by Ballan, Greg
“Let me be frank,” he began cautiously, “In order to effectively build the kind of case you want, we would require more evidence than this to implicate any company in wrong doing. Do you have any further proof? You said that there were bodies up there, can they be recovered?”
“No,” Erik whispered. “That damned helicopter blew everything to kingdom come. It fired some very powerful short-range cruise missiles and caved the whole tunnel in and wiped out the entire campground. The only thing up there now is a big smoking crater and some burnt trees and vegetation. The final rocket barrage scattered any smaller debris to the four winds. Whoever wanted that stuff eliminated was quite thorough,” Erik lamented.
Denton tossed the black binder back at Erik. He caught the book and placed it back on his desk. “Without something further, I'm afraid that there's little we can do. If we start poking around with no specific direction, we'll alert every fed that wants this story buried. Also, if we wave that around, someone will get enough common sense to impound it via legal chicanery, and that will leave you with nothing
“My best advice to you would be to hold on to it and wait; time is the key factor right now. This is still too big a sore spot. Give the wound time to heal over before you start picking at it. The more you pursue this matter now, the more attention you draw to yourself and those you care about. I know it's difficult, but for now, let it go,” the elder man confessed. “Look, Erik, I'm sorry. I know that's not the answer that you wanted to hear, but anything else would be a lie, and I won't lie to you.”
Erik sat in silence for a few moments, considering the lawyer's words. “I appreciate that, Martin, really. It would have been very easy for you to feed me a line, but you didn't. That says a lot. I think we'll make a good team, assuming that I will be answering to you when my services are needed.”
Denton looked perplexed momentarily as he digested the Erik's reply. He again extended his hand, this time Erik stood and shook his hand firmly. “Welcome aboard, Erik; you've made the right choice, young man.”
“I know,” Erik replied. “I had an opportunity once that I let slip by. I won't make the same mistake twice.”
Denton smiled. “I'll make the appropriate calls and inform the firm that you're on the team. For now, I'm happy to give you this as a token of our new business arrangement.” Denton reached inside his jacket pocket and handed Erik a thin envelope.
He opened the envelope and was stunned to see a bank check for 50,000 dollars. Erik's jaw fell as he studied the number.
“Eliminate your debts, buy your young lady some luxurious gift, and give yourself a fresh start, Mr. Knight. Everybody deserves a second chance,” Denton added as he headed toward the office door.
Erik watched as Denton and his guard drove away. He stared down at the large check; this would more than wipe out the string of debts that he had incurred over the past years and leave him plenty for his savings account. He pocketed the check and picked up the Pendelcorp mining report. He took the binder to his small copy machine and duplicated several random pages. Erik folded the pages and placed them inside his pocket and put the binder back in his wall safe. He grabbed his keys and headed out. If he hurried, he could still make it to the bank before it closed, and then to the jewelers. He also decided that he would pay a visit to Richard Pendelton; the two men had several things that needed to be discussed. He may not be able to prosecute that pompous bastard, but there was still a way in which he could utilize his new arrangement.
* * * *
Margaret Pendelton was relaxing in the hot tub when she heard the door chime ring. “Figures!” she whispered as she picked herself up from comforting warm water. She covered her shapely form with a terry cloth robe and headed toward the door. She was surprised to see Erik. Her ex never stopped by unannounced.
“Hello, Erik,” she began. “What brings you here?”
“I need a few words with Richard. He and I have some business matters that need to be discussed,” he answered evasively. “It's quite important, and he'll be most interested.”
“Come in,” she replied as she escorted him to her husband's office. Margaret knocked on the large door. “Richard!” she shouted through the thick wood barrier. “You have company.”
Endless seconds seemed to pass before the large door opened and Richard stepped out into the marble-laden foyer. His eyes widened when he spotted Erik.
“Ah, Mr. Knight, what brings you up from the bottom feeders you're so fond of?” he asked condescendingly.
