Home Invasion - J. A. Johnstone [79]
Alex didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As the men lifted a scared and befuddled-looking Elmer Davis to his feet, the decision was made for her as a tear rolled down her cheek. Was this what the country she loved had come to? Was it really?
“I’m sorry, Elmer,” she said. “I’ll talk to the colonel.”
The trooper who’d been doing the talking said, “If the suspect is cleared of any criminal charges, he can file a claim with the government to be reimbursed for his truck.”
“And how long will that take?” Alex asked. “You think he’ll live long enough to see the government admit that it was wrong? Do you honestly think any of us will?”
“I don’t know, ma’am. Issues like that are above my pay grade.”
They dragged Elmer over to one of the SUVs and put him in the backseat. He gave Alex a despairing look as they slammed the door and cut him off from her view.
Phil Pearson came up beside her and said, “I know you said we have to cooperate with those black-suited thugs, Chief, but can they really get away with this? I mean, for God’s sake, calling Elmer Davis a terrorist and roughing him up like that! Elmer never hurt a soul in his life.”
“I know, Phil,” Alex said with a sigh. “I just keep hoping that somehow, somebody will come to their senses and see how wrong this whole thing is.”
”Violence broke out again today in the infamous town of Home, Texas, which the Federal Protective Service has placed under martial law. The FPS is attempting to curb the recent outbreak of bigotry, rioting, and attempted murder which has plagued Home. Earlier today, one of the community’s citizens attacked officers of the Protective Service with an illegal firearm. This wanton lawlessness resulted in the destruction of a vehicle. The gallant officers were able to subdue the suspect and place him in custody without suffering any casualties. The suspect, Elmer Davis, has been charged with attempted murder and terroristic acts, and faces a sentence of life in prison if convicted.
“In other news, what is now being called the National Education and Re-education Act moved another step toward passage today, and the President promised to sign this important legislation as soon as it lands on his desk. In impromptu remarks at a White House gathering, the President said that this bill is vital to his administration’s continuing efforts to make sure that students know exactly what they need to know in order to reach the proper decisions on the vital issues that face us all today, young and old….”
CHAPTER 33
By the time the Federal Protective Service had been in Home for a week, the town’s guns were gone. They had been turned in voluntarily, albeit grudgingly, or confiscated wherever and whenever the FPS found them. Alex suspected that some of the citizens had managed to hide a few guns, but probably not many. She had heard that other people had left town, slipping through the FPS cordon and taking their guns with them. She suspected that Colonel Grady didn’t really care about that. He just wanted to be able to say that Home had been disarmed, as the settlement agreement with Emilio Navarre called for … and as the President had ordered.
She faced Grady now across his desk in the mobile command post. The colonel had ordered everyone else to clear out. It was just the two of them.
“You’ll be glad to hear, Chief, that we have fulfilled our mission in your town.”
“Does that mean you’ll be leaving?” Alex asked, not really thinking for a minute that it did.
“As a matter of fact… yes,” Grady said.
Alex’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really? I mean, you’re really leaving town?”
Grady nodded. “My officers and I will be packing up and pulling out later this afternoon.”
Alex sat back in the folding chair. “I don’t believe it. This is some sort of trick.”
“I work for the federal government, Chief,” Grady said with a flash of anger in his eyes. “We don’t play tricks on people.”
She managed not to laugh at that statement. Keeping her face and voice solemn, she said, “With all due