Hidden Secrets (Garrett Investigation Book 1) (21 page)

“Not a word lady,” whispered his harsh voice.  Abby nodded slowly.  Retrieving some tape from his pocket, he tore some off placing it over her mouth.  Next he taped her feet and arms.  Satisfied he picked her up, slinging her over his shoulder checking the corridor before putting her in a janitor’s cupboard.  A nasty grin on his face he quietly shut the door locking it.

“One clear,” he muttered into his mic, “who’s next Patrice?”

“Get as many non-essential staff out of the way, move it and fast.  We don’t have much longer.”

“Pleasure’s mine,” he replied.  Taking off his mask, he checked his security uniform calmly walking down the corridor for his next target.

In the medical wing, Ana’s blood tests were back.  She’d been injected with heroin that was over generously cut with quinine; a combination which could prove fatal.  Administering naloxone was the best they could do.  Plunging a needle into Ana’s arm they prayed they weren’t too late.  They wouldn’t know for a few hours how much damage there was.

Ana’s body was fighting the drugs.  With her complex DNA, the battle was intense.  It was the only time Ana could thank Truit. It may save her life as it had done with Fletcher.

Ana’s dreams were intense.  It was like been in a new world.  Bright bursts of colours scalded her eyes as scenes and features changed from one to another, her brain wouldn’t close down for proper sleep.  As the naloxone coursed through her body the dream-like pictures slowed, her heart rate started to settle.  Sensing noise around her, she shook her head from side to side making her nurse leap to her feet checking her vital signs calling the doctor.

Puzzled by the lack of doctors, the nurse popped her head around the curtain receiving a blow to the head. Crumpling to the floor, the man quickly bound and gagged her; leaving her in a storeroom.  Returning to the emergency cubicle, he looked in smiling with malice.

“Not long now Missy,” he whispered, stroking her hair.  He returned to his post as security detail for Anastasia.  “All done Patrice, when’s showdown?”

“Within the hour, so keep alert.”

With everything settled at the Johnson house, the teams made for the transport heading back to the compound.  The prisoners secured with handcuffs in the back of Mal’s jeep.

“Let’s get moving men,” he waved them off.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Arriving at the compound all was quiet frowning Mal wondered where Abby was, she was always a worrier.  The men tumbled out of the jeeps walking towards the door chatting amicably. Mal sensed something wrong jumping out of his jeep he hollered to Yuri.

“Get the hell back here now Yuri, all of you.”

They turned staring at him in shock, what the hell was wrong. “What’s the matter boss,” asked Yuri.

“Just back away from the entrance something isn’t right.”  They all turned as one towards Malachy jogging back to him when an explosion ripped through the front entrance. The energy blast rolled towards the jeeps; the intense force crumpling those closest.  Shattering windows sent shards of glass into the night sky raining down into the backs of the running men.  The searing flames rolled like a tsunami engulfing those moving too slowly; lifting them off the ground, tossing them into the air like rag dolls. Screams and swearing filled the air, as men landed in heaps on the concrete. Some covered with burns, bodies bloodied and unconscious, others dead.

“Fuck.  When is this going to end,” snarled Malachy.  Behind him Truit laughed, enjoying the show.  Turning Mal opened the door, reaching in he hauled Truit out by his injured shoulder making him scream.

“Shut the fuck up,” he growled punching him in the face, dropping him to the floor unconscious.  “Yuri, you okay?”

“Yuri is down boss,” yelled Tallon.

“Fuck.  Tallon get hold of security and ask them what the fuck’s going on.”

“Yes boss.”

“And get some medics out here.” Turning to the few men around him; “you, you and you with me, guns at the ready.”

“No reply from security or medical boss.”

“Bloody brilliant,” he muttered.  “Quin, Tallon you’re in charge out here see who’s hurt and treat them as you can.  I’m going in.  See if you can get hold of the communications centre it should be secure.”

“Ok boss, just keep your radio link open.”

“Done, now men, let’s move.”

The moved quickly and quietly towards the smoking, twisted broken entrance.  Wires were hanging free, carefully; with guns drawn the men followed Mal into the corridor backs against walls waiting for the go signal.  Mal’s ear piece came alive.

“Communications are still secure; they want to help.  I’ve put them through to you, could be useful having eyes from the inside.”

“Thanks Tallon.”

“Cameron here Mal, where are you?”

“I’m in the smoke at the entrance.  Where’s security?”

“We’ve one on Ana, one on Fletchers door,” looking at another monitor.  “There is someone I don’t recognize in the security office.  Two in there on the floor, tied up looking pretty pissed off.  The camera is blurry so can’t see much.”

“What about the corridors.”

