Undercover Mission

by Sharon Dunn

  Maya searched the backstage area and then took the steps down to the auditorium where she pressed against a wall. Sarge remained close beside her as they inched along. She gazed down the rows of seats, knowing that Joel could be hiding in any one of them. A chill raced down her spine as flashes of his previous attacks assailed her, but nothing would deter her. She had a job to do.

  Working her way to the end of the auditorium, she pushed open the swinging doors that led to the lobby. Maya could see David on the other side of the lobby though he was mostly a moving shadow. She saw him only because she was looking for him. Other than the ticket booth, there was no place in the lobby to hide. Heart pounding, she sprinted the short distance to the ticket booth. She peered through the window half expecting Joel to jump up at her. When she tried the door to the ticket booth it was locked. That settled that.

  David came toward her. “We’ve got to find Hans. He’s still not responding by radio. The last place I saw him was the balcony. Let’s head up there.”

  They separated and Maya hurried back into the auditorium with Sarge. She found the winding staircase to the balcony and headed up. She stepped out onto the balcony and searched the seats while she moved toward the back. Opposite her, David had made his way to the very back of the balcony and was moving down row by row.

  A light on the stage burst on. Maya turned around. Sarge growled. Someone lay face down on the stage with a spotlight on him. Maya froze in place. It was Hans and he wasn’t moving.

  * * *

  Quelling a rising panic, David hurried down the balcony stairs and raced toward the stage where his colleague lay, maybe unconscious, maybe dead. It was clear now Joel was in the theater and he was playing a sick game with them.

  He bolted toward the stage fully aware that Joel might be watching them.

  David’s primary concern was for Hans, but he also thought maybe the perp might be setting some kind of trap. His attention was drawn upward to the rows of stage lights that must weigh a ton. He got to the base of the stage, standing at the bottom of the stairs that led up. His gaze moved across the auditorium where Maya and Sarge were. They’d slowed down as well. Hans still had not moved. David’s chest grew tight at the sight of his prone partner. And then he saw the pool of blood around Hans’s head. Forgetting the risk, David bolted up the stage reaching out for the injured officer.

  A force came at him from behind, knocking him off his feet while a bolt of electricity shot through him. David was momentarily paralyzed. He could hear Sarge barking and feel the sensation that Joel was reaching into his chest pocket.

  As he lay unable to move, he heard retreating footsteps headed toward one of the backstage doors. Maya was right beside him. She shouted at him as she ran past him. “He took your card key. That was all he wanted.”

  David was still extremely disoriented. Joel had known he was trapped and outnumbered. Escape was the only option and now he had a master card key. Knowing that Maya and Sarge were in hot pursuit of Joel, David drew his attention to Hans as he waited for the effect of the stun gun to wear off.

  With the spotlight on, he could see that the other man was still breathing. He reached out and touched the puddle of blood by Hans’s head. He drew it up to his nose expecting that coppery smell. It wasn’t blood at all, red dye or something like it from the prop room.

  He reached out to Hans, lifting his closed eyelids. Something had caused him to lose consciousness even if he wasn’t bleeding. Hans’s radio was not on his belt. Joel must have taken it. David grabbed his own radio and called for a medic. “I’ve got an officer who needs medical attention. Deck seven. The stage of the main entertainment venue.”

  “We’re on our way. Be there in five.”

  “Thanks.”

  He rose to his feet and stepped toward the door where Maya and Sarge had gone chasing after Joel. The hallway was dark, though he could see lights at the end of it where it connected with the public part of the ship. He ran to the end of the hallway and peered out, not seeing Maya or Joel. There were still a few people strolling around. Some of the shops stayed open late as did the bars and buffets.

  He needed to get back and make sure Hans was taken care of. Once he was back on the stage where the officer still lay motionless, it took only a few more minutes before the EMTs arrived.

  David leaned over while the medic was checking Hans out and taking his vitals. “Don’t be alarmed. The blood is not real.”

  The EMT gave Hans a quick-once over. Then rolled Hans on his back and lifted his eyelids. “He might have sustained a blow to the head.” The EMT turned back toward his partner. “Let’s get him on the stretcher.”

  David watched them transport Hans. He’d have to check in with the doctor in a bit. Knowing that Joel would be privy to all radio communication, David called Noah on the phone and told him he needed to get back on shift. “Meet me in the security office and we’ll come up with a strategy. He’s got a master card key. That means he has access to a ton more places.” Fortunately, it was a different master card key that gave David access to passenger rooms and could be used only if the safety of the passenger was at risk. The key that Joel had taken would get him into any shop or public area that was locked after hours. It also gave him access to supply closets where merchandise was stored.

  He had just moved to step off the stage and head out the backstage entrance when Maya came through the door with Sarge right beside her. She spoke between breaths, shaking her head. “We lost him.”

  “Where at?”

  “He went down a corridor where there are a bunch of niche shops that are not open late. He probably went into one of the shops and the door locked behind him. If Joel was still carrying that knife, Sarge could have sniffed him out.”

