by L. M. Vila
She came back rather quickly. Michael turned the valve, silencing the flow of water and grabbed the canister of salt as he requested.
“Luckily, there was some in the supply room. This is a horrible wound but fortunately I’m versed in this sort of thing. I’ll get you patched up in no time.”
She watched as Michael ostensibly ignored her words as he poured a large chunk of salt into his open hand. When it was filled to his liking, he lifted it towards the wound. Danielle attempted to protest.
“What in the hell are you doing? Stop!”
Salt stained the wound’s entrance. His good hand became coated with sodium and blood as he pressed the element deep within his skin. Michael cringed heavily but didn’t allow a word of suffering to slip between the cracks. This wasn’t his first rodeo with this uniquely painful remedy and given the state of his career choices, it wouldn’t be his last.
Danielle stood in awe. This was unreal. Humans weren’t meant to mix those two substances together. Michael clearly ignored that rule. Hideous sight aside, Danielle began cleaning his wound from the back. There was plenty of gauze, wraps, and antiseptic to patch it good enough to get to a hospital. However, he wouldn’t be in any condition to continue.
They sat in silence together. Danielle could feel things getting awkward. She needed something to take her mind off all of this blood and damaged skin, including her own misery which was slowing down this work. Beside his tolerance for pain, the only thing that stood out was his name.
“So, Agent Madison, right?”
He didn’t feel much like talking. A short nod was all she got. The name was definitely familiar. Danielle could remember it clearly now. It made perfect sense. He was a little bigger than she imagined.
“I’ve heard about you. You’ve got an interesting reputation, even within our department.”
This guy wasn’t much of a conversationalist. At least the action heroes in movies quipped or acted modest. Particularly to the people that healed them. He was different, much different from the rest. Procedures dictated he couldn’t be too different. Seeing him here by himself made it feel like he was breaking another one.
“Where’s the rest of your team?”
Michael shook his head.
“You came in here? By yourself?”
His reputation was well noted in the CIA. Insane was the typical description. Tonight proved it. Without question he entered this place knowing full well he could die in it. And yet here he is, broken but not defeated. Which reminded Danielle of a particularly interesting note.
“What about the guards downstairs? Did they give you any trouble?”
Again, Michael shook his head.
A smile tickled her lips, not that he could see anyways. “Your legend precedes you.” Incredible. Just incredible. There was no way Gale’s force would let him in here without one hell of a fight. That must have been the cause of that loud bang she heard earlier.
“What happened?”
Hearing him speak for the first time was surprising. His voice was stern but a touch cold. Words flowed effortlessly from his mouth. That may have been due to his injury. She supposed there was no use hiding information from one another. It may have been standard procedures for their agencies but between these walls, all they had were each other. He had a right to know what was going on.
“There were two of us working this case. The General,” she didn’t plan on it being this difficult to say. “He killed my partner. Pushed him down the empty elevator shaft.” Her professionalism started to kick in. This wasn’t the time to let her emotions dictate her responses. “He’s a very powerful man. We’ve were working for months trying to find any dirt or traces illegal activity. Sadly, this guy is cleaner than a preacher's robe. No tax issues, no criminal activity, not even a single F.D.A. violation on record. He’s also a very meticulous man. He didn’t let us in on any of his major activities, keeping us to do menial and sometimes unethical tasks but nothing illegal. We couldn’t find anything to implicate on him. As far as we’re concerned, he’s clean.”
Not to Michael he wasn’t. “He tried to kill me.”
“Really?!”
“Twice.”
Perry had mentioned law enforcement being involved but he wasn’t specific. They couldn’t trade information within these walls so easily. Still, the fact that he was not only targeted by Yegor but actually lived to tell about it spoke to his character. It made his mysterious aura all the more intriguing.
Danielle finished wrapping the gauze over his shoulder. Blood seeped through but at least it would hold for the time being. “There, all done. Let’s get you to a hospital.”
