by Jeff D Ellis
“What did you see here?”
“I saw tracks leading to this spot, but they just stopped. I scented the Windigo and Hammer.”
“Excellent! At least we know who took him and that he was alive when he passed here.”
“There has to be a hidden passage here. People don’t just disappear. You check that wall and I’ll check this one.”
Looking closely with her flashlight, she found a vertical crack in the wall that ran from floor to ceiling. Checking three feet away, she found another one.
“David, this side. Look at these two cracks. This has to be a doorway of some sort. We just need to find how it opens.”
He nodded and looked closer. “No activation holes like at The Second Circle, at least not in that area. Keep looking here while I check the last five feet.”
The wall was covered in plaster over brick. There was a spot where the plaster had come off the bricks and in that section of wall, David found a loose brick with handle behind it.
“I think I found it! Watch the wall.”
David pulled the handle.
Abby got her rifle ready. “That did the trick.”
David joined her at the doorway with his pistol out. “Ready?”
She nodded. “Ready.”
On entry, David moved in and scanned the right side of the room, knowing Abby would take the left side. The room was small with a door on the opposite side. They stacked up again at the new door. This time Abby would open it for David to go through. After looking at David, she found the door wasn’t locked, and on his signal, she opened it and they rushed in.
“Clear.”
The room contained two old jail cells and a wooden desk with chair. The room looked like it came right out of some Old West movie set.
David started checking out the room. “Hammer’s scent is fresh in this cell and the other one smells like the Windigo we killed. I also smell a slightly different Windigo. I think we just missed finding Hammer.”
“This is not the place from my vision. I’m going to check the outer room for clues.”
There was nothing he could find in this room that would give him his next step. How could this room be used to hold people and monsters with no evidence to know who was involved or where they were? No one was this careful. He must be overlooking something. He went into the cell where Hammer had been held for a second look. Something was scratched under the sleeping pad on the shelf. It read ‘Thorn Windigo’. It wasn’t proof of any kind, but David took it as being on the right track.
“You find anything?”
“I found a vial of ketamine that I think was used to sedate Hammer for transport. You?”
“I think they finally made a mistake. Someone scratched ‘Thorn Windigo’ under the bed. They must not have redressed Hammer and he had something hard enough to scratch with.”
“I don’t understand why Hammer was brought here and not in an actual lab some place. I can understand keeping someone he changed into a Windigo here, but not someone still Human.”
“From the scents I picked up, I think he is still Human. We need to work on next steps. I don’t think he’s underground.”
“We need to find a modern operating room like in my vision. At first, I thought he might have a set up down here, but after seeing this room, I don’t think so. I don’t think he would use Thorn Technologies.”
“We better get back to the office and talk with the Chief.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Inside Man?
ABBY FELT IT would be best to explain their findings with the Chief before sharing with the rest of the team.
After knocking, the Chief waved them in.
“Have a seat! What do you have to report?”
David and Abby filled him in on everything they found in detail.
“Are you thinking someone tipped them off?”
“I don’t know how else they would know to leave right before we got there.”
“I have known everybody on my team for years and can’t see any of them working with a Windigo.”
Abby nodded. “I can’t believe it was one of us, but would it be all right if I talked to them?”
“I want to see how you are going to approach this. Start with clearing me.”
“You sure, Chief?”
“That’s an order.”
“How goes the research on Otis Thorn? Have you ever seen or spoken to him?”
“We are still in progress. I have never had contact with him, but I was warned to give him distance unless we have solid proof.”
“Has anybody outside of the team told you we were going back to the underground today?”
“As far as I know, the SPD has not been informed of our line of inquiry or the details of our search for the killer. No one else comes close to needing to know about this. I haven’t even briefed my superiors, yet.”
“Do you know of any way our killer could have found out we were closing in?”
“Only if someone on the team said something or if the Windigo has access to an Oracle. That would explain why they got out when they did.”
“Have you ever been in contact with someone that could have been infected by a Windigo?”
“Only David.”
“Chief, as best as I can tell from my abilities for determining truth, you believe you were not the source of the leak or have of any connection with the killer.”
The Chief nodded but looked thoughtful. “You have my permission to interview the team, but try to be even more casual in your questions, and you tell me your results first. They shouldn’t be aware they are being cleared or not.”
“Yes, sir.”
To make things seem more casual, David stayed at his desk while Abby talked with Perry and Gwen.
“Hey guys, any luck on finding Otis Thorn’s properties?”
“Not yet but we haven’t given up. No luck on your underground search?”
“We think we found a place that might have held Hammer, but it was empty. Have you heard anything more about the underground? Anybody saying anything?”
