The Aftermath

by Iris Bolling

  Krystal slowly turned back to him. “Bitch, you are referring to me as a bitch? That’s hilarious Evan when you are the one running things like a bitch in heat.” She stepped closer to him. “I will tell you this. What you sanctioned last night has released a can of kick ass that you will not be able to stand. I only wish I could be around to see it. But, I don’t have a death wish. I am going to be around to see this mission through. I doubt if you are going to see the light of day. If the higher levels don’t take your ass out, the Empress will.”

  “Who in the hell is the Empress?”

  Krystal chuckled as she turned and walked away. “See you; I wouldn’t want to be you.”

  68

  While waiting for Skylar to arrive, Nate decided to take a moment to clear his head. Needing to calm down and think, he decided to take his mother’s advice. He pulled Alex’s Mustang into his garage and sat inside.

  It had been two weeks since Alex’s death. The trail of bodies, agencies infiltrated by unfriendly personnel, in addition to his brother being struck with a whip, left him angry as hell.

  He sighed then looked into the rear-view mirror he and Alex had put in.

  “Alex, you have to help me clean up the aftermath you left behind.”

  Nate ran his hand over the passenger seat of the vehicle that Alex had treasured. Every accessory decision had been agonized over as if it was a piece of evidence in a murder trial. Nate smiled as he reached under the driver’s seat to feel the secret compartment they had put in.

  “Hmm.” Nate stood up then reached back under the seat. He thought he felt something. He bent over, then unzipped the compartment. There was something there. An envelope with his name written on it.

  “What do we have here, Alex?”

  Opening the envelope, he found a piece of paper. Unfolding the piece of paper, he laughed. There was one word written repeatedly on the page.

  “Pie? What the hell is this, Alex?” He sat with his back leaning against the opened car door.

  “What are you laughing at?”

  He looked up to see Skylar standing in the garage opening. Standing, he leaned against the hood of the car. “This piece of paper I found in Alex’s car, just trying to make sense of it.”

  “What piece of paper?” She walked over to look. “That’s it.”

  “That’s what?” Nate raised an eyebrow.

  “It’s the piece of paper I told you about that night at Alex’s place. Where did you find it?”

  “It was in a pocket in the car. It looks like someone sat at an old typewriter and typed the simple word ‘pie’ across the page.”

  Skylar took the paper from him. “Yes, it was the same across the page 743 times.”

  “Well, it’s the same except right in the middle. It wasn’t a word it was a capital ‘P.I.E.,’ you know, like an acronym. An abbreviation for…” he jerked the paper from her. “Where did this paper come from?”

  “It was found in the evidence bag of one of the files from the DeFazio case.”

  The case from six months ago filled his mind. He closed his eyes in disbelief and in that moment, he knew that P.I.E. stood for Peaceful Intervention Emergence. There was no other explanation for it.

  Nate hit the hood of the car with his fist. “Damn it, Alex, you should have given this to me two weeks ago.”

  “What?” Skylar questioned.

  Nate slammed the car door then ran inside the house with Skylar right behind him.

  “You want to tell me what’s going on?” she questioned.

  Nate ran into his office. Pulling out the legal pad connected to that case and the one he was working on, he was ecstatic. “Come with me! I think I know what they are up to.”

  “Who, the people at Peaceful Intervention Emergence?”

  “P.I.E,” he said as he grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses then walked out on his balcony. “They are trying to recreate the past.” Nate turned then ran back into the house and grabbed his laptop. “Sit, sit, sit,” he said to Skylar.” Then he pulled up the internet.

  “Okay,” Skylar took a seat then picked up a glass and the bottle of wine. “I’m going to sit here and drink until you tell me what in the hell is going on.”

  “Pull out your phone. Search everything you can find on Peaceful Intervention Emergence. Let’s compare what we find.”

  Skylar pulled out her phone. “Wait, I’ll get my laptop from the car. I can work faster from there.”

