After the Republic (10 page)

***

Bob’s long-awaited update came over the radio.
Zeta Group is secure and has returned to the route. All groups check in.

“Thank God,” Rebecca said. “That had me worried.”

“Me too.” Joshua let out a sigh of relief. “I just hope Bob didn’t kill anyone.”

“At least there wouldn’t be any witnesses.” Rebecca chuckled.

One by one the groups checked in over the radio as they continued their westward trek on hidden back roads that rarely saw out-of-town traffic. They crossed Highway 321 between Hickory and Lincolnton. After continuing west for a few miles the group turned south, and then west again. The full moon helped illuminate the otherwise pitch-black two-lane roads.

Rebecca pointed at the road sign as they came to an intersection. “This is definitely the scenic route. Dirty Ankle Road. Interesting name.”

The group continued uninterrupted for some time before another voice broke radio silence.
This is Perry Edwards. My truck is trying to overheat. We are stopping at the next gas station.

Affirmative,
Bob replied.
Everyone refuel and acquire any other essentials while we are stopped.

Less than a mile later Joshua pulled into a large gas station adjoined by two garage bays, followed by Perry. Joshua and Rebecca both double-checked to make sure their pistols were loaded and ready for use, then concealed them before exiting the Explorer. Perry popped the hood on his pickup and spotted a leaking hose. He purchased several jugs of anti-freeze and went to work fixing the leak.

As Bob exited his vehicle Joshua approached him. “It’s been a long day, and taking these back roads has made this a long trip. It’s 9:00 now. Should we stop somewhere for the night?”

“Negative. We are in unknown territory. Stopping for long periods is dangerous. Drive on.”

Joshua frowned. “If you say so. I’m just worried about people driving at night, in the mountains, when they don’t know where they are going and are this tired.”

“Tell them to stock up on caffeine, man up and push through it.”

Joshua shook his head, concerned but also convinced that he was not going to persuade Bob. About 30 minutes later Perry fired up his Ram. “I’m done. Let’s roll.”

Bob marched to his vehicle and barked out instructions over the radio.
Groups should depart four minutes apart. Same protocol as before.
The group resumed its trek, crossing Interstate 26 just north of Hendersonville and turning south toward Brevard.

Joshua picked up his radio. “Bob, why are we going so far south? Isn’t this a bit out of the way?”

To avoid population centers and Interstate 40,
Bob answered, with no further explanation.

After some time Thomas’ voice came over the radio.
Hey man, this is Thomas. We took a wrong turn a few miles back. The road we’re on will get us to where we’re going, so we’re just gonna stay on this route and meet up with y’all in a bit.

Negative
, Bob responded.
We will cease travel and wait for you.

Nah, man, we’re good.

That is not wise, but I cannot force you to do the smart thing.

Some time later Joshua started seeing signs for Lake Fontana. “We’re
finally
getting close.”

Shortly thereafter Thomas’ voice again rang out.
Hey, we’re on 74 between Bryson City and where you guys will come in off of 28. Got a flat on the van. Should have it changed in a bit. See y’all shortly.

We will wait at the rest area,
Bob answered.
Please notify us when you have resumed travel.

Fifteen minutes passed at the rest area with no communication from Thomas. And then thirty.

“Something’s not right.” Joshua pursed his lip as he picked up his radio. “Thomas, are you there?”

Nothing.

“Thomas?”

Radio silence.

“Let’s give them a few more minutes.” Joshua’s heart pounded.

“A few,” Bob said.

After another fifteen minutes Joshua tried again. “Thomas, are you there?
Thomas?
”

Still nothing.

“We’ve got to go check on him.” Joshua said.

“I will go,” Bob answered. “You come with me.”

“Should we take anyone else?”

“Affirmative.” Bob looked at Perry. “Mr. Edwards, do you have a weapon?”

“I have a .38 revolver and a 30-30 hunting rifle.”

“Get them both and come with us.”

They piled into Bob’s vehicle and headed east on Highway 74 – the opposite direction from their destination. As they rounded the first curve Bob asked, “Mr. Edwards, have you been trained with those weapons?”

“No formal training, but I hunt and play a lot of paintball.”

Bob chuckled. “Paintball, huh? Well, son, today you might get to take off the training wheels.”

They continued winding around sharp mountain curves for several miles before Bob abruptly pulled over and killed the lights.

“What is it?” Joshua’s stomach twisted.

Bob pointed to the other side of a narrow valley where the road curled back around and traveled on a downhill slope. “Down there.” Joshua peered off into the darkness but saw nothing.

“Mr. Page’s vehicles are down there.” Bob walked to his utility trailer and pulled out what looked like a pair of souped-up safety goggles.

“What is that?” Perry inquired.

Bob strapped the goggles on. “Night vision.”

Joshua shook his head. “Why am I not surprised?”

Joshua’s heart raced as Bob silently surveyed the situation for what seemed like an eternity. “What do you see?”

“Thomas and his family appear to be unharmed at this point, but they are blindfolded, bound and gagged. Two men are going through their belongings. While I cannot see any weapons from here we must assume they are armed and dangerous. The two men are driving an older pickup truck. No sign of another accomplice.”

“So what’s the plan?”

“Surprise them. Joshua, you drive and have your pistol ready. Perry, have both of your weapons ready. I will ride in the back with the top hatch open. They will likely try to stop you. If they do, go along with it. If they do not try to stop you, stop before you get to them and ask if anything is wrong. Again, make sure you stop
before
you get to them in order to avoid compromising my position. Play along with them and occupy them with conversation until you hear me slap the back of the SUV twice. Then you should protect your ears.”

“Are you going to kill them?” Perry asked.

