Paul stopped suddenly and looked over at Mac.
“Is that fog?"
“Another mystery. We have had the fans on all night and it doesn’t seem to have done much good,” Mac said.
“Mac, I will say this, when you present a mystery, you present a doozy,” Paul laughed.
They walked further and were enveloped by the dense fog.
“It’s not wet. It’s sure not smoke. What is this stuff?” Paul said as they carefully made their way forward.
“I don’t have a clue. It isn’t quite as bad as yesterday but we need to be really careful. By my estimate we should be pretty close to the end of BARD,” Mac warned.
They walked on in silence. The only sound was their footsteps echoing off the walls.
“Hold it,” Mac said, reaching out and stopping Paul.
“What?”
“I’m not sure but we should have come up on the machine before now. See that dark area?”
“The big round one?”
“Yeah, I think that's a hole. Be real careful. Small steps until we figure out what it is,” Mac said.
They both continued one step at a time with their hands out in front of them.
“What the...”
“It’s a hole alright but where is BARD?” Paul asked.
“Holy smokes,” Mac said dropping down to one knee, “It’s a hole alright and it goes straight down.”
“What? Like a sinkhole?”
“I don’t know but I’m guessing we will find BARD at the bottom.”
“Man, I don’t understand any of this. Nothing like this showed up on the site plot,” Paul replied.
“All I can say is there it is,” Mac told him.
“We need to get this fog out of here so we can see what is really going on. Flashlights only make it worse with the mist, fog or whatever the heck it is. Let’s get some ventilation down here and pump it out. It will take a lot flexible tubing but we can’t do anything like it is.”
“I’ll get a crew on it right away. I probably should have thought of that last night,” Mac said.
“Don’t start that again. You did the right thing. I would have done the exact same thing so relax would you?” Paul chided.
“I don’t think Barney is too happy with me.”
“Barney is never happy. It’s his personality. You have to let that stuff roll off your back. I’m still the major stock holder, it’s my company. Keep that in mind and stop worrying.”
“Okay boss.”
**
By noon three large ventilator fans were in place and over four miles of three foot diameter tubing was connected. It was still somewhat of a mystery because nothing appeared to be coming out the end that anyone could see. It was however, dissipating inside the tunnel.
By evening it was clear enough to really assess the damage. Peering into the cavern they couldn’t even see where the bottom of the pit was or the BARD.
“Man, this is off the scale of my weird-o-meter,” Mack said.
“So, did it fall in and keep running? I mean, is it eating its way through to China?” Alex asked.
“I hardly think so. I would imagine it is lying someplace in the bottom of the pit or whatever this is. We are going to have to find out how deep it goes. Paul is having a Doppler brought in so we can get a reading.”
“I guess we could lower someone down,” Pete added.
“Good plan. Thanks for volunteering. I’ll get a rope,” Mac said and the others cracked up.
Everyone knew Pete was the biggest chicken of the bunch.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Are you okay Mac?” Paul asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just a headache and a little sore throat. Probably spending all that time in that fog caused it.”
“Look, nothing we are doing is so important that you need to come to work sick. BARD is going anyplace. The Doppler won’t be here until tomorrow anyway. There is really nothing we can do for now. Take the rest of the afternoon off,” Paul said.
“I can’t do that Paul. This is my area of responsibility.”
“What, you think I can’t handle operations?”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I know but it would not help if you came down sick. Do me a favor and go home and rest up. I’m sure we will be plenty busy the next few days.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Now go.”
“Okay. My muscles ache. Resting up would probably be good for me. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Paul watched as he walked off. He did notice that he seemed a little stiff in the way he was walking.
**
“Where is Mac?” Barney asked.
“Not here yet. I sent him home yesterday to rest up. I think he was coming down with something.”
“Well he should be here. Operations are his responsibility.”
“Easy Barney. He is stressed out enough. He feels he let the company down,” Paul replied.
“Having a one hundred million dollar machine just go off doing what it wants to do? Hell yes he let the company down. It’s his mess we are left with,” Barney said.
“Don’t forget Barney, I made the decision to buy the machine. Not Mac. Not you. But me. As the owner, I have the ultimate responsibility.”
Barney’s neck turned red but he didn’t say anything. He just headed to his office.
It was almost ten O’clock before Mac came into the office.
“Are you okay Mac,” the receptionist asked when he walked in.
“I honestly don’t know. I feel like someone beat me up. Every muscle in my body hurts. My throat is sore and I am just bone tired. I must be coming down with some bug.”
“Paul would like you to come down to the mine entrance. The guys with the Dropper showed up a while ago.”
“It’s a Doppler, not dropper. It is a measuring device. Cops use them to catch people speeding. Anyway. I’m on my way,” he said and headed back out.
