Isn’t there always!
“More?”
“Since we got the list of names, we’ve been doing our best to track the movements of all four. The Serpent is the only one we don’t have a location on right now, and he’s the one who poses the biggest threat.”
Paul stood and started pacing.
“The other three have all moved to Missouri recently. We believe you are the ultimate target, and in fact, the threats against the two members of our Council may be meant to draw you into a battle with the Serpent on his turf.”
I had to resist the urge to start whining ‘why me?’
“How were the threats delivered?”
“Letters. They’re in the file for you to look at.”
Paul pointed at Matthew and John. “These two men are the targets, and have been in hiding since the threats, but wanted to thank you personally for helping.”
At that moment, Rachel returned to the room. She carried a thick file folder with her, and held it out to Paul. He gestured toward me. Rachel walked over and handed me the file. I took it and flipped it open.
“What’s this?”
“That’s everything we have on the Serpent.”
The first page was a photo, and I stared at it for a long time. Councilman John interrupted my thoughts.
“We don’t know why he chose myself or Matthew. It may have been random, or he may have gotten some information from inside.”
I looked up quickly, surprised. “Inside?”
Matthew nodded. “We can’t rule out that the Runner is getting help from inside the Council, or from one of its emissaries.”
I glanced from one person to other, and nobody seemed to be smiling. “You’re serious? You think someone inside could betray the Council.”
Paul nodded. “Remember Judas?”
“Of course, but...”
“The Lord himself was not immune to treachery, and neither are his servants here on Earth. We have to look at all possibilities.”
“Is there anyone in particular you suspect?”
This time, Paul shook his head. “No, in fact, it’s just a theory. We hope we’re wrong.”
I looked back down at the file. “What do you want me to do now?”
“Take the file with you, study it, and look for something we’ve missed. Hopefully, you can get a lead on where this Runner is and cross him over.”
“Who can I talk to about this?”
“The situation has only been revealed to those on the Council, and a few advisors, but we will leave it to your discretion. If you think someone inside the Chaser community can help, then by all means, let them.”
“Good.”
“But Jack…be careful who you trust. We’re in unfamiliar territory, and we don’t want to make things worse.”
“I understand.”
The meeting was over and Paul retook his seat, leading us in prayer once again.
Rachel walked us out. “I gave some water to Bear.”
“Thanks, Rachel. I appreciate that.”
“It was good to see you, Jack.”
“It was good to see you too, Rachel.”
She gave me a warm smile. “Do you have plans for dinner?”
Buddy had walked on to the car, and I didn’t know what he had arranged for food and lodging. I didn’t want to commit us for dinner, only to find out Buddy wasn’t interested, and then end up going out with Rachel alone. That was a situation I didn’t want to find myself in.
“I’m not sure what Buddy has in mind, but I think I’m going to stay in and look over this file.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure, thanks for the offer.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll see you when you brief the Council.”
“Brief the Council?”
“Yeah, didn’t Paul tell you?”
“If he did, I missed it.”
“After you have had time to go through the files, they want you to fill them in on your plans to handle the threat.”
“The whole Council?”
“Yes, of course.”
The thought of standing up in front of that large marble stage, the whole Council watching me, made my heart do flips. Meeting with three of the leaders was nerve-wracking enough, but the whole group was a completely different animal.
I became a P.I. because they work alone! I failed public speaking in college!
Rachel was watching me intently. “You okay?”
“Sure, I guess. I’m just not fond of making speeches.”
She reached over and touched my arm, doing her best to reassure me. “You’ll be fine. If you want to fret about something, worry about coming up with a plan to stop the Serpent.”
“Good point.” I looked over my shoulder toward the car. “I’d better catch up with Buddy.”
“Bye, Jack.”
“See ya later, Rachel.”
On the way to the car, it occurred to me that Buddy hadn’t said two words since greeting Rachel as we arrived. When I got in the Ranchero, I mentioned it. “You were quiet.”
“Yes. It wasn’t about me; I was just the chaperone.”
“Fair enough, but what did you make of whole thing?”
“Interesting.”
“That’s it? Interesting.”
“That’s it.”
I rolled my eyes. “You have to learn to keep your opinions to yourself, Buddy Daniels. I get tired of your constant advice!”
He laughed. “Indeed.”
Chapter 4
After making our way back to the highway, Buddy directed me north to where he’d made reservations at a motel. The Days Inn wasn’t fancy by any definition, but it did allow dogs. Buddy didn’t feel like going out either, so we ordered pizza to the room and relaxed. Bear lay down next to my bed, her eye on the door. I would like to think she was guarding the room against strangers, but more likely she’d heard the word ‘pizza.’
Buddy flipped the TV on while I started making my way through the information on the Serpent. The file was thick, but most of the information was old.
When the pizza arrived, I took a break and called Mandy. Her phone went to voicemail, which it usually did when she was working and couldn’t stop to answer.
