Page 50 of Gatling
“I have to pick up some gear.”
I carried a pistol and a hunting knife at all times. But raiding a bunker with a madman trapped inside holding Kelsie hostage would require more than that.
As Big G hit the gas, I crouched in the back, weighing the best approach for this situation. I’d raided bunkers in the military dozens of times. I wasn’t worried about that.
Putting Kelsie in more danger was the tricky part. When we reached my cabin, I didn’t wait for the cage to slow down. I slid the door open and jumped out, moving as fast as my wheezing lungs would allow.
In the back of my closet, I kept a duffle bag loaded with military gear that I’d collected over the years. Hauling the bag over my shoulder, I hustled back to the cage and hopped inside. I didn’t know what to expect when we arrived at that bunker with Olson and Kelsie. But I had to be prepared for anything.
Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the trees in beams of muted gold when we reached Olson’s land. There was no driveway, no mailbox. Just tire tracks in the frozen mud, leading off into the trees.
I tapped Big G’s shoulder, signaling to park here, where it was safer. As soon as we set foot on Olson’s land, we were in enemy territory. There was a good chance he might rig traps to fend off intruders.
As I climbed out of the cage, the Blackjacks came to a rolling stop next to me, lining up along the side of the road. Credence brought up the tail end of the caravan. Our breath frosted in the air. Crows squawked overhead, and the pines whispered in a faint breeze.
It was dead quiet out here. We hadn’t passed anyone on the road for miles.
“Where do you want us?” Kingpin asked, deferring his leadership to my expertise. I would be the one taking point.
I scanned the landscape, sloping upward, studded with thick, towering evergreen trees, and rocky boulders.
Reaching into the cage, I pulled out the lock box we kept in the back for emergencies. Inside would be spare weapons, ammunition, and walkie-talkies. Everyone was armed already, so at least I didn’t have to worry about making sure weaponswere covered. But we didn’t have enough handheld radios to go around, unless we broke off into groups.
I tossed a handheld radio to Blackbeard.
“Spike, Tex, Blackbeard, you take the western edge of Olson’s property. Keep your eyes open for anything that seems off. We have no clue what kind of mine field we’re walking into here.”
I passed another radio to Big G.
“Baby Doll and Big G, stay here with the cage.”
She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow.
“I can handle the action. You don’t have to tell me to wait in the car.”
“That’s why I need you here,” I countered. “You got my ass to the clubhouse when Olson took me down. If anyone is injured, you cover them. Big G will be your getaway driver.”
She nodded.
“Sounds good.”
I surveyed the remaining members, mentally assessing their strengths and weaknesses. I gave one radio to Kingpin, and the other to Vlad, designating them as leaders of their respective groups.
“Kingpin, Hot Shot, and Credence,” I said. “You three, cover the eastern edge of the property. Vlad, Credence, and Crash, you take the northern border.”
Crash pointed at himself with surprise.
“Me? I usually just keep watch."
I shrugged.
“You’ve been with us for over a year now. Don’t you want to do something more than run errands, scrub toilets, and sweep floors?”
He squared his shoulders, puffing up slightly with newfound pride.
“Hell yeah, I do.”
“Then this is your chance. And don’t let it go to your head. Some wise old man told me that we’re in this together. So don’t be an idiot like me and pull some lone wolf bullshit.”
