Page 93 of Eco-Activist's Mountain Men
"We could call the police?"
"We could," Jack admits. "But what good would that do? For a start, they can't really act on an intention. Police are only usefulaftera crime. They're not generally much use beforehand. But in any case, how are they gonna get here?" He gestures towards the window and the outside world—a world that even two weeks or so later is still busy clearing up after the "storm of the century" snarled its way through the national park, closing roads, flooding towns, and cutting off communities. "They're still up to their necks in rescuing people and hunting for the missing. They won't have time for us."
I nod. "I agree. We're not going to get any help on this from the authorities. If anything's going to be done, we're going to have to do it ourselves."
"Yes," says Luna. "But what?"
All eyes turn to Jack again. He's the boss. He's also the only one with any military experience. Thank God we've got him right now.
He sips more of his coffee, thinking as he does so.
"There's an old military saying," he starts. "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Good news is that Toby and Luna already went into Martha yesterday and grabbed stores, so there's no need for any of us to leave the Lodge tomorrow, nor the next day, nor several days afterwards, come to that. We know our own terrain far better than he does, so if he's truly intent on murdering Luna tomorrow… well, he'll have to come to us.
"Eric?"
"Yes, Jack?"
"How many of those wildlife cameras have you got, and can they be set to send live footage to us?"
"I've got four cameras in total, Jack. Two are in use up at the southwestern stand where those eagles are nesting, and there are another two in my bedroom."
"And can they transmit live?"
"Oh yeah. They can send footage live anywhere in the world via the cell phone system. They kinda act like another phone."
"Perfect. We don't have time to go get the two cameras that are already in use. But Eric, I want you and Toby to take those cameras out this afternoon on the quad and go find a good place to monitor the main track and the single track in from the highway, okay?"
"Sure, Jack."
"Yes, bro, no problem."
"Good. Remember, he's special forces, so he ain't stupid. Make sure they're well hidden—oh, and make sure you're not observed yourselves. He might already be in position, for all we know. Try and find a location that sees a good length of each track, so we get as much notice as possible. Got that?"
"Absolutely."
"Sure thing."
"Okay. Good. Luke?"
"Anything at all, Jack, just name it."
"Thanks, Luke, I knew I could rely on you. You're a big guy, untrained, but intimidating to look at, pretty handy in a fist fight, and not easily phased. You're on bodyguard duty. Twenty-four by seven. You don't let Luna out of your sight. Not even for an instant. Drag your bed into her room so you can sleep there. Keep the window fastened and locked and the curtain drawn shut. He's not going to know which room is hers, but best not to take chances. Anything happens—anything at all, no matter how small or insignificant, you call out, and the rest of us will come running. Got it?
"She won't leave my sight, Jack."
Jack smiles. "I know it, Luke."
"And you?"
"I'll coordinate. Keep everyone in touch, make sure we're all pulling together. Also, I'll open up the firearms cupboard and check over what little equipment we have, make sure everything is in running order, and at hand if we need it. Hopefully, though, it won't come to that."
"What do we have?" asks Luna, her face pale from worry.
"Two rifles, one shotgun. We keep them because it's bear country. Coyotes sometimes, too. If we go out, whoever goes can take one with them—Eric and Toby, you'd better have one of the rifles with you when you go out this afternoon. Luke, as bodyguard, you can have the other rifle. We'll keep the shotgun loaded and ready in the kitchen. Whoever's nearest grabs it if they spot anyone around who shouldn't be here. Which of course means anyone except the fie of us. Got it?"
"What about me?" Luna looks up at Jack. I'm the only one with no job to do.
"Yeah, you've got a job."
