Organ Reapers

by West, Shay

  “How would you do it? I mean, how are people of this world punished?” Tani asked.

  “It depends on what they’ve done. If it’s something small they often will do community service.” He sighed at a blank look from Tani and Keena both. “They are given things to do that help other people. Like picking up garbage along the roads, painting buildings, stuff like that.

  “Now if they do something just a little bit bad, like steal something that belongs to someone else, they are sent to jail for a little bit of time. The more they steal, the longer time they have to spend in jail.”

  “That’s where Keena and I were kept? The place with bars?” Tani asked.

  “Sort of. You were only in a holding cell. Jail would have a whole bunch of rooms with bars. You might spend several months to years, but you would eventually get out.

  “Now if you do something really bad like kill someone, you will go to a bigger jail, called prison, for a very long time. And sometimes you can get what we call the death penalty.”

  “How are people put to death?” Tani asked.

  “Something we call lethal injection. They strap you down and inject drugs that make you sleep and you never wake up.”

  “That doesn’t sound so bad. I would rather that than to be hanged,” Tani said.

  “Dead is dead, son, no matter how it’s done,” Eli said.

  “I suppose that’s true. I saw a hanging once.” Tani shuddered. “The man’s neck didn’t break when the trapdoor opened. He dangled there and choked to death.” Tani looked panicked. “I can’t die like that, at the end of a rope.”

  “If Ava I have anything to say about it, neither of you will die. We just need to figure out a way to destroy the machines on your world and see to it that you two can go back there without the specter of death hanging over you.”

  ***

  “Tani, are you still awake?”

  “I am now,” Tani said as he rubbed his eyes.

  “I couldn’t sleep. All that talk of death and hanging...Tani, I can’t go back home, not if it means I’ll hang! I just can’t.”

  Tani sat up and took her in his arms, letting her sob into his shoulder. He didn’t like the idea of returning home any more than she did, but neither could they stay here. Eli had made that clear. To say he had been disappointed would be an understatement. Tani pictured him and Keena living out their days on this world where they would be safe from Master Kelhar’s Enforcers.

  Eli had shattered that dream. Now Tani didn’t know what he and Keena would do. Every time he thought about their situation, his stomach felt as though it would empty itself, and his heart raced. When they had left home, they hadn’t thought everything through; they just wanted to do what was right.

  Please, gods, help us find the way.

  Keena sat up. “I got your shirt all wet.”

  “It’s okay. Tomorrow I’ll have Eli show me how to use the dryer.”

  Keena tiptoed out of the room, and he saw the light turn on in the bathroom, then the sound of her blowing her nose. He was surprised when she returned to the room he had been sleeping in rather than hers.

  Without a word, she crawled into bed with him and snuggled next to him. His body responded to her closeness. He swallowed heavily and tried to get his mind off how smooth her skin felt against his, how her hair smelled like something he’s never smelled before—something called coconut—and how what they were doing was very wrong.

  “Keena,” he croaked.

  She put a finger against his lips. “I’m not asking for anything but to be near you. I just can’t be alone tonight.”

  Tani nodded, hoping she wouldn’t notice the obvious physical sign of his feelings. If she did, she gave no indication. Soon, her chest rose and fell with the regular rhythm of sleep. Tani smiled at her slight snore.

  He hoped his eyes would close, but sleep eluded him. His mind churned with the implications of what Eli had told them. If they couldn’t stay here, they would have to return home. And that option put them in harm’s way.

  Maybe we can escape the monastery, hide out somewhere.

  He sighed as his throat tightened. Master Kelhar had sent Enforcers to bring them back, which meant he had no plans of letting them go. He would have the gateway room under guard. They would be captured the minute they returned home.

  If we are captured, how are we to destroy the machinery?

  CHAPTER 34

  THE NEXT MORNING, Eli decided to introduce Tani and Keena to one of his favorite breakfasts: Cheerios and ice-cold milk. It was his favorite mainly because it was fast and easy. He hadn’t slept well last night either and it was beginning to take its toll.

