by E. E. Borton
“What he’s still going through,” added Jennifer.
“Did you tell anyone what happened?”
“No. We didn’t even talk to each other very much after. When Joshua returned, we pretty much kept quiet. We all knew it was a terrible thing we did, kidnapping and hurting her, but we were still trying to wrap our heads around why we did it in the first place.”
“If you thought the girl was still alive, why did all four of you run?”
“Joshua came to us a day later and said the girl identified him as the man that attacked her. That’s when I told him I talked to the therapist about our urges. He said the therapist and the other scientists went to Colonel Brown to tell him we needed to be destroyed. Joshua overheard Colonel Brown telling the super geeks to inject us with potassium chloride instead of the painkillers.”
“You thought they were going to kill you in order to preserve the Didache Project,” said Ryan, putting more pieces of the puzzle together. “If it were leaked to the press that the government was responsible for manufacturing serial killers, they’d shut it down for good.”
“Absolutely,” said Derek. “There’s no way the Colonel was or is going to let that happen. Colonel Brown is the Didache Project.”
“Why did Peter and Richard separate from the group?” asked Ryan. “Seems to me you’d be more formidable together.”
“Because they figured out what Joshua was before Derek did,” answered Jennifer, “They figured out he was pure evil. I think he was a monster long before he volunteered for the project.”
Jennifer told Ryan about how young women were reported missing, raped or killed wherever Joshua was hiding out. Derek gave Jennifer’s theory more weight by describing how Joshua would disappear for days within the timeframes of many of the abductions and murders. For the first time since he accepted the mission from the deputy director, Ryan was finally getting his answers.
*****
Colonel Brown stopped the vehicle less than a block from Kristina’s safe house. Behind the dark tinted windows of the SUV, the men inside wearing black camouflage released the safeties on their weapons.
“You can bet they’ll have at least three or four outside and two, maybe three, inside,” briefed Colonel Brown. “There should be no FBI presence anywhere near the place.”
“Do we bring Scott with us or leave him on his own?” asked Alex.
“Everyone at that house dies tonight, Alex. Are you clear? This is where you erase your fuckup. This is where we end this and save Didache.”
“Yes, sir.”
20
Knuckles
Dallas parked the car in the nearly empty lot of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Department. He stepped out of the vehicle and looked at his watch. It was a little after 2 a.m. when the uneasy feeling hit his stomach.
“We’re at the right place,” said Tom, looking at the large departmental sign.
“Maybe we just beat the SWAT team here,” said Dallas. His phone alerted him to an incoming call. He paused before he looked at the screen as he made a silent wish it would be Ryan.
“Agent Chase,” greeted Deputy Director Donaldson. “Sorry to send you out so late on a false alarm, but we just received word from the scout team that it was the wrong two bad guys. I’ve already notified Atlanta SWAT to stand down.”
“Sir, are you positive?” asked Dallas as the uneasy feeling turned to nausea.
“I’m quite sure, son. You guys can stand down as well. Have you heard from Ryan?”
“No, sir,” said Dallas, turning pale.
“All right, just have him call me in the morning. I think we could all use a little rest.”
“Goodnight, sir,” said Dallas, ending the call.
“What?” asked Michelle, noticing his color.
“Director said it was a false alarm. He said it was the wrong guys and nobody’s coming. I’m not exactly sure what –”
All three of their phones simultaneously chimed and vibrated – It was Kristina’s panic button.
“Get in the fucking car, Dallas!” yelled Michelle, jumping behind the wheel. Dallas stood motionless near the front bumper. “Dallas!” screamed Michelle, snapping him back to reality.
*****
“Do you know where Joshua is now?” asked Ryan.
“Yes,” said Derek. “We have several hideouts around Atlanta. He’s at a house near Dahlonega in the North Georgia Mountains. I’m supposed to meet him there in a few days. Our plan was to go to Maine while everyone was down here looking for us. He was certain Colonel Brown would send most of his guys, leaving him and the scientists relatively unprotected.”
“What were you going to do with them?”
