Water

by Anna Petrovich

  “I want Matthews, she’s a good woman with harsh training. We’ll need a woman’s eye for detail in there. That’s a typical upper city office building to a man, to a woman there will be mistakes that no one else will see. She was top of her class in the department, graduated with high honors.” Carlson leaned over, his face concerned.

  “She’s trouble, Ryde. Real trouble. Hates men, won’t take orders from them. It’s been a snag in her career climb.” Ethan just smiled, putting his hand around Amber’s shoulders.

  “That’s where Amber comes in. She’s a woman, but not just a wife and mother. Matthews will understand that.” She shook her head, not understanding his meaning, forehead wrinkling up in confusion. “You’ve survived a life that few people can relate to, alone, with only the children. That is bravery, that is what Matthews will respect.” He kissed the top of her head gently, a tender expression on his face. For a moment, her strong exterior broke down and a tear slid down her cheek. After a deep breath, she recovered and swiped the pictures to the right.

  “This is the man, Ethan.” He leaned over her shoulder, his skin taking on a haggard grey color.

  “He’s dead. Carlson, you had a mole. Still might have one. That’s the man who…was there in the…” His voice trailed off, the memories haunting his vision and making the wounds ache again. She put her hand on his back, trying to understand the agony that had been inflicted on the man she loved so much.

  “I don’t understand. This man was put in this database by the request of a sponsor...son of a…” He bit the side of his mouth hard, the blood tasting like iron. “I’ll have Erickson test the validity of all other personnel. Choose two more, I’ll have them vetted.”

  “No.” Ethan shook his head, handing the iPad back to the man with a grim look on his face. “I’m not risking any more names that aren’t men that were sent into the field by the SAS. Now, that’s my team. Dolinsky, Matthews, my wife, and that computer man that you picked yourself.” The older man nodded, sighing and sliding the device into his briefcase before leaving the room. Zara leaned across the table, glancing at the door with concern.

  “Are we sure that we can trust him?” She asked, biting her lip with worry and her leg moving with nervous energy.

  “He’s an old field horse, there’s not a dishonorable bone in his body.” Ethan replied, a flash of memory coming to the inner screen of his mind. There had been a man in Afghanistan, the American who had tipped his team off the location of the young private who went AWOL. Carlson. His head ached from the vision of the past, causing him to wince outwardly.

  “Ethan?” Amber turned to look into his eyes, her hand on the side of his face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He recovered, forcing a smile even into the blue eyes. “Just another memory…gives me a headache…that’s all.” The door opened to let in the doctor who strode in without any ceremony, his hand instantly on his patient’s forehead.

  “No fever. But those memories…they won’t make you a whole man…there are ways to block them…until after this…urban stupidity.” Ethan winced, shaking his head and trying to shove his friend away.

  “I’ll be fine, Gavin. Without those memories, you might as well take me out in the middle of an abandoned warehouse and put a bullet in my brain.” Liquid welled up in his eyes, his jaw worked to stop the tears.

  “Then don’t let them get the better of you. Remain in control of them, major.” The doctor examined the wounds, gently pressing with a firm grip. A slight groan escaped his patient’s lips, the man trying to keep the pain hidden behind his mask. “Your wounds are healing, but slower than the usual. One more day…that’s all I ask, my friend.”

  “Fine.” Ethan nodded, straightening his back and looking his friend in the eye with a clear gaze. “Thank you. It’s been the most difficult few days of my life, but these memories helped me through.” He gently took Amber’s hand in his own. “Without her, those memories wouldn’t have come back…you’ve given me my life back, darling.”

  “Enough sentimentality, brother.” Morgen spoke, pulling up a map on her computer. “This is the current location given by CCTV for the man known as Wade Waters. According to some military records that’s not even his real name, it was changed by a secret program during the war. It took men on the death row in civilian life and sent them out into the war zone was trained killers to give us an edge in the conflict. His conviction was the triple homicide of his own family and the psychologist report states that his diagnoses was psychopathy. You’re a lucky woman, Amber. This man isn’t who we all thought.”

  “What’s his real name, Almira?” Ethan looked over her shoulder, his eyes turning a cool icy grey, reflecting the rage in his mind.

  “Trevor…Park. His parents were into some dark stuff, drug and arms dealing in the Far East. You probably heard of his father, Victor Park.”

  “The arms dealer who tried to take out the president of Egypt for a petty argument, twice. They never could pin the deal on the guy, had a heck of a lawyer or a lot of money thrown around in bribes. We were even commissioned to take an outsider’s view of the case. Two good men lost their lives in the case. Not surprised at the result of his terrible parenting skills, the man basically beat his children to death. Trevor even killed his sister? I don’t buy it.”

  “It says here police discovered the twenty-year old standing over the bodies of a man, woman, and young girl. They were identified as Victor Park, Rosita Park, and Louise Park during the autopsy. It’s pretty gruesome stuff, Ethan.” They stared at the pictures as she flipped through them, Amber turning away with a whimper of horror. Her body began to shake from the realization of the true evil nature of the man who had been a husband to her and a father to her children. The true relief of escaping his clutches made her knees weak, they buckled. Ethan caught her gently before she could reach the floor, his face a mask of hidden emotions.

