Excerpt from the book

In the quiet of dawn, sound carried for miles. Turning toward the low rumble, Clark saw headlights on the only road leading to his campsite. Hed been so engrossed with the beauty of the early morning desert, it took a while to refocus.

Something was out of place. Who would be on the road at this time? He hadnt been expecting anyone. The lights of the vehicle came into view again. Rounding the side of a hill, they were less than two miles from Clark's perch. An idea plummeted his mind. Was Bob having a medical emergency? Had his wife used their cell phone to call an ambulance?

Wait, Bob's condition, even if there was an emergency, was something his wife could handle. After all, she is a nurse. Clark breathed a little better. He realized there hadnt been enough time for an ambulance to come seventy miles from the nearest medical facility at Wilcox.

When the vehicle came into view, there was enough light to see a pale colored SUV. Whoever it was, the driver was in a hurry. Clark watched as it came to a stop above the camp. The headlights turned off. A chill raced up Clark's spine.



Santiago spoke just above a whisper. Okay, we were supposed to have been here when it was dark. My army brother said it was best to attack in the early morning hours when people are in their deepest sleep.

Jose protested, Hey, I drove as fast as I could!

I know, I know. It wasnt nobodys fault. The point is we wanted to be able to sneak up on em and be in their campers before they knew we was there. Im gonna look things over. While Im gone, check your weapons and put on the rubber gloves." As he opened the door, Santiago ordered, "Don't put any shells in the chambers. We dont want an accidental firing that would alert em.

The gang leader left his men. He walked cautiously to a point where he was able to look down on the campsite. It was just as hed shown the others in the aerial picture hed been given. Even the positions of the car towed by the motor home and the pickup that pulled the gooseneck trailer were the same. Everything was as still as the desert around him. Santiago glanced to the east. While he had seldom seen the sun rise in the morning, he judged it would soon flood the area with light.

He walked quickly back to the Explorer and got in. They were still too far from the camp to be heard, he surmised.

Santiago began to give new orders. Listen to me. Everything is exactly as this picture showed us. They dont expect no trouble. He grinned, adding, Thatll be their fatal mistake, right?

The others nodded.

Okay, were not going in on foot like we originally planned. Its too late. Well drive right into the camp.

Jose couldnt resist. Yeah, man, well go chargin in at full speed like they do in the movies. I like this.

This is no drive-by shooting. We have to enter the campers and bring em out. We got crowbars in case they locked the doors. So we got to act quick while theyre sleeping. Remember, we gotta make it look like a robbery. Any questions?

The other three men shook their heads. They were glad they didnt have to walk in.



Alarm bells were sounding in Clarks head. He didnt like what he was seeing. He had to fight to keep fear from overpowering reason. Watching a man step from the vehicle and walk to the ridge overlooking the camp, Clarks fear mounted. The stranger stood for a few moments, then went back to the vehicle. Clark realized this wasnt normal. Someone lost might have driven in to see the campsite. Realizing it was occupied hed decide what to do from there. But the average person wouldnt drive into a strange, isolated camp during early dawn.

Forgetting to place the lens cover on his binoculars, Clark thrust them in the backpack and threw it over his left shoulder. He picked up his rifle and grabbed the camera. For a moment, he considered leaving his camera, but decided it might come in handy. Turning, he broke into a run. Momentarily he lost sight of the vehicle moving toward the campsite. He berated himself for not bringing his cell phone so he could alert Bob.

Hurrying as quickly as possible through the rocks and cactus plants, Clark remembered, friends had warned him that he needed to watch his back. He countered, "Who would want to bother with me?" Sure, Gun Rites had enemies in high places as did any organization opposing the powers that be in Washington. But his few thousand followers only raised a little stink now and then. They had the loyalty of precious few congressmen. Compared to the overall dissension about guns in America, his was the smallest pro gun group, both in numbers and money. . . .

Topping the ridge, Clark climbed up behind a rock ledge where he had an unobstructed view of the campsite. Darn, why didnt I bring my cell phone? Ill never do that again.

He saw the Explorer move at high speed into the camp.

"Whoa," Clark said aloud. "Whats going on?"

Laying the rifle on the rock ledge in front of him, he spread the tripod and set the camera down, quickly focusing it on the camp. He hit the record button just as the Explorer slid to a stop between the motor home and trailer. Four men leaped from the vehicle. Two ran to the trailer and two, toward the motor home. Each carried a gun. Clark could see that the men were arming their weapons as they ran.