Blue's Code

by James Abel

  When he returned to the room, he found Jordan and Blue still sound asleep. He reached to turn off the radio but stopped when he heard the announcer say, “And in other local news, Governor Warring has agreed to an exclusive interview with Bob Asher, CNN’s lead political correspondent out of Washington D.C. It will come to you live, straight from the governor’s mansion in Milledgeville at 8 tonight. It should be worth listening to. For the first time, she will be revealing the details around all of the key components of her political platform for her run at her party’s nomination for President of the United States.”

  That bitch wants to be on live TV when the news breaks about Blue. That can’t be good, Bennings thought.

  Bennings shook Jordan out of a deep sleep as he said, “Wake up! Let’s go!”

  Jordan forced his eyes open, tried to focus, and asked, “What? What time is it?”

  “Time to get up. We might have just caught another break.”

  Jordan flung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbed his hands through his hair, and said, “Go ahead. I’m listening.”

  “They just announced that Heather Warring has a live interview from the governor’s mansion at 8 tonight.”

  “So?”

  “I think she wants the world to learn of our fates during that interview. Given the tight window, it also means that whatever that Lance asshole is planning for you is gonna go down tonight at the plant.”

  Jordan stood up and as he walked toward the bathroom said, “That’s great. Not too many people get to know exactly when, where, and how they’re gonna die. Unless, of course, they’re on death row.”

  As the bathroom door started to close, Bennings said, “No. You only know when, where, and how you’re supposed to die!” After the door shut, Bennings shouted, “Because it’s not gonna happen!”

  *******

  Bennings spent the next two hours in the hotel room, picking Blue’s brain about every last detail she could provide about the layout of the governor’s mansion, Warring’s staff, and everything else he could think to ask.

  Finally, it was Jordan who said, “That’s enough.” Then he turned to Blue and said, “Blue, you’ve been a big help. Time to hit the road.”

  Bennings nodded and said, “Tell you what. You two go on ahead without me. I’ve got some calls to make and people to see so just drop me off at the airport terminal. I’ll rent a car. I’ll give you the number of my burner phone so if anything comes up, you can call me. Otherwise, I’ll see you tonight. When this is all over, the drinks are on me.”

  Bennings gave Blue a hug, and then he paused, looking Jordan in the eyes before giving him a man hug and saying, “Love ya, brother. It’s been a great ride.”

  Jordan, pulling away, said, “Yeah. Same here.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Jordan and Blue didn’t talk much in the car until they reached the exit off of I-20 east onto GA-142, the road leading to Milledgeville. That’s when Jordan looked at Blue and asked, “Mind if I take a little detour.”

  “Where to?”

  “To Milledgeville. Bully’s Bar and Grill to be exact.”

  “But what if we’re seen?”

  “I’ll be careful, but when we get close to town, maybe you should scrunch down in back. I’ll only be a few minutes.”

  Blue smiled and asked, “Could it have anything to do with a certain waitress by the name of Kylie?”

  “How on earth did you know about that?”

  “Mr. Bennings told me. Said he thinks you’ve got a crush on her. He also said he was really happy for you.”

  “Yeah. I bet he is.”

  “No. I could tell, he really meant it.”

  Then Blue patted Jordan on the shoulder and said, “I’m happy for you, too. It’s been a long time.”

  Jordan slowly nodded and said, “Thanks, Blue.”

  The conversation triggered a memory for Jordan, and he asked, “By the way, all those years ago, why didn’t you go with us to Disney World? It must have stuck in your mind, or you wouldn’t have used it for Blue’s Code.”

  Blue laughed and asked. “Is that what you called it, Blue’s Code? I like it. Very cool.”

  Then she turned serious and said, “The only reason I didn’t go with you guys was because of my dad. He needed me at home.”

  “I understand.”

  *******

  Twenty minutes later, Jordan punched in a number on his phone. On the other end of the line, he heard Kylie say, “Bully’s Bar and Grill. What can I do for you?”

  “Kylie, this is Jordan. Can you step outside for a minute? I’m in the Tahoe right in front of the door, and I need to talk to you.”

