Killer Pizza

by Greg Taylor

  “You think this is our man because of serendipity? What’s that mean, anyway?”

  “You know, when something happens … something good, usually, I think … by chance.”

  “I seem to remember you telling Annabel not to get all mystical on us when she said she was meant to come to Killer Pizza.”

  “Yeah, well … this is different.”

  “How so?”

  “This is more than just a feeling. I mean, look at the guy. That silver hair?”

  “Plenty of people have prematurely gray hair.”

  “That’s not prematurely gray. It looks like alien hair. Think about this. A monster donating money for a kid’s playground? C’mon. It’s just too perfect!”

  7

  Annabel heard someone come into the room. Still bound and gagged, she was sitting in a large, cushioned chair. At least she’d been comfortable for the past hour while she waited to discover what her captors had in store for her.

  Annabel jumped when she felt hands at the back of her head, untying her gag. Now the blindfold came off. Annabel sat very still, staring straight ahead. The person who had untied her gag walked slowly into view, crossed the room, and sat in a chair opposite Annabel.

  “Good evening,” a man with silver hair said.

  Like his voice, the man’s appearance was chilling. He was impeccably dressed. A Rolex watch glinted on his wrist. A gold earring reflected the light from a nearby lamp. But in spite of all the window dressing, there was something hollow about him. Annabel felt like she was looking at a living dead man.

  “You’re Takashi Oshiro’s daughter.”

  Annabel’s stomach turned. This man knew her father?

  The silver-haired man gave Annabel a look that was strangely sympathetic. “Don’t worry. Your father is not one of us. I know him socially. That’s all.”

  That’s actually the thought that had gripped Annabel—that her father might be a guttata!

  “No, your father is much too successful to be a candidate for my pack. You see, I only take in people who need me. Whom I can help. I run a very charitable organization, when you come right down to it. I find people who have ‘holes’ in their lives, as I like to say, and give them everything they’ve ever dreamed of.”

  Annabel wanted to respond that the only thing these people had to give in return were their human souls, but she held her tongue.

  The man stood and walked to a bar in the corner of the room. “Anyway, I’m sure that you’re anxious to know why you’re here.”

  “Yes, I am. I’m going to be late for work if you keep me any longer. I have the evening shift at Killer Pizza.”

  The words surprised Annabel when she said them. She hadn’t worked out any kind of plan on how to deal with Alpha Man.

  “Don’t play dumb with me, Miss Oshiro. I know you don’t work in Killer Pizza’s kitchen. One of my associates observed you at the Child house the night Child made his unfortunate return. It’s clear you’re involved with a group of people who seem intent on my destruction.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just make specialty pizzas.”

  The man stared at Annabel. He nodded slowly, then returned to his chair and sat down. “I’m going to tell you a little story. I think you’ll find it informative.”

  The silver-haired man explained about the ultimatum he had given Annabel’s people. The ultimatum seemed to have worked. No one had followed any of his pack to the Gathering, so far as he could tell. Which meant that no one was coming to Annabel’s aid.

  Annabel tried not to show how devastated she was, hearing that.

  “But I still have a problem here,” the man continued. “I have no idea who your boss is. No idea what kind of organization he’s running. Simply that his headquarters seem to be in the unfortunately named Killer Pizza building on Industrial Avenue. All this makes me very uneasy.”

  The man crossed his legs and smoothed out a wrinkle in his perfectly tailored trousers.

  “Which is where you come in. I am prepared to offer you a way out of this very nasty situation that has befallen you. All you have to do is tell me who you work for. His name. The extent of his organization. Do that, and you will be able to make it in time for your evening shift at the pizza shop.”

  The man stared at Annabel with an amused, reptilian-like expression on his face. The only sound in the room was of music, coming from a lower floor.

  “On the other hand, if you don’t tell me what I need to know about my unknown adversary? And this is the lovely part.” The man paused before delivering the punch line. “I will welcome you into my pack.”

