Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) Read online

  “No, there were no bodies, but we probably wouldn’t have noticed poles.”

  “They were there,” Lisa said.

  “I never saw it, but your father told me about it,” his mother added, “said it was a bad idea.”

  Caden shifted on the bed. “I assume Sheriff Hoover is running town security.”

  His mother and Lisa both nodded.

  “I’ve never liked Hoover, but why would he hang corpses at the blockade? Has he gone crazy while I’ve been gone?”

  “I think he’s desperate,” his mother said. “Nuclear bombs exploded in other parts of the country, and everyone was afraid it would happen here. People were fleeing south down every road from Seattle and Tacoma. I’m sure most were decent, but enough were willing to rob and kill….” She paused and shook her head. “Those that lived along the highway had their gas and food stolen. Cars were taken. The store and the church beside the freeway were both looted. Two deputies were murdered trying to restore order. The motel as you come into town is full of locals who lived near the interstate. They fled their homes, others were robbed and killed.”

  Caden recalled his trip with the military convoy. “We saw the destruction along the freeway.”

  “It started happening here. That’s when your father went to Sheriff Hoover and proposed the blockade. He suggested the locations and using heavy equipment or logs. He even helped man the blockade, in the beginning.”

  Caden considered his options. Hoover had made it clear that interference was not welcome. Still, as the governor’s liaison, he felt he had some responsibility to inquire about the shootings.”

  “What are you thinking?” Lisa asked.

  I’m thinking I have no idea what to do about Sheriff Hoover. But he didn’t want to say that, so he smiled and said, “I’m thinking, is there any food in this house? Is anyone else hungry?”

  With help from Maria he made it down the stairs from his bedroom to the dining room. There they ate and talked about family and home for several more hours. Only when the power failed, leaving the full moon as the only light, did they go to bed.

  Caden woke to crowing. He looked at the window and mumbled, “It’s still dark you stupid rooster.” He had grown up on this farm and knew that roosters crowed when they would, but it still annoyed him. After more crowing he knew there was no going back to sleep, so slowly he slid his legs from under the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. He turned the knob on the lamp beside him and, as light filled the room, remembered the power had been out. The clock blinked on the nightstand.

  Out of habit he looked for Maria. While he never actually slept with her, for the last two weeks they had not been far apart at night. With a smile he recalled that, as the evening waned, his mother suggested Maria share the room with Adam.

  Carefully he stood looking down at his bandaged leg. Painful, but bearable. He hobbled toward the bathroom. By the time he got downstairs, he noticed a fire in the living room woodstove. When he limped into the kitchen his mother was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.

  “You’re up early,” he said sitting across from her.

  “You’ve been away from the farm too long. Someone has to feed the chickens and pig.”

  “I’ll help.”

  “It’s already done.”

  “I’ll help tomorrow.”

  She reached back to the counter. “Your father got this after his leg operation.” She set an antique, carved, wooden cane on the table. “It’s been at the back of the closet for years, but I figured you might use it.”

  He thanked her.

  Still looking at the cane she said, “I pray Trevor is all right,” tears welled in her eyes, “and Peter and Susan.”

  “I’m sure Dad is fine, he’s a survivor and Peter is a cop. He’s in shape, trained and armed. Neither of them would let anything happen to Sue. Still, I should probably head up North Road and look for them.”

  “No,” she said firmly. “Two days ago I feared you were dead and then yesterday I got you back. I can’t lose you again. Your father is a survivor and so is Peter. If they are alive they will come home. If they are dead,” her voice choked, “then no one should risk their life to find them.”

  Caden wanted to argue, but creaking stairs and floorboards announced someone coming. Maria entered wrapped in a robe and looking disheveled. “Adam’s still sleeping, but…well, I thought roosters crowed at dawn.”

  Mother and son grinned as Maria sat at the table.

  As the first rays of sunlight peeked above the eastern hills, Lisa joined the rest of the family at the breakfast table.

  His mother cooked eggs and bacon and asked about Caden’s plans for the day.

  “I’ll go talk to Hoover. I need his cooperation if I’m going to be a liaison for the governor.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes. “Good luck getting him to cooperate with you. He has a looong memory.”

  Caden shrugged. “I’ve got to try. Then I’ll go to the armory. Also, I need to meet with the county commissioners and the emergency manager.”

  “Sounds exciting. Does anyone want more coffee?” Lisa stood and walked toward the pot.

  Caden held up his cup, but looked at his mother. “I might be late getting back.”

  “Do you need me to come along and,” Maria smiled, “help you get in and out of the car and up the stairs.”

  Caden would have welcomed her company, but the day would be boring for anyone who tagged along. “No, I think I’ll just hobble along with my cane.” He didn’t want to leave the three most important women in his life alone on the farm, but was equally certain that they were safer together. Maria can shoot straight and Lisa can aim a car. He grinned at his own dark joke.

  After breakfast he dressed in his uniform, complete with tattered pant leg, and limped toward the car with Maria at his side.

  “Why don’t you and Sheriff Hoover like each other?”

