Graveyard Shift

by Michelle Dorey

“You could be the maiden in distress he rescues.”

  She hip checked him into the gutter. “As if. I’d be more likely to rescue you!”

  “I could live with that.” He laughed, giving her a friendly tap on the arm. “Hey do you mind if I cut out and go see my mom at the store? It’s only a few doors down. That way I won’t slow you down in finding something at Goodwill. I’ll even buy you a candy bar if you’re nice to me.”

  They paused at the corner waiting for a truck to pass before crossing. “I’m always nice to you.”

  “Not when you were hanging out with Holly and her gang. You were kind of a jerk, if truth be known.” Neil grabbed her arm, leading the way across the street.

  Kelly could feel her cheeks getting warm at his words. It was true. She’d dodged Neil too many times since the school year started so she could hang out with Holly. Neil was a dweeb in Holly’s estimation. But the truth was, she always was more herself around him. Maybe she was a dweeb too.

  “Hey! Remember I told you I thought Dad was cheating on my mom. Turns out he was going to church.”

  Neil came to a stop, his face confused. “But…you guys don’t go to church.”

  Kelly nodded. “I know.” She shrugged. “Just don’t tell my mom. She’s totally not into that.” She glanced up the street at the familiar sign of the Goodwill Store that had been there as long as she could remember.

  “That’s a relief, I guess; at least they’re not going to split up, right?” He tilted his head at her. “But how about you? Do you think you’ll go to church with him? Mom makes me go with her when she’s off. After Dad died, it kind of helped.” He looked down at her, his face now serious.

  “I don’t know. Maybe. At least I’d like to find out more before I make up my mind.” She paused at the entrance to the store. “Say hi to your mom and don’t forget my candy bar, okay?”

  “See you back at school. Don’t be late. You don’t want any detention, especially not today.” With that he took off at a run down the street to see his mother.

  Kelly wandered into the store and spied a rack of scarves and bandanas. If she was going as a pirate it was a good start.

  She never saw the silver, ghostly car that drove by.

  THIRTY FIVE

  MIKE DROGAN SMILED. The call to Adam had proved fruitful. Thankfully, the kid was at work at the police station. He was able to run the check on Dr. Ryan Stone and in less than a minute Adam had his license plate number, make and model of car and the guy’s home address. Mike had been right surmising that it had been Stone visiting Carmel. The woman who’d stopped to chat outside the old biddy’s burnt out house had said it was a silver car with a hood ornament. And whaddaya know? Stone drove a silver Mercedes.

  And now the hunt was on. Since getting the info from his former employee/sidekick, he staked out Stone’s home, and was now following the doc.

  Staying a few cars back was child’s play, something he could do in his sleep, as he followed Stone’s car from the fancy apartment building where he lived. But why had he parked for twenty minutes near a school? Shouldn’t he be going to the nursing home or hospital or something? That was odd, but maybe he had a nephew or grandchild at the school.

  At the sounds of children laughing and playful shouts, Mike leaned forward and saw a stream of kids pouring out the front of the school into the playground. He watched to see if Stone got out of the car to go in but the man sat there also peering at the school kids.

  Movement to the left up ahead caught Mike’s attention. A boy and girl had stopped at the curb waiting as a truck passed by before crossing. They’d just appeared at the end of the street, not leaving the school property through the front entrance. Kids weren’t allowed to leave school unless a parent or bus was picking them up. It was obvious this pair had snuck out, especially when they looked over their shoulder hurrying away.

  His eyes opened wider when Stone’s car started and it eased out from where it was parked onto the street. He watched it slowly pass by the school and turn left where the two kids were walking along the sidewalk there. Mike started his own car and followed.

  Stone’s car was also creeping slowly and for a few seconds Mike worried that Stone had noticed him following. But his attention seemed to be focused on the couple; he kept looking over at them.

  The girl stopped outside a Goodwill Store and then said something to the boy before entering. Stone kept going, following after the boy who was now running down the sidewalk. The kid slowed and started to go into a Seven Eleven but stopped, turning to look at Stone’s car. Mike pulled into a vacant parking space a little way back and continued watching Stone.