Gwen shook her head. “No, but we haven’t talked to anybody about you being out searching today.”
Perry nodded. “We have been so focused on finding the Detective, we haven’t talked with anybody but you all day. Even the Chief didn’t dare interrupting our focus on this.”
Gwen tilted her head. “That’s funny. I just realized Ash hasn’t come up like she normally does. Maybe she’s out of the office today.”
“Does Ash have access to everything we’re working on?”
Gwen shook her head. “She isn’t cleared for anything other than medical reports sent to her, but she has been taking an extra interest in this case. I guess it’s related to David getting infected. It must be more excitement than she’s used to.”
“What about Jeff?”
“He’s working in his lab as usual. Maybe he’s heard something.”
“Thanks. I better go check with Jeff.”
Jeff was in his lab, as Gwen suspected.
“Hey, Jeff. We had the P90 out in the field today, but didn’t have a reason to use more than the light mounted on it.”
“Did it handle good for you?”
“With its compact size, it was great for room clearing. I hope the tracers work well on the Windigo if it comes down to it. Have you heard anybody talking about the underground today?”
“I’ve been busy with my inventory and stocking up on ammo for your P90s and pistols. You’re the first guest in my lab all day. I didn’t know you were going in the field today. How is David doing?”
Abby smiled. Jeff was a great guy. “Almost fully back to normal, thanks for asking.”
Jeff nodded and looked away. “I need him to do his qualification on the P90, like you did when he was out sick. There is too much liability to let him have his until he does.”
“As soon as I get back to my desk, I will send him down.”
“I know he will run the gun like an
expert, but I need to sign off on the target that I witnessed him following the course of fire.”
Abby laughed. “And I thought you just liked to watch me shoot.”
When Abby got back to her desk, she sent David down as promised and checked in with the Chief.
“I talked with Gwen, Perry, and Jeff. I believe they didn’t tip anybody off to our activities today and are in the clear. I wasn’t able to talk to Ash. She seems to have taken the day off.”
“Strange. She didn’t say anything to me about being out of the office today. It’s not like she works here fulltime. She does research consulting at times. We just don’t have enough work for her to be here full time.”
“Has she ever consulted with Thorn Technologies?”
“Not directly, but she could have through her work at UW. Many companies outsource some research to the university.”
“Does she have access to our mission reports and logs?”
“Her clearance is for files we send to her related to her research. She shouldn’t have known where you were working today.”
“Then I have no idea how Thorn could have been tipped off we were coming. You could be right about an Oracle.”
“You are clear to tell them more about what you found in the Underground and keep them focused on Thorn and dig up research about seers living in the area.”
At least she didn’t have to hide things from the team anymore. Abby didn’t care for doing readings on her co-workers. She was glad to tell them more.
“Guys, I’m sorry to interrupt again, but I should go more in-depth on what we found so you don’t have to wait for our report.”
Gwen looked over at Perry and nodded. “Now’s a good time. It could break us out of our rut and get us moving again.”
Abby filled them in about the drugs and the scratches David had found in the cell.
“Do you think Thorn has an Oracle working for him? Do you know of any in our area?”
“The government couldn’t get a Veiled registration passed and we have no idea of who is working in our area unless a Deputy runs across them. I don’t remember any reports of an Oracle living in King County. That isn’t saying much. If you hadn’t told us, we would never have known you sometimes have visions.”
“If we wanted to find one, is there someone we could ask?”
“From what we know, they don’t work cheap and people who use an Oracle don’t talk about it.”
“I’ll talk to Grandfather. None of the tribal Shamans would help a Windigo, but maybe he knows of someone who works for outsiders.”
She placed the evidence bag with the vial of ketamine in it on the desk. “Is there anything we can get off this? Is it traceable or anything?”
“I will check for any serial and lot numbers to trace and have Jeff dust it for fingerprints.”
“Thanks, Gwen.”
It wasn’t long before David was back at his desk after qualifying with Jeff.
“All set?”
“All legal on the new guns, and they are locked in the safe in the back of your SUV. We are good to go if you have any new leads for us to follow.”
“It was suggested that Thorn is working with an Oracle. I should check with Grandfather to see if he knows of someone that would be willing to work outsiders.”
“Is there really an Oracle race of Veiled, or is he just talking about someone like you and Grandfather that have visions?”
“From what I can tell, there are Oracles that live in the world.”
