An Apple for Zoë: Book One ~ The Forsaken

by Thomas Amo

  "Call for backup!" shouted James.

  Summers reached for the radio and saw it had been shot up in the initial volley of bullets from Tarista's M-4 assault rifle. It was useless.

  "It's no good Tom, get us out of here before they hit us again."

  James pressed his foot all the way to the floor, causing the car to screech as metal ground against metal causing sparks to fly between them and the parked car. Within moments they were free and driving. James was heavily disoriented and completely uncertain of which direction he was driving.

  "What the hell just happened?" shouted James.

  "Give me your gun and drive!" commanded Summers as she looked out the back window. She saw the H2 spin its wheels and start to give chase. She knew the Crown Victoria was no match for the Hummer. The only hope they had would be to either out drive or out run them.

  "Whatever you do Tom, don't stop!"

  Summers slid the bolt on her automatic and leaned out her window again taking two quick shots at the H2. Devonia accelerated the Hummer and quickly caught up with the Crown Victoria. Her black leather boots glistened as she gunned the foot pedal causing it to ram the Crown Victoria each time she pressed down. This gave James and Summers the feeling they were being kicked. James pushed the Crown Victoria hard as he watched the Hummer fill the review mirror. Dodging the on coming traffic, James was forced to slam on his breaks. This gave Devonia the chance she needed to catch James and Summers. He looked into the rearview mirror again and cringed seeing the Hummer approaching fast.

  "Ashton, get back inside!" shouted James as he punched the gas again and swerved the Crown Victoria around the right side of the car that had been blocking his escape. Devonia drove the Hummer across the lanes of traffic knocking the smaller cars out of her path as if they were toys on a kitchen floor. Now she had the Hummer directly along side of the Crown Victoria. She slammed the H2 against the side of the Crown Victoria. James and Summers felt the bucking of the attack. The only thing he could do at this point was to try and fight back with his own car. James swerved the car into the side of the Hummer. Both cars bucked and sparked in the middle of downtown traffic. Tarista looked down at James with her M-4 pointed directly at him and slowly licked her lips suggestively.

  James knew there was no way he could win this fight. It was only a matter of time before the Hummer crushed them or Tarista shot him dead. He had to think fast. Looking ahead, he realized the car was approaching Leavenworth from Green. This was his chance. James slammed on the breaks and then took a hard left onto Leavenworth darting behind the Hummer and drove north trying to put as much distance between himself and their attackers as possible. Devonia slid the H2 on Leavenworth putting the black and chrome behemoth up on two wheels.

  "Come on you bitch—flip!" cheered James hoping the chase would end as abruptly as it started. His grin faded as he watched the H2 land hard back on all four wheels. James then had to focus on his own stretch of road. He pushed the engine bringing the speed up to 75 as he cut in and out of traffic shooting past the intersections of Union and then Filbert.

  "They just turned left back at Filbert," said Summers as she watched intently through the back window.

  "I've got three choices here, stay on Leavenworth, take a right on Greenwich or left at Lombard," said James.

  "It's your city, and you just passed Greenwich," she said.

  "Someone wants one of us dead pretty bad to take this kind of risk," said James as he quickly decided to take a left onto Lombard Street. Summers immediately recognized the crazy twisting street from dozens of movies. James navigated the narrow road expertly as he drove the Crown Victoria in the opposite direction the way one street had been intended for.

  Both James and Summers kept a look out for the Hummer as the Crown Victoria climbed the steep hill leading them to Hyde Street where James hit the brakes.

  Devonia punched the accelerator to the floor as she saw the damaged Crown Victoria appear at the top of the hill. Tarista gripped the trigger of the M-4 automatic. Her eyebrows narrowed as she lowered her eye to the scope and placed the stock against her blood-covered petite, bare shoulder and took aim.

  James and Summers looked at one another as they tried to decide which way to go when what sounded like a spray of gravel began knocking against the side of the car.

  Summers looked up as she saw the H2 coming at them full force.

