Page 52 of More Than A Boss

13

The Windy City was living up to its name, thought Will. He was bundled up in layers with a scarf, hat, and gloves as well as his thick parka, and the wind chill still penetrated through his clothing. He was returning to their condominium apartment loaded down with enough groceries to last several days.

There were a lot of people walking about downtown this time of year. The holidays were fast approaching, and he and his family had settled in nicely. At times, they felt a little stir crazy from being cooped up, but they tried to get out at least once every day. They had decorated the apartment for Christmas, for the children’s sake, and were able to buy a few toys for each of them to place under the small artificial tree they had put up.

Daniel and Isabella were excited that Santa was coming and had watched Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer several times already. Their joy and innocence were contagious. You couldn’t help but see it in their bright and shining eyes. Sometimes, he could almost convince himself that things were normal. He and Camilla were getting along, and the kids as always played well together and lavished attention on the baby.

Even so, the constant gnawing fear that was eating away at him could not be assuaged. The trial could not get here soon enough. He only hoped that they could resume a normal life at some point in the future. As he approached the high-rise, he noticed two men who looked suspicious and out of place at about the exact moment they spotted him. He threw down his packages and turned and began to run as fast as he could.

He shoved past people, accidently knocking some off balance as he pushed through the pedestrians. Though the crowd slowed him down, it was also great cover for him to make a getaway. He had the advantage of having spotted them from a distance, so he was already ahead by quite a bit. He knew the train station was about two miles away. If he could make it there, he could get lost more easily and hopefully locate Amtrak police officers and security. He had to get a warning to Camilla as soon as he could. If he could duck in the station, maybe he would be able to phone her from his cell. He couldn’t chance slowing down now.

Risking a quick look behind him, he didn’t see anyone on his tail, but he was sure they were there somewhere. He was almost to Union Station and the stairs were right before him. He took them two at a time, then he heard a shot ring out. Someone was firing at him. He managed to push through the doors and enter the station, with adrenalin surging through his body. He franticly looked around, making a split decision to head for the boarding gates and waiting areas. They were packed with travelers, and he tried to slow down and blend in. He took off his coat hat, and scarf and quickly stuffed them in a trash receptacle.

Spotting a souvenir shop, he ducked inside and grabbed a Chicago Cubs baseball cap and Cubs bomber jacket from the rack. He then added a pair of reading glasses he spotted on his way to check out. Tearing off the tag from the hat, he stuck it on his head before paying. Donning the glasses after peeling off the sticker on the lens and ripping the tag with his teeth, he waited nervously in line.

Furtively, he watched to see if he had been made, so far, he was secure. As he stepped up to pay, he saw two men rushing by outside the store and kept his head down low. They ran by, scrutinizing the shoppers surrounding him and they moved on, seeming to have missed him with his change of attire. He took a deep, steadying breath trying to calm himself down, so he could think rationally and strategically.

Quickly leaving after paying for his purchases, he turned, pulled on the jacket, and headed in the opposite direction he had seen the men running. Sprinting to the nearest Quik-Trak Kiosk, he purchased a ticket for the train to Toledo, which was leaving in fifteen minutes. He got in line at the boarding gate, trying to blend in with the other travelers. As he was checking in with the attendant and entering the concourse where the train departed, they spotted him, and his cover was blown. The two men frantically looked around for a kiosk stand to purchase tickets, so they could enter the departure area. Will pushed his way past the people in front of him and began to run alongside the platform as fast as he could, parallel to the waiting trains and empty tracks. He found his train and jumped on, quickly rushing to the nearest restroom and locking himself inside.

Pulling out his cellphone, he dialed Zane and explained his situation, what had occurred, and where he was, and he pleaded with him to get someone over to protect Camilla and the children as soon as possible.

“Stay on that train no matter what. It’s the only way we can help you,” Zane advised.

“There has to be somebody on the inside that sold out your location. That’s the only way your cover could have been blown,” Zane said ominously.

“Must be a dirty cop,” Will said. “Santiago has his fingers in the pot everywhere. I’m doomed. I may as well just go out and stand in the middle of the concourse and let them have me. I don’t see any way out,” he said brokenly.

“Don’t do anything stupid. Keep your phone close. I’ll be back in touch,” Zane said, hanging up.

Will quickly contacted Camilla to make sure she and the children were safe inside their condo. “I was just walking up to our building when I spotted two men just as they saw me. I knew they were out of place and my suspicions were correct. They gave chase and I ran all the way to the train station, which is where I’m hiding now. My train is about to leave.”

“Will, where are you?” she asked.

“I just told you, I am at the Amtrak station getting ready to leave.”

“No, I mean what train are you on?” she asked with apparent concern.

“Listen, I don’t have time to fill you in on the whole story, I have to go now. They were on my tail and are probably already on board this train now. I love you, Camilla. I will be in touch. Keep the doors locked until you are sure it is the cops on the other side of the door. Make them prove it,” he said, hanging up.

Just then, there was pounding on the bathroom door. “Hey, is anyone in there? I gotta go dude,” a man complained. “You’ve been in there for ten minutes.” More pounding.

“I’m sick. Go away. Find another bathroom,” Will said.

There was sudden kicking at the door, and Will knew who was on the other side. This time the messengers voice sounded much more menacing, “Come on out, Will. There is nowhere to hide. We know where your family is. Your beautiful wife, those three darling children...you wouldn’t want to be responsible for their pain and suffering …now would you? Quit playing games, my patience is wearing thin.”

“How can I be sure you won’t harm my family anyway?” Will asked.

“You’re just going to have to trust me, aren’t you? You have no choice. Don’t be stupid,” the voice said reasonably.

“How did you find us?” Will asked.

The man on the other side laughed. “Trust me you really don’t want to know.” Just then, the train whistle blew, and the train began to pull out of the station, destination Toledo, Ohio.

—

“We tracked a call from Camilla’s phone to Duvall’s early this morning. We have reason to believe that Camilla is the one who gave up their cover.” The officer explained to Zane and Darcy, “I’m sure there was a bargain involved, Will for her and her children’s life.”

“That’s cold!” Darcy said.

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