She wasn’t comfortable that he intended to stay the night. She would rather he just take the Blackhawk and be done with it. Alexandra detested the man and to be near him made her skin crawl. She remembered their first meeting and how Richardson took an eerie interest in her. He began touring her facility personally once or twice a year. For a short time she feared that his interest was sexual. The thought of fighting off his advances scared the hell out of her. There was just something disgusting about such an idea. She hated his cold blue eyes and how he looked at her as if he was on to her; but he couldn’t be. Being in his presence made her paranoid that she had overlooked some detail in her cover story. She had scrubbed her past well and found it easier to maintain her façade as the years went on. But still, there was something unnerving about the man.
Alexandra saw the lights of the approaching helicopter in the distance. Her deep blue eyes flashed hatred at the sight then softened as she resolved to play her role. She took one final drag and crushed the butt with her shoe. She heaved a determined breath and reviewed her conversation with the old man earlier on the phone. She believed she was ready for his arrival. In an effort to maintain her reputation as an over-achiever, she had contacted an ex-boyfriend at the Centers for Disease Control to find out what he knew about the situation. She would impress the old man with her initiative and gain even more trust in the company. This was the long game and one day she would see Gavin Edward Richardson pay for his actions.
The Bell jet helicopter descended fast and then slowed in relation to its proximity to the deck. Alexandra saw the pilot rotate the body of the commercial helicopter so that the side door faced her. The chopper touched down and its motor slowed. The door opened and she saw Gavin Richardson duck as he walked out of range of the whirling blades overhead.
Gavin was a tall man whose closely cropped white hair looked out of place with his strong Nordic-trac toned physique. He was in excellent shape for a man of sixty-eight, almost unnaturally so but according to Alexandra’s studies of the man, his hair had turned white in his thirties. She wondered just how much stress he had experienced to cause such premature graying. He straightened his posture when well away from the chopper’s rotor and walked towards Alexandra. She turned with his arrival and tried to keep pace with his long strides towards the building.
“Has there been any word?” He asked without any kind of greeting.
“No sir. Plant security reported in yesterday that they were securing the facility but we haven’t been able to reestablish contact.”
“Still?”
“Yes sir. Security there is local with augmentation from town police, not our Aries teams.”
“Yes, Chief Murdoch,” he nodded, “and my son?”
“Nothing, no answer on the facility Sat-phone and the local lines are down,” she said and suddenly she was walking alone. Alexandra stopped and looked back to Richardson. She noticed the rumple underneath the left armpit his tailored Brooks Brothers jacket. He’s wearing a weapon. He looked off in the distance.
“Is everything assembled?” He asked.
“No sir. Your man Denkinger and his team are going to rendezvous at a fueling point tomorrow morning; Colonel Borden’s barracks. In light of recent events they’re facing… challenges, getting here.”
“I see. Anything from our sources that hasn’t been reported publicly?” he asked finally meeting her gaze.
“A contact at CDC said preliminary tests on infected subjects reported zero effectiveness of all known antibiotics and anti-virals so far.” She offered, “They believe it is a Pathogen, a biological compound like a virus, bacteria, or prion, but they haven’t had any luck in isolating the cause.”
“My sources say the infected are dead.” He said.
“That’s what I’m hearing as well, but officials are strongly resisting going public for fear of a panic.”
Richardson nodded and began walking again. “Have we heard from Defense?”
“D-O-D’s not taking our calls. We’re monitoring radio traffic. We can hear plenty of communication between stateside military facilities, various aircraft, and naval vessels but nothing from the Pentagon.”
Richardson stopped, “That’s disconcerting. They may just be overwhelmed, or all of our contacts are in trouble. I want a detailed briefing for Denkinger’s team; all the latest from the CDC, military, and Sierra County law enforcement, maps of Whisper, the facility, my property, and surrounding areas. Send it to his PDA by midnight. He’ll brief his men in transit. And get my pilot a meal and somewhere comfortable to sleep. We’re gonna need him to find my boy”
He began walking again towards the facility; Alexandra struggling to keep up in her high-heels, asked, “We sir? I’m going with you tomorrow?”
“I’ll need you with us.” His tone bore a finality that chilled Alexandra.
“Yes sir.” she said with less than enthusiasm. Richardson noticed and turned.
“Is there a problem?”
“I’ll get your pilot billeted right away, sir.” She said and turned to leave. She walked fast, her high heels clacking on the tarmacadam, until she could turn behind an outbuilding. Once free from his view, Alexandra Devereaux lit another Camel light and smoked it angrily. The last place in the world she wanted to be was with an armed Gavin Richardson searching the northwest corner of nowhere for his incompetent child. Son of a bitch!
