Two and a half weeks later, the storage area in the mineshaft was nearly completed. Peter, Terry, and Bernadette built a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling bookcase on the back wall of the master bedroom. Behind the space for a TV set, Peter installed a switch hidden behind a power plug to swing open a door-sized section of the bookcase. The switch, operated by turning the power outlet lower plug one-half turn counter-clockwise, caused a section of the bookcase to smoothly rotate on its center support.

The finished hidden room was about 15 by 30 feet. Several black, good-quality metal four-drawer filing cabinets lined one wall. A large gray metal desk with an IBM electric typewriter, a black metal supply cabinet, and three metal chairs completed the furnishing.

The concrete block walls were painted white with a textured paint. The cement floor was painted light beige with three small oriental carpets to relieve the sterile atmosphere. A large white board with an array of markers and a cork wall to hang maps covered a side wall.

The atmosphere in the room did not have the damp musty feeling of an underground storage area. The thermostat controlling the electric baseboard heaters maintained a constant 68 degrees. Two large grated vents in the ceiling provided heat and cooling. A metal conduit containing the power lines ran down both long walls. A metal door was set into a cement block wall at the back of the room. Behind the door was the beginning of a small, well-stocked armory. A glass case of handguns lined one wall. On the opposite wall a series of gun cabinets held an assortment of sporting rifles and shotguns. Terry said, “Later we can add some automatic weapons like, M-16s, the shortened AR-15 version, Uzis, and AK-47s. None of them are hard to buy, but it takes time to find the right sellers.”

“I like the escape you built into the back of this hidden room,” Bernadette said. “Who would believe that behind the next door was a way out of here?” She raised the locking lever bar and stepped into the darkened space beyond. Peter and Terry followed her into the tunnel. A small point of light identified a light switch that dimly illuminated a long narrow tunnel that seemed to lead deeply into the mountain. Except for a few ventilation shafts and old shoring timbers, the tunnel was bare. After about 30 feet the tunnel turned sharply to the right and angled toward the surface. Another 10 feet and there was an aluminum ladder fastened to shoring timbers. At the top of the ten-foot ladder was a trapdoor.

Bernadette started up the ladder. Peter whispered to Terry, “Do you think she can open the trapdoor?”

“You’re damn right I can and stop whispering like a couple of school boys.”

She reached the trapdoor and opened the locking bar. She pushed upward. Nothing happened. Bracing herself, Bernadette put her shoulders against the door and pushed steadily upward using her legs. The trap door started to swing up. She gathered her strength and thrust up as hard as she could. The door swung up and crashed open.

“So much for a quiet escape,” Bernadette muttered as she was climbing out of the hatchway. She moved to one side to let Peter and Terry climb out. They were all in a small cave that looked out over the valley. The cave was only big enough for three people to sit under the short overhang. The trap door had been concealed with small stones, loose dirt, and leaves. Bernadette said, “Okay, who is the woodsman that weighted the door to camouflage it?”

Terry said, “I guess I over did it a bit. I’m surprised you could open it.”

“It’s a good thing I went up first. You two wimps would have needed help. What good is an escape route that almost can’t be opened and then makes a huge noise in opening?”

Peter said, “How about an excellent Vietnamese lunch?” They all started back through the tunnel to the cabin.

Bernadette said, “It’s a good thing I’ve been working so hard or I’d be fat as a pig by now. The Nguyens are excellent cooks. I’ve no interest in going out to lunch. With them here, I could live here permanently. I don’t know how they do it. One of them is nearly always awake. I took a walk outside the tent before first light a few days ago. Mr. Nguyen was moving quietly on the slope leading to the tent. He saw me. Stopped and raised his shotgun over his head to keep from scaring me even more. I’m glad they’re on our side.”

“You wouldn’t believe the firefights they have been in,” Terry said. “Between them, they have more combat experience than most Special Forces troops.”

Peter said, “With them watching at night and Rip never leaving Jack’s side, I can almost relax. Jack and Rip have learned how to entertain themselves without constant adult supervision. One of the workmen got too close to Jack, and Rip moved between them and growled. He’s full-grown but will add more muscle. He knows his job.

“Given that Bernadette and I have some bad enemies, I want to keep the existence of this place to our small group. Do we want to stage out of here to check out and possibly take down the training camp?”

“I like it here,” Bernadette said. “I feel safer here than in the city. IRA types aren’t as comfortable in the mountains and forests as they are in any urban location. My vote is stage from here. Thanks to the gun shows we’ve hit in the last three weeks, there is a better selection of weapons here.”

“Don’t let this go to your head little niece, but you are very good,” Terry said. “I’ve seldom had such good students. Either one of you can have my back. Peter, you are a natural. It must be in your blood.”

While Terry was talking, Peter wondered what Terry would say if he told him both his mother and father were decorated snipers, and that he had been conceived on the Stalingrad battlefield.

“Your set up is a little unorthodox but the results are outstanding. I agree with my beautiful and lethal niece. Let’s stage out of here.”

“Okay, here it is! Bernadette, we need you on this trip. I wish we didn’t. I’d feel better if you were here with Jack. For his sake as well as yours. I feel we are a family, including brother Terry, and I don’t want to lose anyone. On this trip it is not the mission first. Our safety is first.”