Ten Little Spies - Episode 5

Episode 5: Dare to Scheme
by Toni Walker and Sabrina Carol

Kaye Corday and Dare Ransom in Ten Little Spies.

The quivering rings of the alarm grew rapidly until a shrill cry resounded throughout the entire ward. One-two quick flashes of pulsating light danced with a frenzy across the white walls. Dare Ransom's heart beat in wild unison with the warning siren, pounding hard against the inside of his chest. It will only be a matter of time before they know the truth, the voice in his head cautioned. He clenched the handle to the roller bed tighter, turning his knuckles white. Now is not the time to panic, he told himself as he bypassed a group of nurses.

Dare's brown eyes dropped down to the slumbering man on the bed. In a matter of minutes, Jared Quinn had gone from a sickly sallow to a deathly pale. A sheen of perspiration matted his hair to his forehead.

"That should keep him docile for the time being." The thought reverberated in his head.

Instinctively, Dare looked over at his accomplice. Kaye Corday's hazel eyes were narrowed with intent as they neared the elevators. She didn't seem to notice the sudden change in Jared's condition.

"The sleeping med you gave him was too strong." Dare's voice was quiet and fierce, but his face remained a mask of civility.

"Just keep going," Kaye ordered. She was petite in height and had to practically jog alongside the roller bed to keep with Dare's legged pace.

It didn't take long before they reached the end of the Sector 5 hallway. Kaye pushed the down button to both elevators. "Come on… come on…," she urged them desperately. It was the first time she allowed her nervousness to show. She yanked up the long sleeves to the surgical scrub she wore. Beads of sweat were beginning to form above her eyebrows.

Dare took the opportunity to wipe away the perspiration mustache above his lip. With each passing second his insides twisted and coiled like a snake. What they were trying to do was one of the most dishonorable things a Legacy operative could do to their own. If caught, Franklin Fairchild would make their world cease as they knew it.

"What's taking so damn long?" Dare demanded, letting his nerves get the best of him.

Kaye slammed the first elevator's button again with her thumb.

That's when Dare saw it, the large, red X steadily blinking across the button. "Oh no…," he groaned.

"Damn it," Kaye said, finally seeing it too. "They've blocked the elevators." Agitated, she started to tap her hands at her sides. "If the elevator's are blocked, then chances are so are the emergency exits." Kaye angrily tugged at her surgical cap. "This isn't the way it was suppose to be. I had everything so perfect."

Dare watched in silence as her face grew darker and her eyes colder. "How was it suppose to be Kaye?" he asked after a moment.

Kaye seemed put off with being caught coming undone. She prided herself on being flawless, and hated it when things went awry. "I already told you," she said, her already juvenile voice becoming even more childish.

Dare wasn‘t so easily swayed. He tried to block out the unyielding wail of the alarms as he sought to piece together what his intuition was telling him. "You told me Allison was in danger, and not safe in the hospital," he said in reflection. "You never fully explained why. I only took you at your word because you were willing to risk everything for your sister. But Jared wasn't apart of the deal, and now we're in over our heads. If I'm going to go down in flames I want to know why."

Kaye's pretty face appeared to become lost and abstract. "Everything I said is true," she said thoughtfully. "Allison can't stay here, and neither can Jared." She looked to Dare with solemn eyes. "What's going on is bigger than you and me. What happened tonight isn't about poisoned candles. It goes much deeper and is as black as midnight." Without even the slightest hint her entire manner changed, becoming icy and untouchable. "We don't have time for this. If Franklin catches us you know what will happen."

Dare ignored the chill that iced his spine. There was no turning back. They had to get out of there.

Reaching under the white lab coat he donned, Dare removed a pistol affixed with a silencer from his waist band. Kaye stepped into place to cover him. He aimed the barrel at the small lock to the emergency pull-switch door. Expertly, he fired two shots without notice amid the chaotic hallway, dismantling the lock. He pried open the silver box, and yanked down the red lever; automatically, the elevator doors opened.

They quickly pushed a still sleeping, Jared inside. Kaye punched in a series of coded numbers and the elevator hummed as it came to life. The floor numbers lit one by one until they reached the first landing. But the elevator didn't stopped there. Instead it continued downward to an unlisted floor that only a member of the Legacy would know about.

