Chapter 5
To Alora it seemed like an eternity before the flashing lights of the ambulance could be seen out the window. She glanced over at the clock and realized it had only been five minutes since she had made the call to 911. She was waiting by the bed with Frankie until the paramedics arrived at their apartment door. Alora moved to answer the knock, and when she opened the door, a flood of people came into the room.
After that, everything seemed to rush by so quickly. In a mere five minutes, they had John Kilmer loaded into their ambulance and on his way to the hospital. The paramedics wouldn't allow Frankie and Alora to ride in the ambulance, but they were allowed to follow in their own car. So both women grabbed their coats and swung into John's car. Alora happened to reach the driver seat first, so she turned on the engine and pulled the car out onto the street. She followed as closely behind the ambulance as she could, but when the speed limit was reduced she was forced to slow down and they soon lost sight of the ambulance in the flood of cars.
"Where'd they go?" Alora's dark brown eyes scanned the street, searching for the flashing lights of the big white vehicle.
"Just keep going straight down this road." Frankie tapped her fingers on the armrest. "The hospital's not too far from here."
Alora followed Frankie's directions and they soon reached the hospital to which John had been taken. She pulled her cell phone out of the pocket of her leather coat as she felt it vibrate. She flipped it open and a text message was displayed on the screen, "We got him!" Thoughts whirled through Alora's head. Got who? Were they talking about John? They'd better not be!
The women weren't allowed to follow John's cart down the long hallway, so a nurse diverted them and lead them to a rather large waiting room. There was a little girl sitting in front of the TV watching Bugs Bunny, so they couldn't change the channel to something more interesting.
Alora pulled a quarter out of her pocket and flipped it to Frankie. "You want to go call the Colonel?"
Frankie nodded hesitantly, knowing that she would have to report what happened to him anyway…at least what she knew had happened, which wasn't much.
Alora stood up from the burgundy chair and glanced around the crowded waiting room before turning to Frankie. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Where are you going?" Frankie stood up as well, somewhat offended that Alora was just going to leave her here alone.
"I said I'll be right back. There's no sense in sitting around here for hours before the doctors feel kind enough to tell you anything." Alora motioned toward the quarter that Frankie still clutched in her hand. "Don't forget to call."
Frankie nodded with a blank expression as she sat back down in her chair. It was now nearly 3:00 a.m. What a night. Frankie thought to herself as she watched Alora exit the waiting room. She rested her head on her hand as she closed her eyes in attempt to catch up on some of her lost sleep, but every time the blackness of sleep came…so did the sound of the shattering glass…and those cold blue eyes. Would they haunt her now?
-
Alora's hands were shoved deep into the pockets of her black coat as she stepped out of John's car and into the empty parking lot. With a quick flick of her head, she sent her brown hair over her shoulder and out of her face. There it was…the abandoned factory. She couldn't believe no one had checked it out in all of the time that the group had been hiding there. She let out a slow breath and watched its steamy form as it blew away from her. It was that time of year again…the cold air making you never want to venture into the outdoors unless you were loaded down with coats and blankets.
A slender hand was put forth as she turned the rusty door handle and opened the creaky door. She walked into the silent warehouse, pausing a moment to let her brown eyes adjust to the darkness of the building. She moved quickly down a dark hallway, the heels of her black boots clicking on the cement floor as she did. Alora could hear the voices of those she knew as she approached a restored office room. The door was quickly pushed open as she stormed inside.
A man with dark brown hair was the first to greet her. "Alora, what are you doing here at this time of night?"
"I could ask you the same question, Jamison." Alora's words were cold as she scanned the faces of every person in the room.
Jamison's eyebrows flew up in surprise as he listened to her speak. "My aren't we grumpy tonight. You know that some of us work here at night…it's easier."
Alora ignored his statements and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She brought up the recently received message and handed the phone to Jamison. "Who sent me this?" She tapped her foot once on the ground, making her impatience known to the rest of the group that had congregated in the room.
