Deluge (The Best Thrillers Book 2) by James Best (top romance novels txt) 📗

my call screener, had any inkling that my guests were on a state commission for natural disasters. I might have toned down the lighthearted banter if I’d known these people were serious experts, experts the state relied upon. Maybe we should look at their ideas more seriously.”

Luckily, Smith hit mute before all four of them laughed at how deftly Mandel had played the governor’s spokesperson.

“That would be a mistake,” Sherman said, her voice betraying newfound nervousness. “We heard about this interview only a short while ago, and unfortunately missed the introductions. That’s beside the point. The guests’ honorary roles on an obscure committee do not add weight to their views. Besides, at this point in time, they’re no longer on the commission because they violated their nondisclosure agreement. Which is a terminable offense.”

“May I say something?” Baldwin interjected.

“Please do,” Mandel said.

“First, we did not try to juice up our credentials by bragging about that silly commission, nor did we violate our nondisclosures. The only thing Ms. Sherman said that was correct is that the commission has no authority. That is true. The commission is only a citizen advisory board, but the Seismic Safety Commission never discarded our views because they were never presented to them. In our last meeting, our group was tasked with prioritizing state dams according to their risk of failure. That analysis was given to the lieutenant governor’s chief of staff.”

She continued heatedly, “It’s also true that I’m not an expert in climatology, but along with Dr. Ashley, I am an expert in the 1862 Great Flood. Not the scientific causes, but the devastation and historic impact on human life, property, and livestock. We jointly published a peer-reviewed article about the Great Flood in the California Historical Society Quarterly.”

Baldwin realized that her rejoinder went against her earlier griping about her perceived expertise based on editing and wordsmithing, but Sherman’s comments had made her angry enough to use whatever lay handy in her toolbox.

Baldwin continued. “Furthermore, Dr. Wilson is an esteemed climatologist with the United States Geological Survey, and there is no one more knowledgeable than Dr. Smith on the construction and risks associated with stress on dams.

“Finally, I take offense at Ms. Sherman calling me a “supposed” expert in my field. I was introduced as Dr. Baldwin. I’m more widely known as Patricia Baldwin, and I’ve had three number-one New York Times bestseller nonfiction books. So my colleagues and I are genuine experts in our respective fields, not—what is that term used for political spokespersons—oh yeah, we are not flacks.

“Now … as far as I’m concerned, and I speak only for myself, Ms. Sherman can take her meaningless appointment and shove it where the sun don’t shine. Which, right now, can be anywhere in the Great State of California.”

“Um, Ms. Sherman, I apologize, but it appears my guest has thrown down the gauntlet. Do you wish to debate her?”

“Go to hell, Bob. I’m not going to give your listeners a cat fight to improve your ratings. I’ve said my piece. Goodbye.”

Chapter 23

Evarts saw nothing but chaos. People crammed the Lompoc police station, all of them talking at the same time. Evarts and O’Brian shouldered their way through the anteroom and knocked on the door leading to the main part of the station. Evarts could see through a window that civilians also congested the area beyond the enclosed foyer. He rapped harder.

A police officer knocked on the glass to their left and pantomimed that they should get in line to speak through the speakerphone. Evarts held up his badge and business card, and the officer nodded and disappeared. In a moment, the door opened enough for them to enter sideways, shoulder first. As soon as they had made it through, the officer shut the door tight again.

“Chief, am I glad to see you. We’ve got a mess here.”

“What’s going on?” Evarts asked as he removed and shook out his raingear.

“All of these people’s homes washed away.” He scanned the room. “We have no place for them to go.”

Evarts looked around the station house. People sat on desks, filled conference rooms, and even stood in open spaces. And through it all ran kids apparently playing tag. He counted eleven officers scattered through the crowd, mostly bringing water and snacks from vending machines to the flood victims.

He turned back to the officer who had let them through the security door. “Where are the sergeants?”

“Searching for the top brass. Along with most of the force.”

“Was there nowhere else to house these people? The hospital?”

“Every bed and gurney taken. Lot of injuries.”

“Church or school or Elks Club or VFW or VA?”

“Yeah, all of them, within two miles. The churches are as full as the hospital.” He swung his arm around to encompass the room. “This is the overflow.”

“Where’s the school?”

“The high school is about a mile away. There’s a middle school a few blocks away.” Then he added, as if it had just occurred to him, “It has a big gymnasium.”

“Is it being used?”

He appeared embarrassed. “Not to my knowledge, sir.”

“Okay, get me a couple of officers and come back here. Pronto.” He started to leave. “Wait, you know the sheriff appointed me acting chief, right?

“Yes, sir. We saw your press conference a few minutes ago.”

“Not a press conference, but that’s fine, go.”

Evarts turned to O’Brian. “Do you know how to contact your SAR teams?”

“Not sure, but if you loan me your truck, I’ll go find the police, and I bet any SAR teams that exist will be with them.”

Evarts tossed him the keys. “Go. Send the police back here. If any refuse, tell them to call me.” He handed O’Brian about a half dozen business cards. “Stay in contact with Officer Gilroy. She’ll coordinate Vandenberg volunteers and call the Red Cross to see if they have any resources left that can help. I’ll contact the fire department for additional volunteers. After you get your assessment of SAR capabilities, give me a call and let me know what’s happening.” He