Read Recovery: V Plague Book 8 for Free Online Page B

grasped the mouse next to the keyboard and began clicking.  With
each click a monitor changed from blue to a sharp, color image of part of the
casino. 
    On the lower
half of the PC monitor a graphic outline of the building appeared with about
five hundred red dots scattered across.  As I activated each camera a
corresponding dot on the schematic changed from red to green, letting me know
what part of the structure I was viewing.  I clicked until all of the monitors
on the wall were in use, but only a small fraction of the dots were green. 
This was going to take a while.
    Getting the
hang of the system, I took a video tour of the large property.  When I got to
the VIP area I could see Katie and Martinez still behind the bar, keeping an
eye on the two entrances into the space.  They were talking, but the system
didn’t seem to have sound so I couldn’t listen in.
    Rolling
through the cameras I moved up to the roof, getting a clear shot of both
helicopters, then came back down into the building.  I eventually spotted a
maintenance area, making note of where it was.  I kept moving, having failed to
detect any sign of life by the time I’d viewed every location.  But there were
still some areas that didn’t have video.  Restrooms and a few storage closets
couldn’t be viewed.
    “We’re in
pretty good shape,” I said to Crawford.  “Have to clear the restrooms and four
closets on the far wall, but I’ve been able to see everything else and it looks
like we’re alone.”
    “Let’s get
moving,” he said without taking his attention off our rear.  “I saw some food
in that kitchen that’s calling my name.”

7
     
    The
restrooms were clear, the only occupant the dead sentry I’d killed while
rescuing Katie.  Once we had checked each of the closets I led the way to the
maintenance area where I had to shoot my way through another electronically secured
door.  Inside, I found some power tools and large screws and tossed them into a
canvas bag.
    Approaching
the VIP area I alerted Martinez on the radio to let her know we were coming
in.  We held back until she acknowledged, just in case.  It’s rare, but I’ve
known guys who were the victim of friendly fire because they just suddenly
appeared right where nervous men were watching and waiting for the enemy.  Not
that I didn’t trust Katie and Martinez, but why tempt fate when all I had to do
was make a simple call.
    “All quiet. 
We’re alone,” I said when I walked into the room.  Both women visibly relaxed.
    “We need
that door fixed and we need food,” I continued.  “Am I going to catch a load of
shit for being sexist if I ask you two to put a meal together while the Colonel
and I go up on the roof to work on the door?”
    If it had
just been Martinez I wouldn’t have worried about it.  But with Katie… well,
there’s a reason I’ve been married as long as I have.
    “No worries,
sir.  We’ll take care of the women’s work,” Martinez said before Katie could
open her mouth.  “You go kill a bear or whatever.”
    The two
women snickered as they turned and pushed through into the kitchen.
    “Makes me
think I should have gone to the Bahamas,” Crawford mumbled as we began climbing
the stairs.
    “Welcome to
my world, sir.”  I said, stepping through the opening and dropping the tool
bag.
    It had taken
a long time to clear the massive building.  The clouds were gone and the sun
was well above the horizon when we stepped out onto the roof.  It was going to
be another hot day.  Sweat immediately popped out when I left the shelter of
the stairwell, but I’d take heat over cold and wet any day of the week.  As
long as you have enough water, heat is just uncomfortable.  Cold and wet? 
That’s downright miserable when you’re in the field.
    Crawford
lifted the top edge of the door and walked it into place while I dug through
the tools.  While he held, I drilled several new holes in the doorframe then
drove long, thick screws