The Blood of Patriots

Chapter 10: Awakening

I turn on the radio and tune to a talk station.

"... and that's all I have for you right now, people," the host says. "Once more, downtown is sealed off. There are reports of a major confrontation between protestors and the police just south of Busch Stadium, cars burning, shots fired, and some unverified reports of people getting killed, police or protestors, we don't know. Stay tuned."

"Does Jack have a supply of body bags on hand?" I ask during the commercial.

"He has contingencies for everything."

She's not fazed at all by the idea that Jack's little stunt may be killing people. At least I didn't have anything to do with the train wreck. I'm not out there telling people to pick up their guns and meet me in St. Louis.

I take some creative turns and get us north of the interstate. The west-bound lanes are nearly empty, but the east-bound is full as far as we can see in either direction. It's barely moving. Normal traffic, including semis trying to get their work done, is boxed in by hundreds of vehicles flying those "Don't Tread on Me" flags. I see several pick-up trucks with their beds filled with men holding rifles. Some sit in the beds, but others stand, holding onto the roll-bars.

"We're back," the radio host says. "Non-stop news today, folks, and I apologize but we've had to turn off the phone lines. In fact, we've abandoned the studio here in downtown and there's only me and my sound tech, Ray. Thanks for hanging around, Ray. Seriously folks, do not come downtown for any reason."

The traffic eases as I move further away from the interstate. I approach downtown from the northwest. If all of downtown is sealed off, we should hit any blockages at a point close to Hannah's place where we can hoof it, if necessary.

The radio guy relays stories of a burning unemployment center on the near north side.

"Wild gangs of youths are running through the streets," he says, "looting and burning."

We see none of it. The wind is too strong to see any smoke. I roll down the window to listen for sirens and hear nothing. I begin to doubt that any of this is real. The interstate back-up could easily be caused by an accident that has both directions blocked.

"Does Jack own that radio station?" I ask.

"I don't think so, but that's a good idea."

"Be sure to give me credit for it."

"I will."

I switch to another station and get much of the same.

Hannah's cell rings and she answers it. I roll the window back up and turn off the radio.

"Yeah, I'm almost home," she says. "Nothing major, but it sure sounds incredible." I would've used a far different adjective. "No, no problems so far, I should be there shortly." She looks at me. "Yes, I'm ready for that. He's gone to his office for business reasons and will be staying there. Then we'll hook up in the morning. ... Yes, that's the plan. Hey, did you know Oz's mother is in town? ... Yeah, I ran into her earlier. She wasn't very nice. ... Really? ... Serves her right. ... That's what I got out of it. ... Yes. Yes. I got it." Then she gets irritated. "Okay, I got it. I'll have to call you later. I see a police barricade. ... Okay, bye."

The barricade completely blocks the street and the sidewalks, and is manned by four officers. No one is trying to enter, except us. This is unexpected.