Storm Surge

Chapter 8

Chapter 8TIME TO RELAX in the mornings would end soon. When Fritz opened the newspaper, a small article in the business section caught his eye. Jonathan Hartmann's yacht had been sold at auction for much less than its value. The story went on to report the strange death of the founder of National Data Corporation, once a Caballero, not yet solved. Fritz said aloud, “They eat their young.”

By the time Fritz had cleaned up and showered, Ashley had returned. As they headed out the door, a black Suburban pulled up behind Ashley's car. Tony waved as he crossed the lawn, and Natalie climbed from the passenger's seat.

“The president called. We need to go now,” Tony said.

Ash and Tony carried the generator to its spot in the hall. The hum of machinery nearby alerted them that they weren't alone. Fritz told them to wait in his classroom until he checked it out. A floor polisher, driven by the head of the school's maintenance, Joe Pettinelli, buffed the main corridor to the principal's office.

“Hi Joe. Just wanted warn you that I'm here.”

Turning off the machine, Joe said, “Hi Fritz. Here we go again, huh?”

“Soon enough. I'll be here for a while. Is that a problem?”

“Not for me. I did your hallway and the classrooms on Monday.”

“I'll try not to mess anything up. See you soon.”

“Hey, Fritz. Are you going to have another tournament this year? I really enjoyed it. Lots of fun.”

“When school ended, my kids said they wanted to do it again. We'll see soon if they still do. Say, do you have any drop-cloths around, or tarps?

“Nothing usable. I had to throw out what we did have. I'd get more but … the budget.”

“It's okay. George didn't get my class painted, again, so I'm going to do it myself. If I get to it, I'll just buy them. I hate how it looks. Maybe I can get him to free up some money for you.”

“That would be great. Maybe we can go over a list of stuff I could use. He might listen to you.” George McAllister, the principal, fussed constantly about school funds but continually forgot that he had another source, the president, for special projects. Fritz made a mental note to remind him.

“Sure, Joe. I'll be glad to look at it. See you later.” He returned to his classroom on newly polished granite reflecting the sunlight that found a path into the unlit hallway. As he turned the corner, Ashley's quick sidestep avoided a collision.

“Ash, open your room. We don't want to be out here.”

Fritz unlocked his desk and placed the White House brochure on the top, adjusting the paperclip. When he pulled the door open, the president, Mel Zack and General Beech left the Oval Office behind, a floor plan in the president's hand.

“He's in the room now, Fritz.” Seconds later, Declercq stepped into Riverboro High.

“You look tired, Florian. How was your trip?” asked the president.

“Not as quick as the last time I came.” His voice hinted of his tension and weariness from his flight, despite his attempted humor. A packet had been waiting so he hadn't even unpacked. He handed it to the general. The embossed outer cover was titled Forum for International Business Cooperation. Inside, an invitation announced dinner the following evening.

“Is this all? This is a lot of expense for one piece of paper.” Declercq said he'd checked and nothing more had been included.

The president handed him a phone, with a transmitter built in and turned on. “Florian, if you feel any threat, push this button, and we'll come immediately. We will have agents right outside the meeting room.”

“I need to keep my own, so I can be contacted from my office or my home.”

The general told him to say that one was business, the other personal. He handed Florian a phone number and said to add it to his speed dial.

“When this is over, we'll talk again,” said the president. “For now, stay in the hotel as much as possible. Thanks, Florian, and good luck.”

* * *

“FRITZ, I HATE to do this to you. Tomorrow night, Colonel Mitchell will be here with a couple dozen of his guys. I want to set the portal outside the room. If we can get Richter, we can end this. But I don't want the new group involved, if possible.”

“How will you find out if he's there?” asked Fritz.

“We have people on site. We haven't told Florian yet. We swept for bugs. If it's safe, we'll inform him tonight.”

“You want me here tonight then?” asked Fritz.

“No. He'll be contacted by our people in the hotel. Here's how this plays out.” As the president discussed the plan, Natalie took notes, the source documents for their upcoming evening's discussion. When he'd finished, he said, “Time for me to leave.”

“Mr. President, you've been calling Tony to set up. Why?”

“Fritz, we don't know how much they've learned, or if we're close to the end. I don't want to be in direct contact with you any more than necessary. I want you all to come out of this in one piece. I'll see you tomorrow.”