Decimation: The Girl Who Survived

by Burke, Richard T.

  “Yeah,” the man said, “but it’ll take a week or so. I’ll get the paperwork raised for the full test today.”

  “Right. I’m going to be waiting for him when he comes home from school. Arresting her son for suspected rape should wipe the smugness off that arrogant cow’s face.”

  Chapter 61

  Monday 17th January 2033

  The man wiped the condensation from the window and watched the stream of expensive vehicles entering the school driveway. Despite the heater being on full blast, his feet were still freezing. He placed the sports car magazine on the passenger seat and leant forwards. He examined the screen of his mobile phone and checked the position of the little green dot. For the time being, it remained somewhere inside the building. The first pupils emerged through the tall, black, wrought-iron gates and walked along the pavement. He planned to stay in the relative warmth of the vehicle for as long as possible.

  Since leaving the army five years ago, he had drifted from job to job, working as a security guard and, for a brief spell, as a private investigator. Two years after entering civilian life he had been drinking with a group of friends in his local pub when he had run into an old acquaintance from his army days. The acquaintance worked at Ilithyia and had agreed to put in a good word for him with the Head of Security. After a short interview, Anders Grolby had offered him the job. Over the past two years, he had performed many tasks, not all of them strictly legal, but this had to be one of the strangest. Under normal circumstances, he would have considered spying on the owner’s son as a seriously career limiting move, but his superior had assured him that he was following Rosalind Baxter’s instructions.

  The boy seemed to lead a very average life, and there had been few moments of interest. Most of the time was spent like this, waiting for him to either come out of his house or the school. There had been the incident in the car park when the woman had given the boy a note. Grolby had praised him for capturing the scene on film but had been less pleased when he had lost the subject for a minute or two at Northstowe train station. To make sure it didn’t happen again, his boss had provided him with a micro transmitter, a small circular disc, no larger than the head of a nail. The small device was coated with an adhesive designed to bond to almost any surface. The previous day, the man had bumped into the boy on his way to school and had slipped the gadget into a pocket of the boy’s winter jacket. The device’s batteries held enough charge to track its location to within a few metres for the next ten days.

  As he monitored the mobile phone’s screen, the green dot moved. Finally, some action, even if it was just tracking a teenager on his way home from school. He set the Baxter house as the vehicle’s destination so that when he arrived there after following on foot, the car would be ready and waiting, a refuge from the frigid winter afternoon. The map showed that his target was now less than fifty metres away. He returned the phone to his pocket and once more cleared the side window of condensation. The man recognised the blue jacket first. The boy emerged through the gates, the hoodie pulled over his head as it had been that morning. Unlike most of the other kids, he began the short journey home alone.

  The man watched the boy in the rear-view mirror and waited. He didn’t need to get too close because the tracker would tell him the target’s location even if he lost direct sight of him. Opening the car door into the biting wind, he pulled the collar of his coat tight around his neck. He instructed the navigation system to follow the directions he had entered a minute earlier and slammed the door. The vehicle indicated and moved out. Ahead of him the boy turned left and passed around the corner out of view. The man increased his pace and hurried to catch up. He took the same turning as the boy down Huntingdon Lane and maintained the separation between them.

  At the junction, the boy waited for a gap in the traffic and jogged across to the centre of the road where there was a narrow section of pavement. He stared to his left, studying the stream of vehicles, looking for the moment to complete the crossing. The man slowed down. He didn’t want to end up standing next to the boy on the small paved area between the two busy lanes.

  A car braked and indicated right. The boy darted across the remaining carriageway then continued his brisk walk in the direction of home. The man speeded up again and followed the same route as far as the central section. The line of cars was continuous as commuters made their journeys home. The boy took a right down the next road heading towards the railway station. The man wanted to get closer in case the subject went into the concourse again, but the traffic was too heavy to navigate.

  “Come on, come on,” he muttered under his breath. Eventually, a driver took pity on him, slowed and gestured for him to cross. The man gave a grateful wave and broke into a jog as he trailed his target. With a sigh of relief, he quickly spotted the blue coat and hoodie amongst the commuters streaming out of the station. The boy continued along the pavement, making no attempt to enter the glass and steel building.

  At the T-junction, he headed left in the opposite direction to the majority of the traffic. The man relaxed slightly and kept the same pace as his quarry. The house was just over a half mile away down this road. As the boy progressed towards his destination, the properties increased in size. After three hundred metres, the buildings on the right gave way to open fields. The man gazed at the flat, featureless landscape, broken only by the occasional tree.

  By now, most of the houses on the left would be classed as mansions. Closed gates and high fences screened the vast majority of them from the pavement. Not for the first time, the man wondered what people did for a living to afford to live here. Up ahead, the man spotted his white car parked at the kerb facing towards him, close to the entrance of the boy’s house. Just beyond the gates, was a stationary blue van.

  As the boy bent down to type the access code into the electronic control box, the rear doors of the van burst open. Two men and a woman, all wearing dark uniforms, surged out. The boy whipped around in shock. The two men each took hold of an arm, and the woman pulled back his hoodie. She examined his face and seemed taken aback. She spoke a few words. He shrugged in response. The men released his arms, and he returned to the task of entering the gate’s entry code.

