Mercy (The Night Man Chronicles Book 3) by Brett Battles (most inspirational books of all time TXT) 📗

and the other across from the door where I am. The last is the slideout that contains part of the table the boys are using.

I remove the protective cover off one bug and carefully attach the disc to the underside of the slider next to me. This portion of the RV will move back into the vehicle when the slider is retracted. The bug is small enough that it won’t interfere with the mechanics, and is in a spot that can only be noticed if someone gets on his or her hands and knees and performs a thorough examination of the area. Later, when the sliders are all put away and the RV is back on the road, the device should be almost dead center under the floor.

I creep around the RV to the slider that Evan and Sawyer are sitting in and put another bug underneath it.

In case the bugs somehow get knocked off the slider when it’s moved into stowed position, I have an alternate location in mind for the final two. Like every RV I’ve ever seen, the Winnebago has several storage compartments, accessed from the outside. The holding spaces stretch under the camper’s floor.

Naturally, the compartment doors are securely shut, but their locks aren’t particularly complicated and I’m able to pick the first in short order. From what I can tell, the space beyond goes under the kitchen area. I place a bug as far in as I can without actually climbing all the way through the opening, then I shut the door and relock it.

For the final bug, I pick the lock for the compartment closest to the front of the vehicle. I’m at first doubtful I’ll be able to get it close enough to the cab to pick up any conversations in there, but when I lift the door, I see that the compartment extends a good meter more toward the front of the vehicle than I assumed.

Currently, the compartment contains a couple of folding chairs but nothing else. I carefully move these to the side, and slip into the compartment to my waist so I can place the bug as far forward as possible.

I’ve just pulled off the protective plastic when Jar says, “Charles and Kate have just exited the house.”

Crap.

I hastily shove the bug against the compartment’s ceiling and start to pull myself out. I barely get a few centimeters when my jacket gets hung up on something.

Double crap.

“Fifteen seconds from you,” Jar says.

Even if I am able to free the snag, there’s no way I can get out of sight in time. I have only one option and it’s not a great one. I reverse course and pull my legs inside, which ironically releases my jacket from whatever it was caught on.

“Five seconds.”

I twist around, grab the back of the compartment door, and pull it tight into place, making it look like it’s closed.

The footsteps round the front of the RV and pass right by me.

A woman’s voice. “It’s okay,” said in the tone one uses when meaning it’s not a big deal and you’re overthinking. I assume it’s Kate.

The only reply she receives is a grunt. That’s definitely Chuckie.

The Winnebago’s side door creaks open, then the vehicle rocks slightly as Evan’s parents climb in.

“What are you still doing up?” Chuckie says. His words come quick and angry.

Evan says, “We, um…uh…I was—”

“What time is it?”

“Um…nine…forty-two.”

“I told you to have him in bed by eight thirty.”

“Charles,” Kate says, “they were just looking at a book.”

“Sawyer wanted a-a story. I was just helping him read it.”

“See, they weren’t doing anything wrong.”

“You were told to have him in bed by eight thirty,” Chuckie says, as if he heard neither Evan nor Kate.

“I-I’m sorry. I’ll do it now. Sawyer, come—”

“No. Your mother will put him to bed. You, outside.”

“Charles, no,” Kate pleads. “Not here. You can’t do that here.”

I’m sure some might be upset that she doesn’t stop at you can’t do that. But my sense—albeit based on a very small sampling of data—is that Kate Price has very little influence over her husband, and saying that he can’t do whatever he’s going to do here is a way of utilizing what little sway she does have.

Silence in the RV.

In my mind I see Kate looking at Chuckie while Chuckie stares daggers at Evan, whose gaze is on the table as he remains unsure what to do.

When Chuckie finally speaks, it’s in a low growl I strain to hear.

“Put him in bed, then you, too. And I don’t want to hear a word.”

Movement above, but by whom? Did Chuckie say that to his wife or his older son?

A few seconds later, I hear Kate say, “Can I get you something? Maybe some water?”

“I don’t want any damn water,” Chuckie snaps. “I just want to sleep.”

“Okay. I’ll get the bed ready.”

Movement toward the back of the Winnebago, where the main bedroom area is. I’m guessing that’s Mom, which probably means the instructions to put Sawyer to bed were given to Evan.

A temporary peace has returned to the Price household.

I have two choices. Either I wait here until I’m sure everyone’s deep asleep, or I get out now while the Prices are still moving around, when their noises could cover any sounds I make. As you might imagine, hanging around for what could be a couple of hours does not sound like a fun idea.

I push the compartment door open and stick my head outside. Most people would likely get out as fast as they could if they’re in a similar situation, but the chances of being heard would skyrocket. I take my time to carefully extract myself.

After I’m all the way out and the door has been lowered into place, I lock it again.

When I reach the wall at the back of the Baccas’ property, Jar says “Welcome back.”

“Thanks. Are the bugs working?”

“They are.”

“Did you hear—”

“I heard. We are doing the right thing.”

You are, Liz concurs.

I nearly jump. I hate it when she sneaks up on