  Annabel had the strange sensation of falling, even as she sat still in her chair. Vertigo.

  “Oh, come now, Miss Oshiro. Don’t look so alarmed. This is actually an opportunity I’m presenting to you. Granted, there is that little bit of unpleasantness when you make the transition. But afterward … you can’t even imagine how wonderful it is. Ask any of the people downstairs. After getting a taste of my world, you will do anything to protect it. Anything. Including giving me whatever information I need about the people you work with.”

  Annabel couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She was struggling to hold herself together, not fall completely apart.

  The man suddenly stood and walked toward Annabel. She struggled against her ropes. She didn’t want this guy anywhere near her. “I’m sorry to have to run,” she heard him say as he circled around her, put the gag back across her mouth, and tied it. “But the time for my appearance at the Gathering is at hand.” Annabel flinched when the man bent down close to her. “You understand, I’m sure.”

  The man stopped before exiting and looked back at Annabel. When he smiled, Annabel thought she saw a couple of unnervingly sharp incisor teeth. Had they been like that before?

  “So this is good, yes?” the man said. “You have a little time to think things over. The choice is yours. Return to your people. Or join my side. Either way, I get what I want.”

  Annabel now noticed that a stream of saliva had started to run down one side of the man’s chin. What a repulsive sight! The man took out a handkerchief and calmly wiped his chin clean. Then he gave Annabel a courtly nod and closed the door quietly behind him as he left the room.

  Annabel sat stock-still in her chair. She still felt as though she were falling. But now she knew where she was falling to.

  That would be right into the middle of hell.

  8

  The silver-haired man’s name was Farrior.

  That’s what Strobe was able to discover after getting a Brentwood Hills councilman on the phone and explaining that he was doing an article for the fall edition of his high school newspaper on newsworthy people who had done “good works” for the local communities. After thanking the councilman for his time and suggestions, Strobe called directory assistance to get Farrior’s phone number and address.

  “He lives in Shadyside,” Strobe announced, referring to an exclusive, upper-class area located about twenty miles from Hidden Hills. He bounced off of Toby’s bed and pocketed his cell phone. “Let’s go.”

  “Hold on a second, Strobe. We need to call Harvey now, right?”

  “No way. You better believe Harvey’s phone is bugged. We can’t get in touch with him until we have Annabel.”

  “But Shadyside … that’s like, miles and miles from here. I’m not biking over there.”

  “Obviously.”

  “So … a bus?”

  “Nightmare. Figuring out the schedule? Transfers? Been there, done that. It’d take us forever, and we don’t have a lot of time to work with here. What about that car in the garage?”

  “Don’t even—”

  “I know how to drive, Tobe.”

  “We’re not taking my mom’s car. End of story.”

  “Annabel’s life is in danger. Who cares if we break a law or two?”

  Strobe was right about that. If ever there was a time to toss aside concerns about breaking a
law or two, this would be it.

  “I’m pretty sure I heard Mom say there’s something wrong with the engine,” Toby suddenly remembered. “The check engine light, or something like that, keeps going on.”

  “I’m handy with a car. I’ll deal with whatever comes up.”

  Toby thought about the possible consequences of taking his mother’s car. What if it died on them? What if they did something to it that Harvey and his crew couldn’t take care of? How would he ever be able to explain that to his parents?

  The high-pitched whine of a sander could be heard downstairs, where the KP workers were smoothing out the grooves left in the living room floor by Child’s talons. Toby couldn’t help but smile and shake his head at the ridiculous scenario.

  “What?” Strobe asked.

  “Nothin’. Just thinkin’ about how deep I’m in already. Why not add car theft to my list of sins?”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll treat your mom’s car as though it were my own.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m worried about.”

  A half hour later, Strobe was turning Toby’s mother’s Subaru onto Old Hickory Lane in Shadyside.

  Toby couldn’t believe they were already here. Things were happening too fast for him. He felt like he needed more time to prepare, to gear up for this rescue operation. But there was no more time. The time was now. Right here, in this neighborhood, on this street, was where the Gathering was being held!

