The Predecessor

by Kimberly McGath

  The Minot-Sleeper library was quaint. Jagan could tell the building was old, historic no doubt. It was small enough to be a cottage. He could picture hobbits living inside and chuckled at the thought. As he was handing the money to the cabbie, he noticed a dark sedan leaving the parking lot. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought the man resembled his attacker from Georgetown. At this point, he had consumed so much coffee; he wasn’t sure if the caffeine was just making him a little jumpy.

  Jagan felt like a clown bringing his cumbersome case and other items into the small structure, but he didn’t have much of a choice. He thought it wasn’t as bad as pushing all his stuff in a shopping cart. He set the items down by the front door. The place was so small he didn’t have to worry about losing sight of them. He noticed there was a line in front of him that led to a table, yet he couldn’t see beyond the row of backs. He was hoping the people in front of him were waiting to talk to the librarian. That way, he could get some more information on Sue.

  When the last person in front of him moved to the side, he couldn’t believe what was before him. It was her. Their eyes locked and he knew in an instant she was the one. It was just like his grandfather said, only instead of an aura above her head; he noticed a glowing in her eyes. A soft light radiated around her entire body. Nia’s voice crept inside of his head. He recalled how she had warned him about a woman that might trap him. He ignored the ominous feeling. She was the one and he wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stand in his way…not ever.

  Scarlet was stunned. Her grandmother was right. There would be a handsome man at the library, but how was she going to convince him to come back to the cabin? She had to think fast.

  “Are you a fan of my grandmother’s,” Scarlet asked.

  “I am now,” Jagan said trying not to say anything stupid. He had forgotten all about the mission and why he was even standing in line. He always wondered what love would feel like and now he knew. A blissful feeling had taken over his entire being. He was tingling from head to toe.

  “Well you’re the lucky winner,” Scarlet proclaimed.

  “I am indeed,” Jagan replied not thinking. Trying to collect himself he asked what he had won. Scarlet explained that he was the 100th person in line and that he would get a personal meeting with the author. Jagan gathered his things and followed Scarlet out to her car. He couldn’t believe this was finally happening. Thank you Lolli he said to himself over and over.

  Chapter 41

  Jagan plopped his items in the back seat. He couldn’t believe this was real. He was with the woman of his dreams and to top it all off, he was in a 1968 Charger. “My uncle had a car just like this,” he said.

  “No kidding? A B-body?” Scarlet asked as she adjusted the rearview mirror.

  “Yeah… he put a 426 hemi in it. Back when I was a kid, I used to sit behind the wheel and pretend I was driving. He didn’t care for that too much,” he said with a slight chuckle.

  “Okay, well, enough of the small talk. I lied to you.” Scarlet confessed, knowing she didn’t have much time to explain.

  “What do you mean?” Jagan couldn’t believe his ears. Maybe Nia was right after all. He didn’t even think it was possible to fib this early in a relationship. They had only known each other for a couple of minutes at most.

  “Look, I promise I’ll explain when I can but there’s no time.”

  “No time for what?” Jagan asked.

  “We’re being followed.” Scarlet pushed the accelerator to the floor.

  Jagan grabbed onto the seats to brace himself and glanced into the side mirror. It was the same vehicle he had seen earlier. “Damn. He found me,” he said. Great. Just what he needed. He finally found his one true love and now he was putting her life in jeopardy. Maybe he should just jump out of the car, that way she’d be safe. Jagan went to grab the handle but Scarlet was too quick. With a flick of the button, the doors locked.

  “What…are you crazy?” she yelled. “I’m going about a hundred miles an hour. That fall would kill you.”

  “Better me than you,” he replied.

  “Don’t be an idiot,” she demanded. “Besides, my grandmother would never forgive me if anything happened to you.”

  “I don’t even know your grandmother.”

  “Don’t you see? Our grandmothers were best friends many moons ago. They made some kind of a pact.”

  “A pact?”

  “Yeah, you know, like a blood oath or something. They promised each other they would always look out for each other’s children and…”

  “Grandchildren,” Jagan completed her sentence. “But what does that have to do with the man following us,” he asked.

  “Your guess is as good as mine. I was hoping you could tell me.”

  “He’s been following me for a few days now.” Jagan explained to Scarlet about how the man attacked him and stole the microchip. “He must have thought there was some very important information on it. Enough for him to try and kill me,” Jagan explained.

  “You can tell me more about it later. For now, we need to lose this guy.” Scarlet reached under her seat and pulled out a handgun. “Here,” she said. “Aim for the tires.”

  Jagan took the gun and pointed it towards the sedan. After two shots, the loud pop of the tire blared out into the night. The screeching sound of the brakes confirmed the hit. The suspect’s vehicle spun around twice before coming to a stop.

  “At least this buys us some time,” Scarlet said. The big block roared as the suspect’s car faded out of sight.

  Chapter 42

  Wolf put down his fidget spinner as soon as he heard the turn of the knob. The door flew open and Scarlet and Jagan rushed inside.

  “The chopper’s on its way. I just hope it’s not too late. That man in your bed is in bad shape.”

