“I’ve been here before…I know it.” He stared into the darkness but couldn’t make out any details. “I’m just about positive this is the place.”
He pulled her across the street and hunkered low. He strained his ears to listen. A group as large as theirs had to make some kind of noise.
After what seemed like entirely too long, he pointed to her. “Stay here. Do. Not. Move.” He stood slowly and jogged across the street. He pushed open the chain link gate and stepped into the darkness of the warehouse.
As he walked through what used to be the Cagers’ staging area, all the pieces fell into place. This was it, alright.
But where were all the people?
Chapter 19
Hatcher tried to sleep but found the Sandman as elusive as ever. He slipped from his bed, which seemed overly soft and squishy compared to the old military cot he was used to, and tugged his boots on. He marched down the hallway and pushed open the door to his office.
Cooper turned and gave him a bleary eyed nod. “All quiet on the wall, boss.”
Hatcher punched the button on the small coffee maker and waited while the bitter brew did its thing. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“I could.” Cooper yawned and stretched, his face still glued to the black and white monitors.
“Go ahead.” Hatcher pulled his coffee mug and wiped it out with his shirt. “I’ll cover for ya.”
“Sorry, but no can do, boss.” Cooper leaned back in the chair and kept his constant vigil. “This is the first night with the lights on and I’m gonna do my part.”
Hatcher sighed with the smell of the coffee and turned to the older man. “Seriously, Coop, I got this. No sense in both of us staying up all night.”
“Any other night I might take you up on it but Candy said to stand our watch. We have to get used to the time shifts.” He turned slightly and eyed Hatcher. “That woman scares me.”
Hatcher chuckled and fell into his seat behind the desk. “I know what you mean.” He stared at the coffee pot and secretly wished it would drip faster. “I won’t tell her if you don’t.”
Cooper shook his head. “No sir. I’m not taking any chances with that one.” He leaned forward and shooed a bug from the screen. “I’d rather wrassle a rattlesnake than face her when she’s mad.”
Hatcher stood and slipped his cup under the trickle, pouring the small bit of coffee from the pot into his cup. He took a sip and winced at the bitter brew. “I think the next time we’re out shopping I’m gonna hunt down a different brand of coffee.”
“I’ll drink anything, so long as it ain’t decaf.” Cooper nodded to him and reached for the cup. Hatcher handed it to him and he took a long pull from the steaming liquid. “Oh, yeah. That’s the shit right there. That will put lead in your pencil.” He handed the cup back and inhaled sharply.
Hatcher laughed as he took his seat again. “Tell me Coop…earlier when you all cornered me…” He trailed off, watching the man’s body language. “Do you really buy into their argument or were you just agreeing because of Candy?”
Cooper chuckled lightly. “It wasn’t because of Candy.” He turned and raised a brow at Daniel. “Now Vic, on the other hand…”
Hatcher held a hand up, cutting him off. “You’ve already expressed your interest.”
Cooper shifted in his chair and nodded to him. “So what’s her story?”
Hatcher blew out a long breath and shrugged. “She was married to a pretty nice guy. He passed before this all started.” He met Cooper’s gaze. “She was really messed up over it for a long time.”
Cooper stroked his whiskers and nodded. “She seems pretty okay now.”
Hatcher took another sip of the coffee and set the cup down. “She sorta has to be. The world has gone to shit and she’s the closest thing to a doctor that we have.” He leaned back in his chair and thought of his sister. “She’s really stepped up though.”
“You saying I should give her more time or…go for it?”
Hatcher chuckled and leaned forward. “To be completely honest, buddy…I have no idea. I can say that you’re not exactly her type.”
“You saying she doesn’t care for the ruggedly handsome type? I’m sorry, Hatch; that’s all I know how to be.”
Hatcher stifled his smile and hid his face behind the coffee cup. “It’s completely her loss.”
Cooper sighed and leaned back in his seat. “Poor gal will never know that I’m the best she’s never had.”
“How will she carry on?” Hatcher grinned as he sipped his coffee. “So what’s your story? What did you do before the world flipped over on its head?”
Cooper sighed and interlaced his fingers behind his head, his eyes still scanning the monitors. “I did a long tour in the Navy. Viet Nam sucked ass, by the way.”
“Damn. I wouldn’t have thought you were that old.”
“I hide it well.” Coop sat up and turned slightly, keeping the monitors in his peripheral vision. “I got out, did a lot of odd jobs. I had some old houses that I spruced up and rented out. I don’t recommend being a landlord to anybody–unless you got a bank full of cash. Bastards will rob you blind.”
“How did you end up with Simon?”
He blew his breath out hard and shook his head. “That’s a weird one. I’ve always enjoyed riding bikes; I’ve been a member of two or three clubs. Mostly old farts like me who just want to feel the wind in their hair while they still have some.” He paused, remembering the friends he’d made over the years. Friends that he couldn’t know were alive or dead.
“And Simon fits in where?”
“I was coming back from up north. Had a little gal pal up there that I’d go visit when I had time and
