“You want ‘people bonfires’ like a year back Brad?”
“Let’s hope it never gets that bad, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep us safe. I’d best be off, I gotta lot to do.”
Firth suddenly caught sight of a small pack of tablets just behind Eastman’s left boot as the man rose to leave.
“You okay there Tony? You look a bit odd.”
Firth recovered his self-control and caught Eastman’s arm and led him to the door, away from the tablets.
“I’m sorry Brad; it’s all been a dreadful shock for me. I’ll see you at the meeting.”
He ushered Eastman outside and still smiling closed the door. That had been too close. If they wanted to keep Conrad safe they’d both have to be more careful. He reached down and picked up the box and held it firmly with both hands.
Bridget opened the kitchen door and walked into the living room.
“Has he gone?”
“Yeah, put these away.”
He tossed the box at her.
“We may not be that lucky again.”
“God, what we gonna do about Conrad?”
Firth poured himself another brandy and took a set of small keys from the French bureau and turned to Bridget.
“Now on, we keep his door locked.”
****
Eastman was a few blocks from the station house. He was using the walk to sift through his thoughts. Murray Ridge had drawn a big fat blank. By the time Benteen had arrived whoever had been there had cleared off. Apart from a few boot prints and tyre tracks, he’d found nothing. The trip to Firth’s home had also been largely fruitless. Even so, Eastman was convinced the man was behaving strangely. Maybe the guy was just cracking under the pressure or maybe Eastman was just reading too much into the situation.
Turning onto Jenkins Street, Eastman was struck by the recent home improvements people had made on this row of semis. The once neatly manicured lawns had all been replaced with a series of ugly, makeshift barricades. Some householders had placed rails or mesh around the windows. The whole street resembled a town under siege.
The other stark thing he noted was that there were no kids about: even the front yards and drives were devoid of toys. Travelling past Keegan Avenue, he could see one of the Jeep patrols’ two four-by-fours, crammed with armed men. A necessary evil he mused, shaking his head as he pulled up outside the station house.
Walking out to meet him was the unmistakable figure of Sarge. With his pack on his back and from his general appearance, it looked as though he’d just come back from the hills.
“Sheriff, I heard about Frank and the Woodridges – a real shame.”
Eastman bowed his head.
“I know you’re up to your eyes in it, but we’ve got to talk right now.”
Eastman groaned inwardly, he really was not in the frame of mind to listen to anybody at the moment, least of all Sarge. But then again, if Sarge thought something was important, then it probably was.
“Sarge I got a meeting in…” he looked at his watch, “…just over forty minutes time. Whatever it is make it quick?”
“Affirmative. I found some tracks up at the murder scene. They were Conrad’s prints. I followed them about two clicks leading into the hills, then he did a U-turn and headed back to town. I lost the scent by that marsh ground up the top of town. I’m damn certain he made it back here, someplace.”
“There’s nothing up there other than that deserted brick works.”
He stopped as an idea flashed into his head. “It’s also near his home.”
“Say again?”
“About half a mile from the brick works is Tony Firth’s house. Did you cover any ground the other side of the marsh?”
“I started, but the area’s too big for one man and besides I got something else.”
“It’ll have to wait; I’d better get a search ready and...”
“You gonna want to see this and in any case, you got about two hours of light, max.”
Sarge was right; by the time he got a search team together it would be too dark to follow the tracks. Years of sand and brick had reduced the area to dust – if they were to find any prints they’d need good light to do it. A thought nagged at the corner of his mind Firth had almost fallen over himself to get him out of that door. Could it be...?
“Sheriff, know what this is?”
In the palm of his hand, Sarge held a spent M16 case.
“Wanna see some more?”
Sarge held up a small grocery bag up and shook it with a distinct metal jingling sound. Eastman took the bag from him. The bag was full of shiny brass M16 cases.
“Where’d you get these from?”
“Off the track from the air base at the bottom of the ravine. See the dents and scratches on some? It means they were fired a-ways up, then ejected on to the rocks below. I found the place just above the shell cases. I think we found us an execution site!”
Eastman watched the expression on the other man’s face; it was deadly serious. “What makes you think that?”
“I seen this kinda thing before. To hide the evidence they need to clear the killing area; everything has to be sanitised. Sometimes they use chemicals to dissolve the blood. This place stank of chemicals.”
“Sarge, we need to be real sure about this, you understand?”
“Roger that. I can take you to the exact spot.”
“Tomorrow I want you to help with the search around the brick works. Then you can show me that site, you okay with that?”
“Yeah, just give me the nod.” Sarge handed Eastman the bag and started home.Eastman watched as he turned the corner and then dragged his own weary frame up the steps. This was going to be a darn long night.
****
Judge Carmille brought the meeting to order with the sharp bang from his gavel. This was a closed meeting, on the strictest need-to-know basis. The meeting would in all probability cover matters not suitable for the public. As such, only a select few had been invited to contribute. Carmille had elected himself to preside over the gathering, with Tony Firth as the civic leader. Sheriff Eastman, Anne Lenski and Ron Virdon were the heads of the town’s emergency services and Benny Arnold was head of the Commerce Committee.
