Trackers Omnibus [Books 1-4]

by Smith, Nicholas Sansbury

  “It’s bad,” Nathan confirmed. “Really bad.”

  Raven’s suit suddenly seemed to tighten around his chest, and he found it hard to breathe. “How long do these filters last?”

  “Don’t worry, we have plenty,” Nathan said.

  Raven killed the engine and slipped the key inside his tactical vest. He joined Nathan in the street after grabbing the other Colt AR-15. Side by side, they swept their rifles over the landscape.

  “Check them,” Nathan said, pointing at the bodies.

  Raven gripped his rifle as he made his way toward the corpses. Gusting wind swept across the bodies, rustling their ponchos. Nathan raked his rifle over the trees, paused, and then continued roving the muzzle over the terrain. He gave the all clear with a hand signal.

  “She’s dead,” Raven said. He looked down at the woman’s features. They seemed to be frozen in agony. Her mouth was agape, and her eyes were wide open. He checked the man by rolling him over while Nathan continued up the road.

  “Raven, come check this out,” Nathan called.

  He left the corpses and hustled up the hill, stopping at the crest to stare at one of the grimmest sights he had ever seen in his entire life.

  Plumes of smoke billowed away from Longs Peak like a volcano had just blown its top. Hundreds of thousands of trees burned to the southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park.

  “I can’t tell if the road goes through those fires, but there’s no way we’ll make it through if it does,” Nathan said.

  “What other options do we have? We could go around, or you could wait for your sister to find you a ride via helicopter. But by then it could be too late for Ty.”

  Nathan continued to stare at the smoke as if he was searching for something.

  “Come on, let’s get back to the Jeep,” Raven said. He stopped at the two corpses to shut their eyes and then hurried back to his vehicle.

  Nathan climbed in the passenger seat and exhaled. “Let me see if I can reach anyone on the radio who might know how the roads are east of here. Maybe we can backtrack and take the other route.”

  He pulled out his radio and scrolled to the channel he had been using to contact his sister.

  “Lieutenant Marco, this is Major Sardetti. Do you copy? Over.”

  The reply of static hissed out of the speakers.

  “Pull over for a sec,” Nathan asked.

  Raven eased to a stop and looked out over the valley. Nathan fiddled with the antennae, and then opened the door.

  “Stay here, I’ll be right back,” he said.

  Raven kept one hand on the steering wheel, and the other on the gears. He tried to listen to Nathan talking outside, but the stuffy helmet made it difficult to hear.

  A few minutes later, Nathan jumped back into the Jeep.

  “So?” Raven asked. “Did Lieutenant Marco—”

  “I couldn’t get through to Marco. I tried my contact at Cheyenne Mountain though, and he said the roads to the east are…not an option.” Nathan paused, and then explained, “They’ve been overtaken by raiders. Our only option is to continue south.”

  Raven tapped the steering wheel and put the vehicle in first gear. “All right, girl. Into the gauntlet we go.”

  — 9 —

  Colton walked toward Bond Park with his wife and daughter. Their hands felt so fragile against his calloused skin, but his girls were tougher than they seemed. He tightened his grip, thankful that he could still hold them. Rex and Lilly Stone would never be able to hold Melissa’s hands again. Parents had lost children and children had lost parents. Officer Rick Nelson’s little girl wouldn’t even remember hearing her daddy’s voice.

  That was the new reality. America wasn’t at war—they’d already lost it. The battle they faced wasn’t for victory but survival.

  But tonight they weren’t gathered in despair. Despite everything, they were gathered in celebration. Estes Park had avoided the radiation that had blanketed the region to the south, Brown Feather and his brother were dead, and Milo and Cindy Todd were in jail. For the first time in days, people weren’t afraid to leave their homes.

  Colton forgot some of his worries as the scent of barbeque drifted through the heart of the town. The torches burning around the perimeter of Bond Park cast a glow over platters of food the local restaurants and stores had donated. The display stacked on tables made his stomach growl. He had a feeling this was going to be the last time he would see this much food for some time.

