6. Good Morning & Good Night
Good Morning I drive.” He glanced at Cara. “You see anything that looks even slightly off, you call it out.”
Cara just nodded her focus absolute.
“Seth, you’re the rear in Beast and here I brought theses for just this situation,” Jay continued handing Seth a walkie talkie. “Keep a two-car buffer. No exceptions. We get ambushed, I want room to maneuver.”
“Got it,” Seth said. “How long are we thinking?”
“Map says three days to Denver,” Jay replied. “I say we plan for five. That gives us a time for whatever the road throws at us.”
Cara traced their route across the map with one finger. “There are a few old farm towns and supply spots along the way. We should stop if any look promising.”
“And,” Jay added with deliberate emphasis, “keep your eyes open for another trailer. We’re bringing back everything we can possibly carry.”
Seth took another long sip of coffee, letting the heat fight the cold acid churning in his stomach. The road stretched out ahead, a gray ribbon disappearing into uncertainty. But Jay was already moving, and Cara was double-checking her work. He wasn’t facing it alone he reminded himself.
Jay clapped him on the shoulder. “Eat something before we roll out. We should be rolling in fifteen minutes.”
Cara had already started around the front SUV, calling back over her shoulder, “I’ll check the tires again.”