Page 91 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

She flushed. “There was no time to put on extra guards, not that we were undermanned. I think he stayed a total of two hours.”

“And the other time?” Saul inquired.

“We knew the VIP would be staying a couple of days, so we had accommodations ready for him. And then we all tried not to look as if we were walking around on eggshells the whole time he was there.”

“So they’ve got a week to get ready for Fielding’s visit.” Saul nodded. “Then let’s hope Milo moves fast if there are any changes that’ll affect the mission.”

“And speaking of the mission….” Horvan pointed to the map. “Okay, here’s Allagash, roughly nineteen miles to the east of the camp, along the Saint John River. The Canadian border is about thirteen miles to the west. There’s a forest to the north of the camp, and the river meanders around it.” He pointed to a spot east of Allagash. “This will be Johan’s entry point: Northern Aroostook Regional Airport, about forty-four miles from Allagash. He and his men will land there, where they’ll have transportation waiting. They drive to Allagash, cross at Dickey to the northern side of the river, then follow the Old River Road all the way to the camp.” He paused. “Except we don’t go all the way.”

Crank snickered. “That’s not whatI’veheard about you.”

Horvan rolled his eyes, then continued, pointing to the river. “Team B will approach the camp from the water in Rigid Inflatable Boats.” Another pause. “Now, there are at least three civilian campsites along the river, so they’re going to have to appear as if they’re out on military maneuvers.”

Eve peered at the map. “There’s only the one road that goes to the camp?”

“Yes. The entrance to the compound is in the northeast corner, and there’s electrified fencing around the perimeter. Obviously we can’t approach the entrance, not without alerting them to our presence.”

“Maybe we can.”

Horvan stared at her. “I’m listening.”

Eve leaned back in her chair. “Okay, I’ve worked in three camps so far, and they all had one thing in common: They were shit hot on security. So much so that any deliveries—ammunition, food, you name it—were always scheduled to arrive in the middle of the night. That way, there was never any likelihood of inmates trying to escape by clinging to the underside of trucks or climbing on top of them. Once they were in their sleeping quarters for the night, that was it. They were locked in. So the soldiers would unload the deliveries and send the trucks on their way without having to keep an eye out for wannabe escapees.” She smiled. “If there’s only one road in, then any delivery trucks will have to take that road.” Her eyes gleamed. “Of course, if we hijack the trucksbeforethey get to the camp….”

“A Trojan truck.” Saul beamed. “I like it.”

“And if therearetrucks, then there’s a schedule. Milo can check whether there are any deliveries planned for that weekend.” Eve bit her lip. “I suppose it’s too much to hope for.”

“We can plan for our two-pronged attack—and if luck is on our side, then it becomes a three-pronged attack.” Horvan smiled. “What do sailors say about plans being written in the sand at low tide?”

“If wecanhijack the delivery truck, I think Eve should lead that assault,” Saul declared. He glanced at her. “You up for that?”

She grinned. “Sir, yes, sir.”

“Question.” Roadkill drummed the table with his fingertips. “Milo said we’d need to secure the airfield. Drones?”

Horvan nodded. “We’ll have Predators for reconnaissance, then use them for air-to-ground weapons. Once we’re inside the camp, it’ll be nonlethal ammo, unless we’re fired upon. We’ll have cover from a couple of Apaches too, once we’re in.”

“Pepper rounds?” Hashtag inquired.

“Yeah, .68 caliber.”

Eve blinked. “Is that standard procedure?”

Roadkill shrugged. “Sure. They make the target cough, and the PAVA powder stings like fuck when it gets into contact with the eyes, nose, and throat, but they’re still alive. Sometimes we use Byrna MAX, which is mostly tear gas. That brings ’em down for about forty-five minutes, long enough to get in, do our thing, and get out.” He cocked his head. “Let me guess. In the Geran camps, the guards only use live ammo.” She swallowed, and he sighed. “Figures. Don’t get me wrong, therearegoing to be deaths, but our mission goal is getting the inmates out of there in one piece.”

“What will happen to them?” Eve asked.

“There’s space for them at the schools in Boston and Croatia,” Johan told her.

“But… didn’t you shut down the schools?”

Johan smiled. “Why do that when we can use the buildings? We have to teach these kids somewhere.”

“For ‘teach,’ read ‘deprogram.’” Hashtag murmured.

Johan nodded. “And that takes time.”

“Wait—you kept them in the same schools?” Roadkill’s eyes were huge.

---