The Phoenix Blade: Project Justice

by Andrew Hess

  As I slammed my fist on the steering wheel, I could hear a low buzzing coming from the center console. I reached back; finding a small black cell phone that had not been there the day before.

  “Hello Mister Lancaster,” the familiar bold confident voice said. “I hope you plan on holding up your end of our little arrangement.”

  “I plan on meeting the others tonight.”

  “Good, but I need one more thing from you. When the targets are eliminated, you need to leave a note for the police to find; consider it your calling card.”

  “Why?” My heart slowed drastically as if I was barely beating at all. I could feel knives piercing my stomach once again.

  “We need to make a statement; something to make police know this isn’t a random killing. Put down your alias and call the group something as well.”

  “But I thought we were working for the government. Why do we need an alias?”

  The Benefactor’s voice grew louder with annoyance. “These missions are unsanctioned and kept confidential. You are working covertly for the United States Government. None of it is on record.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Don’t get caught.”

  I heard the click of the phone as the call disconnected. I was given promised information; files that were kept hidden from the investigation. I had to wonder if he would actually have us arrested if we didn’t help him. He had my word that I would. After all, I wanted this more than the others did, but I needed to know if Mike and Lilly were on board.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone; calling Lilly as I pulled the car into the open space in the middle lane.

  “Hey Hun,” Lilly answered. “How’s the drive?”

  “It’s been a pain in the ass. Too much traffic; too many potholes. Typical Long Island traffic.”

  “Sorry,” she said sweetly; making me wish my visit to the Island was going to be just spending a week with her.

  “Me too, but I need a quick favor.”

  “Sure, what’d ya need?”

  “Call Mike. I need to see you guys tonight.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I need to talk to you guys about the Benefactor.”

  Lilly could hear the urgency in my voice. “I’ll call him now. Where do you wanna meet?”

  “The Usual place. Ace of Spades at ten.

  Chapter 11

  Lilly sat on the messy floor of her room. Clothes were scattered all over the chairs, desk and closet; shoes were lined up underneath the window that overlooked the neighbor’s annoyingly large tree. There was a faint sound of a Nickleback song played on the radio. She turned up the dial; hearing Far Away; making her think about Andrew and how she couldn’t wait to see him.

  It had been almost a year since they saw each other. They had spent a few days during Christmas break together; knowing he needed a place to get away from his step-mother. She would meet him every night after Christmas and bring him back to her parent’s house; letting him sleep on the couch.

  But the thing she remembered most was New Year’s Eve, the last night she spent with him. Her parents let her throw a party; inviting all of her friends including Mike and Andrew. They hung out for a little while and had a few drinks with them before hanging out with her girlfriends.

  Throughout the night, Lilly caught Andrew looking at her from the large brown couch in the living room. She would smile and take another shot of tequila with her friends.

  It was a night that Lilly has thought about every day for nearly a year, because of what happened at midnight. Andrew had told her he had something to talk about, but she kept pushing him off; telling him we’ll talk later. But as midnight approached, she stood next to him; counting down the seconds.

  “Ten, nine, eight, seven, six,” the crowd chanted. “Five, four, three, two, one,” everyone stood and cheered. “Happy New Year!”

  Lilly looked Andrew in the eyes and grabbed his hands. She thought about this moment all night; wondering who she would kiss. She leaned in and felt a pair of lips gently touch her silky smooth cheek. He backed away; wondering why he didn’t go for it. He grabbed his jacket and left; leaving Lilly just as confused as he was.

  The phone rang with a soft reggae song; waking Lilly from her daze. Mike’s name appeared on the caller ID as she accepted the call.

  “Hey,” she said softly.

  “You hear from Drew yet?”

  “He’s somewhere on the Southern State. He wants to meet us tonight at ten.” There was a little excitement in her voice as she thought about seeing Andrew later that night.

  “Do you need a ride there?”

