“It’s them”, Cory casually stated. “That’s Billy in the passenger seat”, Hank
added. Hank heard rustling in the back and reminded them to stay down. Cory and Hank waited until they were a good ten car lengths in front of Vargas and Billy before calling Thomas to which Thomas answered, “I saw them, I’m three cars in front of you. Play it cool and we should be at the diner a good ten minutes before they are”, Thomas ended the call abruptly.
The only thought on the Sheriff’s mind was to get Billy to safety which meant
that He and Bill wou ld have to resort to being Innocent bystanders while Thomas
and crew took care of business. Of course he did have his revolver which would
be pointed at Vargas’s head the entire time that the two of them were stuck in the SUV, just in case he thought that Vargas might be on to them. If Vargas is as smart as Thomas states, then he just might be.
Bill saw that Walt was fiddling with his revolver, “Feeling a bit uneasy about
this”; Bill asked noting the concern on Walt’s face. “Just thinking, and how about you”, The Sheriff inquired? Bill opened the right side of his jacket and displayed his firearm tucked away in its shoulder holster.
42
“Mr. Rollins, you don’t sound too well”, Mr. Baily stated as he started coughing again. Mr. Rollins thought to himself, you don’t sound that fucking great yourself. “No I don’t and I don’t feel so well either. I’m the only one that made it, but I will need some medical help. My arm is busted up pretty good, and I can’t
move it at all. I do know that they were headed south from the Hotel”. The coughing continued, “Shit Rollins, I could of told you that. You’re not exactly in a position to tell me anything. I will say this; if you still have a running vehicle you can drive back up to Klamath Falls medical center just past the Airport and ask for Dr. Phelps, he is one of ours. Just tell him Armond sent me”.
“I can do that and my apologies boss for not coming through for you, I don’t like to let my employers down like that”, Rollins added. “Think nothing of it, just go get yourself fixed up and I’ll be in touch about your fee”. “Yes sir and thanks again”. Mr. Baily ended the call, finished with his coughing spell and made
another call.
“Phelps, Baily here, I’ve got one on the way so the standard treatment is in order”. “Yes Sir Mr. Baily, should I be expecting him soon”, Dr. Phelps wondered? “I would say in about an hour, and remember, standard treatment”, and Mr. Baily ended the call and got on his computer.
He made a few clicks and found what he was looking for. He wasn’t sure that
he would ever need such a measure as this, but it was too late in the game to take
any chances. One final click and it was set. The compound is now in high alert and everyone in the compound is now required to stay in lockdown mode until
alert is lifted.
Mr. Baily had to be careful; he knew what his son was capable of the last time
he was here and now bringing someone with even stronger powers made it necessary to bring the compound on alert. The Alert mode was put in after his son escaped the compound. Mr. Baily would not have that happen again. The
alert mode separated all of the testing labs from the rest of the compound and with one click of the mouse all of the testing labs would fill with small amounts of Hydrogen Cyanide. In small doses, it’s possible to survive, but not likely. It’s most used for a quick yet harsh death , considering it will be releasing anything except
small doses.
It’s possible they could be here by tonight. He got on the intercom, “Miss Wilcox will you have Myers brought to my office”, Mr. Baily ordered? “Yes sir, right away sir, and is there a time table as to how long we will be on high alert”, Miss Wilcox asked nervously? “Why is that my dear, do you have plans”, he offered sarcastically? “Well, no I just thought that”……………… “Just do what I ask and if everything goes as planned it won’t be a long wait”, as he flipped the switch on the intercom to the off position.
Guards would be on the three towers in less than two minutes. Guards will
rotate out every two hours to keep them alert. Mr. Baily knew the importance of Billy’s arrival. Billy would be the first subject in the compound that was actually struck by lightning and he would under the close guard by his first real success, Myers.
Myers isn’t his real name and for that matter Myers has no idea what his name used to be nor does he care as the techniques used to brainwash him were a total
success. He appears alert but has twenty key words programmed into his brain to maintain complete control. His powers are nowhere near as strong as Billy’s, but the fact that his body is filled with electricity, he would have no problem keeping Billy in line until they have had a chance to administer initial treatments and the
implant operation. Mr. Baily could hardly contain his excitement.
A subdued knock on Mr. Baily’s office door was followed by a small click and entry of Myers. He was tall, maybe six foot three with a shaved head. The shaved head was preferred by the scientists as the smell of burning hair duringtesting was a smell that would not dissipate quickly. Mr. Baily gave Myers
instructions for the evening and showed him two photos, one of Vargas, and one
of Billy.
Myers was instructed to listen in on the guard’s radio traffic and when they
arrived he would open the main door, destroy Vargas and then bring Billy into the
reception chamber, where the initial drugs would be administered and the surgery would take place. Myers showed no emotion during the instructions. He calmly got to his feet and went out by the communication station by the huge front door.