"Um-I did, Alora." Jamison handed the phone back to her, somewhat confused by her attitude. He had followed her orders…he had thought she would be happy with him for sending one of their 'employees' to take care of it…apparently he was mistaken. "I did what you told me to do…I sent you that message to let you know I did."
"What I told you to do?" Alora glanced at the ground thinking through all of the orders she had recently given the group. She motioned to her cell phone, "Is the 'I got him' referring to Matt Miles?" She knew she had ordered Jamison to kill Matt Miles, but that was the only 'him' she could remember ordering Jamison to 'get'.
Jamison slowly shook his head. "No, Ma'am."
Alora turned her back to Jamison and folded her arms, trying to remember any other orders that she might have forgotten about.
"It was referring to John Kilmer." Jamison raised a questioning brown, surprised that Alora had forgotten such a recent order so quickly. Apparently he wasn't going to get the praise he'd been hoping for. Alora was the only one that held a position above Jamison, so if he got any praise for completing a mission, it was going to come from her.
Alora whirled on Jamison. "What?!" She glared at the male. "I gave no such order!" Thoughts rolled through her head. She knew she had never told anyone to kill John Kilmer…or any of the other Threat Matrix team members.
"Yes you did!" Jamison's eyes narrowed as he watched Alora closely.
Alora automatically reached up and slapped him across the face. She didn't even realize what she was doing until she had done it, but she had to back up her actions somehow so she spoke. "I know what orders I have given, Jamison. And killing John Kilmer was not one of them."
Jamison shrugged. "Why?" He asked challengingly. "Are you getting soft, Alora? Maybe it's time this group had a new leader…one that won't hesitate in doing what needs to be done." The rest of the group shifted uncomfortably in the background, trying to occupy themselves with something so it appeared they weren't paying attention to the argument that was taking place.
Alora glared at him. His cold, blue eyes were no match for the rage that burned behind her brown ones. "So you think I'm getting soft?" She spoke harshly as she pulled her gun from the inside pocket of her leather coat. She cocked it quickly and pointed it straight at Jamison's chest. He took one step back hesitantly, knowing that Alora wasn't afraid to use the cold metal that was gripped tightly in her right hand. Alora quickly pointed the gun straight up and fired a shot, causing everyone in the room to jump to attention. Then she laughed softly and placed the gun back into her coat pocket. "Next time you think I'm getting soft, Jamison…remember that I am not afraid to use my weapon." She patted her pocket once before folding her arms loosely. "I don't know where you got that order, but it didn't come from me. Are we clear?"
Jamison nodded his head slowly. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Good." Alora turned on her heel and walked out the office door leaving the group inside to let out a unison sigh of relief.
-
Colonel Atkins walked into the waiting room and immediately spotted Frankie asleep in one of the many chairs. She seemed to have a very disturbed look on her face and did not appear to be resting very comfortably. He walked up to her and shook her shoulder gently, taking a step back when she awoke with a greater start then he had expected. Frankie threw her arms out in front of her, apparently trying to protect herself from an unseen enemy. "Frankie?" Colonel Atkins raised a brow as he waited for her to explain her actions.
Frankie cleared her throat and stood from her chair. "Sorry. I was um-dreaming."
Colonel Atkins nodded slightly, but didn't respond to her statement. "Has there been any report of Agent Kilmer's condition?"
"No." Frankie shook her head and motioned toward a lady that was sitting at a high desk a short distance away. "I keep asking her, but she says there's nothing to report yet."
Colonel Atkins folded his arms across his chest as Holly and Jelani walked in, each of the holding pops they had apparently gotten from the snack bar downstairs. Colonel Atkins looked at his watch. 4:00 a.m. It had been two hours since John had gotten shot. Certainly there was something to report by now.
