Eve dipped her face into her hands and cried out. She tried to pull herself back into the memory, but it escaped her. It was a day years ago on a beach in the Caribbean. It was the first day of their honeymoon and what Marc always called the first day of their forever. And like that, the memory was gone, Marc was gone.
Eve blinked and took a quick look around the cemetery. The funeral was over; people had already started to depart. Agnes was still standing next to her, their hands still intertwined like a knotted tree.
“You need anything kid?” Sal asked as he walked up and hugged Eve tightly.
Eve fell into Sal’s bear like embrace and sobbed. “Thanks so much for coming,” she said in a shaky voice.
“Of course,” Sal replied.
“We’ll stop by to check on you,” Steve added as he stepped in and hugged her. “Just remember you’ve got family Eve. You’re not alone.”
Eve nodded and tried to manage a smile as they patted her arm and walked off.
“I’m so sorry,” a voice called.
Eve turned around and found Holton standing behind her. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close.
“Thank you for giving the eulogy,” she said. “It was beautiful.”
“Oh, it was an honor. Marc was like a brother to me. He’ll be missed.”
Holton let Eve go but kept an arm around her lower back. Agnes watched him with scathing eyes.
“Let’s get you out of here,” he said and started to lead her off.
Agnes suddenly grabbed Eve by the wrist. “I’ll take you home,” she said. Her voice was like a splash of cold water to the face.
Endearingly, she wrapped her arm around Eve’s shoulders and walked her towards the line of cars parked by the side of the road. Holton stared after them, scratching his head.
~~~**~~~
“Come on, we gotta get this right,” Henry said and jabbed his finger at Benny.
“I’m trying boss. The damn camera just aint working.”
They were standing next to the water’s edge preparing to film. Henry was wearing a beige suit and a maroon tie and had a look of destiny on his face.
Benny was in his normal jeans and t-shirt. He didn’t look particularly excited and seemed more annoyed than anything.
“We’re going nationwide in five minutes Benny. If you screw this up I swear I’m gonna kill you.” Henry fumed.
Benny banged on the side of the camera and rattled it around. “Come on you piece of shit,” he mumbled.
The power light finally lit up and Benny smiled. He turned the camera towards Henry and gave him a thumbs up. “We’re ready to go boss.”
Henry straightened his tie and cleared his throat. He looked into the camera as Benny counted down from three.
“This is Henry Chambers with Hot News Channel 9. I’m standing near the Hudson River, the spot where over ten bodies have been found all linked to the same murderer.”
He continued to rattle off a series of gruesome details. Afterwards he went into a list of all the victims who had been identified. The entire time he answered questions from the network delivered through an earpiece.
“In the next hour Mayor Greenberg will be announcing a new taskforce whose main priority will be tracking down the riverside killer,” Henry concluded. “Stay tuned as we continue to bring you ongoing coverage.”
“That was great boss,” Benny said as he lowered the camera. “Real top-notch stuff.”
Henry looked pleased with himself as he gleamed and twirled the microphone. He walked around to the back of the van and sat down. Benny joined him and grabbed a bottle of water.
“Maybe you’re headed back to primetime boss.” Benny grinned.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself. We gotta break this story wide open and then maybe, just maybe we can get a seat back at the big table.”
Benny grinned as he let his mind wander. He’d never had high hopes when he became the camera man for a washed up news anchor, but now he might end up with a career after all.
“Do you guys ever get tired of hanging around our crime scenes like vultures?” a redheaded officer asked as he stepped out of his patrol car.
“Benny wait here. And if this guy starts kicking my ass, get that camera rolling,” Henry said then made his way towards the officer.
“Sure thing,” Benny grinned.
“Just doing our part officer, gotta keep the public informed,” Henry tried to sound polite.
The officer paused for a moment then extended his arm. “The name’s Harper,” he said.
“Nice to meet you Harper, I’m Henry and that’s Benny over there.”
Harper nodded in Benny’s direction then flicked his finger motioning for Henry to follow him. Henry shot a quick glance at Benny the followed Harper over to his patrol car.
“Look,” Harper started in a low whisper. “You didn’t hear this from me, but the real story aint up here. It’s down there,” Harper stomped his foot on the pavement.
“What?” Henry looked confused.
“The sewers, that’s what their trying to hide from you. Anyway I gotta go, just give it a look. Maybe the junction on 59th,” Harper said then headed off towards a convoy of black SUV’s.
Henry stood there a moment longer, a childish grin growing across his face. He clapped his hands together then quickly walked back to the van.
“What was that about?” Benny asked.
“The mayor’s pulling up,” Henry said dismissively. “Listen Benny as soon as we’re done you need to get all this packed away and meet me back at the office. I got a tip, we’re going sewer swimming tonight,” he smiled.
CHAPTER 17
CRIES IN THE DARK
“Well welcome home honey,” Agnes said sarcastically.
Henry walked into the kitchen and grabbed her by the waist. He spun her around and kissed her gently on the lips.
“I’m on the way back up beautiful,” he said. “You should’ve seen me this afternoon. I had the mayor on his heels. If I don’t get a spot now, there’s no hope.”
