Code blue, p.22
Code Blue, page 22
SWAP ACCOMPLISHED. ON TO NEXT PHASE. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.
It was almost nine, and the summer sun was finally below the horizon. Izzie, Maggie, and Yoko were right on time.
Once everyone was in the room and Myra could lock her door, she pulled the lanyard from her purse. “Our only job tonight is to get a good look at the place. According to what I saw, and Charles confirmed, there is nothing going on at the care center.”
Yoko tossed a black catsuit toward Myra, and she, Maggie, and Izzie stripped down to theirs.
“Let’s find out, shall we?” Yoko smiled.
Myra quickly donned her “nightscapades” outfit, as Maggie described them.
Myra instructed Yoko to drive her car, since she and Izzie were more familiar with the layout. Yoko knew the back roads quite well by now and soon made their way to the unmarked road that led from the construction site to the rear of the care center. They parked in a dark, remote spot. Izzie pulled the surveillance detector from her pack. The screen lit up with four blinking dots. “One in each corner.”
“How far out is their range?” Myra asked.
“Twenty-five feet.”
She leaned over from the rear seat of the vehicle. “There seems to be a narrow line between them that is not covered. Looks like it’s about three feet wide.”
“We can do it,” Yoko said.
“Wait. Let me check with Charles. He may have some footage he can run through their lens.” She decided to place a video call.
“Charles, we are in the rear of the care center. Can you feed some mundane footage into their system? There is a narrow path between the camera range, but I don’t want to risk stumbling in the dark.”
“Hello, love. Nice to hear your voice.” Charles grinned into the camera.
“Charles. Sorry. Hello. Now can you help us?”
“Just a sec.” He checked the monitoring system they hijacked. “Got some from last night.”
“Perfect. Will check back in a few.” Myra blew him a kiss, then stroked her pearls. Mostly for good luck.
The women quietly exited the vehicle and crouched their way to the rear door. Izzie whispered, “I’m having déjà vu all over again.”
Once they got to the door, Myra swiped the key card. It bleeped and then released the lock. The three were shining their penlights into the frigid room. As the lights swept across the floor and to the other side, they discovered three rows of stainless-steel boxes. There were twelve in total.
“Is that what I think it is?” Izzie asked nervously.
“If you think it’s a mortuary vault, you are most likely correct.” Yoko took the first few steps.
Myra and Izzie were shoulder to shoulder. They were in front of one of the doors. Yoko took a deep breath. “Ready?”
“Ready,” Izzie answered.
“Go for it,” Maggie added.
She pulled the handle of one of the doors. Nothing inside. She went to the next, and the next. They were all empty. “Do you suppose this is something they were planning on using or have already been using?”
“It fits with the story we got from Theresa. Something is going on in Arizona. Maybe this was going to be next,” Izzie replied.
“Yes, but what, exactly is this?” Yoko asked.
Maggie was clicking away with her camera. “I guess we’ll find out.”
“Let’s get out of here and get on a call to Charles and Fergus. We need more information, such as how long has this particular care facility been in operation?”
They hurried across the field and scrambled into the car. Yoko drove down the back road without the headlights. No sense in drawing attention should anyone be watching from a camera on a pole.
When they got back to Myra’s, they gathered around the table and fired up their laptops. “Annie should be an hour into her dinner with Turner. I wonder if she made the switch yet.” Myra stroked her pearls again. This time for luck and to calm the adrenaline.
At the moment, it was Maggie, Myra, Yoko, and Izzie on the call. Myra started with a brief recap of her dinner with Clayton. “She unintentionally told me that Gerber was her nephew, and he helped get her the job. She said that he knew the investors.”
“Those are the people we are trying to identify,” Fergus added.
“I think we should call in one of Snowden’s people. Track the senator. Maggie has to get back to the hospital to talk to Sykes,” Charles said. “I told him to stand by so they should be able to get on it first thing.” He turned to another keyboard and sent a message to Avery, noting the target and address.