“Empty Malachy, never seen it so quiet.”

“Can you see Ana in medical?”

“Nope, curtain around her bed, one of your security in attendance.”

“Who is he Cameron?”

“Hang on,” he muttered twirling dials zooming in closer.  “His name tag says, Anton.”

“Okay, keep me posted, we’ll move shortly.”

“Okay Malachy.”

“Quin, come in.”

“Yes boss, what can I do for you?”

“Security detail called Anton. I don’t recall him?”

“Yes sir, youngest recruit built like the Hulk.  He’s been with us around nine months, excellent skills.  He left the Marines two years ago due to traumatic breakdown after operation Gladfly.”

“Who’s he mainly worked with, is he safe?”

“Should be sir, comes across as honest with great work ethics.”

“Thanks Quin.”  Hand signals and the men moved cautiously forward. 

“Cameron come in please,” said Mal

“Malachy, what can I do for you?”

“We’re heading for medical, checking in on Ana.  Keep an eye on us please.  Let me know any other movement.”

“Okay, will do Malachy, no worries.”

They checked each room they passed down the corridor; all was quiet.  Stopping at the first crossroad, they looked around the corners.  Nothing was to be seen or heard.

“Very odd,” murmured Malachy.  “You two take a corridor each, meet up in medical,” grabbing the other man by the shoulder,” you’re coming with me to medical.

“Clear all the way Malachy,” Cameron said into his ear.

“Thanks Cam, see you soon.”

Off at a trot, they arrived at medical, carefully looking through the doors.

“What you want to do boss?”

“You stay here watch my back; you’re not one of my men so be cautious.  I’m not sure on this security guard. He looks too at home considering what’s going on.  He’s certainly not reported to anyone.”

“He’s a big fellow boss; you want me to shoot to kill if he attacks?”

“Prefer in the kneecaps.”

“You’re too kind boss.”

“Well, if he turns into the Hulk shoot to bloody kill.”

“The green machine,” he replied with a small snigger.  “Okay, I’m gone, see you shortly boss.”

Malachy quietly opened the medical department door, easing inside the room.  Anton snapped to attention.  Tension filled the air as their eyes met.  A slow smiled spread across Anton’s face.

“Evening Mr Garrett.”

“Evening Anton,” he said blandly, “could you tell me why you’ve not reported in tonight considering what’s going on.”

Anton put his best, bewildered look on his face, “Sir I’ve not heard anything.”

“You mean the explosion didn’t knock you off your feet.”

“What explosion sir,” he asked shocked.

“Maybe you should go and see Anton.  They need all the help they can get out there right now.”

“I was told to guard Miss Belaruski sir.”

“Well, I’m changing your orders now Anton.”

“Yes sir.”

“First, I’d like you to report on Miss Belaruski.”

“She hasn’t stirred sir.”

“When did you last see medical staff?” he asked softly.

“Not seen anyone for over an hour sir.”

“Ok, off you go Anton.”

Malachy walked toward the curtained cubicle as Anton walked past him to the door.  A flurry of noise in his ear with the word
“down Mal,”
had him landing on the floor as shots flew past his shoulder.   Rolling over he grabbed his Walther shooting in the direction they shoots came from.  As the echo’s stopped, he saw Anton slumped on the floor.  The three men he brought with him standing looking down shaking their heads.

“Thanks Cam.”

“I can’t believe the fucker pulled his gun on you Mal,” said Cameron in a hushed tone.

“Well, I doubt he’ll be doing any more damage,” Mal grimaced.  “Right, while I check on Miss Belaruski you guys get him out of here.  If he’s dead call in Quin if not call Quin,” he smiled amused at his own joke.

Approaching Ana’s bed, he looked down at her serene face.  No rapid eye movement now, her breathing shallow though even.  Sitting on the edge of the bed, he picked up her hand stroking it gently.  Feeling a slight pressure on his fingers, he looked up, no change.  The monitors kept their even beeping.  Replacing her hand on the cover, he kissed her cheek, standing; he went to check on Fletcher. 

Moving slowly down the corridor, he heard a muffled sound, looking around him, puzzled, he continued to walk only to hear it again, a bit louder this time.  A sudden thud on the door, he just passed made him turn.  Trying the handle only to find it locked.  Retrieving his keys he unlocked the door to find Abby trussed up on the floor.  Carefully, he pulled the tape from her mouth, cutting the rest with his penknife.

“You okay Abby.”

“Yes, no, oh my god I was terrified,” she stuttered bursting into tears.

“Everything’s all right now Abby,” he said gently helping her stand up rubbing her back soothing her.  “Can you manage to get to Anastasia?  Or would you like me to escort you?”

