Chapter Thirty-Seven Onto the Circle J

Carla and Joan are happy to prepare food for the men.  Although each of them is wondering how they can eat after the killings just happened.  Even Little Dove has no problem eating.  Feeding eight braves, Little Dove, Scott, Tyler and Mike is a lot of work.  When everyone has their fill, they just look at what everyone devoured.  Carla looks at Joan and each of them realize this is not the same culture their women folk are used to being raised in.

As the men are finished, White Cloud directs his braves to get their mounts and meet where the other horses are tied.  He chooses not to use the word bodies.

Scott on the other hand directs Mike to stay around instead of riding the range and to clean up the bunk house.  Scott doesn’t want the women to have to deal with any blood and excrement.

As the braves are heading for their horses, Scott and Tyler head to the barn to saddle their mounts.

New Release Press Release

Novel Explores the Horrors That a New Level of Terrorism Can Bring

Author pens the gripping sequel to his thriller “Behind the Lies”

MANCHESTER, N.H. – (July 14, 2011) – Twelve years after 9/11, the United States will experience a level of terrorism it has never felt before. Working in plain sight, Iranian agents posing as businessmen develop, plot, and create a network of horrific events in conjunction with cells that have been planted here decades ago. Readers can witness the intriguing events unravel in Gateway to Terror, a novel authored by Joe Smiga.

This gripping book, the second of an exciting trilogy, is based on Smiga’s imagination, and depicts how today’s terrorists could use everyday routines to cause harm and destruction within the nation. It portrays the continuous efforts of radical Islamic terrorists whose main goal is to instill fear and destruction into people’s lives and the lives of their loved ones.

The sequel to Behind the Lies, Gateway to Terror illustrates how vulnerable people are to simplistic methods even with all of our technology. The statement, “If there is a will, there is a way,” is proven true in this thriller. Readers will be shocked at what could possibly come true someday.

The book is available through local bookstores, Amazon and Barnes & Noble online or directly from the publisher at: www.Xlibris.com/GatewaytoTerror.html.  The book is available hardcover, softcover and e-book.

Chapter Thirty-Six Riders on the Way

White Cloud moves out from under his buffalo blanket and feels the cool night air upon his body.  He moves over to the boundary they had set up for their camp and he sees two riders coming in at a full run.

As Painted Pony pulls up to him he jumps off his mount.  “Man who watches ranch and five more riders coming.  They carry bows and quivers.”

“How far behind you are they?”

“They were at a slow run when we left.  We galloped most of the way here.” 

“I figure they will be here to set up before day break.  It should give us an hour to figure our plan.  Go take care of your horses and return.”

He tells the sentry to wake up those who haven’t been woken by the riders.  When they are fully awake he tells them to make some soil paint to blacken their skin.  The time has come for them to act.”

By the time the braves have covered their bare skin areas with dirt from the soil, Painted Pony and the other brave have taken care of their horses and staked them out.  Now they make a circle and White Cloud tells them what he wishes to do.

Chapter Thirty-Five Conversations Continue

“I think it’s time for me to say what I have known for a long time now.  When I arrived at the Evan’s ranch, I found where the raiding party tied their mounts.  All of them were shod horses and one in particular had a v-groove in a hind shoe.  The next day in front of the saloon I found the same shoe mark on a red roan tied to the hitching rail.  Going inside to strike up conversation to see who owned that horse I learned that Johnny Peters owned the roan.  There were similar markings where the shooter who killed the sheriff tied his mount, according to Henry.  Scott you told me about the same type of groove White Cloud showed you when I was shot.  There is a pattern here that tells me we’re not dealing with Indians or renegades even though the Martins and Evans were killed with arrows.

“If we haven’t been aware of the braves then maybe there are numerous other things we are not aware of.  For instance, how is it that only the neighbors of the Peters’ property have been attacked.  Who is next on their agenda?”

Mike goes on, “Are you accusing the Peters of the raids on the Martins and the Evans?”

“Yes, one or more of their family is planning to move and expand their ranch.  There is no law out here and the army can’t watch over everything.  Their main responsibility is protecting federal law not local law.”