When they’d reached a room on the fourth floor, Richter stopped.
“In here, Mister Marks,” he said.
“What’s going on?”
“We’re moving you to a more convenient location while we conduct our investigation.”
“Where’s Major Devonai?”
“Busy.”
In fact, Devonai was waiting downstairs for Richter so that they could be on their way. Richter didn’t like Marks, but he couldn’t pin down the reason. Something about the way Marks had approached them didn’t feel right.
“Sir, please step inside the room. If you need anything just dial zero on the phone.”
“Okay.”
Levi passed through the door. Before he could realize who was with him in the room, Richter had closed and locked the door. Ari sat in the back of the small room, hidden in shadow and swirling cigarette smoke. Levi felt a twinge of adrenaline despite the obvious disparity of force.
“Well, well, well...” she said. “Levi Marks. They say loose lips sink ships. In this case, the ship was already sunk.”
“Did you... did you decide to leave the Faith?”
Ari sat up and moved slowly into the light. Marks noticed her injuries.
“Not exactly.”
“What happened to you?”
“Adversity.”
Ari drew closer to Levi until she was face to face with him. Levi found his back to the wall.
“Did the CIA do this to you?”
Ari traced her finger down Levi’s chest. Levi’s expression changed from concern to pure confusion.
“I just want to know one thing, Marks,” she said, making eye contact and refusing to break it. “Why? Why did you betray us?”
“This ship is the greatest discovery of the history of mankind. Manning it with a bunch of amateurs is irresponsible and does a disservice to all of us. I saw what was going on. I made the decision to get the authorities involved. Whatever mission you’re going on could be seriously compromised by your lack of expertise and...”
Ari interrupted Levi by grabbing his crotch and slamming her elbow into his throat. Levi gurgled.
“Am I displaying,” she said through gritted teeth, “a lack of expertise now?”
“You’re... fucking crazy,” Levi gasped.
“We should have shot you the moment you set foot on the Faith. Dana has proven useful but you’re nothing but a traitorous son of a bitch.”
Levi began to turn blue. Richter burst into the room and separated the two. He moved Ari to the other side of the room. Levi struggled to catch his breath. Ari calmed down immediately, and smirked.
“Please tell me,” Richter said to Ari, “that you’re single.”
__________
Byron had always found it odd that the main office for the Suffolk University Police was in a basement area. It seemed vaguely inefficient to him that the officers should have to run up a flight of stairs to get outside. At least, he mused, they could weed out the truly out of shape from the fold that way.
Byron had only been down there once before, to get a new ID card. It hadn’t changed much in four years. A female student was manning the dispatcher position, and looked up expectantly at Byron.
“Hi, I’d like to see the director, please.”
“Do you have an appointment?” asked the dispatcher.
“No, but it’s urgent.”
“Whom may I say is waiting?”
“Byron Sterling. I’m a senior.”
Byron sat down across from the dispatch desk as he waited. The dispatcher spoke with the director briefly over the phone.
“Go ahead in,” she said.
Byron got up and opened the nearby door to the director’s office. Inside, a severe-looking middle aged man in uniform was working on a computer. The office was sparsely decorated and lacked any personalization that Byron could see. The nameplate on the desk said “Chief Cohen.”
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“Hi. I wanted to talk to you about Professor Christie Tolliver.”
The chief stopped typing and looked at Byron.
“Yeah? What about her?”
“Well, the Professor and I are friends, and she hasn’t been around for a couple of days. She didn’t show up to class yesterday, and today she canceled all of her office hours.”
“I haven’t heard anything about it. She’s probably not feeling well, that’s all.”
“That’s not all, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“I happened to be walking down Cambridge Street on Sunday. I saw Professor Tolliver get into a SUV with two other people. I’d swear she was being coerced.”
The chief raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”
“There was something odd about their body language. It just didn’t sit right with me.”
“Well, did you get a plate off of the truck?”
“Yeah, in fact I wrote it down.”
Byron passed a small piece of paper to the chief.
“Okay. Here’s what I’m going to do. It’s probably nothing, but I’ll give the professor a call at home and see if she’s all right. If I can’t get a hold of her I’ll look into this vehicle tag, just to make sure the SUV wasn’t stolen or anything else blatantly obvious like that. Otherwise, I think you’re overreacting.”
“Fine with me. I appreciate you looking into it.”
The chief nodded. “Not a problem, Mister Sterling.”
22.
Blue Line Police Supply was a small store, tucked away in an unassuming corner of Manchester, New Hampshire. Ray had recommended it for what they needed. It was easy enough to find a secluded spot to drop off the Expedition, and John and Ray had left to do some shopping.
Their plan for rescuing Ari had been drafted on a preliminary level. When John contacted the orb to find her, and the resulting signal was sent, hopefully the CIA would send agents to check it out. If they were fortunate, this would leave Ari’s location more lightly guarded. Using the Faith to get as close as possible, John and Ray would enter the location, disable whomever might be present, and rescue Ari. Christie had reservations about such a plan but offered no alternatives.