  Strobe pulled to the curb and stopped in front of one of the palatial homes that were set back on lush, expansive lawns. A turn in the road obscured their view of the rest of the street. “Farrior’s place has to be right around the corner. Ready?”

  Toby nodded, even though he wasn’t. He opened the door and got out of the car. He and Strobe were silent as they walked toward Farrior’s house. The two had already talked about various game plans on their way to Shadyside, had decided they needed to stake out Farrior’s house first, then wait until dark to make their move. Coming around the bend in the street, Toby was suddenly aware of how dry his mouth was. He couldn’t spit to save his life.

  Heart pounding. Dry mouth. Was this fun, or what?!

  “That’s it,” Strobe suddenly said, pulling Toby behind a nearby hedge. “The one straight ahead. That’s Farrior’s.”

  The two stared from behind their leafy barrier at Farrior’s impressive, castle-like stone mansion, located at the end of a cul-de-sac. Even on a street lined with gorgeous, one-of-a-kind residences, the place was immense, regal, by comparison.

  But there was something wrong with it.

  At least from Strobe’s and Toby’s points of view. There was no sign of activity in the house or anywhere on the large grounds. No cars. No people. No music or lively chatter. Nothing.

  “Maybe they’re in the basement or something,” Toby said. “I mean, who knows what goes on during this new moon rave?”

  “Harvey said there could be hundreds of people in this pack. What’d they do, turn guttata and fly in? In broad daylight?”

  “Actually, Strobe, the pack isn’t able to turn guttata a few days before or after a Gathering. It’s a hormonal thing. Alphas aren’t affected by it. I guess you didn’t read that part in the text. Besides, only Alphas are able to fly, right?”

  Toby instantly shut up when Strobe turned a laser-like glare at him. Strobe held his intimidating gaze for a few moments, then resumed looking at the house with the gone-for-the-weekend look.

  “Can’t believe this,” Strobe said in disgust. “Either the party’s somewhere else, or Farrior isn’t our guy. We’re busted, either way. Back to square one.”

  Toby could feel the negative vibes oozing from Strobe. That was to be expected. This was a bummer, after all. But what happened next was totally unexpected. Just like that, without warning—Strobe snapped.

  Toby was startled when Strobe started to punch and yank at their leafy hiding place! Leaves flew everywhere ! Branches were ripped from the hedge and tossed into the air!

  “Strobe! Calm down! We could get arrested for attacking a hedge around here!”

  Toby had to separate Strobe from the perfectly trimmed bush. He managed to pull him back to the sidewalk before Strobe—looking like he wanted to go at the hedge again—pushed him away.

  “Wait a second!” Toby commanded. “Just hold on. I have an idea.”

  Strobe still looked like he was breathing fire. Toby knew he had to talk fast.

  “Harvey gave me and Annabel a quick course in burglary. Remember? I’ll get in there and see what I can find out. Like you said, maybe they’re having the party somewhere else.”

  At least Toby’s suggestion got rid of the wild look in Strobe’s eyes. But Strobe didn’t look very impressed with the idea. “Look at that place,” he said. “It’s gotta have the most sophisticated alarm system on the planet. No way you’ll be able to crack it.”

  Okay, maybe Strobe had a point there. Toby’s mind whirled as he tried to latch on to something else that might rescue them from their disappointing dead end. Something. Anything.

  “Let me see the camera.”

  “What for? We’ve already gone through—”

  “Hand it over!”

  The force of Toby’s exclamation surprised Strobe. He meekly reached into his pocket and handed the camera to Toby. Clicking through the pictures, Toby didn’t linger over any of them. He knew what he was looking for. He stopped when he got to the picture of Gome holding up his trophy trout. Toby handed the camera to Strobe. “That might be Echo Lake.”

  “So?”

  “This friend of mine? He used to live on my street. But then his dad got a better job, or a promotion or something, and they moved to a better part of Hidden Hills.”