“I have some papers that relate to a case I'm working on. I'd like to get your opinion on them; I'm not sure what to make of them. I figured that before I went to the authorities, I'd get a business man's perspective.” Erik paused momentarily. “Would you mind?” he asked innocently enough, doing his best to put Pendelton at ease.
“Why not!” Pendelton answered in a smug tone, gesturing for the detective to enter his office.
Margaret looked at the two men as the door closed, knowing that something more was going on then either would admit.
“Play nice, you two,” she said to both men as the door closed.
* * * *
Richard walked over to his bar and prepared himself a large drink. He made a great deal of noise examining the various liquor bottles at his disposal.
“So much good vintage,” he spoke aloud as he selected a bottle of gin. He began mixing himself a cocktail while studying Erik who was seated quietly in one of the spacious leather chairs facing his large mahogany desk.
Richard had finished mixing his gin and tonic, and sat behind his desk, leisurely sipping his drink. “I'm actually glad you stopped by,” Pendelton began. He couldn't help himself and decided to bait his favorite foil. “Margaret and I were just discussing the adoption proceedings for Brianna last night. I'll have my attorneys send you copies of the forms for you to sign. They're not very complicated. I'm sure you'll be able to figure them out by yourself.” Pendelton awaited Erik's reaction of panic and outrage, but he did not get the response he had anticipated. The detective simply sat there, staring at him, his blue eyes burning with inhuman intensity. Pendelton cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject. “What did you want me to look at, and of what possible interest could it have to me?” he asked, looking away from Erik's stare.
Erik reached into a pocket and tossed the folded papers onto Pendleton's desk. The man picked up the bundle and began to leaf through each sheet carefully.
“Where did you get these?” he demanded.
Erik just continued to stare at him, his eyes burning a hole into Pendleton's guilt ridden soul. “I was up there, remember; I'm the one who got my daughter and the other children back. I saw the bodies, I saw the base camp, and I saw the machine you used to free those creatures from their tomb,” he answered very softly. “You're responsible for a number of innocent people dying, Richard,” Erik accused. “Not to mention tunneling and mining on protected lands. That alone will cost your corporation some hefty fines, the prior will land you in the federal pen,” Erik stated softly in a deadly whisper.
Richard controlled his emotions carefully, trying to keep some advantage. “This is all very interesting, Knight, but how can you tie this to me? Anybody could produce these documents with any commercial grade equipment. For all I know, you manufactured these yourself. From what I've heard and what you said yourself, everything was obliterated up there, nothing remained,” Pendelton countered as he took a long swig of his gin and tonic.
Erik grinned. “You're right, this alone won't convict you in a court of law, but I'm sure someone would find it very interesting. You, the man who claims to love his step-daughter, can be linked to the very thing that endangered her life. Plus, if I told her what I found up there, who do you think she's liable to believe? Even if she doesn't believe me completely, which I highly doubt, she'll never trust you again, you'll never get the family you want, and she'll, in all likelihood, turn away from you completely.” Erik paused. “I win, Richard. G
ame. Set. Match,” Erik said in a note of finality as he reached over and took a sip of Richard's drink and then spit the contents back into the glass. “Yuch, how can you drink that stuff? It'll kill your liver.”
Richard took the glass and walked over to his wet bar. He casually emptied the glass into the small sink and rinsed it. “You blue collar naïve,” Richard began, “do you think you have what it takes to challenge me?” Richard screamed. “You have nothing but some pieces of paper, no real proof. Margaret will never believe you. She'll think you're out for vengeance, nothing more. Margaret is firmly in my camp. She likes the things I have to offer; she'll believe me. You see, lowbrow, what it boils down to is simply your word against mine. In that arena, I win; game, set, and match. Your puny act doesn't scare me one bit. You just try something, buster, and I'll have my lawyers sue your blue collar, lowbrow ass into non-existence for slander. Margaret loves me. She'll listen to me, not you,” Richard said forcefully, struggling to control himself.
