Norman spoke then. “I agree with you, Doctor, but that’s not even the most important thing here. These Marines are here to defend the West Coast, and they need this island. That means our little island is key to helping the whole country. And just maybe, it’s key to getting the lights back. Man, if the day ever comes that I can go back and check on my old gift shop in Santa Cruz, I’d just about cry.”
Of all the arguments, that one got to Elna most effectively. She had only been thinking of the situation as an intrusion, but Norman was right. This could be the first step toward getting the nation back to some semblance of normal. She had almost given up on the idea of normal. The fact that it was possible, and that her island might play a key role, filled her with something akin to awe.
“This island is my home,” she said. “I want to protect it. When the Marines first showed up, I saw them as an invading force, but there is real danger on its way. The Marines are our best hope of protecting the island, our home, both from Rod’s militia and from whatever’s coming, so even though I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea, it seems wise to help them. Besides, yes, as the doctor said, we might also pick up needed medical supplies. Does anyone disagree?”
She looked at each person in turn. Most nodded at her. Daniel was resting his head on the tabletop and had no reaction, and Selene was slouching in her seat.
Selene doesn’t like the idea, Elna thought, but she won’t disagree because she doesn’t have a better one.
“Selene?” she asked.
Selene blew her breath out loudly. “I don’t like it. Not at all. It seems really dangerous, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. I trust your judgment, Elna.”
“Seems like everyone agrees,” Norman said. “We have to help them.”
“Malin?” Elna said.
He glanced at her, set the empty wine bottle on the table, and leaned back in his chair. “Well, I can go along with it on one condition: you take me with you.”
“That seems unnecessary,” Elna replied.
“It’s all unnecessary, as far as our immediate needs go,” he said, “but if you’re going, I’m going. We stick together. Anyway, I think we need some sort of formal agreement with the Marines. There’s a very good chance that when they get in the bunker, they’re going to set up camp on this island, and we might be sent packing. Can’t have civilians on a top-secret military base, after all. So, we need reassurance that we can stick around and that when they’re done here and they move on, the island will still belong to the Pasqualee family.”
“Excellent idea,” Elna said. “If you insist on going, I won’t stop you.”
“Surely, they’re not here to steal my island,” George said. “I bought it fair and square.”
“You’re sure there was nothing on the deed about the military holding on to a portion of the island?” Malin asked.
“I haven’t looked at the paperwork in decades,” George said. “There may have been something about an easement, but it was vague enough that I didn’t think twice about it.”
“You never mentioned anything about an easement to me, Pop,” Elna replied.
George shrugged. “Like I said, it was vague. I guess I assumed it was about the old lighthouse. Even so, that doesn’t mean they can just take the whole island from me.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’d compensate you,” Malin said. “Not for as much as you deserve, of course. What’s the term? Eminent domain?”
George held up his hands in a way that suggested he thought Malin’s idea was absurd.
“Malin’s right,” Elna said. “We need some guarantee that this island will still belong to us. Let me go and talk to the staff sergeant. Is everyone on board?”
She looked around again, lingering on each face. This time, she got a nod from every person except Daniel, who appeared to be half asleep. She rose from her seat and stood there for a moment, feeling a deep disquiet about what was to come. Then she headed to the stairs.
“Our goal, ultimately, is to completely dismantle that militia camp,” Prig said. “I promise you that. We can’t have a bunch of armed nutjobs at our backs while we’re trying to defend and rebuild the nation.”
She found the Marine in the back storage room, huddled near the door while their injured people rested nearby. Spence was back to munching Mentos. How many packs of those mints did he have stashed away in his pockets?
“Well, getting rid of the camp would certainly be a benefit,” Elna replied. “We’re willing to help. You can use our boat, and Malin and I will provide whatever guidance we can. All we ask in return is some written guarantee that we’re not going to be kicked off the island, either while you’re here or after you leave.”
Prig glanced at Archer, then back at Elna. “Nobody said anything about kicking you off the island.”
“I know,” Elna said, “but we’re just trying to prepare for all possible outcomes.”
“Do we have any authority to make a written agreement?” Fish said.
“I don’t see why not,” Prig replied. “I’m in charge of this mission, aren’t I? Captain can confirm it later.” He turned to Elna. “We’ll draw up some kind of contract and sign it. You’re not going to be kicked off the island if I have anything to say about it, okay?”
“Okay,” Elna replied.
I hope you mean it, she thought, but his pale blue eyes betrayed no emotion.
6
In truth, Malin wasn’t fully on board with the plan. He didn’t trust the Marines. Though Prig had opened up, it felt like they still hadn’t gotten the full story about their mission on the island. Still, Elna had worked out a deal with the staff sergeant that he could live with, and they’d even scribbled a crude contract