Nine
The Richardson estate’s outer gate loomed ten feet high. A polished brass “R” stood watch in the center of the twisted wrought iron. Small sharp points adorned the elaborate design, serving to discourage those who might wish to attempt climbing the ornate barrier. Jack brought his truck to a halt nudging the gate with the large chrome plated bumper. He switched the truck off and sat in silence to get a feel for the area. Nikki was on her knees in the bed of the truck with her head halfway in the cab’s rear window. All eyes looked forward up the long dark driveway towards the three story silhouette of a great mansion. Time passed and the sounds of the evening were becoming clear. Now that the loud rumble of Jack’s V8 engine had silenced it was as if someone were gently turning up the volume on a soundtrack of nature. Tony, standing in the bed, scanned the road behind back towards town. Even in darkness, his headache made him feel like squinting. He had not seen a single creature since they left the main streets of Whisper about a half-hour ago but he found no comfort in this. He forced his ears to divide the evening’s sounds. Somewhere between the subtle metal clicks of the cooling engine and the slight breeze, he heard something disturbing from the direction of town. He didn’t think that the moans of the undead could carry this far up the hill. What he sensed seemed below his threshold of hearing, but it made Tony uncomfortable. I’m still spooked, he thought. He placed his hand on Nikki’s shoulder and crouched down to share the access to the cab provided by the rear window.
Jack, his hand tense while still holding on to the ignition key, ready to engage the motor if need be, peered into the darkness. He remained motionless while almost expecting the gates to open and pour fourth the hosts of hell, as his Catholic grandmother might have said. But no clouds parted and no seventh bowl emptied, for the moment, all seemed peaceful in the dark and lonely estate.
“No one’s home” Margaret offered quietly, squeezing Veronica’s hand.
“Let’s hope so,” said Mason as he opened his door.
The Chevy was tall enough that Tony and Jack could stand on its custom made diamond-plate bumper and reach the top of the wrought–iron fence. Mason tugged at the vertical bars with both hands, bars that terminated in rather painful looking arrowheads.
“We could winch this open but it wouldn’t be quiet.” Jack said.
“Probably better to keep it intact, if we can hide out here for a while.” Tony said.
“Boost me up,”
“You sure?” Tony asked.
“What? You wanna climb it?” Mason said with unveiled impatience.
Tony looked up at the sharp points. He
could support himself on the crossbar and make it over but he became uncomfortably aware of his extra weight. Daunted, Tony braced himself against the gate and interlaced his fingers to boost Mason up.
Mason’s heavy boots met the brick driveway with a loud crunch. The steel-toe and reinforced ankles absorbed some of the force but not quietly. Mason accepted his sword from Tony through the fence without a word and proceeded in a crouch up the long stone driveway.
Climbing down from the bumper, Tony found Nikki sitting with her back against the far corner of the truck-bed. She was very quiet and still. He couldn’t see her face in the dark, only her outline. He didn’t want to invade her privacy but he also didn’t want to abandon her. He took a position at the rear of the vehicle next to her but facing the opposite direction down the road.
“I gotta keep a look-out” he explained.
“Uh-huh” she sniffled.
Tony lifted his left hand over the tailgate.
“Hey, does my hand feel cold to you?” he asked.
“What?”
“My hand, does it feel cold to you?” He said while offering it to her. Confused, she took his hand. It was warm and firm.
“No, feels fine.” She said and noticed that he wasn’t letting go. He squeezed her hand gently and whispered.
“Everything’s gonna be okay.” Tony drew in close and gave her a half-hug, leaning his cheek on the top of her head.
For a moment she smiled and hoped that he was right.
Margaret watched the heroic young man disappear up the driveway. His big friend hopped of the bumper and she felt a tickle in her stomach as the truck bounced back up on its shocks.
“Whoops-a-daisy,” The old woman said with surprise. She watched Tony move to the back of the vehicle. “Where do you suppose he’s going?” Margaret whispered.
“He’s just going to keep en eye out for us.” Veronica said.
“I see.” Margaret said and then pointed towards where Jack had vanished into the night. “Is he your boyfriend, the one who found me?” She asked.
“Who, Jack?” Veronica said, “No, we just met a couple of days ago.”
“I’m sorry, I just thought ...” Margaret said.
“No, we’re not involved.” Veronica said with a smile and looked up towards the driveway.
“A girl could do a lot worse then a man like that.” Margaret said nudging Veronica. “I owe him my life.”
“I suppose so.” Veronica nodded.
Margaret suddenly had a vision of the ghoulish figure that Jack had saved her from. What if he hadn’t been there? What fate would she have met at the bloody claws of that monster? Or if she had gotten away from the thing and perhaps made it back to her house, would she still be trapped there alone with it banging on her door? The possibilities swarmed about her and she realized just how lucky she had been.
“The television said that they were biting people, making them sick too. Is that true?” Margaret asked.
“It’s true.” Veronica nodded with a frown, “The bites infect the victims. They die very quickly from the infection, then they come back to bite others.”
“They’re dead?” Margaret gasped.
“Afraid so. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
“The television didn’t mention anything about that,” Margaret whispered, “Just that the people were sick. There must be some mistake.”
“No, we’re pretty sure.” Veronica said, “We’ll know more in time, but right now we have to stay away from the sick people.”
“I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t found me.” Margaret said, her voice wavering, “Thank you for not leaving me back there.”
“Of course Ma’am,” Veronica said, “Who could do a thing like that?”
