by J J Cooper
Jay took a sip of his coffee – strong, milky and no sugar. Perfect. He didn’t bother answering Toni, but instead said, ‘Great cuppa, thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. So you’d do it all again for no recognition?’
After another sip of coffee, Jay shrugged and said, ‘It wasn’t about recognition, but I’ve left the military so the question is pointless anyway.’
Toni came up the couple of steps into the kitchen. ‘Fair enough.’ She washed her cup in the sink and left it on the wooden rack to dry. ‘How’s the ankle?’
‘Sore.’
‘Pain?’
‘Plenty.’
‘You embarrassed about the bathroom thing?’
‘No.’
‘Just going to give one-word answers?’
‘Probably.’ Jay finished his coffee and left it on the bench. Toni picked it up and proceeded to wash it.
With her back turned to Jay she asked, ‘Do you want to know my real name?’
Jay did, but didn’t want to continue letting her have the upper hand. ‘No.’
‘Why?’
‘Won’t mean anything to me when you leave anyway.’
Toni turned. ‘Come work for us.’
Jay was taken aback, but recovered quick enough. ‘Who?’
‘You know I can’t tell you specifics. But you know we work more closely with your father’s agency than you first thought.’
‘So instead of working for a government agency, I get to do the dirty work for them instead? Jobs they can’t pass through official channels.’
‘Something like that.’
‘Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the remaining anthrax than trying to recruit me?’
‘I’ve got a fair idea where it is.’
‘Where?’
‘Come on, Jay. You were once the best of the best. You tell me.’
‘I’ve been a beach bum for a year. Lost my skills. My head’s mush from the last couple of days. I haven’t got a clue.’
Toni looked as if she was calculating the information Jay had given her, then she gave a short shake of her head. ‘No. You haven’t lost anything. A little rusty maybe. But you know where it is.’
Then it hit Jay. Toni was there to get the information only Jay knew. Must be the last piece of the puzzle to lead her to the remaining anthrax. She didn’t know where it was. ‘You’re just here to recruit me, right?’
She didn’t answer.
Jay grinned. ‘You don’t know where the anthrax is. Think I have some information to lead you there. That’s why Dad organised for you to drive me around. It wasn’t for you to recruit me at all. You’re at a dead end.’
‘The job stands. Find the anthrax and you can name your price.’
Wrong answer, Jay thought. ‘I don’t need money. More than happy with what I’ve got.’
‘Right answer.’
‘Pardon?’
‘This job isn’t about money. It’s about making a difference.’ She pointed to the lounge room. ‘No commendations, no recognition. Just the way you like it. Just you doing what no others can.’
‘Above the law?’
‘No, not at all. Justice in a way that cannot happen without interference from those with no idea.’
‘You mean from democratically elected officials.’
She rubbed her hand over the back of her neck. ‘How many voters actually know who they vote for? How many have done background checks? How many know just how corrupt the system is? You more than anyone know about the corruption. You single-handedly brought down the government here and influenced countless resignations across our allies. You know elected officials cannot be trusted to make decisions that are right. All politicians are selfish bastards who are there to line their own pockets and boost their pension funds. Without people like me, you and your father, this country would be in chaos. This country needs us to keep the balance, do the work nobody else has the intestinal fortitude to do. It’s not just this country either. Men and women like you and I are doing what needs to be done across the globe. We fly under the radar and do the job that nobody else can, or wants, to do. We are only bound by our own ethos and morals. Laws are written and often broken by the greedy. We abhor greed and corruption. We do what’s right for all of the right reasons.’
‘Who decides what’s right?’
‘The decisions are solely ours as individuals. We’re not forced into any assignment we don’t feel comfortable with.’
Time to test the theory. ‘Sleep with me.’
Toni’s eyes bulged. ‘What?’
‘You heard me.’