Colonel Atkins walked up to the main desk and pulled his badge from the inside pocket of his black suit jacket. He flipped it open and showed it to the lady at the desk, letting her know his position. "I need information on John Kilmer's condition."
She typed a few words into her computer before returning her attention to Atkins. "I'm sorry, but I don't have any knew information yet. He's in surgery right now."
Roger Atkins nodded. That was enough information for him right now, he just wanted to know where John Kilmer was. He'd like to know how critical his condition was, but he wouldn't push his luck with the lady at the desk just yet. Even an agent badge could only get you so far in these places.
Mo, Tim, and Lark walked into the waiting room also. They had just been walking around the empty hallways of the hospital, trying to occupy their minds with something. When they spotted Colonel Atkins they rushed up to him.
"So what's the word on John?" Lark was the first to speak as the three crowded around Atkins.
"He's in surgery right now…that's all the nurse would tell me." Atkins let out a composed sigh and seated himself in one of the chairs. It was awkward being here. One always had to expect it when you worked in the line of work that he did…but it was never a reality until someone you knew was in the hospital, possibly in very critical condition. "Sorry I'm late though…I hit just about every stoplight in this city…I won't even go into the traffic. Who in their right mind would be out on a cold night like this?"
No one laughed at the Colonel's comment, nor did he intend for his statement to be humorous, but he had to say something in attempt to lighten the darkened mood of the waiting room.
Alora returned boldly to the waiting room. By the look on everyone's faces, there hadn't been any more reports on John. She felt somewhat guilty even though she knew she wasn't the one that had issued the order to kill John. At least the attempt hadn't been as successful as Jamison thought it had, and John still had a chance.
She sat down and crossed her legs formally, dark eyes giving a quick scan over the entire room.
"Where have you been?" Frankie demanded.
"What business is it of yours?" Alora retorted. "I went out…is that a crime?"
Frankie raised a brow. "That depends on where you went?"
Alora stood from her chair and took one step toward Frankie. "I have taken just about all-"
"Enough!" Colonel Atkins spoke louder than he had intended and everyone in the waiting room turned to look at him. His eyes flashed with authority as he motioned for the women to return to their seats.
His order was not obeyed though, because Frankie only took a step toward Alora defiantly. "You had something to do with this didn't you?!"
"What?" Alora looked shocked at Frankie's accusation. "How dare you blame this on me!"
"Frankie." Jelani shook his head as Frankie glanced toward him, signaling for her to drop the subject. "Don't blame this on anyone here. We're a team."
Tim, Holly, and Lark looked on eagerly hoping that Jelani's words would strike a chord somewhere. And they did. Frankie let out a sigh and returned to her seat submissively. Colonel Atkins gave both of the female's a stern look before returning to his seat as well.
Holly cleared her throat and signed something to Jelani as she glanced down the hallway.
Tim looked at Jelani questioningly so Jelani whispered to him what Holly said. "She said, here comes a doctor."
And Holly was right. A man in light blue scrubs walked up to the group and pulled his gloves off of his hands. "John's operation was successful and he's in a recovery room right now." Before the group could let out a relieved sigh, the doctor continued. "These next twenty-four hours are critical. The bullet struck very close to his heart, but he has a pretty good chance of making it through this." The doctor nodded a farewell with a lopsided smile and walked out of the room.
It was then that the group let out sigh and leaned back in their chairs, relieved. They all knew better than to ask if they could visit John Kilmer just yet, so instead they stood and began collecting their belongings so that they could go home.
Colonel Atkins turned to Lark. "I hate to ask you this, Larken, but can Frankie and Alora stay with you for the next couple of days. I think they'll be safe there, because they can't go back to John's apartment now."
Lark nodded solemnly. "Yeah."
Frankie stepped up to Lark and the Colonel. "I'll follow you in John's car, Lark. Alora can ride with you."
Alora was about to object to this statement, but Colonel Atkins was standing very nearby so she silently exited the room with Lark.
