Shooter nodded, his eyes still wide. “I ain’t hearing nothing though.”
They crept to the landing; both men scanned the adjoining rooms. “Maybe it was a shadow?” Stinky whispered.
Shooter shook his head. “Let’s just get out of here.” He pushed the other man toward the front door.
Stinky pulled the door open and sunlight washed the interior of the house. Both men nearly froze when a scream erupted behind them. Stinky tripped and tumbled down the front porch steps in an attempt to get away.
Shooter backed out of the house, his barrel pointed at the shadows within. “Stay back! I’ll fuckin’ shoot your ass if you don’t!”
Stinky scrambled to his feet and scooped up the pillow case. “Come on, man! Let’s go!” He stepped into the yard and stared at the windows of the house.
He saw the curtain move on the far side of the house and yelled for Shooter. “Move! They’re coming!”
Shooter backed up and his foot slipped on the concrete steps. He fell to his ass, his gun firing as he struck the paved walk.
Both men froze when a guttural scream erupted from deep within and Shooter saw at least two pale bodies moving inside the house. “Fuck me, man. The place is infested with them!” He brought the barrel up again and fired through the open door.
Stinky grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him to his feet. “Outta here! We gotta get out of here!”
He tugged at Shooter until they were across the street, both of them pointing their barrels at the house. Stinky suddenly turned and began to run back to their hideout. “We gotta tell Simon, man.”
Shooter slowed and pulled at Stinky. “Wait.” He stopped and fought to catch his breath. “What if we don’t?”
“What do you mean?”
Shooter glanced back at the house then gave Stinky a serious look. “What if we just tell Simon that we found a big stash of whisky in that house?”
Stinky shook his head. “He’s already checked them all. He said so.”
Shooter nodded at the pillowcase full of drugs. “And he was probably drunk when he did it.” He shrugged. “Who’s to say what he could have missed.”
Stinky glanced back at the house then to Shooter. “What if they don’t…you know.”
Shooter smiled. “I’m willing to risk it. Are you?”
Stinky blew his breath out hard and took one more look at the house. “What kind of whisky did you say that was?”
Chapter 7
“I hate to do it, but I won’t sleep as long as I know that wall isn’t secure.” Hatcher handed Wally the keys to the flatbed. “Just find whatever you can. Cement blocks would be perfect.”
Wally took the keys and nodded to Buck. “Road trip?”
Buck handed Skeeter the cardboard box and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”
Hatcher and Skeeter both watched as the men walked out of the lobby and through the front gate. She looked to Hatcher, fear barely hidden behind her eyes. “They’ll be okay, right?”
Hatcher nodded. “As long as they’re back before sundown, I think they’ll be fine.”
She nodded slowly and turned for her room. Hatcher opened his mouth to say something but what could he say? She was sixteen whole years old now.
Would that be the new norm?
Hatcher sighed and stepped back, his thoughts wandering too far, too fast.
“Yo, Hatch.”
He turned to see David Cooper advancing on him, a wild smile spreading across his features. “Dave. What’s up?”
Coop nodded toward his office. “Remember those video cameras mounted everywhere? The monitors in your office?”
“How could I miss them. They take up half of the wall.”
Coop wrapped an arm around his shoulder and turned him toward the office. “You might want to check it out now.”
Hatcher gave him a wide eyed stare. “You hauled them off for me?”
“Better, brother.” Cooper pointed at the bank of monitors.
Hatcher’s mouth fell open as he watched the black and white images flicker. He leaned close and watched as people carried dry goods; others continued working, running cables, mounting solar panels, and working on the perimeter fence.
“Holy cow, Dave…when did—”
“That Stanton fella said that security was our main priority; he made sure we ran power to the offices first. He’d seen these and prayed that they still worked.” He clapped Hatcher’s back. “Looks like they do, man. We’re in business.”
Hatcher nearly jumped with the piece of good news. He fought the urge to hug Cooper and shook his head at the sight. “Is there any way we can move some of the courtyard cameras to the perimeter? Set them so we can really see out.”
Dave nodded. “Oh, hell yeah. Easy as pie, brother.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “Well, I say that. I don’t know if these inside cameras will stay working outside.”
Hatcher understood completely. “Get with Stanton and if he says they’re safe to use then let’s get some moved.” He gave Cooper a knowing look. “It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.”
“Damned Republicans.” Coop spat. He paused and narrowed his gaze at Hatcher. “You ain’t one, are ya?”
Hatcher chuckled. “I’m apolitical.”
“Well, I’m told I’m an A-hole, so we got something in common.” Cooper laughed at his own joke and made for the door. “I’ll talk to our resident genius and see what we can do.”
Hatcher fell into the chair behind the monitors and continued to observe the activity. He couldn’t help but smile and was finally beginning to shake that nagging feeling that the move was a big mistake.
“Anything good on the tube?” Candy asked as she stepped into his office.
Hatcher rolled the chair back and waved to the screens. “We got eyes everywhere.”
Candy flushed. “Not my room, I hope.”
Hatcher snorted. “No, not your room.” He turned back to the screen and squinted. “But I think that’s your shower.” He smiled to himself. “I wonder if Roger put that in there.”
“You are NOT funny.” She pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and dug around. “Where’s your hidden bottle of…er…I mean…”
Hatcher gave her a knowing glare. “I knew it was you and Vic
