by James Abel
Jordan walked up to the first door and tried to pull it open, but it wouldn’t budge. He pulled harder, again with no luck.
“Here, let me give it a shot,” Bennings said. He pulled a hunting knife out of his backpack and slid it underneath the bottom of the door. He pulled up, using the knife as a lever.
Crack! The lock gave way, and the door broke free. Bennings pulled the door up, and both of them stood in silence at what they saw below. They were standing about six feet above a large room with no apparent exits. The rear wall directly across from them was made out of a thick, clear acrylic material. Off in one corner of the room was a five-by-five-foot partition, which Jordan assumed concealed a bathroom of some sort. Directly below them, sitting on a sofa and watching television, was what appeared to be a 15-year-old girl.
The girl glanced up at Bennings and Jordan and asked, “Is it time for my food?”
“How long have you been in there?” Jordan asked.
The girl, suddenly realizing that there were two strange faces peering at her though the opening, ran toward them, face upturned, and said, “I don’t know. Can you get me out of here? Please!”
Before either of them could answer, Bennings heard Riggs through his walkie-talkie saying, “You guys better get the hell out of there! All the guards just turned and ran back inside.”
Bennings looked down the hall and said, “Damn it, Shulman’s gone. He must have told them we were in here. We gotta move. Now.”
“But…”
“No ‘buts.’ If we die in here, nobody’s gonna be able to help these people. Come on, follow me!”
Bennings and Jordan tore down the hallway and back into the room. When they got there, all they found was a solid wall where the elevator had been.
Jordan looked at Bennings and said, “The son of a bitch trapped us in here.”
Bennings, glancing up at the windows, said, “Maybe not. If we can get up to those windows, maybe we can rappel down the outside of the building.”
Bennings reached into his backpack, pulled out a hammer, and said, “Watch this!” Then he used the hammer to smash a hole into the wall beneath the windows about three feet off the ground. Keeping the hammer in his hand, he used the hole as a toehold, pushed up, and slammed the hammer into the wall higher up. This time, he held onto the hammer with one hand while he used it as a fulcrum to swing his body up to the window ledge.
Jordan looked up and asked, “What about me, monkey man?”
“Use the toeholds, and then grab my hand. I’ll get you up here.”
Jordan took a running start, and using his momentum, caught both toeholds before grabbing Bennings’s outstretched hand. Bennings pulled Jordan up, allowing Jordan to use his free hand to grab onto the ledge. With Jordan safely on the ledge, Bennings pulled some nylon twine out of his backpack and, as he tied it around one of the window cranks said, “This stuff is strong as hell. Open the window and let’s get outta here.”
Twenty seconds later, two armed guards flew out of the elevator into an empty lab. Bennings and Jordan were already in the food truck.
Jordan started up the truck as Bennings asked, “What about Benny? We can’t just leave him here!”
From the back of the truck, they heard, “No worries. I’m back here. When I saw the guards flying in, I decided my best bet was to wait out here.”
Jordan smiled and said, “Good call. Now get up here and drive. We’ll hide in the back.”
Five minutes later, they were moving safely down the road, on their way back to Milledgeville.
CHAPTER 20
Molly had hit the road early, driving from Ithaca to New York City to attend Heather Warring’s 1 p.m. political rally at Madison Square Garden. When she found out that the media was hyping the rally as a way to meet the future President and also to see her daughter, she had used her new on campus mini-celebrity status as Jesse Warring’s best friend to get one of the complimentary tickets made available to Cornell. The downside: Molly’s ticket was more than 30 rows back from the stage.
For the first 45 minutes of the rally, Molly listened as Heather Warring outlined all the great things she was going to do for the country as the next President. There would be free tuition for all college students, absolution of outstanding student loans, universal health care for all, and the staged elimination of fossil fuels.
