“Okay, thanks,” Willa replied.
“At least you called to verify,” Jason said. “A lot of people don’t even bother doing that.”
This is annoying, she thought. The last thing I need today is some intellectual trying to show me how bright he is. “So what exactly will you be doing here?” she asked patiently.
“My dad owns the largest architectural firm in L.A. He wants me to be his legacy. I got my B.S. in architecture but really liked geology. Growing up in L.A., I became fascinated by earthquakes, so I picked Earth Sciences for my Master’s degree program. I will be looking at the topography of your town, the building structures, the infrastructure and laying out what the people of Dolphin Beach can expect during and immediately following a major earthquake and tsunami. The extent of detail will be up to you. I’d prefer a detailed plan down to the household level, but like I said, that’s up to you and your town council. I don’t want to be invasive to the point where I’m making people uncomfortable, but the more detailed information people have, the higher the survival rate is going to be.”
Survival rate? What is he trying to do, scare everybody? “It sounds like you expect something to happen sooner rather than later. What do you know that we don’t?” Willa asked.
Jason glanced down at the floor and then around the room and through the glass window into the main reception area before returning his gaze to her. “Scientists will tell you there is no scientific method to predict an earthquake, and to a point, that is true. But there are patterns and cycles of activity and non-activity. Those patterns and cycles have been generally reliable until about a dozen years ago. What I am going to tell you isn’t a prediction, nor is it scientifically based, and it isn’t meant for public consumption. Can we agree on that?”
“Okay,” Willa said, wondering what was coming next. “What’s happening?”
“Major earthquakes are essentially random events, so sometimes they happen close in time to one another, and sometimes they don’t. We have had an unusual number of major earthquakes in the world that don’t fit the randomness associated with normal earthquakes. There’s a disturbing pattern emerging. Now the people at Cal Tech don’t agree with me, but I see a very un-natural pattern over the last twelve years, especially with subduction zones like Cascadia off the Northwest Coast.”
“So what exactly are you saying?” Willa asked, the feeling of alarm rising in her chest.
“I think the Cascadia Subduction Zone will experience a catastrophic event within the next two years, probably sooner rather than later.”
“How do you know that?” Willa demanded, her alarm turning to panic.
“Look,” Jason said quietly. “Something is wrong. I don’t know why it’s happening, but I see the pattern. It’s un-natural, and frankly, it terrifies me. Something has changed in the world and it involves geologic events, like the 8.4 Magnitude subduction zone quake in Peru, 2001, and the 9.2 Magnitude Sumatran quake in 2006 where 230,000 people perished. Add in the 7.0 Haiti quake in 2010, the recent 8.0 quake in China, and the whole thing is just spooking me out. My greatest fear is that it will happen here next. That’s really why I’m doing this. I have to do something. Warning people and helping them to be prepared is what I can do. Will you help me do that?”
Willa was having trouble focusing her thoughts. The threat of an impending major earthquake had her rattled. Trying hard to calm herself, Willa asked, “How many mayors of towns along the coast have you told about this?”
Jason lowered his head. “You’re the third one. Most of the town mayors won’t even give me a chance to talk to them. They’re too busy. They think I’m some kind of kook.”
Yeah, I can see how they might come to that conclusion. “How sure are you that this is going to happen?”
Jason looked her straight in the eyes. “I could have spent the summer surfing. Instead I’m embarrassing myself in front of every mayor along the Pacific Northwest Coast I can get in to see. If I’m wrong, my career in Earth Sciences is over before it begins. I’m not wrong.”
“Why not just alert people through the media?”
“That was my first choice,” Jason replied. “No one would believe me. No scientific proof. Even my teachers at Cal Tech don’t see the pattern, but I do. It’s there. It’s going to happen.”
Willa drummed her fingers on the desk as she thought about what Jason had said. What if he’s right and Dolphin Beach is in danger? What if he’s wrong? What if he really is just a kook? What does he have to gain from this? Money? Notoriety? He hadn’t asked for any money, and the notoriety is all bad if he’s wrong. He doesn’t gain anything unless he’s right. The fact that the lady from CREW referred to him as a super genius and said he was honest was an important factor.
“Are you on any meds?” she asked, wondering if he might be mentally ill.
Jason laughed out loud. “No,” he said. “You’re actually the first one to ask.”
“What if I tell people what’s going to happen?”
“Then you join me in kooksville. It’s political suicide, but that is entirely up to you.”
Willa carefully considered the potential consequences. Keeping quiet but prepared seemed like the most reasonable choice. Everything else involved unacceptable levels of risk. Friends would be running for city council positions in November and they were counting on her as mayor to give them a foot-hold in the election. Too much was at stake. “You said you don’t want to be invasive. Exactly what did you have in mind?”
“I like your style,” Jason said. “You obviously care about your town and the people that live here. For the most part, people won’t even know I’m here. I’ll be taking measurements of the roads and buildings. I’ve got a laser device for that, so it won’t be too obvious. I’ll create a computer model of Dolphin Beach and a model of what would happen during a major earthquake and tsunami. I’d like to present it to you and then to the town, so everyone understands exactly what could happen. The invasive part would be briefly looking at each home and business and creating a personal evacuation plan for those people. I’ll need your permission and the authorization of the town council for that phase. Most towns stop with the public presentation, but I’d really like to do more.”
“Okay,” Willa said tentatively. “Let’s take it to the presentation and then we can see what the mood of the town is after that.”
“Great,” Jason said. “It’ll take me three to four days to get the presentation ready, which looks like Saturday. Would that work for you?”
“I’ll make that happen,” Willa replied. “The city campground is free and there is electricity provided. Just pick your spot and you’re good to go.”
“Perfect,” Jason replied. “Thank you. I’ll see you on Saturday.”
CHAPTER 9
A week later, Guang Xi, wrapped in a white hooded robe that covered his chest and his head, was lifted into a wheelchair. Dr. Huang supervised his transport to the Government Administration Building where they waited in a small room off the main hallway.
“Who will be here?” Guang Xi asked.
“Premier Li Qijing requested the meeting, so I presume he will be here. I am uncertain beyond that.” Dr. Huang replied.
Guang Xi’s stomach tightened and his breathing became shallow. “What am I supposed to say?”
“I don’t know,” Dr. Huang answered. “Just be open and honest.”
The door opened and several large men entered the room, closed the door and looked around. Apparently satisfied, one of them opened the door again. An older man walked in. He was of medium height and build and wore an expensive suit and silk red-striped tie. His hair was solid black and brushed back. Dr. Huang quickly stood erect and placed his hand on Guang Xi’s shoulder. Guang Xi attempted to stand but the older man shook his head and motioned for Guang Xi to remain seated.