Dane Curse

by Matt Abraham

  “That’s not a no. I’ll tell you what, if you need a hand you give me a call. If I find the killer first, and if he’s too much for me, I’ll give you a heads up. But finders keepers the cash.”

  “Deal.” Sledge motioned towards Lynchpin’s office. “Anyway I got to go report to the cheese. See you around.”

  Sledge walked off. On his way he passed Hoarfrost who looked every inch a woman in that silver sequined number she wore. It hugged all her soft edges in just the right way to make me forget how much I hated her, but then she opened her mouth. “Hey blunt skull, aren’t you dead yet?”

  “Could be.” I put two fingers to my neck. “Mom always said I was slow on the uptake.”

  “Then detective work is the right field for you.” Her laugh was like a cold front.

  “What can I say, I got a gift.”

  Hoarfrost smiled. “And how’s the car?”

  “The tires are holding up.”

  “I hope they last. Ta ta.”

  As she walked off I stared at the spot between her shoulders. It was smooth, muscular, and probably felt really good to punch.

  The guy with my drink finally showed and I took it to the outer rim of the revelers, close enough to see everything, but far enough to be out of the way. It was there I waited for Lynchpin to emerge. After the hints I was dropping in our discussion he had to know I suspected him. If I was right, and he was even a little guilty, then he’d have accomplices, and at some point he would reach out to them.

  In the meantime though, I’d keep my peepers peeled. The one thing a detective has to be is observant, and not just in that dull, clinical way. A smile, a casual touch, a laugh too loud… all those reactions were happening constantly, and while some were innocent, others had meaning, and that’s what I was looking for, a thin slice of truth in a room full of lies.

  When Lynchpin finally emerged he wasted no time cruising the room like a pro. The man moved effortlessly from group to group, pressing more flesh than an eight-armed masseuse, and I made a note of everyone he talked to, and how he talked to them. So far, it was all casual, but after a bit he went to the corner where three high-ranking members of the Sindicate Board were waiting; Black Orchid, Blood Angel, and Gravel. They snapped to when he arrived. I watched them, trying to get a read on the tone, but was interrupted when another partygoer hit me full force. He was young, and his pale skin was accented by slicked back chestnut hair. “Watch it,” he said, “you should be more careful.”

  I grabbed his lapel, lifted him off the ground, and said through my teeth, “Hey Mindgame. I guess you didn’t notice, but I was standing still, maybe you should watch where you’re going.”

  “Oh, Dane.” Suddenly he was grinning. “I’m afraid I didn’t see you there. It’s been too long a time.”

  “It’s been a while, yeah. You always start conversations like this?”

  “No, not habitually. I’m afraid that I’m a touch preoccupied this evening. I have more than one iron in some very lucrative fires presently. Just prestidigitating, you understand. Perhaps you might liberate me?”

  “Sure.” I dropped him. “You expecting something big?”

  His head snapped my way. “Why, what have you heard?”

  “Nothing. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing worth hearing.”

  “That’s true. But sadly I’m involved in nothing of note. Keeping it cool, so to speak.”

  “What happened to the lucrative fires?” I asked.

  Mindgame smoothed out his lapels. “Nothing we need to discuss.”

  I nodded. “Hey, I saw your former boss the other night, he sends his regards.”

  “Really? I find it hard to believe that Professor Varius has vacated his marked distaste for my skills since he terminated my employment.”

  “No,” I said, “he has the highest respect for you.”

  “That reeks of mendacity. It’s difficult, you know, having an idol who holds you so openly in disdain when you heap upon him nothing but adulation. And while I may have started as one of his techs my skills have grown. He really shouldn’t look on me as an inferior.”

  “Aren’t you though?”

  Mindgame sneered. “After seven decades he’s grown too long in the tooth to accurately gauge my abilities. If he possessed a fraction of the faculties he once did he’d show me more respect. I’m moving up in the world, higher than even his floating fortress can reach.”

  “You think you’re that good, kid?”

