I sat down with the pizza box and ate. Not precisely a five-star dinner, but then, food is food. The time on the microwave turned to three o’clock in the afternoon. The day was still young. It also meant I got less than an hour of sleep. Not good, Rian. You’ll be dead on your feet if you keep this up. My inner monologue is at best the worst motivational speaker around.
Jezebel pushed her bowl over and looked at me.
In mid-bite, I shook my head no. “You had enough.”
She wouldn’t take no for an answer and run over. Placing her head on my lap, she looked up at me with those beautiful puppy dog eyes. Dammit! Fuck, I’m weak when it comes to her doing this.
I stood up. She spun and barked knowing what came next as it always did. Sometimes the war between master and dog ended up with the dog getting exactly what she wanted. In Jezebel’s case, it was a milk bone from the box I kept on top of the fridge.
I took one down and tossed it to her. “There ya go, now let me eat in peace or something.”
As soon as I sat down to eat, my phone rang. “Fuck me.”
It was Axle.
Chapter Nine
“Axle, What did you find?”
Axle was a man of few words. Being in charge of the PMS didn’t give him much chance to speak since his job required action and a lot of paperwork. Subtlety wasn’t his strong point either. He preferred an upfront attitude over sneaking around. Me having him to do this probably bugged the hell out of him even if it was necessary.
He breathed from the other end of the line. “I found who owns this fingerprint.”
I stood up. “Yes! A fucking breakthrough in this case.”
“I’m on my way to pick you up. Move it, Rian, we got a young man to save.”
He hung up before I could. I grabbed my keys and ran for the door. “Sorry, girl. I got to save the world. Be back soon.”
I checked to make sure I had my gun and left my apartment, locking the door behind me. Running down the stairs, I dashed out the door as Axle pulled in. He slowed down enough for me to jump in before hitting his siren and taking off. Should probably go in my car, but at this point, fuck it. If we find Jacob, I won’t have to worry about him anymore. Just myself.
I buckled in. “Okay, give me the details. Who are we after, is there a record, and other criminal stuff?”
Axle shifted into fourth as he drove the squad car south, down College Avenue.
“His name is Sean James. He’s an IT tech for a software firm out of Denver.”
I checked to make sure I loaded the clip, and the gun was ready to shoot. “Anything else?”
“Not a lot. No criminal history and from the information I gathered, a regular upstanding citizen. Not even a parking ticket.”
Axle glanced at me as if he heard the incredulous look on my face and nodded an affirmation. “Who doesn’t get parking tickets?”
Axle shrugged. “Probably the type that drives an electric car and shops in the organic foods section.”
“Okay, I shop in the organic foods section.”
Axle shot me a ‘Are you fucking kidding me’ look. “Really, Rian?”
“No, I had leftover pizza for lunch. Where does he live?”
“Fossil Creek Townhomes, just south of Harmony Drive. A pretty upscale neighborhood. Overpriced in my opinion, but I’m a cop so I’ll never afford the prices there.”
“We have the fingerprint from a rich guy in south Fort Collins. Married or single?”
“Interested?”
“No, but if I have to shoot him, I’d rather not do it in front of a wife and kids.”
Axle shot through a yellow light without slowing down. “Sounds good, but I’d have to take the lead on that, and I’d probably prevent you from doing so. He has rights. It’s not up to us to dispense judgment.”
I looked forward and rolled my eyes. “Our justice system makes it harder to convict criminals, even more, when it comes to supernatural crimes, and you know it. Providing hard evidence is close to impossible in these cases, and the perp goes free more times than I can count.”
“It’s still the law.”
“Fuck the law, Axle. Tell that to those who lost family members when a criminal goes free because their politicians can’t decide on what makes evidence real or not.”
Axle sighed. “Please, don’t shoot anyone.”
“No promises.”
I couldn’t promise anything. While the law confined Axle and the rest of the PMS, I had more freedom. People in danger from the supernatural didn’t have time for a court to decide if the magic circle on a perp’s basement’s floor summoned a demon or caused a family member to walk off a tall building.
The law sucked. Axle knew it too, but his desire to protect and serve others circumvented his hatred over the laws governing the supernatural. The majority of the country didn’t even have specific laws. In Colorado, we were slightly fortunate to have a few, but this came at a high price.
Everyone that worked within the paranormal had to register themselves. Politicians in the state didn’t want to risk their re-elections by allowing anyone free reign. It also gave rights to beings from the other side and special protections for witches, psychics, and other people who chose a paranormal career except for me. Private Investigators were still the low end of the food chain.
I looked hard at Axle. “One question. Do we have a backup?”
Axle shook his head. “No. I thought it best due to the situation to not have any. I didn’t want the bastard doing anything to the young man if he saw too many patrol cars show up.”
“It’s a good thing you used a different undercover car. I won’t worry so much about being seen with a cop. Kill the siren and the lights, or they’ll give us away. Everyone will hear us at a small distance away, and the contractor may be on edge if he hears us entering his neighborhood.”
Axle down-shifted and car slowed. “Maybe I should take it easy then, us tearing through the neighborhood won’t help either.”
“Yeah, because no one should be helping me.”
