Special Talents (27 page)

"Confinement building?" questioned Frank. "Richard said they'd be taken to security headquarters."

"He said most likely," whispered Jeremy. "He also said we'd probably have to improvise. This just seems to be one of those times. Frank, you and Kamalene see if you can follow the sergeant and Janet and Conrad. This confinement building might have a locking mechanism you'll need to circumvent. Mariah and I will wait here for Simon. Remember, we meet up at the rendezvous point just as scheduled regardless of what happens?"

"What if we can't get Janet and Conrad out?" Kamalene asked.

"You'll have no choice," said Jeremy. "You'll have to leave them."

"I don't like that idea," said Frank.

"It can't be helped. The mission comes first. This is too important to risk on one or two team members. I don't like it anymore than you do but there may be no other choice. Go on. You don't want to lose them in the dark."

As Frank and Kamalene headed out after Janet and Conrad, Jeremy looked to see if Simon was finished. He hated having to make that decision. Now he knew how military commanders felt when they had to make tough decision in battle. At least he had the consolation of knowing that Janet and Conrad would be okay.

As he sat watching the building, Simon suddenly appeared out of the side of the building. He crouched on the ground and motioned for them to come as he glanced around.

"That's your cue," he said to Mariah. "Nothing fancy. Get in, get the job done, and get out. The extra guards will be here any minute. You have to be out of there before they arrive."

Mariah didn't respond. She simply headed for the building. When she reached the building Simon took her hand and the two passed through the wall again. Jeremy looked at his watch.

So far things were going pretty smoothly. The setback with Janet and Conrad was actually a minor glitch. And Richard had said there would be glitches even in the best plan. As soon as Simon and Mariah were finished Phase II would be complete. Then they could move on to Phase III.

Suddenly Mariah and Simon came through the wall of the building. Simon was holding the satchel he had carried in with him. He handed the satchel to Mariah and told her to head on back. He sat on the ground looking around for any guards as she headed into the clump of trees where Jeremy sat.

Suddenly a light shone on Simon. He put up his hand to shield his eyes from the light and Jeremy saw three guards step up and point rifles at Simon.

"Don't move," said one of the guards.

Simon put his hands up to signify he was surrendering. Mariah had frozen as soon as the light had come on. In her present location she was well concealed from the light. Jeremy slumped down to conceal himself better as well.

"Who are you?" demanded one of the guards. "What are you doing here?"

"No habla Inglés," said Simon.

"¿Quiénes son usted?" questioned another of the guards.

"Actually, I don't speak Spanish either," said Simon, putting his hands on his head.

"Take him to the confinement building," ordered the first guard. "I'll let Captain Morris know we caught another one."

As the two guards led Simon away the remaining guard shined the light into the wooded area where Jeremy and Mariah lay. Neither moved for fear of being seen. Finally satisfied that Simon was alone, the guard shut off the light and followed after the other two. Mariah made her way to Jeremy.

"That was close," she said. "I thought for a minute they had seen me."

"Did you get it done?" Jeremy asked.

She just patted the satchel.

"Good. Get it back to the van. Then meet me back here. We'll try to locate Kamalene and Frank and see about Janet, Conrad, and Simon."

"You think they've taken him to the same place?"

"The guard did say to take them to the confinement building," said Jeremy. "I don't think that should be too hard to find. Now hurry. We don't have much time."

Mariah hurried off with the satchel heading for the van that was hidden in a clump of trees a few dozen yards from the compound. It would take her a few minutes to get there and a few more to get back. All Jeremy could do is wait for her to return. As he did he contemplated Phase III of the plan.

As they led Simon into the confinement building he realized it was actually just an old storage building that had been emptied out. There was a keypad entry system that required a special key card. As they sat him down in a chair and handcuffed his hands behind him he noticed Janet and Conrad sitting off to one side.

He looked the building over. It was a square metal frame building with no windows. The only way into or out of the building was through the door he had just come in. He had also noticed guards stationed all around the building making any escape attempt extremely difficult. As he looked around a captain came up to him.

"So, what were you doing at that building?" demanded the captain.

Simon looked over at Janet and Conrad.

"Don't be concerned with them," said the captain. "I know the three of you know each other. I saw the looks you gave each other. So answer my question. What were you doing at that building?"

"Just hanging out," said Simon. "I do that a lot. Hang out."

"Just hanging out, huh? Were you aware that was a restricted area?"

"No!" exclaimed Simon. "Really? I had no idea. I'll certainly be more careful in the future, captain, I promise you that. Am I free to go now?"

Out of the corner of his eye Simon could see Janet smiling. He had always been a smartass. It was just his nature. And he could see in this situation she actually found it amusing. There might be hope for her yet.

"I wouldn't be so flippant if I were you," said the captain.

"Oh, I'm not flippant. I'm half French and half Chinese."

"Half Chinese?"

"Yeah, I know. I don't look it. People tell me that all the time. Well if there are no more questions, I really should be getting along. Sesame Street is about to come on and I really want to find out what happens with Big Bird."

"You have a real problem with authority, you know that?" questioned the captain.

"I've been told that before. I'm working on it. Really, I am."

"Okay, Mr. half Chinese. What's your name?"

"Mehoff," said Simon. "Mr. Mehoff. But you can call me Jack."

"Mr. Jack Me . . ." the captain stopped writing on a pad he was holding. "Oh, you're a real comedian aren't you?"

