Vienna, Austria - The Heritage Foundation
Unnerved by the close call with the orderly, Felicia leaned a chair against the door knob. It was an old-fashioned early warning system but one had to improvise on the job. She finished a quick and dirty hacking script on the terminal. Her fingers found the third button of her lab coat. It was the size of a large ripped it off and removed the top lid to reveal a miniature USB drive. It was made entirely of plastic and plasticized metal enabling it to pass the scrutiny of most detecting equipment.
"There better be a port on this thing," muttered Felicia. "Or I'm sunk." Getting down on hands and knees, she traced the wires from the terminal and keyboard to where they disappeared into the paneled shelf behind the desk. With a bit of effort and the sacrifice of one fingernail, she removed the panel exposing a slim CPU tower.
She smiled. There was a USB port in the front. "Standard commercial PCs - cheap and so predictable." She plugged her USB drive into it and copied her script to it. "Now, on to Phase 2."
Felicia checked her wig and general appearance then left the office. She needed breathing room to maneuver if she had to and a different area from which to launch Phase 2 from. She walked around the ward until she found what she was looking for - a computer terminal near the main doors with an exposed, front-facing USB port and a supply closet nearby. She put on latex gloves.
She looked at her watch. Timing was going to be critical to pull off what she had in mind. Her absolute window was at the most thirty-five minutes right at the end of the shift. If she miscalculated, her escape could become quite problematic due to the Foundation's own policies. Perusing through the Foundation's internal employee manual, she had discovered that staff were locked into their floors during working hours. It was only in the last thirty minutes of their duty shift's schedule when their cards were activated for exiting the floor and accessing the elevators. Elizabeth Meisner, her alias, had an end of shift at one o'clock in the afternoon.
She positioned her body to hide her hand plugging in her USB flash drive. She logged in on the terminal and brought up Therese's file. To anyone passing by, she seemed intent on updating her patient's medical records for the day.
Felicia's fingers flew over the keyboard. As she waited for to see if the USB port was functional, she concentrated on a calming mantra. It would not do to look panicked or nervous.
A small smile graced her lips when the drive was recognized. She copied her script file, executed a series of commands to access the lowest level of terminal control then ran her script. She noted the time. It was thirty-seven minutes to pickup.
She picked up a random clipboard. She made to read it. Then she walked briskly to the supply closet. Inside, she ripped all the sheets off the clipboard and tore them into shreds and strips. She made a nest of towels and bedsheets on a shelf. She placed the shredded paper in her makeshift nest. For good measure, she grabbed two containers of hand sanitizer from a shelf and doused the nest and surrounding towels.
Felicia ripped off the fourth button on her coat. As before, she removed the enamel plate and slammed the small disc hard against the wooden shelf.
Crack!
The small disc grew warm in her hand. She placed it inside the nest and covered it with some paper strips. She then took a pile of towels and hid her nest from immediate view. The WSB had found that with minor chemical tinkering, the same chemical used by consumers as throwaway hand and feet warmers made ideal fire starters and explosives. Within five minutes, the little disc would reach a high enough temperature to self-ignite setting fire to anything flammable nearby. She hoped that the hand sanitizer would make for an even bigger fire.
Calmly, she walked back to the terminal via a circuitous route away. She discarded the gloves in the medical trash and put the empty clipboard on an empty desk. She reached the terminal and checked her watch. It was twenty-five minutes to pickup and, best of all, end of shift for one Elizabeth Meisner.
She unplugged her drive, reattached the faceplate and fastened it on her lab coat as the third button down. She executed another script to erase her logged keys on the terminal and to shut down. Such a trick wouldn't pose a hurdle to an expert systems administrator but it would muddle the investigation into the fire.
Confusion to the enemy, she thought. She straightened her coat and walked purposefully towards the exit. She swiped her card on the reader and the exit door opened immediately. Stepped through and, to her delight, found an elevator open and waiting for her. Her heart pounding just a little bit less frantically, she kept her face a frozen mask on the ascent to the main lobby.
