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 Caden 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.”