Bobby Akart - Desolation

“Okay! Okay! I was better off swimming with the sharks.”

“Sharks?” asked Tucker. “I didn’t know …” His voice trailed off.

“I saw one, I think,” Jimmy answered. “We have them, but they don’t bother anyone. And who knows, I could have imagined it. I was getting kinda loopy out there.”

Hank stepped in because he wanted everyone to look forward, not back. “So here’s what I was thinking. Mike and Jessica will continue their duties working with the sheriff’s department. Officially, they’ve been assigned Marathon and the surrounding Keys from Seven Mile Bridge to Lower Matecumbe Key. As we all know, their focus will be on our protection and acquiring supplies for us.”

Mike interrupted. “The sheriff’s office is in disarray, and I’m continuing to receive information about their activities in Key West. It’s simply a matter of time before Lindsey and the MCSO SWAT team moves up Seven Mile to knock on the doors of our neighbors.”

“And maybe us,” added Hank. “Erin and I have a plan, as we’ve discussed, to rally people opposed to Lindsey’s activities. Our efforts will begin today with Mrs. Morton, who can tell us what our options are. Also, we’ll be touching base with the mayor, business owners in Marathon, and friends of our family. The goal is to push back against Lindsey. If we can’t stop her, then at least we can confine her confiscations to the Lower Keys and Key West.”

“What do you want us to do, Dad?” asked Lacey.

“Well, I’d like to divide the rest of you into two groups. Sonny, Phoebe, and Jimmy will do what they’ve always done for Driftwood Key. Jimmy’s fishing duties will wait until we feel he’s close to one hundred percent. When he does resume fishing, it will be on the buddy system. Nobody leaves the key alone. No exceptions.”

“Okay,” Peter confirmed. “Can I assume Lacey, Tucker, and I will handle security and fill in as needed elsewhere. I’m not much for fishing, but I can work with Jimmy when the time comes.”

“Just like the old days, right?” said Jimmy with a grin. He offered his fist to Peter, who bumped it in return.

“Yep. I’ll drink beer while you reel ’em in.”

Jimmy shrugged and grinned. The two friends were reliving their glory days growing up on Driftwood Key.

Hank rolled his eyes and shook his head disapprovingly. He had two teenagers on his hands once again.

Tucker spoke up. “Uncle Mike, would you or Aunt Jess have some time to show me how to use all the weapons? I kinda learned on the fly, if you know what I mean.”

Mike glanced at Lacey, who nodded her approval. “Over the last few weeks, he’s been forced to grow up. I never thought he’d learn to fire weapons before he got his driver’s license, but that’s what we have to do. Honestly, I could use a refresher course, too.”

“Same,” added Peter.

Mike patted Jessica on the arm, who nodded. “Deal. However, dry fire only. We can’t risk attracting attention, and we certainly can’t afford to burn through our ammo. It’s not like we can run out and buy more. That said, I will try to procure more from the MCSO supply depot in Key West if I go that way.”

“Aren’t you planning to stick around here?” asked Sonny.

“Absolutely, unless the sheriff sends someone to bring me to his office or something,” replied Mike. “What I don’t want is him coming this way nosing around. I don’t know how long Jess and I can keep up this charade.”

“Hopefully, long enough for Hank to work his magic on the other residents of Marathon and then Islamorada,” interjected Erin. She glanced around the table. Everyone had finished their oatmeal, so she turned to Hank. “We should get going. It’ll be a full day.”

“I want both of you carrying weapons,” said Mike with an authoritative tone. In matters of security, Hank would always defer to his brother. “Handguns with backup magazines are mandatory. Also, at least one long gun. A shotgun would be best.”

Sonny spoke up for the first time. “Hank, Jimmy and I can do some fishing today. Close to the shore, of course.”

“That would be great if Phoebe agrees,” said Hank. “Just keep your eyes open.”

Everyone confirmed what their roles were and set out for the day. In Key West, another group was about to take on a job they never imagined doing on American soil.

Tuesday, November 12

Key West

Sergeant Jorge Rivera was an eleven-year veteran of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. He’d always been loyal to Sheriff Jock and had even petitioned his fellow officers on the force to support Lindsey during her first mayoral campaign. When the sheriff sat down with Lindsey to discuss the mechanics for executing the raids, Rivera was a logical choice to lead the members of the SWAT team. They were perfectly suited to breach the buildings that were to be raided that day.

Their first early morning stop would be a brazen raid upon a local restaurant supply store just a quarter mile away from the U.S. Coast Guard facility on Whiting Avenue. Despite the standoff between the Helton administration and Mayor Lindsey, as the hurricane approached, the USCG facility had been ordered to bug out. A small contingent of base police was left behind to guard the base and would be witness to the activities.

Sergeant Rivera did not expect to run into any meaningful opposition as he conducted his raids. Between the earlier unrest and the hurricane, all of the businesses had shuttered their doors and windows to protect their inventory. Except for a few notable, national companies like Publix, Winn-Dixie, and Walgreens, the businesses were owned by locals.

The omissions on his lengthy list were obvious to Rivera, who was keenly aware of the political affiliations of most business owners in the Lower Keys and Key West, his district. The restaurant supply store’s owners had been a vocal opponent of Lindsey’s policies, and therefore it came as no surprise they’d be targeted first.

Sergeant Rivera addressed his team leaders, all chosen because of their loyalty to him and Sheriff Jock. Loyalty secured by promises of receiving a greater portion of the seized goods than ordinary citizens.

“We’ve prepared for this, and it’s time to execute. Team A will hit the front entrance and clear the building. Once the all clear is received, team B will position our box trucks at their loading docks while team C takes up perimeter security. Understood?”

“Yes, Sergeant!” the three team leaders replied in unison.

Sergeant Rivera continued. “Team A, once the perimeter is secured, we’ll move on to the next location, where two more teams are at the ready. This will be a systematic, efficient sequence of raids designed to catch these people off guard. The idea is to avoid confrontation and an escalation of hostilities.”

During the prior two days, the sheriff’s office sent out deputies with iPads to photograph the perimeter of each target building and its surroundings. The computer tablet was then given to Sergeant Rivera, who intended to study it as he moved from one raid to another. His breach team would be under his direct command while the teams assigned to emptying out the businesses and perimeter security were left on their own.

Rather than undertaking the raids at night, Sergeant Rivera wanted the benefit of the minimal daylight nuclear winter afforded him. He expected each location would draw curious onlookers, and he wanted his perimeter security teams to be able to make adjustments if something went awry.

The team leaders rejoined their groups, and Sergeant Rivera spoke into the microphone of his encrypted two-way radio. “All teams are confirmed ready. Shock and awe, people. Team A, hit it!”