Capital Falling | Book 4 | Sever Winkless, Lance (most popular ebook readers TXT) 📖

“The poor girl; I feel so sorry for her,” Catherine says as soon as the back door closes.

“We all do,” Alice agrees.

“So, any ideas anyone, because I’m struggling?” I confess.

“Let’s give Lieutenant Winters a call, see if he can help?” Josh suggests.

“I don’t think that’s an option,” I reply.

“Why? There may be troops in that area who could get them out,” Josh points out.

“The area is in quarantine, so even if there are troops there, they won’t be going into random buildings to get civilians out,” I answer.

“Then we go and get them. Perhaps the Lieutenant can arrange for us to borrow a helicopter?”

“Josh, Winters is only a lieutenant, he won’t have that authority. Even if he wanted to help with an escape plan for two people he’s never met. When he worked under Colonel Reed, he had more power than he should have had for a lieutenant. Colonel Reed is dead, along with any extra authority Winters had. I don’t think we can count on Winters for any help, not this time,” I explain.

“No, you’re probably right,” Josh concedes. “But we’ve got to do something, for Stacey’s sake.”

“I’m not sure there is much that can be done, unfortunately,” Catherine volunteers.

I don’t say anything, but Catherine may be right in this instance, as much as it pains me to admit it. Karen and Jim are stranded; the best they can do is try and hold out until it’s over and London is liberated if that is ever going to happen. Stacey will be devastated, but what can we do from our holiday cottage on the coast in Devon?

I am just about to have my say and admit that Catherine is right when Alice says something.

“What about the river?” She says, out of the blue.

“The river?” I ask. “What do you mean?”

“Can we use the river? My father’s best friend from his university days lives right on the river with his wife, in Richmond. Their house backs straight onto the Thames. He worked in the diplomatic service for the US government; he was based in London and they never went back to the States when he retired. They have a small river boat, I know, as I’ve been out on it plenty of times. Stacey’s parents’ building isn’t far from the river, is it?” Alice explains.

“What are you suggesting? That you use his boat to sail into London to mount some kind of rescue mission?” Catherine asks, bewildered.

“It’s an idea,” Alice replies.

“A damn stupid one!” Catherine states angrily. “Isn’t it Andy?”

I don’t answer for a moment while I consider Alice’s suggestion. The very last thing I want to do is go back into London. I dread even thinking about it. But I asked for ideas and Alice has given me one, which I am forced to consider on its merits.

“Dad?” Josh says.

“Andy, you can’t possibly be considering this!” Catherine insists.

“We have to think it through if we want to help Karen and Jim,” I explain.

“It’s one thing trying to help them and quite another setting off on a suicide mission for them! I know how you feel about Stacey; I feel the same, but this is madness. Think of your daughter,” Catherine says exasperatedly.

“I am thinking of her, as well as Stacey. I am not even saying it’s possible but let’s consider it. Please calm down so that we can talk about it, see if it’s viable,” I ask her.

“Fine! You’re all nuts, anyway. Addicted to the thrill of the danger.” Catherine has her last say but then does calm down…some.

“Okay, let’s assume we decide to go for it, what would be the obstacles?” I ask.

“Would they let us use the boat?” Josh starts us off.

“I’m sure they would. They are a lovely couple and if they don’t, then we will have to insist, but I don’t think that will be an issue,” Alice assures us.

“The army isn’t just going to let you sail up the river like it’s the bloody boat race or something. The river will be cordoned off, surely?” Catherine makes a very good point.

“It will definitely be cordoned off by armed forces, but the river will be in use for operations, I’m sure of that. We would have to blag our way through the cordon. I’ve done it before, on more than one occasion,” I offer.

“Oh, I’m sure you have, Mr Superhero!” Catherine hisses sarcastically.

“Thank you, Catherine,” I respond gently. “So, say if we get through the cordon, we follow the river until we get as close to their building as possible. That is when it’ll get dangerous, but we do have one advantage…”

“Here we go,” Catherine interrupts me sarcastically, rolling her eyes, “Andy’s superpower!”

“It’s not a superpower Catherine, but it is an advantage,” I reply.

“Come on Andy, you don’t know if it even still works. Just because the infected ignored you on that day doesn’t mean they still will. They could be tearing you to bits as soon as they see you, and you’d deserve it!” Catherine’s anger builds.

“Excuse me, what did you just say? I’d deserve it?” Now it’s my turn to sound angry and hurt.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it; you know I didn’t,” Catherine says, looking at me with a wounded expression. “I just don’t want to lose you, any of you,” she says, looking up to Josh and Alice.

“I know you didn’t mean it,” I say, taking her hand. “We are just talking it through, don’t forget. We don’t know if whatever it was that stopped the Rabids attacking me still works, but it did work. I could walk right past them.”

“That was then, this is now.”

“Okay, let’s assume for the sake of argument that it does still work. I go ashore once we reach our destination, go to the building, enter it, find Karen and Jim, and then bring them back to the boat. Josh and Alice will cover our escape.”

“Simple; I don’t know what I was worried about!” Catherine says. “If you think it’s going to be that