“Not unless it becomes necessary, but if they force my hand I will not hesitate.”

Joshua swallowed hard. He and Perry assumed their positions in the cab while Bob retrieved a utility belt from his trailer. He hung a .22 rifle around his shoulder and climbed into the back of the Yukon.

“Here we go.” Joshua gulped. His heart raced wildly as he put the vehicle in gear. So far, this was the opposite of the peaceful life he had planned after leaving the legislature. Joshua laid his 9mm in the console and began slowly moving forward. Perry laid his rifle beside his seat and gripped his revolver. They remained silent, slowly and methodically approaching Thomas’ vehicles.

Joshua’s heart leapt as a man stepped in front of the SUV, raised a pistol and shined a light in his face. “Stop your vehicle!”

Joshua complied, putting the vehicle in park. He felt the vehicle jump ever so slightly. “Bob’s out,” Perry whispered.

“You guys having car trouble?” Joshua called out. “Need any help?”

The man responded with a demand. “Get out of your truck and put your hands in the air.
Now!
”

Joshua’s heart pounded violently. “Why do you want us to do that?”

“Because we will shoot you if you don’t.” Joshua bit his lip as the man’s accomplice joined him in the road. “We don’t want to hurt you, but we are stocking up for the new world order.”

Suddenly Joshua heard two taps on the back of the SUV. He and Perry quickly covered their ears.

The bandit took a menacing step forward, weapon raised. “I said--” Joshua felt a blast concussion as a bright flash overtook the darkness. As the two bandits recoiled and fell backward they came face-to-face with the terror that was Bob Kendall, who shot through the smoke cloud like a rocket. Bob hit the leader in the head with the butt of his rifle, knocking him out cold. The second man tried to get up, but Bob spun and kicked him in the chest, knocking him back to the ground, and then spun again and knocked him out.

“Flash grenade.” Joshua shook his head. “This guy has everything.”

“Where did you find him?” Perry asked.

Bob bound both men with duct tape and covered their mouths and eyes. “You two go release Mr. Page and his family and change their tire. I’ll scout the area.”

Bob pulled the two unconscious bandits off to the side of the road and surveyed the area with his night vision goggles, but did not go into the woods. He removed several items from their truck, then started the engine and sent it careening off the mountainside. It erupted into flames as it hit a rock below.

“Man, I really appreciate this.” Thomas nursed his wrists, which had been rubbed raw by the ropes. “I thought we were done for.”

Bob responded with a stern rebuke. “I
told
you not to go off on your own. There is strength in numbers. I’m just glad we found you when we did.”

When the two bandits began stirring Bob knelt down beside the leader. “You listen to me carefully, you pathetic piece of human garbage. We were just minding our own business and you had to go and cause problems. Against my better judgment I am going to leave you alive. But if I ever see you again, I
will
kill you. Do you understand?”

There was no acknowledgement that the bandits were listening to him. Bob leaned closer and yelled into the man’s ear. “
DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
” The robber jumped and then nodded. Bob got up, spit on him, then lit up a cigar as he began returning items to his utility trailer.

“Thomas, your tire is fixed,” Perry said. “Now let’s get the heck out of here.”

Thomas nodded. “Amen to that.”

“We’ll lead the way,” Bob said. “Get in.”

As Bob’s Yukon began retracing its route to the rest area he picked up his radio. “Sigma Group secure and in tow. Returning to your location. Please acknowledge.”

Kane’s deep voice boomed over the radio.
All secure at rendezvous point. Awaiting your arrival.

***

A slender young woman in black attire slipped out from behind a large rock in the edge of the woods and made her way to the two bandits. She gently removed the tape from their eyes, mouths, wrists and ankles.

“That was close,” she said. “I thought for sure they were going to kill you guys.”

“Too close,” the leader said. “Those last guys obviously knew the people we were robbing. I don’t know how they found us, but that old man is lucky he caught us by surprise.”

“Maybe we’ll run into them again,” the second man said.

***

Bob picked up his radio. “Change of travel protocol. When we leave the rendezvous point we will travel as one large group until reaching our objective. All vehicles fall in line behind me and monitor those in front of and behind you. McGee, are you there?”

McGee here.

“McGee, bring up the rear and report any problems.”

Will do, sir.

After Joshua and Perry returned to their vehicles the convoy made its way to Route 28.

“We’re almost there,” Joshua said.

“Finally!” Rebecca let out a deep sigh. “This has been one heck of a trip. I just hope we don’t have any more issues between here and there.”

“Amen.” Joshua rubbed his weary eyes. “I’m exhausted, and I’m sure everyone else is as well.”

After 25 uneventful miles Thomas’ voice came over the radio.
Hey guys, we’re almost there. Just drive on into my property on the dirt path. I’ll lock the gate behind us and meet you outside the first cabin you come to once you’re inside.

Bob immediately responded.
Roger that. McGee, stay with Mr. Page while he locks the gate.

Minutes later Joshua saw Bob’s brake lights illuminate. He slowed and turned past an unlocked, open gate onto a tiny dirt path that disappeared upward onto the mountain. The parade of vehicles made its way up the winding dirt path, which was bordered on both sides by thick woods and underbrush. The darkness of the night was undisturbed apart from the headlights on the vehicles. The group made its way to a clearing beside a wood cabin.

Thomas arrived a few minutes later. “Man, we finally made it.”

“What’s the plan from here?” Joshua asked.

Thomas pointed at the closest cabin. “Well, that’s yours.” He pointed at a second cabin further up the path. “And that’s Drew’s. For those of y’all in campers, just stay right here tonight. We’ll sort it out in the morning. Do you guys need help putting your beds in your cabins?”