  What the hell? The kid went over to the driver’s side and stood talking to Stone. Did he know Stone? From the look on the kid’s face he wasn’t sure if there was a friendly relationship going on. When the kid rounded the front of the car and got in the passenger side Mike’s head tipped to the side. What the hell was that kid doing, going off with Stone? Was this some kind of meet-up that the kid was skipping school to go with Stone? And what about the other kid, the girl?

  When Stone drove off at a faster pace Mike followed. His Spidey Sense was on red alert. Whatever Stone was doing with that kid, he didn’t like it. A pedophile? The guy wasn’t married, so who knew what kink he was into?

  When Stone drove the small Mercedes into the parking lot at his apartment building, Mike eased his car into a vacant spot on the street. He watched Stone get out and then go over to the passenger door to let the boy out. It was hard to see the kid’s face, especially when he turned walking ahead of Stone. Mike scooped his cell from his pocket and once more he called Adam.

  The kid answered on the second ring, Without any greeting Adam gave him a rundown. “The guy’s clean Mike. No prior arrests.”

  “Ever been a subject of investigation?”

  “Nope. Nothing. Zip. Jeez Mike, not only has he never gotten a traffic ticket, he’s never even gotten a parking ticket!”

  There was silence for a moment before Mike said, “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “Yep. The guy’s too clean.”

  “Which means he’s really, really careful.”

  “Yeah.” Adam took a breath. “You’re looking at this guy for pedo, aren’t you?”

  Mike blinked a couple times, his mouth falling open. Shit! He should be used to the kid’s psychic ability by now but it could still throw him for a loop, answering a question before he’d even had a chance to ask! Shaking his head, he replied, “Now that you mention it, he just took a kid, a thirteen year old boy into his apartment, Adam!”

  “Stay with him. Do you want me to run down there to give you a hand? There’s something off about all this. I’m not getting good vibes here, Mike.”

  “No! You stay there. You’re at work for God’s sake, Adam. You can’t just come running off to help me. Look. I’ll stay here for ten minutes. After that, I’m going in. If you don’t hear from me in the next half hour, call the cops here. Tell them it’s a suspected assault on a minor, with a retired cop inside with a suspect.” He clicked the phone off.

  Sitting in the car he reached under his jacket and took out his pistol. He turned it in his hand and flicked the safety to ‘off’ and put it back into his shoulder holster. Maybe Adam’s gifts were beginning to rub off on him or something, because he sure had one strong case of the willies on this one.

  The next while passed like molasses on a cold day in February. He glanced at his watch every couple of minutes but the majority of his focus was on the apartment building. Nine minutes. He put his phone in his pocket and slid the key from the ignition. Just as he was about to get out of the vehicle the door to the apartment building opened and Stone came out. But the kid wasn’t with him.

  What the hell was going on that he’d leave the kid alone in his apartment? For a few moments he deliberated on whether to continue tracking Stone or see about the kid. His gut instinct leaned more towards the kid though. When Stone pulled out of the
parking lot in his silver Mercedes, Mike got out of the car.

  He hurried along the walkway and entered the building. To his left was a panel of names and a phone to call through to any apartment in the building. Stone’s name was halfway down the list and he punched the code to ring through. The phone rang and rang but the kid never picked up. Mike’s gut was tight with fear picturing the kid hurt or even dead. What had Stone done to him?

  Mike looked around to make sure the coast was clear. He pulled a small pouch from his back pocket and flipped it open. He looked at the deadbolt on the lobby door and selected two picks from his collection and squatted down. Oh the irony; doing a break in to stop a crime. But as of right now, all he had was hunches, and no cop worth his salt would go in on such thin stuff.

  The set of lock picks that had never failed him proved their worth once more tripping the lock and allowing him entry. Stone’s apartment was three ten. He hopped onto the elevator.

  He was banging on Stone’s apartment door a moment later. After banging for a third time, he got his set of picks out again. When the locks released, he stuffed the picks in his pocket and drew his piece.

