I singled the colonel out once the meal problem was solved. “Jim, we have a problem.”
“I can see that. I think they understand now they aren’t going to be spoon fed,” he replied.
“No, not that. That kid, the one that was fighting the priest, his name is Kenny Marlow, and he’s Hank Marlow’s nephew!”
Colonel Andrews closed his eyes, trying to control his anger. “I’ll take care of this, Allex. You needn’t worry about that family anymore.” I saw him talking to Eric, Rayn, and Frank, and then the four of them left in the direction of the Inn.
~~~
Two hours later, we were once again filling out cards and assigning houses to the eighty men who returned after lunch.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” one of the younger men said as he approached the desk. “I’d like to apologize for our behavior earlier. I remembered what you said about going to the Inn, but that guy kept telling us we heard you wrong and that we should wait for someone to show up with our meals on wheels. When we realized no one was coming, it was too late and the Inn was closed. He’s really good at getting people riled up.”
“I appreciate your apology. Please let the others know we really are doing the best we can and we will try to get things running smoothly as soon as possible. We’re going to need help and cooperation though,” I replied. “We simply cannot do it by ourselves, especially not if half the people here are fighting us. If anyone has any suggestions that would help, I really do want to hear them. Anyone can talk to me or to Tom White, at any time.”
Hours later we were done. I was exhausted and wanted to go home. After all the anxiety I wanted a relaxing hot shower and something to eat. Just as Mark and I were getting ready to leave, Jim showed up.
“Did that Kenny Marlow come back here?” he asked.
“No, he didn’t.”
“We can’t find him anywhere, and that worries me,” Jim growled, obviously frustrated.
CHAPTER 31
JOURNAL ENTRY: October 29
It has been a grueling couple of days. I’m secretly wanting for us to go back to the days when we were left alone, but I know those days are long gone. I envy Art Collins in his isolation now, and I think Mark and I should take the news of the town’s new citizens to him personally.
*
“Sorry to barge in on you, Art, but we have news we want to deliver firsthand,” I said after Collins hobbled onto the deck when we pulled in.
“First, though, I have something for you.” Mark beamed as he pulled one of the wheelchairs from the back hatch. “Again, it’s on loan, but keep it as long as you need it.”
Art gaped at the gift.
“Oh, and these might be better suited for you.” Mark produced one set of adjustable crutches. “You’re a bit taller than Eric, and those wooden ones were made custom for him.”
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Art mumbled. “Please come in and tell me where you found these.”
We sat at the smaller table in the kitchen, Art in his new wheelchair. Mark had him stand with my assistance, and he adjusted the crutches.
“Use the crutches as little as possible for now. I don’t want you putting unnecessary pressure on that arm,” Mark instructed. “In a few more weeks, you should need to exercise your good leg, and then we’ll set up some physical therapy that Claire can help you with.”
“This is wonderful! How do I thank you?”
“There really isn’t any need to thank us. You never know though, someday we may need a favor,” I interjected. “Now, for the main reason we came here…” I think I scowled, because Art looked concerned. “Marquette is burning out of control, and the remaining population has been evacuated, some of them to Moose Creek.”
“I see.”
“I don’t think you do. We didn’t have a say in it, Art. We had a three hour warning that there would be up to five hundred people showing up needing places to live.” I stood so I could pace. “For the most part, I think these are good people, scared and lost, however, there are a few…” I pursed my lips. “There are a few that are dangerous, and we wanted to warn you. You should keep the main gates locked again; maybe even post a guard until we can find one in particular. Once he’s captured, I think the danger will have passed.”
“Who is this person?” Art asked quietly.
“His name is Kenny Marlow, an ex con. His father was one of the gang that hit Moose Creek last spring and killed my brother,” I replied.
“And his uncle, Hank Marlow, appointed himself general over the Marquette National Guard. His rule was nothing short of tyrannical. He also blamed Allex for the death of his brother and set out to kill her,” Mark added.
“Until he was uncovered. He killed my best friend and her husband,” I said through gritted teeth. “But he was found out by Colonel Andrews and was executed. Now this kid is in town, we don’t know where he is and we don’t know what he’s up to.”
I could see thoughts running through Art’s mind. “What do you want us to do, Allexa?” he asked.
“Just be aware that he might show up here. I think he knows the colonel is looking for him, so he may be looking for someplace to hide out. He’s mean and he’s dangerous, Art, and I don’t want anything to happen to any of your people, especially the children.” I sat back down, fidgeting.
“What does this guy look like, Doc?” Art asked Mark, clearly avoiding my distress.
“He’s dark haired, maybe five foot ten, lean, wiry, brown eyes. Allex, is there anything else about him you can remember?”
“The tattoo. He has some kind of tattoo on the right side of his neck that extends from below the ear down into his shirt.”
“Okay, we’ll keep an eye out for him. What do you want us to do if he does show up here?” Art asked.