“We were going to kill them all. Everyone that had anything to do with destroying our lives, we were going to kill. Joshua and I both agreed that the only way they’d ever stop hunting us is if we were dead, or they were. I opted for them.”
“I’m guessing I’m on that list,” said Ryan.
“You were for what you did to Peter.”
“He murdered a woman in cold blood in front of our eyes,” explained Ryan. “And he did it after I identified myself and ordered him to freeze. He ripped her throat out, threw a bed at us, and killed two of my agents when he tried to flee. I didn’t show up to kill him, Derek. All I knew was what they told me about him. The evidence was overwhelming.”
“He doesn’t feel that way anymore,” said Jennifer. “He understands this was all part of Joshua’s plan for revenge and freedom. He understands Joshua was using him like he uses everyone else, including you.”
“Is that true?”
“It is, Ryan,” said Derek, taking a deep breath. “I’ll answer for what I’ve done to those women, but so will they. If I kill them, they’ll just be replaced. If I show the world what they did to us, they’ll be shut down forever. They’ll never do this to anyone else again.”
“But you’re not turning yourself in, right?”
“I don’t think you understand,” said Derek. “You can’t stop Joshua on your own. He’s the one that handed over Peter and Richard to you and the Colonel. The only reason they’re dead is because he wanted them that way. You have no idea the damage he’s capable of doing. And if you lock me up, you’re locking up the one man that can stop him. And when he’s finished with all of you, I’ll be a sitting duck in my cell.”
“We’re not all morons in the Bureau, Derek. If you expose what really happened at the lab, neither the Colonel nor my boss will be able to keep a lid on this any longer. We’ll get the support we need to find and stop him.”
“The same governmental support they used to find and stop Bin Laden?” asked Derek. “Joshua makes him look like a girl scout. If the entire FBI can’t catch one terrorist, what makes you believe you can catch Joshua? Be realistic, Ryan. You know I’m your best shot.”
Ryan found it difficult to argue his logic. Derek wasn’t finished explaining why he wasn’t turning himself in.
“See this woman sitting beside me?” asked Derek. “After everything that’s happened, after everything I’ve told her, after everything she just heard, she still believes in me when nobody else on the planet would. She’s also the one who convinced me to take a chance with you. And because of that, she’s willing to put herself in harm’s way. If the Colonel finds out about our relationship, he’ll kill her. When Joshua finds out I betrayed him, she won’t be safe anywhere until he’s dead. There’s no force on the planet that will prevent me from protecting her. I can’t do that in jail. Do you understand?”
He immediately thought about Kristina and understood why Derek couldn’t leave Jennifer. But the obvious issue needed to be discussed before Ryan could walk away from the killer.
“I’m sorry I have to ask this in front of you, Jennifer. But I have to know.”
“You want to know when he’s going to take another woman,” said Jennifer. “He has about five days.”
“That doesn’t leave us much time to sort this out. Derek, I can’t
let you take—“
“We have an idea,” said Derek. “We knew you’d ask. It may sound a little ridiculous, but it makes sense to us.”
“It’s not ridiculous, sweetie,” said Jennifer, “It’s simple. And simple seems to be working for us lately.”
“What’s the idea?” asked Ryan.
“The urges last about two days,” explained Derek. “I can usually fight them off for the first day, but not the second. I’ll go with you when I get close to losing my grip. You’re going to take me somewhere very isolated, restrain me as best you can, and then knock me out for a day or two with a heavy sedative.”
“You really think that’s going to work?”
“We believe it’s a chemical response in my brain set on some kind of biological timer. Whatever is released into my system kicks in and gets more intense as the day progresses. But on the third day, there’s nothing. The urges are completely gone. We’re thinking, if I’m basically paralyzed during that time, I won’t be able to act on the urge.”
“You’re right,” said Ryan, “That does sound too simple. You don’t think the urge will linger until you satisfy it by killing? And how can I be sure you won’t just tell me you’re fine, I release you, and then you kill another woman, not to mention me?”
