Please don't think I'm trashing Detroit. I love the D. But downtown in midwinter is pretty bleak. There's already a high proportion of concrete to people.
**Get Ready, Rare Earth**
Danny swung the truck he was driving in a wide arch before coming to a stop perpendicular to the left lane of the highway and nearly touching the bumper of the truck in front of him. He watched Burk pull up behind, followed by Wolf, effectively blocking the approach in the eastbound lanes. He looked back toward Tex, Betty, and Michener sitting in the back seat. "Sit tight Sir. We're going to investigate the conditions first." He left the car running in case they needed a quick escape and to provide heat. Sargent Simpson-Slattery joined him at the front of the truck and handed over a set of binoculars. "Looks clear to me." Danny nodded. Tiny snowflakes were spitting from the sky but there wasn't enough accumulation on the road to see if anyone had been there. Still, it had been surprisingly easy to navigate the toll and customs booths, all their gates locked in the open position, weak January light shining through the plexiglass windows of the booths, making him wary of who could be watching.
When he'd asked for a forecast Kara had sighed. "Have you ever been to Detroit in January? Think back to last summer but replace the beautiful mountain scenery with abandoned buildings and the sunshine with a flat gray sky. Oh and throw in a strong sense of human failure. And that was before the Red Flu." He pulled the Nathan James scarf she'd sewn him for a Christmas-in-July present up over his chin and let his breath begin to warm it against the biting January wind. She was right. Detroit was as depressing as she'd predicted. There were no signs of life at all. It appeared that there had either been no survivors here or what survivors there were had fled for the suburbs.
He gave the thumbs up and car doors began slamming open and shut behind him. Both Michener and the Royal emissary wanted a secure location, but rather than fight about which country should host, Michener had suggested they meet at the border. Initially he'd wanted to meet on the Ambassador Bridge, but ultimately he gave in to Danny's insistence that it wasn't a very defensible location. Simpson was the one that had suggested the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. Danny was already impressed by the Marpat clad young man next to him. He was a quick thinker and he knew how to design and implement his ideas too. Plus he felt sympathetic for the kid's situation with Commander Slattery.
Wolf scaled a retaining wall to provide cover from above while Burk, Simpson, and two of Simpson's team hustled under the overhanging concrete portico to inspect the hastily built barriers just inside the entrance to the tunnel. "Looks like the temporary wall that Border Security put up has held." Burk called out. He waved a hand to indicate the small drifts at the base of the wall. "Can't say no one's been here, but no one's been here today."
It was go time. Danny issued rapid orders. "Mason, send the signal to our contact on the other side that we're about to enter. Miller, Cruz on the left, Goodwin, and Findley on the right." His heart pounded in his chest but he tamped down his anxiety and maintained what he hoped was a confident expression. While he'd often commanded small teams in the field, this was the first time he'd lead such a large group into potentially dangerous circumstances. And it didn't help his nerves that they had the President and a large contingent of civilians in tow to boot.
Simpson was attaching a set of small charges to the concrete and wood barrier. "Will those be enough?" Danny watched as the young man carefully spaced the charges and attached each one to a lead wire. "I want to breech the wall without attracting too much attention, but that doesn't look like nearly enough firepower."
Simpson raised a brow at Danny. "Believe me Sir, this is more than enough." He traced a finger along the mortar between two cinder-blocks to the juncture of the temporary wall and the side of the tunnel. "All we have to do is take advantage of the weak bond between the gunnite that they used to coat the tunnel wall and the lime based mortar between these blocks. If we crack the mortar, we can quickly pull blocks out of the way and make ourselves a door over here against the side, where it is least obvious."
Specialist Goodwin rolled her eyes. "You don't know what you just did Sir. The Sarge will talk your ear off about concrete characteristics if you let him. It's his one true love, after Riley, of course."
Danny chuckled. "Well I'm glad we found your platoon. I would have just slapped a hunk of plastique on it, took cover, and hoped we didn't cave in the entire entrance."
Garth finished his handiwork by wrapping the small wires into a neat bundle and clipping them to the end of a remote detonator. He held the small controller out to Danny. "I recommend a twelve foot clearance zone. Would you like to do the honors Sir?"
"Nope, you should get to enjoy the satisfaction I think." Danny nodded to the group. "Alright clear back." He tapped his com. "Tex we're about to blast. Just in case, have the President below the windows." He backed away to stand by the hood of the truck and the rest followed suit.
