The Nuclear Catastrophe by Barbara C. Griffin Billig & Bett Pohnka

Author:Barbara C. Griffin Billig & Bett Pohnka [Billig, Barbara C. Griffin & Pohnka, Bett]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Genre Fiction, Action & Adventure, Science & Math, Earth Sciences, Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, Crime, Thriller, Thrillers, Technothrillers, Professional & Technical, Professional Science, Geophysics
Amazon: B004WDRWXY
Publisher: Clearview Investments, Inc.
Published: 2011-04-12T04:00:00+00:00

“Lou Ella, you can’t drink that! You know it’ll make you sick.” Jess hated to reprimand his weakened wife, but she shouldn’t have done it. She’d mixed the sugary, orange-flavored powder with tap water and was sitting at the table drinking it.

“Humph. I don’t care anymore; I don’t care one tiny bit,” the old woman answered.

“Sweetheart, everything will be all right. Wait and see if it’s not,” said the old man soothingly.

“Where’s Althea?” asked his wife. “She’s been gone the whole day and half the night. She should have been back by now...unless something's happened to her.”

Jess Carr also worried about his daughter’s absence. She had been gone much too long.

“How is it that the police can’t do their jobs anymore?” asked his wife. “Jess, I think you ought to go down to the police station and report her missing.”

In his many years of life Jess had never found policemen particularly helpful. Actually, he and most black people he knew felt they had good reason not to trust cops. “No, Lou Ella. I don’t think I should go out. You know what Thea said about us staying inside. Besides, there won’t be anyone at the police station.”

Lou Ella shut her eyes tightly, a device she’d always used to relay to her husband that she didn’t want to hear what he had to say.

“We’ll have to sit and wait, sweetheart,” replied the old man. “She’ll be in, you’ll see, and she’ll have your medicine.”

His reassurances fell on deaf ears. “No, I want you to go report her missing. I can’t stand thinking of my little girl out there alone in the night.”

“But Lou Ella....it won’t do any good. I tell you there’s nobody at the police station.” His wife was a quiet woman by nature, one who made few demands on her husband. And because she seldom asked anything of him, he was inclined to grant her wishes when she did ask. This, however, was directly against his better judgment and Thea’s command.

He peered at her through the dimness. She sat unmoving, her eyes closed. “Did you hear me, Lou? I said there’s nobody at the station.”

A tiny droplet squeezed out from under one lid and rolled down her cheek. He saw the shiny tear and was moved. Lou was a strong woman—she never cried, no matter how bad it got.

“Don't worry,” he whispered. “I’ll go look for her.” He felt impelled himself—he couldn’t rest, not knowing where Althea was or what had happened. Maybe she was somewhere near and he’d find her. At least he’d be making some effort and that was better than sitting still.

Jess got up and removed his windbreaker from the closet. He slipped it on and zipped the front. To others the night would seem warm but he chilled easily. Going to the door, he cast one look back at his wife. She was motionless, but she’d heard his response, he was sure of that. “Fasten the latch after I’m out,” he reminded her, then stepped cautiously into the darkness.

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