Throughout this explanation, the expression on Katherine’s face went from near outrage to almost calm and thoughtful. Hardly missing a beat, she said, “Thank you, Burt. Get the first draft over to me when it’s done, and I’ll have a look at it.”
Chapter 31
The New Year - Plus Thirteen Days
Southbound on Interstate 81 in Virginia
1055 Hours EST
Lisa McIntyre was very worried. Her dad had not come back before 7:00 a.m. Following instructions she and Su managed to switch out the license plate and had loaded their meager belongings, including her dad’s duffle bag, into her car. When she opened the duffle bag, she was shocked to find several items, including more cash than she took time to count, as well as a handwritten letter from her dad. It gave her a very eerie feeling to recall his words.
“Lisa, Sweetheart, if you’re reading this note, I didn’t make it back with your Mom. I don’t want you to worry, because as I write this, I haven’t decided if I should come back, or if we should part ways for a while, for your safety. You know me and checklists, so here are a few instructions I really need you to follow to the letter.
Remove the battery from your GPS, laptop, and any other electronic devices I didn’t already destroy and hide them under the brush pile in the back yard. You should not have a cell phone, but if you do, include that as well. Yes, it is very important that you leave anything with a GPS locator on it behind.
Take the duffle bag and its contents, along with all of your stuff, and load it into your car. Try to be heading toward Kentucky no later than 7:00 a.m.
Make sure you and your friend are very careful to avoid creating ANY electronic signature during your trip. Think of it as one of those TV shows where the bad guys have access to every computer and surveillance camera in the world.
Try to change your appearance and your friend’s appearance to make it more difficult for facial recognition software to be able to identify you. Hats, sunglasses, haircuts, and some judicious makeup come to mind, but you two are very capable, so I leave that in your hands.
While traveling, use only cash. NO CREDIT CARDS! There is more than enough cash in the duffel bag to get you to Kentucky. Please store the rest of it at Peter’s when you get there. To alleviate your curiosity, this is legitimate cash I was given for this specific purpose. Without writing it down, please try to keep receipts or recall approximately how much you spend and where it was spent.
While traveling, make sure you go the speed limit or with the flow of traffic. You need to avoid roadside conferences. Should you encounter any government officials, like police etc., DO NOT mention me or where I work. Needless to say, drive very safely and avoid having any accidents. You and your friend should come up with an appropriate story should you somehow end up in an accident to explain the cash and your friend’s lack of identification. Claiming to be from Eastern Kentucky and not trusting banks might help explain the cash and your friend could be an exchange student who was robbed of her documents. You might also want to dust off your Southern drawl. I’m sure you two can come up with just the right story, just in case.
Do not call anyone unless it is the last possible option. Then, the only person you should call in an extreme emergency is Uncle Peter.
You should be able to get there in a long day’s drive. Drive carefully and take no unnecessary detours. I know your friend would like to see as much as possible along the way, but do not deviate from the fastest route. Think speed and stealth.
You should have a paper map to use for your trip. If you don’t have one, shame on you! Stop into somewhere without surveillance cameras and buy a road atlas.
I plan to go directly home, pack up your mother and the dog and head out myself. If we aren’t there with you, we have gone someplace safe and will be laying low for a while. Please trust me when I tell you that I will do whatever is necessary to keep your mom safe. I don’t know when we can come to you, but we will do so whenever it is possible. I love you with all of my heart. Be safe!
Love, Dad”
Even though she could see some logic in her dad’s thinking, she felt more than a little alone and afraid. After only a moment’s thought, she had passed the note to Su. She was surprised to see Su only nod her head with approval after finishing the note.
“Lisa,” Su said softly, “do you have your father’s note memorized?” With a start, Lisa nodded yes.
“Then I think we need to destroy this note. Would it be all right if I tore it up into small pieces and flushed it down the toilet?”
Again Lisa’s eyes widened, but she nodded once again before following Su into the bathroom. After tearing the note into pieces the size of small confetti, Su flushed them down the toilet, then flushed again three more times. This took a few minutes for the water tank to fill between flushes.
Staring at Su throughout the process, Lisa finally said, “This type of thing was part of your training, wasn’t it?”
Su nodded with a smile. “Flushing it down is much better than chewing it up and swallowing it.”
This lightened the mood as both laughed softly at the thought of tasting paper and ink.
Chapter 32
The New Year - Plus Thirteen Days
Outside of Cronin, Kentucky
1800 Hours EST
Mike stood before his gathered neighbors at the outdoor pavilion in a cold, blowing wind but thankfully, with no snow or rain. Use of a PA sound system negated the need to shout to be heard. Despite the dark and cold, there was a cautiously positive buzz coming from the crowd. Every household in the neighborhood was represented along with several families from neighboring farms, but with everyone bundled up it was impossible to identify most attendees.