“Hey Mandy, it’s me. I just wanted to let you know we got here without any problem, and I miss you. I’ll call tomorrow, bye.”
I looked at the pizza box; only one piece was left.
“You want that, Buddy?”
“No, I’m stuffed. Help yourself.”
I took the piece and threw it on the floor. Bear gobbled it and then resigned herself to the dog food in her bowl. Even she knows an empty box when she sees one.
Buddy went into the bathroom, and when he came out, he was dressed in yellow SpongeBob pajamas.
“That’s a great look for you.”
He grinned. “Thank you. A gift from Sarah. Therefore, I love them.”
I laughed. “Is Sarah a cartoon fan?”
“Nope, but she knows I am.”
“Ahhh, I see. There’s always something new I’m learning about you, Buddy.”
He climbed into the bed closest to the bathroom and rolled over. “Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I picked up the file again and continued studying. After a few minutes, I realized the light was shining on Buddy.
“Is the light going to bother you? I may be up late with this file.”
His answer was a loud snore.
I guess not.
*******
I looked at my watch. Four a.m. Rubbing my eyes, I flipped to the last page of the report on the Serpent’s movements. He disappeared from the radar about three weeks ago. The two threat envelopes fell out of the file and onto the bed. I opened them.
The letters themselves were short and to the point. They used the real names of Matthew and John, and said they would die by the hand of the Serpent and nothing could stop it from happening.
I turned the notes over, but the backside of
each was blank. Next, I examined the envelopes. To a private investigator, the postal stamp cancellation is one of the best clues you can get, and both were legible on these envelopes.
The letter sent to Matthew was stamped Amarillo, Texas. The second letter, sent to John, was postmarked Bowling Green, Kentucky. I got up, went out to the car, and found a road map in the glove box.
Spreading it on the bottom of the bed, I made a mark over Amarillo and another over Bowling Green. The two cities were a thousand miles apart. I drew a line between the two, and then ran my finger along the line.
I figured that the Serpent was somewhere between these two cities, and not wanting to divulge his location by the postmarks, had traveled out in two different directions to mail the letters. As I ran my finger across the line, from east to west, I spoke the connecting towns silently to myself.
Russellville, Clarksville, Union City, Kennett.
As I did this, I realized that my line did not match up with the roads between these towns. If I was right, and the Serpent was driving, I needed the driving directions between the two cities.
Time for good old Google.
I pulled out my laptop, logged in to the motel’s Wi-Fi, and opened up Google Maps. It might be one of the greatest uses of the Internet ever and I took advantage of it all the time. You could select any two or more towns, and then ask for directions, and voila! Best route, mileage, expected travel time, traffic delays, and more. On top of that, you could look at satellite views of any place along the route.
I entered my two cities, pushed get directions, and a few seconds later I had a route. It differed a lot from my straight line, but I figured the same tactic could work.
Considering the snoring coming from Buddy, I’d stopped worrying I might wake him. Running my finger along the blue line showing the route, I began to say the cities’ names out loud.
“Nashville, Memphis, Little Rock, Oklahoma City.”
None of them rang a bell. I tried going the other direction, this time reading the names of smaller towns.
“Elk City, Shawnee, Van Buren, Conway, Forrest City, Millersville, Franklin.”
I still didn’t pick up a name that sounded familiar from all the reading I’d done tonight. Above the blue route was a secondary route, colored gray, which took longer to drive. I tried it anyway.
“Paducah, Sikeston, West Plains, Springfield, Tulsa…wait, Springfield?”
I went back to the file and searched through the papers. I knew I’d seen the name Springfield on one of them. Springfield was a very popular name for cities, so even if I was right, it may not be the Missouri city.
I reviewed the family history of Richard Douglas, a.k.a. the Serpent, and there it was. His mother lived in Springfield, Missouri, and Richard Douglas was raised there. He wasn’t born there, but his mother had moved there when he was three. The city was almost exactly in the middle of my two postmarks.
He has to be staying there, or at least near there. Runners always go to familiar places.
I needed to get some rest. Tomorrow, I would brief the Council, then head for southwest Missouri. I had one detail left to take care of, and Buddy could help with that in the morning. I clicked the light off and slid beneath the covers. Even Buddy’s snoring couldn’t keep me awake.
*******
The next morning, over breakfast at McDonald’s, I told Buddy what I’d found. He sipped his coffee, thought about it for a minute, and then nodded his head.
“It’s as good a place as any to start. If you don’t find him, at least there should be some records you can research.”
“That’s what I figured. There’s something else I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“You remember how they said someone on the inside could possibly be involved?”
“Of course.”
“Well, since I have to brief the Council, I wanted to plant a piece of information in my briefing that would only be available to those present.”
Buddy let a sly smile cross his face. “I like it. What did you have in mind?”
“That’s what I hoped you could help me with. Any ideas?”
Buddy sipped his coffee some more.
