Part 3 (1/2)
”Yes, mummy,” Sh.e.l.ley said, ”more than a hundred so far.”
”A hundred dead in less than twenty-four hours,” Steve said, looking knowingly at Clare. ”It's a cover up,” he said, ”it's got to be. No known virus can kill a hundred people in that amount of time, I've got a really bad feeling about this.”
”Steve,” Clare said slowly, ”you don't suppose this is anything to do with MBA do you? Carter is in the army...” Her voice trailed off as she heard, ”missing scientist,” on the TV.
”Coincidence?” Steve asked.
”I certainly hope so,” Clare said, ”cos if you're thinking what I'm thinking, we're all in a lot of trouble.”
The next day the news was worse, the TV news stated: ”There have been several hundred more deaths in the region around the recent explosion in Russia. World experts are flying out to see if they can help with this tragedy. The Russian people are distraught at this loss of life in such a short period of time. World health organisations are rus.h.i.+ng aid and emergency supplies to the region.
”Another VIP is missing. General George Carter, the chief of staff and advisor to the government has gone missing. His home was ransacked in the early hours of this morning. His aid discovered the disappearance when he called for the General to take him to a NATO conference. There is still no news of Dr. Henry Vinkle, the missing scientist. A representative for Star Labs said, 'we are unaware of Dr. Vinkle's whereabouts'. When asked as to the nature of Dr. Vinkle's work, they made no comment.”
”I sure hope that virus doesn't come here,” Chris said, looking at his parents.
”Don't worry son,” Steve said, ”I won't let anything happen to you...to any of you.” He looked at each one in turn with a rea.s.suring smile. The phone rang.
”Hi, Steve Forester here.”
”Don't come in to the Lab today Steve,” it was Janice's voice, and she sounded distressed. ”They're closing everything down, all the labs are being stripped and all the computers have gone.”
”Thanks Janice, you've been a real friend, say farewell to anyone you can for me, and tell them to remember my mobile number, they may need it before too long.”
”I will,” she said, and hung up.
”Right!” Steve shouted. ”Everyone listen, I want you to pack a case each, just one, we're leaving in fifteen minutes. GO!” He cried at the top of his voice.
Foresters scattered in all directions, and all was turmoil from then on. Cases, kids, and dog were flung into the car.
”Where are we going Hun?” Clare asked jumping in and fastening her seat belt.
”I don't know,” Steve answered, ”but we need to be away from here, anywhere where we are not known will do. Every-body ready?” he asked, turning to the kids. He could see that they were scared. ”Everything is going to be all right,” he rea.s.sured them, ”just treat this like an adventure holiday, Ok?”
”OK daddy,” came their reply. Steve started the engine and they were off.
They had just reached the end of the road, when Steve saw the van arrive at their house in the rear view mirror. He saw the soldiers jumping out as he rounded the corner and was gone.
Chapter Four.
Chapter 4.
Hide and Seek ”Where are we going daddy?” A plaintive little voice asked, from the back seat of the car.
”I'm not sure yet,” Steve answered, without turning his head. He looked to Clare. ”Where's the best place to hide?” he asked.
”Well, you hide a tree in a forest...”
”I've got it!” Steve said, turning the car around, ”we'll hide where they've already looked.”
”Not the house Steve, they'll be watching there,” Clare said.
”No, not the house,” he smiled, ”Star Labs. There's a little hotel right across the street from it. They'll never think to look for us there.”
The hotel could be approached from Star Labs' blind side, so they were able to arrive unseen. Steve drove around the back to the rear car park.
”All out,” he said, ”we're here.” They all piled out of the car and into the rear entrance of the hotel.
”Good day folks,” came a welcoming voice, ”welcome to Stieners Hotel, the best in the neighbourhood.”
”Thanks,” Steve said, ”we need your biggest room.”
”Sure thing sir, how long will you be staying?”
”Not really sure yet, but a couple of days, maybe a week.”
”That will be fine sir,” the desk clerk told them, ”your room is number two-seventy-one. It's at the top of the hotel, but it's the biggest room we have.”
”That will do nicely,” Clare said, trying to hang on to Rufus, ”where are the lifts?”
A bell was rung, and a boy came to escort them to their room. It was quite a trek to get there, but when they arrived the room was perfect. It faced directly towards Star Labs.
”Excellent,” Steve said to Clare whilst pointing to the view.
”I see what you mean,” she replied.
Rufus had had enough of this being carried lark, and wriggled out of Clare's arms and jumped down onto one of the beds.
”Smart thinking Hun,” Clare said, stroking his hair, ”Not just a pretty face, are you?”
”Not compared to you Sweetie,” he answered.
”Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up.” Chris said, who couldn't stand all the romantic stuff.
”Yap!” barked Rufus.
Sh.e.l.ley laughed, Steve and Clare laughed, and eventually, Chris laughed too.
”I'm not sure what we're laughing about,” Clare struggled to say, ”the army and a nutty professor are out to get us, and there's an unknown virus on the rampage.”
That had reminded them, ”Turn on the TV Chris,” Steve said.
”OK dad,” Chris replied still laughing.