The Doorkeeper's Mind

by E. L. Morrow

  1.A message on their communicators:

  DANGER. Assassin in balcony area. Attempting to disable.

  2.A section of what is supposed to be solid wall above the back entrance slides open as a man with a high-power-scoped rifle aims at Marie.

  Instinctively Marie moves to her right and toward the floor. Her face shield snaps up. The bullet ricochets off the protection for her left temple then down. It strikes the wooden stage floor well behind the presenters and explodes leaving a ragged eight-by-six-inch oblong hole.

  The second shot strikes Dr. von Throne’s face shield between her eyes. Deflected in front of her, it impacts the faux-marble front edge of the stage. Exploding, it sends broken particles into the first six rows of the audience.

  The third, aimed at Mr. Calhoun, would have struck his left hand. Calhoun’s SOG sleeve covered his hand deflecting the bullet. It impacts the table, splintering it in front of three panelists.

  The sizzling sound was a Satellite-Based Energy Focused Stunning Beam called SAT-STUN. The secret system has been in operation for seven years. Created by the military as a means of conducting non-lethal battles, Friend recently learned how to access the system. Now Marie can be protected from attack anywhere in the world. The delay was due to the density of the structure.

  Marie, still at the podium, takes charge. “Everyone, please remain calm and seated. The assassin has been stunned by security. Please keep the aisles clear so the arrests can be made efficiently. No further danger exists.”

  What happened next convinced the remaining skeptics to join the Structured Cities.

  Instead of leaving the area for their personal safety, all the presenters offered medical assistance to those injured by the flying shrapnel from the exploding bullets. Dr. von Throne’s security robot, among other things, carries a medical kit. By the time the paramedics arrived everyone had been treated, fragments removed, injuries sterilized and bandaged. Only two people required stitches.

  Later interviews with each panel member were widely circulated. A similar presentation occurs in three different cities during the next three days. But everyone perceives they are only going through the motions. The votes would take place, first in City Councils, then with the public. By the time the ballots are counted, fourteen cities will join the structured economy, with nearly 80% affirmative votes.

  The General does not like what is happening. What will be his next move?

  Thirty-Six

  The Prom

  2095-05-28, Saturday, 2:20 am

  “Marie. Urgent call from Vivi.”

  The voice is her Automated Personal Assistant. She sits up. Beginning to clear the sleep from her eyes and mind Marie says, “Put her through.”

  “The boys are missing!”

  “Isn’t this prom night?”

  “Yes, but they never arrived. While getting a glass of water, I saw the girls’ corsages are still in the refrigerator. I checked their room—parts of their tuxes are still here. It’s like they vanished before they finished dressing.

  “They planned to go to a hotel after the prom with the girls. The hotel said they never checked in. Marie, I need you to do your magic. Where are they?”

  As Vivi speaks Marie moves to the console, has it up, and its dead zone deactivated so the Personal Assistant can hear her commands.

  “Friend, Vivi’s nephews, and their girls were here at Thanksgiving. Locate their IDs and….”

  “Already searching. They did not enter the Prom site nor the Belleview Hotel lobby. Scanning the entire city.”

  Marie spots an unauthorized opening for 34 Iris Avenue at 6:04 pm, while her Apprentice was on duty. She says, “Friend, awaken Lexie. I need her.” To Vivi she says, “Calm down, I will find them! Go to your living room and stand near the door. Disconnect this call from your communicator; someone may be trying to call you. I’ll hear and talk to you through the audio connection in the living area.”

  Where are the boys? Why did they leave in such a rush? Must find an energy trail through Vivi’s anxiety. Here it is.

  Marie tells them, “Brandon answered the door signal at three minutes after six. The man on the outside said, ‘I work with your Aunt. There’s been an injury—something electrical—they’ve taken her to the hospital. She sent me for you two.’ Both boys leave with him.”

  “Keith hesitates when he sees a stretch limo in front of the house. But the man says, ‘Oh, I’m a limo driver on prom nights. That’s all I had available.’”

