Surrender

by Cassandre Dayne

  ***

  “You can just drop me off at the house. I have enough to do there and the tow will take this to my usual garage.” Amanda stared at the burly man as he lifted the flatbed.

  “That’s fine if you want. I’ll pick you up for our date later. Well, I’m assuming I can get away from the office. The press conference might be a bear,” Jax huffed.

  She shrugged. “I know you have no choice, Jax. I’ll make some dinner for us and have a bottle of wine or two opened just in case.”

  Jax pressed his hand against the side of her face. “Thanks. It’s been a hellacious few days and spending a lovely evening with you would do my heart some good.” Jax only wished it were that easy. He could barely concentrate from the throbbing headache. As he rubbed his temples a flash grabbed his attention. Lifting his head, he squinted and gazed up and down the street. A single glimmer from the across the street pulsed into the sunlight. “What the hell?”

  “Jax, you don’t look very good, honey. Are you coming down with something? You’re sweating way too much.” Amanda wrapped her fingers around his arm.

  “No, I’m fine…really.” He swallowed hard as his heart raced and he tried to make out what he was seeing. For a split second his vision was crystal clear and he could make out the lone figure. Horrified and furious, he took off without thinking dashing across the street. He could hear Amanda’s voice in a distant tunnel as it wrapped around him like a noose. Suddenly he couldn’t feel his feet as he tried to cross the street. Flashes of light swirled around him in dazzling patterns and at that moment he was no longer sure if he was standing or not. He tried to speak as his vision cleared and for a split second, the man stood staring at him with black eyes.

  “You’re becoming very hungry. You’ll need to feed. If you don’t you’ll die. The time will come that you need to choose carefully Detective Steele for your life, as you know it, is about to change. Don’t fight what you. In time you’ll understand. In time…”

  “Jax! L…o…o…k o…u…t!”

  Somehow her voice dragged him out of the depths of the vision and slammed him back into reality just as the sound of the honking horn and screeching tires jerked his head to the side. The truck barely missed him as he tumbled forward.

  “Jax! Jax!” Amanda raced across the street and fell to her knees. “What the hell was that? You almost got yourself killed. Jesus Christ! It was like you didn’t see or hear anything. I was calling your name. What the hell were you running after anyway?”

  “Did you see which way he went?”

  “What are you talking about? Who?”

  Jax struggled to sit and grabbed his chest. His heart was pounding into his ears. There was no one within sight. “The man. He had long blond hair and was dressed in black. You didn’t see him?”

  “Did you hit your head or something? I think you really are coming down with something honey. Let’s get you to my place and I’ll take care of you.”

  “No! No…this is important. “Did you see where the guy went, Amanda?” The man had spoken to him but how? Had the guys said anything? Shaking, he swallowed and controlled his breathing.

  Amanda brushed the moist locks of hair from his eyes and shook her head. “Honey, you know my vision is damn good. There was no one here at all. I have no idea what you were seeing but there was no one.”

  Jax stared into the shadow of the building and shook his head. “No Amanda, there was. I have no doubt the monster was here.” The only problem was, he had just entered the beast’s realm and he had no idea how the hell he was going to get himself out of it. As he thought about the words that still lingered in his mind, he grew terrified. What in the hell was really going on and who the hell was the man behind the mask of shadows?

  ***

  Jax and Mike had their backs against the wall as Mayor Grant berated the entire department, raking their lack of prudence, their misuse of company funds and their basic stupidly in front of Sergeant Sikes who stood stoic as he always did when the Mayor popped his ugly head into an investigation. He wasn’t sure about his decision to come clean about the pictures sent to Aleks but he had no choice. Hiding evidence would only put another nail into his pre-built coffin.

  “I assure you Mayor Grant that we’re doing everything we can to bring this investigation to a conclusion. We have the best men on the job and all the boys in blue have been working around the clock to try and solve this case.” Sergeant Sikes was furious, a blazing crimson haze from hearing the ugly words rushed from his neck into his cheeks.

