Her name was Rain but she was more like Thunder.

“Dues time.”

“What the… where’d you come from, Rain?”

“Don’t matter, I’m here now. It’s dues time.”

“You’re a day early. I don’t have it ready yet.”

“Get it ready.”

“You know I don’t keep it here at the shop. I’ll have to make a bank run.”

“I’ll wait.”

“Why—”

“I won’t wait long. Go now.”

General Shoal didn’t often close up the drugstore in early afternoon. All across town Bizmon HUD tickers updated themselves.

—

SilverFlatsPD: @GenShoal starting your weekend early, general?

GenShoal: @SilverFlatsPD errand, back in 30 mins

SilverFlatsPD: @GenShoal looks like we might get a storm later?

GenShoal: @SilverFlatsPD hope you packed your umbrella

—

“She’s early this week,” said Sheriff Maxfield. “Just got confirmation.”

“Still at Shoal’s?”

“Far as I can tell. Don’t know what she’s pulling. Don’t like her unpredictable.”

“I’ll get the squad on standby.”

“No. I don’t want to spook her. You and me alone at first. And absolutely no netcomms.”