9ddba8405c712dc705f6095a3ea49417

“I’m not bringing that kind of weaponry into my town,” the Chief grumbled. Grenade launchers and automatic weapons were proudly hoisted up by cops armed to the teeth, behind them a vehicle that looked exactly like a tank.

“Imagine driving that thing around Hampton Cove. People would have my hide.”

“The mayor will have your hide if you don’t drive that thing around Hampton Cove,” Chase reminded him.

The mayor was a big proponent of the militarization of the police department. He’d already told the Chief he was freeing up a budget to buy old army gear they could repurpose. The army, since it was pulling out of several battlefields in different parts of the globe, had combat gear for sale at rock-bottom prices, and police departments across the country were a primary market for that kind of stuff, eagerly snapping it all up.

“I don’t want it,” said the Chief stubbornly. “I’m not prepared to turn my police department into the military and my town into a battle zone. I’m a cop, not Rambo.”

“No, you certainly don’t look like Rambo,” said Chase with a slight grin.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Chase didn’t speak, but merely gave the Chief’s impressive belly a prod with his finger.

“I’ll have you know I bought a Fitbit last week,” said the Chief, and showed the little gizmo, which he had attached to his wrist.

“It’s not enough to buy a Fitbit, Alec. You have to actually use it if you want to enjoy the full benefits of the Fitbit experience.”

The Chief stared at the thing.“You mean…”

“You have to turn it on and start counting steps, or else it won’t do a thing.”

“Huh. Is that right?”

“Kingsley! Lip! Is there something you want to share with the rest of the group?!” suddenly the keynote speaker yelled. He was a buff guy, with a buzz cut and a take-no-prisoners attitude.

“No, sir, no!” the Chief said, blushing slightly when suddenly the attention of a hundred and fifty attendees turned on him. “We’re good, sir!”

“You know what?” whispered Chase. “Let’s blow the next session and go to the gym instead. They’ve got a great gym at the hotel. I checked it out this morning.”

“The… gym?” said the Chief, his blush deepening.

“It’s a place where you can do all kinds of exercises: machines, free weights…”

“I know what a gym is,” the Chief grunted. “It’s just that… I mean I don’t know if I…” He patted his belly. “I’m not exactly in the best shape, as you’ve already established.”

“So? Why not make today the first day of the rest of your life—a life filled with health and fitness?”

“Lip! Kingsley! This is your final warning!”

“I’m sorry, sir!” said Chase, holding up his hand. “Please carry on.”

On the screen a tank was firing a rocket into a building, reducing it to rubble.

“Huh,” said the Chief. “That’s one way of dealing with civil unrest, I guess.” He then heaved a deep sigh. “Okay, fine. Let’s blow the next session and go to the gym.”

For some reason he sounded like a man on death row, ordering his last meal.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_3]

“Okay, team, this is it,” Opal said. They were all engaged in a huddle, just like on a football field, and Odelia found the experience quite enjoyable. She was cheek to jowl with the pale guy with the spiky hair called Kurtz, whom Gran had identified as a serial killer, and her other cheek was practically touching Opal herself.

“This is our time,” Opal was saying. “This is our moment—our chance to shine. We’re all heroes of our fate, makers of our own destiny, and the creative powers of a greater source are coursing through our veins, inspiring us—uplifting us—making us reach beyond our limitations and plugging into a higher power. Can you feel it?”

Murmurs of assent echoed through their little circle.

“I said, can you feel it?!” said Opal, louder now.

“Yes!” cried the serial killer.

“I do!” said Suzy.

“I can feel it!” said the bobbing ponytail.

“Let’s pray,” said Opal, and closed her eyes. “Oh, Lord, give us the grace to rise above our limitations and embrace an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving universe.”

“Amen,” murmured Opal’s team, and with a loud yell they broke out of the huddle, and then it was time for the talk show queen to walk out onto the big stage.

Even from where she stood, Odelia could hear the roar of applause and cheers from the crowd as they greeted their famous hostess.

“I just hope no one tries to kill her while she’s on stage,” said Gran, whose cheeks were flushed. In spite of her misgivings, she’d clearly enjoyed this experience of being admitted into Opal’s inner circle and going through her private pre-show ritual.

“Well, I just talked to the guy in charge of security and he confirmed that Jacqueline Jackson left the building and won’t be admitted if she returns.”

“Jacqueline isn’t the only suspect, though, is she? I’m keeping an eye on that Kurtz fellow.”

“I’m keeping an eye on all of them,” said Odelia, who was starting to subscribe to Gran’s theory that there were probably more people holding a grudge against Opal than there were people who didn’t.

“If there’s a shooter in the audience…” Gran began.