  "Brace yourself!" she screamed as the Hummer slammed into the nose of the Crown Victoria causing it to lift up and land back down on the hood of the Hummer. Devonia gripped the gear with a bloodied hand. She locked the gear down into four-wheel drive and pushed the accelerator, causing the rear tires to spin dirt into the air. James and Summers could feel the Crown Victoria rising higher.

  "Oh my god, Tom they are trying to turn us over on our top," said Summers.

  Tarista screamed curses at the two of them in a language James recognized, but didn't understand. Summers reached across the front seat and slammed her foot on top of James's foot trying to keep their leverage by driving into the Hummer. Both vehicles ground into one another as their rear wheels spun. The H2 had the advantage as its front two wheels gave it more traction. Suddenly the Hummer pulled away and the front of the Crown Victoria landed hard nose to nose with the black beast. The engine died as James and Summers found themselves staring face to face with Devonia and Tarista. Both sisters turned to one another and smiled as Tarista removed the clip from the M-4 and found a replacement. Before she slid the clip into the gun she seductively licked the top bullet running her tongue down the length of it stopping only long enough to look up and blow a kiss at James. For the first time James got a good look at both of them. He stared silently at them as they stared at him. Summers looked back and forth between James and the girls, in the distance she could hear approaching sirens.

  "You know them, don't you?" she asked.

  James nodded he did as Summers slowly passed him back his gun.

  "Just say when," she whispered to him as she watched Devonia stare her down while revving the engine of the Hummer. Tarista bashed out the remaining glass of the windshield with the stock of the M-4. Sirens closed in as the four watched each other intently. Devonia reached up and pressed a button that caused the sunroof to slide away as Tarista chambered the magazine.

  "You take the tires and I'll try to hit the engine block," said James as he clicked off the safety of his gun.

  "You got it," replied Summers.

  "Ready?" he asked.

  "Let's do it."

  James raised his gun and began firing directly into the grill of the H2 sending sparks in all direction off the chrome front. Devonia punched it and the Hummer went into reverse to James's surprise. Before Summers could lock on to the tires, Devonia had the vehicle back into drive and coming at them with all the force the Hummer had. James quickly put the car into neutral as the H2 slammed into the nose of the Crown Victoria sending the car reeling backwards down Lombard Street.

  "Hang on!" shouted James as he tried to get control of the car. The Hummer slammed into the Crown Victoria again batting it around like a cat toying with its prey. Tarista rose up and appeared through the sunroof aimlessly firing the machine gun back and forth, spraying bullets across the body of the Crown Victoria. Relentlessly the Hummer rammed them, twisting and pushing the car sideways down Lombard till the front hood of the car clipped another parked car and rolled up on its side, leaving the bottom of the car exposed to the H2.

  Constant popping and holes exploded all around James and Summers as Tarista emptied the M-4 into what was left of the Crown Victoria. The shooting suddenly stopped but the revving of the Hummer's engine was loud and clear. James tried to twist himself from behind the wheel. He could hear the sound of the Hummer pulling away, which meant Devonia was about to ram them again.

  James suddenly heard a siren blare past him kicking dirt into the air and then another.

  "Ashton, we gotta get out of here!" he called but there was no answer. Jame
s looked down and saw Summers was unconscious. It was then he smelled the gasoline. He fumbled with his seatbelt to get free. As he clicked it open, he dropped from the drivers seat and landed on top of Summers. He checked her pulse and, to his relief, she wasn't dead. He was startled by two officers reaching through the missing windshield.

  "Hurry I don't know how long we can keep the Hummer off of you," said one of the cops.

  "Get her first, the fuel line is leaking," said James.

  The two officers quickly pulled Summers free of the Crown Victoria. James made no effort to hesitate, quickly climbing out as the two officers carried Summers to the safest spot they could find. Looking back up the hill, James could see two cruisers attempting to keep the Hummer busy while he and Summers escaped. More cruisers came and more shots were fired. James couldn't tell now if they were the police or if it was Tarista shooting. He then heard Summers voice call his name. "Where's Tom?"