  “What do we do when it’s all gone?” Kelly asked.

  “You better start liking elk,” Colton said. “You, too, kiddo.”

  Risa looked up at him, curious eyes meeting his own. “We can’t eat Rudolph, can we?”

  Kelly and Colton both chuckled.

  “Rudolph is a reindeer, sweetie. Elk are a different type of animal,” Kelly said.

  “I’m already putting together hunting parties. We have a good supply of wild game up here.” Colton lifted his chin at the tables. “Plus, that isn’t the only meat in town.”

  He looked over his shoulder to make sure no one was listening, then whispered, “I had Officer Hines take several loads up Trail Ridge Road and store the reserves in a meat locker we built. The rest I decided to have cooked up before it goes bad.”

  “Good thinking,” Kelly said. She brushed her braided hair over her shoulder and smiled warmly at him. Colton still hadn’t told his wife about Martha, or the violence on the road, but he wasn’t going to spoil the mood now by scaring her.

  “I’m hungry,” Risa chirped.

  “Okay, okay,” Colton said. “Let’s go grab some plates. Tonight, you can eat all you want.”

  Risa skipped ahead to join a growing crowd. Kelly hurried after her, but Colton took his time, enjoying the smiles and listening to the friendly conversations. For a moment, it almost seemed like a normal night in Estes Park—until he saw Detective Lindsey Plymouth, dressed in uniform, jogging over to him.

  “Chief, we just got a report of a break-in at the coffee shop on MacGregor Avenue,” she said. “I’ve also got some more bad news.”

  Colton wanted to sigh, but instead he jerked his chin for Lindsey to follow him away from the crowd. Neither of them spoke as they moved through the locals. He tried to hurry past the picnic table where Mayor Gail Andrews and Tom Feagen, the town administrator, were sitting, but they spotted him.

  “Hey, Chief,” Gail called. “Can I have a word?”

  Jim Meyers, the owner of the Stanley Hotel, sat down at the table and nodded at Colton, but Tom merely shoved a spoon of beans in his mouth and looked back down at his food.

  “How’s the Stanley?” Colton asked.

  Jim shrugged a shoulder. “Could be worse.”

  Gail tapped a finger on the table. “Colton, do you have a few minutes?”

  “I’ll be right back, Mayor.”

  Colton didn’t wait for the inevitable protest. He put his hand on Lindsey’s shoulder and guided her away from the table. This time they didn’t stop for anyone until they got to the street. Looking back over the celebration, Colton had a feeling the chance to enjoy a barbecue with his family had just slipped away.

  “I always thought I was lucky working up here. I was insulated from politics,” he said.

  Lindsey raised her eyebrows. “Insulated from most everything else, too,” she said.

  “I did get a little bored, but at least we had peace and quiet,” Colton admitted. He shoved his hands in his pocket and said, “Spill the bad news.”

  Lindsey didn’t hesitate. “Officer Matthew is checking out the report of the break-in on MacGregor, but this is the third one today, Chief. We’ve been seeing vandalism across town. So far it’s been limited to a few broken windows and spray paint, but I’m worried it will get worse.”

  Colton shook his head. “We don’t have enough officers, damn it.”

  “I know, which is why I thought I’d make a suggestion…”

  Lindsey looked over Colton’s shoulder at the citi
zens gathered in the park. He turned to see what she was checking out. Then he realized what she was thinking.

  “No,” he said.

  “But Chief, there are thousands of people in town who don’t have a damn thing to do but wait for help to come. And think about all those tourists stranded here.”

  “I’m having them all vetted. If we find any police officers, then I’ll gladly deputize them if they want to join our department.”

  Lindsey flicked her nose with a thumb like a rapper about to bust a rhyme. Colton really hated it when she did that.

  “Just say it,” he said.

  “You’ve got to start trusting people, Chief. I know you have issues with Don, but that’s exactly why we need more help. I about got killed today, and things aren’t getting any better out there.”

  Damn it, she was right. Jake was gone, Raven might not make it back from the rescue mission, and Don was about as trustworthy as a snake.