“Whatever happens, be careful, Rian. If this guy kidnapped the kid, we need him alive. Don’t do anything stupid.”
“See that’s the problem. I always do something stupid. If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have none. But to make you feel better, I’ll play it by the book. After that, gloves are off.”
Axle turned into the perp’s neighborhood. “Deal. I’ll park a little further away so we can sneak up on him.”
“Sounds like as good a plan as any.”
I motioned for Axle to pull over less than a block away. A school bus drove by slowly, my nerves on end. Normal people had a dangerous streak to them, but contractors had an advantage. The soul they traded for earthly power or riches usually got a bonus for it.
Never a good thing, but the price paid for such things cost so much more than the contractor bargained for. I wondered if people should know better, but all it took was a walk through a retail store, and I gave up. The world had a lot of dumb people in it.
I kept my gun holstered and got out of the car. “Which one is his?”
Axle did the same and scanned the houses. “The one with the dead lawn and the brown stucco, 4309 Blue Haven Drive.”
I nodded an affirmative and casually strode toward the house. It stood out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the block. Everyone else’s lawn was lush and green with perfect landscaping. The only thing growing in Mr. James yard were weeds, and even some of them weren’t doing so well.
I glanced back to see Axle following close. “I’m gonna cut to the back.”
He stopped and popped his Bluetooth headset in. “Get yours in and call me so we can communicate. I don’t want to take any chances.”
I dialed in and pressed the small device into my ear and let it hook around it. “Okay. The alley will give me the best shot of the back of the house. Once I’m back there, I’ll let you know.”
He nodded. “Make it quick.”
I ra
n back around the block and hit the alley at full speed. Seeing the contractor’s house, I slowed near a trash bin to catch my breath and hold my side as it throbbed with pain. “Fuck, I’m too old for this.”
“I’m at the door.”
The small backyard stretched about ten feet from the back door. A camera hung over it pointed over the deck. It didn’t move, and I hope it stayed stationary and didn’t have a wide-angle view.
I drew my gun and hoped none of the neighbors saw this. “There’s a camera over the door back here.”
“Same here. It’s a little late to worry about it now. Be careful; the door here is ajar.”
I strode toward the door to find it cracked. “How convenient. The door back here is open. Trap?”
“Chances are good. Should I call backup? He may have rigged the house with explosives.”
I glanced along the edges of the patio door and didn’t see any wires. “That’s a bit extreme, but I don’t see anything that indicates any traps. There are cameras in the house. Fucking weird.”
“Take it slow, Rian.”
I snickered. “That’s what she said. Seriously though, I’m not that crazy.”
Sliding the door open, I entered the house. “Going in.”
“Same here.”
The silent house echoed with mine and what I hoped was Axle’s footsteps. The laminate flooring did nothing to soften my footsteps. With a glance around, the dining room I entered looked clean except for the amount of dust on the table and the dirty dishes in the adjoining kitchen sink. Dust covered the floor.
A entered the kitchen and saw a door. “I see a door; it could be a pantry or basement.”
“Someone has abandoned this place. Lots of cameras but they’re all covered in dust. I’m not sure if they even work.”
I gripped the handle to the door and opened it. “I agree. It looks like we have a finished basement.”
“Rian, let me finish checking the other rooms before you head down.”
I flicked the light switch, and a carpeted stairway greeted me. “Sure.”
“Dammit, you didn’t listen, did you, Rian?”
Heading down the stairs, a large room opened up— a large desk with a wall full of dust-covered monitors and a server-centered on a rack off to the side. Images of the different rooms of the house flashed on the screens with one showing a feed of Jacob, beating weakly at the box he lay in.
I spun around and saw one other room. Treading lightly, I peeked in the other room — a small bathroom. Letting out a breath I didn’t realize I held; I walked back to the wall of images. Wires ran from each one to the server rack, but my eyes drifted back to Jacob.
“I don’t think you’re here, buddy. I’m sorry.”
“Rian, who are you talking to.”
I glanced at a monitor and saw Axle in the kitchen. You better come down here.”
Axle came down the stairs, and I heard an intake of breath when he saw the screens. “Holy shit.”
“I know. I’m all for personal security, but this is a bit much.”
“Everything is so dusty here. It must’ve been a month or longer since someone’s been here.”
Leaning over the desk, I focused on Jacob. “Yeah, at least the server’s still working. You should get some techs in here to trace the source of Jacob’s feed. May have better luck here than the university.”
“That’s who we call for this sorta thing. Between them and the IT department at the FBI, we’re limited. We usually don’t call the FBI since they’ve got their problems when it comes to supernatural events. The feds don’t want to get involved.”
I turned toward Axle and saw a small camera pointing at the wall of monitors. “What the fuck?”
Axle shrugged. “Yeah, it’s a miracle we get anything done.”
“No. Not that. I mean that, behind you, there’s a camera pointed in this direction.”
He spun around and walked over toward it. I scanned the screens on the wall and didn’t see any feed for this room. Fuck me sideways!
I gripped the edge of the desk and swore loudly. “Axle, we have a big problem.”
“Doesn’t sound good at all, Rian. What’s going on?”
