Daze of Reality

by Molly Barrett

  “Guess I’ll take your word on that.”

  “Yeah thanks. Look John I’m sorry that you were forced into that. I didn’t like it from the beginning.”

  “Yeah, something tells me it wasn’t directly your fault seeing as how you almost got yourself killed out there.”

  “Yeah, about that John, I’m not used to people risking their ass to save mine. Thanks, I guess I owe you one.”

  “Who says I did it for you,” John smiled. “So what’s the plan now, what’s our way out.”

  “Shit, I’m just hoping that they don’t figure out who followed them deep enough to get caught up in their trap. I’m pretty sure we took care of everything though. We removed all of our dead, left no witnesses, and everyone had masks on the whole time with no identifiable clothing. The more I think about it, I really don’t see how they would have known who bit on it. Still, that was very reckless. Look John, I tried to tell them that this whole mission was a bad idea, but as far as the big picture goes I’m still lower level management, heh. I’ve worked my way up a bit, but I’m not at the top of this fucking organization by any means as of yet. I usually only know what they tell me, which isn’t nearly enough. I’m hoping to change that soon.”

  “So they own you too huh? How’d you end up with that luxury?”

  “That’s classified John, don’t ask me again. But yeah I guess you could say I’m stuck in the same hell hole you are.”

  “So did upper management give you any more tips?”

  “Fuck management, I think we’d do better figuring this shit out ourselves.”

  “So how long before we figure out how much they know?”

  “Not sure, but I’m sure they’ll let us know. I’m going to need you to trust me ok John, and I’ll try to trust you.”

  “What choice do I have at this point anyway?”

  “That’s the spirit,” Derek laughed. “Okay, seeing as how the shit is probably about to hit the fan, we should take a few precautions while we can. I don’t want to lose track of your sorry ass, so I’m going to have my guys attach a tracking device to you, well-hidden of course. It’s a simple procedure, just a slight needle prick.”

  “Wait a minute, I don’t think I like the idea of being constantly tracked.”

  “Well, that’s already been going on for quite some time, John. The company’s been tracking you; the FDC’s been tracking you, amongst other fans you have picked up along the way from the conglomerate’s peering eyes. What I’m offering you is a way to be tracked only by me and my trusted people if you know what I mean. I carry the same device inside of me, only a different frequency than what yours will be. The company doesn’t have access or knowledge of my tracking device, nor will they know of yours.”

  John searched the eyes of this man in front of him; it seemed they had changed a bit, maybe not as cold. Could he really trust Derek? Seemed like Derek was somewhat of a rogue to his own company, he kind of reminded John of himself just a bit; a lost man with a reluctance of trust in his life. Hell, though Derek took it to the extremes, John could understand some of his emotional instability now to a point. It somewhat mirrored his own, though John didn’t know where Derek’s was coming from completely. This was a moment of important decision for John, and possibly going outside of himself, his normal comfort level, he decided to risk trust in Derek and whatever consequences that might bring.

  “So is this like a permanent device?” John questioned.

  “It can be turned on and off from our end.”

  “In other words I’ll be fucking clueless, huh?”

  “John, this damn thing has saved my ass a few times. Trust me; it comes in handy when you’re dragged off by some of these crazy fuckers running around out there.”

  “Alright, fine. I guess I wouldn’t want to end up in a FDC hellhole without your state of the art beacon. Guess I’ll have to trust that you’d come after my ass for that.”

  “There you go John. I think it’s a wise decision.”

  John watched as Derek’s men placed the device into his arm, wondering again what the hell he’d gotten himself into. After testing John’s device and explaining its usage a bit further, Derek continued their discussion of the next steps to take.

  “I think you should go back home now John and be with your family. Remember, I’m backing up company security for Caroline, the twins, and Chris with my own personal men. Even if the FDC bitches have eyes on your house their no match for mine. Still, keep your eyes open, and just remember that I’m a phone call away alright. I’m going to work on digging into this new predicament we’ve found ourselves in. I’ll be in touch with you soon.”

  “Yeah, okay. When are you going to let me know what the damage is?”

  “As soon as I find out, once again keep me informed of the shit going down at work.”

  “I will; it’s gotten slightly hostile. I can’t wait to see what tomorrow’s Monday morning brings.”

  Derek’s men moved out in front of him, covering his exit from the room. As Derek moved to close the door, John checked his phone that he had stuffed away inside his pocket when Derek arrived.

  “Shit.” John mumbled a little too loudly. Caroline had called him five times and Alex had called him twice. Something was wrong. Derek paused and turned to John.

  “What the hell is it?” Derek quietly questioned.

  “I don’t know, but Caroline and Alex have called me several times now in the last hour.”

  “John, it’s three in the morning; call Caroline now,” Derek forcefully requested.

  “Dammit, something’s wrong,” John spoke aloud as he called Caroline’s cell number.

  Caroline answered the call on the second ring, her voice soft and meek. “Oh John, where have you been?”

  “I’m sorry; I didn’t know my phone was off. What’s wrong, Baby?”

