Time passed and the rest of the raptors, like Stephen and Tammy, did not come. And thus it was decided (after Whitman had ventured outside and observed their tracks heading north) that Sheila and Erik would follow Whitman’s patrol car to Anchor Rock in their old Toyota Corolla, at which point Sheila would search for her family while Whitman learned if there was anything left of his police department.
“Try not to look at it, honey,” Sheila urged as Whitman covered Conners’ body—what was left of it—with the customary blue tarp, then trudged back through the snow toward his idling car and got in. Then they were on their way, Sheila following him closely—but not too closely, as it was slick—down the snow blown road.
It wasn’t long before Erik was sound asleep, snoring and sniffing, coughing
