A New Boss
CAMILLA TURNED THE MONITOR from the outside camera. She searched the multi-picture screen for shots of the welcoming room. There were so many cameras in this place.
'Christ, where is it.'
She kept flicking from camera to camera until she saw what was happening in the greeting room.
Finally, she saw the horror unfolding. Her dreams were disappearing before her eyes. It all looked like it was ruining her new life. The soundproofing stopped her from hearing what was happening. But from what she could see on the screen, it was time for action. Her unique "fridge" had a chain and a padlock securing the door. Only she and Philip had keys. She loosened the chain and carried it along with the lock to a stool. She sat down and wrapped the chain around the sink's taps and utility piping. She then snapped the lock shut and, using her free hand, dropped the key into the wastepaper bin.
She sat and waited. And waited. It crossed her mind they would leave there until the morning. Then she expected them all back for a thorough search.
Pat would not release her grip on her father, which was very undiplomatic of him, but he shed a tear.
Skylab kissed Kev and then rushed around, making sure all were unharmed.
Black and Skip were busy on their phones. They called ambulances, but it was too late for Philip and two of his staff. Other non-combatant staff, such as kitchen workers, were rounded up. Later, they questioned them and removed them from the police station.
'Is that everyone?' shouted Skip to his team.
They quickly looked at the prison cells, but nobody was there.
'Yes, Sir!' came the reply.
'No injuries to our personnel, three dead bodies removed. When you are ready, sir, we shall move down to the local station for statements.'
It was only then that Black suggested to his friend that they should look at the rest of the rooms.
'I was going to leave that to one of my men, but okay, let's look at the rest of this interesting but gross place.'
'Tomorrow, I will go through all the papers in the office. There is certainly to be the stuff of interest to Her Majesty, but tonight, I want to see the rest of the building.'
The two friends wandered along a corridor, opening and peering at the contents of each room. They were both impressed by the elegant dining room and stunned by some equipment on show.
Then they reached the large laboratory; they had to quiz Mad Mike. What is in all the test tubes? They would find out later at the station. They were tired of their tour and had much to do back at the station. One last door and then give the search a rest for the day.
As the door swung back.
'About bloody time. I've been locked in here for hours.'
'Who the hell are you?' asked Skip.
'She is a reporter who makes my life miserable. Camilla, say hello, Skip.'
'Are you going to get me out of here or what?'
Skip radioed one of his men to bring bolt cutters.
'Don't you idiot clowns know I've got a pressing deadline to catch? So come on, let me get on with my job!'
'What are you doing here, Camilla?'
'I thought I was finally about to get the last piece of a jigsaw I've been working on for ages. Now it seems you've killed him. The story won't be as good, but I guess I'm the only journalist with a real exclusive.'
'That will make your article very newsworthy, won't it?' said Black.
'Yes, I suppose it will. The chase is better than the catch. I have lost the will to start all over again. After this report, I think I will do something else.'
What a strange girl, thought Black. Little did he suspect she already knew what the something else would be.
She endured further questioning at the station. Finally, after showing her article up to date, they allowed her to leave.
The questioning continued for everyone present. Finally, everyone could get on with their lives. They provided transport for those who needed it.
There was no sign of Camilla.
Unlike the rest, who stayed in one of the town's hotels, Camilla returned to Philip's home. Sorry, that should be her home now. She talked her way past a couple of local police posted on guard, saying she had left her bag. Quickly, she went into Philip's office and gathered papers that she felt she would need. She stuffed the lot into a large briefcase, thanked the police officers at the door, and jumped on a taxi bike. She was at a boutique hotel next to Philip's lawyer's office. Tomorrow would be an exhausting day for both her and the lawyer.
'If he wants to keep me as a client, he had better behave.' She thought to herself.