Breakout (Final Dawn) Read Free Page B

friends. Even if they did have the capability to track us, they’d have no reason to.
         “We’re going to log all the intel we get from the ham radio into a special log book. It’ll be here on the desk any time you guys, or anybody else, want to take a look at it. Over the course of a few weeks, or months, it should give us a pretty good idea of what it’s like out there, both locally and around the rest of the world too.
         “It s hould make for some interesting reading. What’s on your agenda for today?”
         “That’s why I came to talk to you, John. Bryan and I want to go outside the compound. I want to know how big of a problem that’s going to be, security wise.”
         “I don’t think it’ll be too big a problem. I still haven’t seen any signs of life out there. Why are you going out?”
         Mark pointed to one of the monitors, on the outside corner of the compound.
         “See how the perimeter fence is surrounded by two hundred feet of white gravel?”
         “Yes, I noticed that. It reminds me of a prison.”
         “Well, it’s sort of the same concept, in reverse. At a prison they make it that way so they can easily see people sneaking out. Here, we want to easily see people trying to sneak in. But it’s the same idea, really.
         “The problem is, see how weeds and shrubs have sprung up in the area over the time we were in the mine?”
         “Yes.”
         “Well, they’re not bad yet, because there haven’t been that many warm days fo r them to grow over the last couple of years. But we want to get a handle on it before it gets out of hand. We stocked some herbicide in barn number two, mostly for the crops. But we’re going to spray all the weeds before they grow even larger. We don’t want them to get so big that a man can hide behind them.”
         “How long do you figure it’ll take?”
         “I don’t know. A couple of hours, I’m guessing. And we’ll probably have to do it two or three times a season, from now on.”
         “No problem. Brad’s a good shot. We’ll position him in the hunting blinds on the roof. He’ll be able to provide cover for you no matter which side of the compound you’re on . Put fresh batteries in your radios and keep them on channel five. We’ll keep a close watch on the monitors, and if we see anything worrisome you can scramble back in. I’ll find another volunteer to man the gate, so they can let you in quickly. What time are you going out?”
         “As soon as you can get everything set up.”
         “Okay. Give me an hour.”
         “Good morning, you sexy man, you.”
         The men turned around to see Hannah standing there, with Markie by her side.
         John couldn’t resist the temptation. He said, “Well, thank you for the compliment, Sweetheart. You’re not so bad yourself.”
         He winked at her and she laughed.
         She looked at Mark and asked if he had breakfast yet.
         “Yep. Now I’m off to the races. Got lots to do today.”
         “Well, can I at least have a kiss first?”
         He took her aside and gave her one.
         “More of those later if you want. Right now I hear weeds calling my name. Enjoy your breakfast. I love you.”
         She knew him well enough not to ask about the weeds. “I love you too, honey.”
         He tussled little Markie’s hair and said “Take good care of your mommy, son, and keep her away from that big bad wolf.”
         He pointed a thumb at John. Markie didn’t have a clue what his dad meant. But Hannah and John both laughed so Markie did too.
         And with that, Mark was off for the first of several projects on his “to do” list for the day.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
     
         “Nope. This one’s dead too. Damnit!”
         Frank Woodard and Jesse