Jim watched Dr. Clarence J. Sorsby as he held court at the dinner table. The man was well into his 50's, impeccably dressed, not a hair out of place. His hands were soft and manicured, not at all hands that have ever performed any manual labor. Casually, Jim looked around the room, noting where security men were milling. Whatever he might think of doing, there was going to be opposition, that much was certain.
Jim was seated between Sorsby and his daughter at the table, but he was having a difficult time making small talk much less following a conversation. Sorsby was speaking to him, but he had no idea what the man was saying. Jim plastered a polite smile on his face, and hoped he would figure out a safe response.
I for one, am incensed by the lack of patriotism I find all around our great land. Why just twenty years ago, virtue, honesty and morality were the cornerstones of our young country. We're on the road to ruin, I tell you, and our government does nothing about it. Don't you agree Mr. West?
Jim looked at the man, his brows furrowed, I'm not sure that I do, Mr. Sorsby.
The man's daughter playfully tapped Jim's arm, Why Mr. West, whatever do you mean? Surely you believe in patriotism?
Jim smiled at her, More than you know, Miss Sorsby. I just don't believe that our country is in as much danger from lack of virtue, as it is from the actions of madmen.
Sorbsy's voice answered with an edge, Really, Mr. West? Can you cite an example of such a madman?
West smiled easily, We've all read about them in history: little men with huge desires to rule the world.
Well now, that certainly is food for thought.
They stared at each other for a long moment; enemies sizing up an opponent for battle. Then the moment was gone, and Sorsby moved on to other topics with other guests.
Jim smiled at the lovely young Angel. She was still his best route to accessing information on Sorsby. All reports from Secret Service intelligence indicated that the man was brilliant, but twisted. He held degrees in chemistry, biology, mathematics and philosophy. That thought caused a shiver to run through him. Or perhaps it was his concern over Arte. In either case, it wasn't missed by Angel.
Mr. West, are you all right?
He smiled at her, Of course.
Sorsby jumped back in, Perhaps it's our climate - where do you hail from, Mr. West? I don't believe you ever said.
Jim looked at his host, No, I don't believe that I did.
I guess we could call you a wanderer then, eh?
Jim's eyes locked with Sorsby's - was the choice of word a coincidence? West surmised not.
Sorsby's lips curled up in an insincere smile, And what does a wanderer do for living?
I'm sort of an odd-job kind of man.
Sounds more odd than job.
This barb pulled a laugh from those at the table, and Jim decided to let it go. He didn't feel very sharp. At the very least, he was off his game. Arte floated back into his mind; Jim fought the feeling of his stomach turning once again, and swallowed hard.
Angel touched his sleeve, concerned, Mr. West, you look pale. Are you sure you're all right?
Sorsby answered for him, Right you are darling, he does look unwell, see to him, won't you?
Jim was slightly taken aback at the abrupt dismissal, but knew it might be a good opening, If you will forgive me then, Mr. Sorsby....
Jim and Angel stood up, and she smiled, Come with me, Mr. West.
Jim followed her out of the room, his stomach continuing to churn with worry. He felt a little lightheaded, but knew he would find a way to concentrate - he always did.
************
There was nothing but cold and pain. Arte's mind grew weary with distress. He couldn't stop shivering and his head hurt. How long he had been in the icy chamber, he did not know. The ache in his chest was growing steadily worse, and drawing breath was becoming a chore. Arte guessed that one of his lungs had collapsed, and he was probably bleeding internally.
In that moment, some part of him knew he was going to die. Dying didn't scare him in and of itself; it was dying alone that gnawed at his psyche. It would be so much easier to take if Jim was by his side. An enormous wave of pain rolled through him, causing his muscles to contract. Arte tried to stifle his own cries, but he didn't have the strength. The agony ripped through him with no mercy; he could only submit. Sob after sob fought its way up from deep within him choking his throat, his broken body writhing in agony.
Jim......oh God Jim, where are you?
*********
Angel welcomed his mouth to hers, warmly pressing into the length of him. Jim broke away, as a biting feeling of desperation rushed through him.
What's wrong?
Jim forced himself to smile at the girl, He stepped away from her, looking out the window at the snow covered countryside.
She closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around his back, There is something, Mr. West.....
I'm just worried about a sick friend.
Angel placed light kisses on the back of his neck, Someone close?
He pulled away from her,
Is there anything I can do?
He forced himself to concentrate on the task at hand, although his mind felt slow and dull. He closed the gap between them, and put his arms around Angel, pulling her into him. Jim bent down, placed his mouth over hers, and kissed her deeply. After a few minutes, he gently pulled away.
His eyes fluttered and he swayed on his feet,
Angel watched passively as James West collapsed unceremoniously at her feet.
*********
Sorsby saw the last of his guests to the door, bidding them good night.
As he closed the front door, he turned to the small aide known as Partnow.
The drug in his food took longer than we anticipated, but it got him. Angel has him in the lab.
