by Robert Graf
Ellen grabbed her arm. "We wait for the FBI."
Ann tried to shake her arm loose, but Ellen was surprisingly strong. "I'll just be a second."
"No," Ellen ordered, moving to block Ann from leaving. "We're reasonably secure in here, not outside."
Ann started to argue then shut up. Within minutes Winslow and her buzz-cut partner hurried up the walk and through the automatic doors. Winslow gestured for buzz-cut to remain by the doors and strode across the floor to Ann.
"These yours?" she asked, regarding Ann's guards with a dismissive expression.
"Ellen and Jerry from Behrendt Associates, this is Agent Winslow."
They acknowledged each other.
"I took your advice," Ann added.
"Good. Where did you see the suspect?"
"He was two cars behind at the intersection. I saw him in my side view mirror. There was at least one passenger that I couldn't see very well because of the reflections."
"Where did he go?"
Ann looked through the glass doors toward the intersection and figured out where the sun set. "North on McDowell."
"How long ago?"
"A few minutes..."
Ellen glanced at a wall clock, "Eleven minutes from when we drove into the parking lot 'till you arrived."
Ann couldn't hide her impatience. "You guys do your thing, I need to get the overnight bag," she said, starting toward the doors.
From behind her Winslow shouted, "Stop her."
Agent Drew stepped in front of her. "Just a minute, Dr. Grey."
The chubby security guard noticed the commotion and hurried over from his station. "What's going on?" he demanded.
Buzz-cut pulled a leather case from his pocket and flipped it open in the guard's face. "FBI. Please don't interfere."
The security guard's stepped back. "Yes, sir. But what's going on?"
Ann threw her arms out, exasperated. "I don't know. Ask her," she answered, pointing to Winslow who was talking into her phone. The other patients, visitors, and staff stopped talking and watched in puzzlement.
Ellen leaned over and spoke softly, "Dr. Grey, she's called the bomb squad, and the police will be here in minutes. We're not going anywhere."
The pieces fell into place — her car. Ann felt faint; her heart pulsed in her ears. Oh God, not again.
Agent Drew focused on the guard. "Call your supervisor. We have a lockdown situation here with a potential bomb in the parking lot."
The guard stared at the FBI agent, frozen.
"Move," Drew snapped.
The guard ran back to Reception, grabbed a phone from a startled nurse, punched in a number and yelled, "Code red. I say again. Code red". He listened a few seconds and yelled again, "God damn it, yes. Now do it."
Anxious murmurs rose from the lobby, phones appeared, and people moved around, agitated.
"Quiet, please, QUIET," Winslow’s command rang out over the anxious murmurs.
The murmuring ceased. "Mommy, what's happening?" a frightened boy asked. "Shh," his mother answered, eyes fixed on Winslow. Wailing sirens could be heard, getting louder and more insistent.
"I'm Agent Winslow of the FBI. We have an ongoing situation in the parking lot. Remain calm and stay in the lobby.” She raised her voice to a near-shout as the sirens grew to a crescendo. “Everything is under control; the police will be here in minutes.” Flashing red and blue lights atop red fire trucks converged on the hospital.
Police cars swarmed in behind the trucks and blocked the street. A white van pulling a trailer with a large barrel maneuvered between the emergency vehicles and halted inside the parking lot.
Ann's phone chirped, startling her. She fumbled it out of her purse.
Alex’s unbandaged face looked up at her. "OK, what did you do this time?"
"Alex!" Half his face looked red and swollen. Then his question registered. "Not funny. I'm in the lobby, and all hell is breaking loose. Winslow thinks there's a bomb in the parking lot. I'm sorry, but it's going to be awhile before we can leave."
"The nurses have told everyone to remain in their rooms; no one is going anywhere. From my window I can see lots of cop cars, fire trucks and a white van I'm guessing is the bomb people." He paused. "Tell me it's not your car."
"No one's said but what else? I saw the lab-bombing suspect behind us, called Winslow, and she came storming in here. I'm guessing, no I'm sure, that's why she reacted." She started to shake and dropped into a chair. "My God, Alex, how could they plant a bomb? There was no time."
