“Oh, I have ways. The grid might be down, Nancy, but law and order is very much alive and it will stay that way while I’m at the helm. Believe me. Everyone loves a good underdog story, and this one is mine. You know — how I came back from the worst and turned it all around. And I plan to, but to ensure it all goes off without a hitch, I need someone like yourself on the inside relaying information to me.”
“You know what they would do to me if they found out?”
“I’m sure it can’t be much worse than what the gangs in this prison would if it came to their attention that you were a snitch.”
“You sonofabitch.”
He smiled, feeling at ease before her. One way or another he had her. “So you need to make sure that family of yours doesn’t know it’s you, no matter what. Think about it. Chew it over.” He leaned back in his seat, waiting for an answer. He didn’t think he could stop the two families warring but he could put a dent in their plans. Control of them was control over the county. So much of what occurred around here was because of their reputation and the activity of the two families. If he had any hope of holding the three towns together he needed help both from the Rikers and the Stricklands. He knew she was his way into their family but he’d yet to figure out who would help him with the Rikers. Word had it that Colby was returning. If he could get to him before the Rikers did, there was a chance he could be that person.
Nancy finished her coffee, rubbing her tongue over her yellow-stained teeth. She ran a hand through her hair and looked around at the four walls. She was considering her options. Weighing the pros and cons like anyone might in her situation.
“Full immunity. You ensure my record is clean,” she said. “I don’t want to come back.”
“I guarantee it.”
“And what about the Rikers?”
“What do you mean?”
“What do you plan to do with them? You know it was them who killed my brothers.”
“I have a few things in mind. Leave that to me. There will be justice. I know you think I don’t care about the Stricklands. I do. The Rikers won’t get away with murdering anyone in this county any more than Hank will. Once I’m sure, I will tighten the noose.”
“And bring them here?”
“Maybe.”
“I don’t like it. What you’re doing. Not one bit.”
Dan laughed and glanced at his deputy then back at her. “What is there not to like about freedom, Nancy? Ten minutes from now you can be out of those drab jail clothes, and outside breathing the fresh air and enjoying a fine meal, drinking a beer and embracing your family.” He laid it on thick, getting her to imagine what it would be like. But it only worked in comparison. “Or, you can be moved to the maximum-security unit and be placed inside a confined cell for up to 23 hours a day. You and I know how long people last in there before they lose their minds. I would hate to do that to family.”
“You are a piece of work. I thought my father was bad but you’re just the same.”
A dead-serious expression formed. “No. The difference is, I’m trying to make this county better. Not bring it down like Hank or Martha. And I can assure you, Nancy. As long as I’m wearing this uniform, the feud between the Stricklands and the Rikers will not continue.”
She stared at him, almost confused by his response.
“But you’re one of us.”
“By association, as you so bluntly put it. Once I donned this uniform, I stopped being a part of the family. And so I will act accordingly. The question is, will you?”
Nancy squirmed, considering her helplessness in the face of the options.
SIX Colby
Gustine, California
Colby crouched on top of the elementary school and observed the city of Gustine through high-powered binoculars. He was close to Meredith Avenue and Grove Avenue, an intersection south of the city. Like many communities devastated by the EMP, it showed signs of destruction with some properties burned to the ground, others freshly smoldering.
With Colby demanding answers, Jeb felt it was better seen than explained.
“It’s in a bad state, I’ll give you that, but it looks far from having been overtaken,” Colby told him. “No community bends the knee eleven days into a disaster.”
“It doesn’t have to, the people simply need to do nothing and eventually it will fall as others take the reins. What you are looking at is the beginning of the downfall. Remember, I told you that the local police department had only eleven employees. Well, when the power grid went down those were the first to be targeted.”
“By your son?”
Jeb nodded. “And others released from the Merced prison.”
“And does this son of yours have a name?”
“Bill. Though he goes by the nickname Spider.”
“Because of the tattoo.”
“No, because of the way he pulls people into a web of lies then uses them.”
Colby glanced at him, confused. Jeb sighed and looked away from the intersection. He stared up to the blue sky for a second then ran a hand over his bolt-action rifle. “Before the blackout, my son was involved in all manner of illegal activity. One involved trafficking women.”
Colby offered an incredulous look. Here were two God-fearing parents, good people that had pulled him back from the brink of death, and the man responsible for his undoing was their son. “Bill and a group targeted vulnerable women who needed money. They would pull them away from whatever life they were in and confine them.”
“You knew this?”
“Of course. I tried to reach out to him but he cut off all communication.” He paused. “My relationship with him has been a contentious one for a long time. You have to understand, he