  David knew the area that Maya was talking about. Joel could have taken a side hallway as well. “Let’s get up to the security office—maybe we can see him on camera. I’m going to send Noah out so we can catch our breath and grab a quick bite. This could take all night.”

  “How is Hans?”

  “Not sure. I’ll check in with the doctor later,” David said. “Joel took Hans’s radio. So all communication will be via phone. We don’t want Joel knowing what our next step is.”

  They hurried back to the security office. David had communicated with Noah where to begin his search. David put on a pot of coffee and grabbed some granola bars from a cupboard above the microwave. Maya was already sitting in front of the security monitors clicking through them and shaking her head.

  He placed the granola bar on the counter in front of her. “Thanks.” Her fingers tapped the keyboard as she switched from one camera to another to see what was going on.

  “Why are you shaking your head?”

  “It feels like we’re doing the same thing over and over and Joel keeps getting the upper hand.” She lifted her hands from the keyboard and leaned closer to the monitors. “Some of these screens are black.” She put her fingers back on the keyboard and clicked around to bring up the different screens.

  David drew his attention to the black screens. “He’s disabling the cameras.” He clenched his jaw. “At least we know where he’s been. By the time we could get Noah there, Joel will have moved on.”

  “We’re running out of time, David. What we’re doing is not working.” She looked back at the screens. “And now it’s like he’s toying with us.”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  Maya swiveled in her chair. “I think we need to set a trap, and I think I need to be the bait.”

  EIGHTEEN

  Even as Maya proposed the plan to catch Joel, she had to fend off the rising fear. Sarge looked up at her and made a whimpering noise.

  David didn’t answer right away. He straightened up and looked at the black screens. “I don’t like the idea of putting you at risk.”

  “How many more hours do we have until we are i
n port?”

  “We’ll get in early morning in about six hours.” David shook his head. “I don’t know if it will even work to set a trap. All he has to do is hide out until we dock.”

  “So our last chance to get him would be before he leaves the ship?”

  “Right. We can make sure security is high when we dock, but I’m concerned he’ll be able to give us the slip, considering how much skill he has displayed so far.”

  “We know that he has a thing for that upper deck. It’s been closed off and there are no cameras up there. What has it been... More than a day since he tried to attack a woman other than me? I say that his anger is mostly directed at me because I am trying to keep him from hurting other women. What I know about my training in criminal psychology tells me he will need to try to get to me again soon. It’s like a compulsion.”

  David ran his hands through his hair.

  She could tell he still wasn’t convinced. “Look, David. I don’t want to do this either. But I want to catch this guy. Which means I have to look totally vulnerable. So Sarge can’t be there.”

  “I don’t like it, Maya. You’ll be risking your life.”

  The plan was becoming clearer in her mind. “He’s smart enough to know to look for you and the rest of the security team. You can’t be anywhere close. Is there a way we could set up hidden cameras so you guys see what was going on if I did need help?”

  “How would we get to you fast enough? Besides, we don’t have extra security cameras.”

  “All of that would have to be worked out.” Maya felt an increasing tension in her muscles as she thought about what she was proposing. “I just don’t know if there are any other options at this point.”

  David’s phone buzzed. He took it out of his pocket. As Maya listened to one side of the conversation, it was clear that Noah had spotted either Joel or some evidence of the killer’s whereabouts. David ended the conversation by saying. “Okay, we’ll get there as fast as we can.”

  He clicked off his phone. “A passenger called in that they thought they saw someone in the bumper car area which is shut down right now. If it’s Joel, it’s going to take all three of us to catch him. Let’s go. I need to think about your plan some more, Maya. There has to be another way.”

  She shoved Sarge’s leash toward David. “You take him. That way while we’re searching, I’ll look super vulnerable. Joel cannot control his impulse to go after women who remind him of Tiffany. Maybe he’ll come after me while we are looking for him.”

  “Maya, we’ve got to do this in an organized way. Security measures need to be in place to ensure you’ll be safe.”

  “We’re running out of time. And I do have self-defense training. All we need to do is lure him out.” Given Joel’s previous attacks, David’s concerns were not unfounded. But the thing foremost in her thoughts was catching Joel. Maya hurried toward the elevator that would take them to the deck where the bumper cars were. She held the door for Sarge and David.

  She was afraid the few minutes in the elevator would give David time to make more objections about the danger she was putting herself in. However, before he could speak, his phone rang again. It was clear it was Noah once more. David gave single word responses and then ended with. “Okay, we’ll widen the search.”

  Clicking off his phone, he turned toward Maya. “Noah says he found disabled cameras in the bumper car area. We’re going to widen the search to the areas around the bumper cars. He is searching the north end. We’ll take south and east.”

  “We are running out of time David. We need to split up. I’ll be okay.”

  David didn’t answer right away. Finally, he nodded. “You move toward the arcade. Widen your search as you clear each area.” David handed her the leash. “You’re vulnerable enough as it is. Take your partner with you.”

