“It was the militia who suggested it,” a voice said from the back of the room. The crowd parted and sitting with his legs crossed was Lieutenant Elijah Hale. Dan hadn’t seen him enter. How long had he been there, observing, enjoying the show? He rose and walked down to the front. “We are here to protect you and we believe in every citizen having the means to protect themselves, however, two of our guys were shot yesterday by locals.” He eyed them all. “That’s right. Those weren’t outsiders.”
That was the first Dan had heard about it.
“I wonder why,” Ted said. “Could it have anything to do with trying to control us?”
“What you see as control, we see as a form of protection.” Elijah glanced at Dan before looking at the rest of the crowd. “Now, the sheriff here is faced with the uphill climb of providing service to you all but many of you don’t even reside in Eureka. You live outside, in the smaller communities. That might have worked a month ago, it doesn’t now. We can’t help you there. We can’t protect you there.”
“You did before.”
“Yes!” Dan said, supporting Elijah. “And they did a damn fine job of it from what I hear but that was before many officers left their positions to take their families to the FEMA camps.”
“Ah whatever, we’ll protect our own.”
Elijah nodded. “Sure. Maybe you will. But if you can’t, then what? Are you going to come into town and bellyache at the next meeting? Throw fists? Blame the sheriff here for your inability to follow a few simple requests? Because people, that’s all this is. A month, two months from now, you might be able to go back to your homes but in the interim, it’s easier for our group and the remaining few officers to distribute supplies, and protect you if you are all within a small vicinity instead of spread throughout the county.”
“And if we refuse?” Ted asked.
“Then you refuse.” Elijah shrugged. “But don’t expect handouts. There is a cost to delivering these supplies, and one way or another, you all will pay.”
And with that said he walked back through them all without fear.
Was that a threat? It could have been taken as one.
Dan was quick to clarify, hoping his words didn’t rile them up further. “Thank you, lieutenant. What he is trying to say is that we have your best interests in mind. Look around you. Over the past two weeks, have you not been fed? Have you not received clean water? Meat, fish? Aren’t you still alive? Now no one is going to force you to hand over your guns or move into town if you wish to remain outside, but if you wish to continue getting supplies, that is our request as it makes things easier. That’s all.”
“And how is it easier having our guns in your hands?” Hank said. Oh no, Dan thought. If there was anyone who could stir the pot, it was him. “Or is this just a way of controlling the masses?”
“I meant safer.”
“Did you?” Hank retorted with a chuckle.
Dan was at a loss for words. It hadn’t been his idea. Captain Evans had suggested it. They said it would offer his men additional ammo, and reduce their risk of being shot. “Well…”
“I’ll address that, sheriff,” the lieutenant said, rising again from his seat. Dan breathed a sigh of relief and took a few steps back. “Hank Strickland, right?” Elijah asked.
“That’s right.”
His gaze bounced from him to Martha across the room. One of the questions they’d asked after bringing in supplies was who might be a problem. They wanted to know who the threats were if any would arise. Dan had told them. If anyone was liable to cause a problem it would come from the Rikers and the Stricklands. He’d gone on to provide some backstory of their history then pointed them out in their last meeting.
“Tell me, Mr. Strickland,” Elijah said, walking out into the midst of the room, hands clasped behind his back. He showed little fear, unlike those in the community who knew Hank’s reputation. “Do you or any of your kin serve the community?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You know — serve at the checkpoints, hunt, do something which adds to this community.”
There was a moment of hesitation. “I loaned my ATVs. So yeah, you could say I have done my part.”
“That’s very generous of you. But that’s not what I’m asking. Do you serve this community in a way that requires you to have firearms and ammunition?”
“It’s my right as a Californian. And from what I hear, militia upholds those rights.”
“You are correct. However, like food, ammunition is limited. We don’t have an arsenal to draw upon. So where do you think is the next logical place we would get ammunition to protect you and this community? Chew it over. Take your time.”
He was condescending but Dan liked it.
Hank smiled then quickly turned the tables on him. “I’ll answer that when you answer this. What war are you fighting that requires ammunition, lieutenant?”
“Rounds are required to protect this town at the checkpoints if and when threats arise, and trust me, Mr. Strickland, threats are arising.”
“Well, you come see me when you are out of ammo, until then I think I will keep my hands on what I have. I’m sure I speak for the rest of us.”
Elijah smiled.
A few jeers and nods from others in the room caught Dan’s eye. Prying weapons or ammunition out of the hands of people in this county would be a hard task. They didn’t trust each other at the best of times. Elijah glanced at his watch as if he was expecting someone. Dan stepped forward and over the next ten minutes continued to address issues, answer questions and elevate the locals’ fears. As he
