Target Omega

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Joe Burns sat at the table next to the stairs leading from the bunker to the cabin, the Benelli Nova Pump next to him. He had turned on the cell phone a few minutes early in anticipation of Garin’s call. Joe wanted to be sure not to miss it.

Katy and the kids were asleep in the bedroom, Nicholas in a sleeping bag on the floor and the rest sprawled in various directions across the mattress. Joe had gotten little sleep during the night. His family had already gone to bed when he thought he heard muted noises coming from aboveground. He had remained absolutely still for a long period of time, hoping to be able to discern the source of the sound, but was unable to do so. There seemed to be a couple of faint thumps and a barely noticeable vibration. He had heard no voices, but the noise definitely didn’t originate from anywhere within the bunker. He had been sitting next to the stairs ever since.

The cell began to vibrate. He picked it up immediately and simply said, “Mike.”

“Sergeant Major, you have no idea how good it is to hear your voice.” The evident relief in Garin’s voice telegraphed that something had happened.

“Mike, what’s the problem? You sound on edge. Not like you.”

“A little matter like having the entire law enforcement apparatus of the United States gunning for you can have that effect.” Garin caught himself. “Joe, sorry, I don’t mean to be sarcastic. I was worried someone might’ve found you.”

The reception in the bunker was poor, but Garin had Joe’s complete attention. “What happened?”

“I won’t go into details. We have to keep the call short. But I have reason to think the military may be somehow involved in looking for me.”

“They can’t, Mike,” Joe said unequivocally. “Posse comitatus.”

“I know. But some people arrived at the farm last night and they sure didn’t look or move like local law enforcement.” Garin paused. “No matter. I’ll handle it. I was just concerned that they found me by getting to you.”

A pause. “I heard noises coming from outside last night.”

The edge returned to Garin’s voice. “What time, where did it come from, and what did it sound like?”

“Around midnight from somewhere outside. I can’t be certain where. I don’t think it was from inside the cabin. It’s hard to describe the sound — not voices. Barely audible.”

“Did you go outside at any time last night?”

“Yeah, but we followed your instructions and waited until dusk. We were only out for ten or fifteen minutes and stayed within one hundred feet of the cabin.”

“Don’t go outside again. I seriously doubt anyone was looking for you,” Garin said unconvincingly. “But let’s not risk it. You’re safe in the bunker. It’s made out of steel and concrete. Nobody can get in. Remember to keep the hatch locked. If you hear voices or noises again, close the air vent until it goes away.”

Joe understood without the need for elaboration. Gas. “Will do,” Joe said.

“I’m getting off now. I’ll call you again tomorrow. On second thought, I’m not going to call you anymore. No sense giving them a signal. You call me if there’s an emergency. Now, turn off the phone and take out the battery.”

“Hey, Mike?”

“Yes.”

“Remember to call my job.”