“Keep us ignorant, keep us in the dark and you keep control.” Trish shrugged.
“Thank you for letting me come and stay at your place. I mean that. You don’t know me and you’re taking a chance.”
“We still have internet; I did a search. You came up clean.” She laughed, looking over at his surprised face.
“I’m crazy, but not stupid. I checked out your social media pages. You don’t have many. You have beautiful daughters. I also had a hard time finding anything on what’s going on. It’s almost like anything asked about nuclear weapons or detonations comes up blank, like those words get you nothing. Only Wikipedia junk.” She was sorry she mentioned his daughters, a haunted look washed over his face.
“I wasn’t able to watch much TV, but I listened. I keep hearing the same thing.” His voice rough with emotion.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. Now, when I go back to work tomorrow, I’ll see if I can get any information. You were in the army, is this normal to shut down information?”
“It is in the military. Sometimes it’s a good thing, sometimes, not so good. The thing is, I think the government is trying to keep the country from exploding. If what you say is true so far, then resources are going to start disappearing.” Hogan said.
“I’d gone shopping the last couple days and the shelves are starting to get thin and the prices are starting to go up. See, look over there at the gas prices. It’s already up over a dollar and it’s been less than a week.” She said, nodding her head, as the truck passed the gas station.
“I see that. So, what’s the plan?”
“I’ve set up your bedroom. You have the run of the house. Once you’re up to it, you’ll have the care of the animals. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve got an assortment. Just be mindful of the stitches on your leg. I’ll take those out in a week or so.” She grinned.
“You and my wife’s parents.” Hogan grinned painfully.
“Look, maybe once the dust settles, we can start to figure out how either to get you to Colorado or to get information. Right now, I think they’re just trying to protect people, you know, from the dead zones. I think maybe the government is just trying to figure out what to do. At least I hope they are.”
“I hope so too. I know you’re right. I just feel frustrated that I can do nothing.”
“You said your in-laws have a farm. Then I’d bet dollars to doughnuts that Laura has gone there with your girls. Does your father-in-law have guns?” Trish pulled down the last stretch to her home. Here, there were less homes and more fields.
“My wife has a weapon, and she’s a great shot. My father-in-law, Bart, was a Marine for about eight years before he went back to the family farm. Laura’s mother, Milly, had also been a Marine. That’s where Bart met her.” Hogan smiled.
“Damn, so anyone going to their farmhouse is in for a rude awakening.” Trish sniggered.
“Yep, I’d say, they might walk in, but they won’t be walking out. Bart taught Laura well and she’s proficient with her weapon. Bart has a gun safe in his basement with a hell of an arsenal. They used to kid me about being army, saying how ashamed they were that they had to tell friends about their army puke son-in-law, but they love me anyway.” He smiled and then chuckled.
Trish pulled into her long drive, it curved and there were large oaks along the drive. The leaves were brilliant in their autumn glory and the drive was peppered with blowing leaves.
“This is nice.” Hogan said, looking around.
“It’s home and it’s private.” She grinned. Pulling around, she drove up and parked under a carport. It was near a large fence and gate. Three large dogs were by the gate, joyous in their greeting. Barking loudly and jumping up and down. When they caught scent of Hogan, they really began to go crazy. Trish looked over at Hogan and shrugged.
“We don’t get many visitors out this way. They’re usually better behaved.”
“That big one won’t eat me, will he?” Hogan asked. Hogan referred to a large beast, Baby, who was a mastiff mixed with a Saint Bernard. He was an ugly dog and Trish had fallen in love with him at first sight. She’d gotten him when he’d been a tiny runt. His large loose lips dripped, and spittle flew when he barked.
“That’s Baby, he’s my baby. The black one is Jewel, she’s a black lab mix with some kind of hound. She’s a sweety. The gray one is Ralph. He’s a Great Dane mixed with a Labrador retriever mix. They’re all good dogs and sweet and protective. Anyone thinking about getting into here, well, they’d just about better think about it again.” Trish laughed, speaking loudly over the din of barks.
“I can see that.” Hogan grinned, his voice raised. When they walked up to the gate, Trish held her hand up in a fist. At once, all the dogs quieted and sat, vibrating with excitement.
“Easy. When you go in, hold out your hand. I’ve trained them to sit quietly or as quiet as they’re capable of. Let them sniff you. They won’t jump on you, but they’ll run around you. Just ignore them and head on into the house. Once they get used to you, they’ll just ignore you.” Trish instructed.
Opening the gate, both went in. She watched as Hogan walked to the dogs. His shoulders were relaxed, and she was glad. The dogs were intimidating, and
