Read Online After the Republic by Frank L. Williams - Free Book Online Page B

handbook he had purchased a few years earlier out of morbid curiosity, and which now seemed eerily relevant. Joshua retrieved his Rotary “Past President” pin and a coin which bore the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” which he had always sought to uphold while in public life.
    After packing the books Joshua took a seat in his office chair, pulled out his smartphone and silently stared at it for a moment. A lump formed in his throat as he dialed Perry’s number but got a fast busy signal. “Network is down,” he muttered to himself. The call went through on his landline. Please pick up. It went straight to voice mail.
    Joshua left a long-winded message: “Hey, Perry. Rebecca and I are worried about you guys. Please let us know how you’re doing and what you’ve found out about Charlie and Allie. We’re getting organized and are still planning to meet here tomorrow morning at 8:00 to travel to a secure location. I hope you two can be here and go with us. We need you, and we miss you guys already. If you can make it, please come prepared to leave here for good. Bring any weapons and ammunition you have, matches, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, clothes, non-perishable food, tools – anything you can think of that we might need. As far as getting ready, bring as much cash as you can, and anything that we could use to barter for other things we need. Oh, and have a full tank of gas.” Joshua paused for a moment, then choked up. “Perry, I really do hope we see you guys tomorrow.”
    He hung up the phone and sat silently for a moment before realizing Rebecca was standing in the doorway.
    “I take it Perry didn’t answer?” she asked.
    “Nope.” He cleared his throat and fought back a tear before turning to face her. “Becca, we’ve lost our sense of security, we’re losing our farm, and I’m worried that I’ve lost my best friend.”
    Rebecca walked over and hugged him for what seemed like an eternity. “You’ve still got me.” She leaned over and kissed him. “You need to make the rest of your calls, and I need to finish packing.” He nodded and dialed the next number.
    ***
    The sun was already dropping toward the western horizon when Thomas turned into the driveway from the main road. Joshua and Reagan walked out to the barn to greet him. Bob emerged through the barn doors just as Thomas parked his Suburban.
    “Thomas, good to see you,” Joshua said. “This is Bob Kendall. Bob will be coordinating the logistics of our trip.”
    “Hey man, nice to meet you.” Thomas extended his hand.
    Bob shook Thomas’ hand. “Likewise.” In typical no-nonsense Bob Kendall fashion, he dispensed with the pleasantries and got down to business. “Do you have a map of the property with you?”
    “Yeah, let me get it out of the truck.”
    Thomas retrieved the rolled-up maps and handed them to Bob, who immediately unrolled them and spread them out on the hood of the Suburban.
    “Where is the property boundary?” Bob asked.
    Thomas outlined the borders of his land.
    Bob continued, “Mr. Winston said you were keeping a portion for your house. Where is it?”
    Thomas used his toothpick to point out the area where his cabin was located.
    “What are the routes in and out?”
    “We have one road in at this point, right here.”
    “We will need a backup emergency exit. Where will livestock be kept?”
    Thomas shrugged. “Hadn’t thought about that.”
    Bob grimaced. “We need a plan, as that will be part of our food source. What are your power sources?”
    “We are connected through the TVA, and I know some folks who work up at the dam.”
    “Good. Do you have a security plan?”
    Thomas shook his head. “Hadn’t thought about that either.”
    “We will take care of that. What are the routes from the property to the lake?”
    Thomas showed him.
    “How will you decide who lives where on the property?”
    “This is my area.” Thomas again pointed to the portion of the tract where his home was