The air supply was cooled by air-conditioning piped from outlets in bulging silver tubes that snaked along the ceilings above, maintaining the temperature throughout at an even seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Everything was clinically clean, and Douglas mentally calculated the cost of equipment and cleaning staff required to keep it this way. They passed a large shopping mall, a hospital, schools, gymnasiums and even a movie theatre.
‘They’ve thought of everything haven’t they?’ Douglas said. ‘I s’pose they’ve even got swimming pools.’
‘Yeah. There’s one or two. Leisure’s important. We could be locked up here for some time. If we had a nuclear war we’d have to stay here for months.’
‘It’s not going to be a war, though.’
‘True. However, it will be just as devastating. People will be looking for food and shelter.’
Douglas shuddered. ‘It’s eerie. I wouldn’t want to be locked in here too long. How many people can it house?’
‘About ten thousand. Perhaps more.’
‘Amazing! Are there more like this?’
‘Yup, but not exactly like this. Most country’s have made provision for their leader’s protection. Even the Queen of England has an escape castle set up.’
‘Really! Makes you wonder what other secrets the government’s hiding from the public.’
‘Yeah. Need to know stuff.’
They stopped for lunch at a fashionable cafe where the staff wore the same blue uniforms. People seemed normal, even friendly, and the service was impeccable. ‘Make the most of it.’ Worth said. ‘It won’t be as relaxed as this once everybody moves in.’
‘When will that be?’
‘We’ve started. We’ve already got some uninvited guests we’ve locked up.’
Douglas stared at him. ‘You mean you even got a jail here?’
‘Well, it’s not really a jail. However, nobody can get in or out without codes and passes.’
‘Oh? Just who are these uninvited guests?’
‘Just some people we thought might let the cat out of the bag. They’re lucky really. They’re safe.’
‘What if it’s all just a scare?’
Worth slurped his coffee. ‘You sound sceptical.’
‘It’s just that Peterson and the Secretary for the Navy think it’s a load of rubbish.’
‘Let them think what they like. The President’s not taking any chances, despite Peterson’s opposition. They’ll thank us after it.’
‘You sound sure.’ Douglas said leaning back and slipping his fingers under his belt.
‘This guy Torrens has staked everything on it. My gut tells me he’s not stupid. If it doesn’t happen he’ll lose his government contract along with his boat, and his reputation.’
After an excellent lunch of prime rib served with a bottle of crisp Californian wine, they returned to the reception centre to rejoin the real world.
‘Before we go I want to show you the ops centre.’
Worth led the way through double doors into a spacious room fitted out like a space rocket launch centre. Computers and television displays formed banks around the perimeter of the room, and there were two separate areas sectioned off by glass-panelled walls. Douglas looked at the television displays. Several were monitoring the areas inside Rockwell where he had just travelled, and he watched with fascination as others panned over the country outside, highlighting the Washington Monument in the distance, and the Potomac River, curling like a black snake on it’s journey around the flat terrain.
‘Must be mighty powerful cameras.’ Douglas quipped. ‘The White house must be two hundred miles from here.’
‘Satellites. Gives us a bird’s eye view doesn’t it?’ Worth said. ‘There’s a shit load of testing gear out there, but most of it’ll be useless in a flood.’
Douglas spread his arms and gestured around him. ‘You’ve got a full-blown surveillance system here. Must’ve cost the earth.’ Douglas said. ‘How did they hide the expenditure?’
‘The way they spend money it wasn’t hard. A few mill here, a few there. Who’s to notice?’
‘Seems a little callous, all that money to save the lives of a privileged few.’
‘Why should you worry? You’re one of those privileged few. Don’t go getting a bloody conscience on me now, or would you rather be left out there?’
‘No. I didn’t mean to imply that I disapprove. It’s usually only people with money who can buy their way out of things. I guess it’s not money in this case though, but power.’
‘Power’s everything Douglas, don’t forget it. You’ll soon see just how quickly money means nothing. Let’s get out of here. I’ve got some cages to rattle.’
Rockwell had been an eye-opener for General Porter and he was suddenly glad to have fallen victim to Worth’s blackmail. He imagined what it would be like outside this cosy centre after the flood, and shuddered to think of the people who would be left out there to flounder. Just one thing was worrying him. How did Worth plan to get rid of the President? He didn’t want to be party to any assassination, but if it came down to the wire he had promised Worth his support, and his future depended on carrying through with that vow. Nervous beads of sweat formed on his flushed face and he wondered what his life was going to be like living in what he knew would become a city under siege.
Chapter Seventeen
The Dulles departure lounge was so crowded Nick found it impossible to tell if anyone was following him. He kept on the move, changing seats, glancing around at the other passengers and the clock on the wall. Three television displays kept his attention, one with sports, CNN with news and daytime serials on the other. Any second he expected an iron hand to grasp him on the shoulder.
Once seated on the plane to LA he watched his fellow passengers boarding, suspicious of every glance his way, the nerves in his body taut like tight strings on a violin. When they closed the exit door he exhaled thankfully and allowed his body to slump into the seat.
Two hours later they landed in Dallas Texas. Knowing they weren’t changing planes, Nick remained in his seat arguing with the attendant who kept insisting he leave. She could see he was not going to budge and sauntered off muttering that it was against regulations. He used the time while he was waiting for the next leg of the journey to write a letter to Laura, which he would send to Josh, explaining his flight from Washington and his reasons. The cabin crew had turned off the air-conditioning, and after an hour of discomfort he was just beginning to consider adhering to the blasted regulations, when cool air wafted in and passengers began boarding for Los Angeles.
During the three hour flight he half-heartedly watched the movie screening. His mind wandered relentlessly. Bored and unable to relax, he ordered a scotch-on-the rocks, annoyed when they didn’t have Black Label. However he was a little thankful, as it made resisting the temptation to order more than two of the inferior drinks easy. A broad mix of passengers occupied every seat and he spent most of his time examining them surreptitiously, wondering if any one of them could be a CIA agent.
A small man wearing dark horn-rimmed glasses left his seat several times to stroll casually to the water dispenser. Nick remembered he had been on the first leg of the flight. He wore the usual business jack-suit that clung to a puny chest. Wasn’t that one of the CIA’s ploys? Hire tough people who appeared like they would run a mile if someone shouted at them? The man paid no attention to Nick, but he sure was thirsty.
Finally the pilot announced they were approaching Los Angeles airport and would land in thirteen minutes. He felt a little calmer but he would not feel safe until he was on that plane for Australia. After disembarking he looked for a phone check station to call Jerry’s restaurant, it was an hour since Graham would have checked in asking for any messages. He looked for the little man with the glasses but could not see him anywhere. Sure now that he had not been tailed he decided to go direct to Graham’s hotel. The past twenty-four hours had been a nightmare! He would have to call Josh too, but decided it would be better to wait until he was on the plane for Hawaii. If they traced him they could still prevent him from leaving. He was earlier than expected and did not bother to call ahead, and was more than relieved when Graham answered the door immediately.