Several houses faced the street.
No doors opened. No faces appeared at the windows.
If Schwartz is smart he will have made calls. Warned townspeople to stay inside. Away from glass.
Ashland’s house didn’t have a direct view to the crash, however.
It was just beyond a bend.
Why would Namir have a getaway vehicle parked away from the house? Zeb thought about it for a moment as he surveyed the street, hands on hips. Like a concerned citizen, seeking out the driver of the crashed vehicles.
Because he doesn’t want to call attention to Ashland’s house.
Where they are all holed up.
Waiting for some news from their friends.
Probably getting the grandfather to make calls to find out what’s happening.
He had one last check to make.
That the SUV was indeed a terrorist vehicle.
He prised open a door with difficulty.
No clues on the driver’s seat or in the glove compartment.
He looked behind the front seats.
Heaved an inward sigh of relief when he saw the mags on the floor. Forty-round magazines for the MP7s.
He inspected one quickly. Full.
The idea came to him when he tossed it back.
He went back to the truck, its engine still running.
Reversed it.
It separated from the SUV with a screech.
He drove it past the smashed vehicle.
Toward Ashland’s house.
Cut its speed, as before.
Clambered out quickly just before the house came into view.
Circled to the rear.
Clamped his left hand to the tailgate and pulled himself up.
Despite his injuries.
Zeb’s idea was to take Namir by surprise. Even though he would be expecting an assault.
The truck picked up speed as it moved down the slight descent in the road.
It bumped when it came onto the lawn and moved across the uneven surface.
Zeb gritted his teeth against the agony.
This won’t take long.
Either I will finish them. Or I will die.
In any case, I will buy time for SWAT to get here.
Sara’s face came to his mind.
The sheer terror in it when she spoke of Namir.
I won’t die before saving her.
Ashland’s house had two floors.
They’ll all be on the ground floor.
The front door opened into a hallway. Which led to a living room. At the rear was the kitchen and dining room.
But in between the two was a second living area. Access through the hallway.
Zeb expected the terrorist to base himself there, since the room was windowless.
He stopped thinking.
It was time to act.
Because the truck had crashed into Ashland’s house.