“Good to hear. So this explosion in town. You got any leads? Wasn’t the Rikers, was it?”
Dan chuckled. “No it wasn’t. We think it was some of the outsiders we brought in.”
“The town is bringing in strangers?”
“The council’s decision, not mine. If I had my way, I wouldn’t let anyone through those gates and after last night…” He drew a breath. “Well, when the militia were murdered, people went two ways. Some believed it was the right thing to do, others said they no longer felt safe. What if they disagreed? What if they went against the town? Would they be killed? So half of the town exited and headed for FEMA camps.”
“Good riddance. By the sounds of it they wanted you executed. I wouldn’t want them looking over my shoulder.”
Dan nodded. “I agree. Except it created a hole. Less people, fewer helping. It made the town vulnerable.”
“I would imagine it would have helped. Less people, less mouths to feed.”
“Feeding people isn’t the issue, Hank. We have a bay full of fish, and the hunting is plentiful. Keeping them healthy with medicine is a challenge. We’ve lost a lot of people through illness. Protecting them is another thing entirely. The event has caused an increase in domestics and break-ins, and left people wondering who to trust. We aren’t just dealing with threats from the outside but unknown ones from the inside.”
“You think it’s some of those who wanted to execute you?”
“Hard to know. Could be outsiders. Anyway, Johnson figured it was time to get in some new blood. Some fresh faces. You know, out with the old, in with the new. People who weren’t living in the town’s past mistakes, and whatnot. It’s like he’s expecting people to turn on him and so he wants more allies.”
“He might be getting foes.”
“Yep.”
“So does he have a criteria for those who he accepts?”
“Not exactly.”
“But he has a vetting process, right? A way to determine if they’re a threat?”
“In his eyes everyone is a threat. That’s what ward one was for. A holding area within the city that could be used to determine if people had an agenda and were liable to cause trouble. We have the most security in the entire city there and that still did nothing to help the situation. That explosion happened right underneath our noses.”
“Sounds like you’re all getting a little too comfy and you’ve dropped your guard.”
“Something like that.”
“It has to be someone on the inside or someone who brought explosives in via the bay.”
“That’s what Colby thinks.” Dan stubbed out his cigar. “How are you holding up here? Things okay? You need anything?”
“I thought Eureka was only offering supplies to those who lived there.”
“That’s right but I think I could find a way to get a care package to you. I’m sure Ruth and your girls could use some items.”
Hank observed him. Trying to figure out what his angle was. “That would be appreciated. Look, Dan. It’s good to see you again. I’m glad you survived but did you come all this way to tell me about the town?”
“No. I wanted you to know that Alby is out.”
“What?”
“He escaped. He was meant to be transferred to a state prison south of here. The bus was stopped, the correctional officers murdered and thirty high-level offenders disappeared into the hills. He was one of them.”
Hank’s mind churned over. Thoughts of what he would do if he found him, what he could do to find him, and where he might have gone. “Why are you telling me this now when you know what I’ll do? Is it because you’re no longer sheriff?”
“Because you’re family and you deserve to know. And at the end of the day, you’ll find out one way or another. Johnson is trying to find out if he’s returned to the farm but Colby doesn’t know anything.”
“Or he isn’t willing to say.”
“Would you?”
Hank shook his head, turning and staring out across the farm that was heavily protected by tall gates, barbed wire and multiple traps that were spread throughout the forest. Here he could protect his own. Below the barn was a bunker that had a corridor that extended all the way to the house. If push came to shove, his family could get in there and the chances of anyone finding them were slim to none. “Thank you, Dan.”
Dan rose. “Oh, and you should know that John Boone was part of that group that escaped.”
“Boone’s back?”
“Yep.”
“Shit. Do the Rikers know?”
“They’ve been informed.”
A smile formed. As much as he enjoyed the peace of the farm, he’d been itching to see payback for his sons’ deaths. He’d contemplated raiding the Rikers’ farm, burning it to the ground, but that was before finding out about Alby. Killing him would be so much sweeter. Dan opened the door on the house and hollered inside. “Ruth. Thanks for the drink and food. I’m heading out now.”
“All right, Dan. Good to see you again. Send my love to Lily.”
“Will do.” The storm door creaked as he closed it and turned back to Hank who extended his hand.
“If there is anything we can do to help. Just let us know,” Hank said.
“Word of advice, Hank. Before you go squeezing the trigger again. Talk to Colby first. I would hate to see this feud continue.”
“Three for three. You know how it works.”
“Unfortunately I do.” Dan took his hand and pulled him in and patted him on the back. “Never again will I withhold what is yours,” Dan said. “I’m sorry.”
Hank knew it took a lot of courage to come up and say that especially after the way things had gone down between them. He nodded and replied. “Likewise.”
As Dan mounted his horse and rode out, Hank’s mind turned to Alby, to vengeance.
Chapter Eleven
The meeting was a bust. After leaving Johnson’s home, Colby’s mother had cornered him and Jessie outside with the grand hope of convincing them to return to the