“We probably won’t hear from Annie until much later this evening. Barring any bumps in the road, we should all go about our business tomorrow,” Myra said. “Let’s reconvene around five EST.”
“Everybody good?” Fergus asked.
“All good!”
Yoko spoke up, “I have someone who should go on the collateral list. Danny.”
“I do, too,” Izzie added. “Regina.”
“And we should also consider Jeremy,” Maggie said.
“That works for me,” Myra said. “We can put a plan together for them once we have an idea when this ordeal will be over. But we have to uncover the culprits first.”
“Whatever it takes!” pealed over the lines.
Arizona
Chez Michel
Annie arrived several minutes before Turner and asked to be seated. She wanted to be sure she had the best vantage point. It was important that Turner be seated with her back to the restaurant. Annie ordered a bottle of champagne. She wanted Turner to think they had something to celebrate. She also told the maître d’ that they should give her the check after their meal and handed him her company credit card. He nodded. “Very well, madame.”
Annie watched through the large windows as Turner approached the restaurant. Her expression was … expressionless.
Annie stood halfway as Turner followed the maître d’ to the table. “I hope you don’t mind that I was seated before you got here. I wanted to get a feel for the place before you and I start gabbing.” Annie held out her hand.
“No trouble. No trouble at all,” Turner said in her husky voice.
Annie wondered who would win in a hollering contest, Kathryn or Turner. Annie thought it might be a toss-up.
“I also hope you don’t mind that I ordered a bottle of champagne.”
Turner’s eyes lit up. “That’s fine.” Then she faltered, probably wondering who was going to pay for it.
“Of course it’s my treat.” Annie smiled.
“That’s very nice of you,” Turner said with a hint of relief.
Annie reached over. “Here”—she waved toward Turner’s purse—“I’ll set it down next to mine.”
“That’s not necessary,” Turner muttered, hanging her bag on the back of her chair.
Annie tried one more ruse. “You don’t want people bumping into it.” She offered an open palm.
“I suppose you’re right.” Turner handed Annie her bag. Annie placed it between hers and her thigh.
Annie played out the scheme just as Myra had done. First some small talk. Turner was hesitant to talk about the other residents, but Annie turned on the charm, and Turner shared her misgivings about a couple whom she thought were “living in sin.”
Annie nearly burst out laughing but held it back, causing champagne to go up her nose. It was better than spewing it across the table and into Turner’s face, although that would have been much more fun.
Turner nattered on about casino night. Annie knew they also held them in Florida. She wondered how much Sunnydale skimmed off the top. Probably top and bottom.
Annie caught a couple in the corner glance in their direction.
“I think those people are trying to get your attention.” It was a lie, but it would force Turner to twist around.
As Turner moved to get a better view, Annie made the switch, using the sleight of hand she had mastered so well. Turner gave a slight nod. The couple nodded back, but it was obvious they had no idea who she was. Annie suspected Turner spent most of her time in the other building and was forced into double duty as a rental agent.
Dinner was much better than Annie had expected. It was fine cuisine. The other guests also appeared to be enjoying their meals. She wondered what was going to happen if the place shut down. At least the residents were only renting and didn’t have all their money invested. But that was another thing the Sisters would have to iron out. The only people who should be punished are the ones inflicting the pain, suffering, and deception. She would mention that during their next call.
They ordered profiteroles for dessert. Annie had a cappuccino. She was going to need the caffeine. When they were finished, Annie nodded to their server, who brought a leather portfolio to the table. Annie added the tip, signed the check, and retrieved her card. She saw a sign of relief cross Turner’s face.
“Thank you, Annie. I appreciate it.”
“Thank you, Janet. It will be nice to know I have a friend on campus.” Annie gave her the warmest smile.
