Chapter 10 – Contact

[Timeline: November 1972 - California]

Face pulled up behind BA's van in his flashy red and white corvette. He jumped out and gave it a loving pat before making his way over to the van. He pulled the door open and climbed into the back.

"Nice, kid!" mused Hannibal, eyebrows raised towards the car.

Face beamed proudly back. The car had been one of the first things he had bought for himself. It was the one thing that truly belonged only to him and that he didn't have to share with anybody else. It was his pride and joy.

"Thanks," he replied. He gave BA a brief nod of his head which BA acknowledged with his usual snarl.

They were parked just opposite the VA hospital. It had been five months since they had broken out from Fort Bragg and the media frenzy about their escape was now old news. There had been no sign of military activity around the hospital for the past few weeks, so Hannibal thought the time had come to contact the pilot.

Face was to make the initial contact. Hannibal passed him a small package. As Face reached out to take it, Hannibal held on to it briefly.

"Lieutenant," he said in a gentle, but warning voice. "Don't get your hopes up too much for a happy reunion."

Face sighed as he took the package. He knew Hannibal was right, but it didn't dampen his optimism that the visit would be a success.

As he walked into the building and over to the reception area, he could feel his nerves tingling with hope and anticipation. The young, pretty nurse looked up at him as he approached the desk, an engaging smile immediately plastered on her face as she appraised the handsome young man before her.

"Can I help you, Sir," she asked, in a slightly suggestive manner.

Now usually Face would only be too happy to indulge in a bit of playful flirting. But all he could think about was his imminent meeting with Murdock, so he kept his answer polite but to the point.

"My name is Tommy Chapman," he said. "I'm here to visit Mr Murdock."

The nurse glanced down at the appointment book.

"Oh, yes, Mr Chapman," she verified. "So your Captain Murdock's cousin? I'm sure he'll be very pleased to see you. He doesn't get many visitors."

She clicked her fingers as an orderly passed by.

"Take Mr Chapman to room 104," she said. The orderly nodded, turning to Face and gesturing towards the corridor.

"This way, please," he said.

The orderly shuffled off down the corridor. Face waved his thanks to the nurse and followed behind him. The main corridor led to another corridor which beared off to the right. About half way down the orderly stopped outside room 104. He took a key out of his pocket and unlocked the door.

"If you need any help, I'll just be down the corridor a-ways," he drawled.

Face hesitated for a second, his hand hovering over the door handle.

"Is he ….. dangerous?" he asked, a hint of nervousness edging its way into his voice.

"Naw!" grinned back the orderly. "Just a bit crazy sometimes but he's harmless enough!"

Face took a deep breath as he knocked gently on the door.