David smiled. “They must keep hidden if we have never heard about them in modern times, but I hadn’t heard about Greta’s type of Vampires so what do I know?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Search for an Oracle
ABBY HAD NO idea why the monster would keep Hammer alive, but they had to find him and end the killings. She dropped David off at home. Even though it was late, she knew Grandfather would be waiting for her.
As expected, Grandfather was at the door ready to invite her in.
“Please come in and sit.”
Abby sat in the chair opposite the one he used. “Thank you, Grandfather.”
“You are troubled even with David returned to you.”
“We need to find the monster and save a friend.”
“You think he has help.”
“He seemed to know we were coming. Does he have an Oracle?”
“No Shaman would help such a monster.”
“Are there Oracles?”
“Yes, it is so, but they would not be tricked into helping a monster.”
“How could he know?”
“You will know soon.”
“Is there a way to find this monster?”
“You will find it. Yes, it is so.”
“But how, Grandfather?”
“In time you will tell me.”
“Is there magic I might do to find my friend?”
“Bring me something of the person you would find. I will teach you.”
“Thank you, Grandfather. I will be back tomorrow.”
From experience, she knew the magic could not be rushed and returning with something of Hammer’s tonight would only put her at risk. When she was rested, Grandfather would be willing to teach her what she needed to know. She would need to pick out the right thing from his house. It needed to contain his energy and it had to be strongly associated with him. If she picked the wrong item, the magic would fail, and she might not get a second chance.
Hold on, Hammer! We’re coming for you as soon as we can!
***
Hammer woke up strapped to a hospital bed. He struggled against the bonds, but they were too strong for him to break free. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm the growing panic. The windowless room was modern and felt sterile. Looking down, he was shocked to see he was dressed in a hospital gown. His time must be running out.
“Is anyone there?”
A slim woman with long black hair in a white lab coat entered his field of view.
“Don’t worry. I’m only here for a blood sample.”
He tried to keep his voice calm. “I’m a police officer. You need to let me go.”
She cleaned his arm and took some blood.
“You don’t have to do this. Let me go and I can protect you.”
She laughed. “Protect me? Why would I need protection?”
“You are in grave danger. Otis Thorn is a monster.”
“Now, now. You’re about to make medical history.”
Why wasn’t she seeing the danger? “You’re crazy if you think he won’t turn on you.”
“When this works, you will be like a god among men. Just relax. This will all be over in a couple of days.”
He struggled against his bonds again with no luck. “People are looking for me. Let me go now and I will forget you were part of my abduction.”
“When we are done, you won’t care about that at all. Now rest.”
She injected him with something, darkness closed in once again.
***
Abby dropped David off at work on the way to search Hammer’s house for anything she could use for the tracking magic. They had decided she would work on the magical approach and he would help do research in the office. She walked up to Hammer’s door. Nothing indicated the Marshals had been there. She quickly picked the lock on the door and went in. She walked through the house and everything was just how Hammer would have left it. Only the blood-soaked comforter had been changed with a new one.
She needed something personal that he handled often, something connected with his energy. Checking his closet, none of his clothes seemed to have much of his energy. Dirty clothes might be good for a scent dog, but not so good for what she needed. She needed something like his watch or a ring. The nightstand, dresser, and bathroom didn’t have anything like that. He must have been wearing them when he was captured. The one thing that came to mind was planted here. His badge was here and would have been something he was in contact with every day
for years. Its metal construction would hold energy better than many objects. Looking around, she didn’t find it. The forensics guys must have taken it for prints. This was all a stupid mistake! She should have checked the evidence log at work instead of coming all the way out here. Maybe there was a cosmic reason for being here. Something everybody missed.
She knew the bed was one place that had been tampered with, so maybe it warranted another look. If there had been any magic, David would have seen it. If there had been any normal evidence, the forensics guys would have found it. What was she meant to find?
Following her instincts, she removed a sage smudge stick, lighter, charcoal, incense, and a bowl from her pack. After lighting the sage, she used its smoke to cleanse herself. The bowl was made from clay and would handle the heat from the charcoal without issue. She sat cross-legged on the floor with her back pressed against the bed and placed the bowl nearby with the charcoal inside it. After lighting the charcoal and getting it going, she sprinkled a special incense mix on it that should help induce a vision. Breathing with long slow breaths, she let the incense smoke flow through her. Her eyes got heavy and she let her mind drift, thinking only of Hammer.
A woman dressed in jeans, a hoodie, and gloves, entered the room. She placed Hammer’s badge, notebook, and gun on the table they had found it on. She opened a vial of blood and dumped it on the bed. Abby tried to get a good look at her face, but it was concealed by the hoodie she was wearing. The only feature she could make out were gray eyes with a supernatural glow about them.