  “When I was in high school his little sister, Debra, had a crush on me.”

  “It’s got to be more than that. What happened? Did you….”

  “I did nothing,” he said a bit too harshly. “Well, almost nothing.” With a big sigh he continued. “She was two years behind me in school and flirted with me off and on for years. On the night of my graduation there was a party at a friend’s house. He let us know there would be ample beer.”

  “Your mom doesn’t seem like the kind who would be okay with that?”

  “My parents didn’t know.”

  “Oh, this is going nowhere good.”

  Caden nodded. “Beer, high school grads, loud music and then Debra shows up. I’d had one too many by then, which in those days was two or three. Debra started flirting with me again and we ended up making out like only half-drunk high school kids can. At the moment Debra took off her blouse in walked the newest deputy on the force, Hoover.”

  Maria smiled. “You were so busted.”

  “He arrested everyone at the party, even his little sister, but according to him it was my fault she was there. Hoover accused me of inviting her, said I had seduced her and offered her the alcohol.” Caden leaned against the car. “I had to call Dad to come get me out of jail.”

  “You were both young.” Maria opened the car door. “You’re older and wiser now and, I suspect, Hoover is also.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Good luck and happy Valentine’s Day.”

  The drive into town gave Caden time to think. How come women always remember things like Valentine’s Day and men never do? What should I do? Get her a card or flowers? How do you find such things at a time like this? He shook his head and vowed to do something.

  As he passed over the creek on the way into town the two red-headed teens were again along the bank, but this time with a net and what looked like a fish trap.

  When he saw the Hansen city limit sign, his thoughts turned to Hoover. He was a stern man, probably still is but, Maria is right, he is too smart to hold a grudge for over a decade. But by the time Ca
den walked into the office he still didn’t have a plan.

  From behind his desk, Hoover looked down at the torn pant leg and bandage. “What happened?”

  “Lisa accidently shot me with buckshot.”

  Hoover grinned. “I always liked her.” He chuckled and then asked, “You going to be okay?”

  “Yeah, she mostly missed.” Caden looked Hoover in the eye. “Have you got a couple of minutes? We need to talk.”

  “Shut the door and sit down.”

  When the door was closed Hoover said, “What does the new military liaison need?”

  Caden sighed, but decided not to respond directly. “You were elected to be the Sheriff of this county. You know the people because you’ve lived here since I was a kid. I can’t and don’t want to replace you.”

  He nodded.

  “I want this county to be a safe place because my mother, sister, and…well other people who are important to me live here. You kept this place safe.”

  “Thank you. I did my best.”

  “There is something I wanted to ask you about. I’ve been told that there were bodies hanging at the blockade by the lake?”

  “I don’t answer to you, mister military liaison, I answer to the people of this community and…well, I kept as many of them safe as I could.”

  “What was done is apparently not a secret. I’m asking why. Help me understand.”

  “Understand?” Hoover shook his head. “How can you….” He paused and looked Caden in the eye. “You were in Washington D.C., right?”

  Caden nodded.

  “We saw it on TV. A lot of people were scared, but by the next morning, when L.A. was hit, people panicked. Everyone wanted out of Seattle and Tacoma as fast as possible. Many fled south toward us. While they had money the refugees bought everything and anything they thought they might need. Many took what they wanted. Stores didn’t take checks, the ATM system failed, people got desperate. Along the freeway looting was widespread. When there was nothing left many of the refugees got mad. They destroyed and burned…. I’ve never imagined fear on that scale. The scared…the injured…the dying…. I did my best. You said I kept this place safe, but I was elected sheriff of the entire county, and over a quarter of it has been looted and burned and two of my deputies are dead.”

  Caden shook his head. “An army couldn’t have saved the area along the freeway. I think the blockade was the right thing to do.”

  “That was your father’s idea.” Hoover remained silent for a several moments and then with a sigh continued. “Two stupid kids tried to ram the North Road blockade while shooting at it with pistols. The guards returned fire, but it was the crash that killed them. I hung the bodies there as a warning to others not to be stupid and to stay away.”

  “What about the bodies at the other blockades?”

  “There were five others. Three were looters and two were the men who killed my deputies. I shot them all.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Caden limped back toward his car wondering what to do now that Hoover had confirmed he killed those men. Well, blackmail is always a possibility. He smiled, but shook his head. Three weeks ago I was working for Senator Stevens and enjoying the good life in D.C. and then the first bomb went off and changed my life. He fumbled in his pocket for the car keys. The bombs changed everyone’s life. In the last two weeks I’ve killed one man, Maria shot another and Lisa may have run down three. Did any of us do wrong? Did Hoover do wrong? Legally he knew the answer might be yes, but morally he found it hard to condemn the actions of Hoover or his family.

  Family. He had included Maria in his thought about family. A smile spread across his face. Thinking of her that way felt good. I need to take some time and sort out my own feelings about Maria and Becky. When, in this crazy world, will there be time to sit alone and think? Come on, you know what you feel about Maria. He sighed deeply. This is all so quick, so crazy. But still he could not deny his growing feelings for Maria. You definitely need to get Maria something for Valentine’s Day.

