Free The Devil's Highway by Timothy C. Phillips Page A

successful in trolling up a following out here in Nowheresville doesn’t mean you’re any more right than those others have been. Thousands have predicted the End of Everything through the years, Cushman, from Charles Manson to Jim Jones, and it still hasn’t come. We’re still here.”
    Cushman nodded like he’d heard it all before, which he doubtlessly had, since he was so unpopular with the locals. “I can tell your mind is set on the matter, then, Mr. Longville. That’s really too bad. We could use a man like you. My people have done a little research on you, in the minutes since you arrived. Your military background and remarkable adaptability would make you well-suited to survive what is coming. You should think it over. No one will be exempted from the Great Tribulation that is going to soon befall the people of this great nation, and of the rest of the world, for that matter. But we must concern ourselves with what will happen here. We must bond together into communities of mutually supportive people. I urge you to think about it, Mr. Longville.”
    Cushman clutched at the air in a wild, two-handed gesture that was eerily similar to a gesture I’d seen in an old news reel of Adolf Hitler on late night cable. What followed only strengthened the impression.  
    “Think of your loved ones. How will they fare, once the infrastructure of the United States collapses? Once the American Dollar is worthless, and the world turns their back on us here in the USA? Trying times are coming fast upon us, Mr. Longville. You would do well to consider this dire warning.” Kiker, at his shoulder, positively beamed, and nodded vigorously. This was a mantra he had heard before, and obviously agreed with wholeheartedly.
    “You aren’t going to try to give me handful of religious tracts, now are you, Cushman?”
    Cushman frowned mightily. At his shoulder, Kiker sneered and looked like he might take a step forward, but at some unseen sign from Cushman, he relaxed.
    “You can joke now, Mr. Longville, but not for much longer. I understand your wish to believe the world can go on as it is, forever. It can’t because we are quickly destroying this world. It is my earnest wish that you consider my words, and, I hope, in time, come to see the truth in them. For now, however, you will kindly take your leave of us. Sergeant Palin, please see Mr. Longville here off the property.”

 
    Chapter 10
     
    Sheriff Garrett was just coming out of the door of the squad room when I made it back. He clearly registered the fact that I had returned without Brad.
    “So, how did it go?“ he asked, in as neutral a tone as he could muster.
    “Pretty much like you thought it would, I’m sure. Brad’s ill. In the infirmary. Security rules won’t allow me to even talk to him, I’m told.”
    “That’s worrying.”
    “What exactly do you have on the Mendoza murder?”
    “Honestly? Nothing. Everything. You saw the vehicle; it had been scrubbed for evidence. Colonel Cushman’s behind it, but all we have is old Ira’s word on that . ”
    “But Andrea says that Mendoza met with Brad. He probably taped Brad.”
    “But do you kill someone over a tabloid exposé story? That’s not at all like Cushman.The man doesn’t do anything that isn’t in his best interest, and like I said, since Tolbert’s death, he’s gone out of his way to keep things quiet here. The last thing he wants or needs is the Feds taking a renewed interest in the Redemption Army. Right now the safe bet is, this isn’t connected to the Redemption Army.”
    “I can see your point.” I thought for a second, and asked, “But what does your gut tell you?”
    He smiled a one-sided smile, and looked around to make sure no one was in earshot. “My gut? Policeman’s intuition? Like I said, Colonel Cushman had this done, all right. I just have to figure out the how and why . Those are the things juries want to hear.”
    “I got a sermon from your Colonel Cushman. He was telling