What happened to Chapter 18? I posted it this morning! Will try again... SWEET - Chapter 18 The FBI were spending the next couple of days winding up the investigation of the three vehicular explosions in Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. The file was growing bigger by the day as each new piece of information trickled in. CNN and most of the affiliates had left and aside from the local office of the FBI, everyone had left town. There was no reason to stay; nothing was happening in town. All the action seemed to be elsewhere. Shug turned to Charlie and asked, Who are we today? He whipped through a page in the legal-size pad and responded. Theyre all running together. Today were Chad and Elizabeth Faulkner from Cheyenne, just off for a friendly drive. What are we gonna do if the plane isnt there? Keep driving. Its a long way to Alaska. Yes, well, cant stop now. We could. Are you kidding? No, theres the Maine property and you know how much you like Maine. Not this time of year. Aw, its beautiful. Think Peyton Place. That was a movie. Okay. They continued through Wyoming heading to the rendezvous location. Charlie took the left into the cow trail which led directly into what looked like a box canyon. He found the three trees, pulled into position, put the Land Rover in park and instantly the mirrors began to move up ahead and what seemed like a solid stone edifice in the rocks slid sideways to reveal a cleft in the mountain. I never get tired of seeing that happen. The mirrors continued to slide revealing a small plane. Charlie and Shug got out and walked toward the plane. As they neared it, Charlie clicked the key fob in his pocket and the side doors of the plane swung out; at the same time the hydraulic system was initiated and the steel plate beneath the Land Rover began sinking into the ground, carrying the car with it. Once beneath the level of the ground, the car was moved from it so it could rise back to the surface. No one would ever know it was there. Charlie and Shug got in the plane. He went through the routine, settings, coordinates and bi-lateral time infusions correlating to earth-time dimensions. The soft hum of the power system mingled with the earth sounds of the surrounding country. The plane eased out of the mountain, rolled out and the synchronization initiated the mirrors to slide back into position, covering the cleft in the mountain and the plane immediately shot out and up into the sky. “Sometimes I just like the provincial way in which we leave here.” “I think it’s a bit tedious... but necessary. Where do you think the children are now?” “Well, Sam...” “Of course. I meant the other two.” “Gracie is enjoying herself.” “I’m sure she is. I hope she’s meeting her directive and hasn’t gotten so caught up in the deviation that she’s forgotten it.” “Who knows. Besides this whole exercise being experimental; there are sure to be mistakes.” “And Gracie?” “She’s bored out of her gourd.” “Don’t you enjoy these little human proverbs?” “Yeah.” Libby locked the front door and walked through the front back into the prep room. She couldnt believe her eyes. The entire bakery was spotless. It looked like a commercial cleaning service had come in and spent a week. It was so clean, it resembled a place just about to open for business. She couldnt take it all in as she walked through the large room, looking at the fry station... spotless, the display cabinets, completely reorganized, so neat... amazing! She had to play with that gizmo in the pantry, walked in, lifted a fifty pound bag of flour and then put it back. She was just about to walk across the alley to thank Gabe one more time when her cell phone rang. Hello? Is this Libby Springstein? Speaking. This is Al Chauncy with the Department of Public Health. Are you at the bakery? I am. Im going to grant you an inspection right now, so I won’t have to bother you during the day, what with the holidays so close and youre having to bake so much for the special things occurring in town this next week. Libby was exhausted but knew he couldnt come at a better time. Come on, my door is open. Ill be there in five. When Libby opened the front door, everything was gleaming. Mr. Chauncy took out his notepad and began walking. Frankly, hed never seen anything like it. Hed seen new businesses that werent this clean. How long have you been in business? Over fifty years. He nearly dropped his pad. But he hadnt seen the work room. That would be the downfall. Hed never seen a bakery that didnt have old grease on the fryers, globs of month-old dried dough stuck behind things, rat droppings. The lights were off in the backroom and Libby waited for him to walk over and stand in the door. She knew hed be so shocked, he might not ever walk in again. She flipped on the lights and there, shining, orderly, neat and spotless was the most amazing thing Al Chauncy had ever seen. There was more white tile gleaming and glisteningly clean than a display in a home improvement store. He walked around the room, checking under cabinets, around corners, every nook and cranny. Is all this equipment new? No sir. Some of its been here since the bakery opened. Hed never given any bakery a perfect score but he was about to. I understand that you own a storage house across the alley where you often store pantry items. You know that is not allowed. Ill have to see that space. Libby was now nervous. She knew there hadnt been time for anything to be done out there since Gabe had spent his entire day working at the bakery. She led the inspector across the alley, unlocked the door, turned on the light and she all but fainted. Not only was all the bakery items gone, the old furniture which had been just thrown around and things piled up, stacked... were gone. They had walked into a spacious, neat, clean apartment with a sitting area, small dining room to one side and kitchen at the end. There were pictures hanging on walls, sofa pillows on furniture, a nice new rug in the living room under the coffee table, a coffee pot and block of knives on the kitchen counter. The inspector turned to Libby and said, I dont understand. How did you know I was coming? I didnt. Frankly, Im just as surprised as you. The plane raced across the western planes, into the mid-west and across Pennsylvania. Where are you going? I thought wed go to Maine. She smiled as she gazed out and down into the Poconos. I wish we had a house there. Wanna buy one? Maybe. If we had one, maybe... She paused. Shell be all right. I know, Im just worried. She continued to look out the window and dream. Francine finished the house, emptied the refrigerator and packed a couple of suitcases. It was early the next morning when she put the bags in her trunk and pulled out of the garage. She would stop somewhere in northern Virginia maybe, get a room and finish the trip the next day. She