She flinched as two uniformed police pushed through the doors. One, a stocky officer displaying gold braid on his hat and stars on his collar, stopped. "Where's the FBI agent?" he demanded in a loud voice
Buzz-cut answered. "I'm Agent Drew, Special Agent Winslow is in the dark grey suit over there," he replied, pointing, "She's in charge."
The chief motioned to the other officer. "Don't let anyone out," and hurried to Winslow. Ann couldn't make out their words, but from the chief's animated tone and agitated gestures, had a pretty good guess. Winslow shook her head and strode over to Ann.
"Dr. Grey, describe your car and its location."
"Gotta go, I'll call in a moment,” she told Alex. Her car? "A tan 2021 Ford hybrid. It's..." She stood and pointed out the doors. "It's at the end of the lot in the corner near the street."
"License number?" the police chief demanded.
She never bothered to learn. "8 something, I think."
"You don't know?"
Winslow interrupted. "We've got enough. Did you lock it?"
"I don't remember, Ellen drove."
Winslow held out her hand. "Give me the keys."
"Ellen has them."
Winslow muttered something under her breath, got the keys from Ellen, then ran out the doors to the white van. The chief followed.
More animated talk between the chief, Winslow and the bomb crew. One armored worker, clad in green slabs of protective gear, walked to Ann’s left and out of sight. The others remained by the van and watched. Winslow continued speaking to a bomb guy who seemed in charge.
Ann thought it was eerie, like watching a silent movie, only in color with all the lights strobing the actors and vehicles.
Her guards threaded their way through the nervous patients and stopped next to her. "They’ll handle it,” Ellen reassured her.
Ann felt sick and didn’t answer. She couldn’t grasp how quickly the bombers had acted. Minutes dragged by. Her phone chirped; she'd forgotten to call back. "They're doing something I can't see," she told it.
"I can't see much from here either. Is the woman in the gray suit your FBI agent?"
"Yeah, that's Winslow. I don't think she and the chief get along very well."
Alex snorted. "Local authorities have always resented the feds pushing them around."
The bomb tech reappeared from her left. "The first guy is back."
"Yeah, I can see him."
More discussion. The disposal people unhitched the trailer and re-hitched it to the back of a wheeled robot, a cross between a baseball catcher and a praying mantis. The first bomb tech-picked up a small box with a joystick and again disappeared to Ann’s left. The robot followed, pulling the trailer with its padded garbage can.
Minutes ticked away. "Anything?" Alex asked.
He looked nervous. "Nothing," she replied, her own nervousness increasing. How did they stand it?
The lobby was unnaturally silent, all attention focused outside on the unfolding drama.
The bomb tech reappeared followed by the robot towing its trailer. The disposal crew chief waved everyone away from the van as the robot approached. With the joystick the bomb tech positioned the robot next to the trailer hitch. A second protective-suited figure joined him. They hitched the trailer to the van and climbed in. The van slowly made a u-turn out to the street. Police cars took up positions in front and behind, and with sirens wailing and lights flashing, the convoy drove off.
"What are the
y doing?" Ann asked.
Drew lowered his phone. "The disposal guy found a bomb, disarmed it, put it in the carrier, and now they'll haul it somewhere and detonate it. The cops will run interference about fifty feet ahead and behind." He regarded Ann with a thoughtful expression. "Dr. Grey, you are incredibly lucky. If you'd gone for your bag, well..." He shook his head.
"Ann, did they find a bomb?" Alex asked.
She felt sick and didn't answer.
"Ann?"
"Yes, and they'll get rid of it," she replied, watching Winslow approach.
Winslow stopped next to Ann and let out a long weary sigh. "About a half kilo of Semtex wired to a motion-detector taped under the driver's side. The disposal tech guided the robot to clip the connection, disarming it. Thank Christ it wasn't triggered; it would have taken out half the parking lot. He can go home and have dinner with his family."
Ann absorbed Winslow’s words. Abruptly her stomach cramped. She ran past Reception to the women's room, barely making it through the door before vomiting into the sink. She vomited over and over until only dry heaves were left. Finally she got up the strength to turn on the cold water and rinse her mouth. She let the water run.
A hand appeared holding a white towel. "Here, I'll get someone to clean this," Ellen told her. "You sit down."
