His first job was to shoot the watchtower guard with a tranquilizer. His second… Bull had suggested that, since Hawk would be climbing a tree, he might as well set up the remote-activated device containing a recording of Gabe’s voice. Hawk’s response had been rude, but he agreed.

A touch on her shoulder made her jump.

The eerie night vision goggles he wore made Caz look like an alien. He set a hand on her arm reassuringly before checking on JJ who was hunkered down under a different tree.

Frankie glanced over her shoulder. All the people behind her were also taking the opportunity to rest. Chevy and Knox nodded to her. The helicopter and cars were parked at their properties. She could barely see Uriah, who owned the coffee shop, or the group of backwoods guys like Tucker, Guzman, Harvey, and Rasmussen who she knew from the bar. The school principal and the old hippie gas station owner were at the rear of the line.

These men, as well as the diversion group, had volunteered simply because Mako’s sons, Audrey, and JJ had asked for help.

Frankie shook her head, thinking of the stories shared while waiting at Chevy’s place for everyone to arrive. She’d heard how Gabe and Bull found Chevy’s lost son after a bear attack. How JJ saved Rasmussen’s life after an earthquake, then risked her life to rescue trapped schoolchildren. Audrey taught Knox how to read. Caz tended their illnesses. Hawk flew emergency flights to the city hospitals. The Hermitage family was…there…for the community. Feeding people, helping with repairs for people down on their luck, organizing community events, improving the town.

The volunteers were delighted that Bull and his brothers had asked them for help. Frankie smiled slightly. And all of them were pleased to thwart the Patriot Zealots.

Suddenly, a long howl from the southwest, broke the silence.

Go, Gryff.

Inside the compound, the dogs went crazy, barking and howling and yipping. Guards shouted irately.

Frankie turned her gaze toward the watchtower and caught the greenish outline of the guard. He was standing where he could monitor the area where Gryff was howling. No matter what kind of vision enhancement he had, it wouldn’t do him any good if he was turned away from the forest where Hawk would be climbing that tree.

During the planning, the Hermitage guys had discussed using tranquilizers. How no tranq worked immediately, but would take a few minutes, the danger to the guard, that Hawk would have to climb a tree to shoot. But they didn’t have much choice. None of them were willing to kill the guard.

But the corner watchtower overlooked the area where they’d be cutting the fence. Mako’s sons could sneak in, but the guard couldn’t miss seeing the untrained women and children escaping.

If Hawk couldn’t silence the guard, the mission would be aborted.

Frankie crossed her fingers.