The Rented Mule by Bobby Cole

Author:Bobby Cole
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781477808603
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2014-03-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 52

Jesse Ray finished putting the last of his electronic fortress into place and then spun his hat around backward as he sat down to synchronize everything from his command center. His laptop glowed, awaiting action. He methodically clicked a few buttons and adjusted the contrast on the LED monitors. A state-of-the-art surveillance camera was trained on the sleeping woman. He had wireless, unattended ground sensors strategically placed around the house that would cue a camera to take a wide field-of-view image of intruders in all light conditions and immediately transmit the image to him. He also had constant-on video cameras covering the obvious entry points onto the property and into the house. Jesse Ray felt confident of his work and leaned back in his chair with his arms folded across his chest.

“Hey, Cuz… uh… can I ask a question?” Maynard asked, popping the top on a cold beer.

“Sure,” Jesse Ray replied as he carefully attached the phone line into his laptop.

“What happens if the electricity goes out?” Maynard asked, scratching his head.

Jesse Ray touched his chin with his index finger as if he were pondering the question. “We are screwed. We only got battery backup for about fifteen minutes.”

“That’s what I thought, so I’ve been workin’ on some protections myself. They ain’t as high-tech as yours, but they work.”

“No shit? So whatcha got, some strings with cans tied on the ends?”

Maynard set his beer on the counter. He needed his hands to talk. In that respect, he was like a Southern preacher, handcuffing him would be the same as putting a gag in his mouth. “Well… I found some boards in the barn, and I drove a bunch of rusty nails through ’em, so they all stick out on one side, and I placed ’em under all the windows. Sharp side up.”

“You thought of that?”

“Seen it in a movie. Somebody sneaks up on us and tries to look in the windows… we’ll hear ’em scream… and we’ll find ’em stuck to a board.”

“I hope we ain’t gotta jump out the windows.”

“Iffin you gotta, jump as far as you can,” Maynard said flatly, after taking a big swallow of beer.

“You better tell everyone about them boards, ’cause I don’t think Mad Dog has any tetanus shots in his medical kit,” Jesse Ray suggested as he watched Jenny bound through the back door. “Where you been, girl?”

“I was lookin’ around in the barn. Somebody is visiting the place pretty regularly.”

“Shit, I can’t imagine why? This freakin’ place is spooky.”

“Well, there are fresh footprints around the barn, and they’re too small to be Maynard’s.”

“I don’t like this place… I got bad vibes.” Jesse Ray shook his head.

“Well, this gig will go to hell if somebody shows up. They might be making meth and that really ain’t good.” Jenny continued explaining, “Meth heads are bat-shit crazy. You can’t predict a thing about their behavior.”

“I feel ya. I’ll go put up some cameras and ground sensors. Come on, Maynard. Grab my toolbox and that extension cord.

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