“Some of the hooligans are wearing uniforms,” Norwood interrupted. He, too, was starting to lose his temper with Dr. Wright. They must act. Otherwise, they were going to lose their city for good.

“That’s right,” Elijah Green, the other black alderman, said. “We’ve got to do something, and now.”

“There’s a motion on the table,” Wright said patiently.

“Second,” Gore said.

“Discussion?”

Keith said, “Jesus Christ. Call the question.”

Wright said, “All in favor of banning the sale of alcoholic beverages until further notice within a mile of the city limits, signify by saying ‘Aye.’ ”

They voted in favor.

Keith sat down and clasped his hands eagerly. “Now, let’s wire Washington.”

“Let’s not overreact,” Wright said. “We don’t want outsiders thinking we can’t take care of our own house.”

Keith gave him a look. Outsiders?

Norwood said, “The police seem to have disappeared from the streets. Where’s Chief Melton?”

“I don’t know.”

“Who called in the State Guard? Has martial law been declared?”

Wright said, “Is the State Guard here?”

Keith said pointedly, “As long as it’s still functioning, only this board can declare martial law. In a vacuum of civil authority, the governor.”

Gore said, “Gentlemen, there is a solution.” All eyes looked his way. None of them had forgotten that he’d caved in to the Redeemers under threat, then publicly announced support for the white supremacist platform. The rumor was that he’d actually contributed money to Rountree’s campaign committee. “I have had certain conversations with leading individuals.”

“Rountree,” Keith said, and swore.

“Yes,” Gore said. “And others. They assure me that order can be restored.”

“I’ll bet,” Keith said. Who had broken the order in the first place? “Let me guess—they want a new board.”

“That’s it, yes.”

“You resign if you want to—not me,” Norwood said. Green agreed.

Gore said, “It won’t work unless it’s unanimous. That’s the only way they can guarantee control.”

“Never,” Keith said. “This is still a democracy, and we’re still the legally elected board.”

Gore said, “It’s beyond that now. No sense in arguing the finer points.”

“The finer points! My God, if fair and legal election is a finer point, then what in the name of Christ are the broad principles?”

Gore got up, angry. “Suit yourselves. I only told them I’d try. It’s going to come to that, sooner or later. You might as well resign yourselves to it. We’re all lame ducks now—why not save what we can? I’ll wait for your answer at city hall.” He strode out and slammed the front door behind him.

Mayor Wright held his head in his white-gloved hands.

“So that’s it?” Norwood said.

“Well, if you won’t wire Washington,” Keith said to the mayor, “I will.”

Wright lifted his head. “Gentlemen, I’m afraid Dan has a point. We don’t have a lot of options. We’ve got to end the bloodshed.”