Agnes smiled. She rubbed his shoulders then hugged him. “I knew you’d climb back out.”
“So tell me about your day. Are things good at the university?”
“I went to a funeral today Henry.”
“You did what?” Henry said in shock.
“A friend of mine, her husband died a few days ago. He was murdered.”
“And you’re just telling me about this today?”
“It’s my life Henry. That’s how we are, you have your life I have mine. We don’t have to share every intimate detail. That’s what makes this work.” Agnes turned and started to walk into the living room.
“But a fucking funeral Agnes, seriously? I’d think you would share that.”
“Well, you’ve been busy,” Agnes said calmly and took a seat on the couch.
“Who was it, who was killed? Was it the river guy that did it?” Henry asked with an odd sense of excitement in his voice.
“Eve’s husband, Marc.”
“Detective Eve Rosario? That Eve?”
“Yes that Eve. And before you ask, no I’m not telling you a damn thing Henry.”
“Agnes I do have some boundaries. What do you take me for? But are you seriously telling me her husband got killed by the same asshole she’s trying to catch?”
Agnes nodded.
“Jesus Agnes. You know I’m working on that story. You could’ve given me a heads up. Now some other asshole is gonna break it.”
“What happened to your boundaries?” Agnes asked.
“Screw boundaries, that’s one hell of a story.”
“She’s my friend Henry, not some way for you to make it back to the limelight. Sorry if advancing your career wasn’t the first thing I thought of when my friend lost her husband.”
Henry sighed and shook his head. “You’re right. You’re right, I’m sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Agnes snapped back.
“Shit!
” Henry stammered as he looked at the clock.
“What is it?”
“I gotta meet Benny at the office. I got a lead on the murders.”
“Oh do you?” Agnes perked up.
“Yeah, something about the sewers. Got a friend from the city meeting me down there on 59th. Me and the kid are gonna do some looking around.”
“The sewers,” Agnes laughed. “That’s silly Henry. Doesn’t make any sense.”
“Actually it makes perfect sense. I don’t know how someone didn’t think of it sooner. All the tunnels down there, half of them dump into the Hudson. No wonder why no one’s ever seen this guy.”
“So…so you’re just gonna crawl into the sewers and then what? Get yourself killed?”
“Investigative reporting love, danger comes with the territory. Besides wasn’t it you who said I needed to get back out there into the field?”
Agnes moaned and stood up. She walked across the living room and grabbed Henry by his shirt. She pulled him close and leaned into him. “Henry I don’t like you putting yourself in danger. Why don’t you stay home with me? I’m sure we can make it exciting,” she crooned.
“I gotta check this out Agnes. It’s important to my job, I really think I’m onto something.”
Agnes scoffed and pushed him away. “Well you’re too Goddamn old anyway to be crawling around in some godforsaken sewer. Henry I swear—“
Henry’s phone rung suddenly and Agnes stopped talking. He gave her a look then picked it up. “Hello?”
“Boss, where the hell are you? I’ve been here for half an hour,” Benny groaned from the other end.
“Calm down kid, I’m on the way. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, hang tight.” Henry ended the call and turned back to Agnes. “Look, I gotta get outta here. I’ll see you later tonight.” Henry kissed her on the head and turned to walk out of the door.
“Henry,” Agnes called. “Be careful down there.”
Henry nodded and headed downstairs. He climbed into his car and sped off towards the station. When he got there Benny was pacing back and forth outside.
“Get in,” Henry said as he pulled to a stop.
Benny rolled his eyes and sat down in the front seat.
“You get the lights?” Henry asked.
“Yep, right here in my bag,” Benny said and patted the green satchel in his lap. “What are we looking for anyway?”
“Something the cops missed.”
Henry pulled back onto the road and headed for 59th Street. Benny stared silently out of the window like a homesick kid. He watched the looming metal giants swoop by, their silhouettes dark and foreboding.
He’d waited for this moment for months. Finally a story that would take him out in the field, but at the same time he was nervous and scared. This was real life and here people died and someone else told their story.
“We’re just gonna crawl down there and walk around in the dark?” Benny turned to Henry and asked.
“We’re here,” Henry said, ignoring him. “Grab the lights and let’s go.
He opened the door and started walking down the sidewalk. Benny watched him for a moment then hurried after him.
“Aaron,” Henry called in a friendly tone to a short portly man with thinning gray hair.
“Henry,” the man responded coldly.
“This is my colleague, Mr. Chung,” Henry motioned towards Benny who was following behind him.
Benny made a puzzled face and looked around, searching for the Mr. Chung Henry had referenced. In his six months at the station, Henry had never called him mister or used his last name.
“Cut the shit Henry, I don’t have time for your stupid introductions. Mel says I gotta get you down there, then I gotta get you down there, but I still don’t like your ass.”
Henry smiled. “Please lead the way.
Aaron glared at him for a moment then started towards an uncovered manhole. “Look I’m not staying down here all night. You got an hour…anything longer and I’m closing this up and heading home.”
“Understood,” Henry replied.
