The Harvest (Book 1) by Anne Ferretti Read Free Book Online Page B

behind her. Chief Ruiz fell into his chair, signaling for Madison to sit. She perched on the edge of the chair, waited for Ruiz to speak. After what seemed like forever, he took a deep breath and looked up at Madison.
    “I’ve been on the phone all morning. Texas, Ohio, North Dakota even. All the same story. Hundreds of missing people. Hundreds of murdered people. Thousands been reported in the major cities. And no one has a damn clue what’s going on.”
    “Murdered? Sergeant Allen only mentioned missing.”
    Ruiz went on as if he hadn’t heard her. “Murdered and not in a casual way. Not by your common everyday methods such as a bullet. But brutally ripped open. The Sheriff over in Crockett County, Texas sent pictures.” Ruiz handed over his iPad.
    Madison scrolled through the gruesome images. “What about the FBI?”
    “Can’t get through to the local office. Or the national for that matter.” He stared out the window. “And there’s that.” He pointed in the direction of his stare. “Bringing doomsayers out of the damn woodwork.”
    Madison went to the window. In the sky, the triple suns sat on the horizon. “What is that?”
    “No idea. But it’s snowing in Daytona.”
    “So what do you want me to do? Put an APB out for the four horsemen?” Madison quipped.
    “I want you to go to the Mayor’s house, talk to his wife.” The Chief’s shoulders drooped. “Calm her down.”
    “Is the Mayor missing or murdered?”
    “Not sure. Mrs. Sanchez said he was in the shower and then he wasn’t.” Ruiz stood up. “Go talk to her. Keep her away from the press. I don’t need hysteria turning into pandemonium.”
    “What do I tell her?”
    “As little as possible.”
    Madison laughed. “That won’t be a stretch.” She left the Chief’s office and walked back through the hordes of people.  When she reached the exit doors, she was shocked to see ice crystals spreading across the glass. She pushed open the door and was immediately blasted by a stiff cold wind. Madison shrugged off the cold, hurrying past the line of people who stood shivering on the steps.
    ***
    In an unmarked police cruiser Madison traveled down the interstate at a turtle’s pace. The snow covered roadway and abandoned vehicles made driving an arduous task. Madison gripped the steering wheel and maneuvered the car around an overturned SUV. There was no one inside. Up ahead a tow truck pulled a Camry off the road onto the shoulder. Madison slowed to a stop next to where the tow truck driver was unhooking the car.
    He strolled over to Madison’s car, raised his face mask up over his mouth. “Can I help you ma’am?” He drawled. His teeth were covered with chewing tobacco.
    “Where are the drivers?”
    “The drivers?”
    “Yes. Where are all the people that were driving these vehicles?”
    He shrugged. “Don’t know.  They told me to come out here and clear a path. So that’s what I’m doin’. Clearin’ a path.”
    “Who’s they?”
    “They is the National Guard. Come into the office this mornin’.” He took a flask from his jacket, offered Madison a swig.
    “I assume that’s only water.” She flashed her badge.
    He flashed a crooked smile. “You know what they say about assumin’ ma’am.”
    “Just put it away. I don’t have time to arrest you.”
    He stared hard at Madison, took a long swig and tucked the flask back in his jacket. “I just might be safer inside a cell than out here.” He leaned closer to her. “Haven’t you figured it out yet Detective?”
    Madison shook her head. “Figured what out?”
    “The fat lady’s finally gonna get to sing her song.” He tilted his head way back, shouted at the sky. “ The End is comin’. The final credits are rollin’!” He snorted, spit, pulled his face mask down over his mouth and got back to the task at hand.
    She watched him hook another empty vehicle, but snow quickly covered her windshield and blocked her view. She turned on her wipers, which proved a