A Small Gray Dot

“I don’t care what he said!” the doctor snapped. “You don’t give someone drugs without knowing what it is you’re giving them, and you don’t do it against their will.” He looked at me. “She also has a bad bruise on her temple. Did this… this… man… do that?” He glared at Talbert.

“No. But I’ve taken care of the one who did. Sir, I need to put these two men somewhere secure. Do you have a room that will hold them for a while?” No telling when we could get law enforcement out here but I wanted them out of commission until we could.

He smiled. “Yes. Bring them and come with me.” he started for the kitchen.

Lem, motioning with the .45 said, “Git up. Don’t do nothing stupid and y’all might live to see another day.”

I followed the doctor to the kitchen to find him standing before a door.

“This leads to my basement. The only way in or out is through this door. And, it can be locked from this side.” He indicated the deadbolt lock. “They’ll be comfortable down there.” He opened the door.

It opened inward into the basement, so not much danger of them kicking it open from the other side. I was curious as to why it operated in that fashion since any other basement door I’d seen opened outward, but it was an old house. Maybe it was simply the way they built them back then.

“Okay.” I marched them down the stairs and I saw why the doctor said they’d be comfortable. It was not a bare-bones basement stuffed full of junk. The place was set up as a lounge with wood paneled walls, and nice chairs and tables. There were magazines, and books on a shelf – not that those bozos were likely to be readers. I noticed a bar in one corner.

“Any liquor in that thing?” asked Slim spotting it and licking his lips.

“Yes, there is,” said the doctor. “You’re welcome to it.”

Generous man. I would’ve removed all the liquor and left them dry. But, he wasn’t me.

They were at the bar pouring themselves drinks as we went back upstairs. I figured that would keep them happy for a while. Until the cops showed up.

Back upstairs, Lem and Percy settled at the counter. The doctor studied them for a moment, then said, “I imagine you boys would like a drink.” At their nod, he pulled out the bottle of scotch.

As I headed to the lab to call Madison, he was also pulling out sandwich materials. On the way, the doorbell rang and I let Duncan in.

“Left the car down on Spruce Street. That’s far enough away so it won’t be connected with this house.” He grinned. “Besides, that’s where Ken Talbert lives. Let them figure that one out.”

I chuckled and pointed him toward the kitchen and continued to the lab. I picked up the phone and dialed.

“Madison,” I said when she answered, “She’s safe but she was given some type of drug and the doctor gave her something to counteract it, so she’s asleep.”

She expelled a loud breath. “Oh! Thank God! Somebody who said he was Julius Henderson called and said he had her but he wouldn’t let me talk to her. Henderson is the CEO of the company! Unless this guy was lying about being him, then that means the head of the company is committing a serious crime. Can you believe the CEO of a big company like that would do something like this? He said if I wanted her back I had to come there. I held him on the phone as long as I could, then I promised him I’d come. He said he’d call back to tell me where to meet him but he hasn’t called.” She hesitated. “Should I come there now? I mean, to where you are. I’m worried about Morgan.”

I glanced at my watch. Four a.m. “Stay where you are. As soon as she’s awake, I’ll bring her to you.”

“Well, okay—” there was a noise in the background, and she said in a rush, “Hey, something’s going on outside! I think Henderson’s sent somebody here after all! Call you back!” She hung up.

Damn. Didn’t that asshole ever give up? My rage tried to emerge but I held it in check. I knew my guys could handle it but I wished I were there. I shook my head. Even if I had a car no way would I get there in time to be of any use.

All I could do was wait to hear from her again.

Chapter Thirty-seven

I WENT BACK OUT TO THE KITCHEN.

“Henderson’s sent someone to attack Madison,” I told the doctor as I sat down at the counter. “My guys are still there.” I blew out a breath. “I know they can handle it but it’s tough not being there with them. She’s going to call back as soon as she can.”

Duncan looked up from his sandwich, his eyebrows raised. “You mean that bozo actually sent somebody to attack the head of a company? He must be outta his mind! What does he think’s gonna happen?”

I shrugged. “He knows how fractured our society is. He likely thinks he can get control of her company and ship his machines to wherever he wants them and no one will be available to stop him.” Moreover, he was right; law enforcement simply didn’t have enough manpower.

I didn’t believe his thugs would beat my guys but I was tense and the doctor saw it.

He shook his head as he busily prepared sandwiches.