  Stepping inside, scanned the layout in a practiced once over—hallway, kitchen on the left and wide living room behind that. His eyes widened seeing the lanky kid sitting either passed out or dead on the leather sofa. His hands were at his side and his neck was stretched back over the top of the sofa.

  He rushed over and put two fingers on the kid’s neck checking for a pulse. Thank God, the kid was alive! But the kid’s breathing was raspy and uneven. He let out a sigh of relief and stood. He gave the rest of the apartment a quick toss to ensure nobody else was there that could sneak up on him and returned to the kid on the couch.

  “Hey!” he yelled at the kid. “Wake up!” He gave the kid’s shoulder a shake but the boy was out cold. Mike’s eyes narrowed. Stone had knocked this kid out to keep him quiet until he returned. He fished his cell phone out and hit Adam’s number.

  Not waiting for Adam say more than hello he barked an order. “Call the cops, Adam. Stone abducted this kid and knocked him out cold. I’ll stay here in case Stone shows up before they get here.”

  “Will do! But you probably should get out of there Mike before they charge you for break and enter.”

  “Don’t worry about me, just get the cops here.” Mike clicked the phone off and then shifted the kid into the recovery position. Who knew what the doctor had given him? The kid might start throwing up if it was chloroform, although that wasn’t likely. As for why he was there...Mike could spin a yarn that the cops would be all too willing to believe considering that there was a young boy accosted and then drugged. No one liked pedophiles.

  Stone’s trip home that day would be his last to that penthouse apartment. His new digs were going to have him wearing an orange jumpsuit.

  THIRTY SIX

  THAT SAME AFTERNOON Carmel stepped slowly through the door that Amanda held for her when they left the dining room. Her eyes opened wider seeing Ryan Stone at the nursing station.

  With a sinking gut she watched him jump to his feet and rush over. The excitement in his eyes could only mean one thing. He had everything in place, ready for his Renaissance—the stupid fool.

  Beside her, Amanda spoke, “Dr. Stone. You’re here to—”

  “I need to talk to you, Carmel.” Ignoring Amanda, Ryan continued. “I think I’ve found a place for you.” He took a spot at her other side looping her arm through his to escort her down the hall.

  “Wait! You’ve found a place for Carmel?” Amanda leaned forward looking past Carmel at Stone. “I’ll help her get ready.”

  “Wait, Amanda. I need to speak with Ryan alone to find out more about this. You take a break. God knows you need it after last night.” Carmel didn’t relish the talk she was about to have. For years she’d been able to put the idiot off but now he was about to ruin everything. There was no way she would let that happen.

  “Okay, I guess.” Amanda murmured, allowing Stone to proceed in escorting her down the hallway.

  But it wasn’t going to happen, not what he had planned. She glared up at Stone when they were out of earshot, “Stop rushing me! Try to get a grip, Ryan. People are watching.” Not that she cared about that. By this time tomorrow she’d be long gone from the nursing home, vanishing without a trace.

  “Hurry up. I need you at my place. You know why. This is going to happen, Carmel.” Stone thrust the door to her room open and almost pushed her inside. He raced to the closet to get her coat and shoes.

  “Not so fast, Ryan. I don’t—”

  “Yes you will! I’ve got everything set in my apartment. You’re going to show me how to do this. I’m fed up with waiting.” He draped the coat over her shoulders and started to shove her arm into the sleeve.

  She jerked away slapping his hands. “Stop! I’m not going anywhere with you! I told you what you must do! You need a fetus Ryan, not Renaissance. Renaissance will never happen for you!” Her heart kicked up a notch waiting for him to react.

  At first, he looked stunned and then his eyes opened wider. When he spoke it was through clenched teeth. “Oh yes it will, Carmel! I’ve got a teenage boy out cold in my apartment. I’m going to use him and you’re going to help me!” He made a grab for her but she pulled back, almost losing her balance in the process.

  She clutched the foot rail of her bed and glared up at him. “You can’t, you fool! Renaissance only works for women! It can never work for a man!”

  Ryan froze. “What the hell are you talking about? You’ve always told me I’d be able to reset back to my youth just like you have!”

