State of Emergency: Jack Emery 2 by Steve P. Vincent Read Free Book Online Page B

to law and order in the city. As he sat, there was silence from the crowd.
    Mariposa tapped her lapel microphone to make sure it was on, then stood up and walked around the table. She wanted to project an air of calm and impress on these people that FEMA wasn’t the enemy, talking from behind a desk. Following the police officer who’d laid down the law about curfew and potential punishments was a tough gig, but she needed to show them that FEMA were the guarantors of security, prosperity and order during this extraordinary time. As she moved toward the crowd, the State Guard troops and Chicago PD officers providing security tensed up, apparently uncomfortable with her proximity to the crowd.
    She raised her hands, palms up. “Our final briefing concerns the impact on business. In short, we need to balance the maintenance of private enterprise with protecting essential services, social order and consumers. For the vast majority of you this will mean no change. You’ll be able to run your businesses and make a profit.”
    She felt like a liar. The changes that had been announced and the restrictions to movement and activity would affect everyone. For most the changes were minimal, except for enhanced security and some restriction on accessing goods and services. But for business, the impact was enormous. Though there was no sense in causing panic before the measures were fully implemented, she was sure there’d be plenty of that anyway.
    “However, for the minority of you involved in the production, distribution and retailing of certain goods and for those of you delivering essential services, there will be some changes. For starters, there will be price controls to protect consumers and prevent profiteering, along with random audits to ensure good conduct.”
    Her last few words were drowned out entirely as the stands exploded with outrage. She waited patiently, her hands clasped in front of her. The security detail inched forward slightly but kept their cool for the time being, though she noticed a few hands on weapons. The noise from the crowd started to subside after a minute or so, until a grossly obese man in the front of the bleachers got to his feet. His face was flushed red.
    She knew what was coming and tried to cut him off. “There’ll be time for questions at the end of the sessions, sir. We’d ask that—”
    “Just who the fuck do you think you are, lady?” The man’s voice was like rolling thunder. “This is America. I’ll run my business however I like.”
    Mariposa did her best to keep calm, but she was scared. The security detail didn’t reassure her. “I’m here to explain the changes, sir, and—”
    He interrupted again. “Explain them, huh? You’re going to cripple my business for no reason. Chicago hasn’t even been attacked!”
    Mariposa narrowed her eyes. She’d been briefed on the executive orders along with the rest of FEMA, but hadn’t expected the changes to be so drastic. The outrage in the community was understandable. She felt some of the same reservations as the people in the crowd were expressing, but she trusted Richard Hall to get it right. “Let me be clear—”
    Another man stood and interrupted her. “Oh, shove your bureaucratic bullshit, lady.”
    Mariposa needed to act. She couldn’t allow this anger to overflow. She turned and looked at the police lieutenant, who gave a slight nod. Without warning, the State Guard troopers and local police stepped forward and raised their weapons. The men who’d been protesting stammered and then stopped speaking entirely. A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Peace at the end of a barrel. It had come to that.
    “Let me be clear. These changes have been enacted across America until the attacks stop and order can be restored.” She stepped forward and stopped a few feet away from the bleachers. “You don’t have the ability to opt out. You’ll comply or the police will shutter your business. Resist further and you’ll