K. Janssen - Hampton Manor

“Damn, I was afraid of that. How about getting him out of Hampton Manor? We need to protect him from any harm while we’re waiting.”

“He also told me that the court would need more than your scrap of paper to take him out of his house. They certified the facility at the time Adam was released from the hospital. There is no viable evidence that his care has deteriorated, quite the contrary from what you tell me. They take all that into consideration in cases like this. You’re just going to have to keep your fingers crossed.”

“I know your right, Mike, but I can’t just sit idly by while he might be in danger. Please keep searching for a case we can use as a precedent.”

“You don’t have any choice. If you try to intervene before the court is ready to act you will put him into the jeopardy that you’re trying to save him from. In the meantime I’ll try a few more contacts. I have Bert Jenkins checking for any precedents we can use to skirt the waiting list. I’ve assigned him to assist you. I’m sorry I can’t do any more than that right now.

“I know you’re doing your best. I’m pretty sure that Hampton doesn’t suspect anything. Adam and I put on a good show for him. I just hope that there is enough time for us to get him out of there once his son finds out what we’re up to. He’s got a lot to lose if we’re successful. I can’t shake the feeling that he’ll stop at nothing to prevent us from succeeding.”

“We’ll just have to risk that.”

Chapter 35

The Assassin looked at his pager. Neil Gilbert’s number was displayed on the screen. He dialed the number and waited.

“Neil, what have you got for me?”

“I’ve got what you’ve been waiting for. They’re having a meeting tomorrow night at eight-thirty. I overheard my supervisor John making arrangements to shut down the security cameras and audio. They don’t do that very often. He also check with me to be sure that I would be able to work. He said he would not honor any requests for shift changes. I told him that it wasn’t a problem. I hope that was okay. I thought you might prefer to have me on site when things go down. That way I can help in case there are any last minute changes.”

The Assassin smiled as he realized how fortuitous it was that the only link to him would be in the center of the conflagration. One less loose end for me to be concerned with.

“That’s fine Neil. I appreciate the extra effort on your part. If everything goes well there’ll be a bonus in it for you. You said that the two will be meeting in the West Wing at 8:30 tomorrow night. Are you absolutely certain of time and location?”

“Yes, sir. I even checked the time log to be sure.”

“That’s good. Remember now, not a word to anyone about our arrangement.”

“You can count on me. Is there anything else I can do? I’ll be here, so I‘ll be glad to help in any way I can”

“I tell you what, Neil. You’re absolutely correct that things can change at the last minute. If that happened it could cost me a lot of money. Just to be safe, why don’t you page me three times in rapid succession as soon as Adam Hampton is with his father. That way I’ll know for sure that he’s there. If, for any reason, he should leave, page me twice right away. If that happens, I’ll call you back to find out what the problem is.

“You bet, but I hope that everything goes well for you the first time.”

“So do I, Neil. Have a good night.”

“You too, sir.”

It was time for the Assassin to check his equipment and set up a timetable for the next day. He put fresh batteries in the remote detonator and started on the list. The Old Brooking Water System would be first to go; he would set off the Nitrex at 7:15 p.m., effectively leaving the town without running water. The million and one-half gallons of water stored in the town’s lone water tower would immediately begin emptying at 0.43 PSI of pressure from the gaping hole in the conduit caused by the collapse of the pumps. He counted on them being unable to close off the main valves in time. Streets surrounding the station would be under water for hours until the sewer system could drain the excess away. The vantage point he chose would protect him from the explosion, implosion and sudden surge of water onto the streets. He would then move to his second base where he would detonate the Nitrex at the abandoned warehouse at 7:30. Once again, being at a safe distance, he could admire his handiwork prior to moving on to his last destination.

The final observation point is the parking lot of a two-story condominium complex where there were always empty “visitors” parking spots. From there he could see Hampton Manor, his final target. His plan was to arrive there about 8p.m, wait for the three beeps from Neil, set off both devices and watch the flames in his rear view mirror on his way out of town. By the time he put enough distance behind him, news of the fire should be available on the local “all news/all the time” radio station.

In the event that the water system failure or warehouse fire delayed the meeting of father and son, he was prepared to go ahead with his plan to destroy Hampton Manor. From a professional standpoint he would be reneging on his promise to assure that they were together when the bombs went off, however, there was little likelihood that the client would find out. Anyway, even though they might not be physically together, they were certain to be in the Manor when the bombs went off. Any delay would put the entire plan in jeopardy and he couldn’t allow that to happen. It had to be done tomorrow night, one way or the other.

With the timetable complete there was nothing for the Assassin to do but wait. It all comes down to everyone playing their roles. He could feel his heart pumping faster as he looked over the timetable and equipment once again. God, I love this business. What other profession gives a person such complete control over their work?

Chapter 36

Marcia used a public telephone to make the call, not because she was hiding anything, but because she was unsure of the security of her cell phone. It took several minutes before she got through to Robert Sewell.

“Have you caught up with him yet?”

“Not yet. Hampton has several layers of protection around him at all times and he moves about quite a bit. It’s almost as if he knows I’m after him.”

“He has a lot of informants. He probably knows that you’re looking for him. This isn’t the first time he’s been targeted. Keep at it until you nail him. I want this matter closed soon. I’m anxious to leave this town and I don’t want to go as long as this issue is still open. Have you tried to catch up with him at the Barbiere club? He likes to stop there for cocktails sometimes and to ogle at the dancers.”

“No I haven’t, it wasn’t on my list. I’ll give that a try. Don’t worry Ms. Bloom. He can’t evade me forever. Don’t worry, you’ll have your day in court, yet”

“I hope so. All my funds are tied up. He owes me eighty thousand dollars in back salary, fifty thousand for a bonus I earned and access to my retirement fund. I want him nailed for harassing me as well.”

“It would be lot simpler if you would allow me to go after Hampton Industries rather than Adam Hampton III. I could get that suit filed as early as tomorrow morning.”

“No, Bob, I want the suit to be against Adam. I want him to pay for what he’s doing to me and I want punitive damages. I can’t allow him to hide behind a corporate structure. I’ve been through too much to let him off the hook that easily. He’s personally responsible and he’s going to pay. Big-time! I looking for justice, here.” If you absolutely can’t locate him then serve his personal attorney, Matthew Scheiber. He can accept a summons on Adam’s behalf if necessary.