The Homecoming: Countdown to Armageddon: Book 5 by Darrell Maloney Page A

“How come you’re going to San Antonio, sheriff?”
         “It’s personal, Paul. You’ll find out soon after I get back. It’s just something I promised somebody I’d do.”
         “And all I have to do is stay at your place until you get back, and if there’s any trouble at the compound I help them out?”
         “Yes. At the first sign of trouble they’ll try to call me on the police radio. They have a handheld at their security desk. They won’t be able to get me, because I’ll be out of range. But keep your radio on and with you. Answer for me, find out what the problem is, and help them deal with it. If you need reinforcements, call the base station and have Dawn dispatch anybody she’s got available. Everybody has their radios with them when they’re off duty, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting ahold of them.”
         “You can count on me, sheriff. I’ll make sure they’re as safe as babes in their mamas’ arms.”
         “I know, Paul. That’s why I chose you for the job.”
         “Just one more question, sheriff. My girl and I… well, we haven’t been on a date in a very long time. Movies and pizza and popcorn, well, it sounds like something I’d really like to share with her. Do you mind if she comes along?”
         Tom chuckled.
         “I’ve seen your Julianna. She makes even an old man like me wish I was young enough to take her away from you.”
         “Yeah, she is pretty gorgeous, isn’t she?”
         “Yes, indeed she is. Gorgeous enough to make me wonder if you’d be able to keep your focus on the job.”
         “Shucks, sheriff, you know me better than that.”
         “I’m teasing you, Paul. By all means, bring her along. And you two enjoy yourselves. Just keep that radio turned on and close by.”
         “What if you finish your business in San Antonio early enough to make it back by sunset? Can Julianna and I still stay the night at your place?”
         “Yes. If I make it back before sunset I’ll go straight to the compound, and I’ll let you know I’m back over the radio. But you and Julianna are welcome to finish out your date.”    
         Tom hadn’t been able to make it back by nightfall, though, and Paul and Julianna were unaware of the outdoor security cameras at Tom’s place that were tied in to the compound’s security system.
         So while Tom was sawing logs in the back seat at a San Antonio Walmart, Jordan was pulling his duty at the security console, his eyes transfixed on monitor number eight.
         Monitor number eight showed Paul and Julianna, certain they were alone, making love on a blanket in Tom’s front yard.
         Jordan wasn’t sure why Paul and Julianna were overnighting at Tom’s place. Or why Paul kept his handheld radio close enough to grab while he was in the midst of making love to his girl.
         But he was enjoying the show.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    -10-
     
         Scott found Becky at her nurse’s station. Her face brightened and she smiled warmly as she watched him walk up.
         “If I knew you were coming I’d have baked a cake.”
         He chuckled.
         “My mom used to say that, when I was a kid. Only she kinda sang it.”
         He demonstrated.
         “ If I knew you were coming, I’d have baked a cake… ”
         Becky made a great show of wincing, and at the same time placing her fingers in both ears.
         “Ouch.”
         “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad.”
         “Oh, yes it was.”
         “Well, okay. Maybe it was that bad. But hey, I have other talents.”
         “Name one.”
         “I know how to make smiles appear like magic.”
         “Oh, really? Like how?”
         He pulled a small bouquet of flowers from behind his back and handed them to her.
         And, just as he’d predicted, she