She dropped her shoulders. ‘Look, I mean what I said. I’ve been asked to offer you a position. Like any other assignment, what I do to complete the mission is up to me. I won’t sleep with you so you’ll take the job. I’d only do it because I wanted to. And I know you are just testing me anyway. Sleeping with the wrong woman got you into a lot of strife not that long ago. You know that was your weakness. You’ve overcome all of that. Even if I agreed now you wouldn’t go through with it.’
She was right. He rubbed a hand over his eyes. The exhaustion was sinking in. Too much to think about. Grabbing at his crutches, he stood and started towards the lounge room. ‘We’d better get going. Can you just drop me off at the hospital?’
From behind him, Toni said, ‘Jay.’
He turned before he made it to the stairs.
She moved towards him. ‘Forget the recruitment thing for a moment. Someone has an aerosol pack full of a deadly strain of anthrax. Anthrax that has already killed. Carter used it against innocent people. Underwood was going to do the same. There must be something that one of them said to you to indicate who will be the next target.’
‘Both are dead so–’ Jay stopped mid-sentence as he remembered the conversation with Carter. The threat to his father and the nation’s ‘real’ leaders. ‘Shit!’
FIFTY-FOUR
The sirens wailed and the tyres of the police car screamed as Toni threw it around the suburbs. There was no heading to the hospital for Jay, not now that he suspected the next anthrax hit would be at the farm. He’d already rung ahead and spoke to his father after they got into the car. He was assured that the farm was like a virtual Fort Knox with the amount of security surrounding it. The only people allowed in were those personally authorised by Ed Ryan. Carter’s brother had been cut from the invite list, as were all Defence representatives. Ed had made it clear that the investigation was for the policing agencies only.
It seemed there was no need to indicate, give way or merge when in a police car with sirens blaring. Toni certainly seemed to think so anyway. They’d hit the highway and headed north in record speed. Toni pushed the car to the limit. The traffic seemed to peel away before them and momentum was maintained. Jay marvelled at her concentration levels and skill at handling the powerful vehicle. Just like she had with the Chevy, which reminded Jay of something. Although it seemed an inappropriate time, he asked, ‘Where’s my car?’
Toni adjusted the rear-view mirror so she was looking directly at Jay. ‘Disposed of, sorry.’
‘What?’ Jay sat up a little.
Toni adjusted the mirror again. ‘I’ll get you a new one.’
‘You can’t get a new ’57 Chevy!’
‘I’ll replace it. I couldn’t hang on to it. Too hot.’
He seethed.
The mirror was again adjusted. Probably so she didn’t have to make eye contact.
Jay mumbled, ‘Anything else go wrong today?’
‘Pardon?’
‘Dad said the place is locked down tight. Nobody’s getting in there.’
‘What if the anthrax is already there?’
‘I’m sure they’re smart enough to go over the place again with a fine-tooth comb.’
‘Did you ask?’
‘No. He’s not incompetent.’
‘That’s not what I meant. Things get missed when the pressure is on.’
‘Dad doesn’
t miss a beat under pressure.’
‘I’m aware of that. Just saying.’
‘You give him a call and ask then.’
Toni swerved in and out of a couple of lanes after an old man towing a van didn’t want to move over. She didn’t bother cursing the driver, or responding to Jay.
Twenty minutes later Toni killed the siren and slowed down as they approached the entrance to the farm. The security was tight. Members of the police armed response team stood behind barricades. They sweated under full riot kits.
Jay and Toni had to wait outside the barricades until Bill came out to greet them. He’d used the Monaro to navigate the windy dirt track and Jay could tell that he was still upset by the damage to his pride and joy.
Bill swaggered up to the front of the barricades after a brief chat with one of the response force members. ‘You go to the hospital, Jay?’ He gave Toni a cursory nod.
Jay shook his head.
‘Why not?’
He waved a hand towards Toni. ‘We suspect this is the next target for an anthrax attack.’
‘Phone not working, boy? Could have just called and let us know.’
‘I did. Dad knows.’
‘He mentioned something. But look at this place. There’s more security here than at our embassy in Iraq. If you aren’t on the list you don’t get in. Not even the Prime Minister.’ Bill looked at Toni. ‘Sorry, you’re not on the list either.’