  Jagan studied Scarlet like a detective ready to interrogate. What man? He casually strode towards the door to take a peek. Wolf explained to Scarlet that he managed to make arrangements for Indigo to be flown to Maryland. She glanced over at Jagan and noticed his knees began to buckle.

  “We’d better get out of here fast. Someone followed us here,” she said.

  “Who?” Mozart asked.

  “We don’t know, but we shot out his tires. That’ll slow him down but I suspect he’s not the type to give up easily.”

  “Is something wrong with your friend?” Wolf asked pointing at Jagan.

  Scarlet darted over towards him and grabbed his arms. “You need to sit down,” she whispered and directed him towards the couch. “What’s the matter with you?” she asked.

  “I just saw a ghost,” he said and passed out before he was able to sit down. Wolf rushed over and assisted Scarlet in laying him on the sofa.

  “Here,” she said handing Jagan a glass of water.

  The room was hazy but he was able to re-orient himself to his surroundings. “I’m so sorry about that. I don’t know what happened.”

  “You said you saw a ghost,” Scarlet reminded him.

  Jagan must have had another one of his visions. He wasn’t sure what he saw. “I’m sorry,” he apologized again. “It’s just that man in the room…he looks like someone I know.”

  “It is someone you know Jagan,” Mozart said as he closed the bedroom door behind him and entered the living room. “He’s your uncle.”

  “But that’s impossible,” Jagan said chugging the drink as if he had been wandering for days in the desert.

  “Why?” Scarlet asked.

  “Because he’s been dead for over twenty years.”

  Chapter 43

  The recruiter managed to stop an oncoming car–a brand new Porsche. He pointed his Glock at the elderly man’s face and ordered him to exit the vehicle. The man complied and begged him to spare his life, telling him his wife was waiting at home. The assassin squeezed the trigger, and the poor victim fell onto the asphalt in one loud thump.

  He grabbed his computer and his hit kit and abandoned the sedan. He entered Sue Colic
ci’s address into the sports car’s navigational system. It was only a few minutes away. He texted the information to the Russians who were waiting nearby. They responded they were about ten minutes out.

  When he arrived he hid the vehicle behind some trees near the foot of the driveway and made his way to the cabin through the woods. There was a military man holding a rifle out front. He wasn’t sure how many more were inside.

  The assassin heard a vehicle approach. The motor’s sounds were unmistakable. The mark and the young girl exited the antique car and hurried inside. He heard another set of tires striking the dirt driveway. Those idiot mobsters pulled in too close. He took off in their direction so he could school them on home invasion tactics. This wasn’t his idea of a smooth operation. It was more like a babysitting assignment.

  Chapter 44

  Indigo felt a strong draft press against his skin. His entire body began to shiver. He managed to open his eyes. He wasn’t sure how the window got open. He was sure it was closed before he passed out. When he turned his gaze directly in front of him, he was shocked.

  “How did you get in here?” he asked.

  “You know, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

  “It’s been a long time,” he said.

  “It sure has.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t…”

  “Shush. Not another word. You need your strength. I tried to find you. You know that, don’t you?”

  Indigo’s memory was slowly returning. “Yes,” he replied.

  “I never gave up on you.” There was an intense brightness surrounding her. Indigo rubbed his eyelids. She continued, “No one believed me. The doctors wouldn’t listen to me either.”

  “I never should have left,” Indigo said realizing the extent of her heartbreak.

  “It wasn’t your fault. That’s what made it even harder. I couldn’t be mad at you, but I wanted to be.”

  “I understand,” he said.

  “I finally figured out where you were, but by that time it was too late. By then I knew you were happy. I didn’t want to make things worse.”

  “I was…am happy,” he said.

  “You need to remember. Like the lemniscates, my love for you will never end.” Indigo had a peaceful look on his face. “Indigo…” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “You’re always in my heart.”

  Chapter 45

  The Chancellor nibbled on some toast points smothered in Imperial Russian caviar. Mozart’s 25th symphony blared from the sound system into all of the rooms of the sprawling fortress. All of the plans were set in motion. Now, it was just a waiting game. Pretty soon the leader would have more power and wealth than anyone in history had ever acquired. The fact that a few hundred thousand people had to lose their lives was of little consequence. Religion would be outlawed and the commoners would soon understand the Chancellor’s vision. An evil laugh echoed against the grand walls of the castle.

  Deak Roland was hunched over the mahogany table situated in the middle of the ballroom. On it was a miniature replica of the map of Europe with gold and black tokens spread across. Roland added one of the darker ones to the Vatican. “It’s as good as ours,” he blurted out.

  “As good is not good enough.” The chancellor sauntered over and removed the piece from the board. “You’d better send reinforcements over to the States. If our plan is to succeed, we must secure the boy.”

  “As you wish.”

  Chapter 46

  Jagan’s knees were still wobbly from the shock. Scarlet and Mozart were hounding him for an explanation but he was having trouble collecting his thoughts. As he was about ready to speak he heard a chirp coming from Wolf’s phone.

  “It’s Abe. We have company. The place is surrounded with hostiles,” Wolf reported.

  “You take the back and I’ll cover the front,” Mozart ordered. “Scarlet, you’re coming with me and Jagan…you need to stay with the patient.” Jagan retrieved his gun from the case and slipped it into the front of his pants.