  As she held Sarge’s leash, Maya wrestled with a mixture of relief and frustration. If Joel saw that Sarge was with her, he would be less likely to come at her knowing that he’d been foiled by the dog before. But having her partner close made her feel that much safer. The elevator doors slid open.

  “Remember, I’m a phone call away,” David said as they stepped out.

  “I know.” Her throat went tight. The time it took to make the call was enough time for Joel to kill her. If she could even get to the phone fast enough.

  David reached out and touched her arm. “I’m afraid for you.”

  She tilted her head to look into his eyes. The concern she saw in his expression compelled her to fall into his arms. “I’m scared too.”

  He held her for a long moment. Drawing strength from his embrace, she closed her eyes and relished how safe it felt to be in his arms. She pulled back.

  He leaned and kissed her on the forehead. “We’re in this together. I have your back.”

  Still reeling from the intensity of his hug and the light touch of his lips on her skin, she nodded. “You have to give me some credit. I do have police training.”

  They ran toward the bumper cars and then split off. Maya saw the sign for the arcade which was next to the bumper cars. She could see the bumper cars through the glass walls. Movement and shadow on the other side must be Noah searching the area.

  She stepped toward the arcade but was surprised to find the door unlocked. Maya clicked David’s number. She spoke in a whisper. “I’m outside the arcade. It’s not locked.”

  “I’m coming your way.”

  She looked up to where a security camera was still in place. Maybe someone had just forgotten to lock the arcade. Most of the security cameras were up high enough that Joel must have some sort of long object to reach up and disable them. His motive was probably to make their search for him that much harder, but it also left a trail of where he’d been. It was like he was playing a game of cat and mouse with the security team.

  She glanced through the windows of the arcade again. Lights flashed on one of the games that had a moment ago been dark. Her heart pounded as adrenaline surged through her body. Joel was in there or had been only seconds ago. If she was going to catch him, she couldn’t wait for backup. Maya stepped inside with Sarge beside her. She searched for an exit door.

  The arcade was long and narrow. She spotted the exit sign nearly hidden behind a tall game but could still see the flashing lights of the game in her peripheral vision. After running toward the exit, she pushed open the door, then found herself staring down the short hallway where she could see a sliver of the bumper car area. An odd banging sound caught her attention.

  She took in a deep breath. Sarge stood at attention watching her and waiting for a command. Her partner’s response gave her courage and quieted her fear. She moved toward the bumper car area. Through the glass, she could see that someone had started two of the bumper cars, so they were banging into each other over and over. Lights flashed on the cars each time they collided. Clearly, this was Joel’s work. There was something menacing about the repetitive noise.

  “Maya?”

  David’s voice reverberated behind her and she whirled around.

  “I thought I could catch him.” She had a feeling Joel was long gone by now.

  David held a small piece of paper. “This was on the flashing game in the arcade.” He handed her the piece of paper.

  The message was in block letters with a red pen.

  I will get you, Maya.

  * * *

  Even in the dim light, David could see all the color drain from Maya’s face as she held the threatening note.

  She kept her eyes on the note. “You know what I’m feeling right now?”

  “Fear would be understandable,” David said.

  She looked up and shook her head. “What I feel now is righteous anger. Joel thinks he has the upper hand. And now he thinks he can torment me. He’s a criminal and he needs to be behind bars.”

  Through the glass windo
ws to the bumper cars, David could see Noah shutting off the two cars that were banging into each other. The other man shook his head, indicating that he had not found any sign of Joel.

  “David, we have to set a trap for Joel with me as the bait. It’s the only way.”

  He signaled for Noah to come join them. David knew what Maya was saying was true. He just didn’t want to think about the risk she would be taking. “We have to find a way to make sure you will be safe.”

  “Don’t you see? Joel isn’t stupid. If you are close by, he’ll figure it out. I have to look totally exposed.” She held up the piece of paper. “This note indicates his obsession with me. We’re dealing with a clever, unhinged man. The only thing we have working for us is his desire to hurt, even kill me. I believe if he sees a chance, he will take it.”

  Noah came over and joined them. “This guy knows the ship really well. There are too many places for him to hide until we get into port. David, we’ve got to do something different.”

  Maya turned toward Noah. “We were just talking about that.” She handed him the threatening note. “We think if Joel gets a chance, he will come after me.”

  “What Maya wants to do though is very dangerous,” David muttered. “Joel will figure out if protection is close by.”

  “So we have to come up with a way to trick him,” Maya said. “If I go up to the upper deck alone, I believe that he will follow me up there and look for a chance to attack me.”

  David addressed his comments to Noah. “The upper deck is where Joel and his girlfriend who dumped him used to go. It’s a triggering location. Given that the murder and a number of attacks took place up there, we believe he has almost an uncontrollable impulse to go after any woman who looks like his former girlfriend when he is up there.”

  Noah rubbed his chin. “So, we have to have a way to keep eyes on Maya and get to her quickly without Joel figuring out the setup.”

  David started walking. “Let’s head back to the security office.”