7 - EARLY MORNING

When River had finally fallen asleep Gabriel went back to bed, just as the sun was coming up. He had resolutely closed his blinds and decided not to emerge until the day was almost over. Of course Reagan would have something to say, but for all he cared, she could nag until her vocal chords disintegrated. However, he would not be so lucky.

Gabriel had not been dozing for more than half an hour, when he was awakened by a cranky Mrs Mavel, saying something about a fat man with a large moustache who was being very pushy and rude about wanting to speak to him. He was half inclined to dismiss the wave, and tell Mrs Mavel to just go back to bed, but realised (with a feeling of foreboding) that the only fat man he knew who had a large moustache went by the name Governor Reuben Von Schleiker and was not exactly someone you told to call back another day.

He had rolled himself out of bed and dragged himself reluctantly towards his office.

“Do you know what time is it?” Gabriel grumbled as he slunk into his office and eased himself into a chair facing his vid screen.

“Gabriel! Thank God you’re awake!” exclaimed the Governor with real relief, in that voice of his which made Gabriel shudder. He noted in his uncharitable mood that the Governor was looking more florid than usual, on account of his state of agitation.

Gabriel grunted, “I really wasn’t…and could you just tone it down a bit? I’m feeling a mite…delicate right now.” He dispensed himself a couple of headache pills and downed them dry. Maybe if I take enough, they’ll knock me out…

“Delicate my pi-gu!” huffed the Governor in his bluff way, “I’ve got a crisis on my hands, to hell with you!”

The fact that the Governor had progressed to damning him to hell told Gabriel that he really was in a bad way. He blinked his eyes trying to lighten the load on his eyelids and said in a voice full of care he really didn’t feel, “What is it Reuben?”

Governor Von Schleiker made a face, “It’s Heinrich…” he said with doom permeating in h