by L T Anderson
Chapter 30
Assembling the Pieces
The heavy fog had mostly dissipated by the time Krystal turned her BearCat into the outer Punk checkpoint off the highway. Blue from the sky teased its presence in the waning hours of the late afternoon. The conditions were perfect for a new round of fog to settle in overnight.
Krystal and Ryker had spent the ride staring out the windshield, not talking to each other.
Ryker turned in his seat. “It’s not like you to be completely silent this long. What are you thinking about?”
Krystal continued her forward gaze. “God, Ryk, there’s so much.”
“I’ll agree with you there. What we heard going on inside that house was disturbing.” He looked out the passenger window. “But I know you. There’s more on your mind than that.”
“The Changers,” Krystal said. “I’m not even amazed at their perversions anymore. Right now, I’m trying to figure out their personnel. I think there’s something there.”
Ryker took off his black bandanna and stuffed it into an inside pocket of his leather vest. “How so?”
She finally looked at him. “Well, Levi’s always Levi. Nothing’s changed there that I could tell. And that woman. She’s probably Silver’s replacement. The fancy guy doing all the smiling—I’m guessing he replaced Felix.”
Ryker ran a hand through his long brown locks. “And there’s Logan.”
Krystal nodded. “Right. Then there’s the blond guy.” She tilted her head and her eyes narrowed. “Replacement for Fred?”
“Well, you know the Changers better than I do. Maybe Fred and Thomas will have some insight on that.” Ryker looked across the cab. “I’m glad your face stayed the same.”
“What?” Krystal started. She looked at Ryker. “Where’d that come from?”
“Just an observation,” he said. “Seems to me there’s so much going on with you. You’re smarter than anyone ever gave you credit for. You have in-depth experience with the Bystanders, Punks and even Changers at the highest levels.” He shook his head. “You even pushed your body to its limit when you were a skinny little thing. Now, Felix did this thing—this whatever—to you, making you fucking awesome, physically.”
“I didn’t ask him for anything.” She glanced at Ryker. “I never asked anyone for anything.”
Ryker held his hands up. “I know you didn’t. I guess I’m just saying I look at you differently than I have in the past.” He looked out the window again. “And I’m saying I’m glad your face is the same.”
Krystal pulled the armored vehicle into her assigned spot in front of the Depot. She switched off the engine and turned in her seat to face Ryker. “Me too. I like my face, scars and all. Felix is a genius. It was a genius move to leave my face as is. Especially when he had the ability to make me look perfect.”
“I agree,” Ryker said. The palms of his hands grew suddenly moist. “And I think you look perfect right now.”
For a moment, she locked her eyes on his. Then she turned and opened the driver’s door. “We better report to Dion.”
“Right,” he said, exiting the vehicle on the passenger side.
Fred parked two spots away. Winter pulled her truck between Fred’s and Krystal’s. The four occupants dismounted and met Krystal and Ryker at the front of Krystal’s BearCat.
“Well, that was a trip,” Winter said.
“Agreed,” Fred said. “Thomas and I gleaned some interesting information from that little excursion.” He glanced at Silver. “Wondering if you saw what we did, Silver.”
Silver crossed her arms. “Are you talking about that new guy? Yeah, I noticed. Very interesting.”
“What’s so interesting about the new guy?” Winter said. “They all look new to me.”
“It’s that—” Thomas began.
“Can we go inside?” Silver turned and looked toward the Depot door. “It’s starting to get cold again.”
Ace sat behind the communications console inside the Depot. He swiveled around in his chair when the six entered. “Hey, Krys, Ryk, Win.” He waved his hand in the air. “And all you other guys.” He looked at Ryker. “Dion wants you guys to meet him and the Amigos in his quarters.”
Ryker turned to the group. “Ten minutes, people. Dion’s quarters.”
“Pit stop for me first,” Krystal said.
“Me too,” Winter agreed.
