In the morning, Arthur assembled Lydia, Aidan, and Jando in a dimmed ready room on the third floor of the Center. A handful of technicians were on computers, watching maps on their glowing monitors and holding murmured discussions. On the front wall was a projected zoomed-in map of Wisconsin. On the opposite side was one of the Cave, complete with the surrounding area and routes leading out. “What are these ones?” Lydia asked, pointing to winding tunnels near the airplane runway.
“Emergency escape routes,” Arthur said. “In case the front entrance ever caves in.”
“That happen often?” she asked.
“Helps to be prepared.”
Would’ve made sneaking out of the Cave the first time a lot easier, she thought, studying them.
In addition, four security guards had been chosen to attend the briefing. “These are the drivers,” Arthur told them. “You’ll have fourteen overall going with you. I’m not taking any chances. If Roland Whyte or anyone else tries something again, we will be ready. You’ll be traveling to a safe house outside of Appleton, Wisconsin.” He pointed north of the city on the projected map. “Agent Sylvia and the drivers,” he nodded to them, “have the route you will take. We also have backup routes planned if necessary that they have been informed of.”
Aidan stopped him. “Wait, we’re supposed to go in without knowing how to get there and back?”
“Telling you would reveal the Cave’s location, and you’re not full-fledged agents,” Arthur said.
“Neither are they,” he said, pointing at the drivers.
“They’re our most senior guards after Morella,” Arthur said. “Don’t worry.”
“It’s fine,” Lydia whispered in Aidan’s ear. “Not like we don’t have some idea where it is if worse comes to worst.” Judging from the trips outside of the Cave, the three often speculated they were in Michigan. If not there, then close to its borders. Arthur and anyone who knew the answer never confirmed or denied their guesses.“You’ll meet up with Special Agent Rogers of the FBI,” Arthur continued.
“Oh, the guy from Golden Springs?” Jando asked.
“The same. Your priority is getting Heather to Rogers safely. Once done, you’ll return to the Cave. You leave in twenty minutes. Get going.”
In the parking lot, four square-box, armored transports were waiting for them. Several guards escorted Heather to the second one in the line. Arthur hadn’t been kidding about not taking chances. Each guard wore Kevlar vests, thick helmets; each carried an assault rifle in his or her hands and a pistol on their hips. As usual, Heather marched along in handcuffs on her feet and wrists, chained together, and exhaling smoke through her filter. From all the security, one would think her a dangerous psychopath who would break loose at any moment and murder everyone in the vicinity.
Sylvia held up a pill to Heather’s mouth and lifted the filter. “Open.” She tossed the pill in and waited for her to swallow it. Then she flipped on her tracker and confirmed that Heather appeared. “Hope you weren’t planning to try and leave.”
“And miss your charming company? Perish the thought,” Heather said, wearing a wry grin as Sylvia lowered the filter.
“No need to spare my feelings,” Sylvia said, standing aside. The two guards loaded Heather into the transport.
“Glad we have that to keep an eye on her,” Lydia said.
“Yeah. Only lasts for a few hours though.” Sylvia rattled a pill bottle. “That’s why I brought spares for the trip.” The other guards divvied up amongst the remaining vehicles. “Where’s Morella?” she asked, scanning their faces.
“Praying to the porcelain god,” one of the guards beside Heather said. “I didn’t even go in. You wouldn’t believe the smell. He sent me as his replacement.”
Barrett and Gary approached, talking to one another before handing folders to Sylvia. “Here’s her files,” Barrett said. “Everything should be there for her transfer to Dr. Potts.”
“And Dr. Kimball,” Gary added. He leaned in, looking at Heather. “You’ll like him. He’s really looking forward to working with you, too. He hasn’t had a BEP patient in a while.” Heather’s irritable expression said she was ready to leave him and his sessions far behind. Undeterred, Gary offered a friendly smile. “Hope all goes well!”
Sylvia and the three teenagers climbed into Heather’s transport, strapping in to the long benches on both sides. Up front, the driver checked on them through the mesh opening separating them from his seat and started the vehicle. Arthur joined Barrett and Gary to see everyone off, and the transports rumbled out of the Cave, jostling everyone around to start their bumpy journey.