  At least you haven’t been drinking as much.

  That thought came as a surprise. He’d been so preoccupied with the murders, the FBI, and learning that there were other worlds out there to pay much attention. Waking up with a three-alarm hangover was much worse than just the simple lack of sleep. Lack of sleep was something he was used to. He’d guzzle the coffee and maybe have an energy drink in the afternoon.

  I’m definitely taking a sleep aid tonight.

  Tani and Keena were fascinated with the cereal and milk. There was nothing on their world that resembled it. They giggled like children at the cereal floating in the milk.

  “It’s even better when you put a little sugar on it,” Eli suggested.

  The three sat and enjoyed their coffee and cereal. When Eli went to put the dishes in the dishwasher, Keena stopped him.

  “You have to let us help. We are not used to being waited on, and feel rather useless,” she said.

  Eli relented and went to his room with the master bath to brush his teeth and finish getting ready.

  “Stay away from reality TV today, you two. Ava’s right, it’ll rot your brain.”

  He’d never admit to her that he watched that kind of stuff. Although he didn’t watch religiously like some people, every now and again it was hilarious to watch the Kardashians or the people from Jersey Shore make complete asses of themselves. Most of the time he watched things like Criminal Minds or Longmire. He didn’t know why he watched shows like that after working around that stuff all day, but he was hooked.

  The ride to work was much better than the previous day. What a huge difference an hour makes. He stopped by the coffee shop to grab him and Ava a cup of coffee. There hadn’t been any left; Tani and Keena were sure developing an enjoyment of the caffeine.

  As usual, Ava was already at her desk.

  “How the hell do you do it?” he asked as he handed her a cup.

  “I’ve always been an early bird. Never have been able to sleep in.”

  “Anything new?”

  She shook her head. “The captain said he wants to meet with us this afternoon, but he didn’t say why.”

  “At least there weren’t any more murders last night. That’s good news at least.”

  Around noon, Eli’s phone rang. It was Agent Dagget.

  “Just thought you’d like to know we are moving forward with the trial against Satrick. The evidence is circumstantial, but we think we can win the case. The guy isn’t exactly denying anything. Still keeping quiet and not saying much actually. What happened with the two you captured?”

  “We had to let them go. Not enough evidence to hold them,” Eli said.

  “Word is that they’re staying with you. That true?”

  He didn’t like Dagget’s tone. “Just until we catch the guys who tried to kill them.”

  “So you’re keeping them safe so you can squeeze them for information, that what you’re saying?”

  “Pretty much.”

  A long pause. “Make sure to keep us in the loop if you do find out anything.”

  “Of course.”

  Eli hung up, the taste of bile at the back of his throat. Dagget had been fishing, which meant the FBI suspected the detectives knew more than what they were saying.

  He ain’t wrong.

  “What was that all about?” Ava
asked.

  “The lovely Agent Dagget just wanted to let me know they are going forward with the trial against Satrick, and that he knows Tani and Keena are staying with me.”

  “I wish there was something we could do for Satrick,” Ava said.

  “I know, but that’s out of our hands. The only ones we can help are Tani and Keena.”

  “How are we supposed to do that? I’ve been wracking my brain and can’t think of anything where those two don’t end up dead at the hands of that head priest guy.”

  “I think I have an idea, but I need to work on it a bit more, iron out some details before I tell you.”

  Ava raised an eyebrow. “Knowing you, it’s crazy as hell.”

  “And dangerous as hell. But it just might work.”

  Eli refused to say anything more about his plan, mainly because he wasn’t one hundred percent certain what he was going to do, but as the day passed, a plan solidified in his mind. I just hope everyone will agree to it.

  “You two, my office.”

  Eli had been so lost in thought he hadn’t heard Captain Platt approach. He stood and followed Platt into his office. He heard Ava’s footfalls coming right behind him.

  “Close the door,” Platt ordered.