  The security man ripped off the glove to his right hand and rummaged in his jacket for the mobile phone. He inspected the map screen and confirmed that the green dot was located in front of the Baxter residence. He switched to the camera function and zoomed in to focus on the subject.

  For several seconds he stared at the image before him.

  The boy appeared to be approximately sixteen years of age and the same height and weight, but he was definitely not Jason Baxter.

  Chapter 62

  Monday 17th January 2033

  Jason slid into the car seat, dropped the rucksack at his feet and loosened the scarf that obscured half his face. “Bloody hell, it’s cold,” he said, turning to face Daniel Floyd.

  “Mm,” Floyd replied.

  “Hey, a manual,” Jason said glancing around the interior of the vehicle. “It’s a long time since I’ve been in one of these. What, so you have to turn the wheel and press the pedals yourself? Isn’t that a bit dangerous?”

  “Not as dangerous as what we’re about to attempt. We might need to get away quickly, so I don’t want to be travelling in a car that’ll obey the speed limits and stop at every red light.”

  Jason’s face became serious. “Are you sure this is going to work?”

  “No. There are loads of things that could go wrong, but I think it’s the best chance we have. If you don’t want to go through with it, now’s the time to say. Once we start, there’s no going back.”

  “I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve made up my mind. I can’t let Antimone remain a captive. We have to get her out.”

  “Good.” Floyd turned the key in the ignition. “I’d hate to think I wasted all that money. I called in a huge number of favours to get hold of the stuff.”

  “Where is the gear the
n?”

  Floyd jerked a thumb backwards over his shoulder, indicating a green canvas bag on the back seat.

  “Can I see them?” Jason asked.

  “Let’s wait until we get there. I’ll take you through what to do when we’re parked up. I want you to change into the clothes I’ve brought. They’re in the other bag.”

  “You didn’t mention that before. Why do I need to change?”

  Floyd indicated and pulled out into the light traffic. “Think about it. If you just wander in through the main entrance dressed like that, somebody will probably recognise you. You are the boss’s son after all. However, if you’re wearing the same gear as one of the doctors and a surgical mask too, the chances of you being recognised are much less.”

  “Good idea. Just make sure you don’t crash this heap of junk while I’ve not got my seat belt on.”

  Floyd glanced across at Jason. “It’s not a heap of junk. I bought it six months before … well, before they arrested me. It hasn’t been used for over fifteen years, but it still started first time. That’s German engineering for you. None of this cheap Brazilian rubbish that people are buying today.”

  “I’ll take your word for it,” Jason said, pulling the green designer sweater off over his head. “By the way, that suggestion of yours about swapping clothes with somebody else was a good one. I had to agree to let Brad keep the hoodie, though. He said he’d wait at the house for a couple of hours. I just hope my mum doesn’t come home and find him there. He’s probably already drinking her expensive wine. I assume it worked. Did you spot the watcher?”

  “Yeah, he was driving a small white car. I didn’t recognise the make. He sent the car ahead and followed on foot.”

  “I think I’ve seen it outside on the road a few times. I thought it belonged to the neighbours.” Jason slipped into the pale green shirt and did up the buttons. “I’m going to stand out if I walk across the car park just wearing this thin top. I’ll freeze my nuts off.”

  “Good point. Put the jacket on over the top. When you get in through the main entrance, put the surgical mask on and take the coat off. If anybody’s watching, it’ll look like you just nipped out for a spot of fresh air.”

  Jason took off his school trousers and wriggled into the green ones provided by Floyd. “They’re a bit big,” he said.

  “I don’t think anybody’s going to stop you for wearing the wrong size trousers, do you?”

  “Did you bring any shoes? I’ve only got my black school shoes.”

  “Jesus, it’s not a bloody fashion show. Nobody’s going to notice if your shoes don’t go with the rest of your gear.”

  “Fine.” Jason tied his shoelaces. “Do I look convincing?”

  Floyd’s eyes darted across, then back to the road. “Just like the genuine article, although I’m not sure I’d want you operating on me.”

  Jason refastened the seat belt. “What should I do with my school clothes?”

  “Just throw them in the back.”

  Jason exhaled loudly as Floyd indicated left at the Ilithyia Biotechnology sign. “So take me through the plan again.”

  Floyd went through the details as he navigated towards the car park. He manoeuvred the vehicle into a parking spot and applied the handbrake. He turned sideways to face Jason. “This is your last chance to pull out.”

  “No, I’m doing this. Show me how these things work.”

  Floyd stretched over into the back seat and grabbed the canvas bag. He pulled apart the handles and gingerly reached inside. “You have to treat these babies with a lot of respect.” He explained how the devices worked and handed the bag to Jason. Reaching behind the seat, he dragged out a portable computer. He pressed the power button and waited while the machine booted. Within seconds the display showed a login screen. “Good. Your mother’s not logged in at the moment. Have you got everything you need?”

  Jason nodded.