  "I'm right here," he said as he came to her side. Summers looked up at him. "What happened?" she asked.

  "RUN!" someone shouted at James, Summers and the officers when the H2 slammed into what was left of the Crown Victoria sending it the rest of the way down Lombard and into the intersection of Leavenworth where an oncoming semi slammed into the wreckage. A fireball shot into the air sending debris in all directions. Incredibly, the Hummer remained on all four wheels. The windows were shattered, the doors scraped by road rash. Officers converged on the Hummer surrounding it with their guns drawn. The driver's door creaked loud as Devonia stepped down defiantly. Tarista pushed open her door and also stepped out. Like Devonia she showed complete defiance as the two of them slowly raised their hands in the air and in unison they turned their heads directly at James and smiled.

  "Where do you know them from?" asked Summers.

  James swallowed hard, "From Hell."

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  From Hell

  Field Director Paige Collins of the FBI, power walked across the marble tiles of San Francisco's City Hall. Her black heels struck firmly with each step she took and her toes gripped the inside her shoes tightly, as if to reflect her determination. At five foot four she was a petite woman, but her small frame was not to be underestimated. She could debate with the fiercest of opponents and also had engaged in her share of fights growing up.

  Fortunately for Paige those days were now long behind her. Now she did her fighting with a razor wit backed by the power of the FBI. Paige was a beautiful woman whose long chestnut hair was always parted to the side usually draping over one shoulder of her tiny figure. She was naturally attractive and equally as sexy. Her eyebrows were fiercely dark and she knew this had always been to her advantage. Not only did it distract most men, but also most women recognized it as a strength that was not to be questioned. Paige Collins was indeed a force to be reckoned with. She did not lose and she expected her agents to share in her veracious will to solve all cases handed down to her department. She also wouldn't tolerate any agency or law enforcement institution to usurp her authority or to undermine any of her agents.

  Paige pushed open the double doors of Mayor Hamilton Bransford's office and confidently walked to the edge of his desk. Sitting directly across from her was San Francisco's most powerful and influential man. Facing him down in his own office could be a career killer for Paige. Bransford's expression to her was a mix of surprise and arrogance. He gave her an incredulous stare and she returned his look with a dose of her own arrogant spite. Paige Collins was not afraid of Hamilton Bransford.

  She glanced to her right and there, standing silently, was Captain Debra Shelton. From the look on her face, she already carried the marks of a political slapping. To Paige's left were both Inspector Thomas James and her best agent Ashton Summers seated on black leather sofa. Neither one of them spoke. Bransford's face was red. It was obvious he had been screaming for answers and had everyone in the room shaken.

  "Summers, I want you and Inspector James to wait for me downstairs," said Paige as she kept her eyes locked on Mayor Bransford. Summers and James began to stand when Bransford barked the order for them to sit back down.

  "They're not going anywhere until they explain to me, why they thought it necessary to turn the streets of my city into a war zone!"

  Paige took in a calming breath before she spoke. "Mayor Bransford, my agent and an Inspector James, were not just victims of random violence. They were the targets of two of the most dangerous criminals on the FBI's most wanted list."

  "And they came to my town to track down your agent!" he barked.

  "They weren't after Agent Summers, they were after me," said James.

  "No one told you to speak," growled Bransford.

  "Excuse me, I will hear anything my agent or Inspector James has to say. And I'll thank you to show them a little more respect, if you don't mind," Paige said firmly as she continued to stare Bransford down.

  "What are you talking about, Tommy?" inquired Shelton.

  "I was the focus of the attack, it was just Agent Summers bad luck to be in the car with me at the time."

  "Oh bad luck? That's how you're defining what happened on our streets today? So it's just bad luck when machine guns and a vehicle just short of being a tank are used to terrorize the people of San Francisco?"