  “Better. I’m the new brainpower in Gold Coast. I’m the future.”

  I looked him over top to bottom. “Can’t wait for it.”

  “Dane my overgrown friend, you won’t have to.” Mindgame walked off, but didn’t get far before Hoarfrost called out to him. He cut a sharp turn and sidled up close to her. She whispered something in his ear and he laughed. I figured the joke was on her. If Hoarfrost wanted to team up with Mindgame it wouldn’t help. That kid’s always been long on talk. Though his words had gotten fancier since last we’d spoke.

  I turned my focus back to the party, ready to start taking more mental notes, but my train of thought would have to wait to get back on track because Lynx had arrived. She was full of warm hues and dark curves, and actually looked better than the night before, but she moved the same way, swaying back and forth with a body that looked like it never heard of old man gravity. I drank in every step.

  She caught me looking, and smiled, then made her way over and planted a kiss on my cheek. “Good evening, Dane. It’s wonderful to see you again.”

  I sort of stared at her. “Yeah it is.”

  “Have you seen my father yet?”

  “Yes, and I want to speak with you about that.”

  “You have news?” Her warm, party-going demeanor downshifted into serious business mode.

  “Yeah, I think I’m closing in.”

  Her eyes got wider. “That’s good. I don’t think you have much time.”

  “No, I don’t either. I need help, you still in?”

  “Of course. What’s it about?”

  I looked around the room. “Not here, there are too many ears.”

  “Well let’s take care of that.” Lynx closed her eyes tight, and the sounds of the room fell away like someone lowered a fish bowl over top of us.

  “What did you do?” My voice had a small echo.

  “I extended a telekinetic shield around us, it blocks out everything, even sounds. You can speak.”

  And so I did. I ran though my day like I had with her father, but this time much faster and with more information. Also included was one very special request.

  When I finished Lynx nodded. “If you’re sure about this thing then yes, I’ll set it up for tomorrow morning. I’ll call you when I’m on my way. Be ready early.”

  “See you then.”

  She lifted her field, and the noise from the room flooded into my ears like water over a dam. I looked around. If anyone was suspicious of our conversation I couldn’t tell, but I did see Lynchpin in the corner motioning toward us. “I think I’m being summoned,” Lynx said. “Until tomorrow.”

  I watched her walk away, enjoying the experience until a metal hand wrapped around my shoulder, and yanked me off my feet. I expected to hit hard marble, but what I landed on was soft and warm like a waterbed, only wrapped in a tux. I looked up to see Smiley’s face staring down at me. I had sunk into his belly.

  “Hi Smiley,” I said, “nice catch.”

  “This is nothing, Dane. I can stop a whole lot more.” He swelled his stomach out pushing me back to my feet.

  “Quiet you,” Knuckles said to his friend before turning to me. “Keep dreaming creep, you’ll never touch Ms. Lynx.”

  “Hi Knuckles. Nice throw. Boss went that way.” I pointed to Lynx.

  “We know where she is, and she’s the job, not the boss,” Knuckles said. “And mind your manners. That lady is a protected habitat, so don’t even think about drilling.”

  “Yeah, no drilling,” Smil
ey added.

  I raised my hands. “Stop it boys, you’re scaring me.”

  Knuckles gave me a hard look, and Smiley tried to do the same, though it came across more charming than frightening. And with their warning declared they followed their charge as subtle as a leprechaun with metal hands and a pear shaped beanbag chair with legs could be.

  #

  The rest of the night passed pleasantly enough. People came and people went while the conversation swelled and dropped like the tide. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and even though I couldn’t glean any more information from the room, I had to admit I was having a nice time.

  Then, around eleven pm, our host made an announcement.

  “Please, stop the music.” Lynchpin was in the middle of the room with his hands held high. “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, however there has just been a report on the news. I know it’s hard to believe, but it seems that Pinnacle’s whereabouts have been identified. I’m sorry to say, but his body has been found in a building downtown. He’s been shot. Pinnacle is dead.”

