Chapter 12

The narrowest point in the valley was at the top of a rise;and when they crested the rise,Jake saw a line of what looked like ten-foot high fencing running across the roadfrom one side of the valley to the other.The fence was topped with concertina wire,the road was barred by a gate,and he could see four bollards blocking the road.A heavily armed man emerged from a small shack on the other side of the gate and walked upto the barrier.From what Jake could see,he appeared to be fortyish and fit.

The man raised his voice and said,“You look like a band of gypsies,Josh.”

Josh leaned out of the passenger window.“That would be us,Charlie;now open the damngate and let us in.”

The man opened the gate just wide enough to step through it,and walked over to the van to peer inside.“You know the drill,Josh.I gotta make sure you’re not being held hostage.”

“I know,Charlie,I helped write those rules.Charlie Bascomb,meet Jake Sinclair.Jake,this is Charlie,our seven to three gatekeeper.”