Title: The Stranger
By: greygoose70
Chapter Fifteen
Today was going to be the exact opposite off yesterday, sunny, and warm, so after breakfast and conferring with their little Miss Lily it was decided a trip to Goldendale Farms was in order. Rick was quite surprised when he pulled into the long drive that led up the structures that comprised the farm. This was a complete working farm and yes it had a petting zoo for the kids although it was labeled 'Kiddy Farm', which of course is the first place Lily wanted to go.
"Kate, you take Lily to the Kitty Farm, I want to check out 'The Store' first."
"Okay but don't take too long," she replied.
"I won't, just want to grab a brochure then will be right back."
Right back turned into almost thirty minutes but when he returned, he was as giddy as a nine-year-old. "You need to check out 'The Store', Kate. Everything in there is grown right here, you can order on-line, and they even deliver. Go on, I will watch Lily."
Four hours later after filling a basket with fruits and vegetables, with Rick setting up an account (and signing autographs), then stopping at Smitty's All-American Grille for lunch they finally arrived home. Lily went straight up to her room, Kate and Rick to the kitchen cleaning and storing the food they purchased.
"How's the book coming along?" Kate asked when they were done and heading for the living area.
"Should have it completed by the end of the week then I will send it off to Gina for review."
"Wow, that is amazing, I've never known you to finish one that fast," she responded as she plopped down on the sofa and letting out a yawn.
"Nap time their wife, I'll see you in a couple of hours." Leaning down to give her a kiss before heading off to the study to write.
Tom Greer rush into the house, called out to his boss, Carson Pierce, who he found seated at his desk in the office. "What is it, Tom," Pierce asked?
"He's here, the stranger," Tom replied excitedly, "and I think he is killing us off. I heard what I believe were gunshots coming from the barn, tried Paul to investigate but got no response so I paged George and he has gone, waiting to hear back from him."
"How many shots were there initially?"
"Three."
"Is Nick back yet?"
"Yeah, saw him pull into the barn a few minutes before hearing the gunfire."
"And what about Bob and Bill."
"They are supposed to be patrolling the grounds."
"Go see if you can find them, I will call for reinforcements," Pierce told him then picked up the phone, pressed the speed dial button for Sheriff Hanley and waited.
"Sheriff Hanley," he answered picking up the phone then hearing who it was added, "yes Mr. Pierce, what do you need." After a few minutes he said, "yes sir, right away." He hung up called out to the front where Deputy Caroline Carpowski was manning the Front. "Carpowski, get ahold of everyone, get them out to the Pierce place ASAP and tell them we are going hunting."
Sheriff Hanley got up from his desk, put on his utility belt with his pistol, handcuffs and two-way radio, donned his hat, exited his office telling Officer Carpowski he would be back later.
Greer backed out of Pierces office, turned, and left the house. He checked his weapon and began making his way to the barn thinking he might as well start there. What he found when he got there was enough to make him puke. It was bad enough finding Bob and Bill Buttons shot through the chest but finding Nick with a blood and brain matter encrusted hole in the back of his head where the bullet exited gave cause for his gut to become upset. He did not find Paul until he was on his way out and only then by accident. He had checked the equipment storage area as an afterthought; that is where he found George. He was bent over at waist with a gash in the back of the neck where a knife had been thrust up into his brain.
Greer exited the barn just as the Sheriff Hanley and his deputies pulled up to the house. He went over to greet them and bring them up to date on what has taken place so far.
The sheriff told everyone to wait outside while he went in to consult with Pierce. He returned approximately later with their instructions. The deputies would form a skirmish line along the national forest maintaining fifty feet between each other; Greer would accompany him and Pierce. "It will be dark soon so use your head lamps and report into each other periodically," he instructed.
Marlowe watched from his observation point as the deputies took their positions and began their trek through the densely wooded forest. He saw Pierce, Sheriff Hanley and Greer climb into a Polaris four-seater and take off toward a cleared-out area. He was sure where they were headed . . . The Cave.
Two Weeks Past
Marlowe had found The Cave two weeks ago, thought it would be a good place for him to set up but when he entered, he found that somebody already had other plans for it and that somebody had erected a wall complete with a door and padlock. He quickly picked the lock, went inside, found a light switch, flipped it on and gazed at the sight before him. What he saw was a cache of weapons, including M16s, RPGS, grates of ammo, grates of grenades, claymores and C4. Marlowe suddenly had an idea, did a search, found everything he needed and went to work. When done he checked to see if his handiwork was well hidden and everything was back in its original spot, he then turned off the light, left shutting the door and locking it.
Present Time
Marlowe waited till it was near dark then took up a position following the deputy to the far left, the one called Thomson. Moving quickly but silently, always staying hidden till he was within striking distance. He was just about to make his final move when he heard the deputy speak into his radio that "all was good".
Marlowe never let Thomson take his next step as he leaped forward, his right arm held high as he came down over Thomson's shoulder thrusting his k-bar into Thomson's heart in the process the only sound being an initial "ugh" from Thomson, after that nothing but silence.
Marlowe lowered Thomson to the ground, took his radio and headed to the far right where the deputy named Calvin was located.
TBC