Sleep hadn’t come easily to her after the Crowley farm. That descent into unconsciousness came too close to how she had felt after being shot when she’d been sure she was done and gone. She’d got up twice to check the whole house.
Her first sleep in Dominion after nineteen years away, fitful as it was, ended the instant the siren started. The first thing she noticed after sitting up in her sleeping bag was an empty space where Shana should be. Her cell phone on the floor beside her showed 6:39 am. The wail, a loud, steady drone, like an air raid siren, drowned out any other sounds of morning. Sun came in through the kitchen and nook windows.
Shana stood in the doorway to the entrance hall with her sleeping bag cocooning all but her face. Her mouth was moving, but Joan couldn’t hear her.
“I said,” Shana shouted, “what is that?”
She grabbed her phone, lost her grip and just caught it before it hit the floor. She punched the speed dial button for Mattie, the only phone number she had for Dominion on her new cell other than the Sherriff’s office number.
As soon as Mattie responded, she asked, “What on earth is that noise?”
“It’s the old Firetown alarm.”
Joan signaled to Shana that everything was all right. She spoke louder into the phone than she needed to. “I remember now.”
“Do you remember who set it off?”
“Darren Kettle. It was our senior year.”
“He’s on city council now. He’s a lawyer.”
“Darren’s a lawyer? Didn’t we . . . ?”
“Think he was the most likely to be arrested for molesting children? Only goes to show that you can never really know what kids are going to become.”
“Has he set it off again?”
Mattie laughed. “No. It’s still used to gather the volunteers when there’s a fire.”
“Should I be doing something? I’m the sheriff now.”
“Not until Monday.”
Why should that comment feel like a slap in the face?
“Harry will deal with this. Your stuff comes today, right?”
“At ten o’clock.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“How about coming over for supper? They should be finished in time for us to get set up. It might have to be take-out, though.”
“Sorry, Joanie, one of the people from Do-Dads is moving here to oversee construction of their facility. We’re looking at three houses tonight. I’ve got someone from Karyon coming on Tuesday.” Mattie’s end of the line went silent.
The siren’s droning wail seemed to be decreasing, as if the old codger turning the crank was getting tired.
“I’ll come over after if it’s not too late.”
“That would be great.”
“If I can’t make it, I’ll call, but I will definitely be there tomorrow, sleeves rolled up, ready to peak into every box you have, and ready to pitch in or pitch out.”
“That’s a deal.”
The siren stopped. She imagined the old codger lying on the floor at the top of the bell tower clutching his chest.
“Joanie?”
“Still here.”
“I don’t want to sound like a gossipmonger your first full day back, but you should know that Kate was indeed instrumental in getting Do-Dads and Karyon here. Unfortunately, she broke a lot of eggs making that omelette. The whole city turned against her after that, so she might still be bitter. I know Susan is.”
“How ugly did it get?”
“I don’t know much of the details. I just wanted to warn you so you wouldn’t take anything she tells you about Dominion, or certain people, too seriously. Okay? I will definitely see you tomorrow. Bye. And I will get someone to call you about the fire, all right?”
“I appreciate that.”
It was appropriate that Harry went to the fire. He was still the sheriff. It would be a professional courtesy to invite her, however.
“Well?” Shana lowered her sleeping bag to her waist.
“It’s a fire alarm to summon the volunteers.”
Her cell phone rang. “Hello.”
“Good morning, Joan, it’s Harry. You’ve no doubt heard.”
“We heard.”
“I called Mattie to get your new number. I know your movers get here this morning, but I thought I’d ask if you wanted to come along. You will have to do any follow up that’s required. I’m just symbolic at this point.”
“Where is it?”
“Cabin Country at the north end of the lake.”
“Past the Colter farm.”
“Quite a bit past that. I’ve talked to Randal from Forestry. It’s really just a cabin fire. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”
It wouldn’t be fair to leave Shana to supervise the movers. “Can you call me from the fire and let me know if I need to be there?”
“I’ll call you one way or the other.”
“Thanks. And thanks for the invite, Harry.”
“Talk to you later.”
“That was Harry Madsen about the fire. It’s a cabin up at the north end of the lake.”
She shrugged. “Did you see those tats?”
“Couldn’t miss them.”
“All three of them had the same one.”
“It was a dog’s head or a wolf’s. They probably served in the same unit. I’d bet Colter was their commanding officer.”
“Maybe those rifles had silver bullets in them.” She dropped her sleeping bag to the floor, rubbed her eyes and said through a yawn, “Those two might become psychopathic hairballs during the full moon.” She started for the kitchen. “I’ll put on the coffee.”
“We’re going out for breakfast, and you’ll have milk or juice.”