“Wait until they’re a couple of hundred yards off. I’ll give the word.”
“We both gonna shoot from here?”
“No point in splitting up. Only four of them, and line of sight’s better from here than the gate.”
Duke blew dust off his M16 scope and removed a spare magazine from his vest. He placed it by his side and adjusted his aim through one of the gaps between the sandbags. John did the same, and they waited as the riders neared, bouncing in their sights.
“Gonna be hard to hit anything at the rate they’re moving,” John said.
“No doubt. If single shots don’t do the trick, switch to bursts, and I’ll keep plinking.”
“We don’t get all of them, you know they’ll be back after dark.”
“Yep. Wait until they’re a hundred yards off. That’ll narrow the odds some. Hold your fire until I give the word.”
The scavengers wouldn’t stand a chance of hitting Duke and John from horseback, much less behind the sandbags, so Duke wasn’t worried about a firefight. John had been right that the greater threat was any survivors returning at night to settle the score.
The women came into view, and Duke estimated the men were no more than a quarter mile behind them and closing. He waited until the women had ridden past the gate and then murmured to John, “Ten…nine…”
When Duke’s count reached one, both their rifles barked, and the lead rider jerked back in the saddle before dropping his gun and clutching the spreading blossom of red on his chest. Duke fired again, and his shot missed the second rider, who was still galloping as though he hadn’t registered that his companion had been hit. That changed when the lead rider tumbled from the saddle and smacked onto the road, and the three remaining horsemen reined in their steeds and paused.
John’s rifle stuttered another three-round burst, and the second rider spasmed like a marionette from two of the three rounds. Duke positioned his reticule over the chest of one of the others and squeezed the trigger with gentle, even pressure, and was rewarded by the man bucking in the saddle. He fired again but missed, and the rider was able to turn his horse and tear back in the direction he’d come.
Duke sighted on the last rider and fired at him with methodical precision, even as the man spurred his horse into motion. The shots missed and Duke swore, but then John’s weapon chattered four bursts and the rider toppled from his horse. His foot snagged in the stirrup, and the stallion took off in fright, dragging him through the dust and leaving a bloody trail in its wake.
Duke switched to three-round burst mode and emptied his magazine at the surviving rider. None of his shots found home, and he ground his teeth as he ejected the spent mag and slammed a full one into place. He continued firing until the rider had disappeared in the dust, and was still squeezing the trigger when John nudged him.
“It’s over, Duke. We got ’em.”
“The one that rode away could bring more.”
“Not likely. There was blood on his jacket from the exit wound. He’ll probably bleed out before long.”
“Probably isn’t good enough.”
John glanced past Duke and pointed. “Looks like the women are coming back.”
They climbed down from the roof and waited as the women approached the gate. Duke waved from the building entry. The women turned into the truck stop and rode to a halt in the shade of the overhang.
“Howdy, ladies,” John said, tipping his hat.
Duke studied them. All three were in their twenties, thin but not emaciated, armed with shotguns and pistols – a poor choice on the trail against a rifle with a three- to five-hundred-yard effective range. All were wearing hats to shade their faces from the harsh sun, and from what he could tell, two had auburn hair and looked like sisters, with the third a raven-haired beauty with flashing blue eyes.
The black-haired woman removed her hat and smiled at Duke. “Looks like we owe you boys big.”
Duke smiled back. “What happened?”
“We picked up a tail in Colorado Springs. We didn’t see them for about an hour, and then by the time we did, they were too close for comfort.”
“They part of a gang?”
“No idea. We didn’t hang around. We’re just passing through.”
“From where?”
“Denver.”
“Never been.”
“Not much going on there. We thought we might as well try our luck on the road.”
Duke nodded. “Your horses look blown out. You’re lucky you didn’t lose one.”
“I know.” She smiled again, and he decided he liked the way the skin at the corner of her eyes crinkled. “Would you mind if we let them graze by the river?”