  While Skylar was gone, Nate placed a call to Sapphire, he didn’t know why, but he had a feeling she would be able to get what he needed.

  “I need to go underground on the internet. How would I do that?”

  “There is certain terminology you need to use if you want information. People in the dark space know when a traitor is in their midst and may shut down on you.”

  “Okay, walk me through it.”

  “I’m going to send you a link. It will allow me to access your computer. Click the link when you receive it.”

  Nate followed Sapphire’s instructions. When Skylar returned, he instructed her to do the same thing. About an hour in, they found what they were looking for.

  “Holy shit! It’s a recruitment center.” Nate exhaled.

  “Look at the numbers,” Skylar gasped. “There are thousands of them.”

  “You would be surprised at the number of groups dedicated to the same mindset.”

  “The P.I.E. organization has multiple groups. You are right, these numbers are frightening. This group alone has thousands.” Nate shook his head.

  “It is not surprising, Nate,” Sapphire stated. “These hate groups have been around for years. They are now at a point where they have been emboldened and see no need to hide their actions.”

  “If that is true, why are they communicating in secret?” Skylar asked.

  “Because some of their thoughts and activities are illegal, at least in this country.” Nate replied.

  “Let’s sort through those who are just propaganda and those who are seriously dangerous.” Sapphire stated. “I’m going to use Virginia as a filter.”

  “All of them are dangerous; you just have to define the levels.” Nate offered. “I’m going to read what I just found in my search.”

  Prepare yourself and your family. The time to reclaim our country is here. Purity through Infiltration and Elimination has one goal: To preserve the purity of the race. This will be accomplished by eliminating the number of multiracial children being born in the United States; controlling the Black and Brown race through forms of legalized slavery, and to ensure those with what is deemed extraordinary intelligence are used to enhance the actions of the organization.

  The P.I.E. infiltration is here…. And so it begins.

  Nate took a moment for the words to penetrate all their minds then declared. “I believe a revolution has begun.”

  “Look who it is signed by,” Sapphire smiled.

  “Evan Welch,” Nate shared a fist bump. “This gives us probable cause.”

  “Let’s go get his ass.” Skylar cheered.

  “I’ll meet you at Chief Williams’s office.”

  69

  Nate smiled as he walked into the lobby of Peaceful Intervention Emergence. Tony, and Skylar were at his side with a team of FBI agents and men in blue behind them. The lobby wasn’t as full as it had been on the previous visit, but it didn’t matter. They were there for one man and to find whatever information they could that would lead them to Christian Vaughan.

  “Why, if it isn’t the lovely Krystal O’Donnell.” This was the woman who was the receptionist during his first visit.

  “Detective Reigns.” She turned looking as if she was surprised to see him. “I do not have time for you today. I’m rather busy.”

  “I must have come up in the world, Ms. O’Donnell you can actually look me in the eyes when you speak.”

  “It is I who have progressed in my professional life. While you are still and will always be beneath me,” Krystal
responded.

  “Your hypothesis is based on a misconception that you were on the same level as me at some point. I can assure you; we are not. We never have been nor will we ever be.” Nate looked around at the blond hair blue eyed men who entered the lobby from several directions.

  “Ooh, look kid,” Tony smiled. “More clones.”

  “The more fun we can have,” Nate stated. “We have a search warrant for this building and an arrest warrant for Evan Welch. Would you be kind enough to direct me to his office?”

  “This is not a good time. You need to leave the building.” Krystal replied.

  “Search warrant, arrest warrant, you make time,” Nate stated.

  “Listen,” Skylar added. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way lady. Frankly I don’t care which.”

  “Is this person of color disturbing you Ms. O’Donnell?” One of the men dressed in a navy suit, white shirt and red tie asked.

  “He is, but it is inconsequential, as is he. Please show these people to Mr. Welch’s office, then continue with your orders.” Krystal turned to Nate. “I strongly suggest you take care of whatever business you have with Mr. Welch then leave the premises as soon as possible.” She turned then walked away.