To Alora it seemed like an eternity before the flashing lights of the ambulance could be seen out the window. She glanced over at the clock and realized it had only been five minutes since she had made the call to 911. She was waiting by the bed with Frankie until the paramedics arrived at their apartment door. Alora moved to answer the knock, and when she opened the door, a flood of people came into the room.
After that, everything seemed to rush by so quickly. In a mere five minutes, they had John Kilmer loaded into their ambulance and on his way to the hospital. The paramedics wouldn't allow Frankie and Alora to ride in the ambulance, but they were allowed to follow in their own car. So both women grabbed their coats and swung into John's car. Alora happened to reach the driver seat first, so she turned on the engine and pulled the car out onto the street. She followed as closely behind the ambulance as she could, but when the speed limit was reduced she was forced to slow down and they soon lost sight of the ambulance in the flood of cars.
"Where'd they go?" Alora's dark brown eyes scanned the street, searching for the flashing lights of the big white vehicle.
"Just keep going straight down this road." Frankie tapped her fingers on the armrest. "The hospital's not too far from here."
Alora followed Frankie's directions and they soon reached the hospital to which John had been taken. She pulled her cell phone out of the pocket of her leather coat as she felt it vibrate. She flipped it open and a text message was displayed on the screen, "We got him!" Thoughts whirled through Alora's head. Got who? Were they talking about John? They'd better not be!
The women weren't allowed to follow John's cart down the long hallway, so a nurse diverted them and lead them to a rather large waiting room. There was a little girl sitting in front of the TV watching Bugs Bunny, so they couldn't change the channel to something more interesting.
Alora pulled a quarter out of her pocket and flipped it to Frankie. "You want to go call the Colonel?"
Frankie nodded hesitantly, knowing that she would have to report what happened to him anyway…at least what she knew had happened, which wasn't much.
Alora stood up from the burgundy chair and glanced around the crowded waiting room before turning to Frankie. "I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Where are you going?" Frankie stood up as well, somewhat offended that Alora was just going to leave her here alone.
"I said I'll be right back. There's no sense in sitting around here for hours before the doctors feel kind enough to tell you anything." Alora motioned toward the quarter that Frankie still clutched in her hand. "Don't forget to call."
Frankie nodded with a blank expression as she sat back down in her chair. It was now nearly 3:00 a.m. What a night. Frankie thought to herself as she watched Alora exit the waiting room. She rested her head on her hand as she closed her eyes in attempt to catch up on some of her lost sleep, but every time the blackness of sleep came…so did the sound of the shattering glass…and those cold blue eyes. Would they haunt her now?
-
Alora's hands were shoved deep into the pockets of her black coat as she stepped out of John's car and into the empty parking lot. With a quick flick of her head, she sent her brown hair over her shoulder and out of her face. There it was…the abandoned factory. She couldn't believe no one had checked it out in all of the time that the group had been hiding there. She let out a slow breath and watched its steamy form as it blew away from her. It was that time of year again…the cold air making you never want to venture into the outdoors unless you were loaded down with coats and blankets.
A slender hand was put forth as she turned the rusty door handle and opened the creaky door. She walked into the silent warehouse, pausing a moment to let her brown eyes adjust to the darkness of the building. She moved quickly down a dark hallway, the heels of her black boots clicking on the cement floor as she did. Alora could hear the voices of those she knew as she approached a restored office room. The door was quickly pushed open as she stormed inside.
A man with dark brown hair was the first to greet her. "Alora, what are you doing here at this time of night?"
"I could ask you the same question, Jamison." Alora's words were cold as she scanned the faces of every person in the room.
Jamison's eyebrows flew up in surprise as he listened to her speak. "My aren't we grumpy tonight. You know that some of us work here at night…it's easier."
Alora ignored his statements and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. She brought up the recently received message and handed the phone to Jamison. "Who sent me this?" She tapped her foot once on the ground, making her impatience known to the rest of the group that had congregated in the room.