enjoyed driving. Any word? Nothing. Are you sure theyre not working for us? Well, as a matter of fact... WHAT?? It was all part of the plan. And we couldnt be trusted? That wasnt the point. And what was? Lets just call it a test. You call twelve lives blown to smithereens a test? No, that was not part of it. Those two goons were a mistake. A mistake? They werent thoroughly checked out and that was part of both the scheme AND the mistake. The FBI doesnt make mistakes. This is... I dont know what this is? LIVES WERE LOST, SENSELESSLY! Its the drug business. It happens. And we couldnt have avoided the station explosion? We had to make a statement. The Irish connection had to be warned as well as the Columbian which of course is closer. Did they get the message? Loud and clear! Are we done? Were done. Is it over? Its over. And we can leave Alabama? As soon as youre packed up. One more question.... Mac? Collateral. When Libby tried her key in the door the next morning, she realized it was already open. Lights were on and she could smell coffee brewing. The prep room was covered with breads proofing, cookies baking, cakes cooling. It looked like thered been a dozen people working all night long. It was only four-thirty. She walked through the backroom and out into the shop. The display cases were filled and ready for customers. It was all done. She simply stood there, slowly turning to take it all in. Gabe, of course. She started to the back door and he emerged from the pantry with a tray of something shed never seen before. What are these? Its an experiment. Are they ready? Can I have one? Of course! Theyre yours after all. No, I think theyre yours! Whats in them? Just try one and you tell me. She picked up the small cake-like confection. There was a hint of vanilla in the cake layered with mascarpone filling flavored with a cross between Frangelico and Grand Marnier. In the very center was a reach passion fruit glaze, tinted bright yellow. It was luscious! It was perfection on a plate. She closed her eyes and took another bite. “And how much do we sell these for?” “What do you think?” “It depends on how much it cost to make them.” “Would you believe less than a quarter?” “No. How much really?” “Seriously?” “How?” “Do you trust me?” “After what happened yesterday, yes... with EVERYTHING.” “What happened yesterday?” “The Health Department made a surprise visit.” “No!” “Yes and thanks to you, the A+ is proudly displayed by the register up front!” “Well I’m glad. Now then, over here I’ve been busy---” She turned and looked in the direction of where he was pointing. “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” There stacked up against the wall were literally hundreds of the shortbread tins, wrapped, neatly stacked and ready for transportation to the festival. Tears burst from her eyes. They were done. All of them. “I can’t believe it. They’re done!” “They are!” “How did you---you know what I feel like?” “What?” “Did you ever hear the story of the little shoemaker?” “I’m not sure---” “It’s a children’s story. He and his wife lived and were very poor and---” “And one night elves came in and did all their work for them. I’m not an elf.” “Yes but you’ve done all my work for me.” “I’m your employee. Why wouldn’t I do your work for you?” “I don’t know how to thank you.” “You’re letting me live in the little house out back.” “And that’s another thing. How did you get it fixed up so quickly after you worked so hard here in the bakery all day?” “I’m an efficient person.” “You’re an angel.” “Just promise me one thing.” “What’s that?” “You won’t make me a set of little clothes to wear.” She smiled and went to pour a cup of coffee. Francine pushed her key into the lock of the front door. Shug had given her a key to the Maine house years ago but it had been a while since shed used it. She carried her two suitcases in and stopped at the end of the counter in the kitchen. Designed like a sleek steel and glass chalet, the home was secluded in the White Mountains at the end of a long and winding road. It was surrounded by a twelve-foot steel fence with a front gate that required thumb-print coded access for entry. Francine walked the back wall of the giant great room and stared into the valley below the ravine, some two hundred feet down. She turned and picked up her bags and headed down the hall to one of the guest bedrooms where she unpacked, put things away and hung clothes in the closet. She went back out the front door and to her car for the bags of groceries she’d purchased before heading up the mountain. Francine finished her meal and curled up with her book in the large, over-stuffed chair in the corner by the fireplace. It felt warm and cozy there, watching the gentle snow falling outside the large plate-glass windows. The windows were designed to run from the first floor up through the ceiling and into the second floor. She opened her book and read through the first page before stopping. She froze with her eyes on the page. Instinctively she continued to read as she nonchalantly reached down with her left hand to scratch her upper thigh. She continued acting and very slowly pushed her hand down into the chair bottom next to her hip, feigning to change positions when really she was feeling for the revolver which was stashed there. The fire. There had been no fire when she went to the bedroom to unpack. Once her fingers were around the grip, she pulled her head up out of her book. Nothing. She glanced quickly around the large room, peering at corners and she listened intently. She’d been in this business long enough to know, there were no surprises. Ever. Stealthily she eased out of the chair and kept a wily watch as she spun around the room, her gun ready and her mind quick. She eased into the corner of the dining room, all part of the great room. It was then that she glanced toward the glass window behind her chair. There, slowly dripping down the glass was something, a stream... she eased over and crept down close to the tip of it. It was on the inside. She wiped her finger through it---it was blood. She spun just in time to avoid the round of shots that whizzed past her shoulder. She dove down toward the large entertainment center, firing in the direction of the stairs. Bullets pierced the sheetrock and for the first time, she heard steps on the stairs. She thought to herself, ’They’re not that good.’ She grinned to herself. If this was Shug’s idea of a joke, she didn’t like it. She was tired and not in the mood for agent games. She rushed the stairs and more shots brushed her hair as she ducked. She stepped out of her house shoes so her bare feet could grip the tile floor. She carefully started up the stair and kept her rear vision in check.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Nov 2014 22:46:55 +0000
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