by C Paradee
If Megan had any doubt she was dealing with a cold blooded sociopath, the eerie chuckling completely dispelled the notion.
Tony hung up the phone and moved quickly through the squad room dodging desks. "Brian... come on," she said, passing his desk en route to the front doors of the station
Brain had finished notifying the patrol officers and task force members and forward momentum was moving his large frame the instant he cleared the chair. Running after Tony he gained the street seconds after she did and yelled over at her, "My car. I've got a light." The car was moving before either door was closed and Brian slapped the light on top of the car, and then turned to Tony, "Fill me in."
"We should've had all this before but because he was in the army, and you know how St. Louis is about letting loose of those records, everything was being held pending the arrival of the army file. First off, his parents mysteriously died a house fire in which the firemen found Mark standing outside the house watching it burn. It was determined the fire was caused by arson, but the case was never solved. No one ever understood how he got out. He was only 10 years old. From there he went to live with an aunt. She died mysteriously when he was 17. The brake line on her car had been cut. Shortly thereafter, he joined the army. He was an Operating Room Technician. At each of his three assignments, there were some mysterious deaths. Patients that had routine surgeries like appendectomies died of unknown causes. Each time he left for a new assignment, there were no more deaths. He was being investigated by CID when he got out in 1996. They never had anything on him except suspicions. So after his discharge they coded his file to preclude him ever from re-enlisting. Since it was coded it took longer to get the file and find out why he was barred from re-enlistment."
"That doesn't really prove anything," Brian said, weighing the evidence she provided
"No it doesn't. But since death seems to follow him around are you willing to gamble with Megan's life?" Tony ominously growled at him before adding, "because I'm not. Will you step on it. I'd like to get there before daylight."
"Take it easy, all right. What good it's going to do us if we get in an accident on the way there," Brian said, trying to calm the agent sitting next to him
"Everyone is supposed to meet at the entrance to the Flats. We'll rendezvous with them there. If you don't have any better ideas, the best bet seems to be putting everyone on foot covering a different sector."
"Fine," Tony said forcing herself to stay focused and not think about the possible outcomes of the night
Tony was becoming frantic. They had been looking for 15 minutes and no one had seen them. The Flats just weren't that big. All the radios had been switched to an alternate channel that couldn't be picked up by anyone that was listening to the police bands. Tony began loping easily through the Flats. Too much time had passed. She had to find her
The only sound was that of soft soled shoes hitting the pavement. Turning down the first alley, her long stride quickly ate up the distance to the pier. She turned left along the pier heading for the next alley that would take her back up to the streets of the Flats. Relentlessly, she covered the ground, the only thoughts in her head, no, not again. I've got to find her. Not again. I won't let it happen. Not again. Not again. Not again. The words echoing a cadence to the sound of her shoes hitting the pavement. Not finding them in the second alley, Tony ran along the street, dodging people, increasing her speed en route to the next alley. Coming up on it fast, making the right turn and running toward the sound of the river, she momentarily paused. No one, nothing, empty. Where is she? There was only one more alley.
Mark looked out the window of the car and said, "Looks like we might have company. Better get moving. Oh and Megan, don't try anything stupid." Megan found herself looking down the barrel of a gun pointed directly at her
"Now, this is what we're going to do. You scoot over to my side of the car when I get out. Then you get out. If you try to attract attention in any way, you'll just die sooner. I don't really care whether I kill you here or at the pier," Mark said, still smiling pleasantly
Megan felt panic begin to set in. He was a monster. Even if Tony arrived in time, what could she do. Mark had a gun. She took a deep breath trying to calm her frayed nerves. She knew if she lost it, she wouldn't have a chance. The only thing she could do was play along and wait for an opportunity to present itself.
Making her way across the seat, she stood next to Mark outside of the car door. He draped an arm across her and kept the gun pressed against her side under the cover of his jacket. They made their way through the Flats staying in the most crowded areas, looking just like every other couple strolling along
"Why don't you just let me go? This place is crawling with cops. Everyone knows I'm with you. You could get away then," Megan asked very reasonably
Mark looked at her and said, "You just don't give me any credit do ya? Don't you think I planned this. This is the ultimate thrill Megan. I get to kill you right in front of their noses and I still get away. I'm not into suicide. Everything's been in place for days. I just got lucky tonight when Brian asked me to pick you up."
"You'll never get away with it. No plan is good enough to get around all these cops," Megan said trying to make him angry enough to reveal what he had in mind. If she could just find out she might have a chance
"I know what you're trying to do. But it really doesn't matter, so I guess I'll tell you. We are going down the last alley. You see the cops started searching there first and are now making their way up the street. Once we get down there, you and I are going to take a walk along the pier. That's where it ends for you. I just slip into the water. I already have my papers for my new identity and a disguise hidden in plastic under the pier across the river." Mark looked very pleased with himself as he related his plan to Megan. Mark had timed it perfectly and they were now on the pier. Still keeping the gun aimed at her, he pulled a small bottle from his pocket
Megan shuddered, knowing all too well what the contents held. If he got close enough to the river maybe she could knock him in. She thought about some of the self defense moves she had been taught and wondered if she could pull it off without getting shot in the process. He just wasn't close enough
Tony began running down the last alley. Nearing the end, she heard someone talking. Slowing, she merged with the shadows along the walls. Stealthily inching her way forward, until she could see who was talking she froze at the sight. Mark was standing on the pier holding a gun on Megan and a small dispenser in his other hand moving it toward her, saying, "Goodbye Megan."