Since the last thing that John and Ray wanted at that point was another shootout, a trip to the police supply store was necessary. Ray’s department had a close relationship with the shop, ensuring the best prices and the least hassle.
Ray pulled the Expedition into the parking lot at just past four in the afternoon. John was fighting fatigue again, and struggled to stay awake. Ray put the Ford in park and nudged John’s arm.
“Yo John, we’re here,” he said.
John blinked and rubbed his head. Ray turned off the truck and the two exited. The storefront was remarkably bare. It was the kind of store that neither wanted nor needed random customers to come in off the street. Inside the shop, which looked to John like a very boring version of an Army-Navy store, two old men lounged behind the counter. They immediately greeted Ray.
“Hi, guys,” Ray said.
“We heard about what happened,” one of the men said.
“We’re real sorry about that,” the other one said. “If there’s anything we can do to help...”
“I’m still recovering, but life must go on,” replied Ray.
“The chief sent your Smith by for a cleaning,” said the first man. “It’s all set if you want to take it with you.”
“Really? Sure, why not?”
One of the men went into the back of the shop to retrieve the pistol.
“So, what can we do for you?”
“We need some stuff. We’re having a training session for the latest batch of newbies out of Concord. We need four canisters of ten percent OC/CS and two one hundred thousand watt stun guns.”
“Sure thing. Do you want me to bill it to Manchester?”
“No, I’ll be picking it up. I haven’t filled out the requisition forms yet, so I’ll just buy them and send the forms in la
ter.”
The first man gathered the requested items while the other returned with Ray’s pistol, holster, and duty belt. Ray slung the belt over his shoulder.
“That will be four hundred eighty dollars,” said the first man, clacking away at the register.
Ray handed him a credit card. John reviewed the purchase.
“These aren’t the kind that fire electric leads?” John asked.
“Those are way too expensive,” said Ray, “and they’re special order items. These contact guns will work just fine for what we have in mind.”
“I hope so.”
The first man handed Ray his receipt.
“Stay safe, Bailey,” he said.
“Thanks.”
Fifteen minutes later, Ray pulled the Expedition into the cargo bay. Dana was waiting for them. John and Ray jumped out of the truck.
“Seth, take us to a thousand feet,” John said.
“Understood,” Seth said, his voice quiet in the open space.
“Are you sure you won’t let me help you?” asked Dana.
John and Ray headed up the stairs to the armory.
“It’s dangerous enough as it is,” said John.
“It’s nothing personal, Dana,” said Ray. “You simply don’t have any training.”
Dana trailed the two men through the empty armory and into the orb room.
“You guys are hardly SWAT, to hear Christie tell it,” she said.
“I think the plan will work better with two infiltrators, that’s all,” said John. “Now you two get to the bridge. I’ll join you once I’m done here.”
“Okay,” said Ray.
Ray and Dana exited the orb room. John turned to face the orb. A single handprint appeared on the surface. John placed his hand upon the orb.
John found himself standing in Ari’s apartment. It looked the same as it did earlier that day. John could hear someone in the bedroom.
“John, go make some selections from the liquor cabinet.”
Ari’s voice came from the bedroom. John could feel something strange about the illusion. It was too real. Perhaps it was due to the memory being so recent.
“Seth, are you here?”
Nothing happened. Ari emerged from the bedroom.
“Aren’t you out of range for Seth?” she asked.
“I need to find Ari,” John said.
“What are you talking about? I’m right here.”
“I think I see what’s going on. You’re going to give me a chance to follow her. Am I supposed to do the same thing I did when the agents came in?”
“John you’re being really weird. Are you in contact with Seth or not?”
“I’m beginning to wonder if I am.”
“Well, you can stand there and talk to yourself. I’m going to get some booze.”
Ari walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinet. John drew his Beretta.
“If this is an interactive illusion, maybe I can indulge my desire to actually shoot those agents this time.”
“I’m sorry I don’t have any champagne,” Ari said, “it would hardly be appropriate to christen the Faith with apricot brandy.”
“Hey Ari, do you want to help me take out the CIA agents who are about to kick down the door?”
“John, quit fooling around.”
John crept forward towards the front door. He couldn’t hear anything from the hallway.
“That’s funny, they should have been in here by now.”
Ari walked over to John with two glasses of bourbon.
“Let’s take a break for a second and have a drink. I think we’ve both earned it.”
“I don’t get it,” said John, “what am I supposed to do?”
“Did you lecture me about waving a firearm around recklessly? I think you’re wound too tight today.”
Ari sat down on her couch. John shrugged, placed his pistol on the coffee table, and joined her. He accepted the offered bourbon.
“If I can find you by drinking bourbon, fine by me.”