  “John, it’s James. He’s been shot, they just don’t know if…” Caroline’s voice began to crack.

  “Aw, shit. I’m on my way.” John hung the phone up, feeling numb deep inside himself. Was this his doing? Was he responsible?

  “John, what the hell happened?” Derek quietly asked.

  “My brother’s been shot. James he’s…I don’t know. I have to go.”

  “Alright John, I’ll send some security to the hospital.”

  “Haven’t you done enough already Derek?” John then questioned harshly as he moved past Derek while heading out the door.

  Derek held his tongue as John passed him by; immediately drawing his own phone from his side as he motioned for three of his guards to follow John.

  Derek waited as the phone rang a fifth time, wondering if he would even get an answer. Finally, he got Daniels to pick up.

  “To what do I owe this communication? If you’re calling for medical assistance, I’m sure I could patch you through, Derek.”

  “Actually, I’m calling to find out how the security I ordered on John’s family broke down. I specifically ordered security for James, Alex, Dave, and Kellar in addition to Caroline, the twins and Chris. John’s brother James was shot tonight. What the hell happened?”

  “About that Derek, I had to step in on your request. Security was deemed only necessary for Caroline, the twins, and young Christopher. I’m sorry; I just wasn’t able to spread out security for all of John’s damn family. That’s unfortunate news about his brother. We might have to look into that at some point. Since when do you give a damn about your pawns and their pathetic families anyway? This seems very unlike you and your usual stoic, cold hearted ass.”

  “Look fuck head, you have fucked up on so many levels now; an ever increasing train wreck. So help me if he dies, just know that you will take responsibility for that.” And with that, the phone went dead in Derek’s ear. He knew Daniels was afraid of him, and he had good reason to be, especially after tonight. At least Derek had sent some of his own private operatives to the hospital where he was sure most of John’s family would be, and he did have a slight sen
se of relief since he had been sure very early in the game to assign a few of his own men to guard Kellar. Derek’s fascination with her was growing, even if from afar. He himself had been watching her as well, and he’d be damned if he’d let anything ever happen to her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  “Alex, where is he? What, what happened?” John barely spoke the words before eyeing Alex’s blood-stained clothing.

  “Oh, John!” New tears streamed from her sad eyes as she buried her head into John’s shoulder. “It happened so fast. We were down at Carter’s Café, the window just blew out. The glass was everywhere, and then it turned red.”

  “Alex, slow down, Honey. Did you let them check you?”

  “They patched me up a little bit, but I’m not worried about that. He’s in surgery John; they said it didn’t look good. The bullets did a lot of damage, and he lost a lot of blood. I’m afraid that I’m going to lose him.”

  “Don’t even talk that way, Alex,” John whispered. “My brother’s too fucking hard headed. He… I can’t lose him; we can’t lose him. Just um, shit I don’t know,” John’s voice weakened with each word it reached for. “Drive by?” John questioned out loud. “Was anyone else hit?”

  “They brought a few other people in, one was DOA I think.”

  “Was there anyone else in there that, I don’t know, they could have been targeting?”

  “You mean besides a couple of cops having a late night latte? There weren’t many people in there John, but there were a couple of guys in there that James had his eye on. He didn’t tell me why, only that there was something about them that made him uncomfortable. They were dark haired, older guys. That’s all I remember,” As John held Alex’s shaken figure, he felt someone else’s heavy eyes upon him. Caroline’s soft face seemed coarser, still a wet redness upon it. She walked slowly toward them speaking with a numbness upon her tongue.

  “He’s been in surgery for a little over an hour now. Kellar is in there with them, and your father is in the chapel with Henry,” Caroline whispered. John could sense an exhaustion in her voice, one that made him uneasy. “Why don’t you go see Dave; I’ll be here with Alex.”

  John glanced back at Alex and got a slight nod. Maybe Dave would be able to tell him more; Alex was still pretty shaken, and John couldn’t pull Caroline away from Alex to find out what else she might know, at least not right now.

  John made his way through the crowded hallways of medical staff and officers. As he turned the corner toward the chapel however, his progress toward enlightenment was interrupted.

  “John, may I speak with you, please?”

  “Yeah, I guess,” John answered as he was approached by James’ captain.

  “I’ve already spoken with Dave, and I am truly sorry about your brother’s situation. We will find out what happened tonight. I promise you that.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “Of course, John. Look I um, I’m going to need you to promise me that you won’t try to make this case into a private matter.”

  “It’s my job to help investigate this case Stevens, and I’m damn well going to do that.”

  “That’s just it John; they don’t want anything to jeopardize building a case against whoever did this. I’m sure I won’t be the last person to make you aware of that.”

  “That’s bullshit, man.”

  “I’m just trying to lookout for you and James alright. I wanted to let you know what they were thinking.”

  “And who the hell are they thinking is competent enough?”

  “John, come on now.”

  “No, I want to know; I really do.”

  “Well perhaps that’s something you should ask Ryst about.”

  John stared blankly ahead as Captain Stevens continued down the hallway. He could already feel the pressure rising even more in his chest. Captain Stevens had given him a warning on what was coming at him from the department, but the only thing that mattered right now was James.