“And take this,” Aaron held out a folded piece of paper with grid lines all over it. “I’m sure you’re gonna need it.
Benny nodded and took the paper then handed it to Henry. He shoved it into his pocket then grabbed a light from Benny.
“Well kid time to earn your stripes.”
Together they stepped onto the ladder and headed into the darkness. With a splash Henry’s feet hit the grimy water and he looked ahead.
“Henry you didn’t tell me we we’re taking a tunnel into hell,” Benny groaned.
“Shut up and follow me.”
Henry slowly trudged through the cruddy slime. His flashlight blazed a narrow path through the dark. A maze of other corridors connected to the main tunnel like arms of an octopus. With a reckless sense of adventure Henry turned down corridor after corridor, chasing phantom noises and ominous shadows.
They moved without speaking for more than ten minutes before Henry stopped and turned to Benny. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Benny responded.
“Nothing, let’s keep going.” Henry turned around and gazed at the web of tunnels in front of him. “Shit,” he mumbled.
“What’s wrong?” Benny asked.
“Nothing’s wrong, I just need a second.”
“We’re lost aren’t we? I knew it, I knew you’d get us down here and we’d get eaten by fucking rats.”
“Calm down kid, nobody’s getting eaten by rats. I just need to get my bearings is all.”
Henry pulled the schematic from his pocket and looked it over. He shined the light on it and pointed to a random spot. “I think this is where we are, we need to head down there.”
Benny leaned over and looked at the map. He started to say something when the water rippled and splashed behind him.
“What the hell?” Henry said as he turned around.
He looked towards the noise and shined his light, but nothing was there. Benny scampered forward in a panic and knocked Henry over. He fell into the water and his light hit the rocky bottom and shut off.
Benny suddenly let out a mortifying scream that echoed throughout the tunnel. It was followed by a clunk and a mushing sound.
“Benny!” Henry yelled back. He felt around blindly in the water, moving towards Benny’s screams. His fingers grasped Benny’s light and he picked it up and waved it around the shadowy dome.
Benny was nowhere to be seen. Henry frantically swung about looking from side to side. “Benny! Benny!” he screamed.
“Ah, help me!” Benny’s voice called from a distance.
Henry couldn’t tell which way the voice was coming from. It seemed to echo throughout the entire sewer.
“No…please, please don’t kill me.” Benny pleaded.
His voice was desperate and harsh. It crackled and seethed with pain. He screamed louder, his shrills sending chills down Henry’s spine.
Henry ran forward through the water, racing madly ahead in hopes that he could find Benny. The boy’s agonizing screams were like spikes in Henry’s heart. As harsh as he treated him, he always looked at Benny like a son.
“Help me! Somebody help me!” Benny hollered. And then with a groan and a gargled breath the tunnels fell silent.
Henry stopped moving and listened, but there was nothing. The sewer was suddenly as quiet as a graveyard. There wasn’t a sound, not even the trickle of water.
Henry took a few steps and stopped again. His arms trembled and his teeth rattled like a maraca. “Benny,” he said lowly.
“Here,” someone whispered into his ear.
Spooked, Henry turned sharply. A bright, white light erupted in front of him. He raised his hands to shield his eyes and then something bashed into his face. It burned and fireworks seemed to explode, blurring his vision and sending him staggering backwards. He stumbled for a moment and then there was blackness.
CHAPTER 18
YOU
WERE WARNED
“Where’s the fucking kid?” Sal yelled as he gripped Henry’s collar and shook him.
Henry contorted his face and let his mouth hang open. “The…the kid, the kid,” he repeated.
“I told you officer, he’s in shock. You’re not gonna get a thing out of him,” a young paramedic said.
Henry was sitting on the back of an ambulance with a white bandage wrapped around his head. Blood trickled down his face and his body wavered back and forth.
Sal fumed then turned his attention to the city worker that was standing a few feet away. He was nervously biting his fingernails, his eyes jittering side to side like a heroin addict going through withdrawal.
“Tell me again what happened,” Sal demanded.
“Me?” Aaron asked and snapped his head around.
“Yes you.”
“They went down there for about twenty minutes,” Aaron said as he looked Sal in the eyes and swallowed. “Then…then Henry he comes back up, his head’s all bloody. He’s rambling something crazy. Saying they took him and he’s dead. I tell the guy to slow down, but he shoves me and starts flipping out. I ask him where the other guy went, he called him Mr. Chung.”
“The kid, the kid he had with him?” Sal asked.
“Yeah, he was a young guy, early twenties. Didn’t look too excited about going down there. Henry’s just screaming and yelling so I called you guys.”
“Stick around,” Sal said. “I might have some more questions for you.” Sal walked off then turned his head and spoke into his radio. “You find me something Harper?”
There was a pop of static and then Harper’s voice crackled. “Not a thing, smells like shit down here.”
“What do you think you’re walking in?” Sal laughed.
“This ain’t how I planned to spend my night Sal. We need to talk about amicable working arrangements.”
“You shut your damn mouth and find that kid or I’m gonna get amicable on your ass,” Sal growled.
“I’d like to see you try,” Harper mumbled into the radio.
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