  “We’ve seen enough now.” His tone was clipped and terse, even the soldier in his mind was horrified at the atrocities they were witnessing. “That’s her, Louise.”

  “How do you know, Ethan?” Amber turned to look him, tears glistening in her beautiful golden-brown eyes.

  “I…was young before the war…uh…Antione was busy most of the time. We met at a…bar. She was smart, pretty, and we spent some time together. But she didn’t say anything about her name, not really. It wasn’t until the investigation for the military that I found out her real identity. We, uh, were both surprised, meeting in such different circumstances. Then two months after that, they found the father dead…at least that’s what they told us.” There weren’t tears in his eyes, but a grave sadness had replaced the mask. She could see the weight of the years of violence weighing on him. What have you see, my love? What nightmares haunt you?

  “Was she good for you?” He looked up surprised, the light touch of Amber’s hand on his cheek.

  “Yeah…she was, but nothing like A’isha…or you.” She smiled as he gently kissed her forehead, his hand on the small of her back. “There was a lot of insecurity that was kept hidden…on both sides.”

  “I’m sorry, Ethan. Losing so many people who meant everything to you, I can’t imagine.” He opened his mouth to protest, but felt her slender fingers stop the words. “I lost my father who didn’t care about me, my mother died before I can really remember, and now the man who apparently wasn’t even my husband is going to die. All I have are the children and you. So, don’t die on me.”

  “Okay, guys.” Morgen flashed them an awkward smile before turning back to the computer. “We have a crime boss to take down, time is the of essence. According to your friend the doctor, our planning time is also your recover time. So, sit down. Twenty-four hours and we’ll be out in the field, major. Tessa, can you look over the legal files attached to Patricks and his associates, find out if there are any discrepancies in them.”

  “Of course, but these guys will have suppressed evidence somewhere. We can’t discover that from simply
reading the courtroom proceedings.” The young woman took iPad and began scrolling, her eyes squinting once on a while.

  “That’s where the field team comes in, once this computer genius shows up we’ll put him on pulling up every dirty secret on this man and his associates. Zara, we need to send an agent to check out the office building just to scout out the place, same for that warehouse. Don’t let them go in without backup.” Ethan stood, limping into the kitchen and leaning against the cold side of the fridge. His body was trembling, tears sliding down his face. For the second time in his life, the unrealistic illogical fear was pounding in his chest. It was dawning on his mind that his life could end, worse, the lives of his loved ones could be ended today.

  25

  Amber kneeled on the cold wet cement floor, her eyes focused on a small screen. Her companion was a young man who pushed the glasses up on his nose with a slender pale finger. “No need to watch the man that closely, ma’am. He’s a trained professional, there’s no way that this jerk will get the best of the field team.”

  “Shut up, Davis!” Her tone was frustrated, mainly from panic. It surprised them both, he had assessed her as a meek wife, not a good leader. “I’ll decide how best to watch my husband, you work on getting the information for Morgen.” The stress of the last few days had cracked her calm exterior born of years of abuse, bringing out the hidden emotions and thoughts that were a marvel to Ethan and the rest of the team.

  “Alright.” He began to type, squinting at the screen with a curious grin on his face. “Ha! Got ya. Here’s data on this guy dating back to five years ago when a woman claimed that her child was his son. According to hidden DNA evidence, the child is Patricks’. But legally it can’t be proven without these test results.”

  “Who’s the woman?” Amber asked, her mind beginning to run scenarios that included every human reaction possible to the news.

  “A woman from a harbor “escort” service, died last year in a car accident. The child is now with social services, but we’ve sent a woman from the agency over to pick him up. Although you wouldn’t guess it from his track record, the guy might have a heart to save a kid that has his blood.” She stared at the picture of young boy, thinking how much he looked like James, her own little boy.

  “Don’t risk his life or Ethan will have your head, understand me, Davis!” He flinched at her harsh tone, nodding quickly.

  “I get it. The kid won’t leave your side once we get him.” Amber glared at him, unsure of his loyalties or morals.

  “This is Delta team to Victor, Delta to Victor.” The voice echoed from the computer on the ground, instantly she was sitting in front of it again.

  “Delta team, what’s your position?” Her own voice shook slightly, but it was firm and clear.

  “Eyes on the roof are Dolinsky, surveillance is being conducted by Matthews, we’ve got the whole street covered.” Ethan’s voice calmed her nerves, at least he was still alive and in one piece.

  “What’s the target’s position?”

  “Fourth floor, corner right office. Just got back from a large lunch at the local Subway, should be feeling a little woozy in a minute. Your sister did just great, Jack, should go into acting.”

  “We’ve got a piece of information on Patricks, Ethan.”

  “He has a son, just intercepted the agency vehicle. That woman was a bribed hostage…I have to go; the family’s life is in danger.” Amber sank back on her heels, looking up at the man on the computer.