  “Mr. Welch, some Coloreds are here. Shall I call the authorities?” A woman standing in front of the office asked.

  Nate pulled out his badge and smiled. “No, the person of color is the authority around these parts.”

  “Mr. Welch, I’m going to ask that you stop what you are doing.” Skylar held up her identification. “I am Federal Prosecutor Burrell. These men are taking control of this office.”

  “Well, what happened Evan? It looks like you are packing up. Why? You don’t like our fair city anymore?”

  “Detective Reigns, we meet again.” Evan nodded to the woman. “Ask Ms. O’Donnell to join us. What can I do for you Detective Reigns?”

  “You can start by telling me who killed Alex Burnett and why? Then we can move on to your little organization and Christian Vaughan.” Nate glared at him.

  Welch chuckled. “Detective, my time is valuable. State your business and leave.”

  “Why is everyone so eager for us to leave?” Tony asked. “We just arrived. I consider that as being rude.”

  The woman returned. “Mr. Welch, Ms. O’Donnell could not be located.” she stated.

  “Thank you. Continue with your orders,” Evan stated.

  “What’s wrong Evan? Are your people deserting you?”

  “State your business, Detective.” Evan snapped.

  “Kid,” Tony called from the doorway. “Take a look at this.”

  Nate looked at one of the agents. “If he moves, shoot him.” Then he walked to the door and stood next to Tony.

  “Does it look like people are packing up and moving swiftly towards the elevators?”

  Nate looked up and down the hallway. Then he looked back at Evan. His gut kicked in double time.

  “Skylar you and your agents get out of the building.”

  “What?” Skylar said as she looked up from the files she was sorting through.

  “Leave the building, now!” Nate repeated. “Tony, you go with her.”

  “What’s going on Nate?” Skylar walked over to him.

  “Take a look in the hallway. People are leaving in droves.”

  Skylar walked over to where Tony stood. She looked right then left. “Agents take what you can carry and leave the building.”

  “You too, Skylar. I need to have a private moment with Mr. Welch.”

  “Whatever you need to discuss with me can be done outside this building.”

  Nate’s phone buzzed. “Why are you and your employees so eager to leave?” He asked as he checked the message on the phone. It was from Sapphire. Building is rigged to explode. GET OUT!

  He showed the message to Skylar.

  “Put him in handcuffs, and let’s go.” Skylar ordered.

  “No, I need a private moment with him,” Nate stated. “You go. I will be down in a minute.”

  “Nate,” Skylar huffed.

  “Go. Take all of our people out of the building.”

  “Come with us,” Skylar pleaded.

  “Tony, take her out.” Nate ordered.

  “Nate come with us. He is not worth it.” Tony declared.

  “Oh, but he is,” Nate replied. “I’m right behind you Tony. Get our people to safety.”

  “Let’s go Ms. Burrell.” Tony took her by the arm practically dragging her out of the room.

  “Well, Evan,” Nate said as he reached behind his back, then pulled the whip that was used on Hayden out. “I was hoping we’d have a moment together. He snapped the whip out, causing Evan to flinch.

  “Do you recognize this?”

  Evan took a step back. “I do not.”

  “I think you do,” Nate tilted his head to the side.

  “You have nothing to connect me to that weapon. I am going to strongly suggest that we have this conversation at the station.”

  “So that you can call a lawyer? I think not,” Nate replied. “Who killed Alex Burnett and why?” Nate snapped the whip closer to Evan this time.

  “The man who killed Burnett is gone. Are you happy? He is gone.”

  “Not good enough Evan. Did you order his death?”

  Nate snapped the whip this time connecting with Evan’s hand. The man jerked it away with a scream.

  “I have never heard a man scream before,” Nate smiled. “It doesn’t feel too good, does it? Did you order Alex Burnett’s death?” Nate pulled the whip back to snap it again, but Evan replied.

