Chapter 14
“Where in the name of Jesus did you get all this stuff, Ron,” asked Marty. He couldn't believe his eyes. There were NV goggles and rifle sights, lasers, and even a stack of cases of grenades. Smoke, concussion and fragmentation.
“Neighbor's kid had it,” replied Ron. “Brought some of it home from the sand box and got some of it stateside. He turned into a meth head and ended up going to jail. His Dad called me and asked if I would get rid of it for him. I was too happy to oblige him.”
“Well this certainly changes the odds some,” said Marty, “let's go see if Johnson has found out anything.”
Marty picked up one of the AN/PVS-22 devices and told Ron he was just going to check it for fit on his M-14.
“There are some .30 caliber suppressors and muzzle adapters for your rifle too,” said Ron.
“This is better than Christmas!” exclaimed Marty.
“Ron is even better looking than I remember,” said June.
“You have just been single too long,” replied Martha. “Oh, I don't mean he isn't a great guy, after all, he is Marty's brother, but you need to calm down a little and see if he feels the same way. I am certain he would treat you good and you wouldn't have to worry about him cheating, but give it a little time.”
“Oh, you're right of course, you always are. It's just been so long since I felt the love of a good man, and he just seems so perfect.”
Marty and Ron walked into the pasture with a can of sweet feed and enticed the horse and one of the mules to the corral. They then saddled them up and headed across the field toward Mr. Johnson's place, preferring the back way to the shorter road.
“Marty ?” asked Ron, “How long has June been single?”
Marty told Ron the story about June's husband and how he left her with nothing but a house, albeit paid for. He also cautioned Ron, that no matter how eager June seemed, she was a woman that had known deep hurt, and was fragile on the inside.
“Take your time big brother, take your time. I am sure its all going to work out for you two.”
Mr. Johnson was sitting on the porch as always and waved at the two riders and asked if they wanted anything to drink.
“We're good,” said Marty, “but we need to talk about what needs to happen.”
“Hold on and let me get my boy. He has some info that might prove interesting.” said Johnson
“Morning, Mr. Marty, I reckon I got a info on those fellers for you. They are camped out right next to the bridge over Rials Creek. They park their trucks off the road a bit, but they are in plain sight. They act like they own the place. They have a few tents set up down close to the falls, but they are rarely in them. One thing thought, It seems every afternoon at around five o'clock, they all strip off and go swimming in the pool just below the falls. Kinda like a daily bath I guess. They don't even post a guard,” said Bruce.
“Where are we going to hide the trucks and bodies,” asked Ron?
“If you fellers can come up with some diesel, I reckon my track hoe can dig a pretty good size hole. We were getting ready to plow our garden anyway, ain't no reason we can's put them under the garden,” said Mr. Johnson.
“One other,” said Bruce, the older son, “They run up and down the roads until about four o'clock. Not right on the dot mind you, but pretty close. Then they sit around talking and drinking til swim time. We need to be in place by three thirty, and wait for them all to get in the pool. Then we have to decide what we want to do with them. If we take them out, how do we know they won't send more?”
“I am certain they will send more, and the replacements they send will not be radio operators. After this is done, we all need to crawl in the spider hole for a week or so.” said Marty.
“Caleb, hitch up the mules to the plow and get the garden broke up. We'll need to be digging a hole there in a day or so,” said Johnson.