"Um-I did, Alora." Jamison handed the phone back to her, somewhat confused by her attitude. He had followed her orders…he had thought she would be happy with him for sending one of their 'employees' to take care of it…apparently he was mistaken. "I did what you told me to do…I sent you that message to let you know I did."
"What I told you to do?" Alora glanced at the ground thinking through all of the orders she had recently given the group. She motioned to her cell phone, "Is the 'I got him' referring to Matt Miles?" She knew she had ordered Jamison to kill Matt Miles, but that was the only 'him' she could remember ordering Jamison to 'get'.
Jamison slowly shook his head. "No, Ma'am."
Alora turned her back to Jamison and folded her arms, trying to remember any other orders that she might have forgotten about.
"It was referring to John Kilmer." Jamison raised a questioning brown, surprised that Alora had forgotten such a recent order so quickly. Apparently he wasn't going to get the praise he'd been hoping for. Alora was the only one that held a position above Jamison, so if he got any praise for completing a mission, it was going to come from her.
Alora whirled on Jamison. "What?!" She glared at the male. "I gave no such order!" Thoughts rolled through her head. She knew she had never told anyone to kill John Kilmer…or any of the other Threat Matrix team members.
"Yes you did!" Jamison's eyes narrowed as he watched Alora closely.
Alora automatically reached up and slapped him across the face. She didn't even realize what she was doing until she had done it, but she had to back up her actions somehow so she spoke. "I know what orders I have given, Jamison. And killing John Kilmer was not one of them."
Jamison shrugged. "Why?" He asked challengingly. "Are you getting soft, Alora? Maybe it's time this group had a new leader…one that won't hesitate in doing what needs to be done." The rest of the group shifted uncomfortably in the background, trying to occupy themselves with something so it appeared they weren't paying attention to the argument that was taking place.
Alora glared at him. His cold, blue eyes were no match for the rage that burned behind her brown ones. "So you think I'm getting soft?" She spoke harshly as she pulled her gun from the inside pocket of her leather coat. She cocked it quickly and pointed it straight at Jamison's chest. He took one step back hesitantly, knowing that Alora wasn't afraid to use the cold metal that was gripped tightly in her right hand. Alora quickly pointed the gun straight up and fired a shot, causing everyone in the room to jump to attention. Then she laughed softly and placed the gun back into her coat pocket. "Next time you think I'm getting soft, Jamison…remember that I am not afraid to use my weapon." She patted her pocket once before folding her arms loosely. "I don't know where you got that order, but it didn't come from me. Are we clear?"
Jamison nodded his head slowly. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Good." Alora turned on her heel and walked out the office door leaving the group inside to let out a unison sigh of relief.
-
Colonel Atkins walked into the waiting room and immediately spotted Frankie asleep in one of the many chairs. She seemed to have a very disturbed look on her face and did not appear to be resting very comfortably. He walked up to her and shook her shoulder gently, taking a step back when she awoke with a greater start then he had expected. Frankie threw her arms out in front of her, apparently trying to protect herself from an unseen enemy. "Frankie?" Colonel Atkins raised a brow as he waited for her to explain her actions.
Frankie cleared her throat and stood from her chair. "Sorry. I was um-dreaming."
Colonel Atkins nodded slightly, but didn't respond to her statement. "Has there been any report of Agent Kilmer's condition?"
"No." Frankie shook her head and motioned toward a lady that was sitting at a high desk a short distance away. "I keep asking her, but she says there's nothing to report yet."
Colonel Atkins folded his arms across his chest as Holly and Jelani walked in, each of the holding pops they had apparently gotten from the snack bar downstairs. Colonel Atkins looked at his watch. 4:00 a.m. It had been two hours since John had gotten shot. Certainly there was something to report by now.
