Rough-cut wood panels with iron brackets lined the walls. One side held semi-automatic handguns and revolvers like the S&W Magnums and Glocks. The adjacent wall displayed semi-automatic shotguns like Kalashnikovs. There were AK-47s, AR-15s. Hunting rifles like the Ruger 10/22 as well as old-fashioned Mossbergs and Remington pump shotguns.

Naturally, the paranoid survivalist had also accumulated anything a soldier needed for an apocalypse—from grenades to night vision goggles.

Okay, so maybe Sarge wasn’t the only crazy one.

Over the years, they’d all contributed to the fun.

The hip-high counters held pull-out drawers with ammunition. The far corner had reloading equipment and supplies. An oversized table in the center of the room was for cleaning and assembling.

“This is… Is this stuff even legal?” After dropping the backpack she’d retrieved from his house, Frankie turned in a circle.

JJ glanced over. “Most of it. When it comes to preppers in Alaska, it’s apparently ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’. However, unless civilization collapses, using things like explosives in inhabited areas is called terrorism and wins the user many years of free meals behind bars.”

“Oh. Okay,” Frankie said in a faint voice.

Gabe looked over. “Gear up, bro.”

“Yeah.” Bull grabbed a body-armor vest in dark camo.

Around him, his brothers and JJ were doing the same.

In the short time before arming up, Gabe and Caz made calls and pulled strings. They’d done all they could, and now it was up to Audrey to organize the incoming health professionals, social services, and law enforcement. Bull didn’t worry; the woman was superb at juggling resources.

Lillian and Dante had already left, taking Regan with them. His niece would spend the night with her bestie.

The two seniors were recruiting trustworthy people and getting them to the right place at the right time. The plan called for a lot of volunteers, some for the distraction, others to guide the women and children out. Even more would help transport everyone to town.

The mission was organized with Gabe’s usual attention to detail. They’d penetrate the compound during the darkest hours of the night—between 1:00 and 3:30 a.m. Before and after that, the twilight-gray sky would be too light for covert endeavors.

The narrow window of opportunity was worrisome.

“If we—” Bull’s mind stuttered to a stop.

Frankie was trying on a small bulletproof vest—the one Caz had worn as a skinny teenager.

Jesus fuck. “What are you doing?” He thought that was a very reasonable question.

“You’re all wearing body armor. I thought you’d want me to wear one, too.”

“I would if you were going on this op. But you’ll be in town with Audrey and coordinating the agencies.” Bull’s voice hadn’t risen; he was sure it hadn’t, but Caz turned away hastily with a smothered snicker.

“Shh.” JJ punched the doc in the belly.