  "Mr. Mayor, let's put this into perspective. Both Agents Summers and Inspector James are safe, the Baranova Sisters were taken into custody alive and while what happened was an extremely dangerous event. None of our citizens have been hurt or killed," said Shelton.

  Bransford stood up with so much force he sent his chair slamming against the wall. His brown eyes glared over his black-rimmed glasses. "Don't get me started on citizens being hurt or killed Shelton! Have you forgotten the hotel full of dead citizens found just yesterday? And now I'm learning San Francisco has been home to Nazi Hermann Kritzler for the last 20 years! Perspective? Give me a fucking break," he spit as he began to pace behind his desk, stopping only long enough to point a long, thin finger at Captain Shelton.

  "You're going to burn for this Shelton, you, James and your whole fucking department. As for you Collins, you ever storm into my office again and speak to me in that tone, I'll have your skinny ass back in Hoover town stacking toilet paper in a closet, do I make myself clear!" he shouted, causing his gray hair to spill down over his glaring eyes.

  Paige looked Bransford directly in the eye and spoke in a calm even tone. "I understand your frustration and recognize the pressure someone like you is under in a city such as this. However, having said that, your arrogant behavior tells me that without the title of this office and a team of professional ass kissers at your side, you're no more than the governor's bitch. Who, I might add, is just as spineless as you are. I do not have time nor patience for a bunch of elitist pricks who spend most of their time mutually jerking each other off. Now what your problem is, I can't say. Maybe you weren't hugged enough as a kid or you didn't measure up to your father. Either way, I'm here to tell you that Captain Shelton has the full support of the FBI. Agent Summers is in charge of this investigation with Inspector James as liaison of this city. As for me and my skinny ass, well, in just about an hour It will be sitting behind your fancy desk and this city will be under the jurisdiction of my directors who, as you know, reside back in Hoover town. They will be—without a doubt—very glad to inform your state leaders that they have every confidence in my abilities. Do I make myself clear?"

  Bransford was silent. As much as she infuriated him he knew she could back up everything she just said.

  "Now, if you will excuse us Mr. Mayor, I'd like to speak privately with Captain Shelton, my agent and the inspector," she said as she crossed the room to the double doors. Paige held one door open to inform Bransford he was excused. Slowly the mayor pushed his chair back to his desk and stormed past Captain Shelton. As he made his way out the door and into the hall.

  Captain Shelton was trying to hide her smile as she watched Paige take her place at Bransford's desk.


  "Captain, don't ever hide a smile, guilty one or not," said Paige acknowledging the Captain's enjoyment of seeing someone put Bransford in his place. "Inspector James, is there anything you need before you and Agent Summers leave for Hollywood?"

  "Yes director, I'd like full federal clearance."

  Paige looked at James with an emotionless expression.

  "Done. Anything else?"

  "I do have one special request, Director Collins."

  Paige gave James a slight smile, "I thought I just gave you one."

  "It's important," said James.

  "Okay I'm listening."

  "I'd like CSI Jessalee Rivera on board with me as a consultant."

  "You realize she is related to one of the victims," stated Paige.

  "I do, however I feel that is to our advantage. The fact is the fire in the hotel destroyed our crime scene, leaving us virtually no evidence."

  "And you feel her relationship to the victim may give us a deeper insight," stated Paige.

  "Yes, she is also a witness to the what happened to Agent Summers and I at the hospital."

  "I'll grant the request with the understanding that you assume full responsibility for her involvement with the case."

  "I accept those terms director, thank you."

  "Inspector James, you also understand, because she is family to Valerie Rivera, we can never present her as a witness in a court of law."

  "Yes, but you're still willing to let her consult in the investigation?"

  "It's a means to an end," said Paige flatly.

  "Thank you. Now may I ask you is there anything in particular you want from me?" asked James.

  "Yes there is. Captain Shelton, I want you to take Summers and James to the federal detention center and give them this note, it gives you the authority to supervise," said Paige as she handed Shelton the piece of paper.