Colonel Atkins walked up to the main desk and pulled his badge from the inside pocket of his black suit jacket. He flipped it open and showed it to the lady at the desk, letting her know his position. "I need information on John Kilmer's condition."
She typed a few words into her computer before returning her attention to Atkins. "I'm sorry, but I don't have any knew information yet. He's in surgery right now."
Roger Atkins nodded. That was enough information for him right now, he just wanted to know where John Kilmer was. He'd like to know how critical his condition was, but he wouldn't push his luck with the lady at the desk just yet. Even an agent badge could only get you so far in these places.
Mo, Tim, and Lark walked into the waiting room also. They had just been walking around the empty hallways of the hospital, trying to occupy their minds with something. When they spotted Colonel Atkins they rushed up to him.
"So what's the word on John?" Lark was the first to speak as the three crowded around Atkins.
"He's in surgery right now…that's all the nurse would tell me." Atkins let out a composed sigh and seated himself in one of the chairs. It was awkward being here. One always had to expect it when you worked in the line of work that he did…but it was never a reality until someone you knew was in the hospital, possibly in very critical condition. "Sorry I'm late though…I hit just about every stoplight in this city…I won't even go into the traffic. Who in their right mind would be out on a cold night like this?"
No one laughed at the Colonel's comment, nor did he intend for his statement to be humorous, but he had to say something in attempt to lighten the darkened mood of the waiting room.
Alora returned boldly to the waiting room. By the look on everyone's faces, there hadn't been any more reports on John. She felt somewhat guilty even though she knew she wasn't the one that had issued the order to kill John. At least the attempt hadn't been as successful as Jamison thought it had, and John still had a chance.
She sat down and crossed her legs formally, dark eyes giving a quick scan over the entire room.
"Where have you been?" Frankie demanded.
"What business is it of yours?" Alora retorted. "I went out…is that a crime?"
Frankie raised a brow. "That depends on where you went?"
Alora stood from her chair and took one step toward Frankie. "I have taken just about all-"
"Enough!" Colonel Atkins spoke louder than he had intended and everyone in the waiting room turned to look at him. His eyes flashed with authority as he motioned for the women to return to their seats.
His order was not obeyed though, because Frankie only took a step toward Alora defiantly. "You had something to do with this didn't you?!"
"What?" Alora looked shocked at Frankie's accusation. "How dare you blame this on me!"
"Frankie." Jelani shook his head as Frankie glanced toward him, signaling for her to drop the subject. "Don't blame this on anyone here. We're a team."
Tim, Holly, and Lark looked on eagerly hoping that Jelani's words would strike a chord somewhere. And they did. Frankie let out a sigh and returned to her seat submissively. Colonel Atkins gave both of the female's a stern look before returning to his seat as well.
Holly cleared her throat and signed something to Jelani as she glanced down the hallway.
Tim looked at Jelani questioningly so Jelani whispered to him what Holly said. "She said, here comes a doctor."
And Holly was right. A man in light blue scrubs walked up to the group and pulled his gloves off of his hands. "John's operation was successful and he's in a recovery room right now." Before the group could let out a relieved sigh, the doctor continued. "These next twenty-four hours are critical. The bullet struck very close to his heart, but he has a pretty good chance of making it through this." The doctor nodded a farewell with a lopsided smile and walked out of the room.
It was then that the group let out sigh and leaned back in their chairs, relieved. They all knew better than to ask if they could visit John Kilmer just yet, so instead they stood and began collecting their belongings so that they could go home.
Colonel Atkins turned to Lark. "I hate to ask you this, Larken, but can Frankie and Alora stay with you for the next couple of days. I think they'll be safe there, because they can't go back to John's apartment now."
Lark nodded solemnly. "Yeah."
Frankie stepped up to Lark and the Colonel. "I'll follow you in John's car, Lark. Alora can ride with you."
Alora was about to object to this statement, but Colonel Atkins was standing very nearby so she silently exited the room with Lark.