by J. M. LeDuc
“Hold on,” Chloe said. “When we first entered the room, it was pitch black. So, before we could look around, you turned on the lights.”
“That’s it, Chloe, the breaker! The breaker must trigger the electrical charge needed to send enough current into the spring mechanism that opens and closes the door. When I turned on the lights, it must have caused the door to open.”
“That also explains the sound we heard earlier,” Chloe added. “There must be a time delay that causes the door to close. So, if all that makes sense, then flipping the breaker on this wall should cause this door to open.”
Brent reached over and flipped the breaker switch. The tunnel immediately went dark. Then they heard the door squeak as it pushed away from the wall and move along the track.
“That was loud. I hope nobody heard it,” Chloe said. “Remind me to bring the WD-40 next time.”
Looking through the filter and grate, they could see light on the other side. They waited a few minutes and listened for voices. When they felt safe that the coast was clear, Brent lifted the filter out of the way, opened the air vent and stepped back into the Palm Cove they knew.
CHAPTER 36
They were standing in the boiler room of Palm Cove Hospital. In it were the inner workings of the hospital’s electrical system—the conduits, cables, breakers and so on, as well as the hot water heaters and air handlers.
“Building the hospital around the tunnel system so that it opened into this room was no accident,” Brent said. “Every single step was extremely well thought out. I could have used these guys in the Phantom Squad.”
Brent’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the time: 3:35 p.m. “Hello, this is Brent.”
“Brent, hi, it’s Susan. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thanks. I was just getting ready to call you. How’s my aunt?”
“That’s why I called. I think everything is going to be fine. She was moved to the main ward just before my shift started at three, but they assigned two more police officers to guard her room. They aren’t very friendly, but at least they’re here. So I think she’s safe.”
Brent thought about telling her that the two guys standing guard were killers, but he thought better of it. “I’m glad to hear that. But I know my aunt and she won’t feel safe until we get her out of there. So let’s do as we planned. Is that all right?”
“I told you I’d help any way I can, so whatever you need, I’m here.”
“Great, because we could really use your help.”
“I’ll do what I can and, um, who’s we?”
“There are a few of us involved now, but at the moment I’m with Chloe.”
“Chloe, huh? The old friend?”
“Yeah, that’s right, the old friend.”
He glanced at Chloe who didn’t look amused. She mouthed, “Who’s that?”
“Hold on for a second, Susan.”
He covered the mouthpiece of the phone and said, “Lucille’s nurse, the one I told you about.”
“You seem pretty friendly with Lucille’s nurse,” Chloe said. “I hope not too friendly. I wouldn’t want to have to kick you to the curb on the day of our reunion.”
“Not that friendly, I promise.”
“That’s up to me to decide. Now, you’d better not keep her waiting any longer,” she said pointing to the phone.
“Hi, Susan, sorry to keep you.”
“That’s okay. Everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine. I need you to get a piece of paper and a pen. There’s a list of things we’ll need before we can move Lucille.”
Susan pulled a pen and a prescription pad from her jacket pocket and cradled the phone between her head and shoulder. “Ready,” she said.
Brent rattled off a long list of supplies, some of which confused Susan, but she kept writing. “Is that all?” she asked sarcastically when he’d finished.
“Not quite. We also need a CPR dummy and all the medical supplies my aunt will need for at least a week.”
“Brent, this is a huge list. I’ll need some time.”
“That we don’t have, Susan. I need you to start bringing the items to the mechanical room in the basement.”
“The what room? And where is it?”
“Hold on.” Brent walked to the door and looked into the hall. At the end of the hallway, he spotted a sign that read MRI. “It’s down the hall from the MRI equipment room. I’m counting on you, Susan.”
“See you soon,” she said and ended the call. She excused herself from the nurse’s station and made her way to the other end of the ward where the supply closet was located. She started gathering the supplies on her list from Brent.
“Brent, you know more about this stuff than I do,” Chloe said, “but do you really think Ferric’s men are going to fall for a CPR dummy? I mean, I assume you’re going to exchange Lucille for the dummy, right?”
“You know what they say about assuming, right?”
“Ha, ha, very funny. So what do you plan on doing with the dummy?”
“I didn’t tell Susan because she sounded nervous enough. But I plan to exchange the dummy for a corpse in the morgue and then exchange Lucille for the corpse.”
“You’re gonna what? Are you kidding me?”
“Afraid not. The dummy’s going into the deep freeze.”
“How do you…?”
“Don’t know yet. I’ll figure that out when the time comes.”
Just then there was a knock at the door. Brent opened it to find Susan, back against the door, dressed in the same form-fitting uniform she’d worn the last time he saw her. She walked in backwards, pulling a hospital gurney full of supplies covered with a sheet. Chloe watched the beautiful nurse sashay into the room and thought, I might have to kick some butt after all. Once the gurney was completely in the room, the door closed automatically and Susan turned to face Brent and Chloe.
