Chapter 14 - Callum
Callum knocked on the door and cracked it open. He stuck his head through the opening. “Tis me. Callum.”
“I’m glad you made it, love,” Kat said, greeting him with a soft kiss.
“I brought Ric and Olivia, just as ordered,” he said with a wink.
“Ordered? I’d never order you around,” she said.
“Really? Tis the first I’ve heard of it,” he quipped.
“I’m glad you came, Olivia. You, as well, Ric,” Kat added, greeting them in turn.
“I tagged along too if you don’t mind,” Patti said, popping her head around the corner.
“Of course, not. It’s a blessing you came,” Kat said before pointing to a woman who sat in the corner. “This is Casey Hargitt, everyone. She hails from Vancouver, and she’s the reason I called you all here.”
“Tis a pleasure to meet you,” Callum said, shaking Casey’s hand.
“I haven’t heard a Scottish brogue in years,” Casey said with a smile.
“Have ye got the blood?” Callum asked.
“Some on my grandmother’s side but nothing to get excited about,” Casey replied with a twinkle in her bright blue eyes.
Kat waved a hand at the chairs. “Please, have a seat.”
Callum sank down into the nearest chair, relieved to get off his feet for a change. He’d been busy all day, overseeing the Watch and raiding parties. “So, what’s the big emergency?”
Kat told them everything Paul and Casey had told her. When she reached the part about Brittany’s death, Olivia broke down.
“I can’t believe it. I’ve known that child since the day she was born,” Olivia said, dashing tears from her eyes. “This will hit Jamie very hard. She’ll probably blame me for not stopping Brittany from going on this trip.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ric said, his expression grave.
“I’m not so sure about that,” Olivia said, crying into her handkerchief.
Callum shook his head, saddened by the loss. Though he hadn’t known the girl, she’d been young and vital, a future leader of the community once her thirst for adventure abated. Now, that promise was lost. “I’m sorry, Olivia. Please send the mother my regards.”
Once Olivia calmed down, Kat relayed the rest of the tale. “As you can see, we owe Casey a debt of thanks for gifting us with the much-needed medical supplies.”
“It was nothing. Anyone would’ve done the same,” Casey said, waving off their proffered thanks.
“I’ve already set aside a portion for the Exiles,” Kat continued. “You can pick it up at reception, Ric.”
“Thank you,” Ric said, holding the distraught Olivia’s hand.
“That still leaves us in desperate need of more supplies of every kind: Food, medicine, equipment, tools, wiring, plumbing, and mechanical parts,” Kat continued. “Which means, the expedition to Vancouver is of more importance than ever before.”
“Aye, but we cannot control the outcome. Nor can we afford to wait,” Callum said. “We have to look after ourselves.”
“He’s right,” Patti said. “The city stores are stretched to the limits. There’s little the council can do that hasn’t been done already. Today’s meeting did not go well.”
“Soon, we’ll see riots. The people are scared, as ye can well imagine,” Callum said. “When the food runs out, we run out of time.”
“What about your plane?” Ric asked.
“No fuel,” Casey said with a shake of the head. “The tank’s almost dry.”
“What if we could find more?” Ric said.
“Aviation fuel? I doubt you’ll find any that’s still good after all these years. We produce our own,” Casey said. “Besides, the plane can carry a maximum of four-hundred-and-thirty pounds, including passengers. That doesn’t leave a lot of space for supplies. Especially not in the amounts you need.”
“That’s too bad,” Ric said.
“The hunting and fishing parties are meeting with some success,” Callum said, scratching an itch in his beard. “We’ll be able to provide the city with dried meat and fish for a few weeks to come. Tis risky, though, and we’ve lost a few people already.”
“Dried meat and fish aren’t enough, but it’ll help,” Patti said. “At least until the fall harvest comes in.”
“What about the map Jessica drew?” Kat asked. “We were supposed to talk about that at some point, but we’ve hardly seen each other these past few days.”
Callum exchanged a look with Ric. “I’ve been meaning to tell ye. Ric and I have decided to pool our resources and go out together.”
“This is news to me,” Kat said with a frown. “Do you plan on leading this party yourselves?”
“Aye,” Callum said, shifting beneath Kat’s gaze. It was a subject he’d planned to broach in private, couched as a discussion instead of a decision already made.
“I see,” Kat replied, her voice heavy with disapproval.
“This is certainly the first I’ve heard of it,” Olivia exclaimed, and Ric squirmed about like a worm on a hook.
Callum smothered a grin. At least, I’m not the only one that has to answer to the missus tonight.
“Where are you going?” Kat asked before waving her hands in the air. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”
“When are you leaving? That’s what I want to know,” Olivia said.
“I’d planned to leave for home tomorrow and make the arrangements,” Ric said, his face flushed with embarrassment.
“Excellent,” Olivia said with a tight smile. “We can break the news to Jamie that her only daughter is dead at the same time.”
“Olivia, please. I was going to discuss this with you tonight,” Ric said.
Olivia pushed back her chair and stood up. “I don’t know what there is to talk about. It seems you’ve already made up your mind.”
“It’s the best option,” Ric protested. “These towns lie in unfamiliar territory, and it makes sense for us to work together.”
“Of course, dear. I completely understand.” Olivia nodded at Kat and the rest. “If you’ll excuse me, please. I need to
