Chapter 14: Out of Range

Everyone in the tracking room remained silent a few minutes after Rhea's comment on time travel's potential consequences. Casey was still not convinced he'd been told the full truth, but he let the discussion lie. Time travel or not, they still had to solve this act of terrorism in the present. He clapped for everyone's attention.

"Alright, let's shift our focus for a while. We need to figure out who exactly this killer is and where we can find him. I have a feeling that he somehow earned Chuck's trust. If we…"

The home phone in Chuck's bedroom rang and they all watched in anticipation. Chuck jumped, but hastily answered.

"Bartowski residence…oh…how did you get this number? Oh right, yeah, my sister still has us listed…no; it's not a problem. You need it for Saturday night? Big night with the guys, right? You can come by how early? Ooh…uhh … okay… eight am is fine I guess… it's in near perfect working condition. I took good care of my X-Box. Guaranteed hours of fun!"

It was apparent the person on the other end was conversational, and it put Chuck at ease as they chatted more about video games and consoles.

"Gahh! I warned that nerd to stay off the Craigslist! No Chuck…do not give him your address!" Casey groaned.

Chuck gave the caller his information and promised to meet him outside the courtyard at eight am sharp.

"You gullible fool! Haven't you learned anything?" Casey waved a fist at the monitor. He snapped quickly at Althea and Wang. "That's got to be our guy! Check the Tracker for a phone number and did you record the conversation for a voice analysis?"

"I did and we're on it!" Althea typed in the commands and the data systems went to work, thousands of phone numbers scanned down the monitors. Rhea eyed the maps and shook her head.

"No good! He's out of target range. Simon, can we get a goggle reading?"

"Yeah, we're gonna need it, the call is coming from a pay phone." Simon remarked.

"What's a goggle reading?" Casey asked.

Wang brought up the image of what resembled a cross between a black hardhat and an army helmet arrayed with electronic extensions and wires. A small screen was attached to the top like an eyepiece.

"That's our 'Goggle Helmet.' It extends the immediate range of sight and gathers data outside the target area… that's Chuck's house. We have it in the hummer parked outside."

"He's still a little out of range, Major." Althea grumbled.

"How can he be out of range? I was able to see my family in Canada just last night!"

Simon shrugged regretful. "I'm sorry Major, but I had to power down the Satellites that weren't over the target area…we were using too much energy and as Rhea would say, it sent up too many red flags. We have what we need, the target area extends from Chuck's place to here at the base."

Casey leaned on the console with both hands and slammed the table. "Alright, we got to do this the old fashioned way…get any type of video surveillance from the surrounding area."

Althea fiddled with the keyboard. "Yes sir, we can access all surveillance from any Government agency and…there he is…this is from the ATM cameras across the way."

Rhea stared close at the monitor. The man had his back turned to them and fumbled for quarters. She came next to Casey.

"I know that place, it's a rest stop about a mile from the Air Force Base! What the heck is he doing there?"

"What do you think? He's Costa's partner in crime! This is good! Now we got the bastard!"

"It just gets better and better…hold up, he's making another phone call." Althea said.

"Pump up the volume, Althea…Simon, can we get a better shot of him? It's too dark." Casey insisted.

"It's scanning now, but no positive matches. We can't zoom in from these cameras, it has to come from our own equipment and he has to look our way."

"Can we pick up the voice on the other side of the phone?" Casey demanded.

"No, oh that was stupid of me! Althea, we didn't have the volume up when Chuck was talking to him!"

"I know that Wang, but it still recorded. It doesn't matter, it's more important to see this guy's face right now. We can't grab this audio, it still feeding from the ATM cameras."

"There's nobody with him, he's not talking. Switch to the monitor feed with this Goggle hat. Come on! This is an investigation…four days ago…but…it's still an investigation!" Casey rumbled.

Rhea led him away from the desk and massaged his shoulders. Casey heaved his body into a relaxed state, feeling the tension in his muscles subside. She had quite a touch. He grabbed her hand and stroked her fingers.

"This has to work, Rhea."

"And you have to forgive them, John. It's their first real case and they haven't used the satellite in this way yet. It's all coming together now, I promise.

"I'm not a very patient person."

"I figured that one out days ago, just remember we're all on the same side and want this guy caught…and you're the man to do it." She added, boosting his confidence.

Casey forced a smile. "Thanks…there's no one else I'd want to do it. This is all my responsibility."

"I understand, but that doesn't mean you have to go it alone." She said gently.

His hand caresses soothed her as a warm feeling spread through her. She reluctantly pulled her hand away.

"Umm…they have the feed now, John. We missed the call, but it looks like he's waiting for something. He's not in front of the store, he's off the side of the road…it's really too dark to tell."

"Then we wait with him." Casey's gaze burned through her. She wet her lips and abruptly turned away, coming up behind Althea's chair.

"Umm…can we…umm…do a playback on the…um… phone call?" She faltered.

Althea gave her a sly smile. "Sure thing, Rhea, here it is."

~Oo~

"Costa, It's done. The kid fell for it pretty quick. Saturday at eight am I'll nab him and bring him out."

"I told you never to call me here."

"Look, I'm in a bit of a jam. I need a truck, a van, anything. Mine just broke down. I'm at a rest stop and I can't carry these parts all the way home!"

"Why is that my problem?"

"Look Costa, this is your deal! I said…"

"I can't just send you a truck!"

"You get me what I want or else it's off!"

Don't threaten me, Lane! Remember, I'm always watching you…fine, 10 minutes! He'll take you where you want to go. Don't move from your spot!"

"How do you know where I am?"

"Never mind that! Just wait!"

~Oo~

The team waited ten minutes along with the antsy Lane Stevens on the monitor. Simon managed to dredge up his data through a voice analysis. There was not much going for him save he was a veteran from the first Gulf War but discharged for unruly and volatile behavior.

"…Other than that, he's been off the radar…possibly committing petty crimes, but he's never been caught." Simon added, scanning his profile. "He doesn't look like a maniac. He's pretty serene, I'd say...it's always the quiet ones."

"The reports about his erratic behavior in the Gulf are enough to have me convinced, the guy's a psychopath…psychiatric care didn't help him." Casey mused. "Okay, look, there's the van…woah…wait! What the hell is he doing?"

Rhea ran to the monitor. "That's Tim! The guard from out front!"

They all watched helplessly as Lane pulled a gun from his backpack and shot four times at the van with a silencer. He immediately pulled the dead driver out and dragged him to the back of the van, and tossed him inside.

"Oh my God! No wonder Tim hasn't been to work, I thought he was sick." Rhea staggered into Casey. He grasped her shoulders and they continued to watch the feed alarmed.

"He's about to get away!"

Casey ran to the exit. "I'm getting in that hummer and putting on that Goggle… hat! I'm gonna follow this guy wherever he goes! Give me clearance!"

"Wait! John, you don't know how to work it, Tim was the one who…"

"I can do it! Just wait for my call and keep my position locked, can you do that?"

"Yes! We can follow your course, hurry!"

Casey ran out of the building, ready to make a dramatic chase…four days in the past.