Smiling, she said, “Whew, it’s hot in here. Couldn’t you find a room that’s air-conditioned?”
“It sort of picked us,” Brent replied. “I appreciate you doing this. I know you’re taking a big chance.”
“I gave you my word that I would help in any way I could. Besides, it beats cleaning bed pans and taking temperatures.”
“Ahem,” Chloe stood with her arms crossed.
“You must be Chloe,” Susan said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She took a step forward and extended her hand in greeting. Chloe shook Susan’s hand.
“Likewise. Brent didn’t tell me how beautiful you are.”
“Well, he does seem like a man of few words, though he did let me know that you were the girl of his dreams.”
Chloe’s posture relaxed a little. “Did he now?”
While the two got acquainted, Brent walked to the gurney and inspected what Susan had brought. “If you two are finished with the pleasantries, we have a lot of work to do. Susan, I really need those scrubs on your next trip.”
“I’m on it. Next trip. Do you mind telling me how you plan to get your aunt out of the hospital without anyone noticing? I mean, those cops guarding her room aren’t very social. I’d have a tough time picturing them letting her leave their sight.”
“Susan, right now, the less you know, the safer you are. As soon as everything is in place, you’ll be told.”
“Fair enough, I guess. Some of the stuff on the list is in a restricted area and could be hard to get to. Meds are distributed one dose at a time,” she explained. “I’m not sure I can get into the pharmacy to get enough medication to last seven to ten days.”
“Don’t worry about them. As long as you have a list of what she’ll need, we have access to a pharmacy.” Brent did a quick check of the time, It was quarter till five. “We need the rest of the supplies here by six. Is that a problem?”
“It’s going to be very
difficult. They start serving dinner at five, so the halls will be very busy until six thirty. Can you give me till seven thirty or eight?”
“That’s pushing it,” Brent said, “but it can be done. If you need longer, some of this stuff can wait. What I really need soon are the CPR dummy and the scrubs.”
“That I can manage,” Susan replied. “I have to check in at my station and make sure the meals are being delivered. I can be back by six.”
“Excellent. One more thing, how strong is Lucille?”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning, how much of a shock can her heart and body handle?”
“Your aunt has a very strong constitution. What did you have in mind?”
Brent reached into his pocket and grabbed the pills he’d take from S.I.A. Handing them to Susan, he said, “I need you to give her these instead of her normal medication, but you have to wait until eight o’clock to give them to her.”
He looked at Susan with a stone-cold expression. He wanted to be sure she’d heard and understood the next thing he was about to say. “The combination of these meds is going to cause a seizure. A severe—”
“Are you crazy? Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do?” Susan asked. “These could cause irreparable damage.”
“Not as much as death, and that’s our alternative. Besides, at this strength, she’ll only wake up with a severe headache. Once you stop the seizure and stabilize her, I need you to order an emergency brain MRI. Tell her companions that you fear an intracranial hemorrhage and that she has to be scanned immediately.”
“What if they insist on coming with her? Then what?”
“Let them. When you get to the door, tell them they have to wait in the hall.”
“If they won’t?”
“Tell them that the amount of radiation in the room is enough to melt the balls off a bull,” Brent said, chuckling. “They’ll stay in the hall, trust me.”
“There is no radiation in an MRI.”
“I know that and you know that, but believe me, they don’t. Now, let’s get moving.”
Susan stood staring at Brent with her mouth open. “I hope you’re right.”
“Me, too. Now, one last thing.”
“Sweet Jesus, I don’t know if my heart can take it. What?”
“Where’s the morgue?”
Susan just pointed and said, “End of hall, take a right. Are you going to see a friend?”
“I’m trying to avoid that,” Brent said. “Now, get back upstairs before you’re missed.”
Susan walked out and Chloe looked at Brent. “Is this part of your improvisation?”
“So far, all planned. Now, help me get the supplies into the tunnel.”
Brent and Chloe carefully placed the supplies in the tunnel, all except the gurney.
“What about that?” Chloe asked.
“We’re still going to need that, so it can’t go in just yet.”
He pulled out his satellite phone and called Maddie.
CHAPTER 37
“This is Maddie.”
“How’s everything coming?”
“It’s coming. I’ll be ready. Where are you?”
“We’re at the hospital, in the mechanical room in the basement. That’s where the old airport tunnel opened up.”
“Unbelievable.”
“That’s an understatement. We’ll clue you in on the whole thing later,” Brent promised. “For now, how do you plan on getting to Lucille?”
“As planned, I’ll arrive at ten forty-five in a nurse’s uniform. If security asks, I’m a temp working graveyard. It’ll be chaotic at that time, shift change and all. Ferric’s men will be expecting me, so I don’t expect any interference from them. I enter the room, one shot to the head, and out.”
“Remember, Maddie, I need the shot to the back of the head, with a hollow point. The face cannot be recognizable. Once you complete the assignment, take the side staircase to the lobby and meet us at the library. Do you follow the instructions as stated?”
