Milwaukee Deep

Anthony Perks was listening in on another one of Tom Harding’s phone calls…

“So, are you telling me that not one of our people can locate this fucking doctor in all of New York?.....He was with him just three days ago….well how the hell did they lose him?!” Get your men to kick over every rock in New York City until they find this man – got it!”

Harding threw his phone on the table.

“If we don’t find that fucking doctor…” Harding spat, shaking his head.

Perks didn’t respond.

Harding picked up his phone again. As he placed it to his ear, Perks’ cell phone vibrated on the table.

“Perks here,” he called as he answered it.

“Anthony, it’s me,” said the voice on the other line.

“Sam!”

Harding looked up.

“Sam, where are you?”

Harding shut his cell phone and stood up.

“I can’t tell you that right now, Anthony.”

“Listen to me, Sam; I don’t think you understand what’s going on right now – there are people looking for you.”

“I know.”

Harding signalled to one of his men.

Agent Baker rushed over.

Harding whispered into his ear.

“Get a trace on this call immediately – get the crew rolling, even before you pin point the signal – it’s Crease and this time we’re not losing him.”

“Sam, look, you have to tell me where you are – let me bring you in – you and Michael,” Perks said calmly

“What have they told you?” Sam asked.

“Listen to me, I know you think you’re helping, but you’ve got it all wrong. Michael Burton is not the victim here. He’s CIA and he’s infected with a deadly virus - a virus that if released will kill everyone, do you understand me?”

“What?”

“It’s true – look I can explain it to you when we get together, but right now, you have to tell me where you are so I can bring you in.”

“I can’t do that, Anthony, not yet.”

“Sam, I wouldn’t lie to you – you’re in danger – we all are.”

Silence echoed down the line.

“Just answer me this, Sam – is Michael with you?”

“No.”

“Well if you’re not going to come in then do me this one favour.”

“Keep him talking – we’re almost there,” whispered Harding

“If you don’t believe me then check his blood – Ganton had an issue with his blood – your doctor will immediately find the anomaly if he looks.”

More silence.

“Sam?”

“We’ve already checked his blood,” Sam finally replied.

“And?” Perks asked

“And there is a problem.”

“You see - come on in, Sam. Listen to me; you have to do this.”

Sam kept quiet

“Then for God’s sakes either you give yourself up or pull out your gun and blow his fucking head off! Either way we need that virus neutralised before you, me and every one else on this planet is dead!”

Sam didn’t respond.

Perks could hear Sam breathing on the phone. He decided to kept quiet – he needed the call to continue.

“I’ve got to see what I can do,” Sam said finally.

“Just tell us where he is and we’ll take care of the rest, Sam.”

“No! I’m not going to let you kill him – he’s done nothing wrong.”

“Sam, you don’t understand.”

“I’ve got to go – I’ll call you back.”

“No, Sam, don’t hang up - !”

Sam ended the call.

“Damn it!”

Perks looked up at Harding.

Agent Baker ran back into the gas station…

“We’ve got him! He’s only forty miles north of here – we’ve already got two teams closing in fast on the signal.”

“Do you have a visual?” Harding asked.

“Satellite’s already got him pinned, Sir – we’ll have him within five minutes.”