The Captive Missile Chapter 5

The Captive Missile

Chapter 5

Was he talking about the stolen missile? Of course he was. What other missile would he be talking about?

Suddenly I realized he wasn’t talking anymore. I moved away from the door as Adams approached. I hurried down the hallway and was turning the corner just as Adams came into the hallway.

Who’s there, he called out. Hey, wait.

I broke into a run and dashed into a washroom about halfway down the hall. I went into a stall and jumped up on the toilet and latched the door.

The outer door burst open. Who’s in here? Adams growled. Is anyone in here? Adams dropped to the floor and checked under the stall walls. I was high enough he couldn’t see me.

I held my breath for what seemed an eternity. Adams got up and headed to the door. He switched off the lights and went back in the hallway.

I was in utter darkness. I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face. I got back down on the floor and sat on the toilet. Adams would no doubt be waiting in the hall. He knew I came in here, but did he see me? How was I going to get back to the barracks room. Van and Natalie would be looking for me.

After about fifteen minutes I heard voices in the hallway. They were muffled but I heard them moving off. Was Adams gone? I couldn’t stay here all night.

I felt along the walls and soon found the light switch. I flicked it on and the lights blinded me for a few seconds. I opened the door to the hallway  but it was empty. Someone must have seen Adams and went off with him. I fairly flew back to the barracks.

Where have you been? Van exclaimed. Did you talk to Hannigan?

No, he was at the press conference with the Prime Minister. I was coming back when I found some interesting information.

I told Van and Natalie about what Adams had said on the cell phone.

Looks like he’s behind this, Van remarked. You have to tell Hannigan.

Come with me, Van, I said. I’ll go find him. Before Adams gets away, though he wasn’t going to make a move until noon tomorrow.

Can’t it wait until the morning, Natalie said. You said yourself Hannigan’s busy probably for a while yet. Adams isn’t going anywhere. I can’t believe a member of the RCMP is behind this. It just gets more unbelievable by the minute.

Stick around, Van said. When Justin’s around things can get a lot weirder than this.

But she’s right, I said. We’ll wait till the morning. No one is thinking straight with all that’s happened. Plus I don’t have any proof.

But what you heard is pretty incriminating. Who was he talking to, anyway? Van asked.

I don’t know, but I do know I would recognize this guy anywhere, I added. Say do they have internet access up here?

Yes, Natalie replied. In the barrack common room. There was a computer in there. I checked my email and wrote my parents about what happened.

Great. I have an idea.

An hour later I had a name to go with the face I saw at the shoreline. The website I accessed was one Dad set me up with, a police database of all known criminals around the world, searchable by description. The man’s name was Lars Meager. He was a German arms dealer—very dangerous—very elusive. The American’s have been looking for him for years. This is right up his alley. Stealing a nuclear missile. And using it. If that was his ultimate plan, then we were in a lot of trouble.

And Adams, an RCMP officer was in league with him. We were in way over our heads.

We were also physically and mentally exhausted. It was now past midnight. We had a busy day tomorrow and Hannigan wasn’t totally convinced I was totally innocent. But once he heard what I had to say—he would change his mind.

At 8 am the next morning, Van and I were woken by voices at the other end of the barracks. I got out of bed and quickly pulled on my pants and shirt.

Wake them, now! A voice bellowed. It was Hannigan. He was accompanied by two other men—and Adams. Uh oh. What was going on?

Hannigan and the others approached. Oh good you’re awake, Hannigan said with a smirk. Come with me, son.

What’s up? I asked, worried by the smug look on Adam’s face. Look I need to talk to you—in private, I added.

Oh, we’ll talk all right, Hannigan said. In my office—now!

By this point Van was awake as well. He dressed quickly and started to come with me. You—stay here, Hannigan bellowed. It’s Mr. Macdonald that I want to see. But don’t go anywhere, Mr. Gilman. I’m not done with you.

Van and I exchanged glances. What was going on? I had a bad feeling.

Since I had come in boots I didn’t have shoes, so I followed Hannigan in my sock feet out into the corridor down to his office at the other end of the building.  The two men stayed outside while Adams followed me in to the office. This was going to be awkward.

Sir, I said before he could speak. I have some news.

Oh, I’m sure you do, Hannigan barked. Look let’s get to the point. Adams here has been telling me he overheard you last night—talking to someone on your cell phone—something about a missile.

W-what? I blurted. No that’s not—!

Hannigan put up his hand. Can I see your cell phone?

I pulled it from my pocket. He scanned the last number dialed which was my dad’s cell phone when I called yesterday.

Here it is. Last evening. He jotted down the number and called it in.

Wait, that’s not my dad’s cell phone number, I said when he repeated the numbers. A moment later Hannigan hung up the phone. He turned to Adams. Arrest this young man. Take him away!

What’s going on? I cried. Wait. Who’s the number on the phone? I called my dad last night. 216-555-6458. That’s the last number I dialed.

