Rebels bombed several police stations in what appeared to be well-rehearsed set pieces. Reports circulated of government troops deserting to the Natio...alists as a result of terror and lack of wages. Lauren conferred with Elizabeth and Gustav and it was decided that the children would leave, cross the border and fly to Switzerland from Venezuela.It was Emma who heard the vans first. Huge pre-war speakers bolted on top, megaphones of doom and destruction. Of course, Lauren would not have known if. ” The leader’s mouth twisted into an evil smile.A low, almost whispering voice answered, “I told you if you ever contacted me, it had better be worth my time. Either way I may kill you anyway. You are a bastard, I no longer work for nor do I owe the sect anything. My time is far more valuable than yours!”Sighing, the leader nodded, she had been their best assassin when he was nearing completion of his training. “I take it you have heard of the new emperor?” When the woman only nodded the leader. Marshall?”She nodded. ”Look, I’m sorry for the confusion. I’m not making myself clear, am I?” I didn’t respond and she carried on, “I am here about buying your painting. To be safe, I always use a fake male name when I’m dealing with artists over the internet. I apologize if this is strange or alarming in any way. I probably should have explained when we made this appointment.”I started to relax as I listened to her plausible explanation. Her accent was much thicker than those I’d grown. Mathew was in charge of the crop field and planting the crops. He reduced the area under field pea cultivation, increased the area for corn, sunflowers, wheat and oats, and added barley.With the exception of the horses, Joshua and Mary took care of all the animals, including the bees in the apple orchard, and started raising pigs and rabbits captured in the wild. They also established a bee hive across the road from Frank and Rebecca’s house to pollinate and gather nectar from the fruit trees.