Shane said, "I've spoken to everyone in our group, but nobody had an inkling as to what Emma was up to that could have motivated her to run out like that. I'm stumped."
Ed leaned his tall, heavy frame forward toward me. "I checked her magazines. The two in her weapons were empty, and John is sure she only fired each weapon once before she changed the AK's magazine. We picked up her spent brass, and the count confirms the second magazine was full. It's a mystery why she went out with nearly empty magazines. She'd been on the practice range earlier. Maybe she had something urgent on her mind and simply forgot to reload." He shrugged and shook his head.
Martin looked to me for comment. I rolled my eyes, exhaled, and looked to the floor.
"Tom, all I can do is classify Emma's death as having occurred under mysterious circumstances and file it as an open case. I'm sorry, but that's all we know."
Two people remained on duty in the guard towers as twenty-four members of our group took seats in the dining room. I stood in front of them feeling somewhat like my old self again but not fully recovered. "Time to start the weekly meeting folks. Quiet down, and listen up." The talking ended and everyone, including four children under the age of sixteen, sat attentively waiting. "My thanks to each of you for the support and consideration you've bestowed upon me since our loss of Emma. She was a great lady, and I know each of you loved her and will miss her tireless efforts to help and support each of us." I paused and wiped at a tear I felt drifting down my cheek. "But it's time to move on and again concentrate on our survival. Janice has adjusted the work schedules to reflect Emma's passing, and they'll be posted on the bulletin board as usual after the meeting. Please check your assignments for next week and get back to her or Elsie if there's a conflict.
"Martin Radcliff Sr., Shana Thompson, and Vince Cortez leave tomorrow on a supply run primarily for food staples. They'll also stop at local police stations and search for more equipment and tools Martin can use in the possible investigations of crimes within the group or from outside sources against us. We fully intend to function as a lawful society. Since Martin has experience as a law officer, he'll continue to function as our sole peace officer and investigator in all criminal matters. If anyone would care to work with him to train as an assistant, please catch him after the meeting.
"Jeff Tanka needs two volunteers to make a fuel run to top off the diesel tanks. See him after the meeting and arrange for people to handle your scheduled work assignments while you'll be gone." I looked to Ed.
"In two days, Ed, Andrea Michaels, and I are going toward Chicago to search for ammunition and more firearms. Since manufactured ammunition is scarce, we need to plan for the future when our ammo stockpile is depleted or deteriorated. If anyone knows anything about gunpowder manufacturing and how we could do it, get with Ed. While we're gone, we'll also stop at libraries to look for books on the subject. If anyone has specific items you need, give a shopping list to Andrea, and we'll try to find them if we have time.
"I'll say it again. Items that are left on store shelves and in warehouses are the last commercial products available. Conserve what we have. When our stock is used up, we'll still have to feed, clothe and protect ourselves. We have some ideas on those issues and are open to suggestions.
"On a related issue, three volunteers are needed to sit on a team dealing with those future problems. If you're interested, see Connie to sign up."
I rubbed my forehead and frowned. "In fact, we need to start a list of books by titles or authors, if you know them, of subjects that will become crucial to us in the future, both immediate and long term. We'll create our own library of books containing information on subjects our heirs will have questions about.
"We've been collecting a large supply of a vast assortment of seeds to expand the vegetable gardens next year, but that's not enough. If you'd like to serve on a committee to work on food supply, canning and storage issues, see Connie after the meeting.
"Does anyone have business to bring before the group...? No? Then we're adjourned."
I turned to go to the office section.
"Need any help?" Connie's hand brushed down my right arm. "I'm glad to see you smiling again. You're handsome when you smile." She grinned as she took my right hand and playfully gave it a firm squeeze, then walked toward the main office. She was pretty: a light complected blonde with a voluptuous five-foot, six-inch, one hundred twenty-pound figure. Her boyfriend Cory Petersen fell to the zombies about five months ago, soon after they arrived here. She was available. Maybe something could develop between us in the future but not now; it was obvious Connie had those intentions. But Emma still dominated my passionate thoughts, and I wasn't ready to let another woman replace her, at least not yet.
Our compound is a large metal building in a remote section of west central Iowa. Two guard towers jut from the second floor at opposite corners of the building. Armed guards with radios occupy the towers around the clock every day of the year.
I was in our armory inspecting and repairing recently confiscated weapons. Most were new guns we'd pillaged from gun shops and Army
