ARKEN

Father-Daughter Bonding

Recker made sure to wrap up the Liverpool case as soon as he could. He was tired, physically and mentally after the last couple of days. He also tried his best to avoid being in the company of Colin Spear, though, it seemed like Spear was just as eager to be away from Recker.

Recker finished his report the morning after the trip out to the Isle of Man. He took it with him along with his bags when he left his hotel. Brantley Fraley was waiting for him with the Mini Cooper. Fraley had been kind enough to drive Recker back to the airport when it was time to go.

They pulled up outside and Fraley even helped Recker get his bags. The young man really tried to be as helpful as possible. He almost felt bad that the kid was stuck essentially being an errand boy for Spear.

"There are you are, Sir." Fraley said, handing Recker his bag. "And, can I say, it was a pleasure working with you, Sir."

"Thank you, Fraley. I appreciated your company as well. You're a good man."

Fraley nodded politely and was about to get back into the car when Recker stopped him, "Fraley."

The young man paused and turned back, "Yes, Sir?"

"I wrote up my report of the mission for the DSG, but..."

Fraley smiled, "I'd be happy to take it for you, Sir."

"You're too kind."

Recker handed Fraley the report and went in. He went through security and got onto the plane as soon as he could. Once he had sat down, his cell rang. He really didn't feel like talking to anyone right now, but he answered the call.

It was Richard Baker, a fellow operative with the Chicago branch of the HDF. Baker was one of the few guys Recker could sincerely get along with, but he still wasn't in the mood for a conversation.

"Hello, Rick."

"Markus. How was England?"

"My room was small and the food was tasteless. I'm on the flight home right now. We're about to take off, so I can't chat."

"Mission accomplished?"

Recker bit his lip, "You could say that. I'll just say, those agents won't be causing problems anymore."

"Good. Have you heard about this goddamn escape?"

"The van?"

"Yeah, it's bad. That van wasn't even supposed to have all the guys in it that it did, but someone higher up than us decided we needed to move them all at once."

Despite how sick he felt, getting into details with Baker took his mind off Liverpool and Spear and the fire. "Five escapees. Do we have any of them?"

"It's in the air. We've had reported sightings of Miguel Maldonado, though we haven't been able to confirm any of them. Wynn, Newlin, and Beecher are all gone."

"What about the fifth man?"

"Well, that's just it. Chicago police nabbed Gary Hughes and were holding him for us, some of our people were supposed to go and get him the next morning, but someone busted him out."

Recker sat up in his chair, "Who?" He had to hang up in a few minutes, but part of him was hoping to hear a little more first. Baker sighed, "No clue. According to the 9th District people, the whole camera network in and around the building froze for exactly fifteen minutes."