IMMOLATION: Chapter 30

Tea Leaves fidgeted with his napkin beneath the table while Green Tea opened their meeting but he couldn't seem to get himself to concentrate on what was being said. Their meeting this time was held in a private room at the back of a high end restaurant that Early Bird had set up. The only problem, and this was what made Tea Leaves so uncomfortable, was that Early Bird wasn't there. And though the others in the group might not know it, Early Bird was a part of their group for more than just his connections in Africa.

“I'm sorry,” Tea Leaves interrupted Green Tea, “But shouldn't we wait for Early Bird?”

The others at the table stared at him, puzzled expressions on their faces. At last, Feather Weight spoke.

“Weren't you listening?” He asked, “Green Tea just said he was sick.”

“Really?” Tea Leaves said before he could stop himself, “I mean, of course, sorry, just a bit distracted.”

“So we have noticed,” Green Tea said, emphasizing the word 'we' and doing nothing to calm Tea Leaves nerves.

“It's just with the third package set to go tomorrow and all, I'm just a bit frazzled, excited.”

Bird Feather nodded solemnly, “Yes,” she said in her gruff voice, “The last two have not had much effect but tomorrow's, hitting such a large population,” She trailed off.

The others around the table were silent as they all recalled how Leaves Early had convinced them to target two particular nuclear plants in heavily populated areas. Even if they changed their minds now it was too late to stop it.

“Yes,” Green Tea said to bring everyone's attention back to him, “It is regrettable that the last two disasters have not had the effect that we hoped, and even more regrettable that we must go to these extremes, but thankfully Leaves Early had the foresight to plan for this before she left us.”

Tea Leaves fumbled with his napkin and made a failed grab to catch it before it fell to the floor, knocking his silverware off the table in the process.

“We all miss her,” Green Tea said and held Tea Leaves gaze a few seconds longer than Tea Leaves was comfortable with.

“I, I'm afraid that I'm not feeling all that well myself,” Tea Leaves stammered, “Must be catching.”

Green Tea didn't make any response to this and instead turned his attention back to Bird Feather and Feather Weight. “Here are your passports and tickets,” He said, pulling two envelopes from his suit jacket and handing them across the table. “Your flight leaves tomorrow a couple hours before the third package become active.”

“I should hope so,” Feather Weight stated when he looked at his itinerary. “That airport isn't too far from the nuclear plant.”

“A calculated risk,” Green Tea stated. “If your flight is delayed for more than an hour, leave and we will reschedule your flight.”

Feather Weight and Bird Feather nodded, the seriousness of their situation played clearly on their faces.

“It's a pity Leaves Early won't be here to enjoy our success with us,” Feather Weight said.

Tea Leaves could feel the sweat running down his face. “I'm sorry,” He said, rising from the table, “But I'm feeling quite ill, I shouldn't have come. Good luck with your work ahead of you.” He nodded to Feather Weight and Bird Feather , shook Green Tea's hand and then made his way to the exit as fast as he could. Every minute in the meeting, away from his apartment, was another minute Early Bird had to search it.

The restaurant wasn't very difficult to navigate and within a few minutes he was in his car driving as fast as he dared. He knew his hasty exit would only confirm Green Tea's suspicions, if he did indeed suspect Tea Leaves. He had to admit that it could all just be his guilty conscience. Still, his apartment was over an hour away and Early Bird could have already had a good hour and a half to search it. If he'd found the right door, looked in the right places, he'd be a dead man.

“Perhaps he hasn't found it,” He murmured to himself.

Before long, a pair of flashing red and blue lights caught his attention.

“Oh no,” He said to himself, “Not now, not this time.”

But there was no denying the pursuing police car reflected in his rear view mirror. He pulled over, determined to get this over with as quick as possible. The police car pulled up behind him moments later and the officer got out and sauntered up to his window.

Tea Leaves rolled down his window and spoke before the officer could say anything. “Yes I was speeding, no I haven't been drinking, I'm feeling quite ill and I'm trying to get home before I lose my regrettably large lunch.”

The officer stood motionless for a moment, taking in Tea Leaves pale complexion, sweat and trembling hands.

“Get going,” He said at last, waving his hand, “But not so quickly this time, okay?”

Tea Leaves nodded, unable to believe how well that worked, and pulled back onto the road. As soon as the police car was out of sight he sped back up to his previous speed.