"On three." Simpson counted down and tapped the button. A tiny pop sounded and a puff of dust and pebbles sprayed the road surface in front of them.
"What happened?" Danny craned his neck to see around the retaining wall at the entrance to the cave. They didn't have much time to do this again and now they had used part of their explosives allotment.
"I just made you a door with minimal noise, as ordered." Simpson grinned back. He held up a handful of leftover wire and explosive. "In your report, don't forget to tell my dearest father-in-law how I was on time and under budget."
They approached the wall and Danny noticed a large crack outlining a space about six feet tall and three feet wide. Simpson nodded to Goodwin and she joined him at the wall, holding up a large metal chisel and a crowbar. Together they wedged the the blocks free and pushed the section of separated wall inward like a door swinging open.
Burk grinned at Garth. "Consider me impressed."
"Considered me thoroughly schooled in the art of wall breaching!" Danny high fived Garth. "Burk, you take Tex and Betty's six when they bring Mittens over. Simpson and I will take left and right point with Cruz in the middle on the thermal. Goodwin and Findley, I want you on the flanks, Tex and POTUS in the middle with the civilians, and Wolf and Miller, you'll follow about 30 yards behind." They readied equipment and when everyone had confirmed their preparation he radioed Tex. "We're going to step inside, do a 250 yard sweep. Then we'll bring you in."
He stepped into the black hole. The air was cool inside of the tunnel but after the biting wind the stillness was a relief for the exposed skin of his cheeks. They fanned out quickly and paused to switch on their goggles. A quick sweep showed Danny that this part of the tunnel was currently deserted. Cruz swept the space with his thermal camera. "All clear."
Findley and Goodwin took their places by the walls of the tunnel and the forward group began moving inward. The tunnel was completely empty. The cars had been excluded and the border closed early on, which gave the place an oddly expectant feel, as if a car was going to come barreling toward them at any moment. The only vehicle he could see was the tunnel bus, parked up against the interior wall. The white subway tile that lined the tunnel glowed brightly in the nightvision goggles leaving the less reflective sides of the bus a dark hole. Only the glowing rectangles caused by the reflective windows helped give it away. Danny studied the area for a moment before deciding the bus was empty. He tapped his com. "Tex, Burk, bring him in. Wolf and Miller, close that door after you enter. Mason, Granderson, there's a bus about 100 yards in. I want you to take the radio in there and stay dark unless we have visitors."
"Aye sir." The two crept toward the bus. "Maple party has confirmed that they are headed our way as well." Alicia gave him a thumbs up as she and Mason disappeared inside.
He began slowly walking forward. Behind him he heard the President, Tex, Burk, and Betty putting on their headgear. "I always wondered what this looked like." Michener exclaimed. Danny glanced over his shoulder to see him bending to allow Tex to adjust the eyepieces. After Michener's dark moments the day before, he'd been in unusually cheerful spirits today. One of the leaders among the civilians, an accountant named Paul, hefted the case of doses and information on the cure. Two others crowded near Burk, clearly uncomfortable with the danger.
"OK. It looks good. We're going to go slow. We have about a half mile walk to the border. We need to keep eyes and ears open."
They moved forward at a snail's pace for a few minutes. No matter how quiet they tried to be, there were no other sounds to interrupt the soft pats of their footfalls or the rustle of clothing. The pavement sloped down steeply at first but after about 250 yards the gradient gentled. Danny was acutely aware that they were under water now. Under a river that carried the icey outflow of the upper Great Lakes over a tunnel that hadn't been maintained in nearly six months. He couldn't help but glance at the ceiling periodically.
After about five minutes he began to hear the faint sounds of the approaching party. There was an odd thumping noise along with the regular footsteps that he couldn't quite place. He glanced over at Cruz doing the thermal scans. "Anything yet?"
"Only a marginal increase in background." But a few steps further though Cruz stopped again. "Sir, you'll never believe this!" he whispered.
Danny stepped close to view the screen and almost burst out laughing when he saw the image that was emerging. It was horses! They must have done something to dampen their hooves. No sooner had he recognized they were in sight than red laser tracks appeared on himself, Cruz, and Garth.
