Heroic Measures (continued)

“That’s enough!”

Sudden silence once again fell across the conference room. Heads turned now to stare at Red.

Walter had not known that his friend’s voice could carry like that. He certainly had provocation enough, Walter conceded.

Red took a long, deep, trembling breath, trying to regain some measure of self-control. Everyone present at the table gave him that moment, casting only the quickest of glances at the other colleagues at the table to see how they were reacting to the outburst.

“Our friend here in the metal armor is right,” Red said in light and quiet tone that everyone there knew was forced. Walter had never before seen his friend so agitated.

“Friend,” Red repeated. “Colleague. Comrade-in-arms. And arms we’re going to need.” He took another long breath. He appeared calmer, more in genuine control now. “And cool heads. Or, as our lead-lined companion here has said: we are doomed.” He emphasized the last three words with a short breath between each one.

Red paused to let that sink in. It really was not all that different from what Grant had said just a few minutes before, Walter realized, but the force with which Red delivered the same message seemed to have the desired effect.

Embarrassed murmurs wavered along the table. Even Uriana appeared to be mildly abashed.

That takes some doing, Walter thought.

“There are three things we need to do,” Red stated, clearly more in control of himself now. “First, we need to determine the location of Dr. Raynes. It’s possible, although unlikely, that our enemy has him.”

Uneasy looks crossed several of the expressions around the table. It was a notion that Walter barely dared to entertain himself, dismissing it immediately as a symptom of the burgeoning sense of paranoia growing among the members present in the conference room.

“Second,” Red continued, “we need a solid tactical plan.” His eyes went to Harrison. “Whatever personal issues I might have with Mr. Harrison,” he admitted, “he is the best one among us to provide that.”

There were reluctant nods all around the table. Uriana scowled, but eventually nodded her agreement as well.

A long pause followed.

“What’s the third thing?” Grant finally asked.

“Lunch,” Red replied mildly. “I don’t think well on an empty stomach.”