She shrugged. ‘Guess I’ll wait out here with the Prime Minister then.’
Bill waved her off. ‘His dad wants him for an hour tops then his orders are for hospital. You wait here for him. I’ll send out coffee.’
‘Lovely,’ she said in a sarcastic tone.
Jay was patted down as he moved through the barricades on his crutches; which was fine because he wasn’t carrying anything anyway, apart from the credit card in his boot that they didn’t find. Must be easy enough to get into the embassy in Iraq after all, Jay thought.
They were met by more security at the front of the house. One of the officers used a hand-held scanner to slowly move across both men’s clothing. ‘Metal detector?’ Jay asked.
‘No.’
Jay waited but didn’t receive the response he was looking for. ‘What’s it for then?’
‘Chemicals.’
‘What type?’
‘Beats me. We were told to stop someone entering if the thing goes off. I’ve never seen one like this before.’
‘Who gave you the orders?’
‘My boss. He’s taking a dump. He’ll be back in ten.’
A little too much information, champ, Jay thought. He didn’t bother pursuing information from the police officer, as he had the feeling he would achieve little. He moved through the doorway behind Bill and, after they were out of earshot, asked him, ‘What’s that all about?’
‘Beats me. They’ve only just started using it, though. Wasn’t here when I left to pick you up.’
Jay thought the whole set-up was odd. Something didn’t sit right. He stopped and turned slightly on his crutches towards the entrance.
‘Jay.’ A familiar voice from behind.
The New South Wales Police Commissioner frowned as he approached Jay. ‘What are you doing here? You look like shit,’ he said.
Jay swapped the crutches to one hand so he could shake the outstretched hand of the Police Commissioner. ‘I feel like shit. Just wanted to pop in and give my two cents’ worth.’ He tucked the other crutch back under his arm and said, ‘How’s it going in there?’ He nodded towards the conference room.
The Police Commissioner glanced at the closed door he’d just come through, and which Bill had just entered. ‘Yeah, good. Seems the analysts in Canberra may have come up with a name for the third patent holder.’
Jay took a quick look towards the door where the police officers were holding the scanners. As he looked back he caught the Police Commissioner also looking at the scanners then quickly divert his eyes beyond the officers. ‘Looks like rain,’ he said.
Jay glanced at the rolling grey clouds. ‘Possible.’ He looked back. ‘Who’s the patent holder?’
‘What? Oh, they’re sending it via secure fax. Should be here shortly.’ He took a short step towards the door.
‘Not waiting around for it?’
He started to stride towards the exit and waved a hand back at Jay. ‘I’ll be back in a minute. Left some notes in my car.’
Before Jay could respond the police commissioner had walked out of the door and disappeared from sight. The feeling of unease didn’t leave Jay. He turned on his crutches and moved back towards the police officers. ‘Gents, can I have a look at that scanner?’
The police officer with the scanner shrugged. He took a pace forward, reached through the doorway and held the scanner for Jay to take.
As Jay’s hand grasped the handle, the scanner’s alarm sounded.
FIFTY-FIVE
An awkward pause, followed by brief looks of horror from the police officers before they drew their issued Glocks. Even then there was a level of uncertainty. Anthrax had them worried. Especially as they had no protection. No commands. No threats. Just wavering pistols pointed at Jay who’d frozen to the spot. Jay knew not to make any sudden moves. Don’t go spooking the already spooked. He looked at the scanner and made the instant connection. It had picked up something on his hand. The same hand he’d used to shake the New South Wales Police Commissioner’s hand.
The alarm still shrieked from the scanner.
Without moving his head, Jay looked towards the commissioner, who had stopped before reaching his vehicle and was wide-eyed, staring at Jay. In a calm voice Jay said, ‘Officers, that’s your man with the anthrax.’ He gave a slight nod in the Commissioner’s direction.
The police officers didn’t turn. The alarm was sounding in front of them, not from the direction of the Commissioner.
