Chapter 13: The Persistence of Hannah Carnivalli

Interrogation Room

Kyle Norvell had been left alone for about twenty minutes. He hadn't said a word knowing that FBI agents were listening. He wasn't about to set them off or worse, tip them off to Piper's location. He was keeping quiet.

The eerie silence was piercing and Kyle was quickly finding it hard to wait for anyone to come in contact with him. That would soon change. Kyle was walking back and forth until the door to the hallway finally opened up. Dana Tomlinson came in.

"Where's Eddie Harold?" Kyle insisted. "He seems to be the only one remotely close to finding out any connection between me and my mother."

"He's out," Dana replied calmly. Kyle mentally noted Dana's body language as she continued talking. "Due to your scores on the IQ test, we need to take additional test, so you're being transferred to District command in New York."

"Can you even do that?"

"We can do anything we want," Dana replied coyly. Dana took Kyle by the arm and began to lead him down the hallway. Kyle also mentally noted the lack of handcuffs on his wrist, but decided not to mention it. The duo exited the hallway and took a short walk across an office-like room and into a stairwell. Dana suddenly stopped walking.

"I expected District to seem a little bit more professional," Kyle joked. Dana didn't respond. She only stayed attentive across the hall. On the wall were three doors. One was on the same level as them, one on a higher level and one below them. She was paying attention to all of them.

"How about a little conversation to pass the time?" Kyle asked. Dana still refused to talk. Kyle noted that she didn't even acknowledge his existence. "Okay Kyle," he thought to himself. "This girl is clearly waiting for something to happen at one of these doors. It's barely noticeable, which is why she's putting all of her attention on it. If I plan to catch a glimpse of it, I have to ignore her."

Kyle pretended as if he was alone and paid close attention to the doors. At first, nothing happened, but after another handful of minutes, a short flicker of lights came from the door in the top level. Dana took a second to thank, as if processing what she had just seen. Finally, she retightened his grip on Kyle's arm and they began their decent through the stairwell.

Dana pushed through the first floor and came out a lobby. Dana nodded at the receptionist before exiting the front doors. She took a sharp turn to the far corner of the parking lot. Just as she approached the driver's side door, Piper Norvell came out of hiding and placed her gun on her head.

"Didn't expect to see you so soon, Mrs. Norvell," Dana said. "This parking will be swarming with agents within the minute so I'd advise you to leave before something gets ugly."

"I can make my own decisions Dana Tomlinson," Piper replied. "Lucky for you I can't afford a manhunt and no one's paid me to kill you, so I'll be taking my son without any casualties. Kyle, I want you to get into the blue Nissan right now."

Kyle did as he was told. Piper pushed Dana in front of her and placed the gun on the back of her head. "After you Dana Tomlinson." Piper pushed Dana over to the car. Piper slid into the driver's seat and told Kyle, "Take the keys out of the glove compartment and turn the car on." Kyle did as he was told.

Piper put the car in drive before giving Dana a smile and hitting her over her head with the gun. Dana fell instantly and didn't stand up until Piper was already out on the street. The receptionist ran outside and help Dana up. "Where's Kyle Norvell?"

"He's with his mother," Dana replied.

"Good," the receptionist replied. "I'll call Eddie and tell him the plan went off without a hitch."

Trailer

Morgan and Andrew arrived back at Dalton's trailer only about fifteen minutes after Morgan had left it. Morgan didn't really want to search for Scott. She had barely ever had a conversation with the man and was an ardent supporter of leaving Scott behind after he and Hannah broke up, knowing that it would cause problems. Dalton trusted them to behave like adults and now their plan was in shambles.

Morgan opened the door to the third compartment. She seemed to be relieved that Lance wasn't there. She waltzed over to the computer and logged onto the Internet. "So," Morgan said nonchalantly, "Why'd you join the DLA?"

Andrew was visibly shocked by her question. "What else for? The dinosaurs."

"Liar," she instantly accused. "No one joins the DLA because they care about the dinosaurs. At least no one I know." Morgan spun the chair around before continuing. "You want to know why I'm here?"

Andrew nodded. "I have three brothers," Morgan explained. "All of the older than me. They're all athletic, handsome, smart, and most of all, competitive. Mom and dad were basking in their children's glory. Imagine their surprise to see their fourth child was a girl. Not just a girl. A girl who preferred to read. My parents tried everything to get me into sports like my brothers, but nothing worked. I just kept myself in books. Eventually they stopped trying and virtually ignored me."

"Great story," Andrew jested as he took a seat across from Morgan, "but none of that explains why you're here.