“I call this meeting to order. As a closed meeting, nothing leaves this room unless I say so. Tony, is there anything you’d like to say to kick this session off?”
“Thank you Judge. The town is in a tight spot and our people are looking to us to pull them out. We’ve made some tough calls and looks to me, as we gonna make a sight more before we’re done. The only way we gonna get through this is by strong leadership. But for that I need your backing. We each gonna have our say on this, but I’d like to start with Brad.”
He pointed to Eastman.
“Well, we’re all aware of the recent tragedies, so I don’t need to go over them, but as a result of this, I’m calling in everybody living outside town. I think it’s a safe move, it may not be popular, but it’s what we need.”
The other members of the group murmured their approval; now was the time to circle the wagons. Virdon cast his gaze at Firth; they had a strained relationship to say the least. It was widely regarded that since Virdon had become the Fire Chief some three years ago, he’d turned the department into a professional organisation. He’d increased the size and capability and for a time, it had been up with the best in the area. Then Firth had been elected Mayor and things had changed overnight. He’d slashed the budget and made half the fire fighters part-timers. He’d maintained that Armstrong did not require such a large Fire Department. But Virdon knew it ran deeper than that.
“When do you suggest starting that up?”
Eastman looked at Firth. “As soon as. I’d also like to double the patrols, I know it’s not good for armed people in town, but we got to be ready. In view of those tracks Sarge found, I want to set up a search of that location first thing tomorrow.”
“I appreciate that Brad just don’t forget about that fro
nt coming in. I don’t want anybody at risk looking for my boy?”
“Bill was concerned about operating in the hills; I don’t think we’re gonna get problems this far down. But I’ll call it off if we do. I think this is the best chance we’ve got of finding your boy. Okay, now is there anything you want to know concerning my side?”
Ron Virdon voiced his unease.
“Brad, I heard a lot of people talk about ‘outsiders’ being mixed up in all this. What you got on that?”
Eastman looked at Carmille who nodded.
“We’ve strong evidence that’s the case. People and vehicles, even a helicopter and drones have been seen about. What we don’t know is what they want.”
“Do you reckon they’re hostile to us?”
“So far Ron, they’ve given us no cause for any concern in that direction.”
Eastman stopped and looked at the Judge who again nodded. “But we need to treat them with suspicion.”
“Brad, I know it’s not my turn, I’ve never been to a meeting like this. If the town is in danger shouldn’t we think of moving out?”
“What the hell for? It’s our town – we don’t run. Look, what if this is not just us? What if it’s all over? Right now we got a good base to defend, if need be. Now, if this is everywhere, then I don’t want to get caught out there with our people in the open.”
“I’m with you on that, Brad,” Virdon cautioned, looking at Firth. “It’s darn well over a hundred miles to Burnsville. That’s a long way to go, especially if we don’t know what’s out there.”
“I think that’s all settled. We all gonna stay right here. But we do need some kinda evacuation plan.”
“I’ve already drawn one up Tony. If the time comes, I’ll send out small parties before we go committing the whole town.”
Firth nodded his agreement then indicated Dr Lenski to speak.
“There’s not a lot I can add to what I’ve already said. This virus is not airborne, so you can’t catch it like the common cold. You have to have contact with the victim and even then, it’s only through bodily fluid that you become infected. However, when you or someone you know contracts this virus, you must seek medical assistance immediately. You can’t treat it with aspirin and it won’t go away. The longer you leave it the worse it will get. We’re doing our best but we need the town to cooperate.”
The small group sat in thoughtful silence each avoiding the others eyes, then Carmille pointed his gavel at the Fire Chief and tipped his head forward. Virdon was an impressively built man, his handsome face, fair hair and blue eyes gave him a film star look. Some time ago he’d been a quarter-back for the Burnsville Bears. He’d had a riot of a time but never really taken any of it seriously. The girls, the parties and the lifestyle had just been fun. All that had changed when J.J. Eastman died. J.J. had lived the life a little too hard; it had been like a drug, he just hadn’t been able to get enough.
J.J.’s death had acted like a wakeup call; Virdon had decided that he needed something else. When he got back to Armstrong his father was madder than hell. He’d always wanted his boy to be a big star. It had taken a while for him to come around but eventually he’d even helped him apply to the Fire Department.
“Since the start of this hullabaloo we’ve had less callouts than I can remember. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but we’re not exactly stretched.”
He shot a fleeting glance at Firth.
“Since my guys are nearly all part time now, I got more trouble in them joining Brad’s little outfit. But my guys know their duty and we’re ready for anything that comes our way.”
“That’s reassuring, but I think Brad’s got enough people for the time being.”
Firth nodded towards Benny Arnold.
“We asked Benny along because he represents the store holders; he’s got an eye on the supplies we got here in town. So Benny how we doing?”
Benny loudly cleared his throat. “I just come from a Commerce meeting as it happens. Most of us agreed to keep the price of things at the current cost. We kinda thought it would help calm things down a mite. We also think rationing things is a good idea.”
