Read The Day After Never - Covenant (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 3) for Free Online Page A

complexion was gray. “I recognize the second one.”
    “Who is he?”
    “Seen him a couple times at the trading post. Apache. From up north.”
    “And?”
    “They got a reservation or something up there. Own the whole territory. Bad news.”
    “Bad how?”
    “You want to pass through, you got to pay a toll and use one of them. Frank – that’s the guy there – was a guide. Used to bring ammo and weapons to swap at the trading post.”
    Cano digested the news. “How do you get in touch with them to arrange a guide?”
    “They monitor the radio, I think. Never had to do it myself. Tucker may know.”
    Outside, the men gulped the warm air, but the stench of death lingered in their noses no matter how many breaths they took. Cano retrieved the AKMs and handed them to Carlton, who inspected them with practiced hands and nodded as he slid them into his saddlebags.
    “Pleasure doing business with you,” he said.
    “You said maybe Tucker knew how to get in touch with the Apaches?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How long you been working for him?” Cano asked.
    “Three years, off and on.”
    “How much he pay you?”
    Carlton looked away. “I get by. A slice of what we bring in.”
    “Big slice or little?” Cano pressed.
    “I’m not rich or nuthin’.”
    “How’d you like to make some real money?”
    “Doin’ what?”
    “Helping us.”
    Carlton held Cano’s stare. “Helping? How?”
    “You know these Apaches?”
    Carlton shrugged. “Some of them, I guess.”
    “You ever been to Albuquerque?”
    “Not since before…you know.”
    “We’re headed that way. We’re gonna need some solid hands.”
    “Already got a job.”
    “Not much of one, judging by your clothes and horse, kid.” Cano mentioned a quantity of gold.
    “You’re bullshitting,” Carlton blurted.
    “Do I look like I’m joking?”
    “You got it on you?”
    “Got some. But I’m going to radio for more. I’m with the Crew. You know who we are?”
    “I’ve heard of you.”
    “Then you know we have a lot of resources. I’m good for it.”
    “I…Tucker needs me.”
    “How long you have to work for him to see that kind of take? A year? Two? You can make that in a few weeks with us.”
    “I suppose I could tell him I gotta take a breather.”
    They mounted up and rode back into town. Cano and Luis accompanied Carlton into the trading post and waited until Tucker was finished with a customer to ask about communicating with the Apaches. When he was free, Luis took the lead, his bedside manner better than Cano’s.
    “Carlton was telling us that you may know how to contact the Apaches.”
    “You headed to Albuquerque?” Tucker asked.
    “Looks that way.”
    “You have to put out a call on channel 19. They monitor it. But it ain’t cheap.”
    “How much?”
    “Depends on how many are going.”
    “Figure…five.”
    The trader named a figure in ammo. Luis frowned. “You serious?”
    “They got a monopoly. Charge whatever they like.”
    Luis went back to Cano while Carlton had his talk with the boss. Luis told him what he’d learned, and Cano’s scowl deepened.
    “I’ve been thinking,” Cano said. “It’ll take four days, at least, for anyone to get here from Pecos. By then the trail will be cold.”
    “There is no trail. The rain.”
    Cano ignored him. “But we can assume they’re headed north, based on the general direction they’ve been traveling. I’m willing to bet they’re on their way to Albuquerque. If I’m right, I need to contact Magnus. He’s got enough contacts to find someone there we can hook up with.” Cano paused, thinking. “We’ll need a few mercenaries. See who you can round up. Offer them the same pay as the kid. But get hard cases. I want killers, not a bunch of pussies, understand?”
    “How will we pay them?”
    “I’ve got enough gold to give them half now and half in Albuquerque. I’ll let Magnus work out the rest.”
    Luis stepped out onto the sidewalk to wait for Carlton. The sheriff