  John soon reached the door to the chapel, and took a silent breath before gaining the courage to turn the large metal handle. Upon entering, he first met Henry’s eyes, which echoed the sadness of his own.

  “John,” Henry whispered while hugging him slightly. Henry was a very kind and gentle man, and John always felt that that was where Kellar got her compassionate personality from. Henry and his wife had always been good to Dave’s adopted children, and that had not gone unnoticed by John and his brothers. “We’ll be praying for him son,” Henry whispered again softly before heading out the door. As it closed, the silence in the room grew thicker.

  “You know John, after my wife died I felt kind of lost. I know that you guys tell me often times that I saved you from yourselves; I just don’t think I’ve told you boys enough how you’ve done the same for me. We’ve been through a lot of shit, huh?” Dave sighed. “I, ah, I’m not sure yet what happened. We’ll have to look at everything.”

  “We?” John returned.

  “Talk to Stevens did you?”

  “Something like that, yeah.”

  “I’m afraid that the best thing for you right now John is to let Ryst run things. I don’t want them coming down on you son; there’s already too much to deal with here. They’ll update me, and I can let you know if they’ve made progress.”

  “Made progress? I can’t believe I’m hearing this from you.”

  “John, please. Don’t complicate things.”

  “I heard that there was at least one DOA; that’s my fucking division, Dave. Now tell me what you know, please.” Hardening the last word, John stared coldly at Dave who had now turned toward him. “Who was killed, what did they look like, where were they sitting? Where were James and Alex sitting; were they visible from the window?”

  “John.”

  “Tell me dammit!”

  “Alright. The man killed hasn’t been ID’d yet. Dark hair and eyes, middle-aged, was wearing a dark jacket and slacks. He was found sitting pretty close to the back. Alex and your brother were sitting closer to the front, along with three other women, college girls. One of them was hit as well. She’s critical, her friends were cut up pretty bad.”

  “Was there anybody sitting with the man who was killed?”

  “Not that they know of. Why?”

  “Just asking,” John tried to answer nonchalantly. Anyone else there?”

  “Two younger men had been in the restroom at the back, and they said that they were just getting ready to come out and sit down when it happened; there was an older couple seated in the middle. Myron Hayes was there too, one of the new paramedics. He was in the front reading nook area. He was cut up some but at least had a partial wall in the nook for cover. Of course there are the employees to look at as well. There were only three on duty, and they said that since business was slow they were having a short meeting in the business office with the assistant manager on duty. Look John, I’ve already said too much. They’re looking into the background of all of these people while they are looking at who might have done the shooting.”

  “They?”

  “I’m guessing you have a good idea of who they are already, Son. You know I don’t like all those feds either, but with the joint task force you have there now my guess is Ryst will be more willing to go with them than have you touch this. Please John be careful. Just don’t get in their way alright, or at least don’t let them know you are. I want these bastards too, no matter who they were shooting at.”

  “Yeah,” John said. “And you’ll get them.”

  John made his way back to the waiting room. Caroline was sitting in a corner chair staring out the window. The morning sky still held the hangover of darkness that John had arrived in. “Hey, where’s Alex?” he questioned quietly.

  Caroline jumped slightly as John awakened her senses. “I’m not sure; she went off to talk with some detectives I think.”

  John tried to hide his nervous reaction to her response. He had hoped to ask Alex why Dave might be under the impress
ion that the dead man had been sitting alone. Did she speak wrongly due to her nerves or had she been covering up something herself? Either way he really needed to speak with her. Before he could look for Alex though, he needed to check on Caroline.

  “Baby, how are you, holding up?” John then asked.

  “How am I holding up? You know to tell you the truth John, I’m really not holding myself up that well at all these days,” Caroline quietly responded.

  “Okay, talk to me.”

  “Talk to you? You actually have time for that.”

  “What do you mean?” John spoke, feeling his throat tighten.

  “You don’t ever talk to me anymore, John.”

  “What? We talk baby.”

  “I can’t keep doing this John, wondering what’s going to happen to our family next.”

  “Caroline, tell me what I can do to help, please.”

  “To help me? I’m not the one who needs help, John.”

  “You’ve been really depressed lately, Baby. Please help me to help you.”

  “You want to help me, John?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then stay away from this. Please don’t get caught up in some kind of obsession with this. Please just be here for me and the kids, for James. We need you. That’s what I’m asking of you; that’s how you can help.” John moved in to hold his wife, to comfort her like he had so many times before. This time however, she pulled away from him. “I should go home and check on the kids; I’ll see you later.”

  With that, the emptiness began to swell in John’s heart. This was too much, this was definitely too much. John then watched as his wife slowly exited the hospital doors, alone. He began to feel nauseous and numb, helpless and confused. Turning around to face the busy hospital, he began to feel a bit dizzy as the movement of life carried on before him while he felt himself dying inside.

  In his attempt to make his way down the hallway, he finally found Alex. Her state did not seem much improved, and matched his own it seemed in worry and fear.