Then, she switched gears and called her daughter on stage. With Blue standing by the podium, candidate Warring recounted how she had rescued poor Jessie as young child, raised her with love, and set her on a course to great success as a young woman who would smash every glass ceiling that men had ever put in her way—along with thousands of other young women. Nothing was going to stop the young women of America from taking their collective places at the top of corporate America. From that vantage point, they would eliminate profits as the driving motive behind capitalism and replace it with compassion and equality for all as they painted America green. Then, to rousing cheers, Heather turned the podium over to Jessie Warring, stepping a few feet aside.
As always, Jessie didn’t waver from the speech her mother and her handlers had prepared for her. She delivered it with all of the appropriate, orchestrated emotion. She was articulate, gracious, and, of course, beautiful. As she reached the end of her speech, she segued into a new topic that Heather Warring had personally prepared for the occasion. Jessie talked about poor little Peanut, a young girl who had lived in one of WWA’s foster homes, developed lymphoma, and was taken in by Heather Warring to ensure she got the proper treatment.
At Jessie’s cue, Peanut walked on stage, her head bowed, her body shaking. She went up to Heather Warring and gave her a quick, scripted hug, and then moved to Jessie’s side and held on tight. As Heather Warring watched, the crowd jumped to their feet for a standing ovation as tears rolled down the cheeks of men and women alike. Heather Warring stood there with her first family, waving and smiling. Like taking candy from a baby!
Then, in what Fox News would later refer to as a classless and arrogant move, Hail to the Chief, a theme historically reserved for the President, suddenly blasted throughout the arena. Blue, Peanut, and Heather Warring stood and waved—as red, white, and blue balloons fell from the rafters. Even Molly, from her seat 30 rows away, couldn’t help but think that Heather Warring might not be as bad a person as Blue had made her out to be.
As the attendees moved toward the exits, Molly desperately tried to get Blue’s attention, making it all the way down to the fifth row before a security guard blocked her. She called Blue’s name at the top of her voice, but with the music still blaring and security surrounding the Warrings, Molly didn’t have a chance. She would have to return to Ithaca without getting a chance to talk to her friend.
Back stage, the security team was directing the Warrings, Peanut, and Jimmy Harris toward two waiting limos parked under the building.
As they approached the cars, Heather pulled Jessie aside and said, “There’s been a slight change of plans, honey. I need to stay in the city with Jimmy to meet up for cocktails and dinner with some deep-pocket contributors. I’ve arranged for Travis to drive you and Peanut to Teterboro Airport. You two can take the private jet back to Atlanta.”
“Just the two of us?” This isn’t like her.
“Yes. You were both so wonderful today, I’ve arranged for two nights in the penthouse suite at the Terrace for you guys when you get there. No mother to hound you, no security.. you’ll be completely on your own.”
Jessie said, “I don’t even know what to say. Thank you so much, Mom.”
“No, thank you, honey. We’ve got a long campaign ahead of us. So just enjoy, both of you.”
Blue saw Travis waving her over to an open car door, so she gave her mother a quick kiss on the cheek. Peanut gave Heather a polite smile, and they moved toward the car.
Just as Travis closed the door for them, Peanut glanced out the side window and caught a glimpse of Heather Warring’s driver. Her face turned white, and she st
arted to cry. Tapping on Jessie’s shoulder, she pointed to Willard Lance and said, “Jessie, Jessie, that’s the man who raped me!”
Jessie took Peanut in her arms and leaning forward said, “Travis, get us out of here. Right now.” Then, she comforted Peanut and said, “I’m sorry. I’ll make sure that you never have to see that man again..”
Ten minutes later, Peanut had nodded off in the back of the car. Blue leaned forward and softly asked Travis, “Who was he—the man driving the other car? I know I’ve seen him around, but I don’t know his name.”
Travis said, “That was Willard Lance, your mom’s chief of security.”
“Well, you heard what Peanut said—that he raped her, back when she was in one of mom’s WWA foster homes, the one in downtown Atlanta. Is that possible?”
“I don’t know. But I can tell you I don’t like him one bit. I shouldn’t tell you this, but right after I brought you back from Atlanta, your mom made him my boss. Truth is, I think it was so he could spy on both of us.”
