Milwaukee Deep
Chapter 17

Michael lay still on the bed as they approached. His eyes were blinded by the lights - there were so many of them.

They again began to screech and wail – their howls forcing Michael to shut his eyes tight.

Because of that, he didn’t see the syringe. It was large – the length of a carving knife.

Slowly they brought it towards him, heading directly towards his heart.

Michael opened his eyes…he was in the back of a taxi – Sam sat next to him.

“You’re awake,” Sam observed.

Michael still felt the affect of the medicine Jensen had administered, but even that couldn’t hide how he felt.

“Are you okay?” Sam asked

“Just another dream,” he replied

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really. Where are we?”

“We had to leave the surgery. We’re heading somewhere safe. Somewhere where you can get some rest.”

Michael didn’t respond. He trusted his new friend.

If he said he was going somewhere safe, he believed him.

“Jesus, that’s him!”

“That’s who, Sir?” asked Agent Burns as he turned to his superior.

“Agent Harding,” replied Perks, “I can’t believe our luck!”

Perks watched as Harding turned right down the main hospital corridor.

Perks immediately turned around to his men.

“Okay, listen and listen fast. Rodriguez, Wattley, you two head back down the hallway and cover the front entrance to the hospital. Burns, head down this hallway and see if you can get in front of Santo and I – I want to make sure that if he makes a run for it you’ve got him covered. Guys, keep your communicators on at all times. Santo – you come with me.”

“Sir-“

“No questions, let’s move gentlemen!”

Agent Rodriguez and Wattley turned and headed down the hallway and away from Perks, while Agent Burns set off in the opposite direction.

“Stay close, Santo, make sure you cover my back,” Perks said as he turned to his right and began to follow Harding.

Perks could see Harding clearly, walking at a steady pace through the crowded hospital hallway - he sensed Harding was up to something.

“Stay with me,” Perks whispered to Santo.

“Right behind you, Sir.”

Perks came to a stop – he was only a few yards away now.

“Freeze – FBI!” he called out, his gun aimed at Harding, his I.D badge out for all onlookers to see.

Everyone in the hallway froze, including Tom.

“Don’t you FUCKING move!”

Agent Santo, his gun aimed at Harding, took in a deep breath.

“Turn around now! ….Slowly,” Perks ordered.

Harding turned to face his aggressor.

His eyes widened as he saw who was holding the gun.

“Perks? But ho-?”

“Show me your hands NOW!”

Harding raised his arms in the air, palms out.

“I’m not armed,” said Harding.

“Don’t move an inch,” Perks called out as he closed in on his man.

“Santo, have you got me?”

“Sure thing, Sir,” came the reply.

Perks placed his gun in his holster and approached Harding.

“Turn around. Face the wall”

Harding did what was asked of him. He felt the handcuffs clasp around his right wrist first and then his left - both hands now firmly behind his back.

“You’re under arrest, Harding. I’ve got you for kidnapping, obstruction of justice, unlawful detention and I’ll think of the rest while we ride back to Federal Plaza. Now tell me – where the FUCK is Agent Robert Myles?”

Harding didn’t respond.

“ANSWER ME!”

Still he kept quiet.

Perks stepped in closer to his prisoner.

“You promised me he wouldn’t be harmed in any way, you remember that? You better pray that that’s still the case,” he whispered angrily into Harding’s ear.

Burns entered the hallway and made his way towards his superior.

“Its okay, we’ve got him,” Perks said, “Do me a favour and stand post down the end of the hallway – keep foot traffic is to a minimum.”

“Yes, Sir.”

Perks turned back to Harding

“So Harding, where’s Defence Secretary Willow hiding?” he asked as he patted down his prisoner, “I heard he’s suffered a heart attack.”

Harding didn’t respond.

“You know what? I came here to replace Willow, but you’re just as good a catch as any.”

Still no response.

“I tell you what. I’m going to give your boss a bit of time. Now that I’ve got his number one guy, I’m as good as set.”

“You won’t get anything out of me, Perks. You’re just wasting every body’s time,” he finally said.

“Well we’ll just have to see about that. By the time I’m through with you you’ll be testifying before a grand jury against your beloved Defence Secretary.”

Perks turned to his communicator that he held in his jacket pocket.

“Rodriguez, do you copy?”

“Copy, Sir.”

“Any activity out the front of the hospital?”

“Negative, Sir. All’s quiet here.”

“Good. Can you bring the car around to the side entrance – where the ambulances’ parking bays are?”

“Copy that – we’ll be there in five.”

“Good. See you there. Burns, do you read me?”

“Loud and clear, Sir.”

“Head back towards where we are. We’ll all leave together.”

Perks turned to Harding.

“It’s time to go. We’ll continue our little chat at Federal Plaza.”