“So no more repeats of the other day then I hope eh, Mayor?”
Firth rose out of his seat, shoulders bowed; a humbled man. “Ron, everybody, I can’t begin to say how sorry I am about all that. What that clown did was inexcusable and I gotta tell you all, I’m ashamed of him and I told him so. But what’s done is done. Greed got the better of him. Let it be a lesson to all of us. Now if we spend our time just pecking at each other, we ain’t gonna get a whole lot done.”
“Here, here. Now, no more back-biting, and that comes from me! Armstrong is looking to us.”
Carmille looked around the group with a look that would sour milk, daring them to disagree. “Benny back to you. What’s the situation?”
Benny Arnold timidly loosened his tie and gave a weak smile.
“Um, well, regarding foodstuffs we got about enough to last a month, maybe more? But of course, the perishables only gonna keep to their sell by dates. Now we got farms out there that supply us in any case, but if we bring those folks in, then who’s gonna tend the produce?”
Eastman rapped his finger on the table-top. “Good point. We’d have to provide an escort for that. What about non food stuffs?”
“I don’t think there’s a plank of wood left in the whole town. It’s the same for most of the building bits and pieces. We just gotta keep things limited from now on.”
“Okay, I appreciate everyone’s efforts on this. Now Tony’s got his work cut out putting some type of plan together. If no one’s got anything to add, I’m calling time.”
With that Carmille brought the meeting to an end. The group headed for the exit but Eastman stopped Firth.
“Tony I got some news for you about Conrad.”
Firth gave him a blank stare. “Yeah, what is it?”
“Those prints Sarge found are headed towards the marsh area near the brick works. We’re pretty sure they’re Conrad’s.”
“How come? I mean I thought we were looking at the hill?”
“Looks like he may – and I gotta stress ‘may’ – have doubled back and tried for home. I’m calling a search of that whole location first thing.”
“Well... I... what... I mean what makes you so sure?”
“Sarge followed them from the murder site and...”
“Hold on there, Sarge?”
“Yeah I know, but it’s worth a try.”
“I think it’s gonna waste our time, when we could be doing real searching and...”
Mitch Chattman suddenly appeared in front of the two men.
“Brad, I got some bad news.” He paused and gave Firth an awkward glance. Eastman caught the brief look. “Tony, maybe you should sit this one out, eh?”
Firth gave Eastman a puzzled expression. “What?”
“It could be Conrad, you’d better...”
“No, Brad it’s nothing to do with him. I just come back from Edge’s place.”
The group of people had now gathered by the doorway, awaiting Chattman’s news. From the grim look on his face, it was plain something had happened. Anne Lenski moved to stand next to Eastman, eager to learn where her nurse had been the past few days. When Eastman spoke, his tone was grave. “What you got then, Mitch?”
“They’ve both been murdered, torn apart more like.”
He looked at Anne, “Sorry Doc.”
“You said Jill and Edge, what about Al?”
“No sign of him Brad. We searched all around. Nothing. I left Max in charge and we sent for Jack Larson.”
“When did all this go down?”
“About ten minutes ago but...”
“Ten minutes and now you’re telling me.” Eastman glared at Chattman.
“I knew you had the meeting, besides we couldn’t raise you on the radio.”
Eastman checked his radio. “Damn! Knocked it off. Come on, we gotta find Al, while there’s so
me light left.” He walked towards the door.
“Same as Mike Woodridge.”
Ron shook his head. “Why’d they kill their own, like that?”
Eastman halted and turned back at the group. “It’s like Anne just said. People think this thing is like a cold; it’ll just go away. They don’t want to hand over their folks, ‘cause they’re too damn scared. By then it’s too late. We gotta make people hand them over.”
“What would you do if it were one of your family?” Anne looked deep into his eyes.
“I don’t have any family.” With that, he strode out of the room.
Chapter - Seventeen
“No! Although I detest that little creep, you can forget me issuing a search warrant on Sarge’s say-so. The man has a bruised brain for God’s sake!”
“He was an Army scout in Syria; he followed the tracks to a mile of Firth’s house. I think that Conrad could be in the area and I’d like to search the house...”
“Forget it Brad. We already did that. Those tracks are days old by now, it’d be a waste of time.”
Eastman felt like a school-boy in Judge Carmille’s study. He’d been there on many occasions but the grand wooden interior still filled him with awe. The whole room emanated history. The shelves were stacked with law books as old as the town. But Eastman was determined to have his say.
“It’s the best lead we’ve had so far. I can’t see the harm in searching that house to make sure.”
“You can’t see the harm in searching the Mayor’s house? The people of this town need to see that they have strong leadership or they’re gonna start falling apart. You do a search right now and morale is out the door. Firth is the Mayor damn it!”
“All I can see is upholding the law not some PR stunt.”
Carmille shot to his feet, his face a dark shade of purple.
“Don’t you dare come into this room and tell me about the law! I was serving the law while you were in short pants. There’s gonna be no more about searching Tony Firth’s house or so help me’ I’ll damn well suspend you!”
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