Etched in Bone
Page 62

Monty held himself still, but no one else spoke—because they were waiting for him. “Not everything is as plentiful as it was,” he said carefully. “But that’s because the Lakeside Courtyard has allowed some police officers to purchase goods, including food, at their stores. And the tenants in the apartment buildings the Business Association purchased are also permitted to buy food in the Courtyard.”
“They are trying to feed more people from the same bowl of rice?” Chen said.
“Yes, sir. That was brought to my attention a short while ago.” The lack of criticism for his failure to spot the potential trouble earlier was its own form of censure. “A suggestion has been made that if the humans want to continue eating in the Courtyard in order to interact with the terra indigene, then all the tenants in the apartments should offer part of their weekly meat ration to be used at the coffee shop or the restaurant in the Market Square. That way the humans are helping the Wolves feed all the residents.”
“Do you think they’ll agree to this?”
Monty smiled. “I don’t think the Business Association will argue with the female pack.”
“Which brings up a point Elliot Wolfgard asked to be addressed.” O’Sullivan took a folded piece of paper out of his inside jacket pocket and handed it to Walter Chen. “To sign up for a ration book, a person needs to go to the government office that is handling the distribution and show a place of residence and employment, as well as provide a list of the people to be included if it’s a ration book for a family—and to show proof so that someone can’t claim to have four children when they really have two.”
“Or they can receive the books at their place of employment,” Chen said. “For example, all police officers and staff working at the Chestnut Street station will receive their ration books at the station.”
“The accounting department at each station will be responsible for distribution,” Alvarez said, looking at Burke and Monty.
O’Sullivan pointed to the paper he’d given to Chen. “These people are employed by the Courtyard. Being human, they’re entitled to receive a ration book. Mr. Wolfgard did not want them penalized for not working for a human employer.”
“The consul is very thorough,” Chen said with approval. “I’ll personally make sure these names are correctly recorded. They will receive their books at the Courtyard?”
“Yes. The consulate will distribute the ration books.”
Chen stared at one name before looking at O’Sullivan.
“She’s human,” O’Sullivan said quietly. “She’s entitled to rationed goods, same as anyone else.”
Monty tensed. Elliot had added Meg’s name to a list that would become a record in the mayor’s office?
“Knowing where she is doesn’t mean being able to reach her,” Burke said so softly his voice barely carried. “Her being included sets a precedent for the other girls. They all face enough challenges without being forced to depend on someone else for food.”
Monty wasn’t sure how Steve Ferryman listed the five young cassandra sangue who lived in the Intuit village, or Jean, who lived with a Simple Life family. Were Intuits and Simple Life folk even included to receive ration books? Did they need them? Something to ask, but not here and not now.
“I’ll speak with all the station chiefs and make sure they’re aware that price gouging should be reported,” Alvarez said. “Since people have to register at shops, the owners shouldn’t be allowed to take advantage of what, hopefully, will be a temporary situation.”
“One last thing, Lieutenant.” Chen picked up a carry bag from the floor beside his chair and set it in front of Monty with a gentle smile. “Rice. It’s a staple food in my neighborhood. I offer it as a small token of goodwill to our neighbors in the Lakeside Courtyard.”
“I’ll make sure they receive it,” Monty said.
He, Burke, and O’Sullivan walked out together. O’Sullivan stopped the other men before they reached their cars.
“Lieutenant, you should know that Elliot Wolfgard included your mother and sister as employees and tenants of the Courtyard. He was precise about saying your brother was neither an employee nor a tenant, that his position in Lakeside was that of a temporary visitor and he couldn’t claim the apartment as a place of residence.”
“Is Cyrus looking for work or another place to live?” Burke asked.
Monty shook his head. “As far as I know, his official residence is still listed as somewhere in Toland.”
“Then you, and he, should be aware that the ration book for him and his family will be issued out of Toland,” O’Sullivan said. “If he wants rationed goods, he’ll have to return to Toland and pick up the ration book in person or provide the proper authorities with his new permanent address.”
Jimmy wasn’t going to do without. Jimmy never did. Not for long, anyway. But Monty couldn’t see his brother going back to Toland just for a ration book.
“You need a lift back to the Courtyard?” Burke asked O’Sullivan.
“No, but thanks. I still have some work to do at the office here. I just wanted a private moment to let you know about Cyrus.”
“I appreciate that,” Monty said.
After asking Kowalski to deliver the rice to the Courtyard and continue patrolling, Monty went back to the station with Burke.
“Do the Others think there are shortages?” Burke asked. “Or do they just enjoy what’s available?”