  She thought about it for a moment before smiling. “No, I think I’ll be fine.” Lilly stood up and went to her closet; picking out a pair of her skinny jeans and threw them on the bed.

  “Okay,” Mike said. I’ll see you there.”

  Lilly bit her lip as her lips curled up. She found the perfect shirt to wear to meet Andrew with.

  “That should get his attention.”

  Chapter 12

  I sat in my old teal Cavalier outside the Ace of Spades. The large illuminating neon lights brightly lit the otherwise dark street. I was twenty minutes early and was in desperate need to relax for a bit. I got out of the car and looked to the side of the outside bar where the water was slowly slopping from side to side. I smiled; knowing I was finally home.

  Inside, the room was dimly lit with only a few lights on over the bar. There were two TVs placed on both sides for people to watch, but the patrons were more interested in their drinks.

  “Hey Drew,” Ryan the bartender said. He was a tall skinny Irish mid-twenties kid who loved movies and anime. He looked around the room; checking for any other guests. “Where’s the rest of the gang?”

  “They’ll be here soon,” I replied with a smile.

  “How long you in town for?”

  “I don’t know yet. Probably not long.”

  Ryan glanced up and grabbed a glass from under the counter. “I’ll get you your usual and a beer.” He nodded towards the door with a grin on his face.

  I turned to see a tall thin woman with shoulder length light brown hair walking through the front door. It was Lilly. Her hair hovered just above her red plaid coat. Her big brown eyes lit up as she saw me. I looked her up and down; locking onto her long legs filling out her tight dark blue skinny jeans.

  Lilly smiled and sashayed up to me; resting her jacket on the back of my chair.

  “And hello to you too,” Lilly said with a laugh. She leaned in; giving me a hug and kiss on the cheek. Her silky smooth skin brushed against mine.

  “Sorry, it’s just been a while since I saw you.” My heart felt like it was galloping in my chest. “I was hoping you would show up before Mike.”

  “How come?”

  Ryan put two coasters in front of us and placed a Bud light in front of Lilly and tall glass filled with a rum and coke. Lilly took sip from her beer; keeping her eyes locked on me.

  “I missed you.”

  Lilly threw her arms around my neck; pulling me into a tight embrace. “I missed you too Hun.” She held me there; refusing to let go as if I was about to run out the door and she would never see me again.

  “What did you want to talk about,” she asked.

  “I’m going through with the first mission tomorrow night.”

  Lilly pulled away instantly and shouted, “Tomorrow night?”

  I put a finger to my lips shushing her. ‘Keep your voice down. I don’t want the whole bar knowing what I’m planning.”

  “I thought you were going to tell us you came to your senses,” Lilly said in an angry whisper.

  “You know I can’t do that. I can’t let them get away with killing my mother. I just need a plan.”

  “That’s why you asked us here? You wanted us to help you plan the murder of your parents.”

  “Kenneth and Mona,” I corrected her. “I need to get out of there. I need to
make them pay.” I could feel my blood pressure rising the more I talked about it.

  “Yeah but planning it in one day is complete stupidity.”

  “I know, but I have to move fast with this.”

  “Why?”

  “The Benefactor has bigger plans for us.” Lilly sat back in her chair; remaining quiet as she picked up her beer and continued drinking. “I talked to him today. He wants us to come up with an alias and leave a note for the police to find.”

  Lilly snapped her head back to me. “I thought we were working for the…”

  I cut her off; knowing she would blurt out something she wasn’t supposed to. “We are, but everything is being kept off record.”

  “I don’t like this.”

  “I know and that’s why I asked you guys to come down here tonight. I wanted to say goodbye.”

  “Goodbye?”

  “I don’t want either of you getting involved in this. I don’t think he’ll arrest you guys if he has me.”

  “You can’t do this; not on your own.”

  “I can’t let you guys risk your lives for my stupid mistakes. This is my mission; my justice to carry out.”

