“That’s up to them,” replied Bill. “Sure, I believe that’s what we all here want, but the leader of their outfit, Ralph, has shown a history of violent acts, with little to no remorse, against not only our group but Samuel’s as well.”
Samuel nodded his head yes without saying a word.
“Now I’m not saying,” Bill continued, “that we can’t try to be diplomatic and talk things out. It’s always worth a try,” he added, being careful not to compare this situation with the one recently, involving Drake and his family.
“So, the Miller boy, he’s on our side now, right?” asked another member.
“Yes, that’s correct,” interjected Cory. “We were able to come to a mutual understanding of sorts, but not before blood was spilled on both sides. The difference here is that we have many more people to worry about, and that includes women and children.”
“Anyone who remembers the incident just outside of Waco, Texas, that had the ATF, FBI and US military with the Texas Rangers, involving the Branch Davidians led by David Koresh, back in 1993, knows how quickly things can get out of hand,” said Mac. “Twenty children died on the last day of the almost two-month standoff. It gets complicated when the leader hides amongst women and children.”
“The bottom line for their leader, Ralph, is that he says he wants Patty back, and we can’t let that happen,” said John. “It would go against everything we stand for here in this valley.”
Samuel once again nodded his head in agreement without speaking.
Mac and Cory both got the idea that John was prepping the council for the right decision to be voted on.
“Mac and Cory, if you will please excuse us for a few minutes?” asked John.
“Sure, we will be down the hall if you need us,” replied Mac, happy to be out of the stuffy room and eager to move things forward.
John, Bill and Samuel continued talking to the council and secured a unanimous vote on the next steps.
* * * *
Mac and Cory met Patty outside in the hall, getting breakfast ready.
“Thank you, Mac,” she said, “for trying to rescue my son. No mother should ever have to worry about her child being with his father.”
“I can assure you,” replied Mac in a low voice, “that he is my top priority, and I will move heaven and earth to get him back.”
“I know you will,” she replied tearfully.
“It’s going to be bad, isn’t it?” asked Cory once she was gone.
“Unless Ralph dies from his injuries, I’m afraid it will be. And it might be me who has to do it.”
John invited them both back in the room, asking once again if any council members had additional questions or concerns.
“All concerns, but no additional questions,” remarked one, getting a head nod from the others.
“Okay, gentleman,” John continued. “As the leads in our security team, we are asking that you come up with a few plans, based on possible hypothetical circumstances, by the end of today. We all want the boy back quickly, but we can’t risk going in like a swarm of locusts, destroying everything in our path.”
Mac resisted the urge to try and calm their nerves. “Thank you,” he said, and grabbed Cory’s shoulder to leave.
“I guess we’re done in there?” asked Cory once they were both outside.
“Yes, the longer we stay, the more complicated it gets,” replied Mac. “Right now, we just need a few good plans.”
* * * *
Meeting back with the security team, Mac picked out six men to meet in another location. Two were Cory’s former officers, one male and one female. Drake was chosen for his knowledge of the area, and Cameron just because he wanted him close to his dad. The last two were from Samuel’s team, as observation and report-only positions.
Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald were invited to attend, with only him showing. “Sorry about the Mrs.,” he explained. “She’s a bit unsettled at the moment, and these sorts of plans don’t help any.”
Cory had a large white marker board, similar to the one he had used for so many years at the precinct, standing in the middle of the room lit only by sunlight through the windows on either side.
“All right, Security Team,” said Mac. “Cory and I have handpicked this group for a very important mission.”
He got lost for a minute during his flawless speech to rally the troops, and he was reminded of the speeches his coaches would give on his little league team as a kid.
It’s pretty much the same thing, he thought, except we’re not going to have fun and miss a pitch here, and you don’t go home.
I asked Drake to draw a detailed map of the area of concern… “Mr. MacDonald, is there anything missing?”
“Well, now let me see,” he replied, coming closer. He mumbled to himself. “Got that…there’s that, right over there,” as he was pointing to various structures and landmarks.
Pausing to look at Drake, Mr. MacDonald asked, “How did you know all that?”
“Well, sir, Mac and Cory had me watch out over the property for nearly a whole day. Plus, I got some more information when I tried to save the boy.”
Truth be told, Drake and his brother had observed the property for hours on end some days, testing their skills at being undetected. Hoping it would be the end of the questioning, he asked Mac if there were any other landmarks he wanted on the board.
“Show us what we’ve got so far,” Mac replied.
Drake ran through the map, starting at Saddle Ranch, including roads, deer trails, streams, and open meadows.
Mr. MacDonald reached for a green marker.
“This one works good,” said Drake, holding out a black one.
“I see,” said Mr. MacDonald. “It’s
