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A.R.Yngve
PARRY'S PROTOCOL
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Chapter 61
SPOKANE AIRPORT, WASHINGTON STATE
OCTOBER 22
"Where can I find Annie Two Heads Collett?"
"Let me look it up, sir."
The WAC second lieutenant worked the keyboard of her portable computer, and found the name on the list: "Here she is, sir. Row M, bed 418."
"Thanks."
Abram paced across the huge, clear-lit aircraft hangar, now converted into a temporary assembly camp for hundreds of civilians. Row upon row of tent-beds were covering the floor, with canteens, portable lavatories, showers, and wide hospital tents in the corners; all marked as U.S. ARMY property. He pushed his way past scores of other people of all ages, all searching restlessly with their eyes, calling someone's name. Some children were lying on the beds, quietly waiting, some were reunited with adults -- some sat alone, crying aloud or in silence. More female soldiers dashed around, some sitting down to comfort a lonely child, aged man, or woman.
The noise of shouted names echoed through the spacious hangar:
"Edward! Edward?"
"Susie? Susie!"
"Norton! We're here!"
"Joe!"
"Loretta... Loretta!"
"Bettie Ann! Eve! Bettie Ann! Eve? Eve?"
"Wave if you can see us!"
It took him a couple of minutes to find the bed; it was empty, but used. He sat down on it and waited, watching the area. After a while, he checked his electronic wristwatch. It had ceased to work.
"Damn electromagnetic pulse," Abram muttered.
He ripped off the watch and tossed it away. Another few minutes were spent waiting. Then he took a pen and notepad from his coat pocket, and wrote:
ANNIE, I WAS HERE LOOKING BUT COULDN'T FIND YOU. PLEASE WAIT HERE UNTIL I RETURN, OR CALL SILVERSTEIN AT THE NEW YORK POST, AND ASK FOR "OLD MERLIN".
LOVE YOU,
Abram
He added the phone number, folded the note and put it on the pillow. As he turned to leave...
"Abram!!"
Annie's scream made him start up, diving into the crowd. Annie pushed her way forth and rushed into his arms; almost instantly, she began to cry, clinging to him as he rocked her slightly.
After a minute, she managed to speak in clipped sentences: "I heard you and the madman on the radio -- I was on my way home from a nightshift in Spokane -- I turned the car and drove back -- and then a while later I heard the explosion far away -- I learned what'd happened -- the entire town was destroyed and everyone there was killed! Why, why, Abram? What did you have to do with it?"
Her voice broke as she started to cry again.
He kissed her face, mumbling: "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I must explain, but it's dangerous for you to know... come, sit down and let's talk."
They sat on her bed, Abram holding her as he spoke. He told her little, but enough. When he had finished explaining, Annie was silent.
She suddenly said in a calm, strong voice: "You must help me find the men who did this, Abram. You must make sure that they are all dead or punished. They killed my friends, killed my home." Annie stared into his eyes. Hers were red and shiny, but fierce and alive with determination. "I won't leave you until you do. You hear me?"
He nodded slightly, grasping her hands.
"I swear, Annie. I swear."
He helped her to her feet.
"Are you staying here any longer?" he asked. "To wait and see if any people you know should arrive here?"
"Yes," she said, wiping her eyes.
"Good. I must go looking for some friends myself, then we'll meet soon and decide what to do. I will be forced to leave the country for a while."
He took the note from the pillow and pressed it into her palm.
"I'll come back for you."
Again, he left her.