Sky Zone: A Novel (The Crittendon Files) by Creston Mapes Read Free Book Online

running on empty. She’s working all the time and isn’t happy about it.”
    “Dude, I’m treating today.”
    “No, you’re not. Thanks anyway. Come on, tell me more about Sterling. He’s going independent, isn’t he? You think he’s got a chance?”
    “Heck, yeah. Are you kidding me? He’s a smart guy. He’s got specific ideas on how to get us out of this economic rut. I think he’s gonna kill it in the debates.”
    “Will you cover those?”
    “Oh yeah. The first one’s at Lee University, down in Tennessee. Then San Antonio … and someplace else. He’ll be stumping in Ohio big-time over the next year. It’s one of the top three swing states.”
    “He’s pretty rad on the whole terrorism thing.”
    Derrick stopped eating and leaned across the booth. “We need that, dude. It’s a true threat. Nobody realizes how serious it is. These extremists are infiltrating the country. Sterling knows what he’s talking about. The guy is ruthless, too.”
    “He wants to put an end to mosques being built on US soil.”
    Derrick’s eyes opened wide. “That’s just the one everyone knows about. He also wants to quadruple spending on the National Counterterrorism Center in Virginia. He wants to partner with a bunch of top intelligence agencies to neutralize terrorist cells and operatives in the US. He wants to get on top of cyberthreats. Do you realize President Brumby finances the Iraqis and others under the table, which nobody seems to care about? Sterling’s going to stop all that nonsense.”
    “Sounds like he’s made you a believer.”
    “He has.” Derrick looked around and lowered his voice. “We’ve got to crack down now, before it’s too late. Otherwise our kids are going to be living in a war zone—right here on our streets.”
    Jack told Derrick about Brian Shakespeare and his extreme preparations in anticipation of a catastrophe.
    “Dude, he’s a prepper. There are a lot of them out there—and they might not be too far off,” Derrick said. “I know Zenia and me aren’t prepared for anything like that. I’m just a city boy.”
    “Me, too, but my mother-in-law’s a different story.”
    “Margaret? She still living with you guys?”
    Jack gave a slow nod.
    Derrick laughed. “Man, it’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
    “More than six months.”
    “Ouch.”
    “Actually, it’s a good thing. With Pam back to work, Margaret can take care of the girls after school. But we made the mistake of taking her to a picnic at Shakespeare’s place, and she’s been stockpiling food and supplies ever since.”
    Derrick’s roaring laughter was contagious, and it felt good for Jack to join in.
    “And she’s fallen in love with Sterling,” Jack said. “Overnight she’s turned into a political activist.”
    “Well, Sterling sure beats the alternative,” Derrick said. “I don’t think we can endure four more years of what we got.”
    “I agree with that. But, dude, Sterling wants to arm teachers. What do you think about that?”
    “I … I just don’t know what I think about that. I’m telling you, he’s rad. Zenia thinks it’s nuts.”
    “Wait till you have kids,” Jack said.
    “Oh, I can imagine.”
    “Let’s change the subject. How is Zenia, anyway? How’s married life?”
    Derrick shook his head and smiled. He was wearing his afro about two inches long and had put on a few pounds since his wedding in the spring, when Jack served as his best man. “Better than I ever imagined. We’re having a lot of fun.”
    “She still working for parks and rec?”
    “Yep. Trenton City’s been good to her.”
    “You guys must be doing okay financially.”
    “We’re socking some funds away. Spending a lot too. She thinks she’s ready to have a baby, but I’m not there yet. When’s Pam due again?”
    “Three months, if you can believe that.”
    “Wow, that’ll be here in a blink.”
    “That’s why I need to find a decent job,” Jack said. “We’ve gone through almost all our