I’ve heard the expression ‘the wheels were turning,’ but Buddy’s were practically squeaking.
Finally, he set his cup down. “How about this? Tell the Council you plan to locate the home of his dead mother and ambush him there.”
“Okay, and so if he’s waiting for me, someone told him.”
“Yes, or if he’s bugged out, someone has warned him.”
“I like it, except for one thing, what if the house isn’t there anymore. This guy has been a Runner for over a hundred years.”
Buddy shrugged. “I guess you’ll have to deal with it then.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
My phone buzzed in my pocket.
“Hello?”
“Jack?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Rachel. Brother Paul wanted to know if you would be ready to speak to the Council today.”
“Hi, Rachel. Yes, I think so.”
“What time?”
“Whenever is good with them.”
“How about one?”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you then.”
I hung up, and seeing Buddy had gone after more coffee, dialed Mandy’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mandy, it’s me.”
“Hi, Jack. How’s it going?”
“Pretty good. I’m supposed to brief the Council this afternoon about the mission they’ve given me.”
She hesitated. “Did you see Rachel?”
“Yes, she was there when we arrived. You don’t have to worry, you know.”
“Worry? About what?”
I laughed. “Nothing.”
“Do you know when you’ll be home?”
“I’m afraid not. I’ve got to go on the road for at least a couple days.”
“Oh…”
“I’ll call when I can.”
“Okay, Jack. Be careful, will ya?”
“You know me, I’m Mister Cautious.”
“Yes, I know you, and that’s why I’m asking you to be careful.”
I laughed again. “Okay, okay. I’ll be careful. Bye.”
Buddy came back as I hung up. “What’s the plan?”
“I brief the Council at one.”
“Okay, I’ll stay through that, and then you can drop me at a car rental place to get me a car for home.”
“You’re not going with me to Springfield?”
“I told you, I was just here to chaperone. The mission is yours alone.”
Now, I was doubly glad Bear was with me.
*******
At twelve forty-five, we pulled back into the parking area at the Council headquarters. Buddy had made me find it again, and I had no trouble, mainly because I remembered how to get there. Nonetheless, the Spirit was still a strong guide.
Buddy hung back at the Ranchero with Bear. I turned to look at him. “Aren’t you coming?”
“Nope.”
I thought about arguing with him, but decided it was pointless.
Rachel met me at the door, ushered me into the main chamber, and pointed toward a small table with one chair in front of the marble stage. “You can sit at that table, Jack. Do you want anything to drink?”
“Two fingers of scotch?”
She laughed. “I know you better than that, Jack Carter. I’ll get the Council.”
As I walked across the room, I realized my feet were echoing off the walls and there was no one else in the hall. I was alone. Taking my assigned seat, I set the file folder down and folded my hands in front of me on the table, nervously twiddling my thumbs. I looked down at my thumbs circling each other.
Boy, Jack, you are nervous. Your mother broke you of that habit when you were a teenager.
A noise to my left drew my attention to a large wooden door coming open,
and a somber procession of men in maroon robes filed through the opening. As they took their seats, some of them smiled at me, while others engaged in conversation with the person next to them. I just sat there trying to look calm and no doubt failing.
The final three robes through the door were Paul, Matthew, and John. When they were all seated, I saw Rachel come out last. She closed the door, leaned against it, and gave me a smile.
Scanning across the stage, I couldn’t help feeling like I was at a reenactment of The Last Supper, minus Jesus and Judas.
Actually, one of these men could be a Judas.
Brother Paul poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher in front of him. After a long drink, he looked at me, smiling.
“Chaser Carter, it’s good to see you again.”
The fact that he’d called me ‘Chaser Carter’ instead of just ‘Jack’ did nothing to calm my nerves.
“I’m pleased to be here, Brother Paul.”
“I won’t bother introducing all of my fellow Councilmen at this time, but I will ask them to identify themselves, if they have a question.”
I nodded and waited. I waited for nearly two minutes, until finally realizing the Council was waiting on me. Paul bailed me out. “Please give us your report whenever you’re ready.”
Pull yourself together Jack!
I opened the file, cleared my throat, and plowed ahead.
“I believe I may have found the location of the Serpent…”
Murmuring rose instantly, stopping me mid-sentence. Paul rose from his seat. “Council! Council, please allow our brother to finish before we discuss.”
The room grew silent again, and Paul sat down, nodding toward me.
I restarted. “I won’t bore you with the details of how I came to this conclusion, but it is my feeling that the Serpent is probably planning his attack from here in Missouri.”
One of the Council spoke up, but I didn’t see which one. “Where in Missouri?”
“Springfield.”
A maroon robe seemed to levitate on the right end of the table as the man rose silently. “Chaser Carter, I am Brother Timothy. How sure are you of this conclusion?”
“Brother Timothy, I cannot be certain. However, there is a solid connection between Springfield and the Runner. His mother moved him there when he was three.”
INNER DEMONS (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 4) Page 3