Erik slowly stood up from his seat and walked over toward Richard. He stopped directly in front of the man's face and looked him right in the eye. “Who said anything about Margaret?” he whispered in a deadly tone. Erik turned, heading back toward his chair.
Richard knew that the bond between Knight and his daughter was unbreakable. He was a silver-skinned God in her young eyes. Whatever he said, the young girl would take as gospel. She would never accept him if Knight spoke outright against him.
Richard acted impulsively, reaching out and grabbing Erik by his shoulder. As the detective turned, Pendelton threw his weight behind a solid right cross to his face. Erik caught the man's fist in midflight in a grip of iron. Slowly and continually, he increased the pressure on Richard's balled fist until his fingers and knuckles crackled. Pendelton winced in agony. Erik twisted his grip, forcing Pendelton to his knees.
“That was incredibly stupid, Richard.” Erik applied even more force to Richard's hand.
* * * *
Richard was gasping as waves of shear agony shot through him. “Please.” He gasped.
Erik slowly eased the pressure. “See, you can be nice if properly motivated,” he responded as he lifted Richard up from his knees with one arm and tossed him into his desk chair several feet away. Richard looked over at him with hate-filled eyes as he cradled his hand.
“You're a fool, Knight. You'll never be able to give your daughter the things that I can and have given her. She likes the lifestyle she has here. She likes the luxuries that I, alone, provide her. You barely make enough money to pay your child support. You'll never get your daughter; no court in the world will decide against me. You can't even afford a lawyer. You may be stronger than I am, you silver half-breed freak, but I have the money and the power. No matter how physically powerful you are, you can't touch me. You're still the same impotent bum you've always been. When it comes to dealing with and wielding real power, you're way out of your league, little man,” Richard remarked with a snide chuckle.
Erik raised an eyebrow and reached inside his pocket. He produced the deposit receipt from his bank check and the recorded copy that he requested. “Oh really. Meet my new employers. I just got my sign-on bonus,” he responded, placing the papers on Richard's huge desk. Pendelton leaned over and studied the documents.
“No!” he whispered in disbelief, “It's not possible.”
“Oh, it's very possible,” Erik countered. “Let me explain it to you, wise ass. I work for the most powerful and influential law firm on the eastern seaboard now. I'll see your lawyers and raise you. I'm sure you're familiar with Mr. Martin Denton Esquire. He's my new boss, and he's expressed a great interest in seeing that nobody bothers me, so that I'm free to handle the new private clients’ group they wish to start up. I'll probably be leading a team of investigators in a year or two, plus doing all kinds of, shall we say, confidential investigations. Mr. Denton has taken great interest in your activities. In fact, we discussed you in great detail earlier today,” Erik added, taking great pleasure in seeing Richard's face turn pale white. “We may not get to you right away, but we'll get there. I'll probably be leading the investigation myself.”
Erik leaned over the huge desk, his eyes suddenly burning fiery aqua blue. “Bottom line, mister, is this: you will not adopt my baby, you'll stay out of Hopedale Mountain, and you'll see to it that you become a model citizen from now on, because I'll be watching everything that you do.” Erik paused then quickly grabbed Pendelton by the collar of his expensive Italian suit. “And if you ever, ever place my baby in anymore danger, there won't be enough of your body left to feed an ant,” he whispered in a low cold tone, shoving Richard back into his chair. “Oh, one more thing,” Erik added quickly. “I'll be petitioning for increased visitations for myself and my fiancé. I do hope you'll be supportive.”
Erik looked down at the expensive mahogany desk and couldn't help himself. He pushed down on the thick surface; it creaked in protest then splintered, splitting evenly in half and toppling onto Richard's lap. “Better have the quality of your office furniture checked,” Erik added as he turned toward the large door. “Don't bother getting up, I'll show myself out,” he whispered as he opened the door.
