Knight of the Tigress: Chapter 17

Tuesday at 4:45p.m. on August 20, 19851

Michael drove KITT back to the Grand Hotel as the late afternoon sunlight hit the car windows; he wore his dark sunglasses. His thoughts wondered off and were trying to piece together the puzzle, but the pieces would not fit together.2

“I’ve broken down the trace. You’re right; it leads back to the Grand Hotel.”3

“To the suite?” He looked down at his dashboard and took his sunglasses off.4

“No. The room is on a separate floor and a different room number; and no connections to anyone from the aid package.”5

“The room number?” he asked as he tossed the sunglasses onto the passenger seat.6

“On the twenty-third floor and room number twenty-three,” KITT said.7

Michael parked KITT on the street and then put the gearshift in park. “No naps. I’m checking this one out. Oh, does the hotel have cameras?” He opened the door, hopped out of the car.8

“Yes.”9

He shut the door. “Tap into them.” He patted the car.10

Michael turned his head and looked for the traffic. When it was clear, he crossed the street. He walked through the impressive lobby to reach the elevators, while people were talking and music came from the hotel's restaurant. He stepped on the elevator and the door closed, Michael pushed the button for the floor.11

A few minutes later, the door opened, and he walked onto the floor. Michael turned left to the odd number rooms. Loud TVs played from the other rooms as the couple were fighting in room seventeen. He hurried to pass the shouting match. A few more steps, was room twenty-three, as he came to the door; Michael pulled out his tools and began to pick the lock. 12

Click. He pushed the door inside and entered. The room was not a suite but a huge room with a king size bed, a sofa, and a desk with a chair. On the desk was a small computer with a modem hooked to the phone line. Michael walked over to it. The desk sat beside the window.13

He brought his com-link near his mouth. “KITT, is this computer on?”14

“Yes.”15

“Access it.”16

“Michael, it is a remote control computer hooked into a main computer.”17

“Can you find the main computer?” He searched through the drawers that were empty.18

“Trying to find it now.”19

Michael came closer to the computer; a beeping noise filled his ears.20

“Get out of there, the computer is going to explode!” KITT screamed.21

Michael ran out of the room and headed for the stairwell. He reached the door. Boom, he turned, the room’s door blew off as flames and smoke filled the hallway. The smoke alarms were ringing and the guests opened their doors.22

“This way!” Michael shouted as he waved to them. “Go down the stairs to the lobby!” 23

The people coughed and raced down the stairs as he held the door open for them. He checked the hallway, and then he went into the stairwell as the sprinklers came on. Once Michael reached the lobby, he slowly made his way to his car.24

He opened the car door, the sirens could be heard in the distance. He slid into his seat and closed the door. “KITT, lets go.”25

KITT powered up and drove himself away from the hotel and the fire trucks.26

“What did you find on the computer?” 27

“Michael, it called the Foundation and talked to Chloe. I found pictures of Amy and Claw going in and out of the lobby.”28

“Where’s Chloe?”29

“Doing her job for Jamie the hotel’s tapes prove it.”30

“Jamie was right, Claw was the one. Let’s go back to the Foundation.”31

KITT drove himself down the city’s streets.32

5:30p.m.33

Michael entered Devon’s office as Bonnie sat at the computer. Devon walked back into his office and went to the black leather chair next to the white fireplace. Michael sat down in the tan loveseat.34

Michael looked at Devon. “Where’s Jamie? I want to talk to her.”35

He leaned back and tried to relax. “She’s in her bedroom sleeping at last.”36

“I need to talk to her.”37

Devon sat on the edge of the cushion. “You don’t understand. I read the report of KITT’s medical scan on Jamie.”38

Michael’s thumb pointed to his chest. “I… don’t understand…” He shook his head.39

Devon waved his hand in the air. “EAS drugs are very low in her body. If she went to battle, let’s say the damage could be permanent.”40

Michael’s eyes widened. “What kind of damage?”41

Bonnie walked over and gave him the file. “Brain damage,” she said.42

“You see, the human body was not designed for that kind of stress.” Devon leaned back into his chair.43

“Michael, sleep helps the body to repair itself and let’s the mind relax.”44

“So what you are telling me, Jamie could have a stroke and die due to lack of sleep.”45

Devon stared into Michael’s eyes. “Yes. KITT also states she has not been getting her rest for some reason.”46

“Jamie is in her room, right now.” Bonnie sat down next to Michael. “After you left she went to lie down.”47

Michael brought his fingers as they touched his lips. “Explains why she ran away from the guards and didn’t want to fight with Claw.” He paused. “How long will she be out?”48

“It will be four to ten hours, the good news is that this not drug induced sleep, but her own,” Devon said.49

“Michael, I did a bit more digging on Mr. Dimes and he had a contract with Steele trucking. Everything looks on the straight and narrow.” Bonnie handed him another file.50

Michael grabbed the file and opened it. “Devon, will Jamie be up tonight?”51

“It is hard to say. The more sleep she can have the better it will be. Why?”52

“Steele trucking is a huge place and I’m going to need all the help I can get.”53

Michael closed his file and grabbed the other one. He rose from the loveseat. “I’m going to take a nap. Oh, Bonnie, KITT’s in the garage.”54

He walked out of Devon’s office. Headed to the East wing to his bedroom and made his way through the maze of hallways. He went up the stairs to his bedroom. Soft cries entered his ears as he followed them. 55

Jamie’s bedroom door was not close all the way. Her curtains shut, which made her room dark; the light came from the hallway gave him enough to see. 56

She wrapped in the blankets and held the pillow. Michael walked over to her as he placed his files on her nightstand. 57

Her back was facing him. “I thought I had good hearing,” Jamie said.58

Michael bent down to be level with the bed. “It’s a requirement for the job.” He placed his hand on her side of her face as he stroked her hair. “Why are you crying? And don’t say your not.”59

She grasped the pillow tighter. “You’ll laugh.”60

“I promise I won’t and if I do you can hit me.” 61

Jamie turned to her other side and brought the pillow with her. “I had a nightmare,” she whispered.62

He placed his hand on the side of her face and stroked her hair. “What about?” he asked.63

“Monsters.”64

“The big and scary kind, huh.” His fingers rubbed her forehead.65

“Yes. I’m in my late twenties crying about my nightmares.” Jamie looked into his eyes.66

“We all have nightmares.”67

“I guess, but do you cry?” She grabbed his hand. “I know men don’t cry or don’t tell if they do.”68

“Sometimes, I have strong feelings, like being scared or feeling helpless.”69

“What do you do, tell KITT?”70

“Once in a while, I just tell myself it is only a dream and closed my eyes.”71

“The simple plans are always the harder ones to do.”72

“True. Do you need to talk about your nightmare?”73

Jamie was quiet for a moment. “I should battle Claw instead of running.”74

Michael squeezed her hand. “You listen to me; you made the right decision today. You get your chance to battle her, but right now, I need you to get your rest.”75

Jamie nodded and closed her eyes. Her gripped loosen more and more as she drifted off. When Michael was sure, she was asleep. He moved his hand away from her and brought the blankets to her shoulder. Michael picked up the files and left her room. He closed her door as Chloe stood there.76

“I didn’t know that you were here,” Michael said.77

“I check on her in so many hours when she’s having nightmares.”78

“You care about her.”79

“I do and I didn’t set her up.”80

“I know.”81

“You found evidence that Claw is involved?”82

“I did, but I need you to stay a way from the aid package.”83

“Alright, but why?”84

“I need a bit more time with that answer.”85

Michael turned around and went to his bedroom.86