“The egg was pretty good,” Mac admitted.
* * * *
Mac got the call from Sarah, who wasn’t coming up for dinner tonight.
The funeral would be in two days’ time, and the mother would need to be transported to the gravesite while recovering from her C-section. With her agreement, an announcement was made at dinner.
John made the announcement, followed by a prayer.
O Lord, we thank you for watching over our Valley and keeping us close. We return your sweet baby boy Alex to your open arms, to care for as you see fit. Thank you for our bounty before us this night and for the coming days. It is in your name we pray. Amen.
* * * *
Mac rested for a few hours before his midnight security check. Cory picked him up at 11:45.
“I’m glad to be finally getting this done,” Mac said. “After my experience last time, I’m hoping for a better outcome.”
“I think you will get exactly that,” replied Cory.
* * * *
They walked in silence without flashlights, using hand signals to communicate.
The first stop was the machine shop, right next to where the old woodshop had stood.
The guard was one of Cory’s old officers. She was not sitting, like all Mac’s previous ones had done, but was up and walking her area, shining her flashlight every so often. Mac smiled in the darkness as she said, “That’s close enough.” She shone a flashlight into his eyes.
“Good job,” he told her. Cory said the same, thanking her for doing her job well.
“No heads up,” Mac told her, pointing to the radio on her belt. News traveled fast when the boss was around, especially by radio.
They walked down the canal road, still careful not to draw any attention. “There,” said Mac, pointing to the guard on a four-wheeler, riding up and down the half-mile road between the Ranch and The West’s property.
They walked the last half mile to the northern border and got the jump on the two guards in that area. They observed them for several minutes talking but doing their job.
Headed back, Cory said, “They didn’t see us coming, but then again, you don’t expect an attack from the inside, either.”
“Exactly,” said Mac, adding, “overall, the attention to detail is night and day from before, and thank you for that.”
The last check of the two guards on the far side of the property revealed that they had the same work ethic as the others.
“Let’s get some sleep,” Mac said, as he and Cory returned to their homes.
* * * * * * *
Chapter Thirty-five
Saddle Ranch
Loveland, Colorado
Mac didn’t see Sarah the next morning and thought it might be after the funeral before he would again.
Drake radioed early in the afternoon for a sit-down with Mac and Cory.
“Well, Drake, what do you have for us?” said Mac, as the three sat outside the machine shop around 4 p.m.
“I’ve got a few things from watching the group up the hill the last couple of days.
“First, they are scouting out the area around the house, looking for something specific or just anything of value. I don’t know. So far, they haven’t found the cellar, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.
“Second, there is a time at 11 a.m., where for the last two days all the children are sent out of the house for an hour. I can’t see what the adults are doing inside, but it could be an opportunity for an advantage if we need it.”
“What are the kids doing for the hour?” asked Cory.
“Some sit quietly, while others read, but most kids played tag.
“Lastly, there is a girl about my age that I’ve done seen a couple of times now, but she’s never in the house and stays hidden from the others in the woods. I first thought maybe I was seeing things, but it keeps happening. I don’t think she is part of their group, but I can’t figure where she would have come from and why she’s hangin’ around. There are no other houses for miles besides here and, of course, mine.”
“Okay, that’s interesting,” said Mac, adding “good work. We’ll ask Mr. MacDonald about the girl. Maybe he has seen her before. As far as the rest of them, I hope we don’t have to use tear gas, but if we do it’s going to be at 11:30!”
* * * *
Mac and Cory met with John, Bill, Samuel and the council about the possible use of force if it came to that.
They presented their case from the most extreme—firepower and tear gas—down to a more reasonable scenario of smoke bombs and negotiations, including offers of provisions and, lastly, leaving them alone.
“Can we just let them have the property?” asked one of the council members.
“It’s possible,” replied Mac.
“I’ve been in law enforcement for a long time, as most of you know,” interjected Cory. “Most men like Ralph don’t go away on their own, and they don’t stay quiet for long. They have a group they will need to feed soon, and from what I could tell, they are consuming the last of their food quickly. They have another one to three days before it’s gone and another few before they consider extreme measures.”
“The MacDonalds have a stash underground that could give them another six months, if they find it,” added Mac. “The problem is that they will be armed to the teeth, and we can’t have a man that hostile close to our property when he’s got firepower. Our kids would not be safe playing outside, and what happened to John on the road could happen again without warning.
“A bribe