Ann took the proffered towel, soaked it in cold water and managed to wipe the mess off her face and the bits on her shirt. She dropped the filthy towel in the sink, collapsed in a plastic chair and lowered her head between her shaking knees.
"Feeling better?" Ellen asked.
Ann sat up, feeling a little dizzy, and studied her self in the mirror. Pale, haunted expression, bandaged face, yup, she looked and felt like shit. "Yes, let's go."
Back in the lobby she tried to ignore the curious stares from the patients and staff. She spotted Winslow, with Drew and Jerry, talking to the chief and walked over.
The police chief spoke first. "Dr. Grey, I'm chief Martinez." He wrinkled his nose but didn't comment on her appearance. "We were discussing what to do about you."
That alarmed her. "Do? What does that mean?"
He gestured toward Winslow. "Agent Winslow has convinced me that I should be more cooperative with your security firm. They'd already informed me about the guard in front of your house, usually a routine matter. Now I'm adding a drive-by patrol car on a random basis. The officers will be in contact with the security people."
That sounded good to her, the more the merrier. "Thank you chief, that's comforting."
"I'll feel more comfortable once the perps are caught, which I've been told will happen soon." His gaze fixed on Winslow who had her polite non-smile fixed in place. "In the meantime I try to keep my city from being blown up. I understand it was your lab that was destroyed several weeks ago, and that those responsible are the primary suspects for today's events."
"Unhappily that seems to be the case. Unless there's something else, I'd like to get my friend's bag and get him discharged."
Winslow frowned. "That's a problem. We're keeping your car while forensics goes over it. You can have it back in a day or so."
"I need the bag, he has no other clothes." She just wanted out of there.
Winslow hesitated. "Get her bag, but dust it first," she ordered buzz-cut.
Drew nodded and left.
"We'll get you home," Jerry promised.
Ann found a quiet corner and called Alex.
"What's happening? The nurses said I can leave whenever you bring my clothes."
"Be patient a few minutes while the FBI gets the bag." She couldn’t take much more before she had a screaming fit.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes," she lied. "Maybe you should go home; it's too dangerous around me." Please don't, she silently prayed.
"I'd worry myself sick. No, I'm staying, and that's final. No argument."
She smiled in relief at the commanding tone. "Yes, sir." Where is that damn agent?
Once Drew brought the overnight bag, everything went smoothly, mostly. Alex objected to the wheelchair but gave in when the nurse refused to let him leave, much to Ann's amusement. They rode back in Jerry's car; Ellen's head swiveled back and forth, constantly studying the surrounding traffic.
Ann was a nervous wreck; she held Alex's hand the whole trip back, starting at every blue car they passed. At home she had to enter the alarm code twice after fumbling with the key to the deadbolt, yet managed to do it within thirty seconds. Collette kept them outside while Jerry and Ellen, with guns drawn, inspected every room and closet. Finally they blessed everything and left
By then the sun had set, and she was mentally and physically spent. Her stomach growled. "There's nothing to eat, I'd intended to get something on the way back but..." she told Alex, studying the empty refrigerator.
"I need a hug," She wrapped her arms around him, mindful of the ribs and arm in the sling. He awkwardly hugged her with his good arm. She rested her head against his chest, "I'm so glad you're here."
He sniffed, "You need a shower, and I need some pain meds."
"Thanks for the compliment. Just for that you order some Chinese." She pulled open a drawer. "Menus are in here. I like spicy, and don't order sweet and sour anything. It's horrible goop." She left him rummaging one-handed in the drawer and went to take the much-needed shower.
[Wednesday, Petaluma]
Ann carefully pulled back the bedcovers, got out of bed and donned her bathrobe and slippers, leaving Alex asleep. He'd awakened in the middle of the night complaining of pain in his hand. She brought him more pain medication which seemed to help as eventually he fell asleep. His dependence on Vicodin troubled her; patients often become addicted.
In the kitchen she brewed a pot of the French roast, her favorite, and hunted through the cupboard and freezer for food. A couple old cans of pork and beans, dried apricots, stale Cheerios, no milk, and nothing in the freezer. They'd eaten all the Chinese so no leftovers. Some hostess she'd proved to be. The wall clock showed 07:20. What was open at that hour? There was a 24 hour Safeway in town, she'd seen the sign, but no car and no guards to accompany her. Shit.
