River City

CHAPTERS: One | Two | Three | Four | Five

Recap of Chapter Two

The grim aftermath of an incident at the Green Frog nightclub sends shockwaves throughout the city. News vans crowd the scene, drawing national attention to Sheriff Frank Johnson’s actions from the night before. As Frank grapples with his arrest, the public is divided: Is he a hero or a vigilante?

Councilman Willie Arnold, a dependable friend, pays Frank a visit while he is in jail. Willie delivers news of the city’s divided opinion and hints at possible consequences for Frank’s actions. Concerned for his son and seeking comfort, Frank’s thoughts drift back to a happier time with his wife, Isabelle.

The poignant memory of their anniversary dinner at The Sweet Shop provides a stark contrast to the present. Edwin Sweet, a war comrade and the diner’s owner, shares a special moment with the couple. However, the evening takes a tragic turn when Joe Walker fires at Isabelle through the diner window. As Isabelle’s life hangs in the balance, Frank must beat the odds and get Isabelle to the nearby hospital to save their unborn son.

Though Isabelle succumbs to her injuries, doctors miraculously manage to save their unborn child, giving Frank a ray of hope amid the heartbreak.

Chapter Three: Flood Stage

In the dim light of the jail cell, Frank’s thoughts drift between the haunting remnants of Isabelle’s memory and the cold reality surrounding him. Outside, the distant sound of rain pounding on the roof echoes a growing unease.

As he tries to shake off the unsettling feeling, a guard approaches his cell. “Sheriff, you might want to take a look at this,” the guard murmurs, handing Frank his tablet computer.

Frank anticipates more protests but instead encounters live footage of the swollen river and discussions about the city’s preparations for what’s being called a “100-year flood.”

The images immediately bring to mind the Faraday nuclear plant, located a few miles upriver. He knows if the city is in danger, then the nuclear facility is at risk too.

Before becoming Sheriff, Frank had served as a consultant for the plant’s emergency response team, and his expertise in crisis management had been instrumental in formulating their emergency procedures. It is an aspect of his career few in the city know about, but it prepared him for moments like this.

---

The normally tranquil river swells and churns, its muddy waters threatening to spill over the embankment and into the city.

The unrelenting rain continues to engorge the saturated ground, making many streets impassable. Tiny streams flirt with the sandbag fortresses constructed around the entrances to local businesses, harbingers of a more destructive force. A few more inches of the torrential downpour, and all will be lost.

Ann Robbins, the city pharmacist and a lifeline for many, inventories her medical supplies and first-aid equipment. Having known Frank since their school days, she has become the temporary guardian of his son during his imprisonment. She knows the city could be cut off from supply lines during the coming emergency.

Ann looks down at the smiling baby boy, bouncing playfully in the carrier behind the drug counter. His innocent eyes, unaware of the world’s dangers, gaze up at her. The weight of responsibility, however temporary, presses on her.

Ann’s phone buzzes, disrupting the moment. It is an urgent notification from Mayor Wendell Hobbs: “Emergency Planning Meeting—Immediate Attendance Required.”

Ann goes to her computer and connects to the city’s virtual emergency meeting network. The city, understanding the constraints of weather and geography, had set up a digital communication system for such contingencies.

She soon finds herself looking at a grid of familiar faces. Each official is ready to discuss strategies and action plans.

Mayor Wendell Hobbs, his image framed on her screen, calls the meeting to order. His once sharp, lawyer-like demeanor seems strained under the weight of responsibility. Wendell had a history of challenging powerful entities in court, and the Faraday plant had been one of them.

One by one, the members of the team outline their plans and discuss the rapidly evolving situation.

The mayor clears his throat, a hint of trembling in his voice betraying his usually calm demeanor. “I have no choice but to declare a state of emergency. This isn’t something we’ve seen in our lifetimes.”

“If we hit flood stage, our pumping stations won’t keep up. We should seriously consider urging residents to move to higher ground,” said Fire Chief Jack Collins.

“And don’t forget, the river’s still rising, even if the rains stop. Once it crests, they’re saying it could be ten feet above flood stage—or even more. We could be looking at serious flooding,” adds another official.

Councilwoman Alice Carpenter looks sympathetic, “We trust you, Wendell. Just do what’s right for the city.”

“Everyone needs to evacuate. We can’t be sure how long this will last,” the mayor instructs.

The meeting ends and within minutes, the city’s residents receive the mayor’s message through the newly implemented emergency notification system, a sobering reminder of the times they live in.

Upon receiving the mayor’s alert, Councilman Willie Arnold places a call to him.