  Ava complied before taking a seat in a chair in front of Platt’s desk. Eli wiped his sweaty palms on his slacks. His captain looked irritated. Better than supremely pissed off.

  “You still got those two kids staying at your house?”

  Eli cleared his throat. “It was for their protection, until we catch the two thugs that tried to kill them.”

  “Since when is it your job to take in strays? Wait, not strays, suspects in a murder investigation!” Platt slammed his hand on the desk.

  Okay, now he’s supremely pissed.

  “They’re just kids with no money, no ID. It just didn’t seem right to leave them out on the streets.”

  “Kids, right. Well, in case you forgot these ‘kids’ have killed people! We may not be able to prove it, but we all know it’s true.” He looked between Eli and Ava.

  “It’s not permanent, just until we catch the two guys that disappeared. Then they can return to the shelter.”

  “The thugs that disappeared. That reminds me, the cops on scene said you ordered them to search the buildings across the street. Did you see the perps in those buildings?”

  “No, sir, but I didn’t want to take any chances that the perps were hiding over there and we ended up missing them.”

  “Really? That’s strange. One of the cops reported seeing a strange flash of light just moments after you ordered everyone to leave. Now, call me crazy, but it seems from my end that you wanted to be alone with those two murdering kids, away from prying eyes.”

  Eli swallowed, trying unsuccessfully to get some spit in his suddenly dry mouth. “How long have you known me?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  “Just answer the question.”

  Platt raised his eyebrow and placed his hands on the desk. Eli knew he was pushing it.

  “Sixteen, maybe seventeen years.”

  “And in that time have I ever done anything out of line?” He waved his hands as Platt rolled his eyes. “Okay, let me rephrase that. Have I ever done anything way out of line? Anything that would jeopardize a case?”

  Platt pursed his lips and exhaled a long, drawn-out breath. “No.”

  “I am asking you to trust me, to trust us,” he pointed to Ava. “There’s something going on here that I can’t tell you, but Tani and Keena are at the center of something, well, let’s just say, unusual.”

  “So unusual you can’t tell your own captain?”

  Eli sighed. “All I’m asking is a few more days. Then we’ll explain everything.”

  Platt stood staring at him for so long Eli feared he had gone too far. But when Platt sat down heavily in his chair, Eli knew he’d won.

  “I’ll give you a few days. Only because nothing about this case makes any sense, but my gut is telling me that you’re right about one thing: there’s definitely something unusual going on.” He pointed a finger at Eli and Ava. “But don’t push your luck. Unusual or not, we still have a job to do and killers to stop.”

  Eli left the office, sighing in relief. The captain was giving him a lot more leeway than he would have any other detective on the force, and Eli knew it. He hated taking advantage of Platt, but he had to keep an eye on the big picture. Focusing on finding evidence on Tani and Keena would be a waste of time. And the killings would continue.

  “Maybe we should just come clean to Platt,” Ava said as they walked back to their desks.

  “Not yet. We’re protecting him by keeping him in the dark.”

  “Protecting him?”

  “We’re treading unknown waters here. And if everyone agrees to my little plan, it will be even worse.”

  Ava’s eyes widened. “Worse how?”

  “It could mean our badges. Or even our lives.”

  She sat back in her chair and looked him right in the eye. “I’ve come with you this far. Whatever your plan is, let’s hear it.”

  “Not yet. I want to tell Tani and Keena about it. It involves them too.”

  She nodded, though looked thoroughly irritated. “I guess I can wait.”

  Eli saw Captain Platt arrive out of the corner of his eye. The man’s face told Eli everything he needed to know.

  “We got another one.”

  CHAPTER 35

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE they did this in broad daylight,” Ava said as they drove to the crime scene.

  “Bastards are getting bolder,” Eli said, swerving between cars, blues and reds flashing.

  The murder happened on the other side of town in one of the suburbs. Eli flew past dilapidated buildings, most of them abandoned. Roofs were caving in, windows broken, weeds and vines choking fences and yards. There weren’t many people out and about on the cracked streets and sidewalks.

