Daze of Reality

by Molly Barrett

  While motioning Kayla toward the direction of the offices, he ordered Cody into a lookout position. The first two offices were cleared quickly with no sign of recent occupation. It was when John reached the third office that the trouble seemed to start. The office floor was flooded with the stench of human waste and the smell of weed in the air, someone had definitely been staying here, and as John moved to the back filing room he saw who that person was. An old bearded man that John had seen brought in numerous times on drug charges lay on the floor, fresh blood splattered around him, and dripping from his warm body. The man was dead, a gunshot wound decorating his forehead. John rushed back towards Kayla’s position.

  “Fresh kill in the back here,” he whispered softly, “and he’s not our man either.”

  John saw Kayla immediately tense as she nodded her understanding. He knew that there were only two more offices here in the front, and he wondered if Rico had been crazy enough to close himself in to the back of the office hallway somewhere. The last two offices were around the corner with no exit way that John knew of.

  John held up his fingers indicating to Kayla that there were two more offices left. He looked back to see Cody still in place at the opening to the office hallways. There was more room to hide in the main area, why would Rico have come this way? Maybe the old man startled him and he didn’t have time to change paths after the kill. John used his mirror to quickly look around the corner, seeing no presence reflected in the image. As he planned out his approach, John heard the loud gun fire popping off in Cody’s direction. He immediately motioned for Kayla to cover him as they raced back to young Cody’s position.

  There were at least five shooters directing fire from across the open area that had at least a few decent cover points. John could see the direction of fire and quickly shot down one of the closest shooters. He and Cody then pulled back to better cover themselves inside the large doorway. Kayla joined them, aiming however cautiously at the unclear hallway now behind them.

  “Need some assistance?” Craig sarcastically called out in John’s earpiece.

  “Yeah, I think there are four shooters left in the main area now, and we didn’t get to clear the hallway behind us before they started shooting at Cody’s ass. Kayla’s watching the hallway for us. There was a fresh kill in the third office down the hall, old man with a hole in his head now.”

  “Well, never fear your reinforcements are here.”

  As Craig, Seth, and their backup officers moved in, John and Cody assisted in firing from their now somewhat safer position. The remaining four shooters now focused more of their attention toward the incoming officers, and it was easier for John and Cody to get some shots off as well. Suddenly, John’s lingering fear began to play out behind him. The sound was loud, like a quick pop of thunder. John turned instantly, seeing no one in the first hallway, someone then had to be around the corner that they had been unable to take before.

  “You two stay put,” John ordered sharply.

  Kayla glared at John as he took off down the hallway. As she pondered a quick decision on whether to ignore John’s demands, a call came into her earpiece.

  “We got three of the four known shooters down now you guys,” Craig called out in a rushed voice.

  Kayla turned to Cody, and he gave her the go ahead to follow John since most of the shooters were now out of the game. Kayla then found herself once again attempting to catch up with John’s adrenaline.

  John had moved stealthily down the hallway and was now turning the corner after again utilizing his mirror tool. He heard the commotion coming from the first office and made his way onto its stage. There he found Rico now holding his pistol to the head of a young black male, probably just a runaway teen in the wrong place at the wrong time John thought.

  “Put the fucking gun down bitch,” Rico now ordered John. “Do you want to be responsible for me sending this little piece of shit where he belongs? One more step, and I’ll send him straight to hell.”

  John didn’t blink, starring down his opponent. A standoff seemed to emerge between the two men. John knew that Rico’s back was against the wall so to speak and that Rico wasn’t planning on going out alone. He could see the fear in the boy’s eyes, begging for John as his savior. However, there was no clear shot to be made.

  “You going to off this kid when you’re only wanted for questioning as a witness today?” John lied, hoping to stall for time or a better shot. “Nobody’s got anything on you; it was one of your own boys shot down. I highly doubt that was your handy work. We just want to find out who did it so they get what they deserve,” John responded attempting the false empathy route. “I’m sure that we could work something out for that misunderstanding outside if you give us what we want.”

  “Bullshit, and I already heard you bitches were looking for me because somebody did one of those rich bitches in. I don’t know nothing about that shit.”

  “And I’m sure you wouldn’t have any trouble giving us an alibi either. You have so many people surrounding you; I’m sure you were hanging out with at one of them, elsewhere.” John calmly spoke, knowing in reality several witnesses had come forward identifying a man fitting Rico’s description, tattoos and all.

  “I know what you’re doing; just trying to talk me down, get the upper hand. It ain’t gonna’ happen, not here not now. Neither you or this boy are making it out of here alive today.” With those words spoken came the loud distraction just outside the door. John took advantage of the split second when Rico’s eyes changed their focus. He shot off a fatal round that pierced straight through Rico’s body. Rico’s lifeless form fell to the ground as the boy instinctively ducked away from him. Before John could turn completely around to the new presence however, he was knocked forcefully to the floor, banging his head hard to the ground once more. The next sound he heard was that of two single shots, one coming from across the room; the other fired from just above him. As he looked over to see his initial attacker, Kayla’s eyes stared into his own. She slowly pulled herself off of John, who was now a bit dazed.