  The PA interrupts, “Marie, I have surveyed the entire city. None of the four are inside the shelter.”

  “Thanks, Friend.” Marie continues following the energy trails.

  “When they climb in they see their dates for the evening. Sharon and Alangro believe the boys arranged for the limousine for the prom.”

  Marie interrupts her recitation to ask her Personal Assistant to search for vehicle ID and its whereabouts.

  Back to her energy trail readings. Marie tells Vivi and Friend, “The man who came to the door takes out a gun, and says, ‘There’s been a change of plans.’ Keith asks, ‘What about Aunt Vivi?’

  “The abductor says, ‘You’ll hear from her soon enough. If she does what we ask, everybody will be fine.’”

  He added, if not, then you will all die a slow death. I’m not telling Vivi that. The young people are terrified; the boys are trying to comfort their dates.

  The limo headed toward the exit that will take them to the airport. Marie shifted her energy reading to the captor. In an instant, she realizes—Charles Glandmore. She has encounter him before when Wessel identified him as the thug who attempted to force him to spy on Marie. Capturing Chuck, as Rudy refers to this rogue ex-CIA agent, might give a more direct link to the elusive General.

  Marie decides not to share the identity of their captor with Vivi.

  Friend announces, “Admitting Lexie. She’s been updated.”

  Marie says, “Vehicle headed for the shelter exit used for the airport.”

  Friend responds, “Located vehicle at airport transfer lot.”

  Of course, they can’t take the limo to the airport, so they transferred to that stupid white van. As they were being moved to the van, Keith launched himself at their captor. He was struck with a backhand and shoved to the ground. Glandmore put his foot on Keith’s chest, pointed a gun at his face. He said, ‘A fighter. I like that, but you lose, so now you die. Pop.’ Pulling his weapon back he added, ‘…not yet, perhaps later.’ After an extra push on Keith’s chest, he removed his foot. The girls shrieked in horror. Brandon was frozen to the spot as the girls clung to him. Vivi doesn’t need this extra anxiety.

  To Vivi, Marie says, “Keith tried to overpower him, but was unsuccessful. All are unharmed but frightened.”

  Lexie is white with fear, hands at the side of her face she says, “I didn’t think…. It was prom … others left without me opening for them … I thought they were just excited….”

  “Friend, check the other unauthorized exits, whole city.”

  “Affirmative.”

  “What can I do?” asks Lexie.

  Marie says, “I’ve found them. Lexie, use the satellite and search the food temporary storage areas. Search for a van near one of them. Vivi, you are about to get a call. Whatever happens—do not leave your home. Promise them anything but stay inside.” The Apprentice takes the second chair at the console and begins work—Marie lays a hand on her arm to communicate by touch, “I’m not holding you responsible.”

  In a moment, Lexie says, “Here’s one with a car parked around the side … someone is seated at the entrance.”

  “That’s it. Lexie, call Wessel at home.”

  Vivi’s communicator sounds. Marie says, “Vivi, remember you’re asleep; you know none of this; be groggy when answering.”

  Vivi answers, “Wha… Hello. Who’s calling? What time is it?”

  “Someone wants to speak to you.” Next is the shaky voice
of Sharon, “Aunt Vivi, please do what he says, I’m so cold.”

  The captor continues, “Listen carefully. Your nephews and their hos are with me. If you want to see any of them alive, do exactly as I say. First, get dressed, but not in one of those fancy garments where you can be tracked. Jogging shorts will do fine. Next, take your laptop and the codes you need to access your work files. Bring all that to the corner south of your house and wait. You’ll be picked up. Don’t call anyone, especially that meddling ‘door minder’ of yours. Ten minutes. Don’t be late. Tell me you understand.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Your worst nightmare, if you don’t do what I tell you. Ten minutes at the corner.”

  Marie instructs Lexie to talk to Vivi convincing her not to leave.

  Wessel answers. He is sleepy, “’low.”

