Читать книгу Respect the Dead - Shawn McLain - Страница 17

Devin Kranser left the conference room shaking, “How in the hell could we evacuate the entire city?” He muttered walking over to the huge picture window looking out across the town. His head rested on his arm. He he looked down at the street. “This town is in a bowl." He sighed, "there is no easy way out of here.” He gazed up from the street to the mountains.

The valley stretched out between two mountains that sloped steeply after a few hundred of housing. That limited the access on two fronts. Added to the mountains where the rivers. Three of them converging into a rapids cut off a third exit. It was an old steel town built here for the raw materials more than for ease of access. The mills had used the railroads. Railroads that were already becoming disused before highways made trucks the preferred form of transport. Nowadays only rarely did a train leave on the remaining line. "Train might still be an option." Devin rubbed his face as he thought of the plans sitting in his office. It was a proposal asking the the state to finally connect the town to the interstate, “and the rest of the world.” He sighed.

There were really only two ways in or out of the valley. Both had bridges to cross. One led to a two lane road up into the mountains. The other was the one that led to the highway. This was two lanes in either direction. There was a bottleneck in a small town five miles away. After that it smooth sailing for two miles where it met up with the interstate.

“That is a long way to go and that bottleneck is going to wreck havoc.” He slammed his fist on the windowsill. “One access to the highway that slows down on the best of days." Frustration pounded behind his eyes. "Sure some roads up the mountain and eventually some other roads that led to the highway." He pinched the bridge of his nose trying to quell the pressure. "If people panicked, and they will, they could easily get trapped. They are going to get trapped!” He closed his eyes letting his arms fall to his side. Devin rested his head on the cool glass. The memories of what he had just heard crashed back over him. “We are going to have to evacuate the city. The rioting is out of control. People are just attacking and killing each other. The police, and even what little help the national guard has sent, have been completely overwhelmed.” The strained voice crackled through the speaker phone in the middle of the large oak conference table. The faces of those sitting around it were pale and tight. “The CDC is saying the epidemic is causing people to go crazy and get violent. The police have started shooting the rioters. We are trying to trying to get the uninfected citizens out.” The voice continued.

A female voice broke through on the speaker, “One of our evacuation sights has already been overrun. The Army…started shooting everyone there. Then they…they just took off leaving hundreds."

Another voice cut in. "It is the same as in Philadelphia. Riots and people going crazy”

The first voice was back. “You guys need to get a plan in place. Start moving people out before things blow up there.”

A man’s rushed voice broke in. “We are packing it up here. The Governor has already been moved. I have a helicopter to catch. God help us all.” There was a click followed by a moment of silence.

Then voices talking over each other, the conference call continued even after the emergency management director in Harrisburg hung up in a panic. They had lost contact with the Altoona Mayor halfway through Philadelphia’s explanation of the situation. They had heard screaming then the line went dead. The Governor had been in Washington that morning. He had called earlier to inform them the President had already been evacuated. Now they heard she had also been moved and could no longer be contacted. They were on their own.

Devin looked down at his hands, “I have no idea where to start.”

It was time to take action. So Devin decided he damn well better find the start. He had left the meeting when the mayor and some senior staff began talking about acceptable losses. Devin had to get some air.

These were people he knew, people he worked for. “How could there be…no there is no such thing as acceptable losses. This is crazy.” Devin told his reflection. Taking a deep breath he headed back toward the door. before his hand touched the knob it flung open revealing a rather disheveled mayor.

Mayor Martin Griggs had been mayor for as long as anyone could remember. He had once been a professional athlete. He now enjoyed the finer things in life and his waistline reflected it. As a good mayor no one said he didn't work hard. He been a champion for the city attempting to bring in new industry and attractions to his town. Sometimes by questionable means as it was rumored. Although charges of corruption were often made by his detractors they never stuck. Nor did they keep him from being re-elected. No one actually doubted he truly cared for his city.

“Devin! Christ you gave me a start. We need to handle this and fast. How long do you think it will take to organize an evacuation?” The mayor asked pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.

“To where?” Devin’ questioned.

Mayor Griggs, lite the cigarette, inhaled deeply and stared at Devin for what felt like a full minute. “I don’t have any idea. What do you suggest?” he asked, the smoke rolling out as he spoke.

