Free The Trigger by L.J. Sellers Page A

disease.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss.” Spencer reached over and held her hand. “Destiny is a good place to heal, but it’s also where I hope to spend my last days.”
    The handholding irritated her, and she was relieved when their server hustled up with their food. Dallas pulled away and dug in. Ashley was still in the building, only fifty feet away. Dallas wondered again how the woman had ended up in Redding. The sight of Mount Shasta brought it into focus. Ashley was a skier, and Redding was a similar size and geography as Flagstaff. Ashley had probably moved here for the skiing—and better state politics. Had she brought her high school boyfriend along too? Dallas had to get out to the anonymity of the compound as soon as possible.
    While they ate, she brought up the news she’d read that morning about a European banking scandal, and they discussed the financial system. She learned that Spencer believed globalization was contributing to the demise of the human race because it accelerated carbon emissions. He was also vehemently opposed to recreational air travel and the “superfluous” burning of jet fuel. Dallas nodded, asked polite questions, and didn’t find anything too laughable.
    Fortunately, Spencer didn’t mind chewing while talking, so they finished their meals quickly. Dallas was jumpy to leave before Ashley spotted her. “I’d love to see Destiny. Can we head out?”
    He looked at his watch. “I have an errand to run, but I’ll meet you there in an hour.”
    After a twenty-five minute drive through scrubby pines dotted with occasional homes and small farms, Dallas found the little community at the end of a narrow private road. Few people would ever stumble upon Destiny by accident.
    Before she reached the cul-de-sac, Dallas noticed retractable gates on both sides. Did they close the entry every night? Or was the gate just part of preparing for the apocalypse? It wouldn’t deter anyone on foot, but it would keep most vehicles from advancing. The trees along the road made the gate difficult to drive around… but not impossible. If she needed to escape the community with the gate closed, she would plow right across the last lawn and head through the thicket. The Audi was nice, but still only a rental.
    Dallas eased past the gate stubs, noticing narrow side streets that led to a second layer of homes on both sides. She spotted Spencer’s Jeep and parked in front of the largest house at the end. Beyond it were fields and at least one greenhouse she could see. Curiosity made her nerves hum. What else was out there? And where were they keeping Emma and her baby?
    Spencer stepped out of the bright yellow house and waved for her to come in. Dallas took a deep breath and jogged up the path. This was the turning point. She was no longer sniffing around the edge of this scenario. Once she entered, she would be committed.
    “This is my home,” he explained as they stood in the vaulted living room. “But the annexed building is our data center and meeting room. We also have some informal gatherings here.”
    “It’s bright and beautiful.” Dallas didn’t have her eyes on the tall windows or teak floor. She noted instead a small handgun on the foyer table. What was he worried about?
    Spencer noticed. “We have to protect our livestock from coyotes and wolves.”
    “We
are
out here in the boonies.” She tried to sound casual. “Did you clear the land yourself ?”
    “Most of it was already farmland. We tore down an old homestead when we started building.”
    “You had quite a vision.”
    He beamed, obviously proud of his creation. “I’ll show you the data center, then we’ll walk around.” He glanced down the hall. “I’d introduce you to my wife, but she’s sleeping.”
    Spencer started toward a side door, then turned to her, his voice low. “The truth is, my wife is dying. She may only have a few days left.” His expression didn’t change, but his voice held a reverent