“It’s a free country. But it’ll be dark in a few hours. Where were you planning to hole up for the night?”
“We were hoping to make Pueblo.”
“Not with the horses in that condition, you won’t,” John said.
“There’s nothing there,” Duke cautioned. “Town’s abandoned.”
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Don’t suppose you have anywhere we could put up, then?”
Duke motioned to the building. “Plenty of room, but they aren’t first-class digs. More like a floor and a roof.”
“Would you mind if we stayed the night?” she asked.
“Not at all. We’re just setting up shop.”
She swung out of the saddle and hopped to the ground. “I’m Ellen. This is Monica and Tracie.”
Duke nodded to them. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Duke, and this here’s John.”
“Is this your place?” she asked.
“That’s right. Duke’s Trading Post,” John answered.
“Where are you all from?” Tracie asked.
John and Duke exchanged a glance. Duke cleared his throat before answering, “Down Texas way myself. John’s from New Mexico.”
“You’re a long way from home.”
“Man’s got to find opportunity where he can.”
“Just you two?” Ellen asked.
“One more out hunting. Fifty-fifty he makes it back by sundown.”
“I’d have thought you’d have more men out here. Three isn’t a lot to hold off a gang.”
“We’re hiring,” Duke said. “If you know how to use a gun.”
She smiled again. “We sure do. We might just take you up on that. What’s the pay?”
Duke held her gaze. “Negotiable.” He turned to John. “Why don’t you ride out and get those riders’ guns and gear?” He looked to Tracie and Monica. “You think your horses have enough left in them to help?”
“Sure thing,” Monica said.
John fetched his horse, and the two women rode off with him. John would drag the bodies to the railroad tracks where they wouldn’t be seen and leave them for the buzzards. Their weapons and horses were now Duke’s and would go into the trading post’s stocks, for use by whomever he hired to act as help.
When the others had cleared the gate, Ellen walked her horse to a water trough and let him drink. Duke busied himself reloading his spent magazines from a metal ammo case of 5.56mm rounds, and snuck a glance at her when she wasn’t looking.
“Were you serious about looking to hire?” she asked. “We’re low on supplies and could use the work.”
“Long as you can shoot straight and don’t have sticky fingers, we could work something out.” He paused. “You got any other skills?”
This time her smile was shy. “All the usual. We’re all fair cooks, good with ponies. We could keep this place clean. Catch fish. Whatever’s necessary.”
“Anyone after you?”
Her expression clouded. “No. Why do you ask?”
“Three beautiful women at my trading post, you’re going to get noticed. Lousy place to hide out if that’s your game.”
“We’re on the up-and-up. But if you think it’s a bad idea, we can ride out tomorrow. Your call.”
“I suppose the place could probably use a woman’s touch. I
t’s a mess. Looters left it a wreck.”
“And the pay?”
“Four rounds a day apiece.”
“Not super generous,” she countered.
“You see a line waiting to trade? It is what it is. You think you can do better farther south, don’t let me stop you.”
Her smile returned. “We owe you for saving our lives. Let’s try it for a while and see how it goes. If business goes through the roof, maybe you’ll open your wallet.”
“Then it’s a deal.”
She walked over and shook his hand. The feel of her skin on his awakened a feeling in Duke he hadn’t thought about for a long time, and color rose in his cheeks. He resisted the urge to look away and instead nodded.
“Welcome to Bartertown,” he said with a chuckle.
Chapter 8
Astoria, Oregon
Lucas, Ruby, and Rosemary cantered down the road toward the final bridge before Astoria. The two-day ride from Newport had been as uneventful as they hoped their return home to Shangri-La would be. Rosemary had proven a good travel companion without her parents, and had willingly stood watch for a four-hour shift each night while Ruby and Lucas slept. She’d continued to pepper them with questions about their destination, and they’d answered as honestly as they could, trying to prepare her for the reality of living high in the mountains, where winters were brutal and hardship was a regular part of the day.
