“It’s okay, Jill. Hey, there was nothing you could do, at least you tried,” I reassure her.
“But I couldn’t find anybody,” she says again. “Then the shooting started, and I didn’t know what to do. I looked but I couldn’t find anybody and now…poor Ian and Steve,” Jill’s eyes start to well up and her hands start shaking. She holds them together between her bosom.
“Jill, now listen.” I know I sound stern, but sometimes, it’s the only way. Once civilians get into self-pity mode, they can pull everyone down. Morale is everything. “This is not your fault in the slightest, and there was nothing you could have done. The whole thing is a mess, and in the face of that, you did your best, which is all any of us can do. Now, please come and sit down; you have just been through a very harrowing experience.”
I smile and put my arm around her shoulder, leading her over to one of the seats where I sit her down. “Now, have you had a drink or eaten anything? It will make you feel better, and you need to get your strength back.”
She shakes her head so I call Tom over and ask him to get her a drink and some food.
“Tell Tom what you want, and he will get it for you. Now I’m going to speak to everyone before I go and check on my daughter; is that okay, Jill?” Jill nods, but her head is down so I ask Tom to keep his eye on her.
Turning, I give Dan a nod.
“Everybody,” Dan says loudly, “can we have your attention please?”
Silence quickly falls over the room and everyone turns to us.
“Thank you, everyone,” I start. “As you all know, the infected people have taken over at least part of the first floor as we expected. Which is why we moved up here. Thank you for everyone's help in doing that. Sadly, we lost two good men when the mob broke through, Ian and Steve. And I, as many of you did, knew them well and they will be sadly missed. The infected are strong, fast and vicious but they are locked down there, and I don't believe there is any way they can get up to us here. So we are safe, at least for the time being.
"Our biggest immediate concern is food and drink and general supplies, and whilst we have got as much as we could from the first floor, we need to be careful with what few supplies we do have. I will, therefore, be getting all the supplies accounted for and they will be stored securely. We will look to see if they need rationing, and if they do, this will be in all our interests. At the moment, I think I'm right in saying that we still have running water and electricity."
"We do, Andy," Mick confirms.
"Thanks, Mick. We need to store as much water as we can, as we don’t know how long we will have it and as a precaution, I think the water should be boiled just in case this virus has somehow got into the supply.
“As I have said, we are safe up here. I also realise that you will all have questions but unfortunately, I don’t have any answers for you at present. Take it that the situation is as you see it. Shortly, I will be going up to the seventh floor to try and get more information and to try to work out options to get us all through this. As soon as I have more information, I will tell you, so please bear with me.
“Now, I don’t want you to worry unnecessarily but we need to keep an eye on each other in case any of us have somehow caught this virus, infection or whatever it is. I’m sure that we are all clear but just as a precaution, please keep an eye on each other, or if anyone is feeling unwell, make us aware. This is for the good of us all, so if you do feel unwell, we can put you somewhere safe until we know what it is. Should anyone be concerned—about yourself or someone else—inform us so we can make sure we are all safe, okay?”
Just about everyone in the room starts to look around at each other, as if looking for signs of infection. A situation like this can quickly turn aggressive, people turning on each other if they believe someone threatens the wellbeing of the rest. I realise what I have said might not have been the most sensible thing, and quickly try to move their thoughts on.
“Dan will be giving out tasks that need doing and after that, he will come upstairs to help me work through this. If any of you need anything, please speak to Mick who is that strapping chap over there, in case you don’t know him. Okay, Mick?" I say, pointing at Mick who raises his hand.
"Yes, no worries," Mick replies.
"If Mick can't help you, he will radio to me and if I can, I will sort you out. Thank you, everyone, I will see you shortly."
As soon as I finish, chatter starts between everybody.
I ask Dan to get things sorted down here as quickly as he can and to make securing all the weapons and ammo a priority, as we don’t want them floating around.
Dan goes about arranging things and I head over to the lift up to the seventh floor, finding the holdall I packed on the way and putting it over my shoulder. The lift is still down on the first floor so before I press the button, I radio to Stan and ask him the check the camera inside. One of the Rabids could have inadvertently hit the button and opened the lift, and I don’t want any nasty surprises when it arrives. Stan informs me the lift is clear.
I am eager to see Emily, but my head is filled with working on different options to see us through this shit on the short journey to floor seven.
On exiting into reception, I take out the box that Jill was carrying and leave it on the floor against the wall.
Turning, I come to a stop and just stand there taking a minute, admitting to myself that I’m pretty tired. I’m certainly not the hardened combat soldier I used to be, even though I make full use of the company’s on-site gym to keep in shape. Nothing keeps you in shape like the army, and although I don’t like to admit it, I’m not as young as I used to be. I’m 43 now, and at this moment, I feel every one of those years.
Pulling myself together, I go and use the gents’ toilet off reception, to make myself as presentable as I can before I see Emily. As I exit, I put my M4 back over my head but hang the rifle on my back and pull the strap tight, so it is secured there. I can’t hide my rifle from Emily; she is going to have to get used to it, but it doesn’t have to be the first thing she sees when we meet again or when she inevitably jumps into my arms.