  “What, what just happened?”

  “The boy had a gun when he rose up John. I could see it drawn at you, it was in his pocket. It would have gone straight through those thin pants of his and found its way to you.”

  John sat up to see the young boy lying dead on the floor in his own pool of blood not far from Rico. John was missing something here. Soon, he heard Craig call out.

  “John?” Craig screamed out as Seth followed quickly behind him. Craig came to the office where John and Kayla were, and blinked his eyes widely. He looked down to see John signaling him to clear the final office. “Oh, shit!” Craig called out. ”We’re clear in here, but there’s something I think you’ll want to see.”

  John moved to stand up, realizing his head was more clouded than he thought.

  “John, why don’t you sit down for a moment?” Kayla softly suggested.

  “No, I’m okay. Now why in the hell did you do that?”

  “I told you he was going to shoot you.” She repeated.

  “That’s not what I meant.” John quickly replied as he pulled Kayla’s arm toward him, eyeing the grazed wound. “Why did you put yourself in the direct line of fire like that for me?”

  Kayla’s eyes reached somberly into John’s as she spoke softly. “…Because I need you to trust me.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Damn John you two sure you’re alright?” Craig cautiously questioned as he watched Brown wrapping her arm.

  “Yeah, what surprise is waiting for us now?” John spoke out as they came into the last room. Craig led John to the back side of the office where an old rusted door opened up from the floor. Peering down inside the open space with his flashlight, John saw what had gotten Craig so excited.

  “A shitload of pot, huh? I guess the old man thought he had hit the jackpot,” John laughed.

  “Well, the door was already open John, maybe he found someone’s cache,” Craig answered
back.

  “What was the description on those shooters you took out Craig?” John responded.

  “Black males, at least two with gang insignias.”

  “I think we walked in on more than a pissed off Rico. His gang is Latino. The kid and the other shooters must have been here for a pick up or a delivery. Any chance one of them still has a fucking heart beat? Some insider info might be helpful.”

  “When they called for the ambulances at least one of them was still alive,” Craig answered back.

  John looked over to Kayla, and they both started out toward the main area. Arriving swiftly to the man, they saw paramedics still working on, the two noticed the man’s eyes fluttering. John stared down to the man. “You protecting a delivery or a purchase?”

  “Fuck you pig; I got loyalties, and they ain’t to you.”

  “Well, where you’re going I don’t think you need to worry about your current allegiance, but maybe you can redeem yourself by answering my questions.” The man closed his eyes wincing in pain. “You must be someone of importance. Enlighten me to the depths of intelligence for a man such as yourself,” John responded.

  “Damn straight, I am,” the man now whispered. “I am a man of many talents, talented in offing pigs like you.”

  “Well, not today.” John leaned down to sit on his knees. “I’m afraid that you might not make it today, my friend. You’re Damien’s older brother aren’t you?”

  “What’s it to you?”

  “Well, I might be able to help with your little brother’s drug charges if you can help me out here. There’s a really nice rehab program through the drug court, thing is it’s hard as hell to get into. I think I could put in a good word, beats hard time.”

  The man’s breathing was now very shallow, and in less than a whisper he responded with his final words. “It came south of the border, it always comes from down south, in many varieties.”

  Kayla pulled John to the side as they watched a useless attempt to revive the man. “Across the border, huh? So what are you thinking?” She asked.

  “About what, the motivations for your behaviors or the dead perp’s?”

  “You know John, if I didn’t know any better I might deduce that you are intimidated by female partners, especially those that like to watch your ass.” Kayla smiled.

  John rolled his eyes, ignoring her comment, yet still curious of her recent actions and words. He would have to question her later. As he glanced across the room, he wondered idly what role Stroud would be taking on scene. He guessed that he was about to find out.

  “Well, well what a mess you have made John,” Stroud spoke with a slight grimace.

  “Hey, Brown here helped,” John replied sarcastically.

  “If it’s any conciliation, the shooters have been taken down and we discovered pot at the end of the rainbow. A large shipment and our witness here, says it was courtesy of our friends south of the border.” Brown replied.

  “Ah, a perfect example of why stronger security measures for our borders should be pushed forward. It would certainly assist in stifling out these types of problems,” Stroud commented sternly.

  “Yeah, even though we’re not directly on the border, we are close enough to where its security issues deliver us a hell of a lot of inconveniences and not just the pot traffickers,” John commented.

  “An agreement to the need for stronger borders John, something we finally agree on,” Stroud spoke amused.

  “Yeah ain’t that some shit.” John knew that the government types were pushing for stronger border security these days, seeing it as another way to increase their control over the country. Most of them wanted an iron curtain along the borders so as not to let anyone outside of the country have an edge on them or their power. John had to admit for his purposes, the weaker borders brought more crime to cities like his that were near the border.