Lucas slowed as they neared the bridge and gestured at the sky, where hundreds of black birds circled over the town.
“Lot of buzzards,” he said. “Maybe the Chinese made their last push.”
Ruby drew closer to him and freed her gun from its scabbard. “Question is, who won?”
“We’ll know soon enough.”
They made their way across the bridge, Lucas in the lead, and stopped when they’d reached the Astoria side of the river. Lucas took in the road ahead, which was clogged with carrion birds feasting on the flesh of the dead.
“Those are Chinese uniforms,” Rosemary said.
“Answers the question of who won.”
They held their breath as their horses trotted past the corpses, the stench of decomposition thick in the morning air, and once beyond the killing field, slowed at the sight of six men with rifles blocking the road. One of them recognized Lucas and called out behind him, and then the men lowered their guns and stepped aside to allow them to pass.
They found Art with Sam and Bill outside the General’s bar, where they were seated in camp chairs, deep in discussion. Lucas dismounted and lashed Tango to the hitching post, and Ruby and Rosemary did the same with their mounts. The men stood to greet them, and Lucas nodded.
“Saw the mess by the bridge,” Lucas said.
“Yup,” Art said. “They tried to escape night before last. Didn’t take long to finish them off.”
“Don’t suppose there’s any reason to bury ’em,” Lucas said.
“Nobody wanted the duty,” Bill explained. “Besides, we’re fixing to leave soon, so the whole town will be their cemetery.” He looked Lucas over, and his eyes flitted to Rosemary. “Did you find Newport?”
“Yes. They’re getting settled. Town fired the council. Hayden’s running things for now.”
Lucas sat on the edge of the porch, and Ruby and Rosemary joined him. “Glad to see you make it back,” Sam said. “Although you missed all the excitement.”
“You get all of them?” Lucas asked.
“Yep. Lost a few men in the process, but not too many.” He paused. “We were just talking about what to do next.”
“We can’t stay by the river,” Bill said. “And I’m not sure I have much taste for heading back to Newport and waiting for more Chinese to come over the hill.”
“Sam here was talking about heading to Salem,” Art said. “Clearing the Portland bikers out and establishing a working system.”
Sam nodded agreement. “We’ve got a lot of men who’ll come with us – men who’re pumped after taking on a whole passel of Chinese and beating them.”
“Yeah? How many?” Lucas asked.
“Counting my men and Bill’s? At least six hundred. And all of them armed.”
“What about their families?”
Art shrugged. “They’d all go together.” He wiped a tired hand over his face. “Your timing’s perfect. Just in time to join us.”
Lucas shook his head. “Already said not interested.”
“We beat them hands down, Lucas,” Sam said. “We can do the same with the bikers. They don’t stand a chance.”
“Not my fight, gentlemen. We’re headed home. Got a long way to ride to get there. I’m sure you’ll do well.”
“Kind of in the same direction, isn’t it?” Art asked.
Lucas scowled. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“Wouldn’t be a big deal to ride along with us, would it? Sure would be a morale booster,” Sam said.
“I’m not here to cheerlead your men.” Lucas hesitated. “You seen Ray around?”
“He was wounded in the fight. He’s in town being tended to.”
Rosemary’s hand flew to her mouth. “How bad?”
“The wound is pretty clean. Through his thigh. He’ll be fine. The medic cauterized it, which probably hurt more than the bullet.”
“I want to see him,” Rosemary said.
“Are the wounded in the same place as before?” Ruby asked.
Art nodded. “There were some Chinese in there, but they offed themselves. Just ours in there now. The Chinese supplies came in handy, though – they had antibiotics and morphine. And a ton of ordnance.”
Rosemary rose. “I know where it is. Let’s go.”
Lucas stood and tipped his hat. “Gents.”
Art smiled. “Think it over, Lucas. You got nothing to lose by tagging along.”
“I’ll ask the ladies. I’m just the hired help.”
They found Ray in a bed beside three other wounded men, his thigh bandaged and a sour expression on his face.