  “You didn’t see this coming, genius?”

  “Sorry, my eyes can’t be everywhere at once. We also have a lead on several victims of Patricks, but his associates have covered their tracks pretty good. It will take at least another day to crack the code.”

  “We don’t have a day. Do it now.”

  “Maybe we do have a day.” She whirled around and looked at him, her hand on a hip with a questioning expression on her face. “Well, Ethan has the kid. We can throw out an ultimatum to guy, give him a day to respond.” There was silence as they both thought about the implications of this move, the woman biting her lip.

  “Contact Ethan, he’s on the ground with the child.” He turned and began to type away, lines of green code sliding along the black rivers of computer language.

  “Victor to Delta team, do you copy?”

  “What’s up?” They could hear his voice and the stress that was straining it.

  “We need another day to crack the code on the associates, the only option is to use the boy for a bargaining chip. His freedom for Patrick’s cooperation, twenty-four hours period to think it over.” Heavy breathing came over the line, she knew that the revulsion that was in her own chest was going through his mind.

  “Contact the handler, we need to get permission from the agency before proceeding. Delta, out.” He turned away from the radio as an agent approached with a young child about the age of James. “Do you know why you are here, kid?”

  “They say my father is bad.” The little boy squinted up into the adult’s face, his instinct telling him that this was a good man. “Are you going to keep me safe?”

  “Yes, son.” Ethan grinned at the child to reassure him. “But you need to tell us everything that you know, okay?” The boy nodded, suddenly slipping his small hand into Ethan’s in a confiding manner. Without thinking, the father-to-be scooped the child up and set him on his shoulder. Childish laughter echoed in the building, the row of teeth showing in their white glory. Ethan carried the child into the nearby diner, ordering a bowl of ice cream before beginning the oddest interrogation in his life.

  “What was your mother like?” The child’s eyes widened, swallowing a spoonful of the ice cream.

  “She was mommy. She loved me.” The simplistic reasoning of a child made the soldier smile, tears appearing in his eyes. “Why are you crying?”

  “Do you know what happened to your mother?” A grave look came over the child’s face, at odds with his youth.

  “She’s dead. They put her in the ground.”

  “Yes, that’s correct.” A sigh escaped Ethan’s lips, his heart aching for the child as the memories of his own mother’s death came to mind. “Can you tell me your name?”

  “I don’t have a name.” The child’s reply surprised Ethan who leaned back in his seat and tried to think of another way to phrase the question.

  “What did your mommy call you?” Zara put her hand on his shoulder, handing a cell phone to him. It was a text from the social services agency, information regarding the boy.

  “She called me her little ray of sunshine.” He smiled at the little boy’s attempt to say the last word, eyes running over the screen. Five years old. Alexandra Ivanov, mother. Russian. Typical story, young girl applied for a position in the United States which turned out to be a sex trafficking ring. Worked her way up to becoming an escort before meeting Patricks. Became one of his favorite girls for two years. He ditched her after finding out about her pregnancy. Still denies having a child.

  “Would you mind if I called you, Alex…after your mommy?” The little boy nodded, a smile on his lips which were stained brown from the ice cream.

  “Are you going to find me a family?” Ethan gulped, his instinct reaching out to the child along with conflicting feelings regarding his own family.

  “Alex, we are going to try very hard to find you a family, alright.” The child looked at him, reading the truth in his expression. His little arms were wrapped around the man’s neck, the tears that hadn’t been released before flooding out with a quiet sobbing. Even Ethan was struggling to keep back the liquid that was forming in his eyes, it was threatening to spill over on his cheek. After some minutes, the little head leaned heavier on his shoulder and the eyelids covered the sea green eyes. He carefully stood, carrying the small body back to the apartment that the team were gathered in, gently laying the child on the bed. Softly stepping out of the room, he gestured for one of the guards to keep an eye on the child before returning to the surveill
ance window. “The child’s asleep, got any more information on his father?”

  Matthews leaned lazily against the wall, a cigarette between her fingers with an arched eyebrow. “The old man’s sitting on coals over there, ever since that stick man on a keyboard sent the threat. Even his two idiots are running up and down the stairs, searching for some kind of stupid explanation.” Her finger pointed to the window, revealing a scene of chaos. Patricks was leaning forward in his seat, supported by his massive stomach. There was evidence of extreme pressure being exerted on his mind, the fat hands were shaking – visible even from this distance. Two young men stood in front of the desk presenting some kind of poor explanation for the turn of events. Even Matthews was roused by the gun shot as one of the men fell to the ground. His companion rushed out of the room as the man’s blood stained the white carpet.

  “Despite his arguments, the child means something to the man.” Dolinsky came into the room, his cold eyes staring at the scene. “Isn’t strange that men who can commit such horrific crimes still manage to work up sentimentality, in regards, to their own children?” Both of his team members were silent, unable to answer this question and equally disgusted by his cold attitude toward the life of the child. “It’s time to start exerting more pressure, sir. This is the point where the man is under some pressure, put some more coals on the fire, he’ll eventually explode.”