“I’m sorry. That’s my fault. I should never have run off without getting her permission first. It put you in a bad spot.”
“Don’t worry about it. Truth is, you’re the only reason I didn’t jump ship long ago.”
“But what can we do about what Peanut just told me? You think I can talk to my mom about it?”
“I doubt it. For now, why don’t you just keep Peanut as calm as you can and leave Lance to me. I’ll think of something. I promise.”
“Thanks, Travis. You’re the best.”
CHAPTER 21
Blue and Peanut had settled into their room at the Georgian Terrace, and Peanut was asleep on the sofa. Blue left Peanut a note, and then she headed down to the concierge desk and asked to use the phone to make an outside call. The clerk, recognizing her, quickly obliged. A minute later, Blue said, “Molly, it’s Blue!”
“Oh my God, I just got home from your mom’s rally. You and your friend Peanut were great.”
“Why didn’t you track us down?”
“I tried. But I couldn’t get within 100 yards!”
“Sorry. But forget about today. I called to see if there was any chance you could catch a quick flight to Atlanta. I just got a two-day hall pass from my mother, so it’s just Peanut and me. We’re staying in the penthouse at the Georgian Terrace, and we’ve got plenty of room!”
“Heck, I just finished the drive back to Ithaca, and you’re already lounging in Atlanta. Must be nice. As for flying down there, I’d love to, but I’ve got an important thesis due in a couple of days.”
“Oh! That’s too bad. I was really hoping you could join us.”
Molly heard the disappointment in Blue’s voice and asked, “What’s the matter? Something’s bothering you. I can tell.”
“Nothing, I guess, but this isn’t like my mom—letting us fly here on her private jet and then letting me stay here for two days without any security.”
“Hey. Maybe she’s changing. She sure sounded great on stage today.”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“Okay, tell you what. I’ll check the flights and see if I can fly down there tomorrow. In the meantime, would you feel better if I tell my dad and Mr. Bennings where you are? They could get there in a couple of hours.”
“I don’t know. I’m probably worrying too much. I’ll let you go now, but keep me posted. Love you, Mols.”
“Love you, too. Stay safe and enjoy!”
Blue thanked the receptionist, and then headed up the elevator. When she got back to the suite and opened the door, she heard the TV in Peanut’s room. She walked through the sitting room and gently knocked on the door.
“Come in,” came the response.
Blue found Peanut in bed with the covers pulled up to her chin.
Blue walked over, sat down on the bed, and asked, “Hey there, sleepy head, what are you watching?”
Peanut smiled and said, “Nothing. I was just waiting for you to come back. I want to talk to you.” Then, Peanut turned off the TV.
Blue smiled, gently stroked Peanut’s hair away from her eyes, and said, “Sure thing. What is it you wanna talk about?”
“Me and you.”
“Okay, what about me and you?”
“I want you to know that I appreciate all you’ve done for me. I’m lucky to know you.”
Blue laughed and said, “Get out of here, girlfriend. I’m the lucky one—not you. Now stop it before I hit you with a pillow. How about we call room service for some ice cream or something?”
“No, I’m serious. Please, listen to me for a minute.”
Blue nodded, settled down, and said, “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Good. Because I want you to know just how special a friend you are. Growing up, I was always sick. My mom used to call me the runt of the litter, at least when she was sober. After she died, I kept getting shuffled around from foster home to foster home. Then I met you. Do you remember when you came to visit the WWA home?”
“Of course. I remember it like it was yesterday.”
“Well, I do, too. You spent over an hour with me that day. It meant so much to me that you seemed interested in what I had to say.”
“That’s because I was interested. You’re a really cool kid!”
“Then you came back again, and you even brought me some homemade cookies.”
Yup. Isn’t that when I gave you your nickname?”
“Yes, it is!”
Peanut started struggling as tears formed in her eyes. “Well, you’re the only one who actually cares about me.” She broke down crying as Blue took her in her arms, and they cried together.
