“Hey, it’s a job.”
“Yeah, a job today, no planet to live on tomorrow.”
“Preaching to the choir. But when you’re trying to put food on the table today? And people can make six-figure salaries here working the energy fields? They’ve had booms and busts before, but they seem to have things in better shape now.”
“Google again?”
He shrugged. “I’m a curious guy. Plus both my brothers-in-law work in the oil and gas fields. I guess I picked some stuff up because of that.”
They passed a fifteen-gas-pump truck stop that had a restaurant attached and also showers, a Laundromat, and a store that multiple signs said sold hot pizzas, propane, diesel exhaust fluid, truck driving logs, fans, and antifreeze, among many other listed items. On one sign were enormous photos of alluring waitresses in short shorts and low-cut tops. Another sign proclaimed the facility had the best adult entertainment DVDs in the entire state of North Dakota. The parking lot was packed with semis of every size, color, and style, with emphasis on chrome fittings, spike wheel caps, and spray-painted murals on the cabs. They ranged from dragons and firearms to American flags and busty, nude women.
“Well, I guess we know what’s popular up here,” said Jamison.
“It’s not just up here where that stuff is popular,” replied Decker drily.
They next passed RV parks that were packed and a shopping mall that looked freshly risen from the dirt. The mall had a BBQ restaurant with a sign promising the best southern pulled pork around; then there was a Subway, a China Express, a twenty-four-hour gym, a bar and grill, and even a sushi bar. There was an electronic marquee mounted on one wall that set forth the current prices for oil and natural gas. Next to the mall was a large brick church. On the front of its outdoor sign someone had arranged black letters to read,GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AND THE OIL AND THE GAS. SHARE THE WEALTH. DONATE TO GOD. WE DO VENMO. BIBLE STUDY CLASS EVERY NIGHT AT7.
Jamison glanced in the rearview mirror. “There’s a column of semis and dump trucks right on my butt, and they have been for the last half hour.” She glanced at the oncoming traffic. “And an army of them heading the other way. And the whole place smells of diesel fuel.”
“They’re bringing in equipment and supplies, including the chemicals they inject into the ground. Apparently it goes on 24/7.”
“And the trucks heading the other way?”
“Taking the oil and gas out, I guess.” He pointed ahead. “We have to get off this road soon. They built a loop around the town so the trucks wouldn’t have to drive through downtown with their loads.”
Jamison took the next exit, and they shortly saw a cluster of lights in the distance. “I take it that’s the town we’re headed to.”
“Yep. London, North Dakota.”
“I wonder how it got that name,” said Jamison.
“Maybe some guy from England came here and planted a flag. Right in the middle of a sea of oil and gas. Population’s around fifteen thousand, and over half of them work in the oil fields and the other half service them. And that’s about triple what it was just three years ago. And it’ll triple again in half that time if things keep going as they are.”
“Boy, you really did read up on this,” commented Jamison.
“I like to know what I’m getting into.”
She looked at him curiously. “And what do you think that is, apart from a murder investigation?”
“This is the Wild West, Alex. It’s like the California Gold Rush of 1849, only on steroids.”
“So what exactly are you saying?”
“That the ordinary rules of civilization don’t necessarily apply up here.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Very.”
They drove down the main street that was bustling with people despite the coming storm, and reached a dead end when the first drops of chilly rain began to fall.
“Directions, please.”
“Next left,” said Decker.
They pulled to a stop in front of what turned out to be a funeral home.
Now Decker shot Jamison a curious glance.