  “What you’re planning to do is suicide.”

  I knew she was right, but I couldn’t let them put themselves at risk. Before I could continue the debate, the front door opened; letting Mike enter with his heavy wool coat.

  “It’s sexy time,” he shouted from the door. A few patrons laughed while Lilly and I covered our faces; trying to hide our embarrassment and laughter.

  We watched him enter the bar, shake hands with a few of his friends, and put his jacket down in the chair next to mine.

  “What’ll it be Mike,” Ryan shouted.

  “You got Sam on tap?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’ll take it.”

  Ryan took a cold glass from under the counter and pulled the tap down; filling the glass with a foamy brown beer.

  Mike took a sip from it. “Ah, that’s some good shit right there. Put it on Andrew’s tab.” Mike laughed and slapped me on my left shoulder.

  Ryan looked to me for confirmation. I nodded in reply. He walked away smiling; whispering under his breath, “This is going to be an expensive night for someone.”

  Mike leaned over my shoulders. “What are you two talking about?” He scanned our faces and could tell something was the matter.

  Lilly was the first to crack. “Andrew doesn’t want either of us to go with him and he’s planning to work for the Benefactor on his own.”

  “What are you insane,” Mike asked sarcastically. “Of course we’re going. You can’t do this alone.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell him.”

  “It’s too dangerous.”

  “I know,” Mike replied. “And that’s why I have your back; just like I always have and just like I always will.”

  “This is different. Your lives are at stake too. If we get caught, we’ll be dead men walking.”

  “Then I’ll see you on death row, because there is no way you’re doing this without me.”

  Lilly could see I wasn’t going to change my mind and now Mike was just as determined as I was. “Count me in too,” Lilly said in an unsteady tone.

  I quickly glanced back and forth between them. “All right, but I need to show you guys something first.”

  They looked at me; wondering what I was talking about.

  “Not here. Let’s go out back,” I suggested.

  “Hey Ryan,” Mike shouted. “We’re going out back for a few.”

  “Cool, but you know the deal.”

  I handed Ryan my credit card; keeping the tab open and exited the front doors with Mike and Lilly by my side.

  Chapter 13

  We pulled our cars around the corner; finding a dark street to shield us from anyone who might walk by.

  “I’m surprised you made it back in that thing,” Mike laughed; pointing to my car.

  “I’m just as shocked as you are.”

  “What did you want to show us?”

  I brought them over to the trunk; popping it open and showing them the duffle bags.

  “I need you to take these.”

  “Why,” Lilly asked. “What are they?”

  We opened the first bag; finding several handguns, clips of ammo, and a stack of cash.

  “Shit Drew,” Lilly shouted. Mike and I quickly covered her mouth. “What does he expect us to do with those?”

  “I’m guessing he wants us to use them.”

  “But I’ve never fired a gun before.”

  “Neither have I.”

  Mike grabbed a thirty eight caliber from the bag, checked the ammo and held it out like he was going to shoot someone.

  “I have. My dad used to take me down to the range.”

  “So why do you need us to take this,” Lilly asked us as she backed away from the trunk.

  “I found a set of car keys with directions to a dealership in Babylon. We need to pick that up before…” I could see the horrid look in Lilly’s eyes. I gripped her hand tightly. “I just need you to pick up the car for me.”

  Mike shrugged his shoulders and held out his hand. “When do you need it by?” It was the question that made me finally set a plan in motion.

  “Pick me up from Steven’s house at ten and drop me off at home. Get the car and park it around the corner from my house.”

  “You think that’s best,” he asked.

  “No, but it’s our only option.”

  He grabbed the keys from my hand, placed them in his front pocket, and began grabbing the duffle bags from my trunk. He peaked inside the second bag and smiled before putting it in the backseat of his green Jeep.

  “What’s in this,” Lilly asked as she grabbed a long glass case. There were three thick objects inside; each rolled up in fabric as if they were Christmas presents waiting to be unwrapped.