He spoke softly into his com. "Mason, give the identification signal." He'd guess they were still about 200 meters away, the dim lights of their flashlights only barely penetrating the darkness. But in the echoing emptiness of the tunnel he could hear a low murmur of voices and the halting of the other party.
A second later Mason replied. "It's Maple Leaf Sir. They confirm contact. They are sending an unarmed man to the border for confirmation and then will stand down."
"Copy." Danny handed his weapon off to Simpson and then signaled to Wolf to cover him from behind while he approached the border. He strode forward with a quick, confident stride even though his heart was pounding. As soon as he started forward, a man detached itself from the facing group as well. As the man approached he realized that the steady bright spot on the man's chest was surely mirrored on his own, their shooter likely had similar training to Wolf's and was no doubt perfectly capable of raising his aim the two inches it would take to shoot him in the neck. His only satisfaction was in seeing Wolf's bead solidly in place on the other man as he approached.
As they grew close he could see that the man was wearing a mountie's dress uniform rather than combat garb and he suddenly felt somewhat shabby in his dirty workwear. Danny stopped where the flags painted on the side of the tunnel depicted the international boundary. He squared his shoulders, took a breath, and stuck his hand out. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
The man's hand trembled as he extended it. "You are immune?"
Danny clasped the man's hand. Emotion flooding him as he felt the weight of the moment. "I am vaccinated and you and all of Canada will be soon." Of course, they assumed the contagious vaccine was spreading across the continent already, but getting it into the hands of officials who could speed it's transmission and make sure it got to out of the way places was significant too.
"I am so glad we have this chance for our countries to work together for our new future then. I am Sergeant Hugh Mulroney of the RCMP O Division." The man let go of Danny's hand. "We have brought lights, have you Lieutenant?"
"I'm afraid not." They hadn't even thought of it. He peered around the man to see that one of the horses appeared to be towing the kind of lights used for nightime road construction.
"No matter, we have enough. Shall we turn them on?"
Danny called back to his group, not wanting them to be blinded when the lights came on. "Lights coming on!"
As they took off their headgear and the lights warmed up he quickly surveyed the Canadian contingent. There were nine men in red coats and three horses. He didn't see anyone who looked like a representative of the crown at first. But as the lights began to increase in power he realized that two men standing in the shadow of a horse near the back of the group wore the more functional red parkas of the Canadian Rangers. As the lights reached full strength took in the insignia and nametags. It was not Prince Harry as they had expected but rather William. His long face was drawn and heavy dark circles ringed his eyes.
Sergeant Mulroney commanded his attention again. "His Royal Highness, King William of Canada, also known as Major Windsor, would like to formally invite the President of the United States and his contingent into Canadian territory. The man waved a hand to indicate where three men were rapidly assembling two camp chairs and a table. "We humbly apologize that we cannot offer finer accommodations but we are very appreciative of the security of the site you suggested." Danny felt Michener and Tex step up beside him. Across the way Prince...no King William was doing the same.
"The United States of America joyously accepts your invitation." Michener was about to step across when he paused. "Now I know what we forgot. I do believe we should document this occasion. Is anyone good with a camera?" William chuckled nervously and his men followed suit. Danny could see that the stress of the last few months had taken its toll on the young leader. The top of his head was completely bald now and his face had a heavy somberness to it that reminded Danny of the Queen, or rather late Queen.
"Ah, Cruz is pretty good." Danny found his voice. "Do you have that same phone you took the wedding pictures with you?"
Cruz fumbled in his pockets a moment and produced a phone. "They might be a little washed out by the bright lights but I'll at least get it in focus." He backed up along the line. "Tex man, back up."
"Can't." Tex quipped. "Lieutenant Green said I should stick to the President like glue but Commander Foster-Green said I better have the lucky lieutenant's six at all times or my next assignment would be diaper duty."
The U.S. side laughed and Sergeant Mulrouny's gaze swept to Danny. "Your wife I presume?"
"You presume correct. Knock it off Tex or I'll tell her you endangered my chances of getting back out of Detroit unnoticed." Tex gave a mock salute as he stepped out of the camera's view. The President and King both turned to smile as they shook hands across the line. Then William was ushering Michener to the chairs and Cruz snapped a few more photos as they did so.
"Well I'll say this." William turned one of the camp chairs to face Michener more face to face. "I never thought I'd be here, doing this."