She booted her tablet and linked to Petaluma Safeway’s Home Shopping Service, delivery in an hour. She read the instructions and created an account. She chose Shop by Aisle, and the website obligingly led her down each virtual aisle, even the produce and meat/fish sections. Why hadn't she ever done this before? She filled up her shopping cart and checked out. The grocery prices were reasonable. The delivery fee? Oh my.
She was forgetting something, which didn't surprise her anymore, too much happening. What had O'Connor warned her about? The guard. Call him about the Safeway delivery. Where was that code? Nothing on the counter so where...? She opened the drawer under the counter; there, on the envelope. She entered the code in her phone.
Collette’s face appeared. “Yes, Dr. Grey, what can I do for you?"
"I've sent for some groceries from Safeway. O'Connor told me to inform you of any visitors. Is that right?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Otherwise we'd prevent your guest from approaching the house. We verify identities before placing them on a list of accepted visitors. Will this be a regular event?"
Would it? She was effectively imprisoned. "Probably, we'll see how it goes."
"Very good. Anything else?"
"No, thanks." Just how would they prevent visitors? She'd ask O'Connor when he brought the contract. She sipped her coffee, idly watching the climbing rose. One scarlet blossom had finally opened. What next, work on the anonymous Web posting? No, wait for Alex. What she desperately needed was a plan for her research, wishful as that might be. She couldn't face the eulogy so she opened a file and began listing items to accomplish, in no particular order.
Her phone chirped, Colette again. "Your Safeway delivery is here."
She glanced at her wall clock, precisely one hour. "Thank you." She reached the door at the “ding-dong” and opened it. A skinny young man, heavily tattooed, stoo
d holding several large paper bags chock-full of groceries. Another full cardboard box lay at his feet. Collette stood behind him.
"Your order, Ma'am," he said, sounding nervous, "Where should I put it?"
She stood aside and pointed, "In the kitchen on the counter," she answered and followed him inside. The delivery man put the bags down, went back for the box and brought it inside.
"Anything else?" he asked.
What was he waiting for? Of course, a tip, he probably made minimum. She gave him five dollars from her purse. “That’s all, thank you."
He smiled his gratitude, "Thank you, Ma'am," and hurried out past Collette.
Ann returned to the kitchen and put the groceries away. Back to the Web posting.
A while later Alex hobbled into the kitchen wearing her old pink bathrobe that barely reached his knees. She smothered a laugh, "Aren't we the fashion statement."
He gave her a mock scowl and sat. "You try washing with one hand. At least I managed to take a shower, though it was more like a spit-bath."
She grinned as she scrambled eggs, warmed refried beans and tortillas, added salsa —her version of huevos rancheros —and served them. They ate quickly without talking. Alex had a little trouble with only the one hand, but she wasn't about to help him.
"That hit the spot," he said, pushing his plate away. "Hospital food isn't that great. So what's on the agenda today?"
"You need clothes. Do you feel up to shopping?"
Alex finished his coffee. "No, I’m too shaky. I'll call the girls; Lynn’s staying at the house and can bring my things." His mouth curved in a half grin. "That way you can meet the family. Also there's some busy-work I have to finish to hand over my current project to my replacement." His expression sobered. "Hope the job's there once I fully recover." He paused. "Shit, I forgot the plane. I'll have to arrange for a ferry pilot."
"Is that expensive?"
He shook his head. "No. Happens all the time. There’s always someone needing a plane."
If he says so. "Let me show you the security system, don't want you sounding the alarm." She demonstrated the door alarm, gave him one of the duplicate keys and told him about the invisible window mesh. "This is the surveillance app," she said, firing off the viewer app. The five webcam windows instantly appeared. She selected the front view and enlarged it. The white van was centered in the back of the wide-angle image. "Our 24/7 guard is in there, and here's their phone code, good anytime," she explained, passing the envelope with her scrawled note across. She pushed her tablet across the counter to him. "Try it out. Just select a window and double click, the menu will appear."