“Because I can’t control the physical mutation during that time,” said Derek. “I can concentrate and make it happen anytime I want, but during those two or three days, it’s involuntary. I can’t control it. I’m like a junkie looking for a fix. I’ll start sweating, shaking, hyperventilating, and then I’ll change. Believe me when I say you’ll know if I’m going to kill. After the third day, if I look normal, I’m almost positive that’ll be a good indication the urge is gone. I guess I’m asking you to trust me, Ryan. Do you have any other ideas?”
“Not off the top of my head.”
*****
The sedan screamed around the curve, sliding across two lanes of traffic as Michelle stood on the gas pedal. Tom was being slung around the back seat while he continued trying to reach Steve’s men posted at Kristina’s safe house. Between attempts he would dial both Ryan’s company issued and untraceable cell phones. There were no responses on any of them as they approached the safe house.
The blue and red lights flashed chaotically around and inside the unmarked car. Each strobe illuminated the concern on their faces. They knew something had gone terribly wrong. The vehicle came to a screeching halt in front of the house. Their doors flew open as the rubber stench in the white cloud caught up with the skid marks. With weapons drawn, they moved up the walkway in assault positions. The front door was wide open.
“Hold up,” said Tom, turning his powerful flashlight toward an odd shaped mound under the hedges bordering the front yard. They changed direction and put their gun sights on the dark mass. They crossed the yard quickly. The mass took a human shape as they approached.
“It’s Patrick,” said Michelle, reaching down to check for a pulse. “He’s dead.”
Tom leaned down to check the pulse on the body of another one of Steve’s men lying behind Patrick. The two holes in the back of his head made checking unnecessary. They turned their attention back to the open front door.
“Let’s go,” ordered Michelle.
They entered the dark house using their flashlights and quickly cleared the first floor. Two more bodies were in the living room. Michelle was the first to reach the bottom step of the staircase. She silently moved up with Dallas and Tom close behind.
*****
“Okay,” exhaled Ryan. “First things first. I need some of your blood.”
“Now who’s the freak?” asked Derek.
“I have a scientist who’s helping me find some answers,” explained Ryan. “We have a little plan of our own to expose what happened at the lab, but they need a few things. One of those things is a sample of your DNA. Another is your medical records from the beginning of the Didache Project. The third part of that equation is finding a local lab for them to examine both. The funny thing is, we thought the most difficult part would be getting your blood.”
“Who’s the scientist helping?”
“I’m sorry. I can’t answer that right now. Their identity and location needs to stay hidden. How do you want to handle Joshua?”
“We’ll keep the schedule of me going up to the hideout. You can wire me up, but you’ll need to stay away. If you’re anywhere near the place, he’ll know.”
“You’re going to take him into custody yourself? It doesn’t sound like a simple or smart plan.”
“I’m not taking him into custody, Ryan. I’m going to kill him.”
“That’s not how this is going to work, Derek. We don’t assassinate suspects. We try to detain them. Remember that little piece of paper called the Constitution? It’s what separates us from the animals. Even Joshua has a right to face his accusers at a fair trial. I’m not a bleeding heart liberal, but I still believe in the process.”
“You don’t know shit about him, do you? That position might work on the Colonel, but not Joshua. He goes beyond any law man created. He needs to be removed from the planet, and unless you have a spaceship, we’re going to have to kill him to stop him.”
“Give me one day, Derek. Let me work on a plan. If you still think it’s impossible, then we’ll talk about doing it your way, okay?”
“One day, Ryan. If you don’t convince me, then I go get him alone. It’s just the way it has to happen. None of us are safe as long as he’s out there.”
“Agreed,” said Ryan. “We’ll talk about what we’re going to do with Colonel Brown tomorrow as well. How do I reach you?”
“I’ll tell you when you leave,” said Derek, glancing over at Jennifer.
“Looking at the hour, it needs to be pretty soon,” said Ryan, feeling his hip for his phone. “I’m surprised nobody’s – shit! That explains why nobody’s called.” He stood up and looked around. He walked over to the destroyed dining room table and picked up the pieces of his phone. “That’s not good. I need to run to my car and grab my other cell.”
