Endless Flames (Surviving Ashes, Book Four) Read Online Free PDF Page A

someone else,” Berke said, brushing past Maxie as he made his way through the open layout of the sheriff’s office. There were four desks facing the front of the building, all of them cluttered with papers, files, coffee mugs, and personal items collected over the years. It wasn’t like they had a high turnover of employees. “Sheriff, are you back there?”
    “What the hell?” Maxie muttered underneath her breath, glancing at the large clock on the wall. The plastic face that had been manufactured by the Bureau of Prisons had seen better days and had a small crack in the corner that had been there for as long as she could remember. She literally had five minutes before she was due at the courthouse. “Berke, I really need to go. I’m not officially on duty anyway.”
    “What’s all the commotion about out here?” Sheriff Ross asked after he’d opened up his office door, sans his usual Stetson El Presidente that had to be at least ten years old. His grey hair was cut short and his square jawline was set with displeasure. He’d taken over for Maxie’s father about that time too, right after Beau Denikin’s first heart attack. It was the second one that had finished the job. “Daniels, what the hell is going on?”
    “I know this is going to be hard to believe, but you need to evacuate the town and tell all of the residents to head east.” Berke’s claim was met with stunned silence and all three of them watched as he reached for the framed map of the United States that somehow had coffee ring stains all over it. He moved some files to the middle of Deputy John’s desk, who wouldn’t be too pleased with the careless gesture. It was a good thing he worked the night shift so Jean could put things back in order. “Now see here. The Yellowstone caldera is getting ready for a major eruption. It’s only a matter of time and the townsfolk are going to look to you for answers.”
    “I’d never thought I’d have to ask this, Berke,” Sheriff Ross said with caution while looking over Berke with suspicion, “but have you been drinking?”
    “No,” Berke stated with frustration, pointing toward their location on the map and then dragging his finger straight across the southern coast only to stop when he reached Florida. “This is the route they need to take. You need to tell them to pack up what essentials they’ll need, such as water and food, and leave everything else behind. There will be FEMA camps stationed all along the East Coast, but it’s best they reach it quickly and then make their way south by boat if need be.”
    Sheriff Ross wasn’t looking down at the map Berke was studying, but rather at Maxie. He was indicating that they might have a problem on their hands when he went to restrain Berke, for the sheriff truly believed he was drunk. Either that or he’d lost his handle on reality. Maxie glanced behind her, wishing Deputy Boyega would make an appearance. Where was he, anyway? She didn’t want to have anything to do with this considering she was about to adopt a little boy today.
    “Berke, why don’t we get you some coffee and—”
    “Sheriff, I didn’t have to waste my time coming here to tell you this,” Berke said with resignation, straightening his shoulders and being smart enough to keep his hands directly at his sides to indicate he didn’t want any trouble. The holster he was wearing was a staple and so was the model 1911A1 in it. He was the proud owner of Daniels’ Gun Range and a model citizen, but something had to have happened for him to be talking off the cuff this way. “I came because these residents deserve better than to wait until it’s too late for them to travel. Have you turned on the news this morning? Last night? Have you seen the reports coming out of Yellowstone regarding the tremors that are swarming the area?”
    The sheriff exchanged looks with Jean before shifting his lower jaw in thought. He did that often, almost as if he didn’t think something was