The door was semi-circle in shape as the entrance to the compound was an old testing cave back during World War II. A cave entrance that was now protected by a sturdy electronic roll up door than can withstand numerous missile blasts with little damage. Outside the door was an area eighty by one hundred and forty feet j ust big enough to allow truck deliveries. It boasted a twelve foot high chain link fence with barbed wire around the top and was fully electrified to instantly cook anyone brave enough to grab ahold of it.
Mr. Baily was eager with anticipation of the pending arrival. He took his evening medicine and washed it down with bottled water. He immediately got on the phone to continue his instructions. Tonight he would prevail.
43
Vargas was cruising at a pretty good clip, but was typically silent which was fine. I had laid out my pack of smokes and lighter in the middle console so he could help himself whenever the urge moved him. The urge hit me quickly as the anticipation of tonight’s events got my adrenaline up. I continued to find life in my new phone, but all I kept getting was the no service message on the screen. I
was bummed. I wanted to let Jenny know what was happening and when, but
maybe that diner will have a payphone that works.
I was still mulling over in my head about what would happen if everything worked out after tonight was over with and all was safe. I knew that going back to Astoria was out of the question but where exactly would I go and what I would do for work. Being a graffiti artist at the Dairy Queen only got me in trouble. My art work was subpar anyway. Jenny mentioned that she could be a nurse anywhere, but what would I do? I hadn’t finished high school, my parents are dead, and my home town kicked me out. Destitute and desperate will move things with my mind for money, was an idea I had to write on a piece of cardboard and hang out at one of the exit ramps from the highway.
I’m sure I could find something. I’m young, and sort of fit (perhaps not), and someone might give me job at the bottom of the corporate ladder. All I wanted
was for Jenny and me to be together. I miss her more than I thought I could ever miss anyone. Guess I will light up a smoke and daydream about us being together.
“Okay Billy, only 33 miles to Woodett’s Diner”, Vargas exclaime
d as he pointed
to the sign off to the right of the highway. The sign had definitely been there for
many years. Most of the paint was still intact, but the edges were frayed and it
looked like a good gust of wind would snap it in two.
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Woodett’s Diner 33miles ahead- Nothing could be finer than to eat at
Woodett’s diner was what the sign read. Corny phrase, but I’m sure that when the sign was new, so was the phrase.
I was getting hungry, the candy bars, Slim Jims and Dr. Pepper filled only a small void. My stomach was ready for an actual meal with food that wasn’t in a
wrapper. I never thought I would be that picky about food at seventeen . Perhaps
cooking was something I may be good at. I made a mean plate of scrambled eggs
at home, at least that’s what my mother said, although I’m sure that her review
was somewhat biased.
We had just passed Carson City, it’s not a huge place but I could see myself
coming back to check things out. When we passed a US Bank the digital sign read Sunday 1:53pm. Things had been such a whirl wind of activity that I didn’t even realize that it was Sunday. I was starting to relax somewhat even though being in another Jeep was unnerving; so far so good.
“When we get to the Diner, you might want to try The Country Fried steak platter. It’s huge, delicious and comes with two biscuits. You won’t feel like eating again for at least twenty four hours”, Vargas Proudly announced. I was starting to reply when I heard a phone ring and it wasn’t mine. Vargas pulls his phone from his jacket pocket, looks at it and plopped it back in his pocket.
“How did you get a call, and mine won’t do anything”, Inquiring minds want to
know? “Look, you got one of those cheap pre pay phones. Everyone knows they get crappy reception”, Vargas offered. I remember that my Mother also had a Trac phone, which was in large part why I got it. She always said how her phone would get service when others would not. This bit of news was disturbing since I knew what he just told me was crap.
That takes me back to what Jenny was trying to tell me before the lines
went dead. I need to get away from……………….. From what; that part was
bugging the shit out of me and I couldn’t call back to find out. I told you before
that I can sometimes be a tad slow to the obvious. “Do you think I could use your
phone to text Jenny? I know that she’s been waiting to hear from me”.
Vargas took out his phone, poked his finger on something on the screen and
handed it to me. I took the phone and the screen had a familiar message on it; no
service. I looked over at Vargas in confusion, “How did you get that call with no
service”, I wondered? Vargas took back the phone, pressed some button and
showed me the screen. “See that was a call from two days ago that I never got. We must have hit a point where enough service popped in an old voicemail on my phone”. Okay, I could buy that I guess, it didn’t make my situation any better, but at least I had an explanation.
I was ready for us to stop. I was ready to fill my gullet, and more importantly, I
was ready to hear Vargas’s plan as to how we were going to take down Round
Mountain. “You sound pretty certain as to your plan for tonight working”, I tried
to pry. He just turned to me and replied, “All good things for those that wait”. “You don’t like my corny lines, and you quote me a line from Silence of the Lambs. You’re going to have to do better than that”, as I sho ok my head in disapproval.
He looked straight ahead and replied, “Follow the Air”. “Okay, what the hell is
that from”, He stumped me. “That’s not from a movie, that’s advice for just in
case”. I had a pretty good idea of what just in case would involve, and I’m sure that it would not be pleasant. He had been there before so a heads up was appreciated although reading between the lines was going to be a major pain in
the ass. I would have to dig deep into my Criminal Minds archives to figure that
one out, if I even could.
