Chapter 4: Goodbye Maryland
Governor's Office
Erik Maximoff was losing his mind. His wife had just entered the bank and neither of them had any idea when and if she was coming out. To make matters worse, both Benji and Max were late. After about another minute of anguish, Max came through the doors.
"I am so sorry I'm late," Max explained. "Apparently, the police don't care if you're trying to stop a political disaster. Speaking of which, please tell me that Stephanie didn't actually enter that bank."
"Check the screen yourself," Erik said as he pointed to the big-screen. There was the proof. The reporter wouldn't stop talking about it. The FBI was clearly unsure of their next step. "This isn't good. No one knows what to do. The only people on top of things are Dalton Furrelle and Lance Savarin. We're losing this."
"You're losing it," Benji corrected as he came through the doors. "You really shouldn't be here. I suggest you go down to the bank or go home. You're no help here. Max and I will take over."
"No offence," Erik replied sternly, "but you ad Max aren't really known for your reliability. I should stay, at least until Stephanie gets back."
Max had stopped listening in on the conversation. He was intently watching the television. The reporter was now standing next to Emily, who was standing next to Dimitri. Dimitri asked for the phone and, after conferring with the other agents, Emily handed him the phone.
Dimitri's words were clear. "What do you what? What can I give you that'll make you release my mother?"
The reporter was so close that even Dalton's response was clear enough to hear. "I'm here on behalf of the Dinosaur Liberation Association. You know what I what. Dinosaurs have just as much reason to live as any other animals and your mother won't be returning until she signs off on my needs. Then and only then will I give myself up."
"That's not going to happen," Dimitri replied. "I've been on that island. I know what dinosaurs are capable of and I rather not wait until they figure out a way onto the mainland. They need to be destroyed."
"I see that you're adamant in your decision," came Dalton's voice over the phone. "Good thing it's not your decision and because of that, I'm going to give you an alternative decision. An associate of mine named Morgan Bruer is on her way here and you're going to let her through."
"Fine," Dimitri replied.
"I'm not done," Dalton said. "Morgan isn't coming through the front doors. She's coming through the roof. She has a helicopter, and unless you want dire injury to befall your mother, Morgan will land on the roof unopposed in which all of us will leave on. She will be here in five minutes and if she is barred in any way, Stephanie Maximoff won't survive until lunch."
Dock
Darren Sutter stepped out of his car and smelled the salty air at the Annapolis Dock. Unfortunately, that was all he smelled. There was virtually no one else on the dock. The robbery was too intense for anyone to come out and do any work.
Darren walked along the boardwalk until finding a small bar filled to the brink. It must have had a television in it. No one inside the bar even turned his or her heads when Darren stepped in. "Excuse me," Darren said. "I called a while ago about a boat. I was told that someone named Diego would come and help me."
No one answered him. No one even turned around. Darren sighed in disappointment. "People," he said, trying to keep the anger bottled up. "I'm here about a boat. The receptionist said that a man named Diego would meet me here."
Still, everyone stayed attentive to the small television screen and acted as if Darren wasn't there. He couldn't hold it in anymore. Darren launched a punch at the first man next to him, who doubled over instantly. "Now!" Darren yelled. "Diego! Where is he?"
"I'm right here," said the man who Darren punched. "If you had some patience, maybe I would have answered you."
"Sure," Darren said. "I could do that, or I could just keep punching you. Clearly no one else in the bar gives a damn so I all works out for me."
"Okay!" he begged as he slowly stood back up. "I'll get you a boat." Diego led Darren outside and began to show his boats, but nothing was really working for him.
"I need something that can go really far really fast. Are you going to tell me where such a boat is or am I going to have to hit you again?"
Diego didn't think that Darren would hit him again, but he decided to risk it. "I do have such a boat," he said, "but it's not mine. It's my brother's and if I let someone else have it, he would have my head on a pike, and I wouldn't put it past him to do it."
"Do you have the keys to the boat and is said boat on this dock?" Darren asked sternly. Diego only nodded. "Good, because all I have to do is threaten you and you'll hand them over." Diego whimpered a little bit before taking out the key chain and handing him the ignition key.
"My brother will be back tomorrow," he explained. "Please tell me you'll be back by then,"
"Hopefully," Darren said. "I just have one more request of you." Diego began to whimper again. Darren smiled before asking, "Do you have a phone book?"
FBI Headquarters
Eddie Harold relaxed in his office, but was finding it very hard to find anything good to watch on television. The robbery was eating up all of the good channels and all of the shows he usually watched were being bumped off.
Suddenly, the phone on his desk began to ring. "Finally," he said. "Something happens. God I hope it's a murder. It's been a slow day." Eddie was about to pick the phone up, but stopped as he recognized the phone number on the caller-Id.
Eddie quickly took the phone number Dana gave him earlier from his pocket and compared it to the one on the phone. They were identical. It was Ramon Avila. Eddie sighed as he picked the phone up. "FBI," he said.
"Yes," Ramon replied. Ramon's voice was calm and had a heavy Spanish accent. "Am I speaking with Agent Edward Harold?"
"Eddie," he corrected. He hated being called Edward. "Yes, this is he. You called earlier. What was so important that you needed me specifically?"
"Actually," Ramon replied. "It's what you need me for. You and Maryland's Lieutenant Governor Benji Madison have been chasing after a woman named Piper for about a year. I have information that may help you that I have just decided to reveal to you."
"What is it?"
"Come now," Ramon replied. "I can't just tell you over the phone. If you want to know what I know, then you'll come to me. 3546 Monroe Avenue. Ten minutes. Don't be late."
Eddie hung up the phone and grabbed his coat off of the floor before exited his office.
Bank
Dalton had already disconnected the phone so Emily wouldn't try to convince him to give them more time. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't He had no way of contacting Morgan. She was already on her way.
Stephanie, meanwhile, spent her time studying her kidnappers. It was as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Neither of you are over twenty-five I bet," Stephanie bluntly pointed out. "I bet the same about Morgan and anyone else you have working for you."
"True," Dalton said. "I myself am twenty-five and Lance is twenty-three, but that isn't what you should have yourself concerned with right now. If you promise to signoff on Isla Nublar and Isla Sorna, I'll let you go."
"You don't intimidate me, Mr. Furrelle," Stephanie explained. "Both InGen islands will be destroyed within two years. You will not convince me otherwise."
"Which is why I'm taking you to the island," Dalton explained. "That way, you can see how calm and serene the dinosaurs can be. They are no different than housecats. I guarantee you that your mind will be changed by tonight."
Stephanie was about to respond, but was stopped as the sounds of Morgan's helicopter came through her ears. "Right on time," Lance said with enthusiasm. Lance holstered his gun and went for the stairs. Dalton grabbed the governor and followed up to the roof.
Lance hopped on to the helicopter enthusiastically as Morgan stepped out. She was black and rather short, no older than either Dalton or Lance either. "We're not staying," Dalton reminded her. "Get back in."
Morgan sighed. "Forgive me. I just wanted to stretch my legs for a little bit. We won't be stopping until we reach the island." Morgan stepped back in and Dalton forced the governor into the back and closed the door behind him.
"Let's go," Dalton ordered. "I want to be as far away from Maryland as possible before FBI begins to track us." Morgan nodded and began to take the helicopter into the air.