Going through the security door and leaving reception behind, I pass Stan who is in the Tactical Room. I put my head in say hi and tell him I’ll be back to see him shortly.
I reach the lounge area which is almost deserted. Catherine is nowhere to be seen but Stacey and Lindsay are seated on one of the leather couches with their backs to me. In front of them, BBC News is playing on the large TV screen. Emily is also nowhere to be seen and I can only assume she is with Catherine, wherever that is?
Walking over to the two girls sitting down, there is still no sign of Emily or Catherine; they are not in the kitchen area, but this doesn’t worry me as they can’t be far. I am just anxious to see them both. Lindsay on the left senses me approaching first and turns her head towards me, quickly followed by Stacey; both are pleased to see me.
I’m just about to greet them when Stacey quickly puts her finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet. She points down to the couch beside her.
Emily is fast asleep on the right of Stacey with her head on Stacey’s lap. My heart lifts and a broad smile spreads across my face. Only a short time ago, I was seriously worried I may never see my little girl again.
“Hi, girls,” I whisper. “Are you okay? How have things been up here?”
Lindsay’s face turns quite serious. “It has been a bit frantic, to be honest, Andy,” she half-whispers. "Soon after you left, Sir Malcolm came out of his office, shouting and screaming, asking where you were, and pretty drunk. Catherine tried to calm him down, but he just shouted at her then went back into his office. It upset Emily.”
“Where is Catherine now?” I ask.
“She went to check on him just now, then came out and said she was just going to her office, but she wouldn’t be long.”
“Okay.”
Lindsay continues, “Not long after that episode, we heard all the gunfire start from downstairs an
d then the explosions. We were all worried obviously, but Emily was really quite distraught, wasn’t she, Stacey?”
“Yes, she was, she kept asking where you were and that she wanted to see you. She has only really just calmed down and then she fell asleep. We’ve only just put the news on because she’s asleep.”
“I’m sorry about that. I know it must have been bad up here, they just suddenly broke in through the windows and we had to fight them off.”
“Is everyone okay?” Lindsay asks and I tell her about Ian and Steve, which does upset her somewhat.
“How are things with you, Stacey? I’m sorry I wasn’t here. Have you managed to speak to your mum and dad?” I ask.
“I spoke to them about half an hour ago. They couldn’t speak for long, but they were alright and still hiding. But they said they can hear the things in the building.” A look of worry crosses Stacey’s face.
“Try not to worry too much, Stacey; if they are hiding, then with any luck, these things won’t even know they are there.” I try to reassure her whilst not being too confident myself.
I go around the front of the couch, lean in and give Emily a light kiss on her head. She sniffles a little bit but stays asleep, which is probably the best thing for her at the moment. As much as I’d love to pick her up and give her a big hug, I have things that need sorting.
“What is the news saying?” I ask.
“Well we haven’t had it on for long because of Emily,” Stacey starts, “but they have said that most of North London’s reporting infected cases and that the army is doing its best to stop the spread of it, whatever that means? That everyone should continue to stay indoors and lock all doors and windows. They haven’t said much about if there is a cure or anything.
“They do keep saying that there have been no reported cases outside the quarantine zone and life outside London’s carrying on as normal. They’ve just said the Government is still operating fully and is now setting up in Birmingham. The Symphony Hall there is going to be the new temporary Parliament. Apparently, the Prime Minister will be making a statement from Birmingham shortly,” Lindsay finishes.
“Oh, and the Royals are safe and at Balmoral. Well, lucky them,” She adds sarcastically.
Again, I try to reassure. “I am sure they are doing everything possible to stop this and get to the people still in London.” This time, I really am not confident, as the powers that be might have already written London off and there’s no telling what they might have planned for it.
“Will you two be alright here with Emily for a while? I’ve got some phone calls I have to make and I want to check on Catherine. I will only be in my office if you need me or if Emily wakes?”
“Yes, of course, we are Andy; you carry on. Emily is in the best place for her at the moment, asleep,” Lindsay says, and Stacey agrees.
“Thanks, if you need anything, let me know.” With that, I give Emily another small kiss.
The door to Catherine’s office is closed, but mine is open so I go in and straight over to the interconnecting door between Catherine’s office and mine. This door is usually open but it is closed now, so I knock and poke my head in. She looks up to me with the phone attached to her ear, gives me a big smile and waves me in. Lifting my M4 over my head, I collapse into one of the chairs opposite her.
“Yes, Mum, I will. Now, I have got to go; Andy has just arrived back, okay? I love you, yes Mum, bye.” Catherine finishes, gets up, and comes straight around the desk to sit in the chair next to me.
“Andy, you look drained; what on Earth happened down there?”
“It wasn’t good, they broke through the windows in the foyer. There were hundreds of them, and they came at us relentlessly. We lost Ian and Steve. I didn’t think I was going to get out of there myself for a minute.” Catherine reaches to put her hand on my shoulder, but I pull back. This shocks her.
“Sorry,” I say to her smiling. “It’s not you—I just need to have a shower and get a change of clothes; things got pretty messy down there.”
