Knight Moves: Bishop to Knight Pt 2

Location: Burlington, VT

"I'm sorry Wil."

"I know, I'm sorry too. I'm just frustrated Paul," Wil said.

"We're working on the problem as quickly as we can. And...," he hesitated.

"There's more?"

"Yeah. Miriam is gone. So are the files from Devon's office. They have copies of all the items we are currently working on, have worked on or will work on," he paused. "And security thinks it was Miriam that installed the detonation device found on what was left of Devon's computer." He sucked in a lung full of air, waiting for a response.

"Miriam?" Wil asked quietly.

"I am so sorry Wil. What do you want us to do here?"

"Fix the satellite. Let me know when it's ready. End transmission." KARR cut the screen off. They sat in the afternoon traffic in downtown Burlington, waiting for a light to change. Everything seemed slow to Wil. How did she get through? How was she able to get into Knight Industries so easily? Garthe. It wasn't a thought. It just reared its ugly head into his stream of consciousness.

"KARR, check all flights out of LAX to Burlington. Right now. And plot us the shortest and fastest route to the airport."

"Would you also like any information on Miriam?" the vehicle asked.

"No, ask Zoe and Billy to do that. I need you to focus on finding Miriam's name in the airport computers," Wil told him.

"Course plotted. How would you like to proceed?"

"As quickly as you can."

"And safety?" KARR purred. Wil shook his head and smiled. He seemed to forget exactly what kind of vehicle he was driving. That was beginning to be happen a lot.

"Be as careful as you can, please."

Location: Plattsburgh, NY

"We are not far from the Canadian border, Mike," KI3T stated to his driver.

"Yeah, I know. And we've not found one damn thing to tell us if we're heading in the right direction." He sighed in frustration.

"We have two incoming messages."

"From who?" Mike asked worriedly. He didn't want to really talk to his cousin again.

"Your father and the semi. Who do you want first?"

"Link them, so we can all talk together," Mike instructed. "And pull over."

The vehicle glided to side of the road, coming to a full stop. The windshield broke into two backgrounds, one with the interior of the semi, the other of his dad.

"What's up?" he asked.

"KARR just sent a message to us to find out everything we know about Miriam. We tried to get back in touch, but he's not responding," Zoe told him.

"I was trying to get a hold of him to find out how he's doing," his father said. "We're having no luck, even with satellite help."

"Neither are we," KI3T put in.

"I think we should meet up, put our heads together and come up with a better solution than gallivanting around the country side," Michael told them. "Maybe Wil has found out something. Let's meet outside of Burlington and get some answers."

"Wait a minute dad. We need to-"

"No. No more waiting. We need to know what he's thinking."

"It's going to take us awhile to get there. Its not like we're driving high powered super cars," Billy said. "No to mention, this thing is weighted down."

"Get there when you can, we'll keep you updated." Michael looked at his son. "Are you with me?"

"Where do you want to meet?" he asked quietly.

"I suggest Williston. Its about seven miles east of Burlington. There's a hotel, Fairfield Inn, just off I-89," KI2T informed them.

"Its settled then. See you all in a few hours."

Location: Williston, VT

It had taken less than an hour for Mike and KI3T to reach Williston. Instead of going directly to the hotel, he opted to scout the area. He quickly drove through the town and through the back roads, coming back into Williston.

"I detect nothing out of the ordinary," KI3T stated. "Are you worried?"

"I'm not sure I should be," Mike said. "But I would rather be prepared instead of surprised."

"I detect no surprises," his car replied. Mike smiled.

"Not exactly what I meant KI3T." He saw a gas station on the right hand side, just past the bridges for I-89. "Let's pull in there and see if anyone has seen anything."

"I could use some gas. I'm almost empty," his car told him.

"Almost empty? Looks more like fumes."

"Well, we have traveled just over three thousand miles. What did you expect?" his car retorted.

"More like five thousand miles and a car with a better sense of humor," Mike replied laughingly. He pulled in and parked at an available pump. Getting out, he whispered to KI3T, "Keep your scanners peeled." The twin scanners popped to life, silently swooshing back and forth scanning everything in a five mile radius. Mike moved to the gas pump, slid his card, picked up the pump and hit the button for 93. "Watch the pump. I'm going in." He walked through the open door and moved to the coolers. He picked up something for everyone to drink and some different snacks. As the last customer stepped out, Mike approached him.

"Hi!" He said easily.

"Hello. Did you find everything all right?" the guy asked.

"Yeah, I did." He paused. "I just got into town. Anything I should do or see?"

"Ben & Jerry's factory tour out in Waterbury. I'd also check out the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory." The guy paused, continuing to scan the items. "Downtown Burlington always has something going on."

"Thanks. Actually, I'm looking for someone who came to the state not too long ago," Mike said, pulling out a pictures of Garth and Goliath. "Have you seen either of these?" The clerk looked at both.

Shaking his head, he replied, "I'd remember a face like that. And we get all kinds of tractor trailers through here. You a cop?"

Mike smiled as he paid for the transaction, "No. Private Investigator. Thanks." He walked out and dropped the purchases in KI3T, then turned and put the pump back in place. Getting back into the vehicle, he saw a black t-top trans-am pull into the driveway for the hotel across the street. "Dad's here? That was quick. We better get over there." Minutes later, he was parking next to his father. Getting out, he offered the bag of goodies, "Snack?"

His dad smiled tiredly. "No. Not really hungry. You hear from anyone?"

"No."

"Michael, I have scanned the computer data base for the hotel. Rooms have been paid for and reserved for the team. Why don't you go in and try to sleep?" KI2T suggested.

"Sounds good to me," Mike said. "How long till the semi gets here?"

"Approximately one hour, forty-eight minutes and twenty-six seconds" KI2T replied.

"We will keep our scanners peeled," KI3T put in. Both Knights smiled, nodded their agreement and headed for the front of the hotel.

"How fast were you going to get here so quick?" Mike asked his father.

"You don't want to know," his father told him mischievously. Holding the door open, he ushered his son into the foyer toward the desk.

Location: Burlington International Airport

"The plane from Chicago has already landed and disembarked," KARR growled.

"Have you found Miriam's name yet?" Wil asked.

"No. And that goes for all planes coming into and out of Burlington."

"Damn it."

"However, I have found an interesting bit of information," KARR told him.

"Well, let's see it." A flight list appeared on the windshield. KARR zeroed in on a name and highlighted it.

"Oh my god," Wil gasped.

She had missed them by about thirty-five minutes. They had a good tailwind all the way from Chicago and landed just ahead of schedule. A man had been waiting to pick her up. She was now on her way to see Garthe. She couldn't wait to see him. And to see the look on their faces. Especially when she would tell them who she really was.