Milwaukee Deep

Robert Matner grabbed onto both sides of the gurney tightly as the bright lights shone into his eyes. He could hear them screeching as they stood there by his side - he couldn’t understand what they were saying, but was fully aware that the topic of conversation was about him.

As they squealed around him, he had tried hard to rise up, to try to escape, but they had secured him tightly to the bed, his head strapped down, his entire body paralysed by the tight binds.

“WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME!?” he screamed, “What are you waiting for? For God’s sakes just KILL ME!”

One of them moved closer to him.

Matner saw from the corner of his eye the large needle approaching – his body tensed as it came into sight.

“What are you going to do with that?” he asked knowing there would be no answer.

Matner started to squirm, trying desperately to release himself from the tight hold they had on him.

“AAUGH!”

The needle went deep into his chest – the virus now positioned exactly where they wanted it.

As they pulled back the needle, Matner’s eyes began to feel heavy.

“What did you do to me?” he whispered, “What have you don-.”

“How long will it be before it’s released?” asked Harding.

“Just give me one minute to upload his picture and then we’re done. My producer will cut to me live and I’ll announce to the public what you’ve asked.”

“Good.”

Jane Stockwell typed in her producer’s email address and pressed the enter key on her laptop. She then placed the call on her cell phone.

“Yeah, Judith, it’s Jane, get me Harry on the line, quick!”

Stockwell turned to Harding and gave him a tight smile.

“Harry, good, have you got my email yet? Well, go to your computer now!”

“He’s checking,” she said as she again turned to Harding.

The pause was brief but it seemed to stretch forever.

“You got it? Great! Okay, get it on the screen and cut to me in two minutes, you got that? Yes, I know exactly what to say,” and she shut her cell phone.

“Everything okay?” asked Harding.

“Perfect,” Jane replied, “Agent Harding, you have no idea what you’ve just done for my career.”

The reporter quickly turned to her cameraman.

“Walter, make sure you get me on this side – remember this is going national – what am I saying – worldwide!”

Harding turned to Cheapston.

“She’s an excited little thing, isn’t she,” he remarked quietly in his friend’s ear.

“Hey so long as we get Fanning’s face all over the news,” he replied.

“Ten seconds, Jane!” called out one of Stockwell’s crew.

“Okay, Walter, you’ve got it?”

“All set.”

Stockwell stood there waiting, trying her best not to perspire.

“Five, four, three, two….”

Harding turned to the television behind him….

...And now we cut live to Jane Stockwell who has managed to get inside Transit Authority Headquarters where she has late breaking news – Jane...

...thanks, Terry, I’m standing here in the headquarters of the Transit Authority, where right now, authorities are coordinating the search for the bomb. In an extraordinary turn of events Channel Four News has been approached by authorities in an attempt to help them locate the bomb that is set to go off in a subway in New York.

In an exclusive interview, we have uncovered the identity of the terrorist who has hidden the weapon on board one of New York’s subway trains. Coming to you live as we speak, here is the exclusive photograph of the terrorist, David Fanning.

Amazingly Fanning is an American citizen, born and bred right here in New York City and had worked as a prison guard for more than seven years at Sing Sing Prison...

The photo of Colonel David Fanning dominated the screen as Harding watched.

...Now Channel Four News has been asked by authorities to release this photo in an attempt to use it to help locate the bomb before it detonates. Authorities are asking anyone who had seen David Fanning enter or exit a subway train or a subway station to immediately call the number on your screen...

...Jane, do we know anything more about the bomb?...

...Yes, Terry, Authorities have informed me exclusively that the weapon planted on board the train is more than likely a home made bomb crafted by David with the training he had received over the years as a correctional officer...

...Do we know why Fanning would want to blow up a New York City subway train, Jane?...

...By all accounts, Terry, he was dismissed from Sing Sing Prison a number of years ago on corruption charges. It is believed Fanning was disgruntled because of his dismissal and this may be the reason for this terrorist act...

Cheapers put his hand on the back of Harding’s shoulder.

“Couldn’t have scripted that better, Tom,” he said.

“Agreed, now let’s just hope someone sees this and remembers Fanning from the photo. We need to know what train that son of a bitch was on.”