Page 40 of Special Agent Raven
One scrawny man in particular, Doug Shultz, pushed forward aggressively. He didn’t like the answer and let everyone know it. “That’s bullshit. FEMA should be here to take care of this mess. Where the fuck are they and why haven’t you got them here?”
Since Doug was known to be an obnoxious asshole in the best of times, it didn’t seem to surprise the others, but Cane took offense to his treatment of Noah.
“Look, man, back off. Noah lost his home and his wife. We get it. Life sucks right now. We don’t need you to tell us that the future is terrifying for many in town, but if we all stick together, we’ll get through the nightmare.”
Incensed at being called out in front of the others, Doug pushed his way into Cane’s space… his face thrust too close to a man who didn’t put up with this type of shitty behavior. Just as Cane’s big hands lifted to shove the idiot away, Noah barked, “Doug. Back off. Now.” He moved between the two men and turned to face Doug.
“Christ man, we know you lost your home and your kennel. But others lost homes too. Hell, the Roman’s lost two children in the flood. And Bertrand’s wife is missing, so are Katherine’s folks. It’s a disaster all around. Folks are doing the best they can to get through these next few days. Like Cane said, we need to stick together.”
Suddenly, Raven stepped forward, her voice pitched loud enough to gain attention. “Hey people, you all know the Red Cross here in town and the food bank have been activated and so has the search and rescue. But we need to establish shelters for those who are desperate. Maybe rather than bitching about what you can’t change, you folks can organize and get that started.”
Cane noticed that they paid attention to her words, some nodding and others looking relieved just to have been heard and now have a plan to follow. As if Raven understood she needed to push just a bit more, she added, “Leave the politics to Noah. You know he’ll do the best possible for Carlton Place. Just don’t forget, we’re not the only community that the flood has ravished. There’re others out there with the same demands. Difference is, we know how to look after our own… right?”
The elder in the group, Lakota, stepped to Raven and hugged her hard. “You’re right, honey. We’ll get busy and make a list of all the places that are functional and start organizing locations for the homeless. Will your Nana take in anyone?”
“Already has. She’s offered a home to Noah and his two children, and I’m hoping to get Val and her baby out there too. They’re victims of a crime, as well as the flood, and have no where to go.”
“Does Winona still have that old trailer behind the house?”
“I believe so. Uses it for storage. I suppose it can be cleaned and hooked up also. I’m sure she’ll be willing to get some folks in there but you better check with her first. So, you know, Mac and Helen are willing to house folks and no doubt a lot more will step up when you ask.”
With something needing to be done, the group began talking as one and heading toward the door. Before they left together, Noah had more to say. “Some of you might not be aware that we had another murder last night, and the killer’s bound to be in the vicinity. He took out Palmer Dickens and shot Carlos Garcia. The bastard’s armed and dangerous, so we all need to be on guard. No one goes anywhere alone, right? Pass out the warning to all those you see.”
“Got it, Sheriff.” In chorus they answered and then headed out to start dealing with the task Raven suggested.
Once the door closed behind them, both men let out a huge breath and spoke as one. “Way to go, Raven.”
“They just feel helpless and needed something to keep them occupied. It’s well past time someone began accepting that we’ll have a lot of homeless families who’ll need to be lodged. Not everyone has someone they can call on elsewhere to take them in until things are rebuilt.”
Noah agreed, his voice filled with gloomy acceptance. “You’re right. Many are like me… we work in town and need a place tostay. Thank God for Winona who’s willing to take in the kids while I’m working.”
Cane didn’t know if he should put in his two cents but no one else had brought it up. “Did Palmer own his place?”
Raven smiled. “Yep. Proud as a peacock when he paid his last mortgage payment six months ago. We had a celebration at Winona’s. I remember, he took his ownership so serious that he made my Nana his executor. Don’t know who he left the place to though.”
“It’s a nice old house… could be a family home for some lucky people. In the meantime, it might be a place for folks who need lodgings.”
“Good idea. We’ll talk to Winona, and once the police crime scene tapes are gone, and the investigation is over, hopefully it can be added to the available list.”
Raven suddenly changed the subject. “By the way, did forensics retrieve any of the shell casings? Were they from Brody’s gun? The same weapon used on Dwayne? Poor Brody, must be kicking his ass all around the park, thinking his gun was used to shoot his own father as well as himself.”
Noah sauntered back behind his desk, disgust plain on his expression. “What can I say? Texan’s have open carry. It can make for a dangerous outcome sometimes.”
“No kidding. I could regale you with wild stories from Harris County all night.” Cane slouched in one of the other office chairs. “Have you gotten any more calls from witnesses having seen Dale?”
“Why, what’s up?” Noah had caught on to the tension in Cane’s question. “Last night, Raven left the jeep a parked away from Winona’s porch so as not to disturb anyone. It was missing this morning.”
“You figure it’s Dale?”
Raven didn’t mention leaving the keys inside, but she had to say something. “Could be. If Brody’s truck ran out of gas, he’d need new wheels.”
“You’re right. Brody lives a good way out and usually fills up whenever he gets to town. Might not have done so when he arrived this time.”
“So nothing else has come up about the bastard?”
“No. It’s been quiet. Almost too quiet. Makes me nervous. I’m thinking it might be a good time for me to go and see my kids.”
“They’re over at the school with Winona. Didn’t like the idea of leaving them out at the property by themselves.”