Milwaukee Deep
Chapter 43

Harding stared at the body.

“Thanks for the tip on the silencer,” he whispered.

He rose and checked the two doors behind him.

There wasn’t movement at either of the two exits to the room.

Harding grabbed Crane by the legs and pulled him behind the President’s desk.

With a deep breath he composed himself and walked to the first of the two exits – the one that led to the foyer and to administration.

Exiting the Oval Office, Harding closed the door behind him and calmly walked up to Stoker’s secretary who sat at her desk down the main hallway.

“Irene, I’m looking for the President, you wouldn’t happen to know where he is right now, would you?” he asked.

“He’s with Harry Bell in a meeting - he asked not to be disturbed.”

“He left with Bell?”

“That’s right, is something the matter?”

“No, no, I just need to speak to him.”

“Well you can wait here until they’re finished,” she replied

“No I can’t wait. Can you page Harry for me? It’s kind of urgent.”

“I can try.”

As Irene picked up her phone, Harry Bell walked around the corner.

“Don’t bother,” said Harding as he left the President’s secretary and headed for Bell.

“Agent Harding you’ve finished I see, how did it go?” Bell asked as Tom approached.

“Good. Can I see you?”

“Of course.”

Before Bell could even suggest a place to talk, Harding had already led Bell by the arm into a small meeting room that sat off the main hallway.

“Is something the matter, Agent Harding?”

“Crane told me everything so we need to hurry.”

“Everything?” Bell asked

“Yes, of course.”

Bell looked Harding up and down.

“What did he tell you?”

“We don’t have time to go through this, Harry, now-“

“No, we do, now what did he say?”

Harding took a moment and looked about himself

“He told me about his plan, about how Stoker didn’t agree. He also told me I could count on you.”

“He did?”

“Yes, now can I?” asked Harding.

“Of course.”

“Good, so where’s the President held up?”

“He’s in his bedroom under guard.”

“How many agents are standing post?”

“Two”

“Is that all?”

“We have his son so there’s no need to go top heavy – he’ll cooperate, trust me.”

“You have Joel? Where is he?”

“We picked him up not less than fifteen minutes ago. He’s our insurance for the time being.”

“So where is he?” Harding asked again

“He’s being moved to a secured location. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to arrange for an air lift for Crane and the President.”

“An air lift? Why, where are you going?” Harding questioned

“Camp David - we’re staying there until the thirty hours are up and then we follow protocol and hit the skies in Air Force One, didn’t Crane tell you this?”

“It must have slipped his mind. Listen to me, you finalise that and meet me back in the President’s bedroom, ASAP. I need to go over a few things with you before we leave.”

“Fine, I’ll meet you there after I see Crane – I need to tell him that we have Stoker’s son.”

Harding had to think fast.

“That’s not a good idea, Harry. Crane’s pissed – he told me no visitors for the next hour, no matter what.”

“But I have to tell him about Joel.”

“Suit yourself; if you want your ass chewed off be my guest. All I know is he told me no visitors. Remember, Harry, he’s just lost his biggest ally in the President and right now is no time to be rubbing him up the wrong way.”

Bell took a moment to respond.

“Okay, I’ll arrange for Marine One to land shortly and I’ll see you in the west wing in ten minutes.”

“That’s strange.”

“What’s that?” asked Anthony Perks.

“Here on the computer, it’s showing the chamber’s CO2 level rising,” observed Dr Jensen.

“I was afraid of that,” added Dr Stevens.

Both Jensen and Perks turned to Stevens.

“This chamber was not meant for holding someone for this long, well, alive anyway. You see the oxygen levels can be maintained through the direct feed, we can always provide further oxygen tanks, but remember the CO2 is being captured by the holding unit outside. Once that unit is full, there’s nowhere else for the CO2 to go other than back into the chamber.”

“Well that’s easily fixed, let’s empty the unit outside,” suggested Perks

“I don’t think so,” replied Stevens, “we do not have authorisation to do that.”

“But if we don’t do anything, Michael will suffer CO2 poisoning.”

“I understand that, and I’m sorry, but releasing the CO2 is not an option, it’s too great a risk.”

“How can that be? The virus is not active yet,” argued Perks.

“Well given we don’t completely understand the virus and its mechanics, I’m not prepared to take that chance,” responded Stevens.

“But we’ve established the virus is contained until such time as the cardiac mass has dissolved into the blood stream,” Jensen said.

“That’s a theory Dr Jensen, not fact.”

“May I remind you, Dr Stevens, that if the CO2 grows any faster Michael will suffocate and die and we all know what happens then - the cardiac mass will dissolve and the virus will be released.”

Stevens went silent. He looked over to Jensen.

“Just remember, we can’t be 100% sure that this chamber will contain the virus,” continued Jensen, “It’s safer to release uncontaminated air than risk the real deal leaking out of your chamber wouldn’t you say?”

Dr Stevens took a moment and then walked over to the computer adjacent to the chamber. He began typing on the keyboard.

“What are you doing?” asked Perks

“I’m reconfiguring the holding unit. Within two minutes the unit will begin releasing the CO2. I’m asking it to continue to release until such time as we say otherwise.”

“Thank you Dr Stevens.”

“Don’t thank me, Dr Jensen - just pray you’re right.”