In a smoothly practiced move Tony drew her gun. She scuffed her shoe against the ground, hoping to draw Mark's attention, knowing she would have only one chance to take him out. His gun momentarily moved off of Megan and toward the sound. He looked at Tony while simultaneously depressing the aerosol contents. When the gun moved away from Megan, Tony fired. Simultaneously, Mark and Megan dropped to the ground.
Tony was at Megan's side before she hit the ground. Cradling Megan in her arms, she broke all radio discipline yelling into the radio, "Call an ambulance now!"
Tony's mind fought to remember everything Megan had told her about the drug. Think. It paralyzes the muscles. The victim can't breathe. I need to breath for her. Tony began mouth to mouth resuscitation her mind continuing to feed her instructions. The victim can hear and feel and see everything, but their muscles won't respond. Tony looked into Megan's eyes and saw the panic reflected back at her. In between measured breaths, she told her, "just hang on. Help's coming," breath. The drug's effects wear off quickly, just keep breathing for her. As Tony continued the rhythmic breathing, Megan's eyes began to get glassy. She's not getting enough air. Tony increased the frequency of the breaths, unable to talk, but her mind carried on its own conversation. Hang in there, please. Just a little longer. Don't give up. I love you. Don't leave me. Tony was unaware of her free falling tears as she pushed herself to dizziness trying to get air into Megan's lungs. Not again, please God,
not again. Come on Megan, stay with me. Help's on the way. Tony didn't know how much time had passed, but becoming lightheaded with effort, she knew she couldn't keep going much longer. She ignored the cops when they arrived, her mind totally focused on keeping her lover alive
Megan felt her panic rise when the effects of the drug took hold and she found herself unable to breath. Then Tony was there. Megan was never so glad to see anyone in her life. She felt the air her partner was forcing into her lungs and her panic began subsiding. Tony wouldn't let her die. But even though air was being forced into her lungs, her oxygen deprived body needed more. She began to feel lightheaded, and as blackness approached, she thought, I'm going to die. I love you, Tony. It's not your fault, you did your best. Don't blame yourself. Before the darkness totally engulfed her she began to feel less lightheaded. Her eyes cleared and she watched Tony work harder forcing more air into her lungs. Her face became wet from the tears falling from Tony's eyes as she worked feverishly to save her
Frantically keeping up her resuscitation efforts, Tony felt a small air rush escape Megan's mouth. This was not the passive outflow of the air she had breathed into her partner's lungs. Not totally sure it wasn't her imagination, she forced more air into Megan, her adrenaline kicking in, as her stamina was giving out. More air rushed out this time. Stopping and placing her hand on Megan's chest, she felt the muscles contracting and rhythmic breathing begin. She's breathing... oh God... thank you. The last effects of the drug wore off, and Megan's breathing settled into normal respirations, her muscles responding to her brain's commands. Tony sat down on the ground next to Megan and lifted her head and shoulders into her lap. Waiting for Megan to regain command of all her muscles, she was too overcome with emotion from the close call to say anything
Tony followed the orderly taking Megan to her room, the ambulance ride and chaotic events in the emergency room playing through her mind. They were keeping Megan overnight for observation
Pulling a chair next to Megan's bed, Tony sat down and reached for her hand. Megan looked at Tony's red rimmed eyes, squeezed her hand and said, "Hey, it's ok. I'm fine... really."
"I thought... I thought I was going to lose you." Tony said struggling for control. "I don't know what I'd do without you. I was so afraid... I love you so much."
Looking into Tony's eyes, Megan said, "I know you do and I love you too." Pausing, she continued, "I was scared too. I didn't want to leave you... leave what we have." Smiling, she said, "You were pretty amazing. You know you saved my life, don't you?" Trying to lighten the atmosphere, she continued, "does that mean we're even?"
A small smile appeared on Tony's face. "I'm just glad you're ok. I never want to go through that again."
"Mark's dead, isn't he?"
"Yeah. Brian told me when I was in the waiting room. I didn't have any choice."
"Tony... believe me, I'm not criticizing you. If you hadn't been there..." Megan shuddered. Tony sat on the bed and drew Megan into a hug. "I'm just glad you're ok."
Tony and Megan took the next few days off, just enjoying each other's company. It was a well-deserved rest for both of them.
"I talked to Brian earlier. Dwayne's been indicted for one murder and for all five rapes on the west side. Some of the victims agreed to testify against him, so he's looking at the death penalty."
