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CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

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APPROXIMATELY 125 MILES south in a secluded house surrounded by sand and cacti, a voice echoed, “Kitchen, everyone, now!”

Over the intercom system, Melissa’s voice could be heard throughout the house,

Important meetings were held in the kitchen since Danny and Kevin tended to panic less when they were eating. When everyone had gathered in the kitchen, Melissa turned on a monitor under a cabinet that showed surveillance camera images for a road that led from a town near their property. Two dark-colored SUVs were headed down this desolate path.

“I just got a call from Gabe in town, and he told me several strangers had stopped to buy gas and supplies at his shop. The group seemed odd, and he thought we should know. I’ve been tracking them since they left town and the vehicles seem to be headed this way,” Melissa said.

“How many?” asked Maggie.

“Two large SUVs. Both of them have dark tinted windows. Gabe only saw two people exit the vehicles, but he was under the impression the SUVs were full. Maybe six people in each.”

“Maybe they’re tourists or mafia. That’s it, they have some guy they just whacked in one of the SUVs, and the other SUV is filled with lye and shovels and. What?”  Danny asked as Maggie slapped him on the side of the head.

“No more gangster movie marathons for you. Anything else, Melissa?” asked Maggie

“Well, Gabe called because in addition to buying gas, water, and snacks at the gas station, they stopped at Gabe’s place and picked up all of his boxes of the premium heavy-duty rounds. Those are the ones with the elephant on the package, plus some of the souped-up .223, .308, and .45 rounds. They cleaned out everything Gabe had in the back room. They paid in cash. The name on the FOID card was Tom Hero Fugue.

Through a mouthful of sandwich, Kevin said, “Oh shit, someone is serious. That is some serious ammo, and at the new prices, I don’t think I can count that high. Hell, Gabe can buy his own island now.”

“Tom Hero Fugue, hmmm,” said Maggie. That’s an unusual and idiotic name.

“Quit humming, Maggie, and start getting worried like the rest of us,” wailed Danny who was stuffing BBQ chips into his mouth.

“Not quite yet, Danny, I don’t believe in panicking until absolutely necessary. Right now I don’t think it’s necessary.”

All eyes were on the progress of the SUVs as they traveled down the dusty road, and came to a T intersection. A right turn took would take the SUVs to Danny and Maggie’s house a left, back to the highway.

As everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the video monitor, the SUV’s stopped at the intersection and paused, and paused, and paused.