“Folks, can I have your attention?” Mike used his firm but friendly voice over the PA system and was surprised when everyone quickly quieted.
“First, thanks for coming out on a cold January night. I know most of us got together after Christmas and even beforehand to begin making some preparations, but I think you will all understand why we’re here in just a moment.”
Mike’s voice settling over the crowd seemed to both calm and focus everyone’s attention.
Mike then said, “To start out, I’m going to ask each of you to try and keep what you hear this evening between us. After you hear what we have to say, I think you’ll agree that discretion is important to the safety of us all. Everyone knows the country is going through a real economic crisis brought on by the Chinese crushing the world-wide oil industry. Yes, I know the press would have you ignore what they did and want you to believe it is all because of those big-money corporations and wealthy people not paying their share. Based on my conversations with some finance people I trust a whole lot more than the press, and some inside information from sources I can’t discuss, we know that when the Chinese stopped buying oil on the world market it literally screwed the entire petroleum industry and everyone else affected by it. Think of every company that is affected by petroleum and it includes almost all of them. Add to that, the President, in one year, has already brought the national debt to twenty-seven trillion, so things are really looking tough. Truth be told, we’re in the middle of a full-scale depression.”
Whatever optimism the crowd had before Mike began to speak had disappeared.
“Now for some good news,” Mike said boldly. “In our neighborhood and throughout this county, I believe we have everything we need to get by and make it through this crisis. It won’t be easy, but with the kind of people we have right here, we will, as Larry the Cable Guy says, ‘get ‘er done.”
In just two sentences, almost everyone began to feed on Mike’s energy and enthusiasm. “Now, who here agrees that we can get through
this together?”
The crowd broke out into a cheer, with the muffled sound of gloved hands clapping and whistles adding their screech to the positive roar.
Everyone began to calm down a little and Mike held up his hands for quiet. “One thing I learned as a kid, and it has recently been reinforced by some very competent friends, is that nothing can be accomplished long-term without a plan. I have such a plan, and its well on its way. But before I get into the meat and potatoes of it, let me introduce a couple of people to you.”
It seemed like everyone began talking at once.
Mike spoke softly into the microphone causing everyone to stop talking, as if there were a magic quality to his voice. “I think most everyone already knows Fred Callahan here. Most of you already know Fred is the Police Chief in Cronin and he’s come by some important information.” Mike handed the microphone over to Fred.
Fred looked out over the crowd and liked what he saw. Some fear was present, but with the majority there were looks of determination. Fred said, “Are there any of you here that don’t have enough food and necessities to get by for at least two weeks?”
A hand went up in back briefly before being lowered. “Who was that in the back?” Almost as soon as he asked the question, the space where the hand had been raised was empty.
“Good. Now, for those who don’t know, in addition to being Police Chief in Cronin, I’m on the Governor’s Emergency Preparedness Task Force. I’ve learned from several sources that it appears the President will be declaring an emergency sometime very soon, maybe even during her speech this evening.”
The crowd began to murmur softly. A moment later someone shouted, “Fred, what exactly does that mean?”
“That’s just the thing,” Fred said. “Under most situations, a declaration of an emergency would be for a short period of time and would allow for the federal government to send resources to affected states to help their state and local governments deal with the emergency. I’m told this one is different. This President is going to throw out all those procedures and appoint a Regional Governor to administer the states under his or her control. The Department of Homeland Security will be in charge of coordinating those efforts.”
Again, someone shouted out from the crowd, “What’s the Governor got to say about that?”
“The Governor is in charge of all state resources, but he’ll have to defer to the appointed Regional Governor if there’s a conflict.”
“Awww, come on, Fred,” said the questioner. “What does THAT mean?”
Fred stood quietly for a few moments before saying, “I don’t know.”
The crowd immediately began to show confused looks rapidly turning to deeply troubled ones.
“Hey, folks,” said Mike, while stepping up and taking the microphone from Fred. “Just because we don’t know what to expect from the unelected federal Regional Governor doesn’t mean we don’t have a plan to get through this. Let me introduce you to an impressive young lady. For those that don’t know her, this here is Linda Sharpe. Until recently, she was First Lieutenant Linda Sharpe of the United States Army and a Green Beret “A” Team leader. She’s been gracious enough to help me put together a plan and to get things organized. In fact, that’s what she’s already been doing with the new security teams who volunteered after our last meeting. Linda? Would you please tell these folks what you recommend for us to do in this situation?”
Linda took up the microphone with confidence and addressed the crowd.
“Thanks for that introduction, Mike. Just so that you know, I recently left the Army where one of my jobs in Special Forces was to go to foreign countries and organize groups and villages to be able to defend themselves. At Mike’s request, I will work with you folks to do just that.”