The double doors opened letting in a draft of cold air. They were below ground level. Kaye wheeled Jared from the elevator, and into the dimly lit tunnel. Dare started to follow.

"No," Kaye said abruptly. "You've done your part. It's best you get out of here." 

Dare shook his dark head. "We've come this far, we might as well finished what we've started."

"I can handle everything from here," she tried reassuring him.

A sharp whistle echoed through tunnel. By the exit door was a silhouette of a stocky built man. "The girl is already in the van. We've got to get going, the front lot is already crawling with security."

Dare grabbed the handle of his gun. "And who are you?"

"He's on our side," Kaye answered fast and signaled for the man to get Jared. She turned back to Dare. Standing on her toes, she kissed him softly on the cheek. "Thanks for everything. I'll never forget what you did for me."

Dare looked on quietly as Kaye and the stranger, along with Jared, disappeared through the door. Afterwards he stripped out of the lab coat and purposely made his way through the tunnel. "Sorry Kaye, but you're not getting rid of me that easily."

Once they were safely enclosed inside the covert passage exiting Franklin Fairchild's office the startling sound of alarm bells ceased. The panic and the urgency Dyan Ransom and Adrian Zeller were feeling only a few moments ago began to dissipate.

"Just follow me folks." Melanie said with her usual gusto as if they weren't in the middle of a hospital security breach. She quickly ushered them down the narrow corridor. "When you're outside you will immediately feel like you're standing in the middle of nowhere. But don't worry because at the end of the lot you will find a trail of gardenia shrubs. Simply follow them, and they will lead you to the visitors parking area. Is it okay to assume you can find your own car?" Franklin's assistant didn't bother waiting for an answer. With a bright smile and the snap of her wrist, she turned the silver handle to the right and pushed open the door. "Have a nice day," she sang all the while shoveling them through the secret exit.

Before an accosted Dyan and Adrian even had the chance to spin on their heels, the door closed with a convincing slam. They were shut out yet again--- this time for good.

Dyan smacked the cement flat that concealed the door enabling it to blend into the wall with her purse. "Now what do we do?" she asked the inanimate object instead of the man at her side.

"You wanted to play leader in this hide-and-go-seek, why don't you tell me," Adrian Zeller answered anyway.

Dyan glanced up at her employer in annoyance. She hated his smug expression. Only two things stood in her way of erasing it from his face--- her job and her livelihood. "I suppose doing things your way would have produced better results?"

The corner of Adrian's mouth curved upwards revealing an amused smirk. "With my way we would have at least been tossed out the front door."

In spite of the way she was feeling, Dyan couldn't help but find the humor in his sentiment. But as quickly as the feeling came it was just as fleeting. She had no idea what was happening with her sister Allison, or even what happened to her. The only thing Dyan was certain of was whatever was going on with Allison was very serious. "It's almost as if they are trying to keep us apart," she spoke her private thoughts aloud. "But why?"

"Who are they?" Adrian asked, curiously.

Dyan shook her head, brunette mane swaying from side to side. "It's nothing. I was just thinking."

The look on Adrian's somewhat boyish face revealed he didn't believe her, but nonetheless didn't try to press the issue. "It's getting late. We should be heading back."

They started the trek across the paved lot as Melanie instructed, easily finding the row of gardenia shrubs exactly where she said they would be.

"I understand that hospitals are looking for cheaper ways to cut corners, however, I must say that this is ridiculous," Adrian commented as they traveled the line of shrubs.

Dyan absently touched one of the many white gardenias. "I take it mother nature can't even satisfy you, Adrian."

Adrian‘s lazy stride came to a halt. At that moment, Dyan wished for once in her life she had bitten her tongue. She had more than her share of confrontations for today, and didn't feel like going a second round with her boss. Her violet eyes looked to his blue ones in weary uncertainty.

"As far as my eyes can see mother nature has done a remarkable job," Adrian said, unblinkingly.

Dyan found herself unexpectedly taken aback. She wasn't a fool, and was well aware of Adrian Zeller's love for playing the cad; but, the way he said those words almost made her believe he meant every last one. For the first time, Dyan was at a lost for a snappy comeback.

Adrian inhaled a silent breath. "I guess it's safe to assume that was less than impressive," he said, briefly reflecting a flaw in confidence. He gestured about him. "Still, the gardenias were not what I was referring to."

"Then what?" Dyan inquired, finding her voice again.