  Floyd leant across, opened the glove box and pulled out a mobile phone. “Call me when you’re inside. There’s only one number programmed in so you just need to press the green dial button. You’ll probably have to hang up while you’re getting the girl, but give me a call me when you’re at the lift and ready to leave. I’ll be waiting just outside with the car. Remember, put the surgical mask on as soon as you’re through the main entrance. We don’t want anyone recognising you. And try to look like you belong.”

  “Okay. Wish me luck.” Jason pushed open the door. He stooped and leant inside. “By the way, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “It’s nothing to worry about. I’ll tell you afterwards.”

  Jason shrugged. He slammed the door, turned towards the giant logo of the foetus and began walking.

  Chapter 63

  Monday 17th January 2033

  Pale streaks of light fought through the angry looking clouds at the horizon. Jason tightened the collar of the jacket around his neck. The icy wind cut through the thin material of his trousers, plucking at the seams like a witch’s finger. His heart hammered in his chest as he strolled self-consciously towards the entrance. He kept his head down and avoided eye contact with the handful of people passing in the opposite direction.

  A downward blast of warm air greeted him as he pushed through the rotating doors. He moved to a wall at the side of the main thoroughfare and shrugged his way out of the winter coat. He pulled the surgical mask up and over his mouth and nose. His eyes darted around the tiled entrance area, but nobody seemed to be paying him any attention. His finger trembled as he stabbed the green connect icon on the phone.

  A voice responded before he heard the ring tone. “Yes.”

  “I’m inside and heading to the security door.”

  “Okay. I’m ready. Tell me when you’re ten paces away.”

  Jason headed towards the double set of doors holding the coat under his arm. Ahead of him, a man wearing a dark business suit waved a card at the reader and pushed his way through. He glanced back at Jason and held the door open. Jason showed him the mobile and shook his head. The man shrugged and continued on his way.

  “I’m there,” Jason said. He could have followed the man, but he wanted proof that Floyd could control the security system remotely. Two seconds later there was a barely audible click, and the light on the box changed colour from red to green.

  “I’m through,” he said. The corridor seemed quiet after the bustle of the reception area. “I’m on my way to the lift.”

  “Just wait a sec. I’ll call the lift and let you know when it’s about to arrive. Make sure you have the car to yourself.” Several seconds of silence passed. “Right, it’s on its way.”

  A ting announced the lift’s arrival, and the doors slid apart. To Jason’s relief, nobody was inside. “Right, I’m in.”

  “Okay, I’m enabling the lift panel. I’m not sure what you’re going to see, but you want the basement level.”

  “Nothing’s happening yet,” Jason said. “Hang on, the panel’s lit up, and there’s a B on it.”

  “Go for it,” Floyd said. “You better get your respirator on. Don’t press the button until you’re ready.”

  Jason pulled the cloth mask down around his neck. “I’m putting it on now. It’s not going to be easy to speak to you with this thing on. I’ll call when I need the lift again.” Reaching into the canvas bag, he retrieved a device containing a face-sized clear panel with a stubby black cylinder protruding from the front. He slipped it over his head, the rubber moulding to the contours of his face. He put the phone in the breast pocket of his shirt and placed his hand inside the bag for a second time. This time, he withdrew a six-inch long, blue, cylindrical object. White Cyrillic writing curved around the circumference. A silver-coloured lever ran down the side and connected to a hinge on the top. A metal ring linked to a pin inserted through the mechanism. Jason depressed the lever, put his forefinger through the ring and pulled out the pin.

  He took a deep breath and pressed the icon on the lift’s control panel.
The doors started to slide shut, but before they met, a green-booted foot appeared in the gap. The doors separated. A male doctor dressed in similar attire to Jason stepped inside.

  Chapter 64

  Monday 17th January 2033

  Karen Atkins slammed the van door and stared at the illuminated building. “Let’s see what you have to say this time,” she said.

  The man to her left turned to face her. “What did you say?”

  “Oh, nothing. I’m just looking forward to Rosalind Baxter trying to talk her way out of this one.”

  Kat had managed to convince her superior to assign a couple of uniforms to assist her in arresting the boy. Her boss had not been pleased when he discovered how she had come across the evidence but had relented when she outlined the details of the case. He had even agreed to contact a judge who owed him a favour. Kat now held the authorisation to request a DNA sample whether the boy’s mother assented or not.

  It had come as a surprise when they had apprehended the wrong boy at the Baxter house. He had told them that Jason had asked him to swap jackets and wait in the house for a while before leaving. He claimed to have no knowledge of Jason’s whereabouts or the reason for the bizarre arrangement. Judging by his confusion, he was as much in the dark about what was going on as Kat.

  “Right, let’s do this,” Kat said, as a short beep signalled that the second man had locked the van. She strode towards the entrance to Ilithyia Biotechnology, the two policemen following three paces behind.

  At the reception desk, the woman asked them what their visit was about. It was with some satisfaction that Kat announced they wished to discuss a serious police matter with the CEO. The woman placed the call, her eyes never leaving the three police officers. “If you’d like to wait here for a minute, somebody will be down to get you.”