  “I know a few former soldiers that could help us keep things under control…for a small price,” Lindsey said cautiously.

  “A mercenary force,” Colton muttered. He shook his head warily. “If this is going to happen, then I want you in charge. Not Don. Okay?”

  Lindsey smiled. “I got your back, sir. Don’t you worry.”

  She jogged back to the station, and Colton returned to the barbecue. He spotted Kelly and Risa eating at a table with several of their neighbors. His mouth watered when he passed a platter of chicken wings. Before he could start loading up a plate, Mayor Andrews called out for him again.

  Colton let out a short sigh to prepare for what would likely be worse than a grilling in front of a congressional committee. Every face looked up from their meals with the same skeptical gaze.

  Gail set her fork down neatly on her plate. “I heard you gave a large amount of our gear and the Jeep to Sam Spears and Major Sardetti.”

  “Yes, I did, Mayor. It’s Raven’s Jeep.”

  “No, it was his,” Tom cut in. “Just like this food used to belong to the stores in town. Things changed when those bombs dropped. If we’re going to survive the winter, we need our resources, Marcus.”

  “Chief,” Colton corrected. “And if we’re going to survive the winter, you need to get off your ass and start doing something other than complaining and eating free chicken wings. Raven and Nathan helped me kill Brown Feather and Turtle, and now they’re off trying to find the lost son of the Secretary of Defense. What do you plan on doing?”

  Tom wiped barbeque sauce off his lips with a napkin and stuttered, “I—that’s hardly—”

  “Listen, Chief,” Gail said mildly. “I think Tom’s point is that we need to be careful with valuable resources. For example, the woman you brought into town today.” The mayor looked at those around her and then back at Colton. “I was told she was nearly dead.”

  “But she pulled through,” Colton said. He didn’t know where Gail was getting her information, but he was starting to lose his patience.

  “But what will it cost to keep her alive?” she asked.

  “Ma’am, if you think I’m going to let innocent people die, then we need to have a very serious talk. I’m all about securing our town and having a vetting process on who we let in, but part of my job is protecting those who can’t protect themselves.”

  Gail rubbed her forehead. “We can’t save everyone, Chief.”

  “It’s us or them,” Tom said gravely.

  Colton mastered his temper with difficulty. “Martha was shot, Mayor. That’s different. Did you just expect me to let her die on the road? What if that was your mother, or sister, or daughter?”

  “But she isn’t from Estes Park,” Tom argued.

  “I’m making the best choices I can in a bad situation,” Colton said, trying to sound reasonable. “It’s my job to make those calls.”

  Gail looked at him over her green-rimmed glasses. “Your own officers are questioning your orders.”

  Several other families enjoying their meals turned to listen to the conversation. Colton clenched his fist. Now he knew where she was getting her info. Don was worse than a snake; he was a weasel.

  “Ma’am—” Colton began to say.

  “Do you really think Raven and Major Sardetti are coming back?” Gail interrupted. “Raven is hardly reliable. How many times has he been in and out of jail?”

  “Excuse me?” snapped a voice that Colton knew all too well. He turned to see Sandra Spears standing nearby with Allie by her side.

  “What did you say about my brother?” Sandra said.

  Gail looked Sandra square in the eyes. “I’m only expressing an opinion held by many of my constituents.”

  “My brother is coming back, and I worked all afternoon to make sure Martha does make it. Turns out she’s a doctor, someone this town really needs, and Colton saved her life. You should be thanking him,” Sandra said.

  Gail smiled warmly. “I’m grateful to hear she might pull through, Nurse Spears, but we need to figure out—”

  “Hey!” Tom shouted, cutting her off. He stood and pointed as Creek darted away from the table with a barbequed rib in his mouth.

  “That stupid dog took my food,” Tom said.

  Sandra let out an impressive whistle. Creek trotted over, his prize still clutched in his jaws. She pointed at the ground. The dog reluctantly dropped the bone and sat on his hind legs.

