  “Well, it’s Bobby Boxers now,” quipped Winters.

  “Ha, Bobby Boxers, I love it,” laughed Laney.”

  Winters watched Finley pull away and then got into the van.

  “I hope your mom isn’t like Collette’s mom,” said Winters as he started the van.

  “Oh, gosh no. That poor girl, I don’t know how she puts up with it.”

  “She’s still her mom.”

  “Yeah, I know. My mom hates that I work, but there’s no other choice.”

  “You don’t need to justify that to me.”

  “I just don’t want you to think I’m, like, a whore or something, or that I enjoy it.”

  Winters stopped the van before pulling out of the field. He looked at Laney through the goggles. “Laney, you’re a brave girl, that’s what I think of you, nothing more.”

  “Thanks, that means a lot.”

  “Though you are a bit impulsive.”

  “I know, right? I, like, can’t help myself. I mean, I react without thinking, like, all the time.”

  “Well, it saved my bacon tonight, so it’s not so bad.”

  “It was pretty stupid. I don’t know what the heck I was thinking. I mean, I guess I didn’t want to see you get hurt.”

  “Like not wanting to see Finley get hurt?”

  “Yep.”

  Winters looked back toward her and wanted to know how she was processing her shooting. “You okay with what you did though?”

  Laney paused before answering. “It’s a little weird, but yeah I guess. I mean, like, I’ve killed deer before and this was, well, it was different for sure, but yeah, I am.”

  Winters sensed she was having trouble with it. “Killing someone isn’t an easy thing for anyone. My first time I ended up getting sick and throwing up.”

  “Really?” she asked wide-eyed.

  “Yep. That’s just between you and me though, alright? I’ve got a reputation to uphold now.”

  “I promise I won’t say anything, but seriously, you threw up.”

  “Oh yeah. Not only that, but I shook uncontrollably for, like ten minutes.”

  Laney put a hand to her mouth to muffle her laugh.

  Winters’ confession helped relieve her mind. It wasn’t easy for someone that age to do what she did, but then she had been doing things no one should have had to do. It made you grow up and leave your childhood behind.

  Winters pulled into an abandoned house one street over from where Laney lived. He cautioned her that they needed to be careful since Bobby Boxers had escaped and was out there somewhere.

  Laney led him through the backyards to the side of a house that sat across the street from where she lived. They crouched down on the ground at the corner of the house and Winters took off the goggles and helped her put them on. She let out a gasp when she saw everything light up green.

  “Look carefully for anything out of place.”

  She nodded her head and looked across the street. “Everything looks good.”

  “You sure?” whispered Winters.

  “Yep.”

  They stood up and started across the lawn. Just as soon they approached the sidewalk, she grabbed Winters’ arm.

  They both froze.

  She started pulling him backward.

  Winters bent down to her ear. “What is it?”

  “Over there. That car, it doesn’t belong here.”

  Winters looked up the street. A parked car sat on the side of the road and was pointed toward them.

  “Whose is it?”

  “I don’t know, but it doesn’t belong here.”

  They turned around and rushed toward the backyards.

  “What are we gonna do?”

  “Take out whoever it is,” said Winters, as he helped Laney take the goggles off. He didn’t want to tell her just yet, but someone was probably already inside her house.

  The hairs on his arms raised as he realized Finley and Collette were in danger as well. They needed to hurry. He grabbed Laney’s hand to make sure she stayed out of sight as they ran across the backyards toward the car. They reached the corner of the house and he motioned her to get down. They crawled to the end of the house, and Winters stared at the occupant in the car. He wished he had a silencer for his weapon. The last thing he needed was to alert whoever was inside the house.

  “You up for doing another stupid thing?”

  “You know me.”

  He gave her instructions before she streaked across the yard to hit the pavement and began to casually walk toward home. Winters then crawled on all fours across the lawn and got into position behind the car. He reached the back of the car just as Laney was also approaching it from the rear. She walked in the middle of the street and didn’t dare glance at him as she sauntered past the car.

  It took a second before the car door opened. Winters crept around the back end before leaping up. He wrapped his arm around the man’s mouth just as he got out. The blade cut cleanly across his throat.

  Laney raced over and watched Winters drag the man behind the car.

  He gave her a nod while shutting the car door. Then he let Laney lead the way to the back of her house. Winters grimaced and readied himself for what was about to happen. Without a doubt, he knew someone was inside waiting for her. He just hoped they hadn’t done anything to her mom and sister. They reached the patio where there was a big sliding glass door. Inside, several candles burned on the coffee table giving out enough light to show her mom and little sister sitting on the couch. The heavy-set mom held onto the frightened child as an older man, who was holding a rifle, watched over them.

