Tony Dunbar - Tubby Dubonnet 07 - Tubby Meets Katrina Read Online Free Page A

a better and more tolerant population. It had its problems, sure. New Orleans had its Bolivia-like absurdity and inefficiency. But people here contributed to life much more than they took away. Once this storm passed, he planned to spend some quality time rediscovering his city.
    All of a sudden the idea of evacuating it now didn’t seem to make much sense.
    “Let’s go,” he told Flowers.
    “That’s it?” The detective uncurled from his chair and stretched.
    “Yep. It’s pretty much the way I left it, I’m happy to say.”
    They went into the outside hall, and Tubby locked up. “What did you say my cell phone number is?” he asked Flowers.
    Flowers told him again, and Tubby scribbled it on one of his cards, which he stuck in the crack of the door.
    “Just for Cherrylynn,” he said. “In case she shows up.”
    They took the elevator back to the roof.
    “You can bunk down in Kenner with me,” Flowers said when they reached the open air. “We’ve got a whole warehouse to call home. There’s always room for one more.”
    “You know, I think I’ll stay at my house. This may sound crazy, but I’d like to be there if our storm turns into something big. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got a lot of stuff to look after.”
    “You already packed your bag.” Flowers sounded disappointed and concerned.
    “Yeah, but I changed my mind. I’ve been away so long, I just think I might stay to see what happens here. One night in my own bed just wasn’t enough.”
    “Well, hell, boss, I’ve got to get this baby back to base. This wind is getting bad. I’m supposed to guard the plant. Otherwise I’d join you.”
    “Oh, that’s okay. I’m not worried about this hurricane. In fact, while I’ve still got a little daylight, I’d kind of like to walk around. Do you suppose you could put me back on the street?” He was thinking, if I’m going to rediscover my city, why not do it now?
    “On the street? We’ll see.”
    They climbed aboard and Flowers started the big prop. With the flapping of a hundred mad condors, the Airodream lifted off.
    “How far do you want to walk?” Flowers yelled.
    “Just put me down the first place you see!” Tubby shouted back.
    “How about right there?” Flowers pointed to the parking lot beside the Amtrak station. It was virtually empty.
    Tubby made the okay sign with his fingers, and the big bird descended to asphalt. When they thumped down Tubby grabbed his green bag and jumped out.
    “Don’t forget you’ve got a phone,” Flowers called through cupped hands. “Call me if you need anything. I don’t know if I can take this up anymore in the wind, but we’ve got some big trucks that will just about go anywhere.”
    “Don’t worry about me,” Tubby mouthed. The helicopter lifted away. Why should anyone worry? I can take care of myself. I’ve got three intelligent daughters, and all of them have moved away to safety. Raisin Partlow, Tubby’s running buddy, was still in Bolivia, as safe and sound as one could be in a country paralyzed by strikes. There’s nobody else I’m responsible for, he thought. Let’s enjoy a stroll, get back to the house, curl up with a fifth, and see if the Astros or Braves are on TV.
    He hefted up his green bag, took a gulp of steamy air, paused for a brief cool breeze coming from somewhere, and set off for St. Charles Avenue.
    It was kind of nice. Very few cars around, so he could jaywalk across Lee Circle. There were, however, a few family groups on the march, bearing plastic supermarket bags full of their stuff, pulling children along, all headed in the opposite direction toward downtown. Tubby stopped to help a lady lift her baby carriage over the curb.
    “Where are y’all going?” he asked.
    “The Superdome. We all be all right when we get there. Mr. Benson’s got the hot dogs cooking.”
    “Sounds nutritious,” Tubby said. He could use a hot dog himself right about now.
    He saw a red streetcar clattering Uptown on St. Charles