Cyber Attack by Tim Washburn

Author:Tim Washburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 47

Chicago

Peyton and Eric make it to the elm tree and duck behind the tree’s massive trunk. Upright, they now have a better view of the area. Neither has been able to pinpoint the location of the gunfire because it’s difficult to do when you have your faces buried in the dirt. Eric leans forward and takes a peek around the base of the tree, zeroing in on the Target across the street. It’s the only thing that makes sense. Everything else in the area looks to be residential buildings with a few small businesses occupying a smattering of the ground-floor spaces. The construction site next door obstructs Eric’s view of the rest of the block, but from all appearances there’s nothing here to spark a war other than that one large retail store.

As if reading his thoughts, Peyton asks, “Are they fighting over that store?”

“I don’t know. It’s hard to see anything from here.”

Both jump when more gunfire erupts. Eric ducks back behind the tree just as a random spray of bullets chews into the tree’s upper canopy, launching a storm of wood chips that pelt Eric and Peyton as they hug the ground. The gunfire ends as quickly as it began and Peyton exhales the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

“I saw bursts of flame from inside the store,” Eric whispers, “but I can’t tell who the other shooters are or where they’re shooting from. You see anything?”

Peyton rolls onto her side and rakes her fingers through her hair, picking out the dead leaves that have accumulated there. “All I saw was dirt. I think we need to find a safer spot.”

“Can’t. We’d be too exposed trying to get there. And it sounds like they’re using machine guns and that means they’ll be spraying bullets everywhere.” Eric tilts his head back and looks up at the tree’s underlying branches. “In fact, I think a few bullets hit during that last round of fighting.”

“All the more reason to find a safer place.” Peyton rolls onto her belly, pushes into a kneeling position, and crawls closer to the base of the tree for another look. “What about that building under construction?” Peyton asks, pointing to the skeletal framework of a multistory building going up next door.

“It’s fenced.” This late in the day, the construction site is buttoned up for the night. Eric turns to look at the sun as it sinks lower in the sky. “Might be best to wait until dark to make our move—” Eric, hearing the rustling of footsteps on pavement, stops speaking and turns to see four police officers creeping down the street. All are wearing body armor and helmets, and all are loaded for bear. He turns and whispers to Peyton, “I think they’re trying to flank the store.”

“What do you know about military maneuvers?” Peyton whispers.

Eric shrugs and whispers, “Hey, I watch the History Channel.”

“What does the History Channel say about being in the direct line of fire?”

Eric looks at the approaching police officers then the store, contemplating the angles.

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