  A few people giggled. Two laughed out loud.

  “I assure you that I’m completely serious. Pinnacle is not on some covert assignment. He’s dead. Murdered by,” his eyes rested on me, “an unknown assailant.”

  My heart dropped straight down as Lynchpin’s words sank in. The people around me froze. No one wanted to be the first person to say or do anything. I didn’t blame them.

  “I’m sorry but the evening is over. Please accept my deepest apologies. Drive safely.” Lynchpin turned to Skip, and whispered some words that made the young man jump to. He moved around the room gathering up the executive board for what I’m sure would be the most interesting meeting in Sindicate history. I would love to be a fly on that wall, but I was being ushered out.

  I was the first to step into the night with the rest of the party right behind me, and I moved to the side to watch everyone leave. I was hoping for an expression of guilt, or even pleasure, but the faces that passed by were all furrowed brows and tearing eyes. They were nervous, scared. They should be.

  Nothing good would come of this.

  Once they all left I called out to a young valet who went to fetch Jane, but he returned without my car. “Um, sir, it’s the black Jalopy, right?”

  “Yeah,” I said, “what of it?”

  “I don’t know how it happened, sir.” He was looking at the ground, fiddling with his hands. “But somehow all four of your tires have been slashed. We’ve called someone, they should be here soon. You won’t be charged of course, sorry for the delay.”

  I shook my head thinking on Hoarfrost as he ran off. So much for puncture proof.

  I wanted to smile, but somehow didn’t have the strength to lift the sides of my mouth that high. Instead I waited, and thought. Just a few more days of unfettered freedom to investigate, that’s all I needed. But by tomorrow every white cape and SPEC Agent in fighting condition would be on patrol, limiting my movements considerably. I looked out over the horizon. Tomorrow it would feel like a prison, but for now, twinkling in the distance, Gold Coast was beautiful. Magnificent.

  Like Rome, just before the fall.

  Chapter 24

  Once my car had its second set of whitewalls installed I checked it for bugs. There were two this time. One was in my steering column, the other under the engine, and both were emitting separate frequencies. I plucked them off, tossed them on the lawn, then headed towards town with only one thing on my mind, Lynchpin.

  An organization like his couldn’t have shelled out the kind of dough Twiddle was talking about without its chairman knowing it. So why didn’t he mention that he knew about the Kaos rifles, or that his board had bought them all? Withholding that kind of info could only slow my investigation, and that made him look guilty. But if he was the killer then why hire me? Why bring in investigators at all? Whatever the answer it was stupid of me to tell him that I only needed a few more days. If he really was behind it then he would’ve called the authorities about Pinnacle right after I left his office.

  As the ocean air blew in my window I had a strong feeling that Lynchpin was my man, but I’d need more evidence to be certain. That kind of proof would be impossible for me to get alone, but thanks to Lynx I might have a shot. She said we’d start early, so I hit the hay as soon as I got home, barely getting my guns on the nightstand before I passed out. The slumber was welcome.

  I was going to need it.

  #

  It felt like I’d been out for less than an hour when the telephone rang.

  I fumbled with the receiver. “Hello?”

  Lynx spat the words out fast over the sound of squealing rubber. “It’s me, I’m on my way, get outside of your building.”

  “What time is it?” I looked around. Sunlight poured in from between my blinds. The clock on the table said 6:15.

  “Time to go. You said you needed my help, it’s coming now. Oh, and I’m being followed so you only have one shot at this.”

  “By who?”

  The line went dead.

  I dropped the phone, and jumped to my feet. Fortunately I still had on my threads from last night, so all I had to do was plant my iron in its holsters, grab my hat and coat, and run outside. I scanned the skies for any sign of hero activity. I didn’t want to be exposed considering Monday’s BOLO was still hanging over my head, but sixty seconds later Lynx pulled around my corner in a silver rocket of a sports car. As she slowed the passenger side popped open. “Hurry up.”

