Milwaukee Deep
Chapter 24

“So, there’s no further risk?” Harding asked as he turned to Dr Steven Bell.

Dr Bell handed Harding the CIA’s medical report on David Reese Ganton.

“It’s all in the report, Tom. The virus in Ganton has been neutralised for the moment. Obviously we’re still conducting tests, but at no stage are we under any risk providing Ganton’s body’s kept isolated.”

Agent Sarah Coyle entered the examination room. She walked past Anthony Perks who stood silently in the back of the room listening to the discussion and walked up to Harding, interrupting the conversation.

“Sir, you’re wanted on the phone.”

Harding looked at Sarah and then over to Perks.

Perks shrugged signalling to Harding that he didn’t mention to anyone that they were here.

“Who is it?” Harding asked as he turned his attention back to Agent Coyle.

“It’s Agent Cheapston, Sir. They’ve found Sam Crease.”

Perks froze. He looked over to Harding.

Harding took the phone and placed it to his ear.

“Cheapers, what have you got?” he asked.

“Sir, we’ve got a lock on Crease’s cell phone. He’s currently in Orange County heading towards Manhattan – he’s mobile at the moment, but the signal’s very strong.”

“Okay stay with him. I’m on my way – we’re in Jersey so by the time we cross the Hudson-.”

“That’s okay, I’ll keep you in the loop, but you’ve got to answer your phone – I’ve been trying you the whole day,” Cheapston said.

Harding looked over to Perks.

“Don’t worry; it’ll be working within the next five minutes. I’ll call you from the road – speak to you soon,” Harding handed the phone back to Agent Coyle.

Perks spoke up.

“You’re not going to let them hurt Sam are you?” he asked

“Anthony, I told you once before, I’m not into killing our own men. We want Sam alive so he can lead us to Burton.”

Harding headed towards the door. He turned around and looked at Perks.

“So are you coming or not?”

Perks smiled.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

“Hey, Michael, how are you feeling?” Dr Jensen asked as he walked into the hospital room where Michael lay.

“Better, when can we go back to the safe house?” Michael asked, his direct question reflecting his dislike of anything even vaguely medical.

Jensen grabbed his patient’s medical chart and instinctively began reading it, all the while hoping Michael would not pick up that this was all just an attempt to distract him from the real reason behind his visit.

“Soon, we’re just waiting for Dr Durham to get here and see you - then we’ll be able to leave.”

“But I thought she was meeting us at the safe house,” Michael said, annoyed at having to stay, “doc, what’s going on? I’ve been here for hours. We’ve done all of these tests and you’ve told me nothing – is there something I should be worried about?”

Jensen sat down on the edge of Michael’s bed.

“There’s a lot of things I just don’t know yet,” he said in a soft voice, “and that’s why we’re here – to get some answers.”

“But what’s worrying you?” Michael asked, picking up on his doctor’s change in behaviour since arriving at the hospital.

“I’m not worried, Michael,” Jensen replied calmly, “it’s just I have to be thorough in my examination of you. You’ve been missing for eighteen years, you’ve lost your ability to recall an event since your disappearance and unbelievably you haven’t aged a day. I have to perform these tests – that’s why Dr Durham is coming here as we speak – we need to get to the bottom of what happened to you and unfortunately that includes performing tests to come to accurate conclusions.”

Michael looked at his doctor. He didn’t reply, but instead nodded his head in acknowledgement.

“I understand, doc, I’m sorry if I sound a bit ungrateful – I do appreciate all you’ve done for me.”

“I know you do,” replied Jensen, “now just relax and try to get some rest. I’m going to wait in the common room for Dr Durham, hopefully she won’t be long and maybe together we can get to the bottom of what happened to you.”

“Thanks, doc,” Michael said.

As Jensen was about to leave, Michael called out…

“Doc, do you think she’ll be able to replace out what happened to me?”

“I’m positive she will,” Jensen replied.

“What happens if we don’t like what she replaces?” shot back Michael.

Phil looked back at his patient.

“Don’t worry, Michael, whatever she replaces; we’ll get through it together.”

General White took a deep breath, turned the door knob and walked into the Oval Office.

“You wanted to see me, Sir?” he asked in a loud voice, trying his best to hide the anxiety.

“Yes,” replied Crane as he stood up out of the chair behind the President’s desk – Stoker sat comfortably on the couch in the middle of the office, “Why is it that I hear rumours that we have yet to secure the weapon - the weapon that I asked for five hours ago to be put on a plane to New York City?”

White stood silent – he knew what was coming.

“General, I asked you a question.”

“My apologies, Sir – you see there’s been a slight mix up at NORAD – the weapon was put on a plane as requested, but unfortunately that plane landed in California.”

“California? So is the weapon there now?”

“As I understand it, yes it is, Sir.”

Crane clenched his teeth.

“Of all the stupid, fucking, things! So have we redirected this plane now?!” he demanded.

White swallowed hard – his throat drying up quickly.

“Sir, we’re working on it.”

“God Damn it! Get on it right fucking NOW!”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Well don’t just stand there, General!”

“Yes, Sir. Right away, Sir,” and White turned and walked out of the Oval Office.

General White walked fast down the main hallway of the White House. He pulled out his phone and dialled a number.

Conwrey on the other end answered…

“How did it go?” he asked

“Not good – I’ve stalled it for another four to five hours tops, after that we’re dead,” said White quietly into his phone.

“Let’s not panic yet – it still means we’ve got time to come up with another reason for a delay,” Conwrey said.

“That, or hope we replace Burton real God damn fucking fast.”