That was out of the question. Michael stood up and moved his arm. It felt exceedingly better. With this he’d be able to put up a decent offensive. It wouldn’t seal the deal but Michael could compensate for that. As long as he could move, then he could fight. This General would not be allowed off the hook this easily.
“Let’s get going. I’ll make a call. My department will handle things from here.” Danielle hoped simple reasoning would cease any more dangerous thoughts. Clearly, she had no idea who she was working with.
“No, they won’t.”
His response was rather pretentious. The loss of blood must have gotten to him. After picking up his dropped weapon, Michael holstered back in place.
“Make your call. My business is upstairs.”
Danielle was confused to say the least. He was talking crazy, no doubt about that. “You’re in no condition to do that. Are you crazy?”
Her words fell on deaf ears. Michael proceeded to the elevator and pressed the button going up as soon as he got there. Danielle followed right behind him.
If he wasn’t going to be convinced to stop, then there was only one thing left she could do.
“Fine. I’m going with you.”
“No, you’re not.”
“What are you talking about? We’re much better together than we are apart. Don’t think you can do this all on your own.” Danielle dashed past him and stood in front of the elevator doors as they opened. “I can help.”
Michael grabbed her by the shoulder and easily pushed her aside. She almost tripped over herself. The fact that he still had this kind of strength left in him was incredible. His next words were devastating.
“No, you can’t.”
The doors slammed closed with Michael nestled safely inside the elevator. Danielle never felt more annoyed. His reputation definitely preceded him. The legend made him a hero. In reality, he was an ostentatious asshole. Putting up this kind of fight is useless. He wasn’t anything more to her than a savior. As far as Danielle was concerned, treating his wound repaid that debt. She picked up a phone and dialed her superior. There was a lot to report. No time to waste on an ungrateful FBI agent.
Danielle made the call. Every piece of information she collected was forwarded directly to her superior. With all of the action about to start upstairs, she would be free to explore and uncover any special trinkets that may prove useful in the future. Something truly amazing made the General a billionaire. Ms. Ross was determined to uncover that secret or, at the very least, put it in the hands of someone that can do better.
“What’s our ETA?” Nicole asked practically yelling. Trying to communicate in a moving helicopter was difficult enough as is let alone with the added trepidation.
“Approximately twenty minutes ma’am.” The pilot replied.
Night would soon end. In the horizon, the sun would glare over the mountains in the east and sprinkle this land with orange light. This day had gone on long enough as far as Nicole was concerned.
Meryl sat in awe of this entire situation. She remembered feeling a bit nervous about going into work today, wondering what kind of new experiences this job would bring her. Never in her wildest imagination could she have dreamt of riding in an FBI helicopter so soon in her career.
Nicole tried her best to remain professional but Meryl could see it in her eyes.
She was definitely trying to hide something. Unfortunately, Meryl didn’t know the protocol for reaching out to Nicole. They had only just met yesterday.
“How are you feeling?” The S.A.C. inquired looking at her subordinate. She must have sensed Meryl staring into her.
“I’m fine. Just a little banged up. Nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix.”
For a second there, Meryl could have sworn she heard Nicole chuckle a little bit. That was a good sign. A good deed definitely deserved another. Even if it was only a concerning question.
“How about you?” She poised staring at Nicole’s sling. “Will you be alright?” Meryl kind of felt ashamed for not asking this earlier. With all that had happened, her attention was diverted elsewhere. The day went by so fast. Nicole didn’t even have a chance to eat lunch today.
“Oh, this?” Nicole said slightly shaking her broken arm in response. “They think I sprained my shoulder. Possibly a few broken bones. Can’t be sure without going to a hospital but for now, it’s nothing too serious.”
Nothing too serious?! Meryl shouted in her mind. She didn’t dare say what she really thought out loud but the underlying truth was solid. This was one hell of a tough woman. Not to mention, a good role model.
