Free Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman Page B

find ourselves in this mess.”
    Shelby chewed on that for a minute. Finally she asked, “Did he?”
    â€œSee this coming? Not that I know of. I try to keep current on city business in case I’m called in when Calvin Green is out sick.”
    â€œLooked pretty healthy last night.”
    â€œYeah, Calvin might outlive us all. But Eugene Stone and Bob Bryant could die of stress in the first week if they don’t calm down.”
    â€œSome people.”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œWhat other good news do you have?”
    â€œAs we saw from the water tower, power is out in surrounding towns as well as here. There’s already been looting in Killeen.”
    â€œI can’t say I’m surprised about that.”
    â€œNeither am I.” Max hesitated, and then he added, “We’re not immune to the same thing.”
    â€œLooting?”
    â€œLook, we have a nice small town here. Good neighbors and dedicated leadership—Eugene Stone notwithstanding. But Abney is far from perfect. We’ll have our share of crime before this is over.”
    Shelby didn’t have an answer for that. Instead, she focused on refilling her mug.
    â€œI’d hoped there wouldn’t be panic for at least forty-eight hours.” Max swallowed the rest of his coffee. “Reports over the ham radio are that things are worse in Houston, Austin, and Dallas. So far there’s no information from out of state—apparently the aurora is messing with our ability to send or receive radio waves consistently or for any great distance.”
    Shelby nodded, her heart racing with the scenario he was painting. “And the military base?”
    â€œLocked up tight. The team that went to Killeen had to pass right by Fort Hood’s entrance. In fact, they drove up to the gate, but they couldn’t get any information and certainly couldn’t get in.”
    Shelby wrapped her hands around her coffee cup to still their trembling. Finally she admitted, “What worries me most is not the water or the electricity. It’s Carter’s insulin.”
    â€œWhich is why I want you to go to the pharmacy first thing.”
    â€œDo you think they’ll be open?”
    â€œMaybe. It’s worth a try.”
    â€œBianca and Patrick—they’re supposed to be here at ten.”
    â€œIt’s not quite eight.” Max glanced at his watch.
    Suddenly Shelby regretted that she didn’t own a watch. She’d quit wearing one years ago. Who needed them? She could always check her phone for the time. Only now the phones were useless.
    â€œWe should both be back before they get here,” Max said. “Leave a note on your door in case we’re late.”
    â€œAll right.”
    â€œTake what cash you have. Do you need money?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œBuy insulin and testing strips—as much as they’ll give you.”
    â€œI don’t think insurance will approve that.”
    â€œThe pharmacy won’t be able to contact the insurance company anyway. It’s going to be a giant mess, and I think you’d do well to be the first in line.”
    Shelby pulled in a deep breath. She reached for one of Max’s Pop-Tarts. She was going to need massive amounts of calories and caffeine to handle this day, but one bite of the sweet pastry confirmed she was fooling herself. She dropped it on the table and covered her face with her hands.
    She could not eat while her child’s health was at risk. She tried to pray, but her mind was numb—overwhelmed by a thousand questions and her darkest fears.
    After a moment she peeked between her fingers and asked, “Why are you and Carter going to the grocery store?”
    â€œTo talk to Henry Graves.”
    â€œAbout buying food?”
    â€œYes. How much do you have?”
    Shelby stared off across the yard, slowly shaking her head. “There’s a little in the freezer—not much.”
    â€œWhat