Read C.O.T.V.H. (Book 3): Extermination for Free Online

Jake, inventory time," John said, his face now all business.
    Looking through the various bags Jake checked each item off in his head. When he was finished he looked up at his father, "We're missing a spare pair of gloves and extra batteries for the flashlight."
    "And?" John said crossing his massive arms over his chest.
    Racking his brain it took him a few seconds to realize what else was gone.  "The safety glasses." 
    John nodded with approval.
    Cort gave an exaggerated snort then shoved a pinch of chewing tobacco into his cheek.  "Safety glasses?  Hell in my day we didn't have nothing but our gun, a single flashlight that barely worked and a hatchet!  You damn kids today are getting soft."
    John rolled his eyes, "I'd call it getting efficient, old man ."
    Cort spat tobacco juice on the garage floor and mumbled low under his breath, "I'm not too old to whoop your ass."
    Jake added the missing glasses and with all of their gear finally loaded the three men climbed into the truck; John in the driver’s seat, Cort in the passenger seat, and Jake in the back. John hit the button on the garage door opener and flipped on the truck’s headlights.  The heavy door rattled loudly as it crawled to the top.
    Jake stared out the window as the Ford pulled away from their house.  Their boat sat covered in the driveway behind his grandfather’s rarely used Bronco.  His grandfather’s new truck had been sold a little over two months ago.
    He watched the houses on their quiet little street pass by, almost as if in slow motion. Soon they were headed southeast on Loop 289 to US-87.
    In preparation for Jake's big hunt, John had the Coalition search for suspected vampire activity in the area.  In record time Ben and Talon had found a case that fit the bill.
    "So where are we headed?" Jake asked, as the truck pulled onto the highway.
    John turned down the radio so that it was barely audible.  "Well Jake my boy, you're in luck.  According to Ben and his contacts, in a little less than two weeks time, a dozen people have disappeared in and around the tiny town of Patricia."
    "Patricia?  I know Patricia.  On the way to Midland, right?"
    "That's the one."
    “That’s very close to home,” Jake said.
    “Yeah.  It is.”  John agreed.  “For my first hunt we had to drive two hundred miles.”
    Jake scrunched his brow.  “Seems a little convenient.  Maybe it’s not vampires at all, maybe it’s just drug related," Jake said trying to hide the hope in his voice that that's exactly what it was.  Once again Donnie’s blood covered face popped into his head. "Maybe some new Cartel moved into the area and is setting up shop.  It wouldn’t be the first time.  Maybe it's a job for the FBI or DEA?"
    "Not likely.  Patricia's population is only sixty-four residents.  When twelve people up and disappear without a trace in exactly twelve days time, people take notice.  Plus there is no real drug presence in the area.  Patricia is almost entirely made up farmers, oil field workers and their families."
    "Good point," Jake conceded.
    "Would you two shut up?"  Cort interrupted.  "I'm trying to get some sleep. If Talon says it's a den, you can bet dollars to doughnuts it's a den.  I've never seen a more thorough man than him.”  The three men grew quiet for several minutes and Cort'’s snoring resumed.
    "You know,” John broke the silence, “Ben called the house last night.  Said he needed some help setting up the new safe house in Laredo.  So as soon as your hunt is over, it looks like I'm once again neck deep in Coalition business."
    "Can I come with you, Dad?"
    "No son, not this trip.  Besides, someone has got to stay home and keep an eye on your Grandpa."
    "Don't need no looking after," Cort mumbled only half awake.
    Jake couldn't argue with that, the last time he’d been left alone he had nearly burned the house down cooking a microwave dinner still in the box in the oven.  How he had survived before the two of