Nicole’s phone called to her. The noise in the helicopter was tremendous but the vibrate feature kept her aware of incoming messages. Checking the display, she was being hailed by a restricted number. That could mean many things but Nicole figured who this might be. And he wasn’t going to be happy.
“Deputy Commander Wells.”
“What the hell is going on?” Shouted the voice on the other line. Meryl was easily able to ascertain the identity of the caller and with that, her stomach started to turn.
“You’ll have to speak up. I’m traveling at high velocity.”
“Don’t get cute with me. I already know you’re on your way to their headquarters. Our previous discussion assured me that you would stay away from this case.”
Messing with him felt so justified at this point. “I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”
“Bullshit. You were there. I was told by Commander McCrae -”
“Who is no longer in charge,” Nicole interrupted. That was surprisingly difficult to say even with all of her professionalism. In truth, Nicole was right. In her heart, she wished she wasn’t.
The other end of the line went silent. Matthew Sanders appeared to have some semblance of sympathy. Until of course when he opened his mouth a second later.
“That still doesn’t allow one of your agents to force his way into the building, blow up a vehicle, and effectively destroy six months of work in six minutes.”
“Your mistaken once again Mr. Sanders. I have no agents in that building.”
“Lying won’t help you now. I’ve already confirmed Agent Madison’s presence. When I get done with you, you’re career will be an entire chapter in the FBI training manual titled ‘What Not to Do’!”
Hearing the news that Michael was still alive made Nicole feel better. Knowing that he must have finally gotten to him was the icing on the cake. “Petty insults aside, what I told you is true. Special Agent Michael Madison quit a couple of hours ago. He is no longer under my employ.”
Nicole wasn’t psychic, but she could sense the CIA representative flipping out over the news. Apparently, Mr. Sanders wasn’t very adept with dealing with the unexpected. That goes with the territory for all CIA members. It explains their constant nosiness.
“If that’s the case,” Sanders replied. His annoyance with this group had reached the breaking point. “Then he will be charged for the numerous crimes he has committed. This isn’t a comic book. Vigilantes are not heroes. They’re lawbreakers, like the criminals they chase. He will be apprehended as soon as we arrive.”
“Not if we get there first.” Nicole hung up the phone and gave the pilot a stern, yet worried look. He already knew what she was thinking and pushed the engine to its limit.
Seika was murdered. They all bore witness to it. Even if this was all just a part of the General’s great plan, it still didn’t excuse the fact that the target was coming up after them. Kurtis knew what that meant. Madison didn’t even bother trying to arrest that woman. His purpose was clear.
Despite his extensive military experience, this was especially hard for Yegor to watch. Fear had started to trickle into his thoughts. Reasoning kept the door tightly shut. The General had faith this would all work out in spite of recent events. However, it wouldn’t hurt to establish an extra contingency. Just in case things escalated.
“Seika, that idiot! She allowed Ms. Ross to escape,” cursed Yegor.
Kurtis watched the General pick up the phone and press only three digits. Enough American television programming taught him what that meant. He couldn’t believe this old man would stoop so low.
“What are you doing?” The young Russian boldly asked.
“Kurtis, don’t!” Roman implored. This wasn’t a battle he was meant to fight.
“Mind your tongue,” was the only thing he got in response. The General poured his case to the emergency services operator, making his situation sound extremely dire. Not to mention pathetic. Groveling did not suit this man. His high and mighty attitude was humbled in seconds over the phone. Yegor practically begged for help. This pitiful display was unfitting of a man in charge. A new leader needed to step up and take command.
Kurtis swiftly ripped the phone from the wall. The shock of it made an obscenity slip from the old man’s tongue. His communication device dropped to the ground and after tasting Kurtis’ heavy boot, disintegrated into countless fractions of its former self.
“What the hell are you doing?! Idiot!”
“What are you doing…? General.”
Insubordination was not tolerated. This boy’s action here was borderline treason.