When Mac got to the mine entrance it was apparent that they must have a gone on down the tunnel. He walked down, his legs hurting every step of the way. The first thing he noticed was that the fog was gone. He could see a group of men standing at the opening of the hole in the side of the cavern. They were all looking down.
“What have we got?” he asked as he walked up.
“Hey Mac. We are just...say are you okay? You don’t look like you feel very good.”
“It’s nothing. I think I’m getting a cold.”
“Look, if you’re coming down with something you should go see the doctor,” Paul said.
“I’ll be fine. So are they ready to see how deep the thing is?”
“Yep. Its seventy-one feet to the far side of the opening. You can see it now that the fog has lifted. The ventilators seem to have gotten it out overnight.”
“Seventy-one feet? Across? That doesn’t make sense. The topographical survey should have noted something that big,” Mac said looking puzzled.
“Tell me about it. Anyway, that’s what the Doppler is telling us.”
“So now they are getting ready to determine the depth?”
“That’s just what we were setting up for. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
“Doctor Townson, Amy Gearheart, and Howard Mulford, this is our Chief Operations Officer, Daren McDillon. We just call him Mac,” Paul said by way of introduction.
They did the usual ‘nice to meet you’ routine before getting back to business.
“We are ready to shoot. The first one will be a broad spectrum shot to get the general depth. Then we will recalibrate and get a dead on reckoning reading,” Doctor Townson told them.
“Amy, whenever you’re ready.”
It was anti-climactic. She pushed a button and a few seconds later the monitor she was sitting at showed the results.
“Hmm,” she said studying the monitor.
“What is it?”
“Well, it says it is 26,458 feet.”
“Wh
at?” the all said in unison.
“I know. It can’t be right. Let me shoot it again. Is the data recorder cleared?”
“Yes. Go ahead,” Townson said.
“Shooting.”
Again she waited until the monitor flickered the results. She didn’t say anything for several seconds.
“What?” the Doctor asked.
“26,458.7 feet.”
“Amy. You know that can’t be right. You have to be doing something wrong or we have the Doppler positioned wrong.”
“Well there is not too much to it Doctor,” Amy said, slightly sarcastic, “The Doppler is pointed straight down and once the data is cleared you just push the button. I’m open to suggestions.”
“Let me do it,” he said, clearing out the data field and resetting the actuation button.
“Shooting,” he said and pushed the button.
He stood looking at the screen. He just stared at the reading. 26,458.68 feet.
“I don’t know what to say. That’s almost, no...it is five miles down.”
Everyone just looked at each other, more or less in shock.
Finally Paul spoke up, “You’re telling me that the BARD is five miles down there?”
“I see no other explanation.”
“And you’re sure it’s working correctly?”
“Yes. Yes. I checked it myself,” the doctor assured him.
“Could we bring in a different unit and double check?”
“By all means. I will make the arrangements. We can’t do it until tomorrow. Is that a problem?”
“Well if it really is five miles down, another day isn’t going make any difference at all. Tomorrow will be fine.”
**
They were all sitting in the conference room, pretty much lost in thought.
“Five miles. How can that be?” Paul said to no one in particular.
“They have to be wrong. They are probably as inept as some others I know,” Barney said softly.
Mac was sitting with his chin on his chest with his eyes closed. He raised his head and looked at Barney.
“Was that aimed at me?” he asked.
“What? I didn’t say anything,” Barney professed.
Paul and Ann both looked at him. He had said it low but loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.
“You know Barney, if you have something to say why don’t you man up and just say it. No one likes a gutless wonder,” Mac said, his face flushed.
“Easy everyone...”
“No. I’ll address that little issue,” Barney said.
“I’ll tell you exactly wh...”
“Barney,” Paul said sharply, “I said that was enough. Pull it in right now. Mac has my full confidence. He has done everything he could to find out what happened. I’ll just tell you this one more time. I..do..NOT..hold Mac responsible for this. Are we clear on that?”
“If you say so,” Barney said, sitting back and folding his arms over his chest.
Paul looked at him for several moments. He had just about had it with Barney’s attitude. When this was all over, he would have to reevaluate if his contribution was greater than his negative attitude.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
When Mac woke up the next morning he felt terrible. He checked his temperature and found it was right at 102 degrees. His throat hurt like the dickens. It seemed like there wasn't a muscle in his body that didn’t hurt. His throat was much worse. What the hell was he coming down with, he wondered?
He called the office and told the receptionist that he was going to go to the doctor. He was feeling really bad. He called the doctor that the company used and was able to get an appointment for 4:00 p.m.
Mac spent the rest of the day lying on the couch or going to the bathroom. He had developed diarrhea and when he looked in the mirror he was shocked at what he saw. He had a rash on his neck and chest. His eyes were red rimmed. Well, I look as bad as I feel, he thought.