  He saw the flashing blue and red lights near an over-grown field. He spotted Sherry Abeyta climbing out of the white coroner’s van. She moved through thick weeds that were almost as tall as she was. In moments, she disappeared from view.

  “Shall we?” Ava asked.

  Platt hadn’t given them any information about the victim, so Eli had no idea what they were about to walk into. But he knew what they would find: someone with their chest cavity splayed open, the white of the ribs peeking out from red flesh, their belly opened from sternum to navel, various internal organs removed with surgical precision, blood soaking the ground, glazed eyes and the stench of death over the whole mess.

  He pulled on a pair of nitrile gloves as he moved through the thick weeds, Ava following close behind. He heard muffled voices coming from the left. He pushed the brush aside and winced when he caught sight of the body.

  It was a young boy, maybe eight or nine. He’d been blonde at one time, but his golden locks were saturated in crimson. His mouth was open, like he had died screaming. Eli swore he could still see terror in his brown eyes.

  “Christ, it’s another kid,” Ava said from behind him.

  Sherry glanced up at the detectives as they approached, and Eli winced at the anger in her eyes. “Damn it all to hell, Eli, why haven’t you two caught these sons-of-bitches yet?”

  “We’re doing all we ca—”

  “Like hell. Word is you’ve got two of them staying at your place! That’s not the Eli Robins I know,” she said as she continued to examine the body.

  Her words stung. “You do know me, Sherry, and if I tell you we’re working on it, you can bet your ass I’m working on it.”

  “Well, do it faster. I’m tired of coming to crime scenes like this.”

  Sherry had been a coroner for more years than he’d been a detective. Eli imagined she’d seen the worst of the worst. For her to say she was tired of it spoke volumes.

  “Ava and I will nail the bastards or die trying.”

  Sherry sighed and rubbed
her face with the crook of her arm. “I’m sorry, guys. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

  “It’s all good. Believe me, we’ve had enough of this case too,” Ava said, kneeling down for a closer look.

  “As far as I can tell he’s only missing his heart. His abdomen and back are intact,” Sherry said.

  “Any other evidence?” Eli asked.

  “None that we could find. Just like the others.”

  Not surprising. “Let us know if you happen to find anything,” Eli said.

  He and Ava walked back to the car, knowing there wasn’t anything more they could do. Sherry would call if she found anything, as would the CSIs on the scene. Eli knew they wouldn’t find anything, not so much as a single footprint. Like it matters even if they do.

  Any footprint, fingerprint, or DNA they happened to find wouldn’t match anything in the databases anyway. Only Ava and I know the truth. He didn’t talk as they made their way back to the station. The plan he had earlier for stopping Master Kelhar was no longer going to work. There was another important piece he needed to add into the mix. It was necessary, but it was going to complicate things.

  I just hope everyone agrees.

  When he left that afternoon, he told Ava to come over between six and six thirty.

  “I’m ordering pizza,” he said as he walked to the elevator.

  “I’ll bring the beer,” Ava said.

  Eli smiled. He was beginning to enjoy the evenings hanging out with Ava. Stop right there. He sighed, knowing the voice was right. He ignored the smirks and pointed looks from the other detectives. They were only teasing. They all knew Eli walked the straight and narrow when it came to the job; he’d never do anything to jeopardize it.

  My plan just might.

  He would just have to be happy fantasizing about his hot partner. He damn sure wasn’t ready to actually start a relationship with anyone, even Ava. He enjoyed her company, but he’d never be able to open up to her or truly trust her in the way that needed to happen in a relationship. He trusted her with his life as it pertained to the job, but it wasn’t the same thing.

  Eli rolled the window down and turned up the radio, enjoying the cool breeze that flowed through the car. It wouldn’t be long until this weather gave way to winter’s biting cold, so he planned on enjoying these fall days as long as possible.