“Let’s call it a night,” said Derek. “I’ll walk you out and let you know how to reach me tomorrow.”
Everyone stood and walked into the kitchen. Jennifer stopped Ryan and gave him a hug. “I can’t even begin to tell you how much better we feel.”
“I can’t begin to tell you how happy I am you’re letting me walk out of here,” said Ryan with a smile.
“Believe it or not,” said Jennifer, “I knew you’d listen. You’re a good man. You both are. That’s why I know we’re going to be okay. Thank you, Ryan. Thank you for proving Derek wrong.”
“The jury is still out, babe,” said Derek. “But if you feel good about this, then so do I.”
“I do,” said Jennifer.
Derek walked out of the house with Ryan so Jennifer couldn’t hear their conversation. They both instinctively walked slowly looking in every direction before leaving the carport. When they stopped at Ryan’s car door, Derek moved in closer to the FBI agent sent to hunt him down.
“If you’ve ever loved anything in your life, then you might understand a fraction of how much I love her,” said Derek. “She doesn’t easily give her trust, but she’s given it to you. Because of her, I’ll give you mine as well. But you’ll know the exact second when I take it back because it’ll be your last on earth. I shit you not.”
“I believe you, Derek,” said Ryan, moving in even closer to the man that could kill him with little effort. “I really do, but you need to know something. I’m trusting you as well. My people are out there right now risking their fucking lives to help you. You and I need to drop the bravado bullshit and end this mess. You and I are going to end this so we don’t have to worry anymore about the people we care about getting hurt. Can you do that, Marine?”
Derek looked at the ground for a moment and then fixed his eyes on Ryan. “Yes, I can. Come back here tomorrow morning after 8 a.m. when Jennifer leaves for work. I�
�ll be here. I’m always here. Just walk up to the creek bed in the backyard.”
“Okay, Derek, I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for not breaking my neck.”
“Thanks for not shooting me in the face.”
Ryan sat in his car and watched Derek re-enter the house. He backed out of the driveway absorbing the intensity of the last few hours. He went from seeing old friends over dinner and drinks to being set up by a good friend to be attacked by one of the most dangerous men on the planet. He thought about how lucky he was to be alive. As he drove away from the house, he reached down and picked up his untraceable cell phone. There were nine messages. The last message, “We’re on our way to the safe house,” made him stand on the gas pedal and fire up the blue lights.
It took him less than ten minutes to arrive. He parked his car next to the sedan that had skidded to a halt on the sidewalk. There was no movement outside. He popped the trunk and bolted out of the vehicle. He grabbed his automatic rifle and leaped up the stairs to the front porch with one step. He lowered his weapon when he entered the kitchen. He saw Dallas sitting at the table with his head in his hands. Dallas slowly lifted his head and looked at Ryan with swollen eyes.
“I fucked up, Boss,” said Dallas. “This is all my fault. I really fucked up.”
“Where’s Tom and Michelle. Are they okay?” asked Ryan in a calm voice, noticing the numerous bullet holes in the walls.
“Tom’s on the back porch. Michelle is upstairs.”
Ryan had never seen Dallas so distant and disconnected. He was relieved to hear Tom and Michelle’s location, but he needed to put his eyes on them. He slowly walked up the stairs. He saw more bullet holes in the hallway leading to Kristina’s room. He turned the corner and saw Michelle sitting on the bed. She lifted her head and looked at him and then turned her eyes to the bathroom. Ryan felt an unusual pain in his chest. He knew what might be in there but tried to clear the thought from his head.
He put his hand on her shoulder as he passed. He stood in the bathroom doorway and deflated. Lying against the bathtub, Scott Wilson with a back full of bullet holes was covering another body. They were sitting in a large pool of blood. He took a step inside to get a better look at the body he had been protecting. As if they were frozen in time, Ryan saw Kristina wrapped in Scott’s arms. She was dead.