  “Never saw those before,” I replied.

  “They’re probably weapons.” Mike helped remove the case from the car; opening it and finding our names embroidered on the fabric.

  Mike reached for his first. He slowly unwrapped it; finding a sword encased in a black sheath. A bold red dragon was pictured on the front and gold Japanese writing was carefully placed on the back.

  Mike pulled a small piece of rolled up parchment off the handle. “It’s a note.” He held it under the trunk lights. “The inscription means guardian of others. Use this when necessary.”

  “He gave us swords,” Lilly said emphatically. “What’s the point in giving us these as weapons?”

  “Maybe he wants us to slice and dice the bad guys,” Mike said as he waived his sword in the air like he was a samurai.

  I held the sword in my hand and slowly unraveled the royal blue fabric. “It’s because the kills become more personal.” Mike and Lilly raised their heads to look at me. “Anyone can fire a gun, but using a sword is more personal. You are forced to face the person when you kill them.”

  Lilly looked down at her sword. The multicolored fabric fell to the cold concrete; revealing a white sheath covered in pink, purple, and yellow lilies. She found the note attached to the gold handle and read it out loud.

  “This is should be used only as a last resort. Your intelligence and emotions will guide you on your journey ahead.” She looked up from the note. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  I knew what it meant. Lilly wasn’t here to kill someone. The Benefactor had other plans for her that didn’t involve killing, but it would be something he would reveal at a later time.

  “Beats me,” I lied as I tried to close up the trunk.

  Mike pushed me back and looked down at my hand. “Wait a sec. You didn’t show us your sword.”

  I wondered what mine would say. Maybe it was a personal message or a riddle. The others looked on with anticipation as I pulled the royal blue fabric off the black and gold striped handle. The sheath was black as coal with an emerald green Celtic cr
oss on it. The gold Japanese letters lined up vertically on the back.

  “It translates to ultimate justice. Use this to extract your revenge and strike down evil with the blade of justice.”

  “This is…”

  “Awesome,” Mike interrupted. “When do we start chopping up our victims?”

  “This isn’t a game Mike,” Lilly snapped. “These are real people we’re being told to hunt and kill.”

  “I know, but it’s still cool. I even found a sniper rifle in one of the bags. I can’t wait to take that bad boy for a test drive.” He was met with blank stares from both of us. “What? I peaked in the bags.”

  “We’ll deal with that later. For now, let’s call it a night and meet at Steven’s house tomorrow at ten.” I handed Mike the directions to pick up the new car and gave each of them their new cell phones and IDs.

  Mike entered his car and rolled down his window. “Lilly, be ready by nine thirty. We can’t be late.” He turned the ignition; his Jeep roaring to life and drove off.

  I could feel Lilly grip my hand tightly and place her head on my shoulder. “You wanna get another drink?”

  “I think we’ll need a lot more than one.”

  Chapter 14

  It was ten on the dot when I received Mike’s text; letting me know they were out front.

  “Moment of truth,” I whispered as I headed upstairs.

  I walked to the front door; finding Steven sitting in the recliner with a beer in his hands.

  “You’re leaving early.”

  “I wanted to spend some time with Mike and Lilly.”

  He looked back at the kitchen; knowing the rest of the family was sitting downstairs; pretending to be one big happy family.

  “Lucky,” he laughed. “I wish I could leave too.”

  “Look, I know I haven’t been the best brother, but I always tried to do right by you.”

  He clapped me on the back. “You’re a great big brother. I just wish I got to see more of you.”

  “Yeah, well it’s not that easy.” I glanced towards the stairs.

  “I don’t blame you. I try to avoid them all the time. It sucks when you live ten minutes away from them.”

  “That’s why I chose Buffalo. Eight hours is too long for a quick visit from them.” I laughed and peered out the window. “My ride’s here. I gotta run.”

  “Will I get to see you before you go?”