Janet’s mood lifted a tad more. Annie’s six-month deposit would cover some of the shortfall. People weren’t dying fast enough at the care center, and when they did, they would only last another three weeks before she would have to call the coroner. That would end the extra month of social security, but once the death certificate was issued, they could collect the patient’s life insurance and the rest of their estate.
The two women left the restaurant and said their good nights. Annie got into her scooter and waved as Turner walked to the parking lot.
Annie slipped into her black bodysuit and black slip-on sneakers. A few minutes later, Kathryn was at her door in a similar outfit. Kathryn wasn’t a fan of the ninja look, especially as a woman of her size. It wasn’t that she was overweight. She was simply a “big girl,” tall and broad. But she knew it was part of the uniform when they had to pull maneuvers like the one they had in mind.
“Ready?”
“Ready,” Annie replied.
They decided to have Kathryn drive. Their first stop was the yard where the dump trucks were parked. They left their vehicle about a hundred yards from the fence. Neither had night goggles, so each of them opted for long branches to brush the ground surface before they treaded on it. When they got to the fence, Kathryn gave Annie a sideways look.
“I don’t think I can get myself over that thing.” Kathryn was strong, but not necessarily lithe.
She made a stirrup with her hands. Annie grabbed the fence, stepped into Kathryn’s open hands, and pulled herself up and over. Her pole-dancing exercises had certainly paid off. She crept around each truck, snapping photos and video. As she approached the front, she noticed scratch marks, and some stippling across the front of the bumper of one of the trucks. She was moving too quickly to take a closer look. The photos would have to do. And they usually did. The equipment they used was on the cutting edge of electronics, and often not available to the general public.
Kathryn noticed the beam of a flashlight appear. She made the sound of an owl as a warning to Annie. There wasn’t time for Annie to haul herself back over the fence, so she rolled under the truck, just as Yoko and Maggie were forced to do. If this facility operated the same way as the other—and there would be no reason why it wouldn’t—it would be a watchman on foot, walking the perimeter of the yard. Annie huddled against one of the large tires and waited for the light and footsteps to vanish. When she was confident she was clear to move, she rolled out from under the truck. She dashed and leaped toward the fence, catapulting herself a few feet above the ground. She rolled her body over the top, and Kathryn helped her to the ground. They hotfooted it back to the car, sent the photos and video to the War Room, and continued to the next leg of their maneuver.
On their way from the yard, they passed a narrow gravel road. “Do you suppose this is the back road where our ‘gumshoe detectives’ saw the car pull in and out?” Annie rolled down her window. “Pull over. I want to check something.”
She opened a special app on her phone that had an aerial view of where they were. She turned the screen toward Kathryn. “Look familiar?”
“Sure does. Plus, it will make it easier for us to get close to the building. We won’t have to crawl or climb. If anybody asks, I’ll tell them I left something in my cubicle.”
Annie abruptly grabbed Kathryn’s arm. “Who looks after the patients at night?”
“They are on a monitor. If something goes wrong, Turner gets the alarm.”
“Then she must live close by,” Annie noted. “We need to make haste, as in now!”
Kathryn sped down the gravel road and parked behind the building. Annie jumped out of the car and dashed ahead. She slid the key card into the slot; it buzzed, then unlocked. They clicked past the inside door, and then quickly moved past the workstation and the few patients, who were practically comatose. Then they passed by Aunt Dottie’s room. She was asleep in her bed. “We’re going to have to figure out a plan to get her out of here,” Kathryn said, nodding in Dottie’s direction.
“I think we may need to bring in Theresa and her pals,” Annie said. “But we can finalize those details once we find out what is behind that door.”
Annie touched the key card to the electronic pad. It buzzed open. They halted and listened. It was quiet. In front of them was a flight of stairs, and to the side was a very large elevator to accommodate gurneys. They scrambled down the stairs and entered a large room identical to the one Myra, Maggie, Yoko, and Izzie had discovered.