“I’ll be okay, is Ana all right?”

“Yes, though she still isn’t awake.”

“Okay, I’ll go talk to her.  What was all that noise earlier?”

“I’ll explain later.  I need to check on Fletcher.”

Mal continued on his way checking in with Cam on the security situations.

“Update please Cam, what’s happening and where?”

“The person in the security office disappeared into the ceiling, no idea where they are now.  The person left about five minutes ago.”

“Sod it.  Any clear view of the face?”

“No sorry Mal the person was rather smart.”

“Is there anything else Cam?”

“Quin reported in; one prisoner is dead, and the other has disappeared.”

“Oh fuck.  Who’s dead?”

“Quin didn’t say.”

“Get him to contact me ASAP.”

“Sure.  Is there anything else I can do?”

“Call Frank and Jones, tell them to bring their parcel to the compound.  I’m just checking on Fletcher now.”

The security guard had disappeared.  Entering Fletchers room cautiously, he saw Fletcher sleeping, weird considering the noise.  Approaching the bed, Malachy checked his pulse, slow but steady.  His eyes were moving rapidly.  Cursing he swiftly turned away running into a guard; looking up into the ugliest smile he’d ever seen.  The guard gripped Mal’s arms by his side; intense pressure felt like he was being crushed slowly.

“Let me go you moron.”

The guard increased the pressure.  Pulling up his knee, Mal delivered a quick hard jab to the guard’s groin.  His smile widened as he continued to apply pressure on Mal’s arms.  Malachy released his blade in his hand thrusting it deeply into the guard’s arm muscles; they jerked away from each other

“Kill you for that,” mumbled the guard.  They circled each other pushing medical equipment out of the way.  Cam was alerted by the noise.

“Do you want or need assistance Mal?”

“More the merrier,” he grinned as he launched himself at the guard flicking the knife plunging it between his ribs.  The guard grabbed Malachy tossing him through the air. He landed winded beside a cupboard, knocking his head on the concrete wall. “Crap.”  Shaking his head, he got swiftly to his feet; only to be sailing through the air again crashing into Fletchers bed.  The force slamming them into the far wall, dislodging Fletchers plaster cast leg; which came crashing down on Malachy’s left wrist cracking it.  Screaming in pain, Mal kicked out with his right foot connecting with the guard’s groin knocking him back.  The door burst off its hinges as two men pulled guns shooting the guard to the floor.  Meanwhile, Mal started to pull his arm free cursing.

“Fuck,” he said cradling his arm.  “Get the bastard out of here and lose him somewhere very fucking dark,” he snarled walking back to the medical department. Abby’s eyes widened at his harried expression.

“Abby where’s the naloxone,” he said breathlessly.

“W-what’s wrong Malachy.”

“Fletcher has been injected with similar stuff by looks of things.”

“It’ll be in the lock down cupboard,” she said pointing behind her.

Opening the door, he found Ana’s nurse moaning on the floor.  “Abby, I’m going to need your assistance here.  First call Cam and tell him all hands on deck, please.”

“What about your wrist?”

“Put it in a sling, it’ll have to do for now.”

Helping the nurse to her feet, Mal passed her a cold compress sitting her in a nearby chair.

“You’ll be all right.”  Men came rushing in Tallon in the front.  “I want the whole facility searched now, every room and space.  I need a doctor.  Anton or the other perpetrator dosed Fletcher up.”

“Boss Quin is outside with the injured; five men stayed with him so that we can move them here.  I’ll organise the rest for search duty.”

“Good, now get a move on.”  The nurse beside him groaned at the loud voices.  Crouching down Malachy took her hand. “Hey, it’s okay, you going to be fine.”

“Yes, seems I have a hard head,” she smiled timidly.

“What’s your name?”

“Mary Kranski.”

“Right, Mary I need you to look at Fletcher for me.  I think he has been dosed up with a similar drug as Anastasia was.  Are you able to do that for me?”

“Yes, though a doctor would be better.  I’ll get some Naloxone just in case.”

Gently he helped her to her feet.  She unlocked medicine cabinet taking what she needed before leaning back on Malachy with a dizzy spell.  “Okay let’s go.”

“Do you want a wheelchair, Mary?”

“No, I’ll be ok.”

Finally, they arrived at Fletcher’s room.  Entering Mary stopped in shock at the mess.

“What the heck happened here,” she said quickly starting to set things to right.

“An encounter with someone who didn’t like me,” replied Mal helping as much as he could.  Walking over to the bed, Mary began checking Fletcher’s vitals.  There were cracks in his plaster cast, and she noted his vitals though stable were similar to Anastasia’s