Bill Gordon preceded him over the rail bed to the assembled dignitaries.

“Gentlemen, and ladies,” he said, “rails are out for a considerable distance, more than I’d care to walk in this heat, meaning we’re going to have to reroute trains. I’ve got no idea how far south the break is, only that it was further than I could see.”

“I have to get to Phoenix!” The speaker was a tall young woman, wearing the blue jeans and checkered shirt you’d expect of someone who spent most of her day on the back of a horse. Despite a very wide hat, her tan was deep.  A trim figure and well-cared-for tall boots confirmed Gordon’s interpretation of her career through life.

“Humble apologies, ma’am,” Gordon said, tipping his hat as he spoke, “but you can’t take a train where there are no rails, and the rails are simply gone. I’ve seen washouts before, but nothing like this.”

She held up her hands to the sky.  “What the Good Lord provides we must accept.  Someone here can tell me how long it’ll take to get to Phoenix.”

“Ma’am, the railroad will be moving as fast as possible to get you to your destination.”

That, Gordon thought, was the Prescott railmaster, doing something Gordon had almost never seen, namely being meekly polite to a customer.

“There just aren’t a lot of North-South lines, the rail master said apologetically, “I’m afraid it’s through Albuquerque and Tucson or through Los Angeles, and figure a two-day trip each way. That’s the best I can do, sorry.  But we will honor your ticket, whenever you want to go.”

“Thank you, sir. Into each life some rain must fall.” She turned around and walked off.

Winston turned sideways until he was facing his grandfather and the mayor.

“Your Honor, grandpa,” Cooper said, “I have something of a report, but as there may have been some murders I should give it privately.”

“Ongoing criminal investigation,” Grandpa Cooper said.  He glared at the newspaper editor.  “Mike, that means ‘Sheriff Cooper had no comment.’ Off the record, that means we don’t know if people were killed, or if they were struck by lightning, so we’re trying to find out.”