Laura persisted in her questions. "But what will you do once you have the rifle? Isn't it awfully dangerous to try to confront an armed murderer?"
"That's very true, Laura," Monty said reassuringly. "I was never in the military. I don't hunt for sport. All my experience with guns has been on the ranch, just doing target practice or shooting varmints, from ground squirrels up to wild boar, when necessary to protect the animals or property. But I'm quite good with guns, and I know this house inside and out, every squeak and rattle. I think if I had the rifle, I could slip into the house unnoticed. He's not expecting anyone since he thinks we're secure in here. I could get the jump on him, hold him with the rifle, and then we could call the sheriff and he'd be out of our lives."
"It does sound like you've thought this out," Laura said somewhat doubtfully. "I'm just wondering if we should take that chance, or if we should risk staying put and hoping he'll let us go when he leaves."
"I know, that's a big decision. It would be really good if you could escape out the attic with me - there are lots of places outside where we could hide out where he'd never find us. I'm just afraid that trying to get you out too might result in more noise, and with that assault rifle of his, if he heard a noise in the attic and started shooting through the ceiling, we'd both be dead."
"I'm sure you're right about that. It would be better if I stayed here while you went. But are we sure we want to risk this?" Laura queried.
"For myself, I'm perfectly willing to do it," Monty replied. "But this is a big decision, and we both need to agree on it. I'll stay here with you if you think that's best."
"No, Monty, I keep thinking of those poor people in similar situations who did nothing, and regretted it," Laura said seriously. "I have faith in you, Monty, and if you say you can do it, that's the way I want to go, too."
"Alright, then, it's settled," Monty said, swinging out of bed carefully so that his boots didn't make any noise on the polished plank floor. "Turn on the radio quietly to make a little background noise. If anything goes wrong, or any shooting starts, hide under the bed or in the closet. If all goes well, I'll be back here shortly and have him tied up, and this will all be just an exciting adventure to tell our grandchildren about."