‘They’re hungry, that’s why,’ said Peter. ‘Hunger always makes people crazy. Whether it’s for food, or sex, or money.’

‘My wife and daughter are in there,’ said Ed, flatly.

‘We know,’ replied Shearson. ‘And don’t think for a moment that we’re going to leave them to the distinctly untender mercies of this mob. We’re going to think of something. Do something. Your wife and daughter must be saved.’

‘As well as a year’s supply of food,’ put in Della, sharply.

‘What’s wrong with wanting to rescue the food?’ Shearson protested, angrily. ‘Don’t you understand, you stupid woman? Didn’t you hear what that hobo character said? A year’s supply of canned food could buy you anything you could conceivably dream of. That’s edible gold in there. In fact, it’s better than gold. It’s even better than heroin. Only a limited number of addicts crave for heroin. But everybody craves for food. Give them what they want, and in a few hours, they’re begging you for more. Don’t you understand what power that food in that supermarket could give us?’

‘Christ, you make me heave,’ said Ed. ‘Della – there’s little enough law and order in this country as it is – why don’t you elect yourself judge and executioner and blow the senator’s fat head off?’

A running looter collided blindly with their wagon, but carried on his way, waving a long kitchen knife.

‘I couldn’t execute the senator,’ smiled Della. ‘The senator is running absolutely true to character, and as far as I’m concerned, that’s fine.’

‘Fine? What do you mean, fine? Didn’t you hear him?’

‘I heard him. And that’s why I’ve been protecting him so carefully all the way from Kansas, both from you and everything else. Senator Jones has even shared half of my food ration, haven’t you, senator?’

Ed stared at her. ‘You gave him half your food? But what the hell for?’

‘Because, my darling, it’s my mission to keep Senator Shearson Jones in one piece. Alive, well, and avaricious. That’s why I agreed to come west with you, instead of taking him to Washington, because you were quite right about the dangers of travelling east. Too many looters, too many marauding mobs. And my superiors would have been very irritated if I’d lost him. Or his clever young assistant.’

‘Will you explain this to me, in words that I can understand?’ asked Ed. He knew now that it was urgent for him to find out what was going on; although he couldn’t help himself from glancing anxiously down Franklin Avenue towards the lurid gasoline fires that now lit up the outline of the Hughes Supermarket ‘It’s very simple,’ said Della. She raised the muzzle of her rifle slightly. Not more than a half-inch, but enough for Ed to notice.