Criminal Case: Pacific Bay

Chapter 21: Under the Thunderdome-Part 1

A couple days later, Marie had a little trouble getting work because after hearing the news about the next hurricane, which the weather center named Zelda because if one knows their abcs, after Y comes Z, she got herself into a little traffic jam from a lot of the citizens heading to the stores to get emergency supplies. The traffic jam lasted for about ten minutes until Marie found herself moving again towards the station. When she entered the office, it was abuzz with ringing phones and other officers scrambling about carrying files.

Marie looked over and saw Scott and Julian at Scott's desk and she approached them and asked, "How are things going guys?"

Earlier, Scott decided to leave early so he can help track the upcoming storm. Julian volunteered to come with so he can help Scott track the storm and before Marie left, she left Oliver with a sitter. Scott then said to Marie while showing her the swirl on his computer screen, "We're keeping close watch on Zelda as it gets closer and closer to its designated area in Jazz Town. According to the weather center, they estimate that she'll hit in about a few days or so."

Julian then added in, "We're also watching any new movements to the hurricane to in case it changes its course."

"I'm just glad we live on the other side," Scott said.

Marie nodded and said, "Well keep up the good work guys. Let me know if anything happens."

As they watched Marie walk away to her desk, Julian, who's voice got a little deeper ever since he turned fourteen, said, "You got it Sissy!"

Once Marie reached her desk, Amy joined her and she looked at Marie with a sorrowful look and said, "Hey Marie. I can't believe there's another storm coming towards us! People have barely had the time to get over Hurricane Yves and now Hurricane Zelda may finish off destroying the town!"

Marie saw tears come out of her eyes and she gave Amy a reassuring look and she said, "Don't lose hope Amy. Most hurricanes and other natural disasters may have left a lot of towns damaged and in ruins, but there's one thing Yann told us when we started working in this town; wherever there's despair, there's always hope."

Just then Chief Marquez came by and she looked at Marie and said, "Marie, I'm glad to see you're here. Listen, an evacuation site has already been set up in the Thunderdome stadium to make sure people will get to safety before the storm hits. And it turns out that Colonel Spangler of the Army Special Projects Division has been put in charge of the evacuation. I'm sure you remember him from your adventure in Bayou Bleu Marie because he was a suspect of yours in the murder of that soldier that was eaten by a giant carnivorous plant."

Marie nodded and said, "I remember him. He's the one who arrested Hannah after she hacked into the army's archives during that case. He really gave us some trouble back then!"

Chief Marquez frowned as she remembered the case too and she said, "Right. Anyway, the point is, I don't trust that man, which is why I want you and Amy to go to the Thunderdome and help supervise the evacuation. And if you please, I would like you both to go right now!"

The female officers saluted to the chief and accepted the job and soon, they headed out to the Thunderdome stadium. Inside the Thunderdome stadium, Marie and Amy just entered and saw there were people arriving with their suitcases and other belongings. They also saw that some supplies were being unloaded for anyone who live in Zelda's direction when their homes got hit. It was then that Marie spotted Colonel Spangler and he spotted her as well and he looked at the soldiers he was talking with and dismissed himself.

As soon as he was in front of the two female officers, the colonel looked at Marie and he said, "Well, I see we have a visit from the local law enforcement. I am not quite sure why you are here Miss Marie, but we have the situation under control."