  Jax wiped his eyes and could tell his pulse was still racing from before. Somehow he was able to block out the ugly words and envision the face. There was no way it was Aleksandr. Damn if it didn’t look like him. However, the single glimpse of the man hadn’t afforded him enough of a look to be certain. The bone structure somehow seemed wrong.

  “Detective Steele!”

  “What?” He glared at the Sergeant before realizing he’d been asked a question. “Yes?”

  “The Mayor was asking why you have protective custody ordered for the owner of the Dark Towers. She certainly doesn’t fit the other victims.” Sergeant Sikes cocked his eyebrow.

  “I have reason to believe she was an intended victim.” Jax eyed the folder containing the pictures on his desk. He had hoped to keep them private a bit longer.

  “Why the hell do you think that?” The Mayor’s rumbling voice echoed throughout the room.

  “Her place was broken into and trashed,” Mike added.

  “And that gives merit to this?” Mayor Grant laughed.

  Jax shook his head and walked toward his desk. Fortunately he had placed the pictures of him into an envelope. He was not yet ready to give up his plan with Aleksandr. At minimum he would get a reprimand and possibly could lose his job, as there was no way to avoid the fact Aleks was the only suspect they had. Yet every ounce of his cop instincts said the man wasn’t the killer, even after seeing his dead ringer only a few hours before. “These were sent to Aleksandr Vasiliev last night only moments before his car was trashed. These were sent to Felicity Jennings around the same time and from what I understand, Greg Barnes has a peeping Tom trying to take pictures of him as well. This is a picture of Greg Barnes and we believe this to be a picture of Brent Taylor, although I’ve been trying to confirm. This is clearly John Simons in the picture without a doubt.” He handed the various pictures to the three men and watched Mike’s eyes narrow as he stared at them.

  Mike lifted his head and gave him a cross look. “This looks like the writing on Felicity’s wall.” He walked to his desk and gathered the pictures, handing them to Jax. “Seems buddy that you and I need to work more closely together.”

  Sergeant Sikes glanced from one to the other. “I believe the protection is justified. However, you boys need to develop a plan. Who is this kid?”

  “Which one?” Jax asked.

  “This one? It’s clearly not Greg or John and I highly doubt its Brent Taylor. The hair is curlier.” Sergeant Sikes handed the photograph back to Jax.

  Jax eyed it carefully admonishing himself for not noticing the differences before. The boy was still blond and remarkably similar. Which stack had the picture been in? “You’re right. I don’t know.”

  “Another victim?” Mike asked.

  “The pattern is there. Damn it!” How the hell could he have been so stupid and lost so much time? If the kid was out there then he had a target on his back.

  “This is exactly what I mean! You aren’t working together and there could be a kid in danger out there! I should have all of you fired!” Mayor Grant bellowed.

  Sergeant Sikes held up his hand. “Mike, scan it and run it through the data banks.” It may be a long shot but we got to try. Jax, it seems Aleksandr Vasiliev is directly in the center of this as you presumed. Have you questioned him?”

  “I have and I don’t believe he is the killer.” While Jax tried to say the words with conviction, he cringed seeing the faces in the crowd.
r />   “He’s a known homosexual and has a vague past.” Mayor Grant laughed.

  “He’s a well known artist from a very well do to European family with a highly educated background that would put yours to shame, Mayor Grant. In addition, he’s a well-respected businessman that owns property and a partial business in this town. Not only have I completed a full investigative background check on the man but I certainly have done my homework on his whereabouts these past few nights including being at his gallery showing. No disrespect Mayor Grant, but I think I am in a far better position to determine whether he is a suspect or not.” Jax narrowed his eyes and glared at the Mayor. Not his usual behavior, Jax had nothing and yet everything to lose.

  A quiet settled into the room and for long moments no one said anything.

  Sergeant Sikes cleared his throat. “Does this mean you have a plan?”