Kathryn went to the first door of the vault and yanked it open. Inside were the remains of a very old man. “Yikes!” she gasped. “What in the …?”
Annie grabbed another door and did the same. This time it was a very old woman. “Gadzooks! What in the heck is going on here?” She and Kathryn continued to open the drawers and found a total of eight cadavers.
“So, this is what Theresa’s crew saw. They were removing a body,” Annie surmised.
“This is really gross.” Kathryn’s face was twisted in disgust.
“You can say that again,” Annie replied. “Okay, now we gotta get out of here.” She spotted an exit sign. “Come on.”
The two women darted out the door and ran to the vehicle.
Kathryn was heaving. “That was a horror show.”
“You got that right.” Annie buckled herself in. “Floor it, Lucas. We’ve got to get everyone on a call. It doesn’t matter what time it is on the East Coast. This is major.”
Kathryn and Annie sat at the dining room table and powered up their laptops. Some bleary eyes blinked back at them. It was two in the morning for everyone else.
Annie launched into a recap of the evening. When she got to the cadaver part, faces went from shock to horror to disbelief. Suddenly everyone was talking and asking questions at once. Charles finally gave one of his whistles, which lowered the fracas.
“Today we discovered a lot of activity at the banks we could track. Senator Spencer Gerber transferred a very large sum of money into his personal account. According to Lizzie’s contact in Washington, Congressman Hawthorne pulled his funding bill as per the request of Congressman Hannah. There is an investigation into proper licensing, and, by the by, Sunnydale’s has expired.”
Myra rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “There seem to be a lot of moving parts to this.”
“Dead bodies, for one,” Kathryn spewed. “Although they’re not really moving.”
“My suggestion is to use the next two days to get all of our ducks in a row,” Charles spoke.
“Let’s review,” Annie said, and began to list the necessary steps: “Rescue Aunt Dottie. According to her medical records, she was in there for rehab from a hip replacement. They probably have kept her drugged up. Let’s get Theresa and her pals on that. Kathryn, you meet them there and let them in. We’ll ask Henry to drive. That might have to wait a day or two until we can connect the dots between Gerber and Sunnydale, as to who else is involved.
“Maggie, you have to speak to Jeremy again. Nikki is confident she will get the charges dropped. There were no fingerprints on the vial, so it could have been on the ground before the accident. Also, the paint chips from the bumper of the Sunnydale dump truck match Sykes’s vehicle.
“Izzie and Yoko gave us the names of people who we have to help get out from under Sunnydale. There’s Regina, Jeremy, and Danny. Danny will want to bring his girlfriend, who is a paralegal. It shouldn’t be difficult to find her a job. Nikki can work on that. According to Izzie, Regina has shown interest in gardening. Yoko, find a place where Regina and Danny can set up shop. He can oversee the business end. Placing Jeremy in a pharmacist position shouldn’t be a problem. Let’s try to keep it close to where we send Regina and Jeremy. They can be each other’s support group.”
Charles took it from there. “As soon as we extract Aunt Dottie, we’ll notify the Board of Health about their storage facility.” He cleared his throat. “Then we’ll notify the SEC and Hannah about the misdoings of Senator Gerber, and whomever else is involved.”
It was Fergus’s turn. “There’s more homework to be done on our end. Everyone sit tight for the next forty-eight hours.”
“What about the promissory note and Annie’s check? They will bounce on Monday,” Myra noted.
“But not until after the Sunnydale offices close,” Charles added. “If necessary, you and Annie can leave Sunnydale and register at hotels under your real names and without your disguises. That will give us until Tuesday before Sunnydale discovers they’ve been mugged off.”
Myra spoke next. “We have to decide the punishment.”
Yoko chimed in, “I have an idea. They are injected with organophosphate pesticides causing sensory and motor neuropathy with permanent paralysis. They are conscious but cannot move ever again. Pearl can ship their limp bodies to an asylum in an undeveloped part of the world.”