44
Cory had just parked the Expedition in the parking lot of Woodett’s Diner. The Sheriff was checking out the perimeter which didn’t take long since there was only one entrance to get in. Cory parked the SUV with the front of the vehicle facing the front of the Diner, with a good view of most of it. Plate glass windows
surrounded the diner. That fact put the Sheriff at ease somewhat.
The Diner was a throwback from the nineteen fifties, and it reminded the
Sheriff of many restaurants back in Astoria; old but established with delicious
food. He was hungry but the anticipation took some of the edge off.
An Older Buick regal pulled into the parking lot. The Sheriff recognized both men in the vehicle since they were the other two that came to Astoria to help out. To the delight of the Sheriff, they just passed by without looking and pulled into a spot close to the front of the Diner without spoiling the view that the Sheriff was enjoying.
A dark blue Ford Explorer pulled into the Parking lot and turned to the right of
the Sheriff and the Buick and parked off to the side of the Diner where the only
view was the red brick wall in front of him. The Sheriff was sure that it was
Thomas and when he saw the driver pick up his phone and Cory’s phone rang, he
was sure.
The only thing that the Sheriff could see was a dark haired man with a Dodgers baseball cap. “Is that Thomas”, The Captain nudged the Sheriff? The Sheriff nodded as Cory answered his phone and put it on speaker. “ It looks like we have maybe ten to twelve minutes before they arrive. Is there any last minute questions or concerns”, Thomas inquired?
“Just one”, the Sheriff replied. “Who’s the other guy with Bonner”? “That would be Charles, he will monitor activity from his vehicle and give me signals as to whether or not we will act on scenario one or two, and perhaps three if
needed”. Walt and Bill were satisfied with that explanation. “Cory and Hank will go in now and take a booth. Bonner will go in and sit at a stool at the counter. Hank will be in view of Charles and will give him a signal when Vargas and Billy
arrive”.
“What about Vargas’s partner”, Cory asked? “He’s already inside. That’s his pale blue Chevy panel van parked behind me. He made a call a few minutes ago to Vargas stating that he had arrived at the Diner”. There was a moment of silence followed with the Sheriff stating the obvious, “You know, with Bill and me in our uniforms we could just go inside and act like we just caught up to them and one of your guys could just use his silencer on Vargas, and then we’ll pretend to arrest Vargas, but in fact we would be ushering him outside and dump him in the Jeep and then we are out of here”.
“Not bad Sheriff but there’s still one active variable to contend with; Vargas’s
partner. Who’s to say that he won’t go ballistic over losing his payday and open fire on everyone”, Thomas explained? “But what if we get to Vargas’s bag first and use it on his partner, then the Sheriff and the captain would be free and clear
to run their ruse”, Bonner added ? “Not to mention, no one is going to question the antics of a couple of law enforcement officers arresting someone, that is if they can pull it off without Vargas getting too anxious”, Hank added.
“Give me a second”, Thomas said as we waited. “The likelihood of collateral damage appears to be much less if we go with the Sheriff’s scenario. When we get visual on Vargas and Billy, that’s when I want Cory to head to the bathroom and wait for Vargas’s partner to wander in. Cory, when you confirm that he is in the bathroom, I would pre
fer that you use your own hypo on him. We don’t want to spook him if he can’t locate the bag”, Thomas concluded.
The Sheriff gave a satisfied grin to Bill, “Yep, the old man still has it”, The
Sheriff gloated. “Take some penicillin and maybe it will clear up in a week or so”,
Bill countered. “If we are done tooting our own horns, is there any last minute questions before entering the Diner”, Thomas inquired? “Yeah since there is only the one entrance, who will give us a signal when Bill and I should go in”, The Sheriff asked? Hank will give Charles the signal, meaning Vargas’s partner is heading for the bathroom and then Sheriff and Captain this is where you come in and go straight to the table that they are at”, Thomas explained.
“All good on this end”, the Sheriff added. “Terrific, now those assigned, go ahead and take your position in the Diner and we will be monitoring; good luck”, Thomas had hoped.
45
I was starving, even though all the junk food we consumed must have gonestraight for my feet, as my Dad would say. Highly eager with anticipation was an understatement as I couldn’t wait for Vargas to unveil his plan and what he needed me to do to help accomplish our mission. My stomach on the other hand was in eager anticipation for food, and lots of it.
We pulled into Woodett’s parking lot just before two thirty pm. I was able to get the time from my phone since that was the function it was currently good for. It wasn’t a large place and you could tell that it’s been there for a while. A little update had been done recently since the outline of the wooden frame at the front of the Diner was brand new looking, and stood out from the rest of the décor.
We pulled in next to some older Buick that had seen better days. I noticed that since we had stopped the day had become quite hot. We no longer had the wind from the highway to cool our heels. Inside felt great as the rush of air conditioning greeted us with open arms.
The Road to Round Mountain II - The Alliance: By C.G Roberts Page 16