Chapter 21
It was scarcely a week later that a young woman carrying a small child showed up at the gate. She rang the intercom buzzer and stood there waiting for a reply.
“There is nothing for you here,” came Frank's voice from the intercom, “Move along or I will let the dogs out.”
“Please,” the woman pleaded, “Not for me, for my baby. We haven't eaten in days and I can no longer feed her.”
“I will not tell you again, move along, or the dogs will be let out. Take this as your last warning,” said Frank, as forcefully as he could. He knew he would go out and feed her if this didn't work.
The young woman turned and started to walk down the street while Frank watched her on the hidden cameras. As soon as the woman thought she was out of sight she gave a little wave and two men stepped out from behind a neighbor's shed. He couldn't hear their conversation, but Frank was certain what was about to happen. Both men were carrying rifles and had sidearms at the hip.
“Take cover, now,” said Frank.
Janet did not hesitate, she grabbed Tommy and Sara and moved them into the secure basement, locking them in and securing and hiding the entrance behind them. She picked up her rifle and went to the rear of the house as they had pre planned. Janet knew her area of responsibility and she was determined that no one would sneak past her.
“Two men, both armed,” shouted Frank. “It looks like they are going to try and attack from both sides at once. Be ready.”
“Ready at the rear,” came Janet's reply. “I have one in sight, should I fire first or wait.”
“Let's see if they try to gain entry first, if they make an attempt to get in the house or any of the outbuildings, fire.”
Janet knew there would be no warning shot, she had steeled her resolve and was determined to do what had to be done. She would prevail and help protect her home and family.
Frank watched as the man in the front of the house tried to find an easy entry into the house. Seeing none, he shouted out, “Hello the house, all we want is some food and we will be on our way. Nobody has to get hurt.”
“Leave or be killed,” said Frank, “There will be no further warning.”
“You sure you got the stomach for it,” the man shouted, “We are coming in and there is nothing you can do about it.”
The man started in a run for the front door with the intention of breaking it down. Frank's rifle barked twice and two holes suddenly appeared center of mass on the man's chest. Scant seconds later, Janet's rifle removed the threat from the back of the house. The woman who had been with them fell to her knees and prostrated herself in the road in front of the house.
“Thank God,” the woman shouted, “Shoot them again, please.”
Frank went out the front door and approached the woman with his rifle slung across his back and his pistol in his hand. “One move and you will be joining them, do you understand?”
“Yes, I won't move and I have no weapons, those bastards have held me prisoner for the last week, forcing me to lure people out of their house and then forcing me to pleasure them,” the woman said between sobs.
“Slowly get up and keep both hands where I can see them. I will not hesitate to shoot you,” said Frank.
The woman rolled onto her back and sat up and slowly with outstretched arms got off the pavement. Frank saw that the baby that had been wrapped in the blanket was nothing but a doll.
Frank got behind the woman and noticed as he got closer, that she was a lot younger than he had first guessed. She looked to be about sixteen.
“Walk toward the door, stop when I say stop, and keep your hands out to the side. My wife will search you when we get to the door. If you are lying about a weapon or if you make a move toward my wife, you will die, understand?”
“Yes sir, I promise I don't have anything on me. They would have never let me have a weapon,” said the girl.
Janet came out the front door with her nine millimeter trained on the young girl. She holstered her pistol and began patting the girl down for a weapon. The fact that the girl had not been eating well was immediately apparent to Janet as she felt the girl's ribs sticking out.
“What's your name,” asked Janet?
“Patricia Miller,” said the girl, “But most people call me Pat or Patty.”
“Well put your arms down Patricia, come with me and let's get you cleaned up a little. Girl you are rank,” said Janet.
Frank searched the bodies and found ID on both of the men and took that and their weapons. There was also a small leather pouch with some jewelry and a few gold and silver coins the men had obviously stolen. He took their possession into the house and then he called his Dad to see what his next move should be.