Reflexively, Amanda’s left hand slid to her belly and she thought of the tiny life it held. A warm wash of pleasure nearly overtook her before she spoke.
“Might be the reason, Cody. We’ll hafta see.”
“Okay.”
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, they walked together for a while listening to the noises of the forest.
“Amanda?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think I can make babies?”
CHAPTER 5.18-A Spider
“Mr. Harmon, what a pleasure!” said Terry.
Standing with Andy in the middle of Dinner Bell Road near the second perimeter line, they greeted Mark Harmon and his new arrivals like long lost guests late for dinner.
“Terry! Great to see you again!” said Mark Harmon.
His genuine pleasure brought a pink blush to his pale face and his crystal blue eyes brightened. Slowing to stop his horse on the two-lane blacktop, he smiled.
“And, c’mon, you know better than that! How many times do I have to ask? Please call me Mark.”
“Oh, right, sorry.”
“Andy.”
“Mark.”
Each nodded in greeting, before Terry jumped into the fray.
“What brings you here this lovely summer day?”
Riding in the center of nineteen, well-armed men on horseback, Mark and his men were an imposing sight, each clearly experienced in horsemanship. Mark, himself, was a big man, burly and good-looking in a ‘mountain man’ way, but with a well-trimmed red beard and perfect white teeth. Easily, his natural charisma overshadowed the other riders, though a few of the horses they rode were impressive enough to warrant a strong glance or two.
“Oh, I dunno. Just needed to ride for a bit.”
Calming the beautiful palomino beneath him, Mark made subtle adjustments to his seat and shifted toward Terry and Andy. Whether in deference or training, the men spread out across the road to give them room and protection.
“That right?” asked Terry, smiling.
“Yeah.”
One muscular man, wearing a black patch across his left eye, stayed put, never separated from behind Mark by more than ten feet. Coming across as stern and unyielding, the man had a thin facial scar on his left side from chin to eye. White and jagged, the scar stood out against the eye patch. Confidently, he scrutinized the horsemen separating to his apparent satisfaction. That done, he used hand signals to instruct the Quads to split into two teams, taking up protective detail fifty feet down the road. At the man’s further signal, the remainder of men covered their flank and the two Humvees disgorged men to disperse silently several yards into the surrounding woods.
“Lotta men for a neighborly stroll down Route 40, Mark,” suggested Andy. He studied the dispersal of men, interested.
“Yeah, well—”
“Something we should know about?”
“No. No, I’ve recently been told I need to be more cautious on my trips out of Nemacolin.”
“I see.”
“Can’t ride alone anymore. Need a ‘protective detail’ so I’m told.”
Watching the action, Andy took a special interest in the one-eyed man. He was a new, first time addition to the equation and was efficient, concise and in command of the men. Before any further pleasantries continued, Andy interrupted.
“Who’s the new guy, Mark? I’m thinking I might know him.” Andy gestured at the one-eyed man.
“Who? Oh, you mean, Spider?”
“That his name?”
“No. His name’s William Parker. He’s new, came ’bout a month ago—”
“Call me Spider,” said the deep, baritone voice.
“Call me Spider,” said Andy. He kept his voice just as deep in mocking imitation, but with an unimpressed tone.
Terry caught the tight tension in Andy’s shoulders and slight change in stance.
“Where you come from, Spider?” asked Andy.
The question was none too friendly. Confused by Andy’s behavior, but sensing the harsh tone, Mark intervened, dragging his eyes from Terry and the curves of her breasts.
“Spider’s military, Andy,” said Mark, “He’s Army Ranger. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan, three tours.”
“That right?”
“Yep. He was a captain up for promotion before the bird flu hit everywhere.”
“I see.”
“Right. And, he’s pretty much taken control since he showed up last month.”
“How ’bout that.”
“Don’t hear much complaining from the men under his command.”
“That right?” asked Andy, unconvinced.
Protectively, he stepped in front of Terry.
“How ’bout you?” asked Spider with interest, “Seen any action?”
Andy laughed at the man’s intensity, taking his time to respond.
“Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.”
“Some hotshot, huh?” Spider took an instant dislike to Andy. The feeling was, apparently mutual.
“Yep. Seems I managed to keep both eyes when I left that sandbox, too.”
“Andy!” said Terry.
CHAPTER 5.19-Sneaking into Cleveland
“Mac and Roger say to gather at the barn up ahead. Hidden defensive positions for cover,” said John McLeod.
“Yeah?” asked Amanda.
Rhonda, McLeod and the others gathered around BB, Jackson and Jason as they sat atop their horses. Marty materialized out of nowhere, returning from scouting duty.
“What else is going on, Marty?” asked McLeod.
“A scouting party’s coming our way. Be here in about twenty.”
“How big? How organized?” asked Amanda.
The rest of the crew had the same thoughts and waited for his response.
“Two squads. Eight each. Well trained. Well armed. Mac says they move with some experience.”
“Damn,” said McLeod.
“Yep, Mac says we need to avoid discovery at all costs at this juncture. If that fails, the entire Cleveland scouting crew needs to be… suitably detained or eliminated.”
“Let’s move it, then! Cody you’re with me,” said Amanda.
“Jackson, Jason and BB, take the horses back aways and cover. You know the drill,” said McLeod, “Jude, you’re with me.”
“Right.”
The three men took off with the five horses. The rest of the team approached a semi-standing barn, on a slight elevation fifty yards east of a dirt road and run-down farmhouse. Connor and Roger showed up a few minutes later. Entering the barn, Connor detected no evidence of his crew’s arrival or their rather hasty preparations. Standing in the middle of the barn, he spoke to the empty space. Beside him, Roger rechecked his shotgun out of habit.
“Excellent! But, remember that whoever touched the barn door shifted the dirt ten inches to indicate fresh activity. Other than that, your positions are unencumbered by evidence.”
“Crap!”
“Cody, I expect that’s you in the hayloft, hopefully with Snuff taking care of you.”
“Yeah.”
“No harm done, son. Stay frosty.”
Connor replaced the dislodged soil and scraps of hay into their original position.
“As you might expect, this is the first indication of scout recon we’ve found as we approach. I figure we’re ’bout ten miles out and I expect this is the scouting team attached to the second, maybe third perimeter guard. If at all possible, I’d like us to slip past the scrutiny of these men and then clip onto them during their return trip. Any questions?”
There were none.
“I noticed BB, Jackson and Jason have slipped back west to avoid any tracking of the animals. They’ll serve as a reserve force from that old ravine with the two tumbled cars in it. They’ll be on channel six, if needed. Let’s hope this all works out as planned and we don’t need ’em. If not, well… you all know what to do.”