"I'm getting to that," Morgan replied. "Since my brothers were always at some sporting event, I decided to hang out at the library. That's were I met Lance Savarin. He was also an avid reader, but he read for a challenge and not for enjoyment. I told him my story and he introduced me to Dalton. Lance never told me how he met Dalton though. Dalton explained how I could prove myself to my family. I was only nineteen at the time, so I was easily dragged in."

"So that's how you would up here?"

"That's how I wound up here," Morgan replied. Morgan spun her chair back around to the computer. "So, do you have an interesting story, or are you just going to stick with the dinosaur excuse."

"Dinosaurs," Andrew replied, "and it's not an excuse."

"You're still lying through your teeth," Morgan accused, "but I've never been one to pry. Just relax until Dalton gets back and we'll try to contact Adam Baylin."

Even more sweat dripped down Andrew's neck as each second passed. Dalton was the leader. He was bound to know everyone in his organization and it was doubtful that there was anyone in the DLA named Adam Baylin. Andrew needed to think of a new plan. Fast.

Hospital

Benji took a deep breathe upon walking through the automated doors of the St. Virgil's Hospital. Benji placed the hood over his head as he approached the receptionist. Benji kept his face hidden as much as he could. "I'm looking for a Max Gibson. I heard he was sent here."

"I'm sorry," the receptionist replied, trying to get a good look at Benji's face. "I can't give out patient information to strangers. You have to be a relative and I'll need some ID to prove it."

"Relative?" Benji asked. The receptionist nodded. "No matter how far he or she may be related to them?"

"Yes," the receptionist replied, "as long as it can be proven."

"Good," Benji said triumphantly as he removed the hood off his head. The other people in the waiting room immediately began to murmur. "In case you didn't know, I'm Benji Madison, current acting governor of Maryland. Also, in case you didn't know, my ex-wife, Governor Stephanie Maximoff, adopted Max after his father's death. Now, what room is he in?"

"520."

Benji left without giving the receptionist a second glance as ran up the stairs to the fifth floor. Benji passed all the other employees indifferently as he arrived at Max's room. Benji pushed the door open to see Max sitting up on the bed without a shirt and his entire stomach wrapped in bandage.

"In all honestly, I wasn't expecting a visitor. It's not like anyone has any time for me right now. With Erik, Stephanie, and Dimitri on Isla Sorna, you missing in action, and Mackenzie trying to keep everything under control at the governor's mansion, no one would have given the assistant a second thought."

"That's not true," Benji assured him. "Unlike when you lived with your father, you now have people who care about you, and because of that, I'm going to stay right here until you recover."

"I'm fine," Max assured Benji, "and in case you've forgotten, you have a state to run. Mackenzie Rosenquist may be smart, but she's dying over there."

"Fine," Benji said, "but there's someplace I've got to stop by first."

Avila Mansion

The house seemed different as Eddie pulled up to it the second time. He finished his conversation with Dana before looking up. Now, the mansion seemed wrapped in an aroma of fear and madness. Eddie shuddered as he stepped out of his car and knocked at the door.

Just as last time, Rita answered the door. "Agent Harold," Rita said, slight surprised. Eddie was slightly shocked the Rita was surprised to see him again. Also, the fact that Rita was dressed to leave intrigued him.

"Going somewhere?"

"Mr. Avila's condition has gotten worse in the last couple of hours. I called Ramon's doctor. He said that if Mr. Avila was unwilling to come to the hospital that I should at least come and pick up his medication. I should be back in about in hour."

Rita didn't wait for a response as she began to walk towards the Mercedes at the end of the lot. "Rita!" Eddie yelled before she left. "What's the doctor's name?"

Rita thought for a couple of seconds before replying, "Dr. Jose Colon." Rita pulled out as Eddie entered the mansion. Eddie remembered that many of the lights were on in his previous visit. Now, the only light came from the television in the living room.

"Mr. Avila," Eddie said as he approached him. Ramon slowly turned his chair around and clicked the television off. "I must thank you. You information led to the arrest of your grandson Kyle, who's been in contact with your daughter Piper—I mean Maria. But with Kyle's arrest raises another question. How could Kyle Norvell show off genius level intelligence that mirrors that of him mother's?"

"Coincidence," Ramon immediately replied.

"I tried to make myself believe that, Mr. Avila. I really did. But then I realized that Kyle and his mother have something else in common. Their anger. The willingness to hurt people exhibited by your grandson mirrored that of your daughters again Benji Madison and Stephanie Maximoff one year ago."

