Chapter 7

The morning sunshine entered the huge windows of the conference room in the Foundation, while the cherry table glowed in the light. The files lay on the table organized and in neat piles while Jamie studied all the evidence against Michael. She closed the folder file, rubbing her scalp to ease her pounding head, and sighed, folding her arms across her chest, staring at the cordless phone, using her will to summon it to ring. She had sent her aid, Chloe with Derrick to escort Amy to the Foundation, now waited to hear from Chloe. General Patel yearned for Michael to be in a military prison cell.

Devon lightly tapped on the door before entering. "I have those files you wanted, my dear." The man looked refreshed from getting a few hours of sleep and cleaned with a crisp and pressed suit, with his appearance of a refine worldly elegance of a man.

"Thank you," she said, taking the files from him.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"This boils down to Michael's girlfriend, Amy. The only way the Washington figure heads are going to be happy with a strong alibi."

"I was afraid of that."

"Amy seems from her profile that she is a law-of-abiding citizen."

"Have you heard anything from Chloe?"

She sat there still trying to lock away her fear and worry. But something was wrong; she gave Chloe certain instructions to stay in contact. Last time she heard from Chloe when her aid arrived in the backwater town.

The phone rang, Jamie picked it up, and said, "Alexis White speaking," she paused, "what happened?" She placed the phone between her head and shoulder to grab a pen and some paper, taking notes. "You are sure, nothing. Is there anyone in the town that can validate for Michael," she paused again, "You do that, and keep me inform, and Chloe, you guys, be careful out there." She hung up the phone staring at Devon, bit her bottom lip. "Devon, things went from nasty to malicious."

Michael was told that Devon wanted to see him, so he went to the east side of the patio near the gardens. The sweet aroma surrounded him from the colorful flowers in bloom. Devon loved this time year, and took every opportunity to have meetings on the patio to be near the flowerbeds. The morning cool breeze swayed the flowers that bobbed up and down and looked like they were dancing. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck, he wasn't sure if it was from the day's heat or the stress of the situation getting to him. Jamie sat in the chair by the table sipping on some ice tea and forcing herself to take a bit of the slice of toast, but the afternoon like made her glow like an angel sent from heaven. Devon stood by the stonewall gazing out the flowerbeds deeply lost in his own thoughts, it was like Devon was searching for the answers in the flowers. Michael halted, something had changed in the situation for he could feel the vibes coming from Devon and Jamie, and his life had depended on many times reading people's vibes.

"You wanted to see me, Devon," Michael said.

Devon turned around, "Have a seat, there are things we need to discuss."

They sat down, and Devon poured some water in the crystal glasses.

"What happened?" Michael asked.

"You don't mess around do you," Jamie stated.

"Michael, your girlfriend has disappeared, and without her verification for your alibi. The Foundation's hands are tied in the bureaucracy of red tape," Devon explained.

"We have KITT. His records will prove I was with Amy... and... not stealing a weapon..."

"There was a thunderstorm and took out a couple of KITT's minor systems... Your timeline is gone. I have Bonnie working on it, trying to piece everything back," Devon explained.

Michael slammed his fist, making the glasses rattle. "I don't understand! No one believes me outside of the Foundation!"

"Michael, you are like me, a rogue in search for truth, and you don't care who toes you step on in the process. That puts a target on your back because Washington figures fear that," Jamie said, adding, "Washington wants the Foundation under their jurisdiction, and now, the opportunity for taking control has arrived."

"Michael, this is a daunting moment, my hands are tied. The Board of Directors are feeling the pressure to turn you over to the military."

"If I don't go willingly?" Michael asked.

Devon sat there like a statue and said, "FLAG will be shutdown, and KITT will be seized by the military."

He leaned back in the chair, tapping a couple of his fingers on the glass table, and eyed Devon. "What is stopping them from making me disappear from their system?"

Jamie set her glass down on the table. "Me."

"You..."

Her green eyes held a confident and determination of a cat that enjoyed the hunt of its prey, and this made Michael uneasy.

"Don't let my looks fool you. I have a plan in place. My men will take you to the location, and you will be hold there while I do some more investigating. Devon will be able to visit. Be forewarned General Patel and his men can come interrogate you at anytime they wish."

Leaving the table, Michael walked to the edge of the patio overlooking variety of plants and flowers in the gardens. A way of nausea flooded into his stomach, causing it to twist and turn. There was no way out of the situation for someone wanted him in a cell. Devon approached, and stood next to Michael, giving a slight nod to Jamie. On cue, she left the patio, so the men could have some privacy .

"This is an arduous situation to be in, and there are no easy answers. But I feel, Wilton would want us to do the right thing before pulling any heroic stunts."

Michael put his hands in his jean pockets, turning to face his boss. "I'm terrified, and I keep wondering why. I have face dangerous criminals, but I never felt like this... I am terrified to my core. Only two times, in my adult life I was ever frightened."

"When was that?"

"I was captured in Vietnam, and when I was shot in the face and left for dead in the desert."

Devon placed his hand on Michael's shoulder. "You have friends who will help you. But we must get you in a secure place so that we can investigate this matter fully."

He turned away from Devon."You mean letting her to investigate," Michael said bitterly.

"Jamie believes in Wilton's vision and doesn't want it to be destroyed."

Michael turned, and faced Devon. "Do you trust her?"

"I trust her with my life, just like I do with you."

"Devon, let's make the final arrangements then."