Adrian pointed east of them. Parked alongside the south-wing of the hospital was a dark van. They watched as a doctor and an unidentified individual hoisted a sheet covered stretcher into the back of it. Suddenly, an arm popped out and fell limply to the side. Quickly, the doctor tucked the arm back underneath the sheet.

"I don‘t know what‘s going on, but something isn‘t right," Dyan said, her every instincts telling her she was on point. Without hesitation she began running towards the van, each step gathering speed.

"Dyan, wait," Adrian called after her, but she wouldn't listen.

As Dyan came closer, the two figures began to take form. A red haired male quickly hopped inside the back of the van, while the doctor removed a surgical cap from their head, unleashing a mop of blond hair. It was a woman, one of familiar substance--- the hair, the body, and the way she stood, Dyan knew her all too well. The woman shut the van doors, and gave it three whacks with her hand. The van roared to life and hastily took its leave, tearing out of the open lot.

Dyan ran up to the woman, and snatched her arm from behind. Swiftly, the woman whirled around, slamming her in the sternum. Dyan cried out in pain as she was roughly thrown backwards. Tumbling hard, the very breath knocked out of her, Dyan clenched her chest as she struggled for air.

"It's okay, I've got you," Adrian's soothing voice was suddenly in her ear. Dyan blinked several times, and tears spilled down her cheeks. It took her a few moments to apprehend she wasn't lying on the ground, but still on her feet thanks to Adrian's support.

"Are you mad?," Adrian yelled at Dyan's assailant. His brownish eyebrows were furrowed in anger. "You may have seriously injured her."

Kaye Corday's face registered with shock. "Dyan," she squeaked in a child-like voice and rushed to her sister‘s side. "Dyan, are you all right? Did I hurt you?" 

"Did you hurt her?" Adrian mocked, still holding on to Dyan. "What do you think?" His features softened when he looked down at Dyan. "I think you should be checked out at a hospital." He glanced back at Kaye in disgust. "But certainly not this one. It's clear the doctors are as crazy as the staff here."

Dyan wiped her tear stained face with the back of her hands. "I'll be fine, Adrian," she assured, ready to free herself of his embrace.

"Dyan, I thought you were someone else, really I did," Kaye hurried to explain. "You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that."

A still riled, Adrian grabbed Dyan's purse off the ground. "Who did you think she was--- a wanted fugitive?"

Kaye's demeanor suddenly became stern, and she looked awful bigger than her small stature let on. "I said I was sorry, so back off."

"Do you honestly believe an apology is enough after what you did?" he countered.

"Stop it, Adrian," Dyan said, her voice hoarse from pain. "She's my sister, Kaye--- Allison's twin."

Adrian glanced Kaye from head to toe. "You have got to be kidding."

"My name is Kaye Corday," Kaye introduced herself. She tugged on the blue scrub she was wearing. "I, uh, work here. I'm studying to be a neurologist."

"And a practicing martial artist on the side," Adrian added rather unpleasantly.

"Adrian, could you give me and my sister a minute," Dyan asked. He hesitated before giving into the pleading look she gave him.

Once Adrian was gone, Kaye visibly relaxed, her shoulders slumping underneath the oversized gown she wore. She resembled a little girl wanting to playing doctor. "Were you here to see Allison?" she asked, immediately rolling her hazel eyes afterwards. "Dumb question. Of course you were."

Dyan combed a misplaced tendril back in frustration. "More like tried," she huffed. "No one would let me near her. Maybe you can tell me how she is?"

Kaye nodded in understanding. "Franklin is keeping everything pretty tight around here. But to answer your question, Allison is fine."

Dyan reached for her sister's hands. "So you saw her?"

Kaye seemed unsure how to answer. "She's doing much better."

"Well," Dyan sighed tiredly. "I guess that's all the answer I'm going to get." 

Kaye shifted impatiently from side to side, and tugged loose her hands from Dyan‘s. "Listen, I have to get out of here. I'll talk to you when I can."

"Wait a minute," Dyan seized her by the arm, this time without physical consequence. She eyed the surgical scrubs Kaye was wearing up and down. "Nice outfit. Is that the latest wear in spy land?"

Kaye didn't say anything.

"All right, then answer me this," she continued. "Why are you pretending to be a doctor, Kaye? And more importantly… who was the dead body you shoved into the back of that van?"

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