  “It was sanctioned by the upper levels.” He cried out.

  “Why?”

  Evan hesitated. “Why?” Nate was ready to wrap the rope around his neck.

  “His replacement was ready.”

  “Explain.”

  Evan hesitated again.

  Nate snapped the whip across Evan’s arm. Grabbing his arm Evan fell to the floor with a scream lodged in his throat.

  “Explain.” Nate ordered.

  “We prepare people to take over certain positions in order to control branches of the justice system.”

  “Very good, Evan,” Nate stated standing over the man. “Who is bowing to who now?” Nate hissed. “Give me a name.”

  “I can’t,” Evan squealed.

  Nate noticed that the man’s eyes shifted past him. The expression in Evan’s eyes changed. “A name.” Nate repeated as he reached for his gun.

  He swung around to see Krystal standing behind him with a gun. It fired right before he pulled his trigger. It took Nate a few seconds to realize he had not been hit. He heard the thump of Evan’s body hitting the floor. But he did not dare take his eye from the gun Krystal was holding.

  “Drop your weapon.”

  Krystal did not drop her gun, but she did put it away.

  Nate looked over to see a bullet hole in the center of Evan Welch’s head.

  “This building is going down in five minutes. You need to get out of here, now.”

  Nate still had his weapon on Krystal standing in the doorway.

  “I’m not going to say it again. That door is a private elevator. Nonstop to the garage. The name you want is William Whitaker. Now get on it then get the hell out of here.” She turned and ran off.

  Nate was confused, but he didn’t think twice. He opened the door. There was an elevator. He closed the door behind him then rode nonstop down to the garage. He had just cleared the elevator when he heard the first crackle. Alarms started blaring, then windows began shattering. He ran through the garage to the main opening just as the building began to crumble.

  Nate could not believe his eyes.

  “Nate, Nate, answer me kid, answer me!”

  Nate heard Tony’s voice in his earwig but was too stunned to respond. His phone buzzed. Nate was covered in dust from the fallen rubble. He pulled out his phone and read the message.

  Your ass better not be dead
.

  It was another message from Sapphire. All Nate could do was laugh. He bent over to catch his breath then activated the earwig. “I’m good Tony,” he laughed. “I’m good.”

  Looking around wondering why in the hell did Krystal O’Donnell of all people just save his life, his eyes stopped on the roof of the Supreme Court building on Main Street. Yes, it was a little distance away and he could not swear by it, but damn if it did not look like his mother was standing on the roof. Coughing from the dust caused him to look away. Then Skylar ran to him, almost knocking him over. He had to stand up straight to catch her. Tony wasn’t far behind running toward him. Nate looked back up to the roof top. It was bare. No one was there.

  “You scared the living hell out of me. Don’t you do that shit again.”

  “Yeah, what she said,” Tony added. “Where’s Welch?”

  Nate looked at the collapsed building. “In a grave of his own making.”

  Epilogue

  Nate could still see the smoke from the building collapsing earlier in the day. Whoever placed the explosives did it with precision, as if they had been bringing down buildings for years. The last report he heard from Rachel indicated it was a gas leak that caused the building to collapse. At last check, Fire Chief Hasting indicated an all clear for the downtown area.

  “All’s well that ends well,” Nate said as he pulled into the garage. With the garage door closing behind him, Nate got out of his car. He stood there looking at the red Mustang, one of the catalysts that led to the bond between him and Alex. He walked over, touched the hood of the car and closed his eyes. “We got some of them, Alex. We’re going to get the rest.”

  He turned and walked into his house. “Smooth Jazz,” he ordered. Dropping his coat on the hook in the mud room, the mellow sounds of the musical group Foreplay played in the background as he walked into the kitchen. Turning, on his way to his bedroom, he stopped. Something on his balcony caught his eye. He walked over to the sliding doors, then stepped onto his deck. There was a bottle of D'usse with a card tented in front of it.