Bobby Akart - Desolation

“Jimmy will be ready soon,” interjected Sonny. “He’s already talked about it. I tried to tamp down his enthusiasm, but he’s pretty insistent. He responded in typical Jimmy fashion. Dad, I don’t have to talk to fish .”

The group laughed, but it was Peter who raised a concern. “Listen, I’m okay after what we went through that night. But it was different for him. He almost died.”

Phoebe, who worried for her son more than anyone, explained why they shouldn’t be concerned. “Actually, I sense the problem is the opposite. He wants to talk about what he went through, and as he recalls a challenge, he explains how he survived it. If anything, he might think he’s invincible.”

Hank nodded and exchanged a glance with Lacey. Lacey had been pummeled by the hurricane and almost drowned as well had it not been for Tucker’s heroics. She’d already told her dad she’d prefer to stay off the water for a while, as in maybe forever.

“Let’s play it by ear. No matter what, he doesn’t go out without a partner. In fact, that’s one of the things we need to talk about tonight. Tucker is on the gate alone right now, but that’ll be the last time that happens. We need to establish a buddy system for things like security, fishing, or if absolutely necessary, travels into Marathon or the other Keys.”

Mike chimed in, “Hank’s absolutely right. Let me bring everyone up to speed. After I left the hospital the other day, I convinced the sheriff to let me create my own MCSO substation for Marathon. I’m basically based out of Driftwood Key, but I was able to get access to the Monroe County Clerk’s office. He’s assigned four permanent deputies to my command, plus my darling wife.”

“Dream on, Commander,” said Jessica with a laugh.

“Okay, let’s just say the WET team has a Marathon division, and that’s Jess.”

“Much better.” She and Lacey exchanged fist bumps in solidarity.

“Anyway,” Mike continued, “I’ll oversee law enforcement activities from Knights Key at Seven Mile Bridge up to Lower Matecumbe, at least for now.”

“What does that mean?” asked Sonny.

Mike looked at Erin as he responded, “Like cabinet members who serve at the pleasure of the president, right now, everyone is serving at the whim of the sheriff, who seems to be having his chain yanked by Lindsey. I think all of this is subject to change at a moment’s notice.”

Hank finished eating and rested his elbows on the table as he spoke. “The original plan was for Mike and Jessica to resign from the sheriff’s department. However, Mike saw an opening that allowed the two of them to be close to home while remaining tapped into the MCSO resources.”

“Resources?” asked Lacey.

“Yeah, to an extent,” replied Mike. “I hope to be able to continue to gather supplies, weapons, ammunition, and any other item that might help us get through this. Things are in disarray at the sheriff’s depot in Key West. There doesn’t appear to be any accountability or watchdog set up. With my new position, I feel like I can continue to siphon a few things for as long as I’m still in place.”

“Same for me,” added Jessica. “As an MCSO paramedic, I can restock my water ambulance with medical supplies. We’re gonna need them, too. Think about it, we’re only a few weeks into this damn apocalypse mess and we’ve lost Owen, had two near drownings, a stabbing, and two gunfights.”

Hank took a deep breath. “Let me add, from what Erin and I learned at the hospital, these medical facilities are in a world of hurt when it comes to filling their needs. They lost access to the mainland just like the rest of us did.”

“Hank’s right, which means I’ll only be able to, quote, restock , unquote, until I get cut off.” She used her fingers to create air quotes as she spoke. She gathered Mike’s plate and stacked it on top of hers.

“All right,” said Hank. “I guess the point is our ability to look outside Driftwood Key for supplies or assistance will be coming to an end at some point. Maybe sooner rather than later based upon what Mike is hearing from others within the department.”

Mike thanked Jessica for moving his plate. She knew him so well. When having a serious discussion at the dinner table, he tended to get animated and used the table to outline his point as if drawing with his fingers made it more clear for the others.

“The issue of security and the buddy system Hank alluded to is important now more than ever. Admittedly, I’ve been out of pocket since the stabbing, and prior to that I was still focused on finding our serial killer. I had a meeting with my newly assigned deputies, who told me that the number of break-ins in Marathon has increased.

“They’re hitting restaurants first. Porky’s, 7 Mile Grill, La Niña, for starters. Last night, they ransacked the Sunset Grille by the bridge. It could be a gang, but not in the sense you might think. Some of the eyewitnesses described it as a bunch of guys with guns. It could be anyone desperate enough to break into a business.”

“Are they happening at night?” asked Hank.

“Mostly, until yesterday afternoon. They drove up to Sunset Grille, smashed through the front door with the bumper of a pickup truck, and looted the place. The food was gone or spoiled, so they took all the condiments, the liquor, and the propane tanks for the barbecue grills on the deck.”

“Brazen,” mumbled Peter.

“Exactly,” said Mike. “They aren’t afraid of law enforcement intervening or investigating. For one thing, they have us outnumbered. And to make matters worse, my deputies showed no inclination to risk their lives to protect someone’s property. I’m lucky they show up for their shift at all. If it weren’t for the sheriff’s promise of food and the fact they live in our area, they’d probably stay home to protect their own.”

The thought of unchecked lawlessness hovered over the dinner table as everyone cleared their plates and exited to the kitchen. The group worked together to wash dishes, allowing Phoebe and her crew of two to relax.

Sonny gathered his clothes and weapon and slipped out of the house to join Tucker at the gate. Phoebe stayed behind in the kitchen at her desk to begin poring over her inventory journals. The rest quietly exited to take the issue up again in their new war room.

Monday, November 11

Driftwood Key

Throughout the day, the guys retrofitted the game room, which was rarely used by guests, to a place where they could gather to discuss their plans to rally other like-minded individuals throughout the Keys with the goal of removing Lindsey from office. The next day, Hank and Erin intended to call on Cheryl Morton, the former county attorney, to discuss their legal options. He wasn’t sure what illegal options were available, but he’d discuss them as well.

“Okay, we can modify this as necessary to suit our needs,” began Hank as the group climbed the stairs and approached the former game room. “The chalkboard paint hasn’t dried yet, but Phoebe hasn’t had an opportunity to whip up her concoction to make chalk.”

“How is she going to make chalk?” asked Mike.

“Until we can find some chalk, something I hope you can help us with when you go into Marathon, she’s going to mix together equal parts of cornstarch and water to go with one of the half-inch paintbrushes from the toolshed. It’s primitive, but it can work until we have a better option.”

“Sounds messy,” said Mike. “Let me work on the chalk tomorrow. I might be able to gain access to Switlik Elementary as part of my rounds. I want to start checking on the county-owned properties in Marathon.”