From the crowd someone shouted out, “Defend from what?”
Linda seized on the question and said, “Glad you asked. My intention is not to scare you, but the truth is nobody in this country has ever dealt with what is probably going to happen in the next few months. When an economy collapses, several things happen all at once. Things you have come to rely on suddenly are unavailable. How many people here are ready for the electricity to go out for an extended period of time? How will you do if the grocery stores suddenly have no food and the drug stores close?”
From up near the front, a man shouted, “I’ve got to go buy some food!” With that he turned to run away from the shelter.
“STOP!” Linda used her command voice and it had the desired effect.
“Mike said he had a plan and he does. The first item on that list is to avoid panic. Everyone here will have time to get what they need, but it’s important that each of you has an individual plan to determine what, in fact, are your needs.”
“None of that is going to happen!” The statement was made by Kerry DuBois from the back of the crowd. Several others also expressed their doubts.
Linda zeroed in on Kerry and asked, “And what is your name, sir?”
Kerry began to walk away, feeling he had sewn the necessary seeds of doubt when he found himself surrounded by four members of Linda’s security team.
One security team member said, “This is Kerry DuBois. Come on, Kerry. Don’t you want folks to know it’s you that doesn’t think the lady knows what she’s talkin’ about?” Everyone in the crowd parted as Kerry was politely, but firmly escorted up to the front.
Linda looked at Kerry with a penetrating stare. “You have some experience with economic crises, Mr. DuBois?”
“Young lady,” said Kerry carefully, “I’ve been in state government for many years, and the Regional Governor and Homeland Security will take care of everyone!”
“Everyone? Is that what you said?” Linda asked the question softly in a voice that just happened to carry to all.
“Yeah, sure.” Kerry was completely out of his element talking to this beautiful, young woman. “I mean, er, yeah, everyone that does what they’re told! Maybe not hoarders and the rich that got us in this situation in the first place. I, uh, everyone should give up their fair share!” Kerry almost spit out the last sentence.
Linda continued to stare at him without saying a word. With a hand motion, she indicated the security team should release his arms. Kerry almost fell to the ground before gathering himself.
“You better watch yourself, young lady,” Kerry was finally collecting himself enough to respond. “People like you are the problem.” He seemed to realize everyone was looking at him with disgust. He tried, without success, to regain a little of his pride as he stooped his shoulders and slunk away from the shelter.
Linda watched patiently as Kerry walk from sight. She turned off the microphone and asked in a slightly above-normal voice, “Can everyone hear me? In the back there?” Several in the back of the crowd nodded affirmatively, Linda continued, “Let me be clear. The federal government will be more concerned with taking from you than giving to you. I’ve got some handouts that list the most important things for you to acquire as soon as possible. One thing you’ll notice is that everything on the list is something you will need eventually anyway, so it won’t go to waste. What I’m going to talk about for the next few minutes is to prepare you for what is likely to come. Not definitely, just likely. I’ve seen this happen all over the world, so think of it as being better safe than sorry. For those that don’t have any space left on your credit cards, see Mike after this meeting.”
Linda spent the next twenty minutes describing what should be done in the event of a societal collapse. She suggested those that could might make a run into town that evening and get every item on the list from the all-night stores. There were also clipboards for signing up to be on all the different committees. Linda was astounded to see that almost all
of the committee sheets were filled by the time everyone left.
“Mike,” Linda said as the last neighbor walked toward his garage before heading to the local Wal-Mart, “when you told me there would not be much problem getting participation for the committees, I have to admit I didn’t believe you. How did you know?”
Mike smiled as his sigh came out of his mouth like fog in the cold, night air. “I know these folks, and with all the craziness that’s been going on, I think almost everyone is thankful to be living in this community, among these people. You missed the Christmas tree lighting and meal afterward. It started way back last summer when me and some others began walking around the neighborhood and just talked to and listened to folks. So, in many ways, they’ve been preparing for a while now. Another thing, in times like this, I think most people just want to believe someone can lead them through the hard times. You being up there showing them what needs to be done, with confidence, made them want to jump in and help. Too many people, especially among the liberal elite, think we Americans are lazy and soft. Can’t vouch for those in New York or Los Angeles, but what I know of people in Kentucky is that when things get tough, they can do what needs to be done. Hell, Linda. I’d follow you into battle anywhere. You’ve walked the walk to be able to talk the talk. Sean’s a very lucky guy.”
Linda looked a little pensive before saying, “I’m just glad nobody asked why I was here. At least a few probably know Sean is back and that I’m with him, but I certainly didn’t want to announce it. And by the way, just so that you know, these folks are so cooperative because they know and trust you, Mister. They don’t know me, yet, or at least not most of them. But, they do know you. That seems to be enough.”
The Final Proclamation (An America Reborn Thriller Book 2) Page 17