From behind the Mayor the deputy mayor spoke up. “We have the national guard post just outside of town. We have been very, uh, accommodating to the soldiers over the years." He adjusted his tie uncomfortably. "The base commander knows this. We should contact him." He rolled his shoulders. " You know, find out what the military is doing. Maybe they can help the evacuation.”

Griggs scratched his temple, flicking ash unto the floor. The Deputy Mayor gave him a disapproving look. “Fucking sue me.” The mayor grumbled.

“We need a plan." He took another drag from the cig. Clapping his hands, "So! Devin, go to the traffic control center. Get one in place. Report back to me in...20 minutes.” Mayor Griggs puffed, “You,” he jabbed the cigarette at the Deputy Mayor, “Get Colonial Miller on the damn phone. I want to talk to that Son of a Bitch.” He dropped his cigarette on the marble floor crushing it out with his shoe. The Deputy Mayor wrinkled his nose at the act but said nothing. Mayor Griggs rolled his eyes. He shook his head at the other man’s back. "Fucking kids." He muttered.

Devin headed down the hall while the Mayor returned to the conference room. Before the the door shut Devin heard, “Miller, its Martin, what the hell are you gonna do to help us out?”

Devin's thoughts were scattered. So he focused on the task at hand. Getting the the Control center up and running. “The control center, what joke!” He frowned stopped outside a door. He glanced up. An old sign hung out over the door, it read Cafeteria. Pushing the door open he could still smell the old grease. Now that he was in the darkened room he looked around at the blue glow of the monitors set up around the room.

The monitors were fed by the five traffic cameras that had been placed around town. Devin glanced at the large logo of the local TV station. It was lit up. A chair and tripod sat in front of it. The station had helped pay for the cameras. This of course was done so the station could use the cameras for “exclusive” traffic reports. This always made Devin laugh, "They are the only TV station in town of course it was exclusive." The other two stations were in the bigger towns Twenty miles to the east so why would they even care out this town's traffic?

Shaking the thoughts out of his mind he focused his attention on the main camera. It showed the interchange for the connecting road to the highway Devin slumped onto a chair. “What is the best way out of town for Cheryl and the kids?” He pondered.

“It must have hit the news.” Devin breathed. The traffic heading out of the city seemed to have doubled in the brief time he sat there. He glanced around at the other monitors. Something caught his eye. He couldn't help but stare at the screen in wonder.

The downtown square was full of people. The square had been empty for the last two days as people hid themselves away to avoid getting sick. It was never this full on a Monday even when everyone was healthy.

“What are you all doing do there?” Devin asked the monitor. The crowd was acting strange. They were just milling about. No one seemed to be talking to each other just walking around, some even bumping into each other but they didn’t seem to notice. Devin thought back to what he had heard from Philly and Pittsburgh about violence and rioting. People here just seemed confused.

Picking up the phone he pressed the three digit extension for the Mayor and waited, “What have you got Dev?”

“I…well it is already getting bad. People are streaming out of town, we should open up the incoming lanes to outgoing traffic…Also, and this is weird, the square is full of people." Devin stood to get a better look at the scene. "It’s really strange they just seem to be wandering around, you know bumping into each other but no one is fighting. Not like we heard about in Philly.”

“Shit” The mayor gasped. “Get SWAT down there as fast as..”

“No!, they aren’t rioting they are, well they are just, they’re, they look drunk.” Devin tried to reassure his boss. “They are just wandering around and stumbling over each other." Devin spoke fast. "If we send in more people it might start a riot. Or do you think they'll get worked up and start attacking each other?” Devin blurted now unsure what to do.

“Dammit Devin! Figure out a way to get people out of town." Griggs yelled over Devin's growing panic. "Make sure you avoid the square! We’ll send the police to block off the area. Get barricades set up in a one block radius. They won’t hurt each other but God help anyone who goes near them!” The phone clicked dead, Devin stared at the silent receiver and returned it to the cradle.

“What is going on?" He spoke to the empty room fear bubbling in his stomach. "What did he mean they won’t hurt each other but will hurt anyone who gets near? ” He asked the monitor. His attention, captivated by the people in the square, did not allow him to see the screen in the lower left. It showed a car barreling toward the camera.

A woman was desperately fighting a thrashing child. I clawed at her. Pure rage on its small face as it fought against its restraint. The woman’s silent scream not observed as the child lurched forward ripping free of the seat belt. The screen suddenly went blue. The words no signal appeared in the corner.