Charlotte shook the tin can one more time for good measure, then it was time to draw. She passed the can to Frank Miller, who took it somewhat gingerly and looked at the others in the circle for what seemed a long time before finally reaching in and pulling out a ticket. Relief flooded his face and he exhaled before turning its reverse side to face the others. “Off-duty,” he said, and placed the ticket on the table. He passed the can to Harley Jackson.
Everyone deemed competent with a firearm (or was willing to learn) had gathered by the lagoon outside Red’s residence to draw straws for the night-watch. Corbin had gladly volunteered, of course, but he couldn’t patrol the entire 15-acre complex alone, and even he would have to sleep sometime. And while others had expressed a willingness to