On the main floor, she noticed less activity as the night shift had begun. The rest of the building was hushed and quiet. She exited the elevator without even needing to pass her card through another reader. A guard looked up and nodded. She made her way to a lavatory. Quickly she ripped the flash drive button off and slipped it inside her pocket. She took the small scrap of cloth from Therese and put that in her pocket, too. She checked the time. It was eight minutes to pickup. A shrill klaxon began to ring throughout the building.
She left the lavatory and made her way to the rear of the building. The corridors were filling with night shift workers as news of a fire began to spread. Most people were putting on their coats and filing out. A few managers shouted instructions to any who would listen. As she walked, Felicia took note of the labels on the doors and the uniform of the workers. She could hear machinery and gears working in the background.
Felicia found the freight elevator she had used before. Her luck was holding. It was empty. One minute to pickup. In the shipping area, people ran from place to place securing boxes and moving them to safer locations. A red strobe light turned atop the elevator frame. The fire klaxon was muted but audible. No one was paying attention as she jogged to the loading dock.
"Be there, Frisco, just be there," she said under breath.
She peered behind a stack of boxes. She heard but did not see Frisco arguing with the guard in German. She took off her lab coat and wig. She rolled it up and tucked the bundle under her arm. She moved to a better vantage point. She caught Frisco's eye. He ended the argument and pushed his loaded dolly towards Felicia's position.
With one hand he opened the topmost box and took out some coveralls and handed them to Felicia. "You're late. They're shooing everyone out of here."
"I needed a distraction," answered Felicia deftly changing putting on the coveralls.
Frisco offered her a hat. She put it on. Frisco led the way back to the truck. Felicia tried to remain in the shadow of his body to hide herself. They reached the truck and got in. Felicia in the rear and Frisco driving.
Frisco stayed silent until they had cleared the main gate and were ten minutes away with no sign of pursuit. Then he said, "All clear, honey. How'd it go?"
Felicia made her way to the passenger side and sat down. "You're not going to like what I found. No one is."
"You look positively sick."
Felicia held up the data disc. "I am because of this and other things."
"Don't keep me in suspense."
"Have you heard from Robert, Sean or Anna?" asked Felicia.
Frisco looked suspiciously at his wife. "How did you know they've been calling? I've been ignoring voice mail. And Connie, too. I'm suddenly Mr. Popularity."
"I think it may have something to do with Robin. I have a … a really bad feeling, Frisco."
"I hate it when you get like this."
"I know but I'm usually right," said Felicia. "We need to go to ground and hide.'
"What you found is that hot?"
"Horrifying," Felicia clutched at her stomach as bile began to rise inside of her. "I couldn't hide my trail very well. I wish Andrew had been around. They'll find out what I took and they're not going to be happy."
"What is it?"
"Proof about the real work of the Foundation. Once the world reads this, it's over for them. They can't hide what that building is standing on top of either," said Felicia. She gasped. "Therese! Oh, my god, we have to move fast before they get rid of the evidence! And Robin … I want to see her. See her right now!"
"Who's Therese?"
Quartermaine Mansion
Monica made her way slowly down the stairs for breakfast in the dining room. Edward, Tracy and Luke had already begun their day. Luke was refilling his plate from the sideboard. Alice flitted in with a full plate of pork sausages.
"Morning," said Monica.
"I wasn't expecting you until later, Monica. You hadn't arrived yet when I went to bed," said Edward adjusting the napkin on his lap. "I thought you were on night duty."
"No, not the night shift. I couldn't really sleep so I thought I'd get up and stay busy with something, anything," replied Monica.
"Dr. Monica, there was a delivery for you yesterday," Alice said. She pointed at a bouquet of white tulip buds in a tall crystal vase. Alice fished in her pocket and pulled out a small envelope. "I was to give this to you personally."
"Thank you, Alice," said Monica accepting the card. She made her way to the flowers. She opened the card and read the words: "Please accept these as my personal token of apology for breaking our date. I shall look forward to making amends on my return. Edgar."
"A grateful patient, Monica?" asked Tracy.
"Hmm, what was that?" asked Monica reading the note a second time.
"The flowers?"
Monica fingered the edges of a pink bud. "They're beautiful aren't they?"
"Are they from a patient?" Tracy repeated the question with a slight, frustrated edge to her voice.
"No, from a very thoughtful person," said Monica.
"You have a … a beau?" asked Luke taking is seat.