Jay kept his eyes on the Commissioner, who was reaching in the coat of his crisp blue uniform.
‘Turn now, gents, or we’ll all be dead.’
They hesitated too long before one finally stole a look.
Far too long.
The Police Commissioner had what looked like a mobile phone or remote control in his hand. A moment later, the top of his hand somehow disconnected from his palm and the device, along with most of his fingers, went flying through the air.
The distinct whistling of the bullet flew by Jay’s ear before the thud reverberated around the building. Despite being balanced on crutches, Jay was the first to hit the ground: although technically parts of the Commissioner were first. A sniper – a perfect shot. Jay had rolled onto his side and thought it quite strange that the Police Commissioner was just standing there, staring at where his mangled hand had been. No screaming. No blood. No shock just yet. Then his eyes levelled on the ground a metre ahead. His device lay near some of his fingers.
The reactions of desperate people in desperate times were amazing. Instead of holding his severed hand, the Police Commissioner took a step towards the device.
The police officers were leopard-crawling around Jay to clamber inside the safety of the house.
Jay was mesmerised. He knew not to move. Tempting as it was to go for the device – to rush forward if he could. Two things stopped him: a broken ankle and the knowledge that a marksman would still be tracking the target. No point getting in the way.
The New South Wales Police Commissioner collapsed to his knees as the ready reaction police came running down the driveway, and measured voices started calling from within the house.
The Commissioner now held his stump against his chest and moved a knee forward. Then another. He just needed to fall now and could easily reach the device.
Come on, Jay urged the sniper. Take him out.
It didn’t happen. A disabling shot only – no fatal one was to come.
The Police Commissioner looked at Jay and started to fall forward.
A double-tap of shots from behind Jay kept t
he Commissioner in an upright position. Two to the chest.
He rocked again in the direction of the device and held his good arm forward.
Another double-tap. The second round fatal. A clear head shot that left a tiny hole in the front, and brain matter splattering to the rear. His body slumped backwards.
Jay dropped his head into the dirt. Another nightmare he’d have to deal with at a later date.
The Glock entered his vision before a calming hand clasped his shoulder. ‘You okay, son?’
He stared at the barrel of the weapon for a moment as he caught his breath. Then he remembered the anthrax. He rolled on his back and stared up at his father. ‘Dad, get everyone out now. The anthrax’s inside.’ He recalled the amount on his hand was enough to register on the scanner. ‘And it’s leaking.’
Ed Ryan was about to rush back into the house before Jay grabbed him by the leg. ‘Don’t go in! Inhalation will be fatal! Cover up now!’ Jay dragged himself up by one of his crutches, while Ed Ryan started yelling for everyone to cover their faces, hold their breath and get out. He continued to call out instructions as he removed his jacket and held it over his nose and mouth.
Jay moved in behind his father beside the doorway and removed his shirt to place over his face as the men rushed out. The police officers were the first through the doorway, followed closely by Bill, the Queensland Police Commissioner, the Federal Police Commissioner and one other Jay recognised as a senior member of NSIS.
Ed Ryan was like a drill sergeant barking orders for the men to hurry. He reached into the doorway and grabbed at the men to pull them through faster.
The police response team had taken advice from their colleagues rushing past them and quickly turned to head back towards the front gate. Ed stuck his head in the doorway and promptly turned to Jay. ‘That’s all of them. Let’s go!’ He grabbed at Jay’s shoulder.
‘Go ahead,’ Jay said. ‘I’m vaccinated, remember.’ He had no idea if he was or not and continued to hold the shirt over his face.
Ed paused for a moment, nodded and turned to join the fleeing men.
Jay took a quick look inside. The door to the conference room was wide open. He knew if the anthrax became airborne it had the potential to travel far and wide with the wind. He was sure he’d heard of a similar case in Russia where the spores had travelled with the wind and killed many people as it dropped onto their village. Or maybe it was the Middle East. It didn’t matter – it had happened.