  “Are you crazy? Your face is all over the news. You and Bennings are wanted for kidnapping. Jordan, how could you do this?”

  “I didn’t. That’s what I need to talk to you about. Please, trust me.”

  “No. I never want to see you again, and if you don’t leave, I’m calling the police.”

  While Blue didn’t hear everything Kylie had said, she knew it wasn’t going well. She popped up from behind the seat and motioned for Jordan to hand her the phone. Jordan hesitated, but Blue grabbed it out of his hand and said, “Kylie, this is Jessie Warring. Please just look out the window. Jordan didn’t kidnap me; he’s trying to save me. Come out here, and I’ll explain everything.”

  Kylie’s face turned white. She nervously set the phone down and walked toward the window. When she saw Jessie wave, she ran back to the phone, hung it up, and called out, “Ducky, I’ll be right back. I have to run outside for a minute.”

  When she approached the car, Jordan reached across, pushed the passenger’s door open, and said, “Please?” Kylie tentatively sat down in the passenger’s seat and pulled the door shut.

  Blue was the first to speak, saying, “Hi, Kylie. I know this seems weird, but last week, did you see the news about how I was almost killed in the parking lot at the Varsity?”

  Kylie nodded and said, “Yeah. I’m so sorry about your friend.”

  “Well my mother was behind that. I’m positive, and that’s why Jordan and Mr. Bennings figured out a way to get me away from her.”

  Kylie got a flustered look on her face and said, “I don’t know. This is all beyond me.” Then she saw the blood soaking through Jordan’s shirt and said, “Oh my God, you’re hurt.”

  Jordan took her hand, smiled and said, “It’s okay. All that matters right now is that you shouldn’t believe what you’re hearing on the news. Jessie and I go way back. She reached out to me to help her get away from Heather Warring, and that’s why Bennings and I came down here in the first place.”

  “But then why are you here now? You should be long gone. Half the world is looking for you.”

  “I know. But I wanted you to hear the truth—in person. That’s all.”

  Jordan reached across with his left hand and pushed open the door. Kylie grabbed his forearm, hesitated, and then said, “You two be careful, you hear?”

  Jordan smiled and said, “We’ll do our best.”

  Kylie got out and closed the door. Jordan backed up, turned, and pulled out of the lot.

  CHAPTER 32

  It was only 10 minutes before 7 when Jordan’s phone rang.

  It was Bennings asking, “Where are you guys?”

  “We’re almost there. Why didn’t you answer any of my earlier calls?”

  “Sorry, I had a lot goin’ on, but listen up. I’m pretty sure Molly’s inside Warring’s labs and your mom’s with her. They’re both still alive.”

  “Thank God. How do you know for sure?”

  “I asked a friend of mine to do some surveillance out there earlier today. He saw both of them being taken into the building. My guess, they’re up on the second floor in one of those cells.”

  “Where are you now?”

  “I’m about 20 minutes out, so stall as long as you can.”

  “Sure, why not. I’m in no hurry to die.”

  “Figured as much.” />
  “Bennings, if this doesn’t go down according to plan, remember, job one is to protect my family. I’m expendable.”

  Click. The phone went dead.

  Jessie looked at him and asked, “What did you mean by that?”

  Jordan pulled the Tahoe off the road and put it in park as Blue looked at him and repeated the question, “I asked what you meant by that—that you’re expendable!”

  Jordan said, “Okay, time to talk. I want to tell you how much it’s meant to me to finally see you again, to spend some time together after all these years. This has been one hell of an adventure. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Okay I guess, but this is gonna turn out alright, isn’t it? Mr. Bennings told me that he has it all figured out!”

  Jordan said, “Look, no matter what happens, no regrets—for either of us. My wife’s death forced me to look at things a little differently. I realized that life can’t be measured by how long we live. It can only be measured by how we live in those precious moments of time that God gives us. To spend the past few weeks with you, trying to save the world, well hey…” Jordan paused, fighting his emotions. Then he said, “Blue, it’s been an honor. It really has.”

