Hunted

Chapter 10: Typhoid Haley

Wayne Gilger made the same trip to Robert Clark's office that he had made so many times in the last several years, but this one weighed more heavily on him than any of the others. He had received Clark's praise for his efforts to find Jack Haley, and had thought himself doing a good job. But when Clark had called him moments earlier and requested- ordered-his immediate presence in his office, Gilger recognized the short, stiff tone in Clark's voice and what it meant. Gilger's authority in this matter was in some way being usurped.

He went through security mechanically, making eye contact with no one. Going over his mental notes of what he had done thus far, he found no obvious omission, no area where Clark might find fault- other than that Haley's exact whereabouts were still unknown. That in itself might be enough to ruin a career, he thought. Clark was not a patient man, not when something mattered to him and the business. And finding Jack Haley mattered very much.

At Clark's door, he composed himself, not that the security cameras would have transmitted any indication of it. Gilger's expression and posture didn't change, but he banished the swirling storm of questions from his mind and simply prepared himself to be quick on his feet- ready for anything.

"Have a seat, Wayne," Clark said as soon as the door slid open. "Care for a drink?"

Gilger's stomach tightened. It was as bad as he feared. "No thank you, sir."

Clark shrugged, finished making his own drink, then sat casually behind his desk. "How long has it been since our last formal meeting on the Haley situation?"

"Four days, but I've sent you coded reports twice a day-"

Clark stopped him with an upraised hand. "I know that, and the reports have been fine. I'm just trying to establish a frame of reference."

"Yes, sir," Gilger said, not understanding.

"Anything new this morning?"

"No report from Haley's home, although all is ready there. McKee's vessel is due on Galena II tomorrow. We have agents waiting there."

Clark nodded slowly. "That was good work, using our police source to find out about the priest and then your wits to make the connection with McKee." He added a pleased smile to his words.

The complimentary expression did little to put Gilger at ease. The longer Clark continued with this almost casual conversation, the more tense Gilger became. "A simple matter, really. The STBs make eavesdropping quite possible, and we were fortunate enough to catch Sanders with a confidante. I'm certain that the police haven't learned about McKee, though. Sanders is protecting Haley and his escape route."

"Very good. It has become a much more interesting race now. Us against them."

"We'll win that race, sir."

"We'd better. We have more at stake than the police. But I want more assurances."

"McKee will talk, sir. He'll be persuaded."

"I'm certain of that. But what do you make of the fact that Haley left the planet on McKee's ship, and departed somewhere before McKee's first scheduled stop?"

Gilger weighed his words before answering, trying but failing to figure out where Clark was headed. "I imagine he's frightened. Running from the police."

"And doing a remarkably good job of keeping out of sight for a man who is supposed to be severely wounded, one whom you speculated was likely dead only a few days ago. This Haley has surprised me with his ingenuity in accomplishing all that he has so far. If he manages to hide himself as well as he's avoided those searching for him, we wouldn't have the STB back in our possession for the conference."