Megan looked over at Tony and smiled. "You know since I've met you there hasn't been a dull moment." Tony put her arm around Megan, pulling her closer
Looking thoughtful, Megan said, "This case would make a really good book. Just think... a drug that's close to impossible to detect, an organized sociopath..."
"So, why don't you write it?"
"I'm not a writer, I'm a doctor," Megan said
"You said you once wanted to write. Why can't you do both? There are a lot of authors that are doctors."
"Yeah, I know."
Tony looked at Megan. "What changed your mind about not writing? Did you just lose interest?"
"It's kind of a long story."
Tony said, "If you don't want to talk about it, that's ok." She was a little hurt though
Megan glanced at Tony and saw the fleeting expression of hurt, before laying her head against her shoulder. It was time to share. "I did want to be a writer once. As a child, I loved stories. I don't remember ever learning how to read. It just seems like I always could. Dad didn't like me reading all the time. He'd take the books. It was a real challenge to keep some of them hidden. Back then, I knew I was going to be a writer. My goal in life was to write fiction." Megan paused to gather her thoughts. "Are you sure you want to hear this? It's really kind of boring."
Tony kissed her on top of the head. "Yeah. I'm sure."
"When I was in junior high, my English teacher put a sentence on the board. I don't even remember what it was anymore. She told us to make up a story using the sentence that was one page long. Well for some reason something clicked when I saw that sentence and I wrote a science fiction story. You know how sometimes you can just tell something you did is really good? Well that's the way I felt about that story. I got an A. The teacher wrote 'excellent' on it. I was so proud of myself. I couldn't wait to get home and show it to Mom and Dad."
Megan's mind flashed back remembering that day. She was drawn out of her private reverie when Tony asked, "So... what did they say?" Megan sighed, taking comfort in the closeness of her partner. When she didn't answer, Tony said, "If you don't want to talk about, it's ok."
"No... it's not that. I just haven't thought about it for a long time. For some reason this case just made me think about writing and how it would make such an interesting story. I never thought I'd feel that way again."
"I take it they didn't like your story," Tony surmised
Smiling ruefully, Megan said, "Yeah, I guess you could say that. I got home and Mom wasn't around. I found Dad in the living room. He didn't believe I wrote the story. No matter what I said I couldn't convince him it was my work."
"Why didn't he believe you?" Tony asked, puzzled.
"He more or less said I wasn't capable of writing something of that quality. He could be a little abusive, so he convinced me to give up the idea of writing. It worked. I never wanted to write after that. Kind of lost that creative streak."
Tony waited for Megan to look at her. When the hazel eyes met hers, she said, "Megan, you never lost your creativity. That's something you can't lose. You can ignore it, or bury it, but it's still there."
Megan smiled, intertwined her hand with Tony's and said, "You're so sweet. I know you're just trying to make me feel better. But I've never even had an idea for another story again. It's like that part of my brain doesn't work anymore."
"It works just fine. It shows in everything you do. Take work for instance. Who else would've thought of some of the things you've done to find evidence... especially this last case? That takes creativity. It's still there, Love."
Looking into the concerned blue eyes, Megan was glad she'd told Tony. Maybe she was right
"Ya think?"
Tony looked at her partner, and said with total conviction, "I know."
* * *
Tony walked up behind Megan and put her arms around her, resting her chin on her head. "So that's what you think I should do, huh."
Megan thought back over their conversation. Tony had explained to Megan that she had some unfinished business with the FBI
Graduating at the top of her class at the FBI academy gave her the option of first choice of the assignments available. She chose covert work infiltrating groups considered a threat to the government. And she brought down many of them. Tony treated each assignment as though the group was the one that had killed her brothers. For years the only thought on her mind was revenge. During those years, many people died, and many died at her hand. Orders. She always followed orders. Until one day almost 7 months ago when she found out that the orders weren't always good ones, and she realized revenge had blinded her to that knowledge. If she continued, she wa
s no better than the men who had killed her brothers. She wanted out.
It was clear to her, Tony had somehow found the way back from the mindless revenge she had acted on for so many years
"Yep. You said you trusted Huey. Talk to him and let him find out who is putting out the termination orders. You spent enough time working covert. Let them handle their own problems."
"Ok. We could do some sightseeing while we're there. There's a lot to see. It'll be fun."
"I want to see the Smithsonian museums. They sound really interesting. I heard you can get tours through the White House too. That would be fun."
"Yeah, ya can. When do you want to fly up there?" Tony asked, as she began kissing Megan's neck
"Umn... well..."
Tony raised her head and said, "You know Megan, I was thinking about what we were talking about the other day... about you being creative."
"And...?"
Her arms loosely around Megan's waist, she purred, "I can think of some other ways you're very creative."
Megan chuckled, and said, "Oh you can, huh?"
"Yep. So when should we leave?"
Megan turned around drawing Tony's head down into a soft, lingering kiss. Breaking contact momentarily, she said, "How about later."
THE END