"He was very dapper but his eyes just went right through a person," commented Alice.
Monica laughed. "He's not very tall or imposing but I suppose Edgar can be intimidating."
"He made me promise twice that I would give that card to you. My job is done, thank god," said Alice scurrying back into the kitchen.
"Is Edgar a doctor?" asked Edward.
"No. He works for Robert's security firm, Trident Security," said Monica.
"Another spy," murmured Luke.
"Retired I'm told," said Monica.
"Once a spook, always a spook," remarked Luke saucily. "Trident, did you say, Monica?"
"They did exemplary work during the fundraiser. Please, don't make problems for them, Luke," said Tracy. "I don't think Robert would be amused."
"Me? Of course not. Robert's lost his sense of humor lately," groused Luke. He clapped a hand over his mouth. "Open mouth. Insert foot. God, how could I forget? Monica, is there any word on Robin?"
Before Monica could answer, heavy footsteps sounded and Jason Morgan barged in. He went straight for Monica.
"You have to DO something. They … they won't let ME see HER!" sputtered Jason. "I HAVE to see Robin. I have to. You can FORCE them to let me in. I know you can!"
Monica bit her lower lip and tentatively reached out a hand towards her son. "I can't do that, Jason."
"You're the physician on record, Monica! Come on! Just for a few minutes," pleaded Jason. "I'll wear whatever you want me to. There's so much I have to tell her. Please."
Monica held Jason's shoulders and looked him straight in the eyes. "Jason, listen to me. You can't see her because … because it's too late. She died last night."
Jason searched Monica's eyes and face for signs that she was lying. He only saw sorrow and pain in her eyes. His shoulders sagged. He looked away.
"Poor Anna and Robert," said Edward.
"So soon?" said Luke in a strangled whisper. He grasped Tracy's hand in consolation and shared grief. "I thought she'd have more time … for goodbyes."
"She just had a baby," said Tracy in sad disbelief.
"The disease devastated her in a matter of days. I've never seen anything like it," said Monica.
Jason gasped out loud. "I … I have to … to go."
"She wasn't in any pain, Jason. She was with her family in the end," said Monica.
Jason blinked back tears. "The protocol was supposed to give her years. What happened?"
"That doesn't matter anymore," said Monica tenderly. She stepped closer to her son. Not quite daring to touch him but willing for him to feel her love and concern. "She achieved what she wanted out of her life - a family of her own, a beautiful and healthy baby girl, her parents beside her. We have to … to take comfort in that. And, remember the joy she added to our own lives."
Jason shook his head. "No one is stopping me from being at the service. Or Sonny. Or Michael. We'll be there."
"There won't be a public service," said Monica.
"The family has decided on a completely private service and burial."
"What? NO!" cried Jason.
"They can't keep us away! We want to say goodbye!"
Monica's eyes flashed in anger. "This isn't about you or Sonny. This is about what she wanted. She's respected your choices, Jason, it's your turn to respect hers."
Jason had no response. He stalked out of the mansion.
"I hope he doesn't do anything foolish," said Edward.
Monica sighed. "Robin meant more to him than we'll ever understand."
Luke stood up. "I need some air."
"Are you going to see Robert?" asked Tracy.
Luke shook his head. "I'm going to the Brownstone to see Bobbie. I know how close she was with Robin. It's something I can do. You're welcome to tag along, Tracy."
"Fine. I'll drop you off and stay for a few minutes before heading for the office," said Tracy rising too her feet. "Since the guards won't let him past our gates, Ashton has requested a meeting at ELQ today, are you coming in for that?"
"You're more than welcome to deal with him, Tracy. I'll support you whatever you decide." replied Edward. "I'm staying home to think."
"Think? About what, Daddy?" asked Tracy.
"Life and death. Love and hate. Hopes and dreams," answered Edward. "To making amends before it's too late."
"What amends?" asked Tracy studying her father closely.
"Never you mind. I'm not going to do anything just yet. Just think," said Edward. "And take a walk outside in Lila's garden."
"It's January, Edward," warned Monica.
"The paths are clear and I'll bundle up. I think better when I can feel her close by," said Edward.
"I'm staying home, too. Call me and we can walk together," said Monica with a small smile.