Page 54 of G8
The man grinned. “That’s the gist of it. We need to keep them off-balance so they’ll be hard pressed to come up with another plan to try and attack.”
They drove in silence for another minute or two, each of them lost in their own thoughts, when the sheriff’s radio went off.
“Sheriff, this is Conners. Sheriff Biggs, this is Conners. Do you read me?” The man sounded all-business, but G8 detected a note of concern in the deputy’s voice.
Biggs grabbed the mic again. “This is Biggs. Go ahead.”
“Sheriff, do we know if anyone’s bought or moved into the old Vogel place?”
The sheriff frowned. “Not that I’m aware of. Why?”
“I just passed the farm and I noticed fresh ruts in the dirt road leading up to the house.”
“How fresh?”
“Pretty damn fresh. Like something big and heavy pulled in not five minutes ago.”
“Do you see any vehicles parked up there?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. They could have parked behind the house, out of sight.”
“Ten-four. Listen, I need you to go back there but don’t go onto the property until I get there. Try to remain inconspicuous.”
“Ten-four.”
“I should be there in about five minutes, maybe sooner. Notify me immediately if you spot any more activity or vehicles.”
“Ten-four, Sheriff. Conners out.”
K8 stared at Biggs. “But what about me and the babies?”
G8 understood her confusion. “I thought this took precedence.”
“It does,” the man acknowledged and glanced at the woman next to him. “So far, what is your gut telling you? Are we still on track?”
K8 looked taken aback. Facing the front, she closed her eyes and focused. “Yes. The other me is still ahead of us.”
“Good. Let’s see if we can’t kill two birds with one stone, then. Chances are those ruts were caused by some vagrants looking for an abandoned farm or house they can move into. That or…” He got that pensive expression on his face and got back on his mic. “Sheriff Biggs to Base.”
“Base here.”
“Get Morris Shiner on the line and patch me through to him.”
“Hold on.”
This time it took more than a couple of minutes before the real estate salesman joined them. “Hey, Sheriff. What can I do for you?”
“Quick question. Have you had anyone inquire about renting or purchasing the old Vogel place recently?”
“Sure did! Rented it to a guy and his girlfriend three days ago. Why?”
Biggs softly groaned. “Nothing. One of my deputies just drove by there and saw fresh rut marks in the driveway. I was just calling to confirm we didn’t have some wandering vagrants trying to claim squatters’ right out there.”
“Nope. Not this time, thank goodness. Anything else I can do for you?”
G8 saw the sheriff was about to cut off the call and butted in. “Mr. Shiner, another quick question. Do you happen to know what kind of vehicle the new renters were driving?”
Biggs cast him a sideways glance but didn’t say anything as they waited for the salesman’s answer.