After a few minutes, Blue pulled back, mustered up a smile, and said, “Look! That’s all in the past. Going forward, you and I are gonna rule the world. The doctors say that you’re almost in remission now, and as soon as that lymphoma crap is under control, watch out!”
Peanut, her head down on her chest, gave the slightest nod. Blue used her finger to pull her chin up and, looking in Peanut’s eyes, said, “Hey, you! Am I right or not?”
Peanut wiped some more tears away, cracked a small smile, and said, “Yeah, you’re right.”
“Good. Now that we’ve got that settled, I’m calling down for some goodies. What would you like? Ice cream, cookies, what is it, partner?
“Think I could get a peanut sundae?”
“Ha, ha! You bet you can. I should have known!”
CHAPTER 22
The air smelled fresher than usual, and the sky looked a little bluer. It was a 65-degree day with very little humidity when Blue and Peanut stepped out the door of the Georgian Terrace. Blue looked at Peanut and said, “Today is our day. No, check that. Today is your day. Where do you wanna go?”
“How about the aquarium? I love that place.”
“Perfect. After that, if you want, we can walk over to the World of Coca-Cola.
“I’d like that. Oh, wait! Aren’t you worried that people will recognize you?”
“Heck, no. I’m not famous. Besides, take a look—no makeup, got my Braves hat on, and I’m wearing these things,” Blue said as she wiggled her sunglasses. “Come on! It’s so nice out, let’s walk down the street for a bit before we hail a cab.”
Blue took Peanut’s hand, and Peanut looked up at her with a big smile on her face.
It’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her! Blue thought.
*******
Two hours later, Blue and Peanut walked out of the aquarium and headed toward the Coca-Cola building. Peanut paused, looked at Blue, and asked, “Could we maybe do this tomorrow instead? I’m a bit tired.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Tell you what...” Then Blue felt her phone vibrating in her purse, and she said, “Hold on a sec. I got a phone call.”
She pulled her iPhone out of her purse and saw it was Molly.
H’mm. I probably should have told her not to call me on this thing. Blue thought.
“Hey there, Mols. Surprised you�
��re calling me… uh, you know…. What’s up?”
“I know. I tried the hotel first but needed to tell you that I can’t get down there. All the flights are either booked, or they cost a small fortune.”
“Oh. Okay. Peanut and I will just have to make do without you. But you’re missing out on some beautiful weather.”
“Oh, great, now you’re gonna rub it in.”
Blue looked at Peanut and continued, “Yeah, and if Peanut’s up for it, we’re about to head over to her favorite restaurant—the Varsity.”
Peanut got a huge smile on her face as she nodded her head and said, “Yes!”
On the other end of the phone, Molly said, “Well, I’ll be there in spirit anyway, just like my painting where the little girl’s being watched over by an angel. You know that one, don’t you?”
“Of course, I do.” Blue said, while thinking, Molly’s dad must be on the way!
“Good. You take care, and I’m sure an angel will watch over you as well. Love you. Say hello to Peanut for me. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“I will. I love you, too. Bye now.”
Blue put her phone away, looked at Peanut, and said, “Molly says hi. She really wants to meet you.”
“I’d like to meet her, too. I’m sure she’s really nice.”
“Oh, yeah. You two are gonna really hit it off. Now let me get ahold of Uber, and we’ll head over to The Varsity.”
CHAPTER 23
On the third level of the parking deck at the Georgian Terrace, sitting inside a faded red, rusted-out 1999 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a middle-aged man with a foreign accent held his phone to his ear said, “Okay, I got it. The Varsity. On my way.” A minute later, he put the truck in gear and headed down the exit ramp.
About the same time, Jordan answered his cell phone from the passenger’s seat of the Toyota and asked Molly, who was on the other end, “Did you find out where she is?”
“I did. She’s headed to the Varsity for lunch. Peanut, the girl who’s fighting cancer, is with her.”