Tunnel of Love?

Sergeant Brice had gotten them to the tunnel in record time, but when they were within sight of the south end collapse, they were stopped by the Highway Patrol. A highway sergeant walked up to the car, leaning forward to look in, and address Tragg.

"I'm sorry but you can't go any further, Sir."

Before Tragg could answer, Paul started to get out of the car. Another patrolman placed his hand on the door, stopping him. "Sorry, sir, but this area is off limits."

Paul looked at the cop and attempted to push the door open. "I may have friends in there, so let me out."

When the patrolman put his hand on his holster, Tragg reached over to grab Paul's arm. "Easy, Drake. Getting arrested is not going to help them."

Tragg showed the sergeant his identification. "I'm sure you recognize my name. We think the lawyer, Perry Mason and his secretary may be trapped in there. Can..."

At that moment the sergeant's radio beeped. "Sergeant Graham, go ahead."

The voice was staticky but they all understood the words. "Sergeant, we heard a gunshot just before the north end started crumbling. Not sure if there was trouble or a signal for help."

Tragg and Paul looked at each other. Tragg turned back to the sergeant. "Is there a way we get to the north end?"

When the sergeant hesitated, Paul looked at him. "Please, my friends..."

"Okay. Turn around, backtrack about two miles and you should be able to get to a turn-off for the new I-10. We've got it blocked off, so tell the officers there Sergeant Graham gave the okay and have them give you an escort."

Paul gave the man a small smile. "Thanks Sergeant."

"I hope if your friends are in there, they'll be okay."

Sergeant Brice backed the car up, turned around and headed back to find the turn-off. Paul lit a cigarette, glancing over at the older man.

"Gunshot?"

"Don't read anything into it. Could be any number of things or nothing. Maybe somebody just thought they heard it or maybe a piece of debris falling."

Paul turned his attention back to the road. "Yeah."

Tragg kept his eyes straight ahead. "Drake, you know if Mason's in there, he's doing everything he can to get them out. If I had to put money on a match between Mason and a tunnel collapse...". He took a quick glance at Paul. "Well my money's on Mason every time."

Paul reached over to lay a hand on the older man's arm. "Thank you, Arthur."

PDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPDPD

Sergeant Brice found the turn-off onto the I-10 and that the road was indeed blocked by several Highway Patrol cars. After getting the clearance, they were directed to follow one the patrol cars as an escort to get them through to the north end.

When they finally arrived, they parked and walked to the end of the tunnel, winding their way through fire and ambulance vehicles, construction equipment and what seemed like every police vehicle in the county.

Tragg spotted a senior police official and tapped him on the shoulder. When the man turned both men reacted in surprise.

"Tom!" "Arthur!" The two shook hands.

Tragg introduced the man to Paul. "Paul Drake, Captain Tom Sheridan, Los Angeles County Disaster Commander."

The man shook Paul's hand, then turned back to Tragg. "Arthur, what are you doing here?"

Tragg shoved his hat back on his head. "Tom, it's very possible Perry Mason and his secretary may be in there."

The captain shook his head. "I'm truly sorry Arthur. We think there might be survivors but we don't know how many and what shape they might be in. We also think we've got a cop in there, hopefully alive. Central lost contact with his car when the collapse happened."

Tragg nodded. "Highway Patrol at the south end got a report of a gunshot?"

"Yeah. We're pretty sure we heard a single shot but then the slide started and any other shots or sounds were drowned out."

Paul finally spoke up. "So what's going to happen now? What can we do to see if we can get in there?"

Tom looked at the man, seeing his undisguised concern. "We are going to position a ladder truck as close as we dare. We think there might be a small opening at the top, left side. If there is, we'll drop a radio through and hope someone answers."

"And if there are survivors, what then?"

Captain Sheridan looked at the man with pity, but decided the truth was best. "Then we try to figure out how to start digging to get through to them. But that pile of debris is shifting all the time. Anything wrong move could cause the whole thing to collapse further."

Paul looked at the two men, wanting Tragg to dispute what the captain had said but Tragg's look was a bleak as his. Paul turned and walked away to lean against one of the cars, putting his head in his hands.

When Tom looked at Paul and then back to Tragg. "Who is he?"

"That's Mason's private investigator. But more than that, Mason is his best friend."

"Understood." When the captain started to turn away, Tragg stopped him.

"Tom, they're my friends too. And I have a special place in my heart for the lady."

Tom placed his hand on Tragg's shoulder. "If they're in there". He hesitated for an instant, " and alive, we'll get them out."