Operation Angus by Terry Fallis

Author:Terry Fallis [Fallis, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McClelland & Stewart
Published: 2021-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

“That was a tour-de-force performance, Angus,” Vivian said after we’d hung up. “You make a very powerful case.”

“I second that,” Muriel said. “I spend my days with my body almost constantly racked with tremors. But after listening to that call, I’m shaking a lot more than I usually do.”

“Well, we’d be nowhere without Vivian’s insight, contacts, and advice,” Angus said. “So I guess it’s fitting that you’re with us. We could use the on-the-ground expertise.”

When we reached Nepean Point, we saw that the protestors had dwindled to a handful. I’m sure it’s tough to get picketers out on the line on a Thursday evening. The on-site security team helped part the raging waters—or, by then, the babbling brook—and we drove through the gates. Brenda, the head security officer, didn’t even ask to see our passes. She knew who we were.

We drove in, around the bend, and up to the front door beneath the great concrete awning. The landscaping in the last two days had transformed the property. Tulips, daffodils, and plenty of other common spring flowers that I could not identify, bordered by surgically edged, freshly laid grass, gave the place a finished and classy look. The whole site finally looked worthy of receiving a world leader.

We piled out of the Buick. Well, Lindsay, Angus, and I piled out; Vivian and Muriel eased out carefully with our steadying hands. Angus quickly reassembled Vivian’s scooter after my first three attempts failed.

I succeeded in getting Vivian seated on her scooter on my first attempt, and Lindsay had Muriel on her arm. A bright-red carpet led from the car to the doors, as if we were attending the Oscars. We started moving agonizingly slowly, led by Angus and Vivian. Unfortunately, Muriel’s Parkinson’s was acting up and she was having trouble getting her legs moving. She was locked in place with her legs twitching but failing to respond to her commands. Lindsay looked at me and nodded. That was my cue, and I knew what to do—I’d done it before. I walked over and lay down on the carpet directly in front of Muriel. She promptly hoisted her left foot, high-stepped over me, and walked very well thereafter, even catching up with Vivian. Having something, or in this case someone, to step over helped Muriel get moving again.

Inside, the Centre was nearly empty, except for some activity in the kitchen and plenty of vacuuming. Paint, broadloom, signage, lighting, fixtures, and furnishings were all done and ready for prime time. Most of the final preparations were happening outside, as a platoon of landscapers gave a final spit and polish to their remarkable efforts. When we were inside, the site manager gave us free rein, despite our unusual contingent.

With the Centre built all on one level, the entire facility was accessible. There were no stairs anywhere, so Vivian was able to explore everywhere. I tagged along. It really did look amazing on the inside, even if it was ugly on the outside—and man, was it ugly on the outside.

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