  Not wanting to keep the lady waiting I threw one leg in, and before the second could join it we were out in traffic weaving through the early morning commuters.

  “Sorry to be so curt,” she said.

  “Don’t worry about it.” I slammed the door and buckled the seatbelt.

  She looked in the rearview mirror, then downshifted as we blasted through a red light, much to the displeasure of the pedestrians who were planning on crossing the street. “It’s just that I’ve got Knuckles and Smiley back there, and I didn’t want them to see you get in.”

  I glanced back. “Your bodyguards are tailing us?”

  “Always. They follow me everywhere.”

  We power slid through the intersection turning a perfect ninety degrees to the left, a move we repeated at the next cross street so that we were going in the exact opposite direction we’d just come. “Nice driving.” I said, with a firm grip on the door.

  “It’s not as hard as it looks, especially when you can control large objects with your mind. Speaking of…” we came to a quick stop behind two cars idling side by side, waiting for the light to change. Lynx looked at them hard, and they slid away from one another giving us just enough room to accelerate between.

  “You must never be late,” I said as an oncoming truck barely missed our back bumper.

  “I usually don’t drive like this.” She turned to the right and we swung into a parking garage. “But we’re in a rush.” She bombed down two flights of corkscrewing ramp at speeds that left me pressed against the door. When we got to the lowest level she pulled into an empty spot, hopped out, and froze with her head turned slightly upward.

  I joined her, and whispered “What’s-”

  “Shhh.” Lynx stood perfectly still.

  Behind me water dripped. Above us were the muted sounds of cars driving by along with the soft patter of shoes on asphalt. It was like listening to Gold Coast’s heartbeat.

  Finally she said, “Let’s go.”

  I followed her to a blue family sedan. She pulled out a set of keys, opened the door, and we both hopped in.

  “I liked the other one more.”

  Lynx altered the mirrors. “Me too, but it’s one of a kind, and secrecy is the watchword for the day.”

  “Good point. If we get caught doing this your dad’ll have us both killed,” I said.

  “Both? Just one of us, max.”

  I did the math. “That arithmetic sounds righ
t.”

  “Yeah. I’ve always known the score,” she said, and started the car. “Hey, you’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

  “No. It’s all kinds of wool socks over here.”

  “But you don’t sound excited. Come on Dane, admit it, you’ve always wanted to break into a heavily guarded Sindicate chemical weapons lab.”

  #

  The place was located in an industrial estate north of the bay, and looked like any of the other beige, cement buildings in the area. The parking lot was one fifth full, and we found a spot behind a van, close enough to the door for a quick escape, but far enough away so that the guards inside couldn’t see us.

  We got out and Lynx opened the trunk. She removed a lab coat, a pair of glasses, and an ID badge, then handed them to me. “Here, you’re Curtis Wagner, now.”

  “Who’s he?”

  “A former employee. His credentials will still get you inside, though.”

  I took the gear, slipped it all on, and stood ready for inspection.

  “There,” she said, smoothing out the white coat and adjusting the glasses, “you look perfect.”

  I couldn’t help feeling a little silly. “Really? You got a lot of scientists in there that look like me?”

  “More than you’d think.” Then she pointed at my chest. “But get rid those.”

  I looked down. My hardware was poking through the lab coat. Reluctantly I placed Rico and Lois in the trunk.

  “Much better.” Lynx slipped on the same coat as me, and pulled her hair into a bun. It made her look smart. And sexy. “Let’s go.”

  We walked through the outer door, and into the lobby. Lining the walls were cheap paintings of seascapes and forests that would be right at home in any highway hotel along with a handful of plastic plants in each corner.

  “Are you sure this is the place?” I asked.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Doesn’t look like a Sindicate property is all.”

  “On paper it belongs to a shell company out of Switzerland, but it’s ours. And blending in is sort of the point. This way.”

  The security desk in the center was flanked by two archways; one for entering, and the other for exits. Lynx walked through the entrance first, swiping her ID card as she went. I followed a few seconds later, doing the same.