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A short up-date - hope you enjoy!
Chapter 20
Never Underestimate
2050- Undisclosed Location
Dave Warner backed away when the brake lights on the ambulance flashed red. The engine revved and he side-stepped to the right. He could see the reflection in the side view mirror of the driver looking at him. The man resembled the medic who had spoken to him moments ago. The ambulance shuddered briefly before the gears engaged and began to pull away.
Warner grabbed for his mobile, keen to ring Jason Speers. He saw Elvis taking in the departure as well. The channel lights on top of the rig began to brighten and pulsate as the driver weaved through the police barricades. Elvis approached at the same time Speers answered the call.
"Wha' the hell Dave?!" Elvis said.
Warner held up a hand to deflect further questioning and said into the phone, "Taking her to fucking hospital. We need to monitor all dispatches. We need to know where they are taking her!"
"Wha' happened?" Elvis said pacing around Warner as the call ended.
"They said she needs scans," Warner replied.
"Scans? Scans of wha'?! There was barely a scratch on her!" Elvis said in disbelief, watching the ambulance gain speed and move quickly away from the controlled police zone.
Inside the departing rig Avery Bowers launched herself into the front passenger seat. "Well, that was close," she said swiping a handful of hair back from her face.
"Tell me about it! That agent looked like bulldog ready to pull me out by a leg," the driver said.
They both laughed.
"You ever drive one of these?" she said having difficulty snapping her seat belt as the rig jostled back and forth.
"First time for everything, eh?"
She glared at him. "Pay attention! This has got to go to plan. Don't fuck it up Marty!"
Warner's mobile rang.
"Yeah?" he barked slamming the phone against his ear. His eyes began to bulge. "Fuck!"
"Wha' the hell Dave?" Elvis said impatient to wait another second.
"Do it!" Warner shouted to the caller, "Get it done!" He tipped the mobile towards the motorway and said to Elvis, "There were no dispatches from that ambulance. No communications with medical command. Anywhere."
"I knew it!" Elvis said wanting to kick himself. He spun around in an effort to see what resources were available. "Oi! You! Give me your vest!" he said running up to a nearby police officer.
"The fuck you say," the young man responded.
Warner flashed his MI5 badge to dissuade further argument. "He's good. Do it!"
"Yes sir."
Elvis watched as the officer ripped the Velcro stays open and handed the armored vest over.
"Who's in command of this?" Elvis said checking the controls on parked police motorcycle.
"That would be Sergeant Flanders," the officer said, "but…."
"Not anymore," Elvis said straddling the seat. He gave the stunned officer no chance to protest. Instantly he was handling the clutch and throttle.
Xxxxx
2051 – Hereford, UK
"They're safe then," Georgie said reaching for the remote.
"Roger that," Toni said, reading over Spanner's text one more time.
"I wonder what happened to Elvis' phone," Georgie said, back to trying to find news coverage on the television.
"Hmmmmm, don't know."
"Hey! Here, here, here…we've got something!" Georgie said turning the volume up on the remote.
Message crawlers on the screen indicated the successful end to the hijacking. Both women were captivated with the aerial images of the scene surrounding the now motionless train. They could see the blown-out cabin windshield and massive police presence. A news reporter was bringing the viewing audience up to speed on the developments. Georgie and Toni were trying to capture any sign of their husbands. As would be the case, however, Special Forces operatives had faded away like phantoms.
"What's the time stamp on this footage?" Toni said.
Georgie squinted at the screen. "Looks to be live."
"The team's kit would be black. I'm not seeing them," Toni said.
"No. Elvis would be in his civies, yeah, I can't imagine he'd have changed out," Georgie said chewing on a thumb nail.
"What's going on over there?" Toni said.
"Where?" Georgie said moving in closer to the screen.
"Right there," Toni pointed. "Looks to be out of sort."
Georgie squinted and leaned her face in further, "Oh my God!" she said. "It can't be."
Their heads turned towards each other in slow unison, then back to the screen. Georgie reluctantly accepted the obvious and said, "It is Elvis."