  Chapter 32

  Winters recognized the man to be Ed Sherman Jr. Earlier that day he’d killed his parents and his son, Tim. He slowly let out a breath because he was about to kill another Sherman. This one was as useless as the others and it wasn’t a surprise to find he was involved. Sherman’s state of mind would be out of control and would shoot Laney on sight so Winters decided against sending her in there.

  “Any suggestions?” asked Winters in a whisper.

  “I could just walk in and distract him.”

  “Now that would be the impulsive thing. This one will take something better.”

  “I know. My bedroom window is cracked open for air.”

  “Where is it?”

  She pointed to the other end of the house.

  “Anything in the way?”

  “No.”

  “Any creaking floors I should know about?”
/>
  “Wow, you really do think ahead.”

  “Learn this, okay?”

  She nodded.

  “Watch him while I crawl in. If he moves, come and tap on me.”

  Winters moved to her window and pushed it open. He looked inside before placing his M4 on the carpeted floor. He then jumped up on the frame and shimmied inside. The room reminded him of Cara’s. Posters of her favorite bands and pretty boys covered the walls. He let out a small laugh realizing that Laney was still just a young innocent girl at heart. She seemed to be holding onto whatever teen years she had left. He didn’t blame her. This room was her sanctuary where she could still be herself and forget about her obligations.

  He moved to the door and tiptoed down the carpeted hallway. He now had an open view of the living room and peeked around the corner. Sherman moved to the picture window and pushed aside the heavy drape. He then flicked on a penlight and flashed it toward the car outside. He waited a moment before trying again.

  “He better not be sleeping,” muttered Sherman.

  Winters let out a smirk before stepping out into the living room. The movement alerted Sherman, whose eyes grew wide when he recognized Winters. He tried in vain to raise his rifle. Winters pulled the trigger and fired a three round burst into his chest throwing him into the drapes before he crashed onto the floor.

  Laney’s mom and daughter screamed.

  “It’s okay, Laney’s outside,” Winters said while moving to the entrance and unlocking the sliding glass door.

  Laney rushed inside and ran to her mother and sister both of whom started crying.

  “It’s okay, Mom. Everything’s okay.”

  “Honey, what’s happened? He said he wanted to kill you?”

  “I know Mom, but it’s okay now.”

  “Who is this?” she asked looking at Winters.

  “This is Cole Winters and he’s here to help.”

  “Cole Winters?” She looked at Laney. “Oh honey, what have you done?”

  “You mean besides never having to work again?”

  “What?”

  “Look, I’ll explain everything later, okay, but right now we have to get out of here.”

  “But honey, this man,” she said looking at Winters.

  “He’s here to help and has been. He’s stopping Billy Gamble and everyone else.”

  A light seemed to go on making her realize the significance of that statement. She grabbed Laney and gave her a big hug.

  “I’m sorry, Mister Winters,” she said getting up to shake his hand.

  “It’s okay, I get that a lot.”

  “I’m Jamie and this is my daughter Riley.”

  Jamie was in her late forties and had the same light brown hair that Laney had. She kept it short and above the ears. She was taller than Laney but just so and was overweight, though it appeared she'd been losing weight because of the shortage of food. Her daughter Riley, was tiny compared to Laney, and hadn't hit her growth spurt yet. She too had the same color of hair but kept it long down her back.

  “It’s nice to meet you. Laney has been a big help tonight and very brave.”

  “Yes, she’s always been rambunctious. Little impulsive, too.”

  Winters cracked a smile. “You don’t say?”

  Jamie gave him a puzzled look.

  “Look, mom, we have to go, okay. So, get Riley some clothes and let’s go.”

  Winters laughed to himself watching Laney taking charge. She might be impulsive, but she was also a quick thinker and seemed to easily take charge of situations. Her mother dutifully took Riley down the hall to get dressed.

  “I’m gonna get out of these wet clothes,” said Laney.

  She disappeared before getting an answer, and Winters began to grow impatient. If they were here waiting on Laney, then it made sense they were at Finley’s place as well. He didn’t have time to get Jamie and little Riley to safety and decided to have them drive the car Sherman and his partner conveniently left out front.

  “See, only took a second,” said Laney, who put on another pair of jean shorts, a black cami top and a dry pair of sneakers. “My feet were totally wet from the grass.”

  “Think your mother could drive that car out front?”

  She nodded. “Mom! C’mon, chop, chop.”

  Winters shook his head and let out a chuckle.

  “I’m coming, honey,” said Jamie as she entered the living room. Riley, now out of her pajamas, followed close behind her.

  They exited through the front door and walked up the street toward the car.

  “Mom, we need you to drive to our hide out.”

