Devil's Fork by Jesse Jacobson

Author:Jesse Jacobson [Jacobson, Jesse]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Twisted Page Press, LLC
Published: 2019-02-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

I spent the next forty minutes checking in with all the passengers. I wanted to keep everyone busy. Having a job to focus on was the key to not allowing panic to overwhelm them. Denton and Melissa insisted they’d seen no activity near the bank but had been watching carefully for any sign the shooter was on the move. I was certain the shooter arrived by helicopter so he had no means to cross the river. As long as we remained out of sight in the woods, we were safe for the time being, but I knew he was out there… waiting… watching.

John and James were preparing Toe and Mr. Jenkins for travel. I gave our situation careful consideration.

Toe and Chase Jenkins were stable and resting. Our situation terrified the passengers.

We had moved everyone deeper into the woods. I asked Jeannie to join Toe, John, James and I for a conversation. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were on hand, too.

“I have a plan,” I announced. “Jeannie, I’ll warn you in advance, if we go with this plan, the two people who are at greatest risk will be you and me.”

“Then whatever it is, we aren’t doing it,” Jenkins barked. “I will not subject my little girl to more danger.”

“Says the man who knew his daughter was being sought by terrorists and didn’t warn her,” Toe bellowed. “You don’t get a say, Mister.”

“Kiss my ass, you Neanderthal,” Jenkins fired back.

“Shut up, dad,” Jeannie snapped. “You got us into this.”

She turned back and gave me a quick nod, “Tell us the plan.”

“Here’s our situation,” I began. “We have a single shooter. I’m certain it’s only one guy. If there had been more shooters, they would have positioned themselves on both sides of the river bank and we’d all be dead. Do you agree, Toe?”

“I do,” he said.

“And he also knows we’re stuck and can’t call for help?” Jeannie observed.

“Won’t your company realize we’re stranded when we don’t call in and send help automatically?” John asked.

“Yes, but not soon enough,” I replied. “They will expect us to check in this evening. When we fail to call in, they will attempt to hail us, but will not assume an emergency right away. Satellite communications problems are normal out here.”

“So, what do we do?” Jeannie asked.

“I’ve tried to put myself in the shooter’s situation,” I said.

“Go on,” Toe said.

“If I’m the shooter, it surprised me that the people in the boats discovered I was here and fled.”

“Right,” James agreed.

Toe nodded, “He thought the calm waters would make picking us off a snap—no worries, but it didn’t work out that way.”

“You and Jolly sped up and started zig-zagging,” James said. “Smart.”

“So, the shooter panics and begins firing at the satcom, the boat, the people,” I continued. “We make it through alive and are now sitting on the other side of the river, safely away from him… for the time being. If I’m the shooter, I’m wondering what I can do to salvage this mess.”

“He’ll call for reinforcements,” Toe proposed.

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