Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files) Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Pour the water in here, it boils, runs across these coils, and comes right out the tap. Good to go. Over here are my kerosene heaters, jugs of kerosene, portable gas cooktops, propane … Gotta be careful with propane. If it leaks, it sinks to the bottom of the room, and if there’s any sort of spark—kablooey.”
    “What are these?” Jack held up two metal rods.
    “Parts of cooking kits I’m fixing. You guys got a freezer?”
    Jack shook his head, and Pamela felt an increasing sense of inadequacy.
    Shakespeare lifted the top of a large white freezer, and a cloud of frosty air rolled upward. “Look here,” he said. “You’re gonna need protein, Jack. We got plenty of deer meat and chicken …” There were containers of eggs and large blocks of cheese.
    “What if the power goes out?” Pamela said.
    Shakespeare dropped the lid of the freezer, walked several steps, and kicked a bulky red machine on the ground. “Four thousand watts.”
    “Generator?” Jack said.
    Shakespeare nodded. “There’s a backup in the shed. This’ll keep both freezers going and a small section of the house. ’Course, we’re gonna have to be careful. We wouldn’t want the neighbors or bands of ruffians to know we have power. We’ve got heavy window shades to block out the light.”
    “Why wasn’t I included on this tour?” Margaret stumbled into the garage, looking around in awe, as if she’d just discovered the Batcave.
    “Hey, Mom.” Pamela wished she hadn’t found them.
    “I wondered where you went,” Shakespeare said.
    “I was helping the kids with that darn tractor. Then Faye fell, and I had to tend to that.”
    “Is she okay?” Jack said.
    “She’s fine. Brian’s kids got out their first-aid kit and did ‘triage.’ They were glad to have a patient. It’s just a little strawberry.”
    “Over here we have ammo.” Shakespeare drummed the top of two large metal coffee cans; there were seven in all. “Weapons are in safekeeping.”
    “What kind of weapons?” Margaret said.
    Shakespeare chuckled. “Let’s just say we have arms for any occasion.”
    Ever since Pamela’s former classmate Granger Meade had broken into their home a couple of years ago, she and Jack had been back and forth about whether they should own a gun. When Granger got out of prison, Jack had carried a gun strapped to his ankle for a time.
    “Do you have guns, Jack?” Margaret said.
    He glanced at Shakespeare. “We have a gun. It’s under lock and key.”
    “Good,” Margaret said. “And I want to get one for myself, too. Will you take me to the gun range if I do, Jack?”
    “You can get them through the mail these days. Order online. It’s a breeze,” Shakespeare said.
    “Really? That’s legal?” Margaret said.
    “As long as it’s a dealer with a federal firearms license, absolutely.” Shakespeare was fiddling with something near the ammo, his back to them, then turned around suddenly. “And don’t forget your gas masks!”
    Pamela and Margaret screamed. Even Jack jumped back and laughed nervously.
    Shakespeare breathed in and out, sounding like an astronaut through the black, heavy-duty gas mask. “These are a necessity. One for every family member. They come in kids’ sizes.” He ripped the gas mask off. “Seriously. They could hit us with nukes, crop dusters, dirty bombs. There’s no other protection.” He shook the gas mask. “But get good ones. The cheap ones aren’t worth zip. You gotta spend money to get the best. I’ll send you the links.” Shakespeare tossed the gas mask aside. “There you have it. You now know about sixty-five percent of my secrets.”
    “I am so ill prepared,” Margaret said. “Jack? We need to get busy, for the sake of the girls …”
    “I’ve been thinking about it. Pam and I need to talk,” Jack said.
    “You need to do more than talk,” Margaret said.
    Pamela was restless and ready to get home. She was hot and overwhelmed. She was glad she’d seen Shakespeare’s