  As he slid the key in the lock, he glanced across the street to the century old building that served as the county offices. I still need to talk to the commissioners and head of emergency management. Pulling out the key he headed across the street.

  Ten steps led up from the sidewalk to the county offices. Caden remembered taking them two or three at a time as a child. Now, with his hurt leg, they were a formidable barrier.

  Reaching the top, he found the large wooden doors locked. He considered going around the building to try each of the four entrances, but his leg pleaded for some other solution. As he stood considering his options two police cars sped past with lights flashing and sirens blaring.

  Maybe Hoover can answer my questions. With a sigh he hobbled back toward the Sheriff’s office. As he entered, Caden asked the deputy on guard, “Who is the emergency Manager?”

  “Sheriff Hoover is the head of that office, but he left on a call a couple of minutes ago. He’s also the local head of Homeland Security.”

  Inwardly Caden groaned, but tried not to show it. He’s head of Homeland Security too? What does the governor want me to do if Hoover is in charge of everything?

  “The Emergency Management office is at the end of the hall. The lady there handles all the day-to-day stuff.”

  Caden stepped in that direction.

  “Oh, but the LEPC is meeting in the county office building right now.

  “LEPC?”

  “Local Emergency Planning Committee or something like that. The back door of the building should be open. They’re meeting on the first floor, but I can’t remember the room number.”

  By the time Caden found the location his leg felt like it was on fire. Ten people sat around a conference table as he hobbled in. “Hello, I’m Major Westmore, the new commander of the Hansen armory.”

  A gray haired woman said, “You’re looking better this morning?”

  Caden was confused.

  “This is Trevor’s boy,” she said walking over to him “I’m Dr. Scott. I bandaged your leg last night.” She shook his hand. “It is good to see you conscious, but you really should be at home in bed.”

  A man across the table pointed a pen at the doctor and said, “Don’t lecture the man. I know you’ve been working 18 hour days since the Seattle blast.”

  Dr. Scott smiled at him then turned to Caden. “Perhaps we should both sit down.”

  That was a welcome suggestion. As soon as Caden sat the pain faded to a dull throb.

  They took turns around the table introducing themselves to Caden. Dr. Scott was there representing the local hospital. The mayor of Hansen was next along with delegates from the fire department, civil defense, health department, city utilities, a county commissioner, a city police officer, the Emergency Manager from the sheriff’s office and someone from the Salvation Army.

  “We run the local food bank,” the church member said.

  “Do you still have food?” Caden asked.

  He shook his head. “Even with rationing we ran out days ago. People are going hungry.”

  With that everyone looked at Caden. He was tempted, just for a moment to repeat the old Ronald Reagan line, ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help,’ but decided against it. “Well, as I said I’m the new C.O. of the armory. Governor Monroe wants me to help maintain law and order in this area and assess local needs.”

  “Need?” The Emergency Manager said cupping her hands before her and leaning forward as if in prayer. “We have refugees from the west end of the county along the freeway. We put some up in the motel and others are at the campground. We might have a three day supply of MREs for our police and firefighters but after that…. In this county I mainly coordinated with FEMA during floods, but we can’t make long distance calls and the Internet is down. I can’t….”

  “Okay,” Caden interrupted, “I’ll try and get some communication restored. Meanwhile, make me a list of what you need.”

  The county comm
issioner said, “We need everything.”

  With feverish intensity the civil defense coordinator took up the litany, “We’ve done everything we could, no one in the county plans for nuclear bombs. I’ve attended every meeting, done everything according to regulation but….” He shook his head. “It’s not my fault.”

  In a much calmer voice the man from the food bank stated, “Many are already going hungry.”

  Another said, “The drugstore pharmacy was robbed. Three thugs tried to raid the hospital pharmacy, but….”

  Annoyed, Caden interrupted, “People are hungry. The hospital must be short of medicines, but what I need is a list of critical supplies that will keep people alive.”

  “I’ll get you a list of medical supplies,” Dr. Scott said.

  “In a voice barely above a whisper the Emergency Manager said, “I’ll get you a list.”

  Caden’s emotions were mixed as he left the office. If he alleviated some of the shortage it would be a big help to the community, but the need was huge and growing. He feared people would die before life returned to something reassembling normal.

  He opened the door to his car. Now, onto the armory.

  He drove east, about a mile out of town, and then turned onto a side road that led north up a large hill. The area was well wooded on the right with the left side looking down into the valley and over the town. Nice homes had been built along this part of the hill and as a young man Caden had been up here many times, but never onto the armory. As he rounded a curve near the crest a light snow fell. A few hundred yards farther and a large, gray, two-story building surrounded by a chain-link fence came into view.

  As he slowed to stop at the gate a soldier stepped from the guardhouse. The guard, in ACUs, the now standard camo uniform, carried an M-4 over his shoulder. A dozen or more children played on the large grassy lawn that surrounded the main building. Despite the growing snow several adults in civilian clothing mingled among the children.

  The sentry saluted and asked for identification.