Free Cantina Valley (A Ben Adler Mystery Book 1) by Trevor Scott

she could check on the tax records, but by now they no longer had cell service.   “Let’s hear the rumors,” she said.
    “In a community like this, where we’ve seen so many strange things come and go out there, you have to understand our apprehension.”
    “I understand.   Is it that bad?”
    “Rumor has it that the Compound is now being used by a militia.   But I don’t think that’s true.   Others have said the place is another cult haven.   Truthfully, I don’t think anyone has a clue.   I do know that many local businesses have sold them items that could raise flags.”
    “Such as?”
    “I really hate to bring it up, since someone could lump me into the same category.   And I hate to label people.”
    Maggi said nothing.   She simply waited for him to speak.
    “Doomsday preppers,” he finally said.
    She actually used to watch a show on cable that dealt with these people.   Some of them were way off the deep end, but after watching hurricanes and other natural disasters over the past few years, she guessed a little preparation never hurt.
    They drove the rest of the way in silence, winding through wine country back into Cantina Valley.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    10
     
    Ben found the unmarked road that led up into the rolling Coast Range foothills and slowed his pace toward the Compound.   In his youth he had been warned by his parents and others about going up there, because of the secrecy of the place and those who were drawn there like a magnet.   Many who had resided there over the years had drifted up the coast from California.
    Signs now lined both sides of the narrow road saying that this was a private road and trespassers would be prosecuted.
    Pulling to the side of the road, Ben turned to Maggi and said, “What do you think?”
    “About?”
    “The no trespassing signs.”
    “It’s only a misdemeanor if they want to press charges.   Unless we do something to escalate the charges to a felony.”
    “I understand that,” he said.   “But do you want to continue?”
    “Why wouldn’t I?”
    Ben shrugged and then pulled forward.   “The compound sits about a half mile ahead.”   He guessed there would be a big problem if the preppers had a gate and guards manning it.   But that wasn’t the case.
    Cruising into the complex, Ben found a parking spot near the main building.   He had been out to this Compound years ago, when it was abandoned.   He had also dated a girl for a while in high school who lived in one of the housing buildings.   Her parents had been part of the commune.   Her mother was a bee keeper and her father was like an old-time blacksmith.   Ben had lost track of the girl after graduating from high school and joining the Air Force.   One time as an investigator with OSI he had tried to look her up to see how she had turned out.   But the girl had dropped off the face of the Earth.
    “That’s his truck,” Maggi said, excitedly pointing across the Compound to a silver Ford F-150 with a matching cap.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.   I helped him buy it after he left the Army.   He has Veteran plates with the Purple Heart.”
    Suddenly a man came out of the main building, the one that had been used as classrooms and a dining hall in the past.   The guy was wearing jeans and boots.   On top he wore a rainproof olive drab jacket—former military issue.   As were his boots.   And, like Ben, the man had a handgun strapped to his right hip.
    “Let me handle this,” Ben said.
    “No.   I need to see my brother.”
    “This guy is former military.   I speak his language.”
    “How do you know this?”
    “Trust me.   If you’ve been in the military, you can identify your comrades in arms.   Please, just wait here.”
    Reluctantly, Maggi nodded her approval.
    Ben got out and walked up to the man.   The guy looked to be in his mid to late forties, but was still in good enough shape to run a six-minute mile.   He was built like a middle