Read Online Beneath the Veil by William McNally - Free Book Online

reconnaissance planes for the Navy and was trained in tracking.
    “Hold up, Hector,” Jimmy said.
    The truck’s brakes squealed as Hector brought it to a stop. Jimmy hopped off again and examined a muddy section of the road.
    “What do you got, Jimmy?” Hector asked, leaning out the truck’s window.
    “Footprints going back that way,” Jimmy said pointing behind them. Hector turned to Jackson and Barry.
    “What type of shoes was she wearing?” Hector asked.
    Jackson looked confused and realized he didn’t know.
    “She had on sneakers,” Barry answered.
    “Nice job,” Jackson said.
    “Artist’s eye,” Barry responded.
    “She was wearing sneakers,” Hector called out.
    Jimmy stood up smiling.
    “She came this way maybe a day ago,” Jimmy said.
    “Yes!” Jackson said, pumping his fist.
    Hector drove further down the road until Jimmy called out.
    “Look up ahead,” Jimmy said.
    The sun shined off of an object in the distance, when they drove closer they saw patches of white covered by a thick tangle of vines.
    “It’s my truck!” Barry said.
    Hector pulled next to the Rover and the men jumped off the flatbed with their weapons drawn. Ralph opened the door of the Rover, then Jimmy and Bobby rushed forward and pointed their guns inside.
    “Looks like no one’s home,” Ralph said.
    “Can we pull it out?” Barry asked.
    “Let’s give it a try,” Jimmy answered.
    Jimmy climbed onto the back of the flatbed and opened the military locker. He pulled out a length of chain, and then walked back down to the Rover.
    “Back her on down, Hector,” Jimmy said.
    Hector ground the transmission into reverse and then backed up to the Rover.
    “One of you boys mind steering this thing?” Jimmy asked.
    “I got it,” Barry answered.
    He climbed in through the back door and crawled behind the wheel. Jimmy secured the chain and Hector inched the truck forward until the chain tightened. The flatbed’s double rear wheels spun in place as it strained to pull the Rover free. After a few failed attempts, Hector put the truck in neutral.
    “It’s no use,” Hector said.
    “Let’s get the damn vines off first,” Bobby said.
    Heeding Bobby’s advice, the men began stripping off the vines. Jackson cleared the doors, while Ralph crawled underneath and removed vines wrapped around the axles. They stood back when the work was done.
    “That oughta do her,” Ralph said.
    “Yep,” Bobby agreed.
    Barry got back behind the wheel, and Jackson joined the other men in front of the Rover. Hector eased on the truck’s throttle, and the Rover was pulled free.
    “Alright, now we’re talking,” Jimmy said, smiling.
    Barry retrieved the starting crank and fired up the engine.
    “How about that?” Jimmy asked. “Sometimes the old way is the best way.”

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - N I N E
    I t took hours to reach the crumbling grounds of the mansion and they were exhausted from the journey. When they turned onto the drive leading to the once great house, Jen spotted a vehicle in the distance moving towards them.
    “Hide!” she shouted.
    They ran down a sloping hill into the tree line.
    “If they come this way, run as fast as you can into the woods,” Jen said, breathless.
    Daniel, terrified, picked up Katy and held her tightly. He watched two men, both armed, climb off the back of one of the trucks. In the middle of the road sat Katy’s doll. One of the men picked it up and studied the ground where he found it. Another man walked over and joined them in conversation looking towards their hiding place. Jen signaled for the children to start moving. She walked behind them staying low to avoid detection. Katy whimpered and then began crying as Daniel carried her. The men heard the cries and ran straight towards them.
    “Run!” Jen shouted.
    Daniel, carrying Katy, led the way moving quickly. Tonya was close behind, struggling with a bag of supplies.
    “We need to hide!” Jen shouted.
    They found