Inner Workings

Inner Workings - Part 13

"Why did you allow your Head Comp Tech to look over what we've already done?" said the Head of Watch One over the vid com in Cetz's office. Cetz had very little patience for the man, especially after what Harrison put Rachel through with Louis' test, but he kept his cool. For now.

"Because he's an anal computer nerd and when he does have a hunch something is wrong he's usually right." Cetz brought up on the screen the report Grant had typed up. "You're hiding something, and it has to do with Sandra Pearl."

If Watch One felt on the spot he didn't show it. "What of it?"

"She was implicated with Martin Zachs after the Luvor incident. I thought she was brought in?"

"We tried," said Watch One, curtly. "But the first men we sent after her came back empty handed. We've kept an eye out for her but, as your Tech found out, the only lead we have is her account access. We erased her online presence so you wouldn't get freaked out by it."

"We have a rogue former Watch employee out there with a grudge. And possibly part of Retten's follow." Cetz rubbed his sort buzzed hair, wishing he had the Head of Watch On in his office to wring his neck. "Did Zachs speak to her last? I want to know just how much he told her. And you know what I'm talking about."

"We've already questioned him and he insists that she doesn't know about Agent Patriarch's condition."

"Forgive me if I'm not all that inclined to believe him."

"Cetz," said Watch One, his impatience showing. "We don't even know if she's that big a threat. We've already sent three more agents after her last location. What damage could she do with our financial records? There isn't any identifying personal data in them."

Cetz's headset beeped. "What?"

"Call for you on outside line one. It's Louis," said Olivia at the switchboard.

"Not now."

"He was very insistent."

God forbid Louis be put off for a few minutes. Cetz gestured Watch One to wait and tapped his headset. "Did you arrive safely?"

His eyes widened and shot an accusatory look at Watch One.

"Your rental car was rigged with a bomb?"

***

"A faulty one; it went off before we could reach it." Louis babysat the luggage at the edge of the Rental Lot, keeping an eye on Massaru and Will over by the ambulance. Massaru had insisted Will get checked over, but Louis wondered if Massaru needed the greater care. He kept himself out of the police interviews, concerned that the local blues wouldn't think kindly of men that had firearms in their luggage. Fire trucks had doused the husk of a Honda, leaving a wet puddle in the middle of the lot, and of course tourists rubbernecked with their cell phone cameras. One person's terrifying shock was another's Youtube sensation.

"We're mostly okay; Will got a bit banged up on his arm. I know we're here to make sure Massaru gets home safely, but if we're seriously protecting him from something, or someone, I'd like to know now."

"So would I," replied Cetz surprised, and no less pissed off. "I'll get right back to you. Don't leave the Rental Lot until I call."

Louis muttered under his breath as he clicked off his cell phone. He had a feeling that he, Will, and Massaru were headed back to Watch Two. Despite the understanding for safety, he thought it a damn shame that Massaru was only two hours away from being reunited with his family and they had to turn back.

Back through airport security and luggage searches and scanners.

"I hate traveling," he muttered looking back over to Massaru and Will by an ambulance.

***

Cetz looked back up at the screen. There. Now Watch One looked guilty. The freaking bastard.

"Two of my agents and Doctor Massaru Devi were nearly blasted apart. How about you bring me up to speed on your so called "non-threat" and why you let her have continued access to Watch Financial records."

***

"Come now, William," chided Massaru like a knowing parent. "I want you checked over again by a doctor."

"You are a doctor," replied Will, keeping the pack of ice over his bandaged arm. He wondered if the soccer player that had fetched it had stuck around so he could say thanks.

"Indulge me," said Massaru, guiding him over to the back of the ambulance. "I do not want you suffering from a concussion because I missed it."

Will groaned and hefted himself up into the ambulance with the help of the paramedic and sat on a fold down seat set inside the vehicle. He let the medic shine a light in his eyes, testing his reflexes and checking his arm, and he answered any questions the medic asked. Allergic to any medications? Feeling dizzy? Headache? Everything Massaru had already asked.

Massaru hung back at the ambulance doors. The Indian doctor's usual cheerful demeanor had faded since the explosion. Will knew why, if Massaru was in danger than Watch Mission Control would call them back to base, back to safety, and away from Massaru's family.

"Are you sure you don't need to be checked?" asked Will.

Massaru forced a smile. "No. You were the closest to the blast; Louis took good care of me."

"Are you two traveling together?" asked the medic.

"Yes," said Massaru. "But we did not expect to be in your company." His expression became wistful as he leaned against the door. "You know, the concept of the ambulance as a way of moving patients to a place to be treated is very ancient, but the idea of a mobile hospital in a vehicle did not come to true fruition until the 1970s."

"Is that right?" said the medic, lifting the edge of the temporary bandage Massaru had put on Will's arm.

"Indeed," said Massaru. "I find it a little fitting that some of the early automobile ambulances were actually refitted hearses. They were the only cars that were manufactured to fit a body lying down it he back."

"That's a little morbid," said the medic with a smile. "But I got a brother that would get a kick out of that."

Will winced as the medic bandaged his arm again, but when he looked out the ambulance to see Louis back on the phone, his eyes widened. The blond paced back and forth like a lion in a cage. When they were done with the medic, Massaru and Will met up with Louis who sat dejected on his duffel. Will wished he had a mug of coffee to calm his partner down.

"When are we flying back?" asked Will.

"We're not," said Louis, still looking down and his voice a rumble. "According to Cetz, Watch One and Watch Mission Control want us to play bait so they can find the person after Massaru."

Louis relayed what Cetz told him about the hacking into the Watch Network and the possibility that Sandra Pearl was tracking them via their financial trail. He also relayed his wish to choke Watch One and stick Roman Candles up the man's nose. Massaru stayed silent; Will didn't know if the man was glad to stay or terrified.

"We're staying in San Francisco until Sandra is caught?" asked Will.

"Pretty much. And we can't use the card Watch gave us unless instructed. Or the Hotel rooms they reserved. I hope your credit cards have a good limit."

Will tilted his head. "Meanwhile Massaru will be out in the open for them to find?"

"Nope." Louis glowered, his fists digging into his duffel, looking ready to rip into the canvas. "I'll give you two guess where Watch One suggested we hide him."

Will frowned in puzzlement, and then his jaw dropped. "Oh, no."