“It was just a flesh wound,” he complained. “Really nothing. I didn’t even feel it. But they won’t let me go until tomorrow. Observation, they say.” He snorted. “I’m bored out of my mind here.”
“You look pretty fit to me,” Ruby said. “But it can’t hurt to stay put another day.”
“I’ve got things to do.”
“Sure you do,” Rosemary said. “Like what?”
That stopped him. “Where are your parents?” he asked.
“In Newport. I’m riding with Lucas and Ruby to Shangri-La.”
His eyebrows rose. “What? And they were okay with that?”
“I wouldn’t say okay, but it’s done.”
Lucas stood outside, watching the squatters mill around the town, carrying treasures they’d discovered in abandoned buildings back to their tents. Ruby joined him and squinted up at him. “They’re right that we’re headed in the same direction.”
“I know. I don’t want to get sucked in.”
“It’s not like you’d have to do much. Running a bunch of bikers out of town on a rail sounds like a slow morning for the Lucas I know.”
He chuckled. “Not hardly. I’m just…I’m tired, Ruby. I want to spend my time with Sierra and the kids. I’m done fighting.”
“Seems like you landed in a pretty special place in time, Lucas. It isn’t everyone who could lead them, you know. Art’s good, but he’s long in the tooth, and he doesn’t have your energy.”
“I’m running on empty, Ruby.”
“We’d be a lot safer riding with them at least as far as Salem. Where’s the harm?”
“I don’t want them to get ideas.”
She shrugged. “So you help them with some strategy. It isn’t like you don’t have plenty to spare. Plus I’ve seen you in action. You enjoy it.”
“That’s part of the problem. What kind of man enjoys killing?”
“Not the killing part. I meant the tactics. The planning. You’re a natural, and
we both know it.”
“I do that, it’ll never end. I promised Sierra…”
“And you can keep your promise. We can ride to Salem and then part ways with them.”
He studied her and sighed. “Why are you so hell-bent on me doing this?”
“I’m not. I just don’t see a downside. Plus, if I were thirty years younger and you, I’d be asking myself the same questions we talked about on the trail – we both know the Chinese will be back with more men and ships. I’m not sure it’ll be possible to hide in the mountains forever while they take over the country. You’ve got the beginning of an army here, and…I don’t believe in coincidences. If you ask me, there’s a reason things turned out like they did. A reason you’re here.”
“Doesn’t seem like anyone’s all that interested in what I want, does it?”
“You want Sierra and the kids to be safe. Ask yourself how that’ll be possible if the country’s invaded and run as a slave colony. Is that the future you want for them? For yourself?”
“Wouldn’t be much different than how we’ve let it turn out, would it?”
Ruby frowned. “Don’t give me that, Lucas. We both know you aren’t fine with any of this. You’re a good man, and you can’t stand idly by while evil triumphs. It’s one of the reasons I respect you, and why they want you to lead the men. You have honor. That’s a rare quality in this day and age.”
“Damn, woman. You do have a way with words, don’t you?”
“I could write your speeches for you.”
Lucas offered her a fatigued grin. “You can start on my first one. Call it ‘I quit.’ Doesn’t have to be long.”
“Does that mean we’re going with them?”
“Sounds like I’ll never hear the end of it if I say no. But you’re going to explain to Sierra why we’ve been away so long.”
“No problem. She knows you. I won’t have to say much.”
Lucas glanced at the looters and shook his head. “Some army.”
“Nobody said it would be easy.”
“You just did.”
“Huh.”
Chapter 9
Trading Post, Colorado
When Luis arrived before sunset with a bag full of rabbits, he was surprised to find an attractive young woman manning the front gate with an AK-47, and she seemed unimpressed by his insistence that he was one of the owners. She called to Duke inside the truck stop while never taking her eyes off him, and they waited in tense silence until Duke’s voice rang out that it was okay to allow Luis to pass.
The Day After Never (Book 7): Havoc Page 5