Part Nine
Murdock pulled up in front of the office building where his son worked and ran
inside. People stared at him as he ran over to the information desk.
"Please. You must get everyone out of this building," he said to the young woman
at the desk.
"Now, see here, sir. You just can't come in here and order me around."
"Look, lady, I don't have time for this. There's a bomb planted somewhere in
this building."
The girl stared at him, pushed a button. A man in a black suit appeared from the
room behind her.
."What seems to be the trouble here?"
"Sir, this nut case..."
"Now, now, Miss Harper, no name calling."
The woman stared at Murdock, but said nothing. By now Murdock was losing it and
he grabbed the man by his shirt. "You got a bomb in here. What part of that
don't you understand?"
The man pulled away from Murdock and called security. As Murdock was being taken
out, Face arrived.
"Murdock? What is going on? Did you tell them about the bomb? And where's
Ronin?"
"Yes, I told them, but these jack asses don't believe me, Face, and I have no
idea where Ronin is." Murdock was getting excited and Face knew it; he placed
his arm around his shoulder.
"It will be okay, Murdock. I will get them to leave."
"You do that, Face, while I find Ronin."
Both men went back inside. Miss Harper was just about to call security when her
eyes caught Face.
"Can I help you, sir?"
Face quickly flashed his wallet at her. "I'm agent Gambit from the ICU,
International City United for the U Bomb and we have reason to believe a bomb
was planted here."
Miss Harper flashed Murdock a dirty look before returning her gaze to Face.
"That man told us the same thing. But there's no way a bomb could be here. Our
security is too strong."
Face pounded his fist on her desk and it made her jump. "I am talking about the
UBomb and no security can stop him or her."
"Face," Murdock whispered.
Face nodded. "Now, if you want to be responsible for all these lives..."
"No. No, I'll make the announcement." She grabbed the mic. "Please clear the
building. This is not a drill."
The same man came out of his office. "You, again."
Face hurried over to him. "Are you in charge here?"
"Yes. What is going on here?"
"I'm agent Gambit from the ICU. That stands for..."
"I know what it stands for," the man snapped, not wanting anyone to know he
didn't. "Okay, we will get them out."
"Good. Mr. Le beau and I will find and dismantle the bomb."
All the people left quietly, not knowing the danger. Murdock kept his eye out
for Ronin, but didn't see him. As the manager started to leave, Murdock stood in
front of him.
"Sir, does a Ronin Murdock work here?" The manager just stared at him. Murdock
knew he had to stay in character
"Yes, he does. He just started today, a bright young man. He has a great future
here. He's down in the mailroom. I'm sure he heard the announcement."\Murdock
ran off. Face looked at the man. "He loves his work."
"Tell me did Mr. Murdock do anything?"
Face was caught off guard for a moment, thinking the manager meant "his"
Murdock. "No, Mr. Le Beau just wants to make sure everyone is out."
Murdock hurried down the stairs, skipping every other step. He wasn't going to
wait for the elevator. He ran into the mailroom but saw no sign of Ronin. He
quickly ran back upstairs.
"Face, I can't find him," Murdock said, panting.
"Face? I thought you name was Mr. Gambit." said the manger
"It's a nickname," snapped Face. "But never mind that. Where would Ronin be at
this time?"
The manger shook his head. "I really don't know."
"Well, you should, " Murdock snapped, catching his second wind. "My son may be
carrying a mail bomb and I got to find him."
"Your son. Now I know who you are. You're Ronin 's father. I will have him
paged." Grabbing the mic, he announced, "Would Ronin Murdock please come to the
front desk in the main lobby "
Murdock was now beyond reason. "I don't have time for this. Come on, Face."
Face nodded and followed behind Murdock.
Rita stared at the clock on the wall. She had called BA but didn't get an answer
and his cell phone was turned off.
"Damn, I hate that. I need to get hold of BA."
"Mom, what's wrong?"
Rita turned to her daughter Brandi as she walked in. "Nothing, Brandi."
"Mom, please don't do that. I know something is wrong."
Rita took Brandi's hand. "Honey, I'm just upset because your Uncle BA won't
answer his cell phone."
"Mom, please. It's got to be more than that. Is Dad okay?"
"Brandi, everything will be fine."
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
"No, I'm asking you to have faith."
"Okay, I'll try."
"That's my girl."
"Mom, why do you need BA?"
"Brandi, please."
Brandi turned and walked out of the room. She was about to go to her room when
she saw Todd outside.
"Hey, you heading for home? Are your dad and Ronin back?"
"Yeah, I'm going home. Dad just called." Todd spoke hurriedly. "See you later,
Brandi." Todd got on his bike and pedaled away.
Ronin! Son, answer me," Murdock called. "Face, where can he be?"
"This building is big, Murdock. He could be anywhere."
"But why didn't he answer the page?"
"Maybe he's somewhere where he can't hear it."
Murdock spotted a house phone on the wall and headed for it.
"I'll call down there and ask if there is a room where Ronin wouldn't hear the
page."
As he started to pick up the phone, he heard the rumble of an explosion."