Ryker hung back to talk to Ace as the others filed out the side door. He hopped onto a stool next to Ace and gazed up at four huge flat-screen monitors on the wall behind the bar. The four monitors showed lighted maps of North America, West North America, the Perimeter area and Tremayne. Several smaller monitors mounted above the large ones displayed real-time video of security camera locations throughout Punk headquarters.
“I see there’s been a breach at one of the tunnel entrances,” Ryker said. “Any word on that?”
“Not yet,” Ace said. “We headed a team out that way a few hours ago.”
Ryker reached across the bar and manipulated the camera controls. “No activity around there.”
“Yeah, a few of the cameras are wonky. Pops and Geezer are troubleshooting them.”
Ryker stood and walked around behind the bar. He grabbed a bottle of beer from the cooler and popped the top off. “You know, Ace…” His voice trailed off.
“What’s up, man?” Ace asked. “You look beat.”
Ryker took a swig of beer. He stared across the room at the door leading out to the compound. “I dunno. Sure seems like we’re hanging on by the skin of our teeth sometimes.”
“Like now?” Ace said.
“Yeah. The Bystanders are buying in big-time to the Changers. I mean, most of them don’t even want protection from the Punks anymore.”
“Why would they, boss?” Ace said. “Heck, the Changers keep giving and giving. And they don’t charge the Bystanders for anything.”
“Exactly. And they look at us like we’re somehow interfering—”
“Interfering with their free stuff.” Ace finished Ryker’s sentence.
“In a way, I guess we are, bro.”
Ryker chugged deep on his beer. “Sucks we need technology, too, Ace.” He looked at his friend. “You know?”
Ace shrugged. “Technology’s good, man.”
“Yeah. The Changers abuse it, though. All for money and immortality.”
Ace folded his arms across his chest and swiveled back and forth in his chair. “Ever think about changing our tactics? I mean, what we’re doing isn’t working. Can’t keep doing the same thing over and over if it ain’t makin’ a difference.”
Ryker finished off his beer and set the bottle on the bar. “I’d like to think we’re finding a way to do just that with these new additions.”
“You mean the Rogue Changers?”
“Yep.” Ryker walked to the side door. He turned back to Ace. “Right now, their value remains to be seen.”
Krystal and Winter met Ryker as he arrived at the door to Dion’s quarters. Krystal opened the door and walked in. Winter and Ryker followed. Ryker stood next to Dion while Krystal and Winter seated themselves on barstools, their backs to the bar.
“Let’s get right down to business,” Dion said, looking at Ryker. “You want to get us started?”
“Sure,” Ryker said. “From what Krys says, the new lineup of top echelon Changers is significant.” He turned to Krystal. “Krys?”
“It’s my feeling.” She glanced across the room at Fred, Thomas and Silver. “First, I’d like to hear what you three have to say about who was at that house today.”
Thomas raised his hand. “The most interesting aspect of the Changers personnel today is the new person, the wavy-haired blond guy.”
“What about him?” Ryker asked. “We thought they were all new except Levi and Logan.”
“Well, they are new.” Thomas glanced between Fred and Silver. “But they’re not new Changers.”
/> “Yep,” Silver said. “The others may be new to Levi’s inner circle, maybe even new to their organization, but that blond guy is a new Changer.”
“I’m confused,” Winter said.
“It’s as simple as this,” Fred said. “Changers are aware when another Changer is new to the Change. The three of us could tell that guy was struggling to retain his look. Krystal couldn’t see it because she’s no longer a Changer.”
“Yes,” Thomas agreed. “We saw his look—his outward physical appearance—fluctuate, ever so slightly. It’s something you wouldn’t be able to see if you’re not a Changer.”
“Okay, so he’s a new Changer,” Ryker said. “What’s the significance?”
“Good question,” Dion said. “Everyone has to start somewhere, right?”
Silver stood. “Right! Everyone has to start somewhere. But not at the top.”
“So the three of us are curious how a brand-new Changer is in Levi’s elite inner circle,” Thomas said.