"Agent Harold you are too smart for your own good," Ramon warned. "My daughter will feel threatened and it's in her blood to make sure you feel the same."

"In her blood?"

"I suppose I have some explaining to do," Ramon said, "but I want it written and signed by your superior that I will not be prosecuted for what I am about to tell you."

Eddie let out a sigh before called FBI headquarters. "Call Chappell," he ordered. "Get him to sign off immunity for Ramon Avila. Make sure to tell him it's from Eddie Harold." Eddie hung up and said; "now it time to play the waiting game."

Assembly Factory

Scott and Stephanie pushed the doors open and began to look around. "Oh yeah," Scott said gleefully. "This looks like a great place to hang out." Scott crossed the room and passed the assembly line to reach the stairwell. "Let's go, Madam Governor. Hitting a little higher ground wouldn't hurt."

Stephanie shrugged in moderate acceptance before joining Scott into the stairwell. The duo climbed up two stories before hearing a noise through the doors. "Oh right," Scott whispered. "I forgot about the dinosaurs. How's about we turn back."

"You mean cut and run?" Stephanie asked. "I'm not a Democrat. I would hate to turn around and run in to Dalton or one of his subordinates and later find out that we passed up a prime hiding spot because of a compy."

Scott shrugged and began to slowly open the door. The door was halfway open, but the sound hadn't returned. Scott slowly slipped inside. He released his held breath. It was just a little compy standing on a table. "It's okay," Scott told Stephanie. "It's just a compy." Scott turned back to the compy to see it hopping uncontrollably. Scott stared at it until it suddenly dashed out of the room. "There's something else!" Scott yelled as he shut the door. A dinosaur suddenly rammed the door and Scott was having trouble containing it in the room.

Stephanie motioned to help Scott, but stopped upon hearing the metal door creak open. Stephanie peered into the main room. Hannah Carnivalli had just entered. "We may have a bigger problem. Your ex-girlfriend is here."

"Hannah?" Scott was distressed. He was trying to formulate a plan, but the harder he tried, the more it began to accumulate into physical pain. Scott winced as the dinosaur continued to ram to door. Stephanie wanted to help, but she had to keep an eye on Hannah.

"Okay," Scott finally said. "I know this may sound cruel, but if Hannah finds us, we're going to have to unleash whatever's in here in order to make a clean getaway."

Stephanie mused over the idea for a few seconds before accepting Scott's plan. Stephanie continued to watch Hannah, hoping she would give up the search. She wasn't. Hannah came closer and closer to the stairwell and eventually stopped as if she heard a noise. Hannah began to follow the noise before staring at the stairwell door. Stephanie gave a low gasp as Hannah began to walk over.

Stephanie climbed the stairs and said, "She's coming." Scott nodded and the two waited for Hannah. Seconds felt like minutes before Hannah finally pushed the door open. Hannah turned around and immediately turned her gun on Scott and Stephanie. "Don't move!"

Scoot and Hannah shared a long stare before Scott jumped out of the way. The door blew open, revealing a dilophosaur. "Venomous carnivore a little taller than raptors," Scott said in glee. "Perfect." The dilophosaur turned toward Hannah and immediately charged at her. Scott and Stephanie took their opportunity to escape to the third floor.

Hannah quickly studied the dinosaur's movements before ducking down. The dilophosaur just barely missed biting off Hannah's head. Hannah bent lower and kicked the dilophosaur straight in the stomach. The dinosaur stumbled back and Hannah unloaded three bullets into it. Hannah fired to more shot to make sure before returning to the main floor.

Hannah noticed another stairwell at the opposite side of the room and was able to hear two sets of footsteps coming down it. Hannah ran towards it as Scott and Stephanie came running out. The duo noticed Hannah and split for the two separate doors. "Freeze! I will shoot!"

"Do as she says!" Scott yelled as he stopped running only a few feet away from the door. "She's a good shot." Stephanie obeyed also a few feet away from her door. "You can only get one of us," Scott pointed out. "If you turn to shoot one, the other will escape."

"Mr. Green has a point," Stephanie added. "Which will you choose? Your loyalties to the Dinosaurs Liberation Association or your need for revenge against Scott Green?"

Hannah didn't seem to have a hard time in her decision. "Stephanie Maximoff," she began she pointed the gun towards her. "You're coming with me." Hannah approached Stephanie and Scott took his chance to escape. Hannah didn't try to stop him. Hannah grabbed Stephanie and said, "Dalton will be very disappointed with your attempt at escape. I hope you don't think you'll be able to do that again."