“You need to learn your pla –” His words were forcibly silenced. Kurtis reached across the desk and grabbed Yegor by the throat. The old man croaked. This was not supposed to happen. It wasn’t in his plan. Kurtis was trained to never disobey his superiors. Then again, defective merchandise was often unpredictable.
“You listen, old man. I will not run in fear, cowering behind the skirts of American law. I am a soldier. Surrendering is not an option. It has been too long since you’ve seen actual combat. Your emotions have made you weak.” His words slapped Yegor cleanly across the face. The absolute gall of this boy was astonishing. In all of his years of loyal and dedicated service, Kurtis chose this night, of all nights, to begin his rebellion.
Kurtis released his grip on Yegor’s throat. A fit of coughs soon followed. Roman wanted to intervene but his will was too weak. As Yegor tried to regain a proper tract of airflow, his assailant continued.
“It seems the General is unfit to hold his position. I am relieving you of your command. As soon as I kill that American dog, we will discuss the new order of business.”
“You’ve lost your mind!”
Lightning appeared to strike his desk. Actually, it was Kurtis’ heavy fist. He crushed the metal structure dead center, creating a valley instead of the smooth straight surface it once was.
“No, Yegor. You’ve lost yours.”
The grin painted on Kurtis’ face verified his ensuing madness. Yegor knew he shouldn’t have taken a second dosage of that drug but he allowed it anyways. Truth be told, he was hoping it would have killed him, thus sparing the General from living through this embarrassing display.
A familiar chime softly awoke from the unseen corridor. The elevator had arrived. Silence filled Yegor’s office. They heard someone exit. Slowly, footsteps approached. It was ominous, as if the messenger of death had come. Kurtis steeled his reserve which proved more difficult with his current condition. Repeated orders to maim and dismember scuffled his logic.
Finally, his challenger had appeared. Through the shadows, Michael Madison revealed himself. His body had seen better days. The security cameras didn’t due
his battle justice. This man appeared to walk through hell and back. And here Kurtis stood ready to send him on a return trip.
“It’s too late,” uttered the General through his coughs. He hoped never to see this man in person. Even with the law on his side, this was still a menacing image. The man known as the Bringer of Damnation to the criminal world was at his doorstep. There certainly wasn’t enough law enforcement in this city let alone state to protect Yegor from Michael’s reputation.
“Oh it’s not too late you old fool,” declared the ambitious Kurtis. He quickly pulled another syringe from his left-front pocked and pumped the fluid into his veins while shouting, “It’s just getting started!”
Nicole’s phone started vibrating again. The caller this time was one she recognized. A former hacker turned crime fighter. Albeit a bit on the weird side, his knowledge, skills, and reliability were second to none. She informed him about the mission in question and asked to him remain on standby in case of emergency. Hopefully this conversation would be more to her liking than the previous.
“Go ahead.”
“Agent Wells, we’ve just picked up a 911 emergency call located at the address you’re heading towards,” Mark Wilson hastily said.
“Are you serious?” Her lips moved before her mind could order. “What was nature of that call?”
“The owner of the building sounded very distressed. He said his company was being attacked by a crazed killer. San Bernardino County Sheriffs replied and are on their way.”
Shit! Nicole said, saving obscene words for her thoughts. “We need to rescind that order. Can you patch me in with the Sheriff’s department?”
“Yes indeed, one moment please.”
The phone clicked and went silent. Nicole’s patience never had a chance to be tested. Another voice soon picked up and said, “San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Emergency services, this is Lindsey, how may I assist you?”
“Lindsey, listen to me very carefully. My name is Nicole Wells and I am the Special Agent in Charge for the Federal Bureau of Investigation Los Angeles Office. I just received information that your officers have just been dispatched to a distress call in Hesperia. Now, I need you to radio all of the officers en route and tell them not to enter the building. They are to remain approximately one mile away until I say otherwise.”