“There’s no feed from that camera.”
Axle swore.
I rushed over to the camera and saw a red light blinking. “Fuck.”
Axle looked at the red light and raised an eyebrow. “Is that doing what I think it’s doing.”
I took one more glance at the screens in hopes I’d see a feed of this room, I frowned. “Someone is watching us. And if the creepy feeling I’m getting is correct, they know who you are.”
I closed my eyes and let out a deep breath. Trying to center myself and regain some calm, all I could think about was how bad this would turn out. Oh, how I hate being right at times. For once, me being wrong wouldn’t be so bad.
My phone rang loud and clear. Son of a bitch!
Chapter Ten
The ring sounded ominous; like it came from a thousand miles away. No number appeared on the caller ID, just ‘unknown.’ Time slowed down as my desire to answer it withered away. Yeah, I’m a coward at times, but I knew this call would bring more problems.
I tapped the green phone icon and slid it over, answering the phone. “This is Rian.”
A slight sliver of fear crept into my voice as I answered. My heart raced as heavy breathing greeted me. I shook a little knowing I’d have to pay for calling the police. Prayer alone wouldn’t stop this person, but it didn’t stop me from sending a quick one to the Man above for grace in my situation.
“Mr. MacCaren.”
A statement, nothing more. The voice sounded altered. No one could sound like that. Sweet Jesus, what kind of price am I going to pay for my stupidity? Some questions were better left unanswered.
“While I congratulate you on finding my cozy piece of the American Dream in suburbia, your first mistake involved calling the cops. Give Detective Axle Erickson my greetings.”
I glanced at Axle and raised an eyebrow. “Mr. James says hi.”
He gave me a curious look. I couldn’t blame him; I’d have the same look if he turned the tables on me. He only nodded at me but kept silent. Axle excelled at that.
“Now, Mr. MacCaren, since you called the police, especially the PMS, you must pay the price. Watch the video of poor young Jacob, a man who could’ve had so much going for him.”
I wiped the dust with a shaky hand from the monitor to get a better look. “Don’t do this.”
“Do what, Mr. MacCaren? Remember, you could’ve prevented this.”
The voice sounded hollow, devoid of life and emotion. If I didn’t know any better, the contractor had another working with him, or inside him. It wouldn’t be the first contractor who had another spirit living inside him pulling his strings. I couldn’t be sure. Never can, until the end.
“Then it’s on me, not him.”
“That’s where we’ll disagree. Your instructions were quite clear. His death will be on you, and you’ll take his place.”
“What are you talking about?”
Axle gripped my shoulder. “What’s going on, Rian?”
My eyes teared up. Hate to admit it, but I’m an emotional fucker and knowing someone’s death was my fault hurt like no other. I’d save him somehow and make it right, even if it meant my life in trade.
“Tell the detective he can relax, then turn up the volume. It’s the second dial on the monitor.”
I turned toward Axle and pointed toward the monitor. “Can you turn it up, the second dial?”
Axle did as I asked. His face a stoic mask as he cranked the dial. Seeing Jacob beat against the coffin in silence was one thing, but hearing his cries amplified became another. I choked back my cry. When did I get a damn heart? Come on, Rian, pull your shit together and save this kid!
“To show I’m not a horrible person, I’ll give you some time, Mr. MacCaren. Be careful on your responses as poor Jacob can hear us both.”
“His grave will only hold so much air once I cut it off. You have six hours, Mr. MacCaren. As soon as this call ends, the pump cycling air to him stops running. Now run, Mr. MacCaren, because time flies and life is so short these days.”
The contractor hung up, and Jacob’s cries echoed into the empty room. I stood staring at the monitor, a tear running down my face. Jacob has to pay for my pride. In that case, the contractor will pay with my wrath.
I slammed my phone down. “We got six hours, get a tech team in here to track the feed since everything is here already.”
Axle ran upstairs and started making calls. Within minutes the whole neighborhood filled with cops. One man stood out from the others. He had the look of someone who got stuffed in a locker a lot in high school. A little nerdy, shaggy curly hair and even had the glasses to complete the look. Nice brown eyes though.
Axle waved him over. “Rian, this is Gregory Danes. He’s from the university and promises he can track the feed.”
I motioned him to follow me downstairs. “Time is short, Gregory. We got less than six hours.”
I pulled the chair to the desk out for him, and he sat. “This is a pretty basic setup for CCTV; if so, then the computer software should be fairly easy as well.”
I leaned down and whispered in his ear. “For God’s sake, I hope so, Gregory. See that man in the video to the right?”
He nodded — good boy.
“His life depends on it.”
Gregory gulped hard. I could hear him swallow his disbelief. He pulled a laptop out of a bag and powered it up. After a few keystrokes, he booted up the computer and had it ready to go. After a few seconds, he started connecting cables to his computer.
He glanced back at me. “This program should trace the feed. It’s the same thing the FBI uses. Tell no one.”
Axle took a step forward. “How did you get something like that?”
I waved him back. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t tell if you won’t.”
Axle shook his head. “No. Just help us find the man.”
Heaven's Prisoners Page 6
