The HarpIES – Web Episode 9.
Gerard’s attention was immediately taken up by the TV. It was already tuned into the BBC news, and the lead topic was IES.
“…spread of the virus has been tracked to a single focus point, starting in Manchester and fanning out through exit points at the airport and central train station via the public. A secondary inclusion zone has been defined at Euston station in London, and there are reports of cases beginning to come in from other UK regions. Case numbers do not include the unconfirmed cases further afield in Ireland, France and into the continent.
Public transport in affected UK areas has been suspended, and flights from the airport in Manchester and both flight and ferry crossings in Liverpool are indefinitely cancelled.
Police and governing bodies are seeking this man…”
As Gerard watched, a picture of a thin middle-aged man, with a greying goatee appeared on the screen. The photograph was a grainy colour one, which had probably been used for a work pass. The newsreader continued.
“…in connection with the outbreak. Dr Nathan Harper worked for the University of Manchester as a lecturer, but more notably as a consultant at the St. Mary’s genetic institute also based in the city. Sources in Manchester have advised, that an explosion in the university area earlier today may have been a booby-trap device left by the doctor to destroy evidence of unauthorized research. Bomb disposal experts are currently working in conjunction with teams from the Health Protection Agency to ensure the area is free from other hidden devices.
Current on-screen CCTV footage shows Dr. Harper at both the Manchester and London impact zones, but he has not been seen since leaving the Euston area. Dr. Harper is considered highly dangerous, and members of the public are advised not to approach him, but to contact their local police or use the following telephone numbers…”
As the news report continued Bobby returned with a tray of steaming tea, and set one of the cups beside Gerard on a small wooden coffee table. Bobby looked as though he was about to say something, then changed his mind and turned his attention to the news update instead.
“Bloody diabolical isn’t it.” Bobby said, pointing at the television. “It’s not as if there are enough people out there making problems, without bringing out even worse things. People starting to drop like flies all over the city and beyond, and all because of this guy. I’d like to get my hands on him at the minute I tell you.”
Bobby slowly sat down on an old armchair, across from the TV. The seat looked a lot older, and out of sync with the rest of the furniture in the room. It had probably been a decent seat once, but now the old armchair sighed as much as Bobby did, and as he settled into the battered leather the chair lost most of its shape and moulded itself around him.
“We should put that bugger in with some of his victims.” Bobby continued as he tried to get comfortable, pointing at the TV as his anger rose up again. “I’ve been around the block a few times and seen people do many bad things, but this beyond anything I know. It’s like something you’d see in a film.
You could bet your last pound those news people are only telling you half the story to, if they even know that much. It’s all over the internet about that St. Mary’s research place, even if the news is saying nothing. Bloody genetics, people should leave things well enough alone.”
“The internet?” Gerard said quizzically. He agreed with Bobby on the genetics front, but Bobby surfing the net was something he couldn’t wholly get his head around.
“Aye the internet. I’m retired, not dead son. Silver Surfer me, or at least that’s the box they like to stick me in. I don’t mind what they call it, as long as they pass on a discount or two. You’d be surprised what you can get up to on a pension, though I suppose none of it makes a difference now.”
With that final sentence Bobby seemed to go flat again. Gerard could easily read him, though it wasn’t hard. Bobby was trying to keep it together, but was faltering without the usual support from his other half. He was going to give out completely at some point, like Gerard had in the shower earlier. Gerard could only hope the pensioner wasn’t waving his gun around again when it happened, or someone was definitely going to get hurt.
“Still, you’ve got troubles of your own lad eh?” Bobby spoke again, trying to pull out of his own problems by focusing on someone else. “What happened with the young girl?”
Gerard didn’t want to relive yesterday again, but he began to tell Bobby about coming home, and the rest of the time just filled in around it. Bobby listened well, and let Gerard finish with a minimum of interruption. He was sympathetic about it all, especially as he’d just been through the near same experience.
“Jesus, you had a night of it yourself.” Bobby said at the end. “I was wondering where you got those scrapes and bruises from.
I don’t know if you’re being too hasty going back to Ireland, especially if you’re going to have to do it on your bike.” Bobby continued with a nod of his head. “I can understand why you’d want to though. If I wasn’t cemented in around here, I’d think about leaving with you. It’s a hard call either way when you don’t know if things are going to get better or worse.
At least now you don’t have to worry about calling people, as I did that last night, for Ellen and Jeff anyway. I don’t about Mandy, though in the end she was probably in the best place. From what you’ve said, I don’t think anyone’s going to be able to do much for her. I’ll be keeping the home fires burning for Dawn anyway, and keeping an eye on next door. If you end up leaving, I’ll keep you updated as much as I can.”
Gerard could only thank Bobby for his help, and wrote out his mobile number on a scrap of paper he’d been passed. For a moment Bobby stared at the number he’d written down on, and then bent over the far side of his chair, searching for something and muttering to himself.
“Ahh, here we are.” Bobby said after a minute, pulling a battered looking Sunday supplement from a pile of papers, and passed over the magazine to Gerard.
“This might come in handy for you. It’s from a supplement, so probably not the best in the world, but it’ll point you in the right direction if you’ve nothing better.”
Gerard took the magazine and began to flick through it, quickly realizing it was a map of the country. He hadn’t even begun to think about the details of his now probable cycle. He wouldn’t be able to use the Motorway on his bike, not without a death wish at least. That left the minor roads which would be longer and less regularly signposted, so he was definitely going to need some direction.
The scale of the maps were good enough to see all the roads, even if they didn’t have the greatest detail. With the maps also coming from a Sunday newspapers, the printers had been more concerned with advertising space and which motorway services had a McDonalds. Still, Gerard didn’t want to seem ungracious, and it was better than anything he currently had. He thanked Bobby again, and put the magazine in his bag to take a closer look at later.
“Thinking on it though.” Bobby continued pretty much straight after he’d handed it over. “I could print you something from the internet.”
Bobby sat for a second, as though gearing himself up, and then with a groan he slowly rose from the seat.
“Come on then, before this seat takes away my will to move for the next few hours.” Bobby said, walking to the door that led upstairs. “I think I deserve a little something after this morning. I’ll take you up to retirement central.”
www.TheHarpies.com
