chapter nine
Michael pulled into the parking lot of the bank that was requesting extra security for the next few days. His eyes scanned the building, dismayed to find lots of windows and very wide open spaces around the building. "Well, nothing is gonna sneak up on us." he said, more for something to say than to actually make a point. Kitt didn't respond. Michael hadn't expected him to. Kitt was still steaming. "What do you think, pal?"
"I think we should cut our losses and tell Devon it's a lost cause." Kitt said sourly. "Michael, really – it's too exposed. You're walking into a trap."
"Do a scan of the structure." Michael said. "If you don't find any immediate threats, that's exactly what we'll do."
Kitt hesitated. "Promise?"
"Scout's honor, Kitt. I promise." Michael looked at the building, trepidation on his face. Kitt quickly scanned the building, then mentally ran through a list of curses. It was a trap, Kitt knew it was a trap, and he was so tempted to just tell Michael there was nothing there and take the fall later. He could always claim there was lead in the area blocking his scanners.
But Michael would know the truth, and Kitt couldn't do that to him. "There's a bomb planted in the second floor." Kitt admitted, sounding defeated. "A scan of the interior structure revealed a rather shoddy construction job. Even a small explosion would bring the entire building crashing down." Kitt emitted an electronic sigh. "Michael, please. Don't go."
Kitt's voice broke, and Michael felt his gut clench. He reached out and placed his hand on the dash, struggling to keep his own voice level. "Kitt – I don't know if I can." he admitted. "I can't leave and not try to help them." Another thought occurred to him. "Is there anyone inside."
"Unfortunately." Kitt said sourly. "There's six people in the lobby on the ground floor, five people in separate offices, and six more on the second floor in separate offices. The only good thing is that the bomb is reasonably small and in an unoccupied office air duct." There was a pause. "There's no countdown timer. It's activated by remote signal."
Michael sighed. "Then I have to get that bomb out." he said tiredly. "You know that, Kitt."
"I know."
"Keep an eye on me." Michael got out of the car.
"Michael, I can't go in there." Kitt protested. "I would destroy the place as surely as that bomb will!"
Michael sighed. "Then cross your fingers." He headed into the building. His comm. link beeped at him just before he entered the door.
"I have no fingers, but I'll cross my axles!"
Michael laughed as he entered. A couple of people gave him an odd look, but he simply smiled and waved, and they turned their eyes away. Michael honed in on the stairs, not trusting the elevators to carry him that short distance. One person moved to stop him, and Michael simply sped up and walked past him. He ran up the stairs, knowing he was short on time. He came to a halt at the top, breathing heavily.
"Michael! Zerek and Coltrane are out front – John's with them!"
So that was their mole. Must have been the money he stood to make on the black market. "Get out of here, Kitt." he hissed. "I'll take care of the bomb and meet you elsewhere."
"No! Michael, please. I can't – "
"You can and you will." Michael cut him off. "Go!" He didn't wait to see if Kitt had listened to him. He headed into the nearest office, hoping it was empty.
He wound up scaring the poor lady who worked there.
"Who are you?!" she demanded. Michael sighed.
"I work with the police – we received word that an explosive device was planted in the building." he explained hastily. "Where's the nearest empty office?"
The lady hesitated. "Two doors down on your left." she said finally.
Michael thanked his luck that he got a lady who was very gullible. He called out a thank-you as he headed down the hallway. Two doors down and he was standing in an empty office. On the floor below he could hear people screaming as gunshots rang out.
"Michael!"
Michael almost jumped at the sudden sound. "I thought I told you to get!" he cursed. He heard Kitt chuckle quietly, almost in relief.
"Well, I guess that means you weren't shot. And I did get – I'm far enough away that they can't see me. Michael, you're in the right office. Stand on the desk. The bomb is right above it."
"Thank you." Michael couldn't hide his exasperation or his affection. At least Kitt was outside of the firing range. He climbed onto the desk and looked up. With a start, he realized there was only one screw holding the grate in place. This really wasn't good. He reached up, brushing his fingers against the metal.
He couldn't say exactly what made him do it. There was no chance for Kitt to get off a warning, no way he could have known what was about to happen. Something flipped in his mind, realization hit, and Michael jumped off of the desk and hid under it.
Just as the bomb detonated.
Kitt had been right on one account; it was a small explosive. Only about three-fourths of the roof came down, and despite shoddy construction, the floor didn't fall out and send Michael crashing down to the ground floor. Instead, the desk caved in on top of him.
"Michael! Michael, hang on!"
Michael couldn't breathe. The impact had knocked the wind out of him, and dust filled the air. He couldn't breathe, couldn't call out and reassure Kitt. He needed a decent breath of air, and he couldn't get it. He coughed as the dust settled, and finally he got enough air to talk with. "Kitt, I'm fine! Please, don't get hurt."
"You can't keep me away."
Michael laughed sourly. "Never thought I could, pal." He shifted around and groaned. "Holy crap, that hurts."
"I detect you have fractured your left arm. If you move around too much, you'll break it."
"If I move around enough I might just get out of here." Michael grunted. He bit his lip as he felt his arm throb. On the other hand, if he couldn't get past the pain, he wasn't going to get out. A brief thought flashed through his mind, and he gritted his teeth and tried again.
This time the desk moved. This time Michael felt his arm snap. He couldn't stop his scream of pain.
"Michael, stop!"
"Yes, Michael. Stop this insanity now." John stood at the doorway, watching as Michael struggled to free himself. "By the way, if you keep moving, you'll bring the floor down. There are innocent bystanders under you." John smiled as Michael glared daggers at him. "Zerek found me and picked me up. You were right – it wasn't fast enough to kill me. Oh, and by the way, I thought you should know that we're going to deactivate Kitt and turn him into scrap metal. Or at the very least sell the car. With you stuck up here, there's nothing you can do about it."
"No!"
"Yes." John's smile turned sadistic. "I get what I wanted to begin with. The Foundation that kept interfering with our missions is gone and I will be filthy rich. Enjoy your time up here."
Michael heard John's footsteps leave. "Kitt – was John right? I could bring the floor down if I move too much?"
"Yes, Michael, but that would undoubtedly cause more harm to you!"
"Worth a shot." Michael twisted his good arm so he found a crack in the floor. He made a fist and hit it as hard as his limited range would allow.
The floor gave, and Michael plummeted to the ground level, Kitt's voice screaming as he went. He had to get to Kitt.
