March 19, 2023
GONE
Liam touched the side of his head; his hand felt damp as he felt a painful lump. Rolling to his side, he got on his hands and knees. He did not know how much time had passed. Standing, he walked to the waist-high wall facing the convention center. Emergency lights continued to shine as hundreds of people gathered. Vehicles moved slowly as police directed traffic. Liam looked down and saw his handgun, partly obscured near the back wheel, on the pavement. Picking it up, he notices blood on the pavement. Colvin is gone.
By 7:30 PM, Liam is in the office. Angerly, “Colvin got away.” Speculating, “He’s wounded, but I don’t know how bad.”
Liz pressed, “Liam, are you sure you don’t want to go to the ER?”
“Yes, I am sure—just a hard knock on the head. I’ve had worse.” He asked, “Have you spoken to the agents at the convention center?”
“Yes, they said a man was shot in the shoulder and was transported to the Saint Francis General Hospital. Not Wingate.” Liz continued, “The northeast electric grid is back online. Portions of southern and central states are still recovering. The National Guard was slow to disperse in Louisiana and Ohio because the grid failure affected communication.”
Liam sat on the edge of his desk and inquired, “Any word on Aaron?”
“The last I spoke to the FBI agents on the ground, he was on his way to Charleston Medical Center in a chopper.” Liz surmised, “I suspect the first blackout was a test. Colvin and Clay knew that the software would be fixed. Clay Matthews found a new backdoor to substations and a novel way to create unplanned electric demand on the grid. For Colvin, it was about bringing attention to Necro Metallum Corporation and a personal vendetta against Wingate.”
Liam inquired, “Have they located Clay?”
“No.” Liz audibly exhaled in frustration. “They followed a blood trail, which ended by a gravel road. He must have help from someone we have not accounted for.”
Liam was confused. “But why did they bring in Mason Boggs?”
“Mason did not have the same motivation, but he had a skill they needed.” She continued, “He had access to explosives and knew how to use them.” She explained further, “The NMC Hydroelectric Dam was targeted to disrupt the NMC Darknight Mountain top removal project. This also highlighted that the hydroelectric dam operated without a spillway violating state and federal regulations.”
Liam looked to see Aaron entering the office. Aaron recounted, “We did the best we could to stop them. I was sidelined because of my ankle. We couldn’t take a shot because of the explosives. In the end, their plans betrayed them. They were not counting on the hydroelectric dam failing quickly. Mike was very courageous in his pursuit. He didn’t have a chance to save himself from the rushing water.”
Liam stood.
Aaron continued, “Mason Boggs died, and his body is being transported to the county morgue.” He questioned, “Where is Clay?”
Liz replied, “Gone.” She reached for and hugged Aaron. No other words were necessary.
***
Colvin drove south on Highway 3. He had lost blood but managed to bind the wound in his side. Exhausted and drowsy, he pulled into a rest area parking lot, reclined his seat back, closed his eyes, and slept.
A few hours later, he painfully stepped out of the vehicle. Leaning on the hood, he replayed the recent events in his mind. He failed. No matter what happened now, he could not exact revenge for Asher's death. His hand reached for his side, which still oozed blood through the binding. He concluded, “It’s only a matter of time before they find me.” He got back in the car and continued south to Naoma.
***
Liam and Aaron were still sitting in the office when the lights blinked, indicating that electricity had been restored and the generator had been turned off. Liz returned to report that the entire Eastern Interconnection Grid had been restored.
Liam looked at Aaron and announced, “Time to go.”
Aaron questioned, “Where are you going?”
“Naoma.”
Liz and Aaron both nodded in agreement.
***
Liam knew Colvin’s destination. Passing through the Petry Cemetery gates, he saw a vehicle parked two hundred yards away. Liam parked his vehicle a safe distance away. Liam could see Colvin kneeling in a meditative position. He slowly walked within five feet behind Colvin and stopped.
Colvin spoke without turning around in a soft, resigned voice, “Hello, Liam. I knew it was only a matter of time before you found me. I am glad it is you who is here.”
Liam announced, “It’s over.”
Colvin reached his hand forward, placed it on Asher’s name on the headstone, and whispered, “It’s never over, Liam. Our struggles continue. Wingate and those like him will continue to take advantage of people. Protests and held signs reading “People over Power” are just words, Liam. Money, greed, and power are too powerful to combat.” Colvin gently fell to his side with his arm outstretched.
Liam knelt to touch Colvin’s neck for a pulse. There was none. Colvin’s eyes still stared at Asher’s headstone. Liam gently closed them.