Michener's face fell in a frown. "I suppose this does mean your Grandmother, and your father too have passed? We had intel that they were in London and Scotland respectively. Let me express my heartfelt sympathy." He met the younger man's eyes.
William nodded. "Well my grandmother anyways. She survived the first wave in London but fell in the second. The last contact I had from my father was in September." His voice broke a bit. "After the Russians nuked France. My father said they were safe, but then we stopped receiving any contact." He took a deep breath. "But these have been extraordinarily hard times for everyone. I actually meant to jest about the first time I've taken a meeting at 75 feet underwater."
The tension was broken. Michener waved forward the civilians. "We are here today because a scientist by the name of Dr. Rachel Scott, one of your subjects in fact, convinced the CDC and WHO that it was possible to develop a vaccine for the Red Flu. Without her work I doubt many of us would be here today. Lieutenant Green and his men ensured her safety first in the Arctic and then as we brought the cure to the United States. Perhaps her greatest scientific achievement was in creating a contagious form of the vaccine and cure. I am no longer contagious, but most of these individuals have been recently inoculated. Three of them are Canadian citizens who have asked to help begin the chain of transmission. We may not have brought light but we have brought hot coffee. I propose we share a toast to our future as neighbors and in doing so, exchange the cure."
Paul held up the yellow case he was case he was carrying. "I also have injectable doses, culture to propagate the vaccine, and instructions here to pass on to the PHAC." They quickly extracted thermoses and cups from their packs and began serving. "All it takes is getting close to someone to exchange the cure. A handshake, a sip from the same cup, or a kiss on the cheek ought to do it."
King William looked alarmed as he leaned a little further back from everyone. "You all have had this vaccine? It is effective, even after being passed from person to person?" Danny sighed. It wouldn't be the first time they had to go through all the details on safety and what not to convince someone it was safe. "Is it safe for everyone, even ah, children?" William looked over his shoulder back the way he came into the darkness of the tunnel, his face creasing in indecision.
Paul set the case on the ground next to the small table. "I assure you, by now hundreds of thousands in the US have received doses. So far there have been no reports of reactions or problems."
William ran a hand over his balding scalp. "Does it always work? What about for pregnant women? Do we know if it causes problems, birth defects, miscarriages, that kind of thing?" Danny recognized the look of wild panic on William's face. It was the same one he'd probably had when Chandler had come out to him on the deck during the trials to tell him Kara was pregnant.
He looked the young king in the eye. "So far it has been fine. My wife was part of the trial for the vaccine and didn't know she was pregnant at the time. Both she and our baby are fine now. The baby will be born immune."
Garth chimed in. "Mine too. We were scared about what would happen too but she got the cure 3 days ago and so far, it's been fine. You know how deadly the disease is. It's too risky to leave anyone out."
William looked between the two men. He pressed his lips together firmly as he debated internally. Finally he nodded to one of the men behind him. "Radio the Duchess please."
Across the road, Danny saw Garth's eyes bug. "Oh God, Riley is going to go nuts when she hears I got to meet both of the Royal couple. I'll never hear the end of it."
Danny was unsure whether to laugh until, now visibly relaxed, Will threw his head back and laughed heartily. "Well then we better be sure to get you a picture to take back to her."
Michener smiled mildly and Danny was reminded of his somber evening yesterday. In many ways the President was the most alone of all of them. Tex must have noted too because pulled a flask from his jacket pocket and drawled, "Well, I for one would like to share a drink with the President and the King. Make sure you get a picture of this Cruz." He placed the flask on the table and stuck out his hand. "Nice to meet you William." Tex proved to be the social lubricant they needed and soon they got down to the business of sharing drinks and photos.
William promised the three Canadian citizens that he had some ideas for how to get them started before they lost contagiousness. "We started getting the word out as soon as we knew the meeting would happen. Many people evacuated to rural areas as the flu hit in places like Toronto so we wanted them to come back, to concentrate so the vaccine could be spread efficiently. But Canada is a large country and parts of it were hard to reach as it was."
Danny's ears picked up when he heard the steady thump of another horse's wrapped hooves. Two more horses emerged out of the gloom. A woman in a white parka with a dark fur lined hood expertly rode one with a small boy sleeping in her lap while another RCMP man rode the other, close behind her. The Duchess's eyes went straight to William and she sat up straighter in the saddle when he detached himself from the gaggle of men and come assist her. He carefully lifted the boy and held him, dropping his head to smell his hair, a tear showing in the corner of his eye. Then after Kate dismounted he waved her over to the group and made introductions.