“I suppose tie him up and let the colonel deal with him,” I answered, though I really didn’t feel that way.
“Anything else we should know about the new citizens of Moose Creek?”
I smiled. “There is good news in all of this. When they arrived, it wasn’t empty handed.”
“That’s how I got the wheelchairs and crutches,” Mark said. “There is also a nice stock of medical supplies for the hospital now. Knowing the city was burning out of control and everything there would eventually be lost, the place was stripped.”
“What do you need, Art? What do you want? Once we get everything sorted out and inventoried, we can get you flour so the women can bake bread; books for the children; there are a couple of semi-trucks full of… of stuff! If you want, we’ll bring it to you so you don’t have to expose yourself.”
Art’s eyes dilated and he grinned. “Can I get back to you on that?”
~~~
I sat down across from Tom at the big oak desk, like I did with Anna so many times in the past. “Although it’s only been a couple of days, I think we should start an inventory of the supplies in the trucks and put them somewhere.”
“Interesting that you bring that up, Allexa,” Tom said, leaning back in the oversized leather chair. “Marsha was just here and asked about getting more things out of the food truck. She wants to set up some staples in the lobby so people can take some food home with them. She mentioned keeping most in the back, under a strict inventory. That’s one smart lady there. She was quick to bring up that the food won’t last forever and it will have to be rationed, and that people need to start making some of their own decisions.”
“That’s great, Tom. I’m glad to see someone taking the initiative. That’s going to be critical to the town surviving and thriving, not just maintaining,” I agreed. “I’ve been thinking about the Walstroms truck and where to put all of those supplies. There is the Out Riggers gift shop. It’s mostly empty, now, but could be a good place to sort things out. We need someone really organized for that job.”
“Hmmmm,” Tom thought out loud. “Those nuns were here earlier looking for something to do. Say, did you know all four of them are teachers? And from what I have
seen, most teachers have to be organized. Do you want to talk to them?”
~~~
The day was unusually warm for late October, so I left my car at the township and walked across the street to talk with Mark.
“How is the stocking progressing?” I asked. He had driven the medical van today, and was emptying the over the counter medicines onto shelves.
“Slow but steady,” Mark answered. “I’m amazed at how much was boxed up. There are more cough and cold treatments here than I have room for and I don’t want to put everything out. That’s not an efficient use of limited space.” He moved a box to the floor and put another on top of his desk.
“I have a feeling we’re going to run into the same problem with the other truckload of things.”
“How are you going to handle it?”
“Well,” I said, “if we put out just enough so we can see what we have, and leave the rest in the truck, we could use the truck as a warehouse. When items run low, we bring more in. Of course the truck will be parked right next to the building and kept locked.”
“I like that idea, although with the vital pharmaceuticals in the same truck, I can’t leave it parked here,” Marked admitted. “With the lower gas mileage of this van, I also can’t drive it back and forth all the time.”
“Agreed. And with so many people here now, the gas will have to be rationed even more than before. What if you drive it only when you know you need to restock, and carry some of the drugs with you, leaving everything else in the van at home locked in the barn?” I suggested.
“That could work.” He smiled at me. “What are you up to this afternoon?”
“I’m going to talk with the nuns about organizing a group to inventory the big semi-truck and putting things in the OutRiggers. It’s such a nice day I think I’ll walk down,” I said. “I’ll be back in an hour or two.” I gave my husband a quick kiss. It felt like we’d been married a lot longer than the three months it has been.
~~~
“Oh, thank you, Allexa! This is exactly the kind of project we were looking for,” Sister Agnes said, clapping her hands.
“Wonderful, that will really help us out a lot, Sister. I’ll have someone move the semi-trailer over into the parking lot next door. I think we should check over the building first though, see how much work needs to be done to get it ready.” This was going to work out better than I had hoped. “I’m rather anxious myself to see what’s in the truck.”
“You don’t know?” Sister Margaret inquired.
“Sister, I didn’t even know any of you were coming here until three days ago! That truck was mostly packed by then. It’s as much of a mystery to me as anyone,” I told them, as all of us walked over to the gift shop.
The gift shop definitely needed a good cleaning, and some of the display cases were cracked. All in all though, it would hold a great deal with little effort.
“I think this room on the main floor should be a children’s play area,” Sister Lynn suggested. “Hopefully there are some toys in there.”
“What a wonderful idea, Sister. The mothers should have someplace they can safely leave their children while they ‘shop’. If there aren’t any toys in the truck we can get some from the pre-school room at the school for you.”
“Although it might be premature, Allexa, how do you want us to handle who gets what and how much?” Sister Agnes asked.
“I’m not sure. All of what was brought with the new people is for the people. I do understand what you’re getting at though; we can’t have a free for all, with some getting a lot while others get little. That wouldn’t be fair. It will take several days to get things cleaned and organized, so we have some time to think about it. I want to hear any suggestions you have.”
