Page 14 of Special Agent Raven

“No. Can’t. Too much to be done.”

“Bullshit. This isn’t your battle, Cane. You’re soaked and exhausted. We both are. Look, it’s a few hours till dawn. How about we check in with Palmer and then go back to Winona’s and get some shuteye.”

“Works for me.” Cane gestured for her to enter before him. Stepping into the small building that housed the post office on one side and the larger police department on the other, Raven flashed her phone into the darkness. She figured they lost power here too and was startled to find Palmer sitting alone at the desk, his head nestled in his arms. She called out to him, only for the man to remain still.

Not sure why… she approached and shone her light toward him, only to see an exhausted drunk passed out. The almost empty bottle of Jack Daniels proof that he’d reached the limit of his endurance and had sunk to his old tricks of getting courage elsewhere.

“Shit me, he’s no help now.” Raven slugged Palmer’s arm, and he didn’t even flinch. “Help me carry him to the back room, will ya?”

When he didn’t answer, she turned his way and saw the longing Cane wore as he stared at the bottle of booze. She’d have sworn that the man battled against his inner demons not to grab it and drink the rest.

“Cane?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Turning back to her, he grabbed Palmer’s arms while she lifted his legs, and they hauled him the few feet down the hall. Once they dumped him there, they went back to the main office.

“Hey, don’t be so pissed off at Palmer. I feel for the guy. I’ve been in his shoes.”

Though Raven heard the honesty in his voice, she didn’t have any sympathy for Palmer’s weakness. Not now. Her voice judgy, she muttered, “Tonight of all nights? In his position? To get plastered? Give me a break.”

“You’ve obviously never been so low that you didn’t give a shit.” Now his tone held anger.

Not me, but I suspect you have. Those words came to her out of nowhere, but she knew them to be true. Backing off, she said, “Sorry. And you’re right. Guess like Winona says, unless you walk a mile in another’s moccasins, you don’t truly understand what motivates a person.”

Cane grunted his agreement before asking, “So, what now, boss?”

Raven swung around to see an inquisitive grin slowly lighting Cane’s face. “Same question I had for you. Guess we need to head to the school, try and find some dry clothes, and see what’s been done here in town. Since the streets are basically empty, I’m thinking most everyone has sought shelter by now.”

“Sounds like a good plan. I’d give my left… ahh, arm for some hot coffee right now.”

“Me too. And I want to find out what’s been organized so far.”

“Palmer mentioned the fire chief earlier. Where would we find him?”

“Oh, you mean Henry Bates. Yes, he’d be the likely one to step up as a first respondent. Good idea.”

Clutching their hoods over their heads, they both ran out into the storm and made their way up the hill to where the school sat plunged in darkness. Once inside, they found coal oil lamps sitting in strategic areas to light their way to the kitchen. Once there, they saw a group of folks crouched in a group, talking quietly.

They all looked their way and waved a welcome for them to join.

Raven waved back. “Be right there. Just need to get some coffee.”

An attractive fellow who looked like he just stepped out of a movie screen stopped nearby to where they were pouring the aromatic brew into large mugs sitting in a nearby tray. “Hey, Raven. Am I glad to see you. Palmer said he’d sent you out to pick up Mike and the family. Wasn’t sure if you’d make it, considering the winds we’re battling.”

“Just the man we’re here to see, Henry. Meet Cane Masters. He’s been with me all along.”

Henry reached out to shake hands, his charming smile welcoming. “Palmer mentioned it. Pleased to meet you, Cane. Thanks for helping out in our community.”

“No problem. Glad to help.” Cane wiped his hand on his pants before picking up the cups of coffee and handed one to Raven. “Heard you might be able to help us here with some dry clothes. We’re dripping water everywhere.”

“Yeah, in the first room off the kitchen. The ladies piled a whole stack of clothes there for anyone who needs a change.”

Raven groaned in appreciation after taking her first sip of the hot liquid. “Give us a few minutes Henry while we get out of these wet things and get warm.”

“I’ll get some sandwiches made for when you’re ready.” His welcoming smile deepened when turned on Raven. Then he casually touched her nose playfully before moving toward the fridge while Raven and Cane headed to the room where Henry had pointed.

Raven, used to flirty Henry’s antics, shook off her annoyance. Her first priority was to get warm. She opened the door and held it for Cane. “This way.”

Sure enough, there were desks piled high with various items of clothing in all sizes. One side of the room held articles for men while the other side had mostly women’s stuff. And in the back,there were scads of choices for kids. Seeing that some kind soul had left a large coal-oil lamp to light the room, they could make out the details easy.