After shaking hands with the President she turned her eyes on Danny. "I want to personally thank you and your men for bringing the cure to us. The entire world is grateful for the dangerous mission undertaken by the Nathan James. I am so sad that we have lost Dr. Scott, and I want you to know that when the Commonwealth is back on its feet, I will personally take on the task of creating an appropriate memorial for her."
"Thank you, your.." After years of knowing precisely what title to use in almost every situation he was at a loss.
Kate's wide smile creased her face. "Where is a protocol droid when we need one!" she quipped. "Your Grace will do." She reached out and grasped his hand in her smaller one and pulled him toward her with surprising strength. "Now handsome, pass me that cure with a kiss! George and I have been isolated for 4 months to protect him in case anything happened to Wills and I intend to make my husband thoroughly jealous before we get to go home together!" She giggled and pressed her lips to Danny's. He pulled back but she followed him, finally breaking off with a smacking squeak.
Danny felt his face flame. "Uh, I uh..."
"Oh ho ho. I got a picture of that for the Commander. She's going to love it!" Cruz pumped his fist while the other men hooted and whistled.
Paul broke in. "I'm afraid Lieutenant Green is not actually contagious anymore, having been part of the original group to get the cure. But anyone who was sharing drinks just now will certainly be able to pass on the cure."
The three Canadian citizens they had brought along raised their hands quickly. "I am still contagious."
"I'd be glad to kiss you now."
"Well, eh, should we go at it then?"
The Duchess blushed a lovely shade of pink and brushed her hair back, her hands fluttering self consciously. "Oh my, so sorry Lieutenant Green."
Michener held his arms out to William, one brow raised in question. "George is it?"
"Indeed." The king carefully passed the sleeping boy over. Then with a barely restrained grin he bowed toward his wife. "Might I have the honor darling?"
She smiled back at him and bowed equally formally. "Oh course Your Grace." The King leaned in from the waist to gently place his lips against hers then straightened, clearing his throat. "You should be safe now."
Danny understood the reason why they were so formal in public but for goodness sakes! He didn't care if he was in uniform or not. If he was kissing his wife for the first time in weeks he wouldn't stop to ask her permission!
The royal couple stepped apart and both turned to reach for George. Their hands met as they reached out and Catherine's light laugh sounded like bells in the hollow highway tunnel. "Oh bloody hell." cursed William. Before anyone had a chance to react he slipped an arm around her slender waist and pulled her flush to his body. Danny realized that she looked tall in photos because she typically wore heels, but now she looked tiny against her husband's height. You'd have thought the tunnel was filled with teenage girls, not fully grown men at their collective sigh. Placing her back on her feet, William tugged the hem of his uniform jacket down while he grinned sheepishly at his wife. "Will that tide you over?"
She kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly. "It will do nicely." She muttered into his collar. Stepping back she looked around at their audience. "Now I suppose this meeting should get on to business?"
"I suppose." William motioned to Paul to hand over George again and then sat at the camp table hugging him to his chest.
"That kid really knows how to sleep!" Garth exclaimed. "Is that normal?"
As she dragged a chair over for herself, Kate smiled at Garth. "If you're lucky! He's been cutting a tooth and the poor thing hasn't slept well at night."
Michener took his seat and pulled out a sheet of paper with a short list on it. "I figured this meeting would need to be quick and we have much to discuss." They quickly agreed to temporarily open the borders. "We aren't organized enough to field border security and we know people are crossing in the upper plains and by sea anyways." Michener pointed out.
Danny took his coffee to the edge of the road and sat on the concrete berm that lined the side. Soon everyone was mingling together. "I am so glad you guys brought coffee." One of the RCMP guys was saying to Wolf. "I know everyone thinks Canada is a frozen wasteland, but I'm from British Colombia and I'm not cut out for snow and this bitter wind."
Another man grinned. "Eh? I'm from Northern Manitoba and I'm not cut out for it either." There was quite a bit of laughter which got them all chatting about where they were from and how they had ended up escorting their specific leaders. Danny learned that in the early days of the outbreak these men had volunteered to go into deep isolation with William and his family. They were all single, career servicemen.
