Together Again
Chapter 2
Mike was not afraid to admit that he missed his wife and daughters. Finding Christine; alive and well has been a welcome and wonderful shock. He was thrilled that his daughters were alive too, but it would be hard to face the fact that they had grown up without him. First and foremost, they had to have the meeting that Mike was supposed to be conducting. Sheriff Gray and Mike's secretary, Jane were ushered back in, and they all settled with notebooks.
"Alright, the military is working to train local and state law enforcement to better aide and assist the military in the place of a natural or man made disaster, pandemic or famine. Since so much infrastructure was lost over the past six years, it is absolutely vital we work together. With that, comes financial funding for small departments like this one. We also equip departments with the best training and equipment. The Red Flu, Red Rust, and the cyber crash that occurred have taught us all that it can't be separate agencies and departments working against each other and police and sheriff departments are really the first line of defense." Mike explained.
"The problem most small agencies face is a lack of personnel. How can the military help with that?" Sheriff Gray asked.
"Hire more people." Jane said, rather glibly. Mike shot her a look, but looked back over to the sheriff.
"We'll help with recruitment and will be working at a national level to get what you need. I will need a rundown on schools, churches, housing and civic organizations at some point." Mike requested.
"Christine, could you help the admiral with that? You're pretty involved in the community." Sheriff Gray asked.
"Yes, of course." Christine answered after yawning into her hand.
"Sir, I'm quite capable of collecting that information." Jane told Mike.
"I would much rather have the input of someone who lives in the community and has raised children in the community rather than some website created by someone whose never been to the town." Mike told her sternly. Jane got on his last nerve sometimes and he was picking up on some animosity between her and Christine. It could be jealousy but Christine had never been jealous before.
"Christine, why don't you take a few days off to get used to your…family situation and when you come back Monday, you'll be on day shifts. For the time being, your primary concern will be helping Admiral Slattery set all this up. Will that be a problem, Sir?" Sheriff Gray asked.
"Not at all." Mike answered.
"You don't need to discuss it with your CO, Mike?" Christine asked.
"My CO is the President. I'll apprise him of the situation, but he won't mind." Mike told her gently.
"What will I be doing, Sir?" Jane asked Mike. Mike was instantly frustrated with her, but he wanted to put distance between Jane and Christine.
"You'll go back to the office and coordinate between myself and Commander Greene. As we've discussed before; her orders might as well be from me. No need to check in and tattle on her." Mike told Jane. He normally wouldn't embarrass anyone like that but it was getting a bit old to have to run between his secretary and his second-in-command.
"Perfect. We all have our duty assignments. Christine, go enjoy your long weekend. I'll see you tonight at Hannah and Mallory's game. Get some rest. Admiral, it was nice to meet you. I can see why Christine and your girls speak so highly of you." Sheriff Gray said before standing and shaking Mike's hand. Christine and Jane had also stood up.
"Thank you. I look forward to working together. And thanks for treating Christine so good and giving her the weekend off." Mike said. He then turned to Jane, knowing she would argue with him on his next task. "Go back to the office and await further directions. I'll call Commander Greene and the President and explain. I won't be back in the office until Monday. I'll have Christine drive me up to get my vehicle and clothes tomorrow. And remember what I said, no arguing with Commander Greene." Mike said before handing her the car keys to the government vehicle.
"Sir—" Jane started until Mike gave her a look that he used to dress down young sailors. "Yes, sir." Jane answered before grabbing her tote back and leaving the sheriff's office.
"Ready?" Mike asked Christine before taking her hand.
"Yes, let's go." Christine answered. Mike was perceptive enough to know something was on Christine's mind and smart enough to wait to address it until she had gotten some rest. He just hoped it wasn't that she'd moved on. He couldn't have blamed her, but it would tear him to pieces of she had.