  Scarlet shot her head up when she heard footsteps on the roof. Mozart assured her it was Abe and that they were in good hands. With him having the high ground, he was sure to take out the most targets. As soon as Mozart and Scarlet opened the front door, a bratatat sound accompanied a barrage of gunfire emanating from the woods. They both took cover behind the Charger. The bullet zipped by from behind their heads and a loud crack followed. One of the Russians fell into the snow. One down. She liked Abe already.

  Scarlet quietly opened the car door. She pulled out her gun and racked the slide back. “Impressive,” Mozart remarked. With two fingers he directed her towards the front of the car, while he took the back. After three shots, Mozart’s target fell leaving red spatter in the ice. Scarlet located another suspect crouching near the shed. Jekyll and Hyde launched into him from behind before the mobster had time to react. The sounds of teeth grinding bone and yelps were soon muffled by the piercing screams.

  Wolf easily dispensed two of the gangsters out back. He instructed the pilot to keep the bird in the air until the threat had been neutralized. Mozart caught the recruiter sprinting away from the property. Mozart pursued him but he managed to make it to the car nonetheless. He watched the Porsche speed off down the solitary road.

  The SEALs secured the perimeter and stacked the bodies at the burn pit. Wolf signaled the pilot that it was safe to land. The whooshing sound of the blades increased as it descended in the open field on the side of the cabin.

  Jagan stood at the front of the bed staring at Indigo. They lied to me he said to himself. Tears streamed down his chiseled face. Scarlet entered the room and rubbed her hand on Jagan’s back. “He’s going to be okay,” she consoled.

  Two military medics entered the room with a gurney. They slid Indigo onto it and brought him outside and loaded him onto the chopper. Abe agreed to stay behind to guard the cabin in case any of the perps returned.

  “Don’t forget to feed the pups,” Scarlet said to Abe.

  “I think they’ve had their full,” he replied pointing towards the shed.

  Chapter 47

  The pilot announced there would be some heavy turbulence due to an approaching blizzard. Indigo’s breathing had become labored and his jaundice had worsened considerably. Scarlet broke the awkward silence by commending the SEALs on their brave performance back at the cabin. Mozart in kind complimented the shaken girl on her firearm skills.

  The snowstorm picked up its intensity as the whirlybird made its descent. Scarlet was knocked into Jagan’s chest. Mozart and Wolf shared a playful look as if they sensed a budding romance.

  “I’m not going to be able to land her in this weather,” the pilot announced. “The wind has picked up to forty knots. Even a pinnacle landing would be too risky given these conditions. You’re going to have to put the patient in the litter and we can lower him down.”

  “Mozart you and Scarlet go down first. Use the ladder and make sure you hold onto her tight.” Wolf instructed. “I’ll get the rescue basket ready.” Mozart climbed down first and when he got about half-way down he yelled at Scarlet to follow. A chunk of hail struck her in the face. With her eyes shut, she lost her footing and fell straight into Mozart. Losing his grip, one of his hands released from the rope. The two of them bounced over to the side away from the steps. Scarlet tightened her hold on Mozart. “Don’t look down,” Wolf yelled out. Mozart managed to swing them both back into position and they made their descent in tandem.

  As soon as they made it onto the helipad, Mozart tugged the rope to signal they were safe. The pilot told Wolf he couldn’t hold the chopper much longer. The crew managed to lower Indigo just in time. Wolf rappelled down the rope and the chopper disappeared into the storm.

  The SEALs and Scarlet followed the medics carrying the gurney to a secure floor at the world renowned hospital. They brought Indigo into an operating room and closed the surgical doors. Jagan recognized them from his vision. Goosebumps emerged over his
forearms.

  A woman in a lab coat directed the group upstairs to an observation room with a large glass wall. Indigo was being placed onto a surgical table down below.

  A man clad in his Class B Marine uniform entered the room. Scarlet could tell by the number of bars on it, that he was a man of importance. Wolf rose to a stand when he entered the room and saluted. Scarlet cast a cold gaze in his direction. Why had he betrayed her and called Indigo’s superior? She was livid.

  “I need to speak with you alone,” the Commandant said staring at Jagan.

  “Me?” Jagan turned around to make sure the officer wasn’t talking to one of the SEALs. The man nodded and the two men left the room.

  Scarlet lit into Wolf the second the door shut. Mozart handed her Kimi’s letter. After she read it she sat down and simply said, “I see.”

  Chapter 48

  The recruiter knew those idiots couldn’t be trusted. They had botched the entire mission. He needed to find a room so he could collect his thoughts and get some sleep. He knew he was a dead man if he didn’t succeed. There had to be a way and he was determined to find it.

  He located an old junk yard off the main road. He jumped the fence and removed one of the plates from an abandoned car. That would at least buy him a little more time before the police realized his ride was hot.

  Once he checked into a room, he called his contact at MI6. The analyst informed him there was nothing but nonsense on the microchip. Damn. He had been taken. There was no way he was going to report this to the Chancellor or Deak for that matter. He tightened his fists, furious over being duped by an untrained kid.