No it’s not, Mr. Macdonald. The last number dialed it to a known criminal, the one whose description you gave to the authorities yesterday. The one you’re in league with over the stolen missile.

Lars Meager, I replied, then regretted it the moment I said it.

Hannigan just nodded. Very good, Mr. Macdonald. I think I have all the evidence I need. Take him to holding for now. I’ll question him later.

Adams grabbed my arm and dragged me from the office. We walked in silence for a minute then Adams spoke. I know it was you. Last night. I know you overheard my conversation.

My silence was an answer.

You mess with us—you’re playing with fire, he muttered. You’re going down for this. There’s no way you’re getting out of this one. Hannigan’s got it in for you. Our plan is working even better than we hoped. Famous Canadian detective’s son in league with terrorists and gun runners. I love it! He murmured with glee. Your father will be crushed.

You’re not going to get away with this, I seethed. Hannigan will listen to reason. I’ll explain everything that’s happened and he’ll come around. Don’t get too comfortable, I muttered.

Adams didn’t respond. He led me to the holding cells which were in the basement. I wished I had my cell phone but Hannigan had confiscated it. I needed to call Dad.

Adams threw me into the cell and locked it. He glared at me then. You think you’re going to mess up our plans—think again little boy. By this afternoon this will all be over and you’ll be going to prison for a long time.

Don’t bet on it, I replied. Then I turned and sat down on the cot in the corner of the cell.

Adams watched me a bit longer then left.

I didn’t see anyone for hours—or what seemed like hours. I wondered where Van and Natalie were. Hannigan wouldn’t let them visit. Adams would see to that. Just like he must have snuck into the barracks last night while I was sleeping and dialed Meager’s number. The fact I knew his name—and said it out loud—that just helped his cause.

The door to the holding area opened and Hannigan came in—accompanied by Adams. Of course Adams would be here. He wouldn’t allow me to talk to Hannigan alone. He wasn’t as dumb as he looked.

Mr. Macdonald. You are under arrest and charged with grand theft. The terrorism laws will apply in this case as well. I would advise you to get a good lawyer.

Can I call my dad? I asked, but Adams shook his head. Hannigan said no.

Maybe later. Right now Adams here will accompany you and your friends back to Iqaluit where you will be transported to Calgary Alberta. You will then be held in a maximum security jail until your trial. Believe me, Mr. Macdonald. The authorities do not take kindly to terrorists. Someone so young. My my they do recruit younger and younger every year.

Terrorist scum, Adams spat but Hannigan held up his hand. Hold your comments to yourself Officer Adams. This young man may be a terrorist but he has rights. He will stand trial and he will go to prison for a long long time. Hannigan looked sick but Adams looked almost gleeful. He was the terrorist scum.

It was at that moment that I truly felt like he had beaten me. How was I ever going to convince Hannigan of my innocence? I had blurted out Meager’s name. Why else would I have known his name, Hannigan had been thinking.

I couldn’t tell him about the criminal database website. Dad might take some flak over giving me access. I was in a real mess.

You had the audacity to hang around and take credit for recovering the missile only to be one of the masterminds behind its theft. You’ve got some cheek, I’ll give you that, Hannigan remarked.

And almost murdered me, Adams said. When Meager blew up the cave entrance and me inside. You’re lucky I’m still alive, boy, he muttered.

But I just glared at him. I wondered what time it was. He was meeting Meager at noon. It was now 11 am according to the clock on the wall.

He was accompanying me back to Iqaluit.

I really want to talk to my dad, I said and Adams once again counseled against it. You should be calling a lawyer.

My mom’s a lawyer.

Nice try, son, Hannigan said. I’ll assign you a lawyer. But for now, get dressed. You have a plane to catch.

Come with me, Adams sneered, pulling me from the cell and back to the barracks. I put on my boots and parka and then Adams put me in handcuffs. I met Van and Natalie at the front door. Van gave me a look as if to say “what the bloody heck you got yourself into now?”

I just eyed him and said nothing. What could I say?

Natalie remained silent as well. She probably believed I was a freaking terrorist as well. We trudged through the snow to a waiting plane. Natalie and Van sat in back and I was up front with Adams. My heart was pounding as the plane took off south towards Iqaluit. How was I going to get out of this mess?

Van and Natalie were silent. I felt like I was going to throw up. Adams didn’t talk either. The clock showed 11:45. Adams was going to meet Meager at noon.

Fifteen minutes.

It was then I realized we weren’t going to Iqaluit. Adams was going to land this plane near the shore line site where the missile was hidden. Then he was going to leave with Meager and the missile and go—who knew where. The authorities were scouring Baffin Bay for the missile.

I had to stop this meeting but how? Then I had an idea. I would somehow crash the plane.

Suddenly the plane dipped down towards the ground, the earth coming up at us at a dizzying rate.

I wouldn’t be able to crash the plane. Adams was going to beat me to it!