“If that’s the way you want to be,” he said, “then this ain’t gonna be nearly as much fun.”
Kenzie felt sickened by the young man’s stench and the thoughts of what he had in mind. She found herself wishing she’d listened to everyone’s advice and stayed home where she would be safe from such people.
“Halt! Unhand that lady!”
She felt a rush of relief at the authoritative voice. The young men loosened their grip, then let go of her in order to face their new opponent.
“What’s the matter with you? We’re just having a little fun with our friend,” the blond declared.
Kenzie hurried away from the duo toward the two men who wore uniforms and badges. “I am not their friend. They accosted me.”
“Is that right?”
The black-haired man shrugged and grinned. “Didn’t mean no harm.” He hit his buddy in the chest, and the two started to run down the alley.
The men at her side drew their side arms and fired, dropping both men with a single shot each.
She looked at the officers, stunned by their reaction. “You didn’t have to shoot them.”
“Riffraff. They won’t learn any other way,” the man nearest her replied. “It sets an example for the rest.”
His partner moved to where the young men lay facedown in the street.
Kenzie’s stomach clenched. “They were just boys.”
“Foolish boys,” the older officer declared. “Ma’am, this isn’t a safe place for you. You need to get on home.” He went to join his partner while Kenzie stared after them in dumbfounded silence.
“Let’s put ’em with the others,” the older man instructed, holstering his gun. He bent and hoisted the black-haired man over his shoulder while his partner did likewise with the blond. Neither officer seemed to feel even the slightest remorse for their action.
Kenzie watched as they moved off down the street, still struggling to believe what had just happened. While she was grateful for the rescue, she had never thought it would result in the death of her attackers. It was hard to understand. Surely the officers could have just taken the men into custody.
They were just boys. No more than seventeen or eighteen at the most.
Kenzie forced herself to move. It wasn’t safe to stay here. She knew the situation could easily repeat itself if she wasn’t careful.
She hurried to the chocolate factory and found a burned-out shell of brick and steel. She knew it was probably dangerous to go inside, but if Cousin George was here, she needed to know. If he were trapped or buried in the rubble, then maybe she could lend aid. It was doubtful, but it gave her the courage to go inside.
“Cousin George? Are you here?” she called, entering the area that had once been the office.
She saw the ashen remains of what had been a desk and chairs, as well as metal filing cabinets that had melted in the fierce heat. Had Kenzie not known what the office looked like prior to the fire, she certainly wouldn’t have been able to make it out now. No doubt this was the scene throughout the city. It was hard to imagine a lifetime of work up in flames—yet here was proof.
Kenzie continued down the hall to the assembly room where she had once worked with Camri and Judith. The collapse of much of the roof allowed the sun to shine down on the devastation. There was nothing left.
“Cousin George?” she called again as she moved toward the machine rooms where the chocolate had been made. “It’s Kenzie! Are you here, Cousin George?” She heard noise coming from the far side of the room. “Cousin George?” She strained to see around an impassable pile of debris.
“Kenzie, what are you doing here?” George Lake emerged from beneath a mangle of iron and steel. He appeared to be in one piece.
Kenzie rushed toward him. “I’ve been so worried about you. I didn’t know if you’d survived the earthquake or the fires.”
The short, balding man pushed up his wire-rimmed glasses. “There wasn’t time to look for you. I figured you were safe, since you weren’t downtown when the earthquake hit.” He looked her over and nodded. “I see you’re fine.”
“Yes. We sustained some damage, but the fires didn’t make it as far as our neighborhood.”
“That’s good,” he replied. “That’s very good.”
“We’re staying at the warehouse—the one you looked at when you were thinking about moving the factory. We opened a shelter there for some of the homeless.” She looked around at the hopeless mess. “What are you doing here? None of this can be salvaged, can it?”
George shrugged. “Who can say until I go through it? I’ve been down here since things cooled off enough to get into it.”