  “You’re wrong about Raven, Mayor. He and Major Sardetti will both return. With that Jeep,” Colton said confidently. “Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day and I’m going to have dinner with my family.”

  Gail nodded curtly. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Colton didn’t return the formality. He strode away with his hands in his pockets and his head down. He didn’t want to talk to anyone else but Kelly and Risa.

  “Wait up, Chief,” Sandra called after him. “Do you mind if we join you for supper? I just got off a fourteen-hour shift, and they told us to come down here to get some food.”

  Colton didn’t have the heart to tell her no. He smiled and gestured at the table where Kelly and Risa were already seated.

  “How’s Martha doing?” Colton asked.

  “She’s a tough lady, but she wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you,” Sandra said. “You did a good thing, performing CPR. Did you get checked out for radiation exposure afterward?”

  “I’m fine,” Colton said. “Don’t tell my wife about that, by the way.”

  They reached the table and Colton made the introductions.

  Kelly stood and wiped her lips with a napkin, then held out a hand. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you and your brother.”

  Sandra scowled. “I get that a lot.”

  “No, mostly good stuff,” Kelly said. She hid her lie with a smile.

  “Sweetie, you remember Allie, right?” Colton said.

  Risa nodded and offered Allie some of her potato chips. Creek looked like he wanted to take her up on the offer, but Allie pushed her face against Sandra’s side. He didn’t remember Sandra’s daughter being so shy, but she’d been through a lot recently.

  “Please, have a seat,” Kelly said.

  “We’re going to grab some food first,” Sandra said. “You stay, Creek.”

  The dog sat next to Colton, looking up with dark, pleading eyes.

  “Let me guess, you’re starving to death,” Colton said with a grin.

  “I made you dinner,” Risa said proudly.

  A hearty meal of chicken wings, mashed potatoes, and beans was lumped on a plastic plate in front of him, but Colton was no longer hungry. Tomorrow would mark the sixth day since the attack. Things weren’t getting better, and help might never come. Gail still seemed to think she was in charge of a quaint little tourist town in the mountains, but the truth was that Estes Park was in the middle of a warzone. People like Don, Gail, and Tom would never see the situation as Colton did: with a soldier’s eyes.

  His gaze swept across the
park, taking in both familiar faces and strangers who’d been stranded in town. How many of them understood what was really going on? And how would they react when they realized things were never going to go back to the way they were?

  Colton grabbed the plate and set it down in front of Creek. At least one of them was going home with a full stomach tonight.

  ***

  A twelve-foot bank of grass bordered the circular island about the size of two football fields. The walls protected Charlize from the wind, and it also blocked the view from any tourists who might pass this way on a boat.

  The island was too perfect to be natural. It was manmade.

  She stood at the edge of the boat ramp, the only spot where she could actually see the ocean. Chief Fernandez and his Navy SEALs were climbing back into the boat that had dropped her and Albert off. He threw up a stiff salute and said, “Good luck, Secretary Montgomery.”

  “Stay safe, Chief,” she replied.

  She watched the boat zip over the waves toward the mainland. They were going back out there, but this time they weren’t being inserted under the cover of darkness in some foreign country. Their duty was to hold security on an American highway used for decades by tourists traveling to Cocoa Beach, the Kennedy Space Center, and Disney World.

  One of the Marines nearby called out to her over the whistle of the wind. He guided them across the island toward a blocky concrete structure. It towered over a group of soldiers. In the middle of the group stood a man in a blue uniform with a chest full of medals. He stepped out to meet them and offered his hand to Charlize.

  “Welcome, Madame Secretary,” he said. “It’s good to see you again. As you may remember, I’m General Justin Thor. Please follow me inside.”

  His voice was rough, and his face was even rougher, with one brown eye recognizably larger than the other. The pain was making it difficult to think, but she only vaguely remembered this man. Her eyes flitted to his three-star rank, but nothing rang a bell. Usually she had a good memory, but the meds and constant anxiety had jumbled her mind. Charlize thought she might have met General Thor at a budget hearing on special projects, but before she could recall anything else, the screech of the blast doors derailed her train of thought.