Confabulation (19 page)

CHAPTER
52

The street was empty, but the painting on the walls, the littered sidewalks, and the remains of ammunition on the ground beneath his feet told Henry he was wise to purchase the comprehensive insurance for the rental. He stepped away from the car and locked the doors with the fob. As he entered the building he chuckled at the thought of the locked doors underneath the flimsy cover.

His laughter ceased as he stepped through the brick doorway, into the dark stale air of the building. When he spied the large building from the highway, he dreaded having to spend any time there. The fact that it sat in the middle of an urban war zone was only one of the issues. From a great distance, the dull brown brick building looked like a functioning structure.

He had always thought it looked strong despite its age—a real testament to the builders. However, as the distance between observer and edifice decreased, the toll time had taken on the building was apparent. The windows were merely holes in the brick, most of them original. The lower levels of the structure bore the stains of paint and blood that had been sprayed on its surface for a decade.

As Henry entered, he was greeted by a smell that seemed to match well to the exterior decay. He climbed the stairs, stepping slowly to avoid the misplaced excrement of a recent overnight inhabitant. The trade-off between walking carefully and lingering in the long sloping toilette was difficult, but Henry felt it better to endure the filth now than to be stuck with it after he left. He placed his mouth and nose beneath the collar of his shirt, and headed up the stairs.

After bypassing the remains, and pushing cobwebs from his path, he arrived at the landing for the fourth floor. He stood between flights, staring at what seemed like the largest door he had ever seen. For an instant, he considered turning back, but he needed this meeting. He needed to know. He took a deep breath and pushed the little anxiety aside with surprising ease, and pushed the door out of his way with equal effort.

The dark hallways were full of torn garments and broken bottles. He removed his shirt from his mouth. The larger space and broken windows allowed for greater circulation, and Henry could walk normally, able to breathe the air without heaving. He strolled through the hall, patiently moving closer to the lobby where the meeting would take place. Henry had expected to be scared at this moment, so close to either salvation or death. He assumed he would have to force himself forward.

However, he glided along the floor, standing tall and sure that he was making the correct decision. He thought about the meeting again, making sure he hadn’t neglected to consider some facet of the situation—something that would bring the fear he expected. He considered Kelly’s safety and happiness first. He was certain that obtaining proof was the only was he could regain her trust. He was also sure that if they intended to go after her, they would have used her as bait long ago.

He thought about what he would do, and realized that he had never devised a plan for getting the evidence he needed. For a moment, he felt the tug of fear urging him to leave this dilapidated building and return to the safety of the hotel to plan, but it eased with the understanding that any plan he had derived would collapse in the face of variables he couldn’t account for. He knew he was prepared, and he knew his goal. That would have to suffice. A few other items crossed his awareness, but he knew that he had to go forward.

He had to win back Kelly’s trust, and this would be the only way.

A few more steps and he stood at the double doors that guarded the lobby. He pressed his ear to the hollow wood, and detected two voices. They were engaged in some debate, and though the pace of the conversation was slow, he could feel the tension in the tones. He continued to listen, hoping to gain an advantage by gathering as much information as possible before making an appearance.

The man and the woman continued to speak. Henry felt that the terse, slow discussion reminded him of a hostage negotiation he had seen in a movie. He could pick out some of the words, enough to know that they were dealing something. He was confident that the woman was after the same evidence he was. He couldn’t allow that information to change hands if he wasn’t aware of who had it and what they planned to do with it.

He continued listening, until he heard a word that signaled his time had come. "Agreed," the two people had said, and he needed to assert his presence to ensure that the proof he needed to live his life would be his. He took a deep breath and pushed the doors aside. To his right, a man stared at him with a knowing grin. He knew from the smug expression that it was Jackson.

Behind Jackson, another man, frightened and sweaty, came around the corner. On his left, one woman held a pistol to the back of another and moved away from Henry while keeping her eyes on him.

Henry acknowledged all in the room with a short nod, and then cast his glance on the box in the middle of the large space. He could see papers, disks, and CDs along with two cylindrical devices whose purpose he assumed. His heart skipped a beat, and his fingers rubbed together as if controlled by a force outside his brain.

Henry looked up and watched as the two speakers, Jackson and the woman with the gun at her back, scanned him from head to toe while the others stared ahead in either fear or rage. He nodded to them all again, and then stepped slowly toward his prize. The eyes remained focused on him, and he slowed his motion. He walked in an odd pattern, not directly toward the box, but always closer. He wasn’t sure how he would obtain the bounty, but he wanted to be close in case speed was needed.

CHAPTER
53

"Just stay here. Everything will be fine. I promise." Jackson placed his hand on Simon’s shoulder. He patted him twice and turned away. The somber, caring look on his face changed to a wry smile as he walked toward the center of the lobby and prepared to meet the woman who would try to manipulate him.

He was alone in the open space, and he decided to set the stage for the effect he needed. He had scouted the location when Susan sent the address. An effective illusion fooled most into thinking it was a dangerous place. In fact, it was merely abandoned. Had been for years. The Company owned it, and stopped using it four years ago.

He placed the box containing papers and devices in the center of the room. The lies and images Henry and Simon had seen would leave them focused there. He wasn’t sure yet what his plan would be for Carolyn, but he knew her mind. He knew he could direct her.

He placed the box, and the baggage, on the floor and stepped back. His plan was in place and now he waited. Unlike many of his peers, he loved the wait. It was a time for him to trace his recent steps and ensure that he was ready. His mind wondered back to the trip to the building. Simon had been eager to leave, as Jackson assumed he would be. The fumbling, untrained man rushed the car when Jackson indicated, and tried to conceal the handgun that he crudely placed under a jacket that was entirely inappropriate considering the weather.

