The Imperceptible Adjustment

Poking Todd on the chest, Hudson whispered, “Don’t make her more nervous than she already is. I don’t want her upset.” He faked a smile.

“Hey, she asked me what I do. I’m a minister, I can’t lie,” he said shrugging his shoulders. “Uh-huh,” Hudson mumbled while laying the drawings on the bed.

Everyone looked on while Hudson got down on his knees and began tracing his finger across lines on the page. Each sheet represented a level within the building and the agent had to look at one page on top of another to trace connected lines and areas of intersection.

“Todd, over on the nightstand is a book of services, bring that over,” he said pointing. Hudson continued tracing lines, “The Greenbrier is a world renowned five diamond resort; however what most people don’t know is that in 1959, the U.S. government rented the entire facility for almost three years to build a bomb shelter under it.” Todd and Sara looked at each other. “They built this shelter large enough to house the entire Legislative branch for an extended period of time.

Todd, open that book up. There has to be a floor plan or site map.”

“Got it.”

“Bring it over here.” Hudson kept one finger on a spot on the drawing and started scanning the floor plan diagram for a match. “There it is.”

Sara sat in a wingback chair. “What did you find?”

Standing up, Hudson straightened his back and then sat in another wingback across from her. ”We know that he’s in the shelter below us. It’s pretty obvious that he’s going to be well guarded, but only at the main entrances. We need to get to him through another way.”

“What is the other way?” Todd spoke up.

“The bomb shelter became public knowledge in the late 90’s. Changes were made around the grounds to bring the resort back to its original glory. In that time, certain doors and passageways were covered.” Hudson stood and walked back over to the drawings. “I found a ventilation shaft that should get us down to the bunker. We’ll have to do some welding, but we can get down there.”

“Where is the access point?” Todd asked.

“The Cameo Ballroom,” he said pointing to the name on the floor plan.

Picking up the television remote, Todd keyed in the channel describing the events going on at the hotel. “Hudson, it says that there is a formal dance taking place in that room in a little over an hour.”

All eyes went to the agent, “Well, it looks like we need to get ready for the ball. Todd, you need to find a server’s outfit, and I will get us some clothes,” he said pointing to Sara. “I suggest you take a shower and start primping. You need to look beautiful.”

“But I don’t have anything. No makeup or even a brush,” she complained throwing her arms in the air.

“I’ll get you what you need,” Hudson said heading for the door.

“But you don’t know what color of makeup I use or what size I wear.”

The agent smiled, “I’ll figure it out.”