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Noah’s idea of cover turned out to be at the top of a steep, rocky rise that ended under a large overhang. Just to reach the top, they were all scrambling on their hands and knees, grasping at rock fragments that cut into their palms. But they’d be able to easily see anyone who might approach, and they could sit back far enough into the shadows that no one would suspect they were up there. The rock overhang also helped protect them from the wind as the sun started its descent in the sky. Ian tucked his aching fingers under his arms and shuffled farther under the overhang. Exhaustion wore on him, making each step heavy. The temperature dropped faster the farther he moved into the shadows, but the shadows offered safety for at least a few hours.
They dropped their heavy backpacks in a loose circle and sat down, digging out their rations. The first night they’d eaten cold cut sandwiches, but tonight was peanut butter and jelly along with some trail mix. Lunch had been protein bars.
“What did you find?” Rowe demanded as soon as they were settled.
“I found White Rock,” Noah announced. Snatching up a broken slate shard, Noah started creating a rough sketch of what he saw. “There’s a single dirt road in and out. It’s pretty worn in so my guess is that Jagger uses it regularly, not only moving cargo in and out but supplies and guards.” He drew a small square off the road. “I saw the cemetery and then where the road curves to the north. The tree cover and brush is thick in the area. They haven’t bothered to cut it back. That’ll work to our advantage. The schoolhouse will be to the north of the cemetery. I saw two separate guards cross over that road in a clockwise rotation.”
“How many guards total?” Hollis asked.
Noah shook his head, sending dirty strands of hair falling down around his face. “Hard to say without actually seeing the schoolhouse. I mean if we’re talking turn of the century, clapboard…then maybe a dozen total. Couldn’t be more and still have room for the kids.”
Ian swallowed hard and closed his eyes as he tried to call up the memory of that day in White Rock with Jagger and the other men. “It’s a two story…with three rooms on the first floor. There are two staircases to the second floor, but I don’t know the layout of the second floor because I was never up there. When I was there, the glass in all the windows had been broken out and some of the floorboards were rotted.” He rubbed his forehead and tried to focus on the building while blocking out specific memories of Jagger’s men.
A hand landed on his back and started rubbing small circles, allowing him to finally draw in a deep breath. “Take your time,” Hollis murmured. “Do you remember anything else? A basement? Does the second floor have any kind of balcony outside the windows or maybe a widow’s walk?”
“No. No basement and no way to the second floor.”
“That’s good, Ian. Thank you,” Rowe murmured. He placed his hand on Ian’s knee and squeezed for a second before looking back over at Noah. “You saw a path in the woods.”
Noah grunted and started drawing a wide circle around where he’d sketched the remains of the town. “I followed it around. Saw three guards. Tailed one.” He stopped and smirked at Rowe. “Thugs. Not ex-military. The moron had no idea I was there. They follow the same path, so it’s deeply worn in. At precisely three, he called in on his walkie. They confirmed that the van would be leaving at six. He said he’d be there.”
“Wait! Are they taking the kids out tonight?”
Noah shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I think Jagger ships in more guards during the daylight hours when the risk of discovery is at its highest. There’s not enough room out here to house them all, so he’s probably got another place in the nearest town. There’s a good chance that all remaining guards for White Rock are pulled back to the schoolhouse.”
Frowning, Ian grabbed his backpack and sat on it. His ass was going numb sitting on the cold stone. “What’s our next step? Do we call in the cops?”
“No.” Everyone turned to look at the detective in surprise. Hollis glared down at Noah’s drawing, lines digging deep in his face. “You call it in and it’ll go directly to the local PD. If Jagger’s been operating out of here for years, then the bastard has bought all the right people. We call in the cops and there’s a good chance we get a bullet in the back for our troubles.”
“Then who? State Troopers?” Ian asked.
A low chuckle rumbled from Rowe, growing steadily louder until he tipped his head back. Ian looked back at Hollis, who was shaking his head. Somehow he’d missed the joke.