Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure Read Online Free PDF

this strain, that may be the best we can do.”
    Hoover
nodded and walked over to a large map of the county. “The combination of Guard
checkpoints and police patrols keeps the state highway safe from the mountain
pass in the east to the freeway in the west. The North Road is clear to
Olympia. Our weak area is to the south. That’s what I want to talk to you about.”
He looked at Caden. “Farms and homes are being raided south of here.” Hoover
pointed to several small towns. “Bandits have put up roadblocks to rob
travelers.” He pointed to spots along several highways. “I need your help
restoring law and order, and securing the roads.”
    “With
the war preparations we’re stretched thin, but I’ll see what we can do,” Caden
said.
    Hoover
shook his head. “I guess the terrorists won. People are hungry, scared and
fighting each other.”
    “They
won the first battle, but if the terrorists ultimately defeat us it will be
because Durant assumed dictatorial powers and cut a deal with the Chinese.”
    Hoover
remained silent.
    “Are
you having second thoughts?” Caden asked.
    “I
was angry the day of the battle. I wanted to stop the soldiers who shot our
people. But now I wonder if we can’t find a better way.”
    “If
Durant allows the presidential election, removes restrictions on the press, and
recognizes the new congress, I’m sure there won’t be a war.”
    “That’s
not going to happen.”
    Caden
shrugged. “Then the country will continue to split and the economy collapse.”
    The
doctor stood. “You two can talk about politics, I’ve got patients to take care
of.”
    Hoover
nodded and the doctor turned and departed.
    Hoover
returned his attention to Caden. “The economy is collapsing—there’s food in the
grocery store around the corner, but have you seen the prices?
    Caden
shook his head.
    “It
costs over five dollars for a can of corn or green beans. Trucks are moving,
commerce should be getting back to normal, but no one trusts the money. Most
say it’s worthless and won’t accept it as payment. Inflation is…well, out of
control.”
    “My
dad never had much faith in paper money. I guess a lot of people agree with him
now. We may not be able to change the current situation but, hopefully, most
people were prepared for it and can endure until life gets better.”
    “Aren’t
you the philosopher. ” Hoover grinned.
    Caden
smiled. “I’ll let you know if we can get patrols for those communities in the
south.” He turned to leave and then stopped. “There was a red-haired teen at
the battle with us. His first name is Zach….”
    “Zachary
Brennon. Yeah what about him?”
    “No
one in my family knew him. I guess I’m just curious. It’s remarkable that one
so young would help in such deadly serious actions.”
    “He’s
a minor, but not all that young.” Hoover turned to his computer and typed with
two fingers. When the file appeared, he nodded. “Sixteen. He’s been arrested
four times.”
    “Really?”
Caden’s eyes widened. “He didn’t seem like a bad kid.”
    Hoover
shrugged as he looked at the file. “Misguided. Dad was killed ten, maybe
eleven, years ago.”
    “Do
you know what happened?”
    “I
remember some. It was a robbery.” Again, the sheriff typed with his index
fingers. He leaned closer to the screen and put on his glasses. “At the time
the family owned the convenience store beside the freeway, the one across from
the church.”
    Images
flashed through Caden’s mind of Henry, the farmer from Oregon, camped in the
parking lot and the reunion with his father on the night of the gunfight across
the street at the church. “Yeah,” he said, “I know the place.”
    “A
three-time loser crackhead entered demanding money. The Dad had a bat,
crackhead had a gun.” The sheriff shrugged. “We arrested the perp the next day.
He was so high he didn’t even try to run.”
    “So,
the boy needs a father figure…some direction?”
      “Maybe. Mom is a