  A tear running down her cheek, Blue gave Jordan a peck on the cheek, forced a smile, and said, “Now stop it. Mr. Bennings has got this under control. I just know it!”

  Jordan nodded, put the truck back in drive, and said, “Okay. Then, let’s go get this thing over with.”

  A mile down the road, Jordan pulled the Tahoe into the parking lot at Warring Pharmaceuticals and paused, 30 yards from the guardhouse. A full moon, dancing in and out from behind the clouds, bounced moonlight off the razor wire atop the fence, reminding Jordan just how much the complex looked like a prison. He noticed that the parking lot was abandoned, and that all the lights had been turned off. He looked at Blue, said, “Here we go,” and pulled up to the guardhouse as he rolled down the window.

  The guard leaned out of the guardhouse, scanned the inside of the Tahoe, and said, “You’re late. They’re waiting for you around back.”

  Jordan nodded and slowly moved forward. Fifteen feet short of the rear corner of the building a tall man, dressed in black, moved out of the shadows, startling Jordan. He pointed a semi-automatic rifle toward the truck, making sure Jordan took notice.

  Nice gun. A short-nosed Honey Badger with a silencer! Jordan thought.

  The man motioned for Jordan to stop and roll down the window. He peered inside, glanced at Blue, and then turned his attention to Jordan and said, “Turn off your headlights and move around back. When you turn the corner, pull up to the loading dock, shut off the engine, and toss the keys out the window.”

  Jordan nodded and said, “Whatever you say, boss.”

  The man walked alongside of the Tahoe as they moved forward. Jordan, looking straight ahead quietly said, “Blue, when we come to a stop, you stay inside. When I hop out, lock the doors, and do not open them unless I say so. We need to buy a little more time for Bennings. Remember, my Glock is right in front of you, inside the glove box, just like we talked about. There’s a round in the chamber and it’s got a trigger safety. What that means is if you need it, just point the gun and pull the trigger. You’ve got 16 shots.”

  When they got near the loading dock, the man signaled Jordan to stop. Jordan put the truck in park, turned off the ignition, and hopped out.

  Jordan dangled the keys in front of the man, tossed them as far as he could, and said, “Here, rover, go fetch.”

  “Why, you son of a bitch” yelled the man as he slammed the butt of his rifle into Jordan’s bad shoulder. Jordan screamed in pain and fell to his knees. Inside the Tahoe, Blue scrambled to pull the gun out of the glove box as she watched the man point the rifle at Jordan and say, “I’d like to…”

  As Blue was about to pull the trigger, a voice yelled out, “No! Not yet, Ricky! Just go find the damn keys. I’ll take it from here.” As Ricky lowered his rifle, Willard Lance walked out from the shadows. With him was a mean looking woman, covered in tattoos, armed with a Honey Badger.

  Lance directed the woman toward Jordan, saying, “Search him,” as Lance moved toward the passenger’s door of the Tahoe. Blue quickly set the gun inside of the glove box but didn’t have a chance to close it before Lance glanced in, pulled on the door handle and said, “Now Jessie, you’re not gonna make me play some childish little game here, are you? Open the damn door.”

  Not getting a response, Lance called out into the darkness, “Hey, Ricky, you find those keys yet?”

  “Nope.”

  “Then come back here and shoot the damn lock off the door.”

  Jordan staggered to his feet and said, “Wait! Don’t bother. Blue, open the door.” Blue unlocked the car door, and then grabbed for the gun, but Lance was too quick. He pushed past her and slammed the glove box on her hand, holding it tight. As she winced in pain, Lance said, “Now let go of that gun and play nice, okay, Jessie?”

  She dropped the gun and Lance eased the pressure, letting her pull her hand out. Then he grabbed her by the hair and yanked her out of the truck. After slamming the truck door shut, Lance shoved Blue in Jordan’s direction and said, “Okay, now both of you, move to the wall.”

  Jordan said, “No! Not until I see Molly. That was the deal. I get Molly. You get Jessie.”

  An arrogant smirk crossed Lance’s face as he said, “Mr. Nichols. You’re a smart man. Did you really think that was gonna happen?”

