Rise & Walk (Book 2): Pathogen by Gregory Solis Page B

the type.” Margaret said.
    “You can count on them.” Veronica said, “They won’t let you down.”
    Margaret breathed deep and let out a sigh of relief.  She marveled at how quickly fortunes can change.  Just more then an hour ago she was at her wits end with fright.  Now she had been taken in by kind strangers.  She thanked her lucky stars that there were still some decent people left in the world.
     
    Mason returned about twenty minutes later with a remote-door opener.   He made sure to catch Tony’s attention before opening the gate as not to surprise his companions.  Tony inquired about the house.
    “What’s it like?”
    “You’re gonna like this.” Mason said and pushed the button, opening the large gate.
     
    At the top of the driveway, Mason drove towards a large sterile looking mansion looming in the darkness.  The mansion was devoid of any illumination inside or out of its massive structure.  The trucks lights reflected on its many windows.  Tony poked his head into the rear window.
    “Looks empty.” Tony said.
    “Locked up tight,” said Mason, “See the front door, it’s not wood, it’s steel, and I think the windows are bulletproof.”
    “What”
    “Yep; they’re not glass.  Like some thick plastic.”  Mason said, “But that’s not where we’re going.”
    He turned before the mansion and continued on the driveway as it leveled out.   Behind the mansion and off to the left was a smaller, two story guest house with an open, well lit garage.  Mason swung the truck around in a wide turn and parked in reverse.
    “Parked for a quick get-away?” Veronica asked.
    “Always a good idea,” Jack smiled.  He turned to the rear window.  Nikki and Tony were close, sharing the small access.  Tony spoke,
    “Nobody’s home?”
    “Not as far as I could tell.  Let’s you and me have a look around first, before we get too comfortable.” Mason said.
    “You know this cat has to have some guns lying around.” Tony smiled.
    “Just what I was thinking,” Mason said and opened his door.
     
    Veronica adjusted the side view mirror so that she could see behind the truck.  She watched with a morbid amusement as the men disappeared from the garage into the house.  She knew that guns were important to their survival but found it odd that despite the circumstances, the men engaged in their search with childlike enthusiasm.  She might have laughed had she the energy. 
    “Shall we go in dear?” Her elderly companion asked.
    “Uh, no not yet.  They’re going to make sure everything is safe first.”  Veronica answered.  She noticed that Nikki had stood up and was no longer looking in the cab from the window. 
    “Oh, I see.”
    Veronica wondered how Nikki was doing outside the cab.  She surmised that Nikki was keeping some sort of watch down the driveway but she couldn’t be sure.  She wanted to ask how Nikki was but was afraid of disturbing her.  She knew how desperate Nikki must feel wanting to find her parents.  Veronica remembered how helpless she felt in her father’s last few weeks.  She remembered how nothing else mattered besides being there for her dad.  Even now, the memory made her desperate to act; to try and do something positive.
    “How are you doing with all this Mrs. McCormick, all these… problems?” Veronica asked.
    “I don’t understand any of it.”  Margaret threw up her thin hands in frustration and added, “Where’re the Police; the Sheriff?  That’s what I’d like to know.”
    Veronica nodded while Margaret continued.
    “Oh the racket yesterday!  It sounded like the Fourth of July outside; and from all directions.  Did you hear any of it?” Margaret asked.
    “No, we were up in the hills.” Veronica said.
    “That’s right, you said so earlier.  I’m sorry, I forgot.  I’m feeling a bit tired.”
    “Well, when the men are done, we can go in and get some rest.” Veronica said.
    “Stay here?  Without permission?”
    “Yeah