Dion folded his arms across his chest. “Got it. Let’s sit on that a minute.” He looked at the Three Amigos sitting on the couch. “The Amigos have a shift to start in Tremayne. But they have some information they got from the hospital that we all need to hear about.” He glanced at a digital clock on the wall, then back at the Amigos. “You guys have to leave shortly, right?”
“You got it, Dion,” Adam said.
Ryker stepped over to the bar and sat on a stool next to Krystal. “Let’s hear it, guys.”
Will stood from the couch and held his hand out to Joey. Joey handed Doris Givenzy’s cell to Will.
“This cell belonged to Ms. Doris Givenzy,” Will said. “Doris Givenzy is the victim Adam discovered in the alley. The one those stupid kids were throwing rocks at.” He looked at Winter. “She’s the lady you and Lace couldn’t get in to see at the hospital because she was unconscious.”
“Okay,” Silver said. “So we’re all caught up. What about the cell?”
“Fine,” Will said. “Long story short is that Adam also found this piece of paper that we think Ms. Givenzy wrote a note on. The note said, ‘VIDEO ON CELL’.” He swiped the screen and selected the video app on the device. “So, there’s no video,” he said, looking around the room. “We’re pretty sure the lady panicked and she couldn’t get a good view or focus on what was happening to her. But there’s good audio.” He tapped the video to begin playback.
“Doris Givenzy. These kids are crazy.” The woman was obviously running. Her breathing was fast and labored. “I’ve adopted a child. He was delivered to my house early this month. Ow! Ow! They’re throwing rocks at me! Huge rocks!” The sound of children’s laughter accompanied rustling and heavy, unintelligible background voices. The woman continued running. The clicking of her pumps contributed to the din. “Oh, help me, please! Someone, anyone! Where is everyone?” More heavy breathing. “I was kidnapped from my home. Oh, God, here they come!” A loud metallic crash sounded in the background. More footsteps. Short, fast breathing. “Doris Givenzy. New subdivision. 225 Maple Street. Tremayne.”
Will clicked the device off and turned back to the room. “That’s it.”
Chapter 31
Old Town
Raymond half limped, half skipped toward the last tunnel exit. He’d have to exit the tunnel at Checkpoint Four on the east side of Tremayne. Having intimate knowledge of the Punks’ lineup in Tremayne worked to his advantage.
Easygoing Red—the one Punk Raymond would never have allowed to be in charge of a kindergarten classroom, let alone a major checkpoint—was stationed at Checkpoint Four.
He smiled inwardly when he thought about using Slade’s butterfly knife to cut the surveillance camera wires. With three cameras out of commission behind him—one every quarter mile at each tunnel hatch—he needed one more disabled camera to complete his trek undetected.
The Three Amigos walked toward the door in Dion’s quarters at Checkpoint One.
“Hang on a sec.” Krystal touched Will’s shoulder before he exited. “Monitor frequency one. That’s where I’ll be.”
Will was mildly perplexed. “Sure, Krystal.” He shrugged. “But why? We’ll be on routine patrol.”
Adam turned around from the exterior hallway. “Something happening we should know about?”
“You bet,” she said.
“Like?”
Krystal removed her duster and hung it on the wall next to the door. “Think big picture, guys. Let me worry about the details. You know what we saw and heard in Tremayne today. And we all heard the audio on that recording.”
“Sure,” Will said. “But you did say those Changers flagged another taxi. I don’t think we should expect to see them in town tonight, right?”
Krystal’s cell vibrated. She glanced at Will. “How many times do I have to say this—put nothing past the Changers.” She turned to her phone and tapped the face.
Will looked at Dion.
“Krystal’s in charge, guys,” Dion said. “Do what she says.”
The trio turned and headed to their trucks.
“Thanks for the info, Felix,” Krystal said. She ended the call and pointed at Ryker. “We need to head to Tremayne. Seems our pal Raymond is sneaking around Checkpoint Four.”
Ryker hopped off the barstool. “Just us?” He glanced around the room.
“I got a bullet in my nine with that bastard’s name on it. I’m sure Lace will appreciate it, too. Not to mention Slade. We’ll make it quick.”