  “Why not? It’s a fair trade. You kill me and blame it on Bennings as a kidnapping gone bad. The girls won’t talk. Why would they? I’ll be dead, and they can live the rest of their lives knowing that if they do, you’ll hunt them down and kill them. Everybody wins.”

  Blue cried out, “If you kill Mr. Nichols, I’ll… I’ll…”

  Lance burst out laughing. “What? You’ll tell your mommy?”

  Blue started to cry as Lance turned to Jordan and said, “You see, the deal is you showed up here to pick up a $2 million ransom, and Bennings double-crossed you. He killed you and Jessie and then took off with the money. I’ve already got a record for the funds withdrawal, and a nicely doctored recording of a phone call from you to me, telling me where to meet you with the ransom money.”

  “But what about Molly and my mother? How are you gonna explain that away?”

  “Oh, yes. Glad you reminded me. It seems that the two of them are gonna be so heartbroken that they take their own lives. Molly’s already written a nice little suicide note for me. She was very cooperative after I told her it would save your life. Oh, and they’ll be found at your parents’ place, right after the news of your death hits the wire. Now…up against the wall!

  Over your dead body, mother fucker. Come on, Bennings. We’re running out of time, Jordan thought.

  As Jordan and Blue were being shoved toward the back wall of the building, Bennings was 70 yards away, just outside the chain link fence surrounding the perimeter. He rested the barrel of his scoped Remington 700 on the fence as he drew a bead. The first to die would be the woman. She was pointing her rifle at Blue, and Bennings was going to keep his promise. At the sound of the shot, Jordan would turn on the guard closest to him and, if things went as planned, it would give Bennings the time for a second, maybe even a third clean shot before anyone could take cover.

  Bennings had already released the safety and moved his finger to the trigger when, click, he heard the hammer of a revolver being pulled back. He tried to free the rifle from the fence, but it was too late. He felt the barrel of a gun at the back of his head, and then he heard the words, “Drop it, and step away.”

  Fuck! How could I be so stupid?

  Bennings dropped his rifle and slowly stood up and turned. The man facing him was the security guard from the front gate, and he had his .38 special trained on Bennings. The guard backed away, held the gun on him with one hand, and used the other to push the call button on a walkie-talkie and say, “You were right, Mr. Lance. I got
him.”

  “Very good. Bring him down here. I’ll wait.”

  Lance smiled at Jordan and said, “What do you know! Bennings is alive after all. Who woulda thought?”

  “Fuck you!”

  Lance punched Jordan in his bad shoulder, and he, once again, fell to the ground in pain. Blue, sobbing, screamed, “Will you just leave him alone? Please, I’m begging you!”

  Lance grabbed Blue’s hair, yanked it away from her ear, and whispered, “You’re begging me? Well guess what? Your friend Peanut begged me too. When I was screwing her and guess what else, bitch, your mother didn’t care. She knew all about it. Stop with the begging, or you’ll get the same thing that Peanut got.”

  Blue turned and spit in Lance’s face. A split second later, hit her as hard as he could, back-handed. She fell to the ground next to Jordan as Lance walked away.

  With the two guards standing over them, Jordan looked at Blue and asked, “You okay?”

  Blue, sobbing, said, “I think so.”

  A minute later, the guard arrived with Bennings and asked Lance, “Where do you want him?”

  Lance pointed to the ground next to Jordan and said, “Throw him down there with the others for now. I need to rethink how we can stage this thing now that Bennings showed up.”

  The guard shoved Bennings in the back and said, “You heard the man, down on the ground. Put your arms above your head.”

  Bennings said, “Okay, asshole. Chill.”

  As Bennings got down on the ground next to Jordan he said, “Sorry. I really fucked this thing up. Looks like our only option is to charge these guys and take our chances. Maybe one of us lives.”

  Jordan said, “Okay. But I make the first move, and you follow. The second guy has to be quick—able to react. That’s not me, not with this shoulder.”

  “Agreed. Let Blue know. For the record, it’s been fun.”

  “Yeah, a real blast.”