  “Where?”

  Laney gave her directions and told her who was already there.

  “But where are you going, honey?”

  “I still need to help Cole.”

  Jamie seemed hesitant, so Winters assured her that she was going to be perfectly safe. It took a few more seconds of convincing from Laney before she got in the car. They watched her drive off before running back to the van.

  “Your mom seems nice,” said Winters, putting the van in gear.

  “She is, but she’s always been a little unsure of herself.”

  “She’s just careful is all.”

  “Yeah, I suppose, I’m just more like my dad.”

  Winters didn’t bother asking about her dad because he had gone to the Patriot Center just like everyone else in town. They were all dead now and there was no sense in bringing it up.

  “How far to Finley’s?”

  “Not far. Make a right up ahead.”

  “We need to come in stealth like again.”

  “Stealth like, I love it,” said Laney fascinated with the army slang.

  Winters gave her a curious glance. This little one was intrigued with the operations.

  It only took a few minutes before Laney had Winters pull into the driveway of another abandoned house. He pulled it into the backyard to hide the police van since it stuck out like a sore thumb.

  They hopped out and threaded their way through backyards and over a chain link fence before coming to Finley’s house. They sat across the street hiding behind overgrown hedges. Winters noticed the front door was wide open. Sweat dripped from his temples knowing something was wrong.

  “Front door’s open,” whispered Winters.

  “They might have left it open when they took off.”

  It was a possibility and gave Winters pause. “Let’s check the streets.”

  They moved back behind the house and traveled across more back yards.

  Winters had a knot in his stomach, and it was getting tighter as they trampled through more wet grass to the street behind Finley’s to find the Impala.

  He shot his arm out, stopping Laney. “The Impala is up there.” They climbed over another chain link fence and crossed the yard. They were across from the Impala and could see no one in it. Winters’ pulse quickened as he looked up and down the street expecting the worst. It was becoming obvious that someone had scooped up Finley and Collette. Why else would the front door be open and the Impala still be sitting here?

  “Let me look through those,” ordered Laney.

  Winters took the goggles off and helped her put them on. He watched her bob her head around looking for anything out of place.

  “I don’t see anyone.”

  Winters decided to let her keep them on while he approached the car. He rose up and started across the yard. He kept his M4 at the ready as he reached the car to find it empty. Laney followed close behind him darting her head around, keeping watch.

  A kicked stone bounced on the pavement up ahead and Winters jerked around pointing his weapon. He began to pull the trigger when Laney called out.

  Chapter 33

  Winters strained his eyes as he looked through the darkness trying to figure out who was approaching when he heard Laney speak up and rush past him.

  “It’s Collette.”

  “What?” asked Winters, wishing he was wearing the goggl
es.

  “Collette, you’re okay?”

  Laney wrapped her arms around her friend. Winters found himself doing the same thing, happy she was unharmed.

  “Where’s Finley?” asked Winters.

  “They got her and her mom and sister.”

  “What happened?” asked Laney.

  “We came in through the back like you said and didn’t see anything wrong, but Finley told me to wait while she went inside because she didn’t want to, like, freak out her mom, who always slept on the couch. I heard her scream so I knew they had her. I backed away then moved around the house and watched them take her.”

  “Who's them?”

  “Billy Gamble and Bobby.”

  Winters mind began to spin trying to figure out his next move. The sun would start to rise in the next half hour, which would negate his biggest advantage. He needed to know where they had taken her and how long ago. He also needed to know how many were left.

  Laney grabbed onto Winters’ arm. “Oh my God, they’ll torture Finley and she’ll tell them about the hideout.”

  “Girls, I need you to focus.”

  They both nodded.

  “Laney, you got the list?

  “Yes,” she replied pulling it out of her back pocket.

  “Update it and tell me how many are left.”

  “Collette, how long ago was this?”

  “About thirty minutes. I stuck around hoping you’d come here.”

  “You were right to do so. Now, where do you think they took her?”

  “Billy’s place. I heard him yell to Bobby to meet him there.”

  “You’ve killed eighteen,” said Laney. “Wow, eighteen. There's four left.”

  “Very doable,” said Winters wanting to give these two a confidence boost.

  “Where does Billy live?”

  “Over on Pine Street. At the end of the street.”

  The street was a cul-de-sac, so there was only one way in or out. Winters needed to get over there as soon as possible. If they tortured Finley, which he had no doubt they would, then they would send someone to go fetch the rest of them.

  “Girls, c’mon. We need to get to the van.”

  Rather than running through more wet grass, Winters led them up the block and took a right on the next street. They were out of breath as Winters fired up the van. Laney sat on Collette’s lap while still wearing the goggles.