Raymond poked his head up out of the tunnel hatch at Checkpoint Four. He swiped a hand over his forehead and ran his fingers through his hair. “Fog’s back.” He smiled. “All the better to hide in, my dear,” he said aloud to no one. He looked around before hoisting himself up out of the opening. The cold air felt good after his one-mile limp-skip through the tunnel. He ran hunched over for about ten steps before standing upright. “What are you doing, Ray? Be cool. Act normal.”
The opening in the Perimeter Wall was thirty yards in front of him. He slowed his walk as he approached the gate. No cars coming in, he thought. He pressed his back against the Wall and slowly peeked around the edge at the gate. Four BearCats—two sets of two—sat back to back just beyond the boom arms. There was enough room for an average-sized vehicle to drive a short slalom between the trucks before heading into the city.
Red and three other Punks were gathered around a burn barrel, their backs to the entrance. Raymond relaxed and strolled quietly to Red’s BearCat. The driver’s window was open. He stepped on the small running board below the driver’s door and looked inside. Yep. Like taking candy from a baby. He stood on his tiptoes, reached inside and grabbed the handheld two-way radio lying on the console between the seats. Before backing down off the running board, he glanced in Red’s direction. I knew you were useless, bro, he thought, stepping back to the pavement.
Raymond turned the volume down on the two-way as he walked quietly around the front of the trucks facing the gate. He crept around the back side of a concrete enclosure that housed two large dumpsters and stepped onto the sidewalk. He hooked the radio over his belt and disappeared into the throng of pedestrians.
The Three Amigos pulled their BearCats into a public parking lot in an older business section on the outskirts of Tremayne. The town had managed to spread anew to the southwest, leaving the origins of the city to numerous rejuvenation projects in recent years. Like other cities inside the Perimeter, Tremayne had its own ‘Old Town.’ Boarded up warehouses and empty strip malls remained for future renewal projects whenever city council members could agree and funds allowed.
Will dismounted his truck first and walked across the rough asphalt parking lot to the sidewalk. He zipped his parka to the neck and fastened the top snap. He gazed across the street at the darkened shop windows and slipped on fingerless leather gloves.
Joey joined Will. “Whadda you make of what Krystal said?” Joey asked. “Does it seem a little paranoid to you
?”
“Nah, not at all. That girl knows what she’s doing and she knows what she’s talking about.” He looked at Joey. “She’s special, you know?”
“She’s one badass woman,” Adam said as he stepped up behind his friends.
Will tipped his chin up. “Check those homeless people.”
Adam and Joey matched Will’s gaze.
“Yeah,” Joey said. “They look like the others. They just seem somehow—”
“Out of place?” Adam said. He started across the street.
“Wait,” Will cautioned.
Adam ignored his friend and approached the pair on the other side of the street. The dark-haired guy was taller than the dirty-blond. Both wore ill-fitting clothes—obviously too large for them.
“Stay here a sec and see what happens,” Will said. He and Joey stood on the sidewalk, arms folded, and watched the interaction between Adam and the homeless pair that had caught his attention.
“They’re just talking,” Joey said. “Right?”
“So far,” Will said.
Joey squinted and held a hand to his forehead to block the glow from a nearby streetlight. “The big guy looks familiar.”
“They both look familiar,” Will said. “What say we head on over?”
The pair strolled across the street, stepped up onto the curb and stood behind Adam.
“So what’s happening, bro?” Will asked.
“Just meeting some of the new people,” Adam said, not looking back.
Will hooked his thumbs into his utility belt. “Well, introduce us.”
The big disheveled guy extended a hand. His smile was broad, showing top and bottom rows of teeth. “I’m Jake.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “This here’s my friend Curly.”
The boys shook hands with the two.
Jake pointed a dirty calloused finger over the boys’ heads. “We’re stayin’ at Charlie’s House, the homeless shelter.”
“Yeah,” Joey said. “That’s a good place. They fixed it up pretty nice in the last year or so.”
