The U.S. Army’s moving screen served the two vehicle convoy well. Cade followed about a 1000 yards behind them, Rawley’s vehicle close behind.
The Troutdale exit would take them to the old highway. Cade saw brake lights flash on up ahead as the military convoy came to a halt, presumably by a road block. A moment later as the Sequoia neared the stopped vehicles, the military convoy they had been tailing was waved through and pulled away.
There was an Oregon State Police Dodge Charger stopped to the left, partially blocking the road. The red and blue lights of the patrol car flashed hypnotically. The trooper wearing the trademark Smokey the Bear hat put up his gloved hand. Cade came to a stop, turned off the engine and handed his military identification to the trooper.
The trooper, eyes fixed on Cade, asked “What’s your destination?”
Considering the trucks were loaded with his camping gear, Cade responded “We’re headed to Trillium Lake to do some camping; if the sites are all full then we’ll try Timothy Lake. My friend’s driving the white Bronco behind me.”
“Who are these kids travelling with you?”
“They’re my neighbor kids, it’s their first time camping.”
“Haven’t you been listening to the radio?” the trooper demanded.
“No we’ve been listening to CDs… why, what’s up?”
“So… you are not aware that the State of Oregon is currently under a declaration of martial law and there have been deadly viral outbreaks in Portland?”
“I heard about some sick people but honestly, I had no idea martial law had been declared. We’ve been planning this trip for a while. This weekend worked the best for Ike and Leo’s parents. They were going out of town on business and needed someone to watch these two anyway.”
Ike and Leo gave each other the look only a sibling would understand; without words, it said they needed each other and had to stay strong to survive the loss of their parents. Both boys remained stoic during the trooper’s questioning.
Cade finished by saying , “I figured no better time than now. Hopefully this contagion thing will blow over.”
Glancing at the ID card the trooper looked at the three of them one at a time, pausing for a tick while locking eyes, then said, “I’m going to let you pass. Just remember to drive safe,” then looking directly at the boys he added, “and be careful around the water, fellas.” He glanced at Cade. “Wait here a moment while I speak with your friend.”
The trooper continued down the line of vehicles that had begun to form behind Cade’s Sequoia. Seeing as how the truck was full of guns and ammo, Cade couldn’t wait to disengage from the officer and get moving. He tensely watched the trooper in his side mirror as he slowly walked towards Rawley’s Bronco.
Rawley had patiently observed the stop unfold; he now removed his sunglasses as the trooper closed the distance with his truck.
The radio on the passenger seat came to life.
Quick and to the point Cade said, “We are going camping on Mount Hood at Timothy or Trillium Lake if he asks you,” and then it went silent again.
Rawley provided his identification and received the same stock informative lecture, followed by the same questions from the officer. Because of his tattoos and long hair, his driver’s license received more than a cursory inspection. Rawley informed the officer that he was going camping with the guys in the truck ahead of him, gesturing with his thumb towards the camping gear which fortunately was shielding his rifle from view. Rawley got his driver’s license back and the trooper indicated he could follow Cade and the boys through the roadblock.
Cade waited as the trooper returned to the Sequoia. Behind him the drivers in the cars that were lining up started honking intermittently. The trooper reached in the window and handed the ID card back to Cade and then queried him about his service.
Downplaying his role, Cade said, “I did a tour in Iraq, nothing worthy of a medal. I was mostly in the Green Zone.”
After a short pause he got a heartfelt “Thanks for your service, son,” and with a tip of his stiff brimmed hat the older trooper exclaimed loudly enough to be heard over the honking, “you… and you!” pointing at the Sequoia and the Bronco, “carry on!” and waved them through. He then faced the unenviable task of telling the rest of the drivers in queue that I-84 was now closed.
Wasting no time, Cade started the Sequoia and hurriedly pulled away from the roadblock.
Rawley threw the trooper a quick smart ass salute as he rolled past him heading east away from the city of 1.2 million.