Hidden Flames by Kennedy Layne Read Free Book Online Page B

living in a hurricane zone. Bottled water, short wave radios, solar powered flashlights, MREs, and numerous items were categorized on the shelves. Toward the bottom was a box that he’d re-taped and stored in here months ago. It was a Christmas present from Ernie that he’d sent in the mail. The gift had been typical considering the older man’s affinity for prepping.
    Owen slid the box out from underneath the bottom shelf and then used his pocketknife to open it. Inside were two gas masks with drop down pouches. They would come in handy on this trip and he had to wonder if Ernie hadn’t known something was coming their way. It was doubtful, but he’d witness many odd coincidences that couldn’t be explained during his time with the Corps. He quickly gathered the items they needed before focusing on the gun safe on the other side of the closet.
    Entering the PIN, Owen spun the handle of the thick, heavy safe until it clicked open. Inside were several handguns, shotguns, and long rifles. He chose two Colt M4 Carbines with pouches of extra magazines and two Sig Sauer P220 Match Elite sidearms with a generous stack of magazines for each, which he placed in the same pouches carrying the extra rifle magazines. The rifles would be placed inside a gun bag and strapped to the side of their packs, while the pistols would need holsters. He selected a shoulder holster for himself and a side holster for Prue with an additional belt mounted magazine pouch. His Galco shoulder rig allowed for two additional magazines to counter balance the weight of the pistol. He also packed in his case several boxes of extra ammo, with every intention of teaching Prue how to shoot and take care of her new weapon. She’d need to know how to handle a pistol or rifle in case something was to happen to them en route.
    It took him a little longer than six minutes, but he came in under ten. Owen was surprised to find that two of his neighbors were at the bottom of his driveway talking to Prue. She wasn’t what he would call a people person and she usually left him to deal with the customers at the shop. The last time she did engage with someone over a disagreement with how to restore a vintage hog, the man had left threatening to sue the garage. Owen had been able to convince the customer the day after that Prue had very strong convictions when it came to motorcycles and how they should be rebuilt…the end result being that Owen would oversee the project and the customer didn’t have to speak with Prue again. Needless to say he was taken aback that she’d taken the time to talk to anyone considering her viewpoint from earlier.
    “The President told us to stay here,” Jim Salver insisted, shaking his head at what he thought Prue should do. He was the neighbor to Owen’s right. Grant Bail was there as well and he lived across the street, where his wife was pacing on their porch talking on her cell phone. She wouldn’t have service for long. “Why would you two purposefully go west?”
    “Jim, I have friends up in northern Washington,” Owen called out, setting his stuff alongside his bike. He took the luggage straps and adjusted the fasteners as he talked. He thought about telling them the exact location, but it wouldn’t matter. He had no doubt these men wouldn’t leave the one place they felt safe. “A series of high mountain ridges protects the valley. We’re going to need that in the years to come.”
    “Years? The President said that the National Guard would be available after the ash cloud lifts,” Grant said, shifting from side to side in his own doubt. The two men were retired and lived to play golf. They’d have to find something else to do to occupy their time and Owen bit his tongue in suggesting they do a little research while they still had satellite communication. They should have knowledge about what was coming their way. “We’ll be fine if we stay put. As a matter of fact, we’re heading out now to get