“John, seriously, are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
John sipped from the glass. It was the best bourbon he’d ever tasted. Ari drained her glass in one gulp.
“You know John, there was something we never finished talking about.”
“You’re right, there is.”
“I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to talk to you about it. This is the first chance we’ve had. I was beginning to think I would have to pay the others to give us a couple of hours alone.”
“Ari, I don’t think this is something we should discuss right now.”
“Why not? I’ve already made my feelings clear on the matter, haven’t I?”
“Yes.”
“Then tell me how you feel.”
John turned around. “Will this have any effect on finding her, or should I change the subject?”
“Stop stalling.”
“Okay, fine. Ari, I want to jump your bones. Let’s get wasted and do the mattress mambo.”
“Hey, I’m being serious here. I’d appreciate a serious response.”
“Sorry. I do want a relationship. I most sincerely do. Let’s become John and Ari, space pirates, terror of the Tarantula Nebula.”
“Good. Because I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.”
Ari straddled John and drew him close. She leaned in and gave him a long kiss. Like the bourbon, the effect was fantastic.
“Good Lord,” said John, “I think I’m getting a little too excited...”
Everything around him melted away. John found himself suspended in mid-air above a city. John screamed in shock. It took him a moment to realize he was not falling. He looked down. It was obviously downtown Boston, as evident from the unmistakable dome of the state house. One building in particular seemed to gleam in the light. It was the one on the corner of Beacon and Park Street.
“Gotcha.”
The illusion ended and John was back in the orb room.
“Ray, this is John. We’re headed back to Boston.”
“Roger that,” said Ray’s voice, “how did it go?”
“Great. If we ever get bored, Seth can produce some outstanding entertainment.”
“Why, what happened?”
“Ha! I’ll tell you what almost happened. Then again, I’d better wait until we’re alone.”
__________
Devonai and Richter stepped out of their Crown Victoria and onto the street. The Somerville neighborhood was quiet, but densely packed. The two men approached a Ford Expedition that was parked a few feet away. The driver’s window on the large SUV lowered. Two men were inside.
“Officer Dowling, Officer Sinclair, hello,” said Devonai.
“Major,” said Dowling.
“Still nothing, eh?”
“Not in the three minutes since you called, sir.”
“Okay. Richter and I are going to have a look in the lobby. I’ve set my phone to vibrate, so call me immediately if anybody shows up.”
“Understood.”
Devonai motioned to Richter and they headed across the street. Tolliver’s place was three houses down from the Expedition. It was a featureless three story brick apartment building. Devonai scanned the names on the mailboxes once they’d arrived.
“This is definitely her place,” he said. “And it doesn’t look like she’s taken her mail in for a few days.”
“Yup,” said Richter.
Devonai carefully pulled on the front door. It was locked. Devonai took another look at the mailboxes. He picked a name he liked and rang the buzzer for that apartment. A moment later the lock clicked, and Devonai pulled the door open.
“How did you figure that would work?” Richter asked.
“Just lucky, I guess.”
Devonai led the way up to Christie’s apartment.
“Now this is going to be a bit trickier,” he said.
“Allow me,” said Richter.
Richter removed
a lock pick set from his jacket. Devonai took up a strategic position in the hallway while Richter went to work. Less then fifteen seconds went by before Richter opened the door.
“The lock is as old as the building,” he said. “No challenge at all.”
“Good work, Richter.”
The two men slipped inside the apartment and closed the door. Christie’s place was sparsely furnished, and immaculately maintained.
“Do take it easy,” Devonai said. “There’s no reason to trash the place.”
“What do you take me for?” Richter said, smiling.
“I take you for a crazy ex-Marine, that’s what.”
“When the game is soft, I play it soft. When the game is hard, I play it hard...”
Richter’s voice faded as he walked down a hallway. Devonai began poking around the living room. Tolliver had an extensive collection of movies. One of the few spots of color in the room was a house plant. Devonai thought about watering it.
“Shit!”
“What?” Richter hissed, hurrying back.
“My phone is ringing.”
Devonai fished his cell phone out of his pocket. The number displayed was not Dowling.
“It’s Hill,” Devonai said. “Hello, Hill, what’s up?”
“Where are you guys?” asked Hill, her voice rife with urgency.
“We’re still checking out Tolliver’s apartment.”
“Well you’d better get mobile again. ASTRA just reported receiving another signal.”
“Really? Where from?”
“They’ve triangulated a position that comes back to a wooded area outside of Manchester, New Hampshire.”
“Is it near Bailey’s residence?”
“No, it’s on the other side of town. You and Richter check it out right away.”
“Roger that. Listen, Dowling’s vehicle has a GPS navigation system in it. Our Crown Vic doesn’t. I’ll swap vehicles with Dowling and Sinclair then call you back with the vehicle identification number. Then you can feed me the coordinates directly.”
“Agreed.”
Devonai hung up.
“Another signal?” asked Richter.
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