During the drive, Simon was anxious and jittery, and Jackson knew that the training had been a complete success. He could definitely count on Simon carrying out his part of the plan. The unknowing agent was a tool Jackson loved to employ, and Simon was one of his greatest constructions. Confident that Simon would do as needed, he analyzed the rest of his plan.

He was unsure of Henry Adamson. He left him all incentive he could. Had Peter pass along the paranoid conspiracy in person, before eliminating that loose end. Taken out the same way the other loose ends were dispatched. Jackson regretted that. Peter deserved better. But, there were times that call for action.

In the end, he’d done what he could with Henry. He didn’t have the time with him as with Simon. He knew Henry might clear his head and avoid the meeting. If Henry didn’t arrive in time, the plan was sound enough to accomplish its goal, however, Jackson liked security, and hoped that all his pieces would arrive and the embarrassment would be complete. He didn’t want to have to hunt Henry down after this confrontation.

The woman he was about to meet, Susan, had to understand the nature of what was done. She’d been with Carolyn too long. She’d also probably kept it all to herself, worried that there might be others involved.

As Jackson completed his mental checklist, he heard footsteps at the other end of the lobby. He stood tall and relaxed, reflecting the confidence that permeated his mind and body. Two women came toward him, one holding a pistol. He could always count on compliance to try to stack the deck in their favor.

Jackson examined the subject first. Carolyn Hansford’s eyes met his only for an instant, and then darted around the shadow filled room. Perspiration poured from her forehead, and her hands clinched and released in a slow pattern. Jackson could also see evidence of labored, if not quickened, breathing. She was scared. Not panicked, but full of fear. He tried to catch her eyes again, but they were elusive.

He watched her to see how she responded to the gun. Carolyn moved where directed, and cast several glances her accomplice, but kept looking at the weapon. Seemed to be longing for it. Hoping it could help. She seemed comfortable with the other, secure with her guardian, but couldn’t look into Jackson’s eyes.

Next he focused on the other. The agent. Compliance in the flesh. She moved with relaxed confidence. A manner born of training and experience. She’d probably never failed to do anything required in her service to the company. Jackson admired that. Admired the resolute purpose she exuded. The lack of hesitation in chasing her goal.

He hated that he’d have to kill her. That would make two people deserving of better. Still, there were thousands that served in unknowing slavery. Working useless jobs just so their mental talent could be siphoned off for another to use. They needed a voice as well. His was the only one willing be speak.

"Hello, I’m Jackson Gray." His voice broke the silent tension, and the wheels of his plan were loosed from their restraints.

"I know who you are. You’re a traitor. A turncoat to everything you used to stand for."

Jackson watched as Carolyn kept her eyes on the pistol. He could see she wanted out but was afraid to run. "Well, Susan, we’ll have to agree to disagree on my motives. I see you’ve brought someone with you."

"She’s of no concern. I’m here to help her. And to stop you."

"Perhaps we could hurry our business and be on our way." Jackson had hoped Henry would arrive, but what he had was enough. He could feel Susan pressing around his mind. Looking for weakness. Someplace to get in.

He wasn’t concerned.

He reached out to Carolyn’s mind. Found the fear. Played with it. Gave her images of the gun in her hands. Pointed at Susan. Images of her leaving all the chaos behind.

“Jackson, this is over. What you’ve done is beyond explanation, or disagreement. You’ll be coming with me and facing justice for what you’ve done.”

Jackson laughed. “No. I won’t be going back there. Ever. I understand what you would like to see happen, but it won’t. Just send Carolyn over her, and we’ll end this little dance. Go report back and tell them what I’ve done. Maybe they’ll send someone better next time.”

He knew it was a useless jab. She wasn’t going to respond with any strong emotions. Too well trained. Still, he’d made it clear that it would turn violent. A piece of information he hoped would force her hand.

He pressed on Carolyn again. She moved toward Susan.

“You see, Susan, I think you should come to my side on this issue. The company does things you don’t know. Uses people. It’s not like they say. I didn’t know.”

He moved her closer again.

“Save your time, Gray. I’m not interested in your theories or justification.”

He pressed. Carolyn grabbed the pistol.

Susan looked surprised.

Jackson attacked with his mind.

He was pushed back easily.

Carolyn pressed the gun into Susan’s back.

“Mt. Gray. This is a silly waste of time. Let’s dispense with the periphery and finished this. We both know none of the little tricks are going to work.”

"Agreed." Jackson watched Susan recess into the corner of the lobby, and he stepped back as well. In the corner of his eye, he could see Simon step forward with his hand beneath his jacket. Jackson grinned as his plan moved forward.

Jackson’s smile stretched as the doors to the main hall opened. He watched Henry Adamson step into the room. His gait matched the odd confidence that Jackson had detected on the phone, and for the first time he felt truly sorry for having humbled such an obviously strong man. He met Henry’s eyes as he approached and returned the nod he offered.

Jackson could feel Simon moving up behind him, and noticed that Henry saw him also, as well as Carolyn and Susan. Jackson also noticed that the bulk of Henry’s attention was on the box. Jackson watched curiously as Henry moved into the room, not in a straight line, but in an arc that brought him closer to the box, but not aggressively. He nodded with the appreciation that Henry must have seen the anger in Simon’s eyes and was trying to avoid a confrontation. Unfortunately for Henry, Jackson knew what Simon already thought of Henry Adamson.

Jackson continued his retreat from the center of the room, and saw Simon step past him. He knew that the plan was escalating now. Of all the people there, he felt the strongest sympathy for Henry. He was obviously a person who was worthy of a much greater end than he would meet. However, Jackson knew that great accomplishments sometimes require great sacrifices.