“Eew,” she laughs, “why don’t you go and do that now, and I’ll get you some clothes ready. It will make you feel better.”
“I will shortly. I need to call Colonel Reed first and try to get Josh again, but tell me what happened with Sir Malcolm?”
“I’m sure Josh is fine; he is his father’s son after all,” she soothes. “I don’t know what is going on with Sir Malcolm. He is acting very strangely. He’s been drinking, and I can’t seem to get any sense out of him. Maybe you can?”
“I will try but haven’t the patience for him at the moment. I need to have that shower first, I think.”
“Go and make your calls then; the sooner you do, the sooner you can have that shower.” She reaches again and takes my hand. This time, I don’t stop her.
Pulling the chair out from behind my desk, I place the M4 next to the computer screen and retrieve my mobile phone from my pocket. My battery has half gone so I plug it into the lead lying on the desk. There is still nothing back from Josh unfortunately; I will try phoning him again after speaking to Colonel Reed.
Reed’s phone rings straight away and he answers it almost immediately.
“Andy, I have been waiting for your call,” the Colonel tells me.
“Yes, Colonel. I have been rather busy, I’m afraid,” I reply quite curtly.
“It has been a busy day for us all. Now, where are you, Andy?”
“I’m at Orion, Colonel.”
“Good, I need you to speak to Sir Malcolm, is he there too? I have tried to call him myself, but been unable to reach him.”
“He is, what on earth do you need from him, Colonel?”
“The facility that the virus was released from is completely destroyed by fire. Sir Malcolm oversaw that facility and the one at Porton Down when he was with Military Intelligence, at the time the testing and development was being carried out on this type of weapon some thirty years ago. We have intelligence that he may have kept files or copies of files that may be vital to developing a cure for this outbreak, and if he has them, we need them immediately.”
I am taken aback. “Are you telling me that Sir Malcolm oversaw the creation of this virus Colonel?”
“He was there to oversee shutting the program down, but we understand he kept files as a precaution in case of a situation. We need you to see if he still has them. And quickly! We are losing London.”
“I will speak to him. What is the current situation, Colonel, and how is the virus spread?”
“I’ll be blunt, Andy; the capital is falling. We cannot control the spread of the virus. We have had reports of cases south of the river and our forecasts predict that it is only a matter of time till it spreads outside Greater London. The virus can only be spread through blood; this usually happens through being bitten or scratched by an infected person.”
“So, it can’t be ingested?” I ask nervously.
“Not that I am aware of, why?”
“Just wondering, I will get back to you when I have seen Sir Malcolm. In the meantime, I need you to do something for me, Colonel.”
“And what would that be, Andy?”
“I need you to find out any information you can about my son. His name is Joshua Richards and his Battalion of Fusiliers was, the last I heard, operating out of the Tower of London and guarding Tower Bridge. I haven’t been able to get in contact with him recently, can you do that for me?”
“I’ll see what I find out, but communications are very sporadic in the field.”
“Get what you can, Colonel. Speak soon.” I hang up.
I again dial Josh, but this time, it doesn’t connect at all; there is just a message telling me, it has not been possible to connect your call.
Damn, it has now been hours since I last heard from him. I try again but get the same result, my phone only showing two bars of signal now. It always has four bars in this office? Picking up my desk phone, I’m relieved to get a dialling tone for an outside line, so I dial i
n Josh’s number but still get the same message. Damn it!
Swivelling around in my chair and looking out over London, the day is still lovely and sunny, but London is hurting. A deep, bloody, acrid hurt. Smoke is everywhere, like a fog hanging over the city. Towards the centre, the smoke is thick and black. Helicopters are still crisscrossing the sky in even larger numbers now, together with aeroplanes, including fast jets; will this old city survive this onslaught or is it already too late?
Sir Malcolm…is it possible he holds the key to how we can fight back?
Chapter 14
Walking out of my office, my M4 back across my chest, I consider how Sir Malcolm needs to understand the seriousness of what is happening, drunk or not. The girls, including Catherine, are all over by the TV and it looks like Emily is still asleep. There is still no sign of Dan; things must be taking longer downstairs than I thought they would. Hopefully, he has at least got all the weapons stored away by now.
The normal protocol for entering Sir Malcolm's office is to go through his PA, or if she isn't at her desk, you knock and wait to be called in.
In this instance, I push the door handle down and walk straight in. I have no time or patience for his formalities. The door slowly closes behind me. But he isn't at his desk and he isn't in his lounge area either. His television is on, playing away to itself with the volume muted, but there is no sign of him. Catherine is right outside, and she would have said if she had seen him leave his office. So, the only place he can be is in his private bathroom, the door to which is on the left of his office, beyond the lounge area.
I go over to the door and knock but there is no answer, I knock again and call out, “Sir Malcolm?” Still, no answer; has he passed out from the booze? I try to twist the door handle, but it doesn’t move. It’s locked. The door lock is the type built into the centre of the door handle and it has an emergency release in the middle. My knife turns the screw easily and the handle turns.
Capital Falling Trilogy Box Set [Books 1-3] Page 13