“You’d be surprised. One of my own neighbors drove past me as if I wasn’t there.” Margaret said and looked at her lap, “I kept waving and waving but they just ignored me. It was horrible.” The woman’s voice wavered.
“You’re with us now,” Veronica said taking the old woman’s hand, “and let me tell you, those men outside; they could never abandon anyone. I’ve seen it. It’s not in their character to leave anyone in trouble.” Margaret looked up and nodded.
“They don’t seem the type.” Margaret said.
“You can count on them.” Veronica said, “They won’t let you down.”
Margaret breathed deep and let out a sigh of relief. She marveled at how quickly fortunes can change. Just more then an hour ago she was at her wits end with fright. Now she had been taken in by kind strangers. She thanked her lucky stars that there were still some decent people left in the world.
Mason returned about twenty minutes later with a remote-door opener. He made sure to catch Tony’s attention before opening the gate as not to surprise his companions. Tony inquired about the house.
“What’s it like?”
“You’re gonna like this.” Mason said and pushed the button, opening the large gate.
At the top of the driveway, Mason drove towards a large sterile looking mansion looming in the darkness. The mansion was devoid of any illumination inside or out of its massive structure. The trucks lights reflected on its many windows. Tony poked his head into the rear window.
“Looks empty.” Tony said.
“Locked up tight,” said Mason, “See the front door, it’s not wood, it’s steel, and I think the windows are bulletproof.”
“What”
“Yep; they’re not glass. Like some thick plastic.” Mason said, “But that’s not where we’re going.”
He turned before the mansion and continued on the driveway as it leveled out. Behind the mansion and off to the left was a smaller, two story guest house with an open, well lit garage. Mason swung the truck around in a wide turn and parked in reverse.
“Parked for a quick get-away?” Veronica asked.
“Always a good idea,” Jack smiled. He turned to the rear window. Nikki and Tony were close, sharing the small access. Tony spoke,
“Nobody’s home?”
“Not as far as I could tell. Let’s you and me have a look around first, before we get too comfortable.” Mason said.
“You know this cat has to have some guns lying around.” Tony smiled.
“Just what I was thinking,” Mason said and opened his door.
Veronica adjusted the side view mirror so that she could see behind the truck. She watched with a morbid amusement as the men disappeared from the garage into the house. She knew that guns were important to their survival but found it odd that despite the circumstances, the men engaged in their search with childlike enthusiasm. She might have laughed had she the energy.
“Shall we go in dear?” Her elderly companion asked.
“Uh, no not yet. They’re going to make sure everything is safe first.” Veronica answered. She noticed that Nikki had stood up and was no longer looking in the cab from the window.
“Oh, I see.”
Veronica wondered how Nikki was doing outside the cab. She surmised that Nikki was keeping some sort of watch down the driveway but she couldn’t be sure. She wanted to ask how Nikki was but was afraid of disturbing her. She knew how desperate Nikki must feel wanting to find her parents. Veronica remembered how helpless she felt in her father’s last few weeks. She remembered how nothing else mattered besides being there for her dad. Even now, the memory made her desperate to act; to try and do something positive.
“How are you doing with all this Mrs. McCormick, all these… problems?” Veronica asked.
“I don’t understand any of it.” Margaret threw up her thin hands in frustration and added, “Where’re the Police; the Sheriff? That’s what I’d like to know.”
Veronica nodded while Margaret continued.
“Oh the racket yesterday! It sounded like the Fourth of July outside; and from all directions. Did you hear any of it?” Margaret asked.
“No, we were up in the hills.” Veronica said.
“That’s right, yo
u said so earlier. I’m sorry, I forgot. I’m feeling a bit tired.”
“Well, when the men are done, we can go in and get some rest.” Veronica said.
“Stay here? Without permission?”
“Yeah it’s probably best until we know more about what’s going on. I’m sure it’s okay given the emergency.”
The old woman nodded and looked out over the distance to the grand mansion.
Veronica, still concerned about Nikki twisted her body to try and speak out the rear window. Her movement stressed her wound causing her to gasp.
“Are you all right dear?” Margaret asked.
“Yeah. Yeah, I am okay,” she said holding her side.
“What ever happened to you?”
“I was shot.” Veronica breathed deeply.
“Dear lord! Shot?”
“Yeah, got lucky. It just hurts a lot” Veronica nodded.
“My word, by whom?” Margaret leaned forward.
“The owner of this house actually.” Veronica said unable to laugh at the fact that she was now parked in front of her assailant’s home.
“The Richardson Boy?” Margaret whispered. Veronica nodded.
“He was at the lake with us. He tried to kill me to save his own neck from those things.”
“Oh…” Margaret said astonished and leaned back against the seat.
“He’s dead now,” said Veronica, who then thought that she could’ve been more delicate. Her father had always said that it was bad manners to speak ill of the dead. What would the old lady think of her? To Veronica’s surprise, it was the lady who spoke.
“He was a miserable little boy; same with the father, both rotten to the core.” The old woman said, “The grandfather, Arthur, he was a good man; a very rich man, but still a decent man. Sometimes it’s hard to be both; but his offspring, not worth a Tinker’s damn.”
Rise & Walk (Book 2): Pathogen Page 8