  “It’s Marie. There is a temporary food storage unit, identified as number 28, with a car and two guards near it. There are six life signs inside. One in the outer room, five in the inside section. Could this one be down for service?”

  “Yes, they take two of the 50 out for servicing at any time. Could be service techs, not likely at this hour. Why. What’s happening?”

  The situation is explained briefly including the attempt to extract information from Vivi. While Marie is explaining, Dave, Wessel’s mate, a Security Officer, calls Detective 23.

  The front desk at Central Services confirms “Unit 28 is due to go back into service Monday. It is a cold storage unit.” Wessel says there is no way to shut the power without actually going to the unit and there are no cameras inside.

  So that’s why Sharon is so cold, the temperature is around 35 degrees, and they were forced to undress after arriving. They have been in there nearly eight hours.

  Fenton J., Security Detective 23, says, “Only the military can arrest in that area. But, we have jurisdiction on the car sent to pick up Vivi. We’ll get them.”

  Meanwhile, Marie calls Rudy using her private number.

  “Talk to me.”

  “It’s Marie. Is Colonel Masters available?”

  “He could be.”

  Marie fills Rudy in on the essential details. Colonel Masters, one of Rudy’s undercover personas, instructs the ranking officer at the base located at the Eisenhower Airport regarding the “terrorist organization holding four citizens.”

  Rudy asks Marie, “Do we have ‘eyes on?’”

  “Reason to Believe.” Marie’s phrase meaning “talents used that others cannot be told about.”

  “Good enough for me.”

  The Colonel instructs the ranking officer, “We have internal intel. Wait for my signal before rushing.”

  Marie is now back in Chuck Glandmore’s energy and shifted over to reading his thoughts. The unit commander says, “One guard neutralized.” She doesn’t want to know what that means.

  Jumping from her seat, Marie yells “NOOOOO!”

  Lexie, Rudy, and Vivi all ask, “What?”

  Marie says, “Rudy he’s in the room—hold off; Lexie, when I raise my left arm, tell Rudy ‘Now!’”

  Handing Lexis her communicator Marie moves quickly to an area relatively clear of furniture. Stopping, taking a deep breath, she begins moving like someone with a major disability—taking steps by throwing one side of her body forward. Stiffly turning and then moving about a foot each time. She grunts and struggles with each move; occasionally she is pushed back by some unseen force. After three minutes of fighting an internal battle, she struggles to move her right arm and hand away from her body, opening her fingers like casting something away ….

  The knife hits the floor; I must lift … left … arm … before other notices.

  Jerkily her left arm rises. Lexie calls out “NOW.” To Marie, it sounds like she is underwater hearing someone above yelling.

  The command is given. The strike force is through the door, blasting Glandmore and his partner with stunners. Marie screams in pain, is thrown to the floor writhing and convulsing. The last thing she hears before losing consciousness is her Personal Assistant instructing Lexie how to neutralize the stunning charge for Marie.

  I was in his mind, so when they hit him, they hit me.

  Thirty-Seven

  Hospital

  University Medical Center, Wichita

  2095-05-28, Saturday, 10:20 am

  Where am I? I don’t think I am dead, but why can’t I move. Ouch! Oh, I can move—but doing so hurts like the devil. Of course, I was in Chuckie’s mind—he’s a devil. He planned to kill them all, after raping the girls. No matter that he believed Vivi would give them what they wanted.

  Never again. Dark and vicious mind. All his thoughts were focused on causing pain.

  What’s this, a voice calling my name? Don’t recognize the voice.

  “Yes?”

  “Good, you’re coming around. Don’t open your eyes, sit up, or try to move. Do you have a headache?”

  “Yes, who are you?”

  “I’m Dr. Middle. You are at the University Medical Center in the Neurology Department.”

  “Thanks. So, I’m alive?”

  “Certainly. But you must be more careful about using your communicator. I was unaware they came with a built-in stunner. At such close range, your injury might have been much more severe.”

