The wind was ferocious last night.  It kept me awake most of the time.  I’m tired and groggy and grumpy.  No snow with the wind, but it’s coming, I can smell it.

Late in the afternoon, Donna stopped by.  She gratefully accepted a cup of coffee and one of the scones I had made earlier this morning, not questioning baked goods.  I wonder if she stops here just to get some coffee.  I wonder if she would get the joke if I made donuts.

“There was another fire last night,” she started.  “One of the camp cabins on the Sullivan Trail; fortunately not occupied right now.  I just don’t know what to make of this; the fires seem random, yet not.  Got any ideas?”

“Have you been over any of the lists Darlene and I made earlier, right after the event?” I asked. “We made lists of all those who needed medical continuance, of the elderly, those who live alone and rural, of the CPL holders… don’t ask!” I caught her quick glance at the CPL remark, and smiled. “Yes, I know who they are.”

She looked at me, at John, then at me again.  “Can you make this any stronger?”

John got up, pulled a bottle of whiskey from a cupboard, showed it to her with eyebrows questioning.

“Oh, yeah,” as she held out the coffee cup.  It’s always 5:00 somewhere.  “No, I haven’t seen those lists, guess I need to, but I think we can eliminate the elderly. Most can’t handle a snow mobile like I’ve seen with the tracks.”  She sipped on her fortified coffee, and sighed.  “What about the medical list?  Anything peak your interest?”

I went into the other room and brought back my on-going folder of things in the township since The Event.  I flipped a few pages and turned it to her.  Her eyes scanned the list, something caught her attention.

“Can I take this?” she asked.

“John, will you start the generator?” I asked, and said to Donna, “I’ll make you a copy.  The medical list was viewed by Gary and … enhanced.”  I knew there were a couple of people in town on psychotropic drugs that no longer had access to their medications.  My daughter in law was one, but I also knew she was non-violent and basically a good person.  “Someone catches your attention, Donna?”

“Yeah… someone that is already on our radar, but knowing they’re off their meds is good to know, in case of a confrontation.”  She waited while I ran a copy of the lists on the printer.  “If it’s any consolation, if it’s who I think it is, you’re not a target, it really has been all random.”  I knew between her and Paul they would compare the lists, see who was on more than once.  Someone who lived alone was a more likely suspect; I just can’t see a spouse not reporting suspicions, especially on something this serious.