He walked out to his truck, feeling better than he had in years. He finally got the best of Richard Pendelton—he would savor the man's looks of horror for years to come. Erik finally had the advantage over the scheming weasel. Though he couldn't nail him for the atrocities he caused, he could keep Pendelton in check from causing potential future problems, plus gain the leverage he needed to get his daughter back into his life on a more full time basis.
* * * *
Erik sat nervously at his usual booth, waiting for Shanda to walk in for their evening together. He nervously sipped his glass of water and noticed that his hands were shaking.
Alissa walked over to him and whispered, “The mighty Erik Knight who single-handedly stopped the Seelak onslaught isn't getting cold feet, is he?”
“No.” He took another sip of water. “But he's getting awfully jittery. It would be a real let down to pop the question, pull out the ring, and then get shot down,” he lamented.
“She loves you completely, Erik, everyone can see that plainly, and you love her. Everything will go fine; stop being such a big worry wart,” Alissa replied with a comforting lilt in her voice.
Erik sensed Shanda's presence and looked toward the door. Shanda walked in and smiled as she headed for his booth. She leaned over and kissed him as she slid into the seat opposite him. Shanda spent several minutes lecturing him about venturing off into the woods without bringing a phone or beeper, constantly holding his hand emphasizing how worried she was about him during his absence. Then, in a sudden shift in direction, she began to talk about her day. Erik listened patiently for an hour as the two of them discussed the events of her morning and afternoon. They were halfway through their meal when the conversation turned to his activities. Erik began slowly and carefully.
“I had a visitor this morning, his name was Martin Denton.” Erik paused as Shanda recognized the name. “I've been doing freelance work for him for a few years now, and they've decided to open a private clients’ group for low to middle income people, my clientele,” he emphasized.
“And,” Shanda urged, sensing a bomb was about to drop.
“And this,” Erik answered, reaching into his pocket and producing the deposit slip and placing it on the table. Shanda's eyes widened as she read the figure. “My sign-on bonus,” Erik stated flatly. “I now work for the largest law firm on the east coast, but still get to keep my office here and see my own clientele. They'll be referring cases on an as-needed basis, plus they'll be pulling me into some high-end corporate stuff when needed.” Erik paused, trying to gauge her for a reaction. “It's a job with upward mobility and a bright future,” he added.
Shanda shrieked aloud in delight and reached over the table, embracing him in a gigantic bear hug. “I knew somebody would recognize your talents, Erik! I ca
n't tell you how happy I am for you,” she said as she seated herself back down. “It sounds perfect.” She took his hand.
Erik glanced up and saw Alissa and Jeff loitering near the adjoining room, as well as several other staff. He gestured them away with a look as he reached over and gently took her other hand in his. Shanda caught his glimpse and turned to see the group of busy bodies disappear around the corner. She looked at him perplexed, and Erik just rolled his eyes and sighed.
“Shanda,” he started as he cleared his throat, “that brings me to the next thing: You already know how much I care about you.” Erik paused, and noticed that her eyes had begun to water, and tears slowly began to stream down her cheek. “You were right earlier at the hospital when you said we were truly made for each other. I sincerely believe that. I want to make our arrangement something more permanent. I want you to be my wife. Would you marry me?” he asked softly.
Shanda tried to stop the tears, but she couldn't. “Yes, of course I will,” she answered him softly, leaning her head near his and kissing him deeply.
Once they parted, Erik reached beside him and produced a jeweler's box. He slowly held it up, his hands shaking, and presented it to her. He slowly opened the box and took out a large diamond and sapphire ring. “I hope you like it, Mrs. Knight.”
Erik gently placed the ring on her finger, and Shanda broke out into a full fit of tears as she got up from her side of the booth and fell into his arms.
Jeff, Alissa, and the rest of the staff at Madame's, appeared from behind the wall of the adjoining room, clapping and cheering for the young couple. Jeff carried a large sheet cake and placed it on the table in front of them.
“Congratulations, lovebirds,” Jeff said happily as he pecked Shanda on the cheek. “You, missy, have your hands full with this wild mustang,” he added lightly.
