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DRB interrupted bluntly, “Mayor? Explosives.”

“No, he doesn’t have any.”

Another neutral yet damning “Ah.” Then: “Does he know where to get some? In the next twenty minutes?”

Tolifson posed the question.

Redding said, “The company we use is in Eureka. I’ll give you the name, but it’ll be three hours to get here. And you know there’re regs. You need permits. Inspections.”

“Okay.” Tolifson was going to push back if DRB gave him any trouble. He said firmly, “No. Nobody close.”

She shrugged. The gesture he took to mean: It’syourtown I’m trying to save.

He thanked the miner again and disconnected the call.

She looked over at the levee, standing with her hands on her hips.

“Let’s get that evac underway. Are those searchers—the ones looking for the family—on their way back?”

A reminder that he hadn’t yet done anything about it. Stepping away, getting a bit of shelter under a tent, he gave a chill smile and placed a call to Tomas Martinez.

“Got a woman here, runs a disaster response company. She needs your people back to evacuate the town.”

“It’s that bad?” Martinez asked.

“Lookin’ that way. One person can stay on the search for the family and the SUV. But everybody else back.”

“One person? Who decided that?”

Tolifson only repeated, “One.”

“Okay. I’ll keep at it. And send the rest back there.”

After disconnecting, Tolifson walked up to DRB, who was looking over the map on the computer. She announced, “For the evac center we should use Hanover College. It’s on high ground and has room for the entire village. Those needing shelter, at least. The younger, the healthier can stay in their vehicles for the time being. And it’s got an ROTC department, and those kids love to volunteer inthese situations. Can you call them and set it up? News like that comes better from locals.”

“I guess.”

“Now. I’ve called a sporting-goods chain and got them to deliver a hundred tents.”

“They’ll just do that?”

“Publicity. You’d be surprised. I’ll need you to find vehicles to transport people who don’t have cars or can’t drive. Any in-patient medical facilities in the town itself?”

“No.”

Debi said, “But there are in-home care residents.”

“We’ll have to make sure they’re taken care of. What’s your physical civil defense warning system?”

Tolifson said, “Physical?”

“For the residents who aren’t online or watchingThe Price Is Right.”

Tolifson and McGuire looked at each other. The mayor said, “Only the siren, I think. Right?”

McGuire nodded.

“Which is for what?”