  “It does. I need to put the pieces together but I believe these photos are simply drawing a picture as part of the riddle. The killer wants us to believe in these clues far too much. I believe he has something else planned and his movements and timing are becoming expedited.” Jax eyed the Mayor who wore his disdain clearly.

  “Then I suggest you get to it. The press conference is only going to be the beginning of the political nightmare if we don’t get something soon and you know this, Jax,” Sergeant Sikes said as he crossed his arms.

  “More than you know Sergeant.”

  “All right. Get back to work and keep me abreast and Jax, get some damn sleep. You look like bloody hell. Mayor Grant, I’ll be handling the conference this afternoon. Would you like to be by my side?”

  Jax used the opportunity to slink away. He had to give the Sergeant credit. He knew how to tame the savage beast with the Mayor and even though the press was going to rake them over the coals, the Mayor would get face time on television and perhaps leave them the hell alone for a little while anyway. He shook his head and walked toward his desk, stopping short as he watched Mike’s face turn stone cold. Mike had the pictures of that had arrived at his house in his shaking hands. “Mike, I can explain this, I- It’s not what you think.”

  Mike cocked his jaw and said nothing for several minutes. He gazed back and forth at each picture and then finally looked into Jax’s eyes. “It seems buddy that the killer is more interested in you than anything else. What is it that you aren’t telling me? What is it that Aleksandr is not telling you?”

  “What are you getting at, Mike? Just spill it. I know how damning those photographs look and I assure you, it’s not what you think but go on and tell me what’s on your mind.”

  Mike stood and laid the pictures down, leaning forward so no one could hear him. “I don’t quite frankly care if you’re fucking a football team, Jax. The fact remains that the killer is more interested in you than anything else. Have you ever thought maybe your past is coming back to haunt you? After your rather ridiculous behavior these past couple of days I read the report on that case you were involved in.”

  While Jax wanted to be angry, he couldn’t. He was surprised the Sergeant hadn’t picked up on the likeness. Jax paled, feeling the hit of nausea again. “Yeah, unfortunately I have and yeah, there are too many similarities.”

  “Maybe we’re looking in the wrong place and the killer has something do to with the murders in the past.”

  “Think about this Mike. How would the killer know I’d be put on the case?”

  Mick clicked his jaw. “Because you take all the worst cases no matter how grizzly trying to make up for...” Looking away he shook his head.

  “Say it, Mike. Tell me I’m a fucking murderer!” Jax slammed his hand onto his desk.

  As several officers looked in their direction, Mike put his finger over his lips. “You know damn well that’s not what I’m saying. Hell, who volunteered to take you on as a partner after all the shit that went down the pike? Me! In case you forgot you sorry son of a bitch, I care about you! You’re not acting like yourself at all. Maybe you need to be…”

  “What, Mike? Taken off this case? You don’t trust me any longer? Is that what you’re saying?” His rage building, Jax’s body shook. Stars floated across his eyes and he could barely breathe.

  “God damn it! Think about this. You’re going off half cocked by yourself with a mysterious guy with a shadowy past that’s still on the suspect list. You’re forgetting about vital pieces of evidence and you look like you’ve been beaten with a baseball bat. Something has to give here.”

  Jax knew his partner was right. He’d fought to push the past behind him for so long. Maybe this was God’s way of forcing him to deal with the horror. “I understand. Let’s find out whom this other boy is and if there’s anything special about the paint. I’m still working on the carving that was found on the bodies and I have a lead. I still think Aleksandr is the key.”

  Mike hesitated as he narrowed his eyes. “Then I suggest you do something about this. The murders are escalating and whatever is happening is taking a direct toll on you. Get it together, partner. I need you.” Strolling out of the office, Mike shook his head.

  Swallowing hard, Jax sighed. Goddamn he felt like shit.

  ***

  “You have to have some idea who purchased them, Stuart.”