A smile pulled Sorsby's lips into a curl,
Partnow grinned, Having an insider on your team is very handy.
Yes, the Senator has been very helpful. It will be a shame to kill him.
He's a trusted member of Grant's cabinet, why should we give that up?
He's getting nervous and sloppy; he's becoming a liability. We can't take a chance on keeping him alive. I've already dispatched a team to dispose of him. Cleaning up loose ends, that's the key to longevity in any game. Sorsby walked over to the wall and turned a sconce, causing a wooden panel to slide open, Come on, let's see how our Mr. West is doing. We're going to need his.....cooperation for the next phase.
There's always the collateral.
Yes, if our information regarding James West is correct, we're going to need it.
They walked through the open panel, and the door slammed in place behind them.
**********
Angel brushed his forehead with a compress, admiring the chiseled features of his face. His eyes fluttered open and she smiled at him.
That's better, isn't it?
Jim tried to move and realized he was strapped down to a lab table, What the....
Angel ran her hands over his chest, Don't struggle. You'll only hurt yourself.
Sorsby's voice broke in, Not to worry my dear, I'm sure Mr. West knows better than to pull too hard on those tethers.
Jim looked at the man, Yes, the more I pull, the tighter they become.
It's such a pleasure doing business with a man who catches on quickly. You will forgive me these crude tactics, Mr. West, but it seemed the prudent thing to do with someone of your reputation. Sorsby turned to Angel, And it's time for you to go to bed now, my dear.
--No arguments. I believe that Mr. West and I have some things to discuss.
Angel recognized the tone in his voice, Must you take all the good ones?
Say goodnight, Angel.
She turned to Jim, Good night, Mr. West. I do wish we'd had more time.
Angel bent down and stole a feather light kiss from his lips, before she floated from the room.
Jim looked expectantly at Sorsby, You have gone to a lot of trouble to get my undivided attention....
Yes, you're quite right, to keep you waiting any longer would be exceedingly rude.
Well, I have nothing else to do at the moment....
Sorsby walked over to the large table next to the one Jim was on. It was filled with beakers, burners and the like, This, Mr. West, contains several different chemical elements, which in and of themselves are perfectly harmless. However, when you mix the right ingredients together, you can make some rather deadly combinations.
Sorsby stood still in his smugness for a moment, and Jim sighed, Thanks for the chemistry lesson. Is there a point?
The man smiled in answer; it was a smile that sent a chill up Jim's spine. He moved to one beaker in particular, which contained a bluish liquid. Handling it carefully, the man picked it up and showed it to West.
Inside this glass vial is ethylene, and when treated with sulfur chloride, he reached for a vial with amber liquid, it creates a compound gas that if prepared strongly enough, can kill within minutes of being inhaled.
Sorsby set the vials back down in their holders and waited patiently for West to comment.
Jim stared into the man's eyes, And like so many madmen who have come before you, your intention is to rule the world with it. Isn't that right, Mr. Sorsby?
Hardly, Mr. West. I have no intention of ruling the world. Just the United States. Specifically through getting rid of President Grant and his entire cabinet, thereby opening the door to new leadership. And you're going to help me.
Not on your life.
How about yours?
There is no way I will help you bring down my government, so you might as well kill me now and get it over with.
Yes, I thought you might valiantly give up your own life in the service of President Grant.
Then why are we still discussing it?
Are you as cavalier about throwing away Mr. Gordon's life?
Jim's eyes darted to Sorsby's, understanding lighting them up like a Christmas tree: not only did this madman have Arte, someone very high up in the United States government had betrayed them. A sinking feeling landed in his gut like a rock hitting the bottom of a well.
West's voice carried the weight of an unspoken threat, What have you done with Artemus Gordon?
Nothing. Yet. You do what I ask, and in return, you receive Mr. Gordon.
The muscle in Jim's jaw stretched tightly, No deal, Sorsby. For all I know, you already killed him. I see him now or we're finished.
Sorsby thought about it for a moment, I don't really need you, Mr. West. I have someone on the inside. He turned to Partnow, Kill him, and then kill Artemus Gordon.
West called his bluff with an educated guess, If you thought Senator Daily was capable of killing the President, I would already be dead.
You are as perceptive as I have heard. Unfortunately, Daily became a liability, and had to be dealt with. I availed myself of your partner as an insurance policy. The Senator was good enough to clue me in to the fact that Artemus Gordon is like a brother to you.
Jim's timbre took on a steely quality, I see him now, or you get nothing from me.
Sorsby smiled congenially, as though sealing a business deal, Very well then, Mr. West. I will arrange it for you, although I must warn you, he might not be in the best of shape. In the meantime, I'm afraid we must detain you. I'm sure you understand. I apologize in advance for the crude accommodations, but I'm afraid I can't trust you.
West watched Sorsby walk out of the room, Partnow right behind him. He closed his eyes and silently prayed that Arte was all right. But deep in the abyss of his soul, he knew his partner was not.
To be continued.....