“Hello, Willie,” Mayor Hobbs says, seeing Willie’s name pop up on his phone.

“Wendell, release Frank. It was self-defense, and with this flood, we need his expertise.”

“It’s not that simple,” the mayor counters.

“The vast majority of the city backs Frank,” Willie retorts. “It’s just a vocal few stirring the pot. And right now, his expertise could be the difference between life and death in this flood. You’ll regret sidelining him.”

There’s a heavy pause. “I’ll consider it,” the mayor finally responds.

After hanging up with Willie, Mayor Hobbs, realizing the weight of the situation, picks up the phone once more and calls a familiar number.

“James,” he begins as the city attorney answers, “it’s Wendell.”

“Mayor,” James answers crisply, “I’ve been following the news. Quite the storm we have brewing, both meteorologically and politically.”

Hobbs exhales, “James, about Sheriff Johnson. The charges against him—”

“—are a matter of the court, Wendell,” James interjects.

“I know, I know,” Hobbs responds quickly, “but we both understand the circumstances surrounding Frank’s situation. And with this looming crisis, his experience is invaluable, especially with the nuclear plant.”

There is a pause, the weight of the decision evident in the silence.

“James,” Hobbs continues, “given the imminent threat, can we not prioritize a review? If there’s any chance those charges can be dropped or at least put on hold, now is the time. The city needs him.”

James sighs on the other end, contemplating the request. “You’re asking for a significant favor, Wendell. Bypassing protocol, especially with the eyes of the public on us, it’s a risk.”

“The entire city is at risk, James,” Hobbs presses. “We need to prioritize safety and security over politics.”

Another pause. Longer this time.

“I’ll review the case immediately,” James finally concedes. “But for the record, Wendell, I’m doing this for the city, not politics.”

Hobbs smiles slightly, “Thank you, James. Right now, that’s all that matters.”

---

Sheriff’s Deputy Carla Martinez enters Frank’s cell, her face a mixture of urgency and relief. “Frank, you’ve been cleared. The evidence confirms it was self-defense.”

Frank blinks in surprise, processing the sudden change in his situation. “And Mayor Hobbs?”

Carla nods. “He pushed for the expedited review, especially given the current crisis.”

For a moment, Frank absorbs the news, then slowly rises from his seat. “Alright, let’s get to work, Carla.”

Residents scramble as the impending flood’s gravity increases, seemingly unaware of the even greater threat the nearby nuclear plant poses.

---

The imposing Faraday nuclear plant stands stark against the stormy skies. An intricate network of pipes and steel complements its concrete dome, which is a representation of human ingenuity. Twin cooling towers loom like sentinels, releasing wisps of steam. However, the turbulent river below threatens its seemingly unbreakable facade, hinting at vulnerabilities within.

Inside the control room, monitoring panels are awash with flashing red and yellow lights. Typically filled with the hum of machinery and low conversation, the room now echoes with urgent voices.

“Talk to me, Jenkins,” Supervisor Richard Daley shouts over the commotion to his chief engineer.

“It’s worse than we feared,” Jenkins replies, sweat beading on his forehead as he glances at the monitors. “The floodwaters are rising faster than anticipated. If it reaches the secondary containment in the next few hours…”

He doesn’t need to finish. Both men know the catastrophic implications.

One of the junior operators, eyes wide with fear, pipes up, “Sir, we’ve just received a report. The dam upstream is showing signs of strain. If that breaks…”

Daley’s heart races. The scenario is a nuclear safety officer’s worst nightmare. “Start the emergency shutdown procedure,” he orders. “And get the mayor on the line. We need to start evacuations now!”

Daley takes a moment to look out of the large window overlooking the facility. Dark storm clouds hang menacingly low, the rain pours down in sheets, and the usually calm river now rages. He whispers a silent prayer, hoping they can prevent the disaster waiting at their doorstep.

Suddenly, an emergency phone rings, its shrill tone distinct from the others. Daley picks it up, his hand shaking slightly.

“Mr. Daley, this is Sheriff Frank Johnson. Given my background in the plant’s emergency procedures, how can I assist?”

Author’s Notes:

Flooding can be catastrophic for a nuclear power plant. It can knock out its electrical systems, disabling its cooling mechanisms and leading to overheating and a possible meltdown. Subsequently, a dangerous release of radioactivity can occur.

Flooding at the Fukushima Daiichi plant in Japan as a result of the March 2011 tsunami caused severe damage to several of the plant’s reactors and only narrowly avoided a catastrophic release of radioactivity that could have forced the evacuation of 50 million people.

Actual people, places, and events served as inspiration for some of the story’s elements.

Cover Image: © Jamison Brown