The command center hummed with activity. Chelsea was busy at the surface computer, pulling up more articles on the killings in the Florida Panhandle. Sam and Sophia sat at the long table cleaning the rifles yet another time. It was important to have them in positively the best shape. No one could predict when they might need them. The precision and accuracy of the instruments had been what they needed to kill the beast in Maverick county. Too bad, they were all thinking, it turned out to be the wrong beast.
The others sat with coffee or cold drinks, watching Ric at the main computer. Only Dakota was missing, having excused herself to work in her garden. Logan had called early that morning, said he was going to meet someone about the attack on the dogs. He also mentioned the sheriff had asked him if he wanted to talk to the coroner about the condition of the human bodies.
"An unexpected gift," he'd told Ric Garza. "I'll call in around noon with my report."