“Yeah, if we find the right equipment and material,” he said. “I’m sure there is plenty out there in all of these other buildings where we can make something work. Speaking of which, how’s the scavenging going?”
Riley gave a smile. “Let’s go inside and you can see for yourself.”
Johnny G provided cover while Riley unlocked the gate. It was an overcast day and there was a light amount of sleet falling. He looked east. The sky was dark. He mentioned it.
“Storm’s coming. We probably need to get back soon. Otherwise, we may be stuck here a day or two.”
Riley stared with those feral eyes. “We have living quarters built with a full kitchen and wood burning heaters. We can stay here for several days if we have to.”
“What about water and food?” he asked.
“Yep. Stocked up.”
“Hmm, I don’t think I brought any fresh underwear,” he remarked.
Riley giggled. “I’ll loan you mine.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, probing deep with her tongue. He’d never tell her, but her inexperience with sex was obvious. He didn’t mind though, what she lacked in knowledge she more than made up with enthusiasm. Eager enthusiasm.
“I have to know something,” he said.
“What?”
“Did the three of you get together and concoct a plan for you to seduce me, so I’d be an ally in this trading post adventure?”
The smile on her face disappeared. “Maybe.”
Jonny G slowly sighed. “You know, you don’t have to do that. I’m sure it’s awkward having sex with a man that’s twenty years older than you. You don’t have to. We can still be friends and I’ll help you guys anyway.”
Now Riley looked upset and she stared at him with what appeared to be pain in her eyes. “Are you breaking up with me?”
“What? No. I’m simply saying you don’t have to continue with this charade. We can still be friends and I’ll gladly help out with this.”
“But I like you,” she said. It was almost a pleading tone. “Don’t you like me?”
Johnny G stared at her. Her expression had hardened. He wasn’t sure if she was about to cry or attack him.
“Of course, I do,” he said. “I suspected all along, and yet I have found myself liking you a lot.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely, but our age difference…”
She stopped him by grabbing him fiercely and planting a hard kiss on his lips. When they separated, she smiled. “No arguments then.”
He couldn’t help but smile too. “Alright, let’s check this place out.”
Riley led him to a set of heavy steel entry doors. Fishing a key out, she worked the two deadbolts and opened the doors. Johnny G thought of how easily the doors could be breached with a lock pick set, which he had ample experience with. He decided to keep that information to himself for now. Maybe he’d tell her, maybe he wouldn’t.
They walked inside and stopped in the doorway. Johnny G looked around. He was impressed. The warehouse was not completely full, but it contained a sizeable inventory. Now he understood why the two Fitzgerald men stayed absent from Marcus Hook for long periods at a time. When they returned, they were usually out of fuel and had little in the way of scavenged items to show for it.
“The Fitzgeralds have been busy,” he remarked.
“Mostly my dad and brother,” Riley said. “I’ve been too busy at Weather.” She then gave a small grin. “But I’ve contributed too.”
When he saw what she was pointing at, he did a double take. Sitting in the middle of several boxes and crates was the missing trailer of President-elect Rochelle VanAllen.
Chapter 26 – Team Fred
Nikki was a little irritated. Perhaps, one could say she was seething. After Fred’s little thing with the radio microphone, he stopped talking altogether. That included ignoring her questions. Fred slowed to maneuver through a partial washout. When the trailer was safely through, he stopped and casually stretched his back. She was about ready to give him a piece of her mind when he turned to her.
“We’re circling around the south part of DC and coming up on Woodbridge. Keep an eye out, this was once a congested urban area.” He pointed toward the sky. “It’s going to bust loose on us any time now.”
Nikki looked up. The sky was filled with ugly gray clouds. Fred continued.
“It feels like the temp is in the low thirties. This truck has one of those digital thermometers, but it hasn’t worked in a while. If we have time and spot a truck like this one, we’ll salvage some parts. Anyway, keep an eye out.”
“I’ve been told everywhere around DC is full of zeds,” she said.
“That’s true. We’ve killed off a bunch around here, but we haven’t messed with the DC area. We plain don’t have enough ammo. They’ve mostly stayed in that area, but on occasion they drift down this way.” He gestured. “We’re not too far away from Woodbridge now. There’s a building there where we can stay. Alright, stay alert.”
Fred took a series of turns, which caused the horse trailer to rattle loudly, coming to a one-story building that was a cinderblock and sheet metal construction. The parking lot was barren except for one lone Ford Escape that was missing its tires. He proceeded around to the back and parked near a bay door.
“Is this it?” Nikki asked.
“Yep.” He drove in, turned around, and backed the trailer to the bay door before parking.
“Keep watch,” he directed.
Nikki nodded and they exited the truck. She scanned the area, rifle at the ready, while Fred used a key to enter the door. A moment later the bay door rolled open. Nikki noticed it did not groan and squeak in protest, like most garage doors these days. She glanced at Fred, wondering if it had been lubricated recently. Fred gave no indication either way.
She peered inside. There were skylights on the roof. They were dirty, but there was enough