  “I’m telling you Aleksandr that I don’t. I was just as surprised as you are about the amount of money that was wired from the Cayman Islands, as it is more than the asking price. My assistant handled the deal when I was away. I was equally surprised at the requests of what they want. You know these types of photographs we can’t show. The public would be incensed and I’d be shut down. The request is bordering on snuff shots.”

  “I’m not going to tell you that I’ll provide these kind of pictures period, Stuart. I’m an artist but I’m not sure that is something that I want to get involved in let alone try and find a suitable set of models.” Aleks glared at the wire transfer information. He knew damn well that the person or persons behind the transaction wouldn’t be located. That was the nature of the beast. The question was, why?

  “Then I’ll turn the deal down. You have many of your other clients that have already put in orders from Friday night. Perhaps you should concentrate on providing for them instead of allowing this to go forward. Granted the money is significant.”

  Aleks raised his eyebrow and watched as Stuart inched back, his eyes darting to the floor. “Make the deal but there is a caveat to them getting what they want. I require meeting them in person.”

  Stuart choked. “They are willing to pay three million dollars for ten photographs and one painting Aleksandr which is at least five times your asking price and you want to change their game plan?”

  “Ah, but it’s not a game plan, it’s a game dear man and I don’t enjoy playing childish games. If they’re hungry enough for what I have to offer, they’ll come to terms with my counter offer. If not, nothing lost.” Aleks hissed. When he found the people he would be more than curious and for some reason he knew instinctively that this was nothing more than another game piece.

  Stuart glided toward the computer shaking his head. “For an excellent artist and businessman, you certainly throw me sometimes.”

  “I meet them or no doing, Stuart. While I appreciate your concern, let me worry about this.” Aleks turned to go.

  “Were you able to secure a model with dark hair. Don’t you almost always use blonds?”

  Eyeing Stuart’s cagey motions he wondered if the little man was scraping off the top. “I have models in all flavors. Please don’t worry. I have a suitable one in mind and he’ll be exactly what the client needs.” Licking his lips, hunger rushed his system. The game was getting far too dangerous but he had to admit, for the moment he was enjoying what was playing out.

  “When can I tell them to expect the photographs?”

  “Tell them within a few days. As long as they agree to meet with me, they can have all that they desire.”

  “All right, Aleks. I hope you know what you’re doin
g. I really do.” Stuart tipped his head and smiled, worry furrowing his brow.

  “I enjoy playing with fire Stuart and you’re well aware of that.” Aleks emitted a low growl.

  Stuart sighed. “I guess I’m finding that out, Aleks. By the way, did you know three of your models have been murdered?”

  “How were you made aware of that?”

  “Press conference concluded right before you walked in. Damn it, the killings sounds horrible to me. I think all of Richmond is going to be terrified of this monster.”

  A sudden flash of something Stuart was thinking filtered through his mind. It seemed Stuart understood both human monsters and creatures of the night. The knowledge might prove to be useful. “Monster indeed Stuart. You’re so very right about that I’m afraid.” Leaving the thought hanging in the air, Aleks walked out of the gallery. It was a matter of seconds before he felt the presence. “Let the real games begin.”

  Durac laughed. “You no longer trust me then dear old friend.”

  “It’s not a matter of trust, Durac. I know of your old ways. You’re still scheming for something. You certainly didn’t come to take me back to the throne out of the goodness of your heart. The promises made to you must have been glorious indeed.”

  Smiling, Durac nodded. “You know me well, brother. While I rather enjoy our little mind games Aleksandr, I have no time to be insulted or to continue to play them. I came to find you to warn you.”

  “Warn me? This I must hear.” Aleks stared at his maker and knew there was a glimmer of truth in his statement but it wasn’t something that Durac cared to involve himself in. He relished and craved watching others suffer.

  “I believe I’ve located the person responsible for taking the amulet.”

  “What does that have to do with me, Durac?”

  “It has something to do with someone in your flock that has betrayed you.”

  Aleks shook his head. “As usual you speak in riddles. I have no more time for games. I have no flock here and you know that.”