Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,50
now-empty plate back and nodded. “There are rumblings of some of the domestic terrorist groups, or those that are right on the edge of becoming labeled domestic terrorists, that the FBI and Homeland Security are keeping an eye on. Some can’t stand the idea of someone from a foreign country coming here and running in one of our races. Considering the papers have been reporting on the group of runners from Nigeria and Ethiopia along with dozens of other countries, those groups aren’t happy. Plus a marathon has many women running together. Some groups don’t like that aspect either. Then, of course, you have groups that don’t have anything against the race or runners, they just want to make a statement.”
Rory wrapped his arm around Sandy as a growl sounded out. “What the hell kind of statement they think they’re going to make, I’ll never understand.”
“What about those of us that are spectators?” Harper directed her question toward Colm, then glanced down the table toward Sandy. “What can we do?”
“Keep your eyes open is the best thing I can say. That’s why we’re already putting out public notices to have someone report any backpacks or bags or suspicious items that are left by themselves with no one else around. There will be people at their windows watching the race below, and we’re asking them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious as well.”
“Make sure you have the marathon app downloaded,” Ryker said, pulling out his phone.
“App?” Sharon grabbed her phone from her pocket and held it up. “What can I do with it?”
“It has everything on it. You can choose all of us as your favorites and then you can keep track of where we are on the racecourse in real-time,” Erin said. “It will have the whole course laid out on a street map of Hope City and then when we cross the starting line our electronic timer will allow you to follow us.”
“Oh, my goodness, I had no idea,” Sharon enthused, quickly bending her head toward Hannah. The two moms chattered as they downloaded the app onto their phones.
“The police, security, rescue, and medical services have a similar app that will let them know what is going on and where,” Rory added.
Sandy beamed toward him before casting her cheerleader smile over the rest of them. “Even though we have to watch out for the crazies, there’s a lot of goodhearted people that are happy about the business this will bring to our city.”
Bekki nodded her agreement. “I’ve been reporting on the marathon preparations, and it’s amazing to see how many people are working together to make it happen.”
Sharon looked up from her phone and cast her gaze toward Erin and Caitlyn, then pursed her lips. “I can’t help but worry about the girls running, but then the rest of my children who aren’t running are working, so no one is out of possible danger.” She glanced over at Hannah and said, “And with your brood, you’re in the same situation.”
Hannah shoved her phone back into her pocket and nodded. “The only thing that makes me feel slightly better is knowing that those who are running will have someone with them. Ryker will be with Brianna and Caitlyn and Bekki are running together.” She smiled at Torin and said, “And, of course, now you’ll be running with Erin.”
“Not necessarily, Mom,” Bekki piped up.
Torin watched as Hannah’s brow lowered, then Caitlyn finished Bekki’s thought. “We’re all given starting times. We’ll get those in a few more days, so we don’t know who will be running with us. We might all have different times, although I doubt any of us will be in the first wave!”
“So, you might not be running together?” Sharon sat up straighter, her eyes wide.
“No, Mom.” Erin offered a slight shrug. “The first group who runs will be those who have documented the fastest times. The Nigerians and Ethiopians will be running, and at least one of them is slated to win the whole marathon. With them in the news, it’s a pretty big deal that they decided to run in this race. The marathon organizers don’t want them or anybody else who’s really fast to be hindered by anyone else. After that, the rest of us will be divided into waves, starting about twenty minutes apart.” She glanced up toward Torin, her lips curved downward, and sighed. “So, we don’t know yet who we’ll get to run with.”
“Well, this doesn’t make me happy.” Hannah crossed