  “And you’ve felt bad ever since, ’cause this guy eventually moved on and got a whole new group of friends.”

  “Actually, that’s true. But the point is, my former friend’s dad bought a place at Echo Lake. I went up there a couple of times. It’s where a lot of rich people have their second homes. Maybe Farrior has a place up there. It could be his place where this picture of Gome was taken. Makes sense, don’t you think? Them having their monthly deal up there? An out-of-the-way place, instead of right here in the middle of Shadyside?”

  Strobe chewed on this new information for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully. “You might be on to something, Tobe.”

  Toby smiled. He just might have cracked the Gathering location mystery!

  “How far is it to this Echo Lake?”

  “About an hour and a half.”

  “I’ll get us there in an hour.”

  9

  The sign up ahead read PLEASANT HILLS. In spite of the tense atmosphere in the car, Toby couldn’t help but perk up when he saw the sign.

  “Hey, that’s where they have a farmer’s market, last Friday of each month. I read about it in the paper. It’s supposed to be really great. They have all this fantastic stuff you can’t buy in the local groceries. Vegetables. Cheeses.” Toby was getting increasingly excited as he thought about the market. “I could really use some mascarpone cheese for a chicken marsala dish I want to try. Some cipollini onions would be nice, too.”

  Strobe slowly turned his head and gave Toby an incredulous look. “You’re not suggesting we stop at an outdoor market on our way to rescue Annabel, are you, Tobe?”

  Toby felt his cheeks get red. “No … of course not. Just pointing it out, is all.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  Toby turned away from Strobe and looked out the window as Strobe shot up a ramp and onto a bridge. Behind them, the city. Ahead, on the horizon, a mountain range. Echo Lake.

  Don’t know where else I’m gonna get that mascarpone, though, Toby thought as they crossed the bridge and headed into open country. Then he noted the setting sun on the horizon. By the time they arrived in Echo Lake, darkness would have fallen. The Gathering would have begun. If they were going to the right place.

  Discarding images of cheeses and onions, Tob
y focused on what he hoped they would find up at Echo Lake. He knew he would have to use everything he had learned over the past month, and then some, to be of any help in this rescue operation. But first Toby had to stifle a dreadful thought that had been nagging at him.

  Wherever Annabel was, what if she’d already been harmed by her captors?

  Toby glanced over at Strobe. Staring out the windshield at the distant hills, Strobe’s expression was blank. Unreadable. But Toby had a feeling that his KP partner was worried about the same thing.

  The long-haired, sleepy-eyed clerk behind the counter of the only market in Echo Lake looked at the picture of Farrior on Strobe’s camera with a perplexed frown.

  “Oh, yeah. Sure, I recognize him,” the clerk said. “Didn’t know his name was Farrior. I thought it was Farrington. Farwell. Somethin’ like that.”

  Strobe and Toby simultaneously issued silent prayers of thanks. They hadn’t hit a dead end, after all. Earlier, Toby had called directory assistance on his cell phone to get Farrior’s address in Echo Lake but was told no one by that name was listed in the mountain community. Toby and Strobe had decided to press on, anyway, take their chances Farrior had an unlisted number. What else could they do? They had no other leads. It was Desperation Time.

  “Everyone ’round here calls that guy Log Cabin,” the clerk said as he sliced open a carton of cigarettes. “He’s kind of the standoffish type, you know? But then, there are a lot of those types up here. Not the ones who live here year-round, of course.”

  “You know where Farrior lives?” Strobe asked. He was anxious to get going. It was already dark outside.

  “Yeah … Let’s see … got an address here somewhere. We make deliveries over there from time to time. Actually, just did a few days ago. They seem to have a big party over there about once a month, now I think about it.”

  Toby and Strobe exchanged excited glances. Oncea-month parties? Farrior had to be their guy! The clerk found the address, wrote it down, and handed it to Strobe.

  “Thanks, man,” Strobe said as he headed for the door.