**
“Mac, my goodness, you look the worse for wear,” the doctor said when he came into the examining room.
“Well, that’s nice to hear. Is that a professional opinion or just a conversation starter?” Mac quipped.
The doctor chuckled, “Still have a sense of humor I see. I would ask what brought you in but I can see you are a sick boy.”
He picked up Mac’s file and looked at what the nurse had written for his vital signs.
“Hmm,” he said, his chin resting on his thumb and finger.
Mac watched intently as he saw the doctor frown more than once.
“Let me see your throat,” he said and started a full examination.
When he was finished he sat back in his chair and looked at Mac for several seconds.
“What do I have?”
“Well to tell the truth Mac, I’m not really sure. Your symptoms don’t make a lot of sense to me. I want you to go to the hospital and have some tests run. I’m going to order a CBC, Electrolytes, and a couple of others. I am very concerned.”
“What are you saying Doctor?”
“I'm saying this could be quite serious. I’m not about to cry wolf before we have some test results. Now I know the next thing you are going to say. You can’t take time to go get a bunch of stupid test done, right?”
“Something like that.”
“Good. I saved you the effort. I want you to go today. Not tomorrow, but today. Actually right now. I’m going to call over there and make some arrangements.”
“Geez doc. What in the hell do you think I have, the creeping crud?”
“I’m not sure and that is what concerns me. Mac, I don’t know how serious this is but trust me, you need to have the tests immediately.”
“Okay. This is a little unnerving.”
“I understand but I would rather err on the side of caution,” the doctor said.
“I’ll go right now if you’re that concerned.”
“Good. I’ll have everything ready so you won’t have to sit on your thumbs while someone gets their ducks in a row.”
When Mac stood up he grunted.
“Damn, now my stomach has a sharp pain. I guess I had better go and have those tests run,” Mac said as he slowly made his way out of the office.
Doctor Lang sat at the desk tapping Mac’s chart with is pen. He did not like what he was thinking one bit. Worse than that. Mac had been in contact with him, his staff and other patients.
He picked up the phone and called the hospital.
**
When Mac got to the hospital two security cars were blocking the entrance. Now what the heck is this all about, Mac thought? One of the drivers got out and held up a sign. It had two works in big block letters: FOLLOW ME. This is too strange he thought as he followed the security car. They led him around to the back of the building where a large white tube was stretched out leading to one of the back doors.
Three people came toward his car with full biological suits on. Mac just watched in amazement as they made their way up to his car.
“What’s going on?” he asked as he rolled down his window.
“Mr. McDillon?”
“Yeah.”
One of them turned and made a motion and a stretcher was rolled out to his car.
“What is going on? What’s happening?”
“Sir, your doctor called. We need to run some tests on you. It is possible you have a contagious disease.”
“Contagious disease? He didn’t say that to me.”
“Please. The sooner we get the tests done the faster we can find out what is going on.”
“Do I have to get on the stretcher?”
“Would you like a wheelchair instead?”
“Oh hell, what difference does it make? The stretcher will be fine. I feel kind of silly but what the hay.”
They wheeled Mac into the hospital and immediately took him to an isolation area. His room was bigger than any other hospital room he had seen. He would soon find out why.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
When Paul pulled in to the parking lot the next morning he was surprised at all the activity. Television vans were parked at various locations along with cameras and people with microphones.
He hardly got out of his car before reporters were swarming around him.
“Is it true you discovered a hole five miles deep in one of the mines?” someone yelled.
“Who found it?”
“Can you confirm the depth?”
“Why is it in a mine?”
“Did you see what’s at the bottom?”
People were yelling out questions so fast that he didn’t have time to answer any of them. He squeezed and elbowed his way to the front door of the building but several reporters were in the way.
“Move it,” he finally said.
“What are you going to do with the hole?”
“Did you find anything in it?”
“Yes. Yes we did as a matter of fact,” he told them. It immediately got quiet.
“We found several obnoxious reporters that had been taken down to the hole and thrown in,” he said shoving them out of the way and going inside.
“Crazy huh?” the receptionist said.
“Donna, I need you to call the police. I want these people off our property. I do not want to have to go through this every time I leave. How did they find out about this anyway?” he asked.
“Seems Doctor Townson decided it needed to be announced to the world.”
“They are supposed to bring another Doppler unit in today. Call and tell...no, I’ll call him myself,” he said heading to his office.
He was furious at Doctor Townson and did nothing short of calling him an egotistical ass before he hung up. He didn’t feel all that much better but it least he got it off his chest. His head was throbbing by the time his weekly staff meeting was getting ready to start. He was having a hard time concentrating.
He sighed deeply and headed for the conference room. Ann and Barney were already seated. He sat down, leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them he felt disoriented.
“Where is McDillon?” Barney asked.
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