  “Agent Brown, you should make your way to the ambulance at this time; have that arm of yours checked,” Stroud spoke firmly to Kayla.

  “Really, I’m alright for now.”

  “That wasn’t a request, Agent Brown,” Stroud spoke harshly.

  John watched as Kayla hesitantly made her way away from the scene.

  “John you need to follow her as well. “

  “That’s alright, really.”

  “I will not have you bleeding on my crime scene, Lieutenant. That is not a request for you either.”

  “Your crime scene? Bullshit,” John replied as he noticed Ryst walk up.

  “This scene now represents a federal landscape seeing as where your drugs are coming from,” Stroud challenged.

  “Which at the most brings a joint jurisdiction on your part,” John retorted. “Or have you forgotten your utopian promises of jurisdictional harmony?”

  “John, get your ass over to the ambulance. When you’re cleared you can come play catch up,” Captain Ryst interrupted.

  John rolled his eyes and headed in the direction of the ambulance before he said something of which he very much regretted. As he reached his destination he saw the paramedic cleaning Kayla’s arm. He studied her face, and she seemed deep in thought. Sensing his glare she soon turned toward him.

  “You know I’m filing a complaint on you for attacking me right,” John joked quietly.

  Kayla then rolled her eyes and laughed. “Yeah, good luck with that, John.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “So what do you know about all of this bullshit?” John questioned as he sat down across from Derek. He had arrived once more to Derek’s basecamp still clueless as to where he was, however. The enjoyable hooded ride had not revealed much of a clue, especially after they knocked him out. Derek had said the syringe of sleep was just precautionary.

  “And what bullshit would that be John? There’s so much flying around these days.”

  “Oh I don’t know, maybe this supposed jurisdictional harmony I’ve found myself in now.”

  “Ah, you mean that hot bitch you’re courting.”

  “Yeah, I guess. Her and her little friends are trying to take over it seems.”

  “I’d say they already have John, but one night with her, hell it might be worth it,” Derek sneered.

  John rolled his eyes. “I think her friends are trying to invest in control of our fine department. Brilliant plan I’d have to admit. My first question is however, who the hell is she?”

  Derek stood up and walked over to the bar, serving himself this time. As he downed his shot of whiskey, he leaned casually onto the counter. “You know I’d be lying if I said I knew, but I’m looking into it. I wouldn’t trust the bitch though. Throwing eye candy into the mix is, predictable. It seems like it would be too obvious of a tactic. I’d probably trust her more if she were a bit more, repulsive let’s say. Hell I’ve had my fair share of goddesses try to pump shit out of me. I usually just pump something into them and then leave them with some kind of bullshit intel, you know,” Derek laughed. “The goddess tactic is a bit cliché now days it seems, but you’d be surprised at the number of dumbasses that still try to use it.”

  “Well, I don’t plan on trusting her; I’d just like to know if she knows what’s going on or if they’re just using her as well. Can you find out how long she’s been working under Stroud? Where she was before this assignment and for how long maybe?”

  “Brown hasn’t been seen in this area until recently. Of course that doesn’t mean she wasn’t courting Stroud long distance. Seems she was transferred in after Agent Miller left. He was shipped off to somewhere on the East coast.”

  “So that’s what happened to Miller, huh? I never did like that little shit either. Was he even an actual agent?”

  “As far as I can tell he was oblivious to the corrupt agency he swore an oath to, just followed orders. Another dammed sheep.”

  “So where did Stroud and Grayson come from? I’ve been doing my job for about ten years now, and I’ve never come into contact with either one of them.”

  “They seem t
o be transients, show up wherever they’re needed at the most appropriate time.”

  “So you’ve dealt with them before?”

  “Possibly,” Derek answered back while pouring himself another shot.

  “Right, is Ryst in on this with them? You have a guess on that?”

  “I think Ryst just has an allegiance to fear. He likes to talk big in your small pond police department, but he is scared shitless of the feds power. He’ll do whatever they say without question out of said fear.”

  “Yeah, I’m not convinced of that yet.”

  “Well, whatever the hell works for you,” Derek responded, apparently annoyed at John questioning his analysis.

  “They’re working their way in to my Homicide Division along with White Collar and Vice. Since you say you’re assisting me, why don’t you try to look further into their specific intentions, at least what’s up and coming?”

  “Well, you should know as well as I do now, John, they can manipulate reality anyway they want, especially now. They could cover for any gangster, gangbanger, or criminal of their choosing. We’re currently analyzing their motives.”

  “Analyzing huh, shit. I’m wondering what’s on their list, and how does this relate to my alleged serial killer cases? That’s what they were threatening me about before all the shit went down with my son, and before they crowded into my neighborhood. Hell, how many Lance Brooks’ are there? What are they trying to cover up, and what is the damn relationship between the District 4 stiffs and mine?”

  “Not sure, but I think this new approach to federal power play has the potential for long term manipulation of power, and they will probably have an even easier time overstepping your authority now. However you’re right; they have to have an immediate beneficial agenda as well, and it may be tied to your murders.”