“Better sit down for this,” Matt suggested before he relayed what he had found at the preacher’s trailer. “I got the men under guard and zip-tied to the flagpole. The old women are in the camper under guard. The victims, four girls and a woman, are in the two bedroom camper next to your camper.”
“What are you going to do with the men?” Doc asked.
“Billings is a rapist, and Roy killed people.” Matt ran his hand through his hair. “I won’t let that stand without being punished. The women and the sons, well, they were party to the whole thing in one way or another so they can’t stay here.”
“I’m glad you see that,” Helen added.
“Young man, you and your friends have some decisions to make. In the meantime, we’re not as young as we used to be and delivering a baby is hard work.” He turned to his wife. “Coming, dear? Let’s go to our new home and bed down for the night.”
Helen picked up a bag and followed Doc out the door. “I’ll check on the new folks.”
Larry appeared in the doorway of the kitchen. “I think we need to get the rest of the campers from the campsite where we found the others. We don’t want anyone to settle down anywhere near us.”
“And we can use the extra room,” Matt added. “If we’re going to stay here, we need a way to give folks a little room to spread out.”
“You think it’ll be long term?” Larry asked.
Matt nodded. “You know what it’s like out there. We’ve got a secure place. We sure can’t load up all those kids and trek across the country to a place we don’t know can even support us. How big can a hunting camp be?”
“What about the girls. We promised to take them to their grandfather.”
Matt sighed. “I know. Believe me, that weighs heavy as well.”
“Maybe in a couple weeks. If we can get the camp stable, then Jenkins can take over for a few days, we get the kids north and then come back.” Larry suggested.
Matt sighed. “I’m beat. Let’s get some sleep then we question those women and figure out what to do about the wives and the sons.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Larry crossed the room to a stack of sleeping bags and dug one out to spread out on the floor. He took off his gun belt and laid it next to him as he settled into the far corner.
Matt watched his buddy for a couple minutes then did the same. He woke once in the night to the sound of the newborn crying. He smiled at the sound, rolled over and went back to sleep.
Dawn came with the sound of gunshots. Matt bolted upright. Larry rolled over and jumped to his feet with a gun in hand.
“What the fuck is going on?” Asked Larry.
“How would I know! Let’s get out there.” Matt answered as he strapped on his gun belt. Jake appeared at the door, and he ordered. “Stay here. Protect the kids and Amanda until we know what’s going on.”
Jake nodded and pulled his side arm and checked the load. “Got it.”
Charlotte Hoaks. . . .(C. A. Hoaks) 