  Carmel shook her head. “I showed you how to slow your aging, didn’t I?”

  “It’s no longer enough!” Ryan patted his face. “I’m an old man now! I look like I’m in my 50’s! My knees are going, my back hurts and,” he grabbed his scalp, “I’m gray! I want the reset you’ve enjoyed.”

  Carmel held his eyes. “You look pretty good for someone almost two hundred years old, Ryan.”

  “It’s not enough!”

  She slowly shook her head. “It’s all you can ever do, my dear.”

  He stepped closer, towering above her small frame. “You’re lying! All this time you promised me you’d teach me. You’re going to keep that promise, Carmel, or so help me...”

  She sank down onto the bed. When she spoke, her voice was clinically cold. “The spell requires a girl who is on the cusp of womanhood. For women that time is clear, the menstrual cycle beginning. The same marked delineation for a male isn’t there— no shedding of blood to mark passage. That’s why it can never happen for you, Ryan. It’s a woman’s gift, not a man’s.”

  “It will happen for me!”

  “No, Ryan, it can’t! Why do you think we’ve always done a ceremony with you and an unborn babe! The life force of a fetus is all a man is able to attain! Men are unable to experience a Renaissance!”

  Stone was silent for a few beats before his face brightened. “If what you say is true, then I too can do this with a young girl! It’s the life essence of that girl which is the key to this. Why not?” Ryan’s eyes glinted and a wild grin flashed on his face. “Why not? I’d fit right in today’s day and age. This gives a whole new meaning to transgender! I’ll really get in touch with my feminine side!” He laughed, his voice breaking. “I’ll gladly renew as a woman if that’s what immortality requires!”

  Oh my God. The man was desperate and beyond stupid. Carmel could only stare at him. The man was in a frenzy. “No. No, it doesn’t work like that. You can’t.” She looked around for a weapon, anything to protect herself in case he attacked her. But his next words showed that he wasn’t giving up on this so easily.

  “Yes! And furthermore I’m using your subject. You need this to happen today, Carmel. Too bad you’ve run out of time. You won’t be able to stop me!” Ryan stepped over to Carmel, daring her to argue. His hand rose, poised to strike her.

  She shr
ank back. Before she had time to raise her arm to fend him off, the door to her room burst open. Three uniformed policemen rushed in and swarmed Ryan! They threw him onto the floor and had him subdued and handcuffed before he could do anything. Police? What were they doing there? They pulled him to his feet. How could this be happening? But thank goodness it was!

  A fourth man; late middle-aged with a lined, weathered face and worn suit stood before Ryan, He had a gold badge sticking out of his suit pocket. He turned to another man behind him, also in a cheap suit. “This the mutt, Mike?” he asked.

  “Damn right.”

  Carmel’s heart almost stopped. The last man in the room was Jane’s brother! She inhaled slowly watching the rest of the scene unfold.

  Mike stepped past the detective. “You really ought to make sure you lock your door when you leave your apartment, Stone. I was able to just waltz right in when I heard some odd noise.”

  The detective suppressed a chuckle. “Yep, that was damn lucky, wasn’t it? Good thing you got suspicious when you just ‘happened to be passing by’ and saw a young boy get into an older man’s expensive car’, wasn’t it?” He put his hand on Mike’s shoulder. “That’s enough of a statement for me now. I’ll see you downtown tomorrow for the full statement, right?”

  “You bet.”

  “Thanks, Mike,” the detective said. He turned back to Stone, who was standing now, hands cuffed behind him. “Well, positive ID, evidence from the crime scene…” He stepped up to Stone’s face. “This is my favorite part…”

  He pulled a card from his shirt pocket and began reading from it: “Dr. Ryan Stone, you are under arrest for kidnapping and drugging a minor. You have the right to remain silent.”

  Ryan yelled into the man’s face, “You can’t do this! I don’t know what you’re talking about! I’m a doctor for—”

  The detective continued as if Ryan hadn’t said a thing. “Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” Carmel’s mouth fell open as she stared at the scene playing out. Ryan continued to berate the cop, “Stop! It’s her you should arrest! She’s the one responsible!”