One of our very own reporters, Marcia Meadows, who does the Monday night human interest program, was also reported to be kidnaped by a local businessman but apparently has been rescued by a local high school sports hero. More stories keep pouring in and we will try to bring them to you as soon as we receive them. An apparent rumor that the governor’s wife was being held hostage by the gunmen has been proven false because of verification from the state capitol that she is by her husband’s side in Tallahassee.”
“Also on a sad note. Computer expert Steve Sidel, who designed the entire security and massive technology of the resort is still down in the hole. He was leading the rescue attempt until the gunmen took over control of the exit. Reported to be helping him is, Kathy Santos, the sole heir to the Santos Corporation, one of top three cosmetic manufacturers in the world. Last report is that they are still alive but unable to assist in any more rescue attempts by the blocking of the gunmen. We will pause for a moment for a commercial break but will return live to keep you completely informed on this continuing tragedy.”
Deputy Nelson Howirth had just stubbed out his twelfth cigarette when the first of the National Guard trucks rolled up beside the patrol car. He saluted the sergeant that stepped out of the passenger side of the truck and stood at attention facing the camouflaged soldier.
“I’m glad you have arrived sir. Everyone has been calling on the radio to see if you had gotten here yet.”
“Well, it’s a long way from Tampa but, we are here and we are ready to take over command. Where is the sheriff?”
“He’s inside, at the main sinkhole sir, taking care of one of our deputies that has been shot.”
“How did that happen son? I thought we were dealing with a land disaster here. Did someone’s gun accidentally go off?”
“No sir. There are some gunmen who were trying to rob the resort when the sinkhole started and apparently the deputy got in the way of one of their guns. They are supposedly holding hostages and not letting anyone in or out of the hole.”
“We’ll have to deal with these gun wielding punks before we can save the civilians. Luckily we have a full armament aboard our vehicles. We’ll deal with them quickly. You are free to go help your sheriff with your wounded deputy. I’ll station a guard here to relieve you but, remember don’t get in our way when we take over.”
“Thank you sir. I won’t be a burden on your troops. I have had a lot of training in disaster situations at the academy. I know exactly what to do.”
Oh great, thought the sergeant. A book learned soldier. Just what we need to screw things up. He signaled for two of the men in the back of the truck transport to stand guard at the entrance and they climbed out of the truck with their rifles and stood on each side of the roadway. The deputy climbed in the patrol car and sped down the road toward the resort with the convey of military vehicles close behind him.
Steve Sidel waded through the water which was now waist deep with Tyrone Washington splashing behind him. Steve had managed to hold on to his flashlight due to the fact that he had jammed it in his back pocket when he pulled the con on Frankie Medford. He had no idea where Frankie had gone and at this point he could care less. He had one thing on his mind and that was to find Kathy Santos. He swept the flashlight in continuing arcs in front of him hoping to spot Kathy somewhere in the murky water.
“Any luck Steve?” Tyrone yelled over the roar of the water. “Have you seen any sign of her?”
“No Tyrone but, she has to be in this direction.” He pointed in front of them with the flashlight beam. “The water would’ve carried her with the flow of the current. We have to find her before it’s too late. I’m afraid she’ll drown if we don’t locate her in the next minute or two.”
“We will Steve. We will.” Tyrone tried to comfort Steve. “What’s that?” He had spotted something in the beam of the flashlight on the right-hand side of them as the light had made one of its sweeps.
“Where are you talking about Tyrone? I don’t see a thing.”
“On your right side. Yeah, right there.”
Steve had swung the light back to where Tyrone was pointing by holding his arm in front of Steve’s face. They both sloshed through the water and reached a white and black object that was jammed against a fallen beam. Tyrone reached gently down and lifted a body up to the surface of the water. He quickly dropped it when he realized it was a man in a half-ripped off tuxedo with no head sticking out of the neck hole. Steve took one look and said in a very solemn tone.
“I wondered what had happened to Dilford Bailey’s body. I found his head when I first came down here but the body wasn’t lying next to it. His body must have been back in the shadows and the water washed it over here. Well come on Tyrone, we still have to find Kathy.”
The two men continued their searching and arrived at the door to the kitchen. The water was forcing the swinging door inward and they entered the kitchen with the hope that maybe Kathy had been washed into the kitchen area. The emergency lights were still hanging near the ceiling in the kitchen and Steve turned off his flashlight when they entered the dimly lit kitchen.
“Well, welcome to the party Stevie baby.” Came a voice from the behind the center counter. The voice was very similar to Steve’s voice and Steve winced when he saw who his brother was holding against the counter with a large butcher knife. “You wouldn’t happen to know this lovely lady would you brother dear? I saw you two together huddled in the shadows. I was hiding myself waiting to see what was going to happen when this damn water started rushing in. I saw the light coming from the window in the kitchen door so I knew I could climb on a counter if it got too high. I had just pushed the door open when something bumped into my legs and almost knocked me over. Well guess what? I reached down and plucked this damsel in distress right out of the water. She started gagging and coughing and pretty soon she was as good as new. You wouldn’t happen to want her back would you?”
“Let her go Sam. She hasn’t done anything to you. If you want to hurt someone, try picking on someone your own size for a change, like me.”
“Oh no buddy boy. I think I’m going to stay right here with her while you go out to the hole in the ceiling and make sure you tell everyone out there that you have someone very important that needs to get out without being messed with. I’ll let her go as soon as I’m away from this place. You have my word on that.”
“Well, I know you’ve never lied to me before Sam. At least not that I know of. I’ll take you at your word and tell the sheriff that you are going to climb out and that you will release her as soon as you are free. Are you all right Kathy?”
“I’m fine Steve. Just a little waterlogged. Please don’t worry. I don’t think your brother will hurt me as long as we do what he says.”
“I’ll go with you Steve.” Tyrone volunteered. “To help convince them that no one will get hurt.”
Steve and Tyrone headed out the door of the kitchen sloshing through the almost chest deep water. The flow of the water had mellowed out a bit and it was a lot easier traveling than they had originally figured.
“Do you think he will hurt her Steve?” Tyrone questioned.
“I hope he doesn’t. Up to this point he has always been just a petty thief but, you don’t know how those partners of his might have warped his mind. They were going for a pretty good heist here from what I understand and greed has a way of really changing someone’s personality.”