“In position,” the smaller team’s leader said, keying the radio on his shoulder.
There was a crackle and return of “Roger. En route.” White was glad to hear proper radio discipline. He’d trained these people well.
Sharia Jackson was trying hard to keep a smile on her face and Mike Wilson’s Cheshire Cat-like grin wasn’t making it easier. They had avoided each other since he’d arrived, getting their final makeup touchups in different areas of the set. The lights were on now and it was almost time to go on air.
Jackson badly damaged her reputation as a partisan reporter during the campaign. Her assignment to do this interview was a punishment for damaging the channel’s reputation. Either do the interview, she was told, or she could quit or be fired. Had he won, Governor Asher was going to make her his press secretary, but that was now out the window. Asher’s defeat had been her defeat and the asshole Texan wasn’t making it any easier. She was just grateful he wasn’t wearing his dopey cowboy hat.
Suddenly the producer said, “Let’s get ready. And five, four…”
The reporter turned to the camera, and with a smarmy grin said, “Hello. I’m Sharia Jackson. Tonight with me is the winner of last night’s exciting election, Mike Wilson. He’s been kind enough to sit down with us for a few moments to discuss the election and what his plans will be for Blue Creek.”
As the interview progressed, it was clear to everyone in the studio and in the viewing audience that the woman was having a hard time, especially when she had to address him by his new title.
“So Governor-elect Wilson,” she said, almost gagging on the words, “how does it feel?”
The camera view changed to a mid-range shot of Wilson. His grin answered her question and Patton and Jennifer let out a huge laugh.
“Well Sharia, it was a hard campaign, but I feel like I’m not the only person one who won something last night,” he said, subconsciously puffing out his chest. “I think the people of Blue Creek spoke a clear message last night. They’re tired of David Asher’s failed policies and they want to return to how things were when we all arrived here.”
Luckily for Jackson, the active camera hadn’t captured her rolling her eyes.
“Are you relieved that it’s over?” she asked dumbly. She decided that she would throw him meaningless questions until time was up. How could they fire her for that?
Wilson exhaled and looked her in the eye.
“You could say that,” he replied humbly, “but I’m more relieved that it was the right outcome. I know we have a couple weeks before we take over for real and hopefully the transition will be smooth. I’ve talked to Mr. Asher and he’s assured me that he will do his best to help me and my team hit the ground running.”
“That’s crap,” Patton thought out loud, harrumphing. He knew the transition was going to be a joke. However, Patton didn’t care. They were going to do everything differently. Once Mike won reelection they would have more time to make the necessary changes. It was going to take years to get the Asher stink out of the Blue Creek government.
Jennifer turned to face him and he smiled broadly. The relief in his eyes was palpable.
The second team finally reached the studio. All four members jumped out and pulled on black ski masks. Three members of the team fanned out and quickly moved towards the building in a wide triangular formation. Brian White, the team’s leader, strode confidently behind them, no longer concerned about being seen at this point. By the time any police could arrive, the deed would be done.
The first team member reached the glass door and pushed it open while his team members guarded either side of the door. The team leader stepped into the studio and into the radio said “Go!”
“So what is the next step?” Jackson asked Wilson. Maintaining her smile was getting more and more difficult. Her head was starting to ache and her right cheek was beginning to twitch.
“Well, my team and I have made some initial plans for in case we won,” Mike said, “but we met today and we’ll meet every day until we have all of the details hammered out. And of course we’ll be meeting with Mr. Asher and his people…”
The three-member team came out of their hiding place in the empty office and stepped out into a narrow hallway, walking single file. The man in front had his pistol in firing position, ready for any type of interference. They didn’t expect any because Asher had ordered a training exercise for police and firefighters up in the western hills. Only Asher cronies in the police department would be able to respond, but they were actually in on the plot.
As the first team was making its way down the hallway, Brian White was walking through the carpeted lobby. He turned left into a connecting hallway that opened up into a small lobby. One of Wilson’s security guards was there, sitting on a small Formica table. Lost in some thought, or otherwise not paying attention, the security guard was caught off-guard. The team leader raised his pistol and shot the security agent between the eyes. The report of the gunshot was deafening in the confined, brick-walled room.
On the other end of the building, the three-person team also encountered a security agent. The team’s leader, who was leading the procession through the building, shot him in the back of the head. He crashed hard and was dead before he hit the tiled floor. Two of the three pulled the body away from the door that it was now blocking, and behind that door was the studio’s control room.
Sharia flinched at the loud sound, thinking that some careless ass had slammed a door or something. Mike also heard it but didn’t pay it any mind. The reporter composed herself and looked down at her notecards.
“Anyway,” she said, visibly annoyed, “what are your plans with the Council?”
Mike lifted his right foot and rested in on his left knee, making a steeple of his fingertips, which were touching his chin.
“Well…” Mike responded, looking concerned. This had been one of the biggest issues he’d run on and he was glad to have an opportunity to address it. Voters had successfully recalled three of the five Council members. This turned the body to Wilson’s favor, but the result was disappointing. “…The Council has shown that it is very unconcerned with what the people want. We’ve found some serious corruption in the Council and I plan on running against those who have gotten greedy with the people’s money. Overall, though, it will be easier to enact changes that I think we need.”
“Changes?” she asked with an attitude then tried to recover her professionalism. She forced a neutral expression that almost made Mike giggle. She looked constipated.
He smiled and nodded.
“Sharia…” he paused and shook his head, “…why would we be here right now if the people were satisfied with Mr. Asher’s performance as governor? His tenure has been a disaster. We’ve been over this and over this. I won the election and so the people out there obviously agree with me,” he said, gesturing towards the cameras.
Brian White looked down the long hallway. It was clear. At the end of the hallway were two swinging doors. Behind them was the studio where the interview was being televised.
“Let me know when you’re ready,” he said into his the radio.
“Roger. We’re just outside.”
The leader of the smaller team burst through the door, his pistol raised head high. “Everyone stay put! Get your producer up here!” he said, wildly brandishing the weapon.