"You heard?" questioned Simon. "I have an application in at the Improv. They say I have a real shot at getting on there. Headliner, no less, not some backup. I just need one big break. That's all. Could I use you as a reference?"

"Let's just cut the jokes," said the captain. "You're in some serious trouble. Things might go easier on you if you decide to cooperate. Neither of your friends there will say anything. But if you just tell me what I want to know I'm sure we can clear this up in no time."

"You think so? Well, in that case I'd be glad to help. My last name is Yow. That's spelled Y-O-U."

"Y-O-U?" questioned the captain.

"I told you I was half Chinese. It's my father's name."

"Okay, Mr. Yow. Now, what's your first name?"

"It's French," said Simon. "My mother was French. It's pronounced Fuqaa. And it's spelled F, U, C. . . ."

"Okay, that's enough," said the captain, throwing up his hands in disgust. Janet and Conrad both had to stifle a laugh. "We'll just leave this one here and Colonel Green can interrogate him. Let's see if he's still such a comedian after the colonel gets through with him."

"You really think I'm that funny?" Simon continued as the captain and two guards with him left the building. "You really think I'm colonel funny? You know, I could really use a recommendation from you. It would go a long way to advancing my career."

The captain didn't respond. He just slammed the door to the building as the three soldiers left. Janet and Conrad just started laughing.

"Jack Mehoff?" Janet asked.

"Hey, it's a classic," said Simon. "Those never go out of style."

"I liked the Yow, spelled Y-O-U," said Conrad. "I thought the captain was going to have a cow when you started spelling your 'first' name."

"Yeah, it just kind of came to me," said Simon. "Mariah said that they know you guys are here. Frank and Kamalene are supposed to be outside right now. I think Dr. Sloan and Mariah got away. They just caught me. So I guess we're ready for Phase III. I'm surprised you're still handcuffed, Janet. I didn't think something like that could hold you."

"They can't," said Janet. "I'm just waiting for the right moment. No sense giving away too much too soon."

"The captain's concerned about what they're guarding," said Conrad. "He doesn't know what it is but he's worried because three of us were caught so near it. He'd like to check and make sure it's still safe but apparently only Colonel Green has the code to the keypad that will open the door."

"Then it should still be nice and snug," said Simon. "How long do you think it will be before Dr. Sloan implements Phase III?"

"Not long I would imagine," said Janet. "He wants to make sure we have plenty of time for Phase IV. He's got a truck waiting for us across the Anacosta River. All we have to do is swim the short distance across and we'll be home free."

"Once we get out of here," said Conrad.

"It's only a matter of time," said Simon, glancing up at one of the cameras. "We just need to wait for Dr. Sloan to show up."

Jeremy and Mariah carefully made their way across the compound. With his special ability Jeremy was able to see the guards long before they saw them. It was easy to adjust their path so they avoided the guards completely.

They were moving towards a small, square frame building. Jeremy could see the aura's of several guards around the building. Several yards from the building, huddled in some trees, were the auras of two people that Jeremy recognized as Kamalene and Frank. Silently they made their way to the two.

"Is that it?" Jeremy asked.

"I guess so," said Frank. "That's where they took Janet and Conrad. And a little bit ago they took Simon in there."

"Okay," said Jeremy. "It's time for Phase III. Frank, make your way back to the van. Stay among the trees and you should be fine. Most of the guards are in or around the buildings."

"That seems odd," said Frank. "You'd think they'd have roaming patrols as well."

"They do," said Jeremy. "So you'll have to keep an eye out for them. Most of the guards are stationary so it should be relatively easy to avoid them. The roaming ones are a different story. They could be anywhere. Just keep your head down and don't get in a hurry. You should make it back to the fence where we can in without any problems. Once you get there check the merchandise and make sure it's the right one."

"You think Simon or I might have made a mistake?" questioned Kamalene.

"No," replied Jeremy. "But I wouldn't put it past General Porter to make a switch on us. I just want to make sure we have the right one before we leave here."

"On my way," said Frank. "Good luck. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point."

"Remember," said Jeremy. "Wait thirty minutes. No longer. If we aren't there by then we won't be coming. After thirty minutes have elapsed leave without us."

"If you say so," said Frank. "I still don't like it."

"That's the way it has to be," said Jeremy. "Good luck."

"You too." Frank turned and headed back the same way Jeremy and Mariah had just come.

"Kamalene," said Jeremy. "Can you manipulate that keypad and get us in the building?"

"Probably," said Kamalene. "They all pretty much operate the same way. They're actually pretty simple."

"Okay," said Jeremy. "We'll need to distract the guards. Something to draw their attention away from that door."

"I could go over to that clump of trees and then let them see me," suggested Mariah. Then I run back into the trees. They should come after me. That should give you and Mariah the time you need."

"Just be careful," said Jeremy. "Remember, they're using live ammo. Don't take any unnecessary risks."

"Don't worry, I won't," said Mariah.

She turned and headed to the clump of trees she had indicated. Jeremy and Kamalene watched as she stepped out of the trees and looked around. After a moment the guards at the front of the building saw her. They immediately gave chase, leaving the front of the building unprotected.

Jeremy and Kamalene hurriedly moved to the front of the building. Kamalene put her hand on the keypad and closed her eyes. She began to concentrate. Suddenly a light illuminated them both.

"That will be quite enough of that."

They turned to see Colonel Green with four armed men standing just a few feet from them. The men had rifles pointed at the two.