~~~
That night over dinner, I told Mark about the new store.
“Sounds like you have a good crew to work with Allex. I had an interesting visitor today after you left,” he said, barely able to contain himself. “A young man stopped by, James Geneva, a third year med student! I think I have a new assistant and protégé.”
“So you don’t need me anymore?” I had mixed feelings suddenly. Being Mark’s aide had given me a satisfying purpose.
“I will always need you, Allex,” Mark said, pulling me into his arms for a reassuring hug. “Although I think it will be good to have someone to help out with the routine stuff and someone who can take over for me when I get sick or too old. I will need you with me when I see a female patient; that’s common practice. Besides,” he tightened his hug, “with this many people, I don’t want to spend all of my time at the clinic or hospital. I want for you and me to still have a life.”
CHAPTER 32
JOURNAL ENTRY: October 30
It’s been an unbelievably busy three days in Moose Creek. The town has come alive again. People are milling around at the park; children are playing, and I hear laughter wherever I go.
Marsha selected another husband and wife team to help inventory and stock the food supplies. She was one hundred percent right that people need to make some of their own choices, and that begins with food. Now that they can pick up a few staples and cook at home, the Inn is less crowded at mealtime, and with less wait, everyone seems to be in a better mood. The variety of food prepared has expanded too, now that Marsha can see everything that was brought, although much of is still locked in the trailer.
The Sisters recruited help and had the Out Riggers cleaned and rearranged in only one day. The transformation has been a miracle.
*
“I had the ladies bring in a dozen boxes and open them,” Sister Margaret laughed. “It was like Christmas. When they saw what was in a box they put it in a designated room. There is a room for sewing and knitting; another for outdoor activities; another for games, toys, and puzzles and one for toiletries. Now that one is a big hit! Just knowing there is soap and shampoo available has everyone giggling like Sister Lynn.”
“Once there were a couple of boxes in one room, we stopped bringing them in, and started putting things on shelves or on tables,” continued Sister Doris. “When the boxes were emptied, we went back for more. That way nothing got too cluttered.”
“Sister Doris hates clutter,” Sister Lynn giggled.
“Have you thought about how to keep track of everything?” I asked Sister Agnes, who seemed to be the alpha of the group.
“We’re going to try a card system, sort of like what you had when we were all checking in,” she said. “The first time in, a person will fill out a card, and when they leave we mark down what they took and when, like a ledger system. If it doesn’t work, we’ll try something else.” She shrugged a thin shoulder.
November 1
The strange, mild weather was holding and no one was complaining. I took the opportunity to walk around the town and observe the changes. There were toys in the yards, clothes on lines and hanging over fences. Moose Creek had a lived in look again. As I passed the deserted community garden, Bradley’s Backyard, a few green things caught my attention. Upon looking closer, I could see the leafy greens were tops from beets planted months ago! And dying vines foretold of hidden potatoes. I would have to let Marsha know there were fresh vegetables to be had.
“Well, if it isn’t the pretty cougar out for a stroll,” Kenny Marlow said, leaning casually against a tree, half hidden by an old twisted lilac bush.
My heart stumbled and I looked around, only to realize that although I could hear children playing at the school, there was no one in sight. I tucked my elbows into my body to feel the reassuring bulge of my Kel-Tec.
“Well, if it isn’t the little troublemaker out from hiding under a rock,” I retorted.
He laughed and straightened up, taking a few steps toward me. “I do know who you are, bitch. You killed my daddy and then you killed my uncle.” He stepped closer. I backed up.
“Your father killed my brother and his wife, he deserved whoever’s bullet ended his wretched life.” I backed up two steps
more. “As far as your uncle goes, he was executed by the military; I had nothing to do with it, however, I would gladly have pulled the trigger myself to end his pathetic existence after what he ordered done to my friends.” I could feel the rage building inside of me as the memories swamped my heart with all my loss at the hands of this family.
He glowered at me. I could almost feel the hatred rolling off this young man, and it was all aimed, unjustifiably, at me.
A vehicle came around the corner and honked, demanding my attention. I glanced then I quickly looked back and Kenny Marlow was gone.
“Allex, glad I found you,” Jim Andrews said, emerging from the Hummer. “Are you alright? You look pale.”
“Did you see him?” I asked.
“Who?”
“Kenny Marlow was just here. He surprised me when I was checking this old garden spot,” I said shakily, trying to get my breathing back under control.
“Marlow was here? Where did he go?” Jim pulled his service revolver while scanning the area.
“When you honked, he slipped away, back into the woods I guess,” I surmised.
“Did he hurt you or threaten you at all, Allex?” he asked, obviously concerned.
“In so many words, yeah you could call it a threat. He knows who I am, feels it’s my fault his father and uncle are dead.” I let loose an involuntary shiver. “I don’t think he’s going to be happy until I’m dead too.”
The Journal: Crimson Skies: (The Journal Book 3) Page 20