  Now I remember. After I passed out, I still heard Friend talking to Lexie creating the cover story. I paced with my PCD in hand, distraught that I could not help my friends. While not paying attention, I accidentally fired my stunner hitting myself in the chest.

  The Doctor continues, “Unless your headache is intolerable, we’d rather not give you anything.”

  “That’s fine.”

  “Well, I’ll leave you for now. We are keeping you hydrated with IVs. In about an hour we will see if you can sit up and take some water. Any questions before I leave you?”

  “Why does everything hurt?”

  “That is what stunning does. You’ll be stiff for a while—likely several days. If all goes well, we’ll discharge you in the morning.”

  As he leaves, Dr. Middle asks someone, “Isn’t she the Stop-the-Lies girl?”

  Lexie answers, “Yes. That’s why there is a stunner built into her communicator. Please don’t let the word out. She’s one of a very few with that type.”

  “Patient confidentiality. No one will learn it from me.”

  Still, with her eyes closed and not moving to either side, Marie asks, “Is that Lexie?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who’s minding the store?”

  A deep male voice, recognized as her Supervisor, says, “Jeremiah and Dr. Grace are covering.”

  “Dr. Norris?”

  “Of course. We must stop meeting like this.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Who else is here?” Wait a minute; I’m not reading any energy fields. I don’t know my surroundings. This is frightening. What’s happening to me? Slow down, no need to panic: it shouldn’t be permanent. Yeah, that’ll do for now.

  Rudy says, “I’m here, as is Danzella. A guard is posted at the door. Everyone must pass his clearance, including medical staff.”

  “Rudy? How long was I out?”

  “About seven hours. To answer your unspoken question: I was in KC when you called. I hopped a plane as soon as possible.”

  “I’m glad you are here. How are the boys?”

  “Vivi just stepped in; we’ll let her tell you.”

  “Oh, thank God you’re awake. I insisted they tell me as soon as you came to. How are you?”

  Marie hears the deep concern and tears in her voice.

  “Foggy … and stiff.”

  “To answer your question, the boys are going to recover completely. They had some frostbite from the exposure, but Dr. K says likely no need for skin grafts. Did you know she’s a hypothermia specialist?”

  “Nothing about her would surprise me. How about the girls?”

  �
��Well … You’re aware they were forced to spread their legs and sit on the guy’s laps?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t tell you because….”

  “I understand. Thanks for sparing me … I was a basket case anyway. Well, the girls needed some infrared treatments to be able to close their legs normally. They may develop arthritis later in life. Amazingly enough, Dr. Kildare said what their tormenter intended as a sadistic joke may have saved their lives. Forcing them to sit chest to chest kept their internal organs warm enough to prevent long-term damage.”

  “Good. What about the captors?”

  Danzella, Marie’s Private Security Chief, answers this one. “The one in the car is still unidentified—he was killed. The guard at the door is in surgery; he was shot multiple times. One guy inside was stunned before he could get to his gun—one of his names is Divies. He’s on the watch list and is in custody. Glandmore however is dead. He had a heart condition, and the double stunning caused an attack. Medical worked on him at the scene, but he didn’t make it to the hospital.”

  Now Rudy picked up the narrative. “Our friend Fenton J, Detective 23, had medical at the gate with everything they needed to care for young people. An intern on the team tried to save Glandmore.

  “There must be someone other than The General who will be sorry his life is over. Even though we served in two CIA operations together, I can’t muster a tear for him. He caused a lot of damage and hurt a lot of innocent people. An accounting from him would have been preferable. But that won’t happen.

  “Now that I have confessed my cold-heartedness, I need my curiosity satisfied. What really happened? Lexie says while ‘distraught’ at not being able to do more, you accidentally discharged your PCD’s built-in-stunner, hitting yourself.”

  “Isn’t that what happened?”

  “Officially, Yes. Now tell the non-public version.”

  “Friend, are you listening?”

  “Of course,” answers Marie’s Personal Assistant.

  “Can you seal the room from audio intrusions?”