“Affirmative,” she said and ended the call.
She sat back down on her bed. Looking at the ceiling, she said aloud, “Joseph, Captain Venturi had better be everything you think he is…and more.”
Then she knelt beside her bed and blessed herself. “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.” Folding her hands, she closed her eyes and bowed her head. “Dear Jesus,” she prayed, “You have already given me more today than I deserve, but I need to ask for one more thing. I pray that you bring us, all of us, through this mission, safe.” Just as she was about to bless herself, she hesitated. “One thing more, Lord. I pray for Lucille’s love and trust. Thank you.” She blessed herself with the Sign of the Cross and began making final arrangements for a long night.
CHAPTER 38
Susan walked back into the mechanical room just before six o’clock, carrying the CPR dummy and a plastic bag. In it were two sets of scrubs and a nurse’s uniform. Handing the dummy to Brent, she said, “Let me introduce you to Jane. She’s a bit shy, so be gentle with her.”
Then she handed the bag to Chloe. “There are two sets of scrubs in here. I guessed at the sizes, but I’m usually pretty good at it. I also put a nurse’s uniform in there, just in case.”
“Thanks, that’s a great idea. I appreciate it.”
Susan looked around the room and said, “Um, sure, no problem. Hey, where are all the supplies I brought down earlier?”
“We put everything away for safekeeping,” Brent said. “How’s everything upstairs?”
“She’s been asking for you. She seems worried and wants to know if I’ve heard from you.”
“Tell her not to worry. Tell her the Ambassador will see her soon.”
“The Ambassador? I’ll tell her—whatever that means.”
As Susan was about to say her good-byes, Brent said, “She can’t know anything about the change of medication.”
“I won’t say anything, trust me.”
Chloe could tell by Susan’s mannerisms that she was still very uncomfortable about giving Lucille the pills. Chloe took her by the hand and told her that, if she was having second thoughts, she could tell her supervisor that she didn’t feel well, and she could go home. “Then what will you do?”
“I have the uniform. I’ll go up and give her the medication. I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. If you think it’s too risky, then—”
“Like I said, it beats bed pans and thermometers.” She smiled, said she was fine and that she’d be back close to seven thirty.
After she left, Brent took the bag from Chloe and removed its contents. “This uniform was a good idea, and look, she even included a pair of white shoes.”
“Yeah, I didn’t know nurses wore pumps.”
“They might work to our advantage. You put on the uniform and I’ll change into the scrubs.”
“How come you get to play doctor and I have to be the nurse? A little chauvinistic, don’t ya think?”
“In all the excitement, I forgot to shave my legs this morning, so I’m afraid it’s all on you today,” he said sarcastically.
“Typical male pig,” Chloe smirked.
After they had changed into their new identities, Chloe said, “Um, I think I’ve got a small problem here.”
“What’s that?”
“Susan is four or five inches shorter than I am. This dress is very short. If I so much as sneeze, I could be arrested for indecent exposure.”
“Normally, I would agree with you,” Brent said, “but for our purposes, it’s going to work in our favor.”
“Maybe you should tell me what you have in mind.”
“We can’t exactly walk into the hospital morgue and steal a body, can we? Don’t answer, it’s rhetorical. You’re going to
act as a distraction in order to keep the mortuary night guard busy while I make the switch.”
“And what exactly do you expect me to do with him?”
“Just smile and show him some leg, that’s all.”
“I don’t have much choice, do I? How do you know the guard will be a guy?”
“Because no woman would take the job of checking in corpses, that’s how.” Brent opened the door and let Chloe walk out first. “After you, sexy.”
She walked past him, exaggerating her hip movement.
“Easy girl, easy.”
CHAPTER 39
“You go in first and get his attention,” Brent said. “You need to distract him so that he’s not facing the door. I’ll follow in about five minutes.”
Chloe opened the door to the morgue and walked in. She could see there was a guy sitting at the check-in desk, his head buried in a book. When he heard the door open, not looking up, he just pointed, saying, “Place your hospital ID in the box, then you can go into the autopsy room.”
“Ahem,” Chloe said, clearing her throat. He looked up and his mouth dropped open. My God, he’s just a kid, she thought, probably just out of high school.
“Whoa…I mean, how can I help you?”
“I’m sorry,” Chloe said, “it’s my first day and I’m afraid I’m a bit lost. Can you tell me how to get back to the main elevator?” She shuffled her feet a little and had a pained expression on her face.
“Are you okay? You look like you’re in pain or something.”
“I’m not used to being on my feet for ten hours straight. My feet are killing me. I shouldn’t have worn these heels.”
He couldn’t take his eyes off her legs. In the heels, the sweep of her calf and the firmness of her thighs were almost too much for him to handle. “Um…I…um…yeah…I can—”
Chloe knew he was as good as gone when he started tripping over his words. “Would you mind if I sat here for a few minutes and rested my feet?”