"Must be tough leaving your families behind." A Mountie named Bill asked Burk.
"Actually, out of this crew I think Green and Simpson are the only two that that really have families, and both of those are sort of ah..."
"It's OK Carlton." Danny shook his head. "You can call it accidental."
The story of how Danny and Kara became attached entertained them all for a few minutes and then Specialist Goodwin had them all rolling in laughter with her description of Commander Slattery's discover of Sergeant Simpson-Slattery.
Over at the camp table William proposed that the CAF would take over spreading the cure to the countries of the Commonwealth. "We're already requesting that any officers that are able report to Cornwall for assignment. I've also got an expeditionary team preparing to go to one of my facilities in Africa and get to work there as well."
Michener nodded. "We were very hopeful that you would be able to aid in this matter." His brow creased and he closed his eyes momentarily. "Officially, it is a matter of international stability. The faster we get the cure distributed, the quicker we can re-establish international relationships. Unofficially, we just want to save more people."
"I understand." William looked over to his wife. "I am so eternally grateful that the vaccine and cure were found. Things were a little bleak for a while." They discussed several logistics issues, including the lack of a patent for the vaccine. "If I've learned anything these last few months, it's that no amount of money can make you invulnerable. whatever the US wants to charge to license it, the crown will pay. Even if it bankrupts me."
Michener smiled. "If you knew Rachel Scott you'd know that she would have given away her last penny to help someone. We want this to remain free for everyone. The bigger hurdle is going to be figuring out how to mass produce and distribute a product all over the world."
Michener was explaining that he had learned from the drug manufacturing company people in Chicago that a key ingredient to their process was a special media including a scaffolding molecule manufactured in Albequerque, NM. "Dr. Scott had enough to make several thousand doses, but we're already 50% through her supply. We were hopeful a Canadian company might be able to produce the media."
William groaned. "Damn!" He slammed his hand on the little table, making the coffee cups rattle. "I was going to tell you essentially the same thing. I consulted with people at the HPAC and they indicated that getting the precursor molecules was a key step toward rapid production. They are trying to work on finding out if any of our Canadian companies or even university researchers made a similar product, but asking you if you had any contact with the lab in Albuquerque was high on their list of priorities for this meeting."
Michener closed his eyes a moment. "I know from your letter that you are aware of the situation with the MCF in the southwest of our country. Unfortunately my hands are somewhat tied. But, we will have to go to plan B, or C, or D..." Michener sipped his coffee. "For now, the contagious cure will spread and we can continue to prioritize doses for the most populated areas to get the chains of transmission started."
"If that's plan B, what's plan C?" William asked
Michener smoothed a palm down his face. "We've got to get that material. Either we get that facility in Albuquerque up and running or we get the formula and equipment we need and start making it elsewhere."
"But Albuquerque is deep in MCF territory. Are you considering negotiating with them?"
"I don't know yet." Michener pursed his lips and dropped his head to his chest. "I have no congress so I really can't declare war. If I decide to take some other kind of action I have no funds to do it with. Right now I am focusing on getting the cure out to all of our states. I can defend clashing with anyone who tries to prevent the spread of the cure. But I can't be seen as the guy who started a war on our own soil."
"Ah yes. And now we get to the reason I first contacted you." William sat up and leaned over the table hawkishly. "I have to make some decisions about how to deal with the quote 'government' in El Paso. They have petitioned me for diplomatic recognition twice now. I can only assume they are doing the same to any other known world leaders."
Michener's brow furrowed. "I must confess, Canada is the only other country we have had any contact with so far." Danny had been listening to the exchange quietly, letting the conversation of the other men swirl around him. He noticed the moment the tone changed. It looked like Wills took after his grandmother. He might be all polite and jolly friendliness on the surface, but underneath lived a shrewd politician after all. Michener might have a long career of political wheeling and dealing under his belt, but very little of it had been in the public sphere, and it showed.
Wills sighed and set down his coffee mug with a distinct clink on the table top. He waved to where Specialist Goodwin and Sergeant Mulroney were discussing why they were using horses as much as possible since Quebecois Separatists had damaged a major fuel pipeline. "Please, can you bring the blue folder and the map?" Danny noticed how polite Wills always was. It was a trait he shared with Michener. "Thank you Sergeant." He accepted a rolled map and used the coffee mugs and lantern on the table to hold it open.
