Callye's Justice

by Donica Covey

  Think.

  The tables were set up in staggered rows. He and Cas had a table in the back. At the table nearest them was an older white-haired couple. He immediately discounted them. All the other tables held couples or foursomes.

  No alarm bells went off. Not a single person stood out.

  Wait.

  There were two men seated near the front door. Once or twice he’d caught them looking his way. Was one of them the man who was at this moment courting death? He had to get clear images of them in his mind.

  First he’d have Dory do the sketches and then he’d begin the hunt. Finally, a direction to move instead of being stuck in this quagmire.

  The first guy was about thirty, dark hair, olive skin and dark eyes. Second guy. Maybe fifty? Brown hair graying at the temples. Crow’s feet on the corners of his eyes.

  From the table to their heads, what was the distance?

  The younger guy was at least five-eleven, maybe six feet. The older man was shorter. Heavier, with the look of a man used to the leisure life.

  He dashed past the row of desks and almost mowed down Chase in his haste. “I’m going to see Dory.”

  In the elevator, he drummed on the metal bar running at the midline of the walls. Why was it taking so long? Now that he had a direction, he felt energized. Rejuvenated. Able to find the trail and hunt the bastard down.

  The doors had barely slid open when Justice dashed out. The corridor of the lab wasn’t nearly as bright as the above floors, but there still should’ve been enough light to keep him from colliding with Dory.

  He grabbed her shoulders to keep her from falling. “Just the woman I’m looking for.”

  “Hey, Justice. How you doing?”

  There it was again, that I feel so sorry for you look he was learning to hate more and more. “I need you to work up a couple of sketches for me.”

  “All right. Come on back.” She led him down the corridor to her office.

  “I saw these two men at the restaurant last night. I don’t know if it’s going to lead anywhere, but it’s a start.”

  She grabbed her pad and charcoal pencil and then looked at him expectantly.

  For half an hour he described the men, and Dory struggled to capture each man.

  But finally she’d gotten them down to a ‘T’. “Perfect. Now I need you to make copies and get them upstairs.”

  “You got it.” She stood up. “Justice, you’ll find her.”

  “Thanks, Dory.”

  He headed upstairs to his desk to wait for the sketches, hoping this wasn’t a wild-goose chase. It felt like an eternity since Cas had been stolen away. In reality, it was almost twenty-four hours, but they were the longest damn twenty-four hours of his life. No more calls, no word. Was she all right?

  Restlessness was coming on strong. He needed to be moving. He passed Bobby on his way out. “I’m going outside to clear my head. Dory’s bringing up some sketches. Let me know when they get here.”

  “All right. Jus, you need—”

  Justice lifted his hand, cutting the other man off. “I need to get Cas back home. Once I have her in my arms, then I’ll worry about everything else.”

  Please let her be all right. He’d never been a praying man, but if that’s what it took to get her back safely, he’d hit his knees in the middle of the street.

  He walked over to his car and leaned against the fender. Bowing his head, he slid a hand to his neck and rubbed briskly to work out the kinks.

  Cas had a touch that worked out all his tired muscles. Her soft fingers, stronger than they appeared, kneaded the knots, releasing them. After making his entire body relax, she’d wrap her arms around his neck. Nuzzling into the side of his face, she’d kiss him. When she touched him that way, he felt as if he could carry the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

  Now that weight seemed almost too much to bear. It was crushing him lower and lower until he wasn’t sure he’d be able to breathe.

  Chapter Five

  “How’d you sleep last night?”

  At the sound of the man’s voice, Callye gazed around the room. He was standing behind her. Fear clawed at her insides. He’d touched her. Her body still ached from the force of his attack. She trembled more violently. She’d often heard that men who…she swallowed hard…that did what he did got off on watching the fear. They got a rush of power. Fight the terror, Callye. You can do this. Be strong, girl.

  The touch of his hands on her arm sent chills down her spine. Was he going to do it again? Oh, God.

  “You’re really more than I expected. I was sure you’d collapse in a pile of tears.” He almost sounded disappointed.

  Good. Let him be disappointed. “No way would I give you that pleasure.”

  He stepped a few paces away and pulled a phone out of his pocket. After only seconds of waiting, his grin seemed more malevolent. “Hello. Missing something?”

  “Justice,” she shouted.

  “Hear her?” The man laughed into the mouthpiece. “I tell you, she is a real piece of work. First, she tried to convince me she was nothing more than a whore. But when I drove myself into her, she changed her tune. Damn, man, you need to teach her how to really satisfy a man. She doesn’t know a thing about it.”

  His mouth curved into a smile and Callye strained to hear what Justice was saying.

  “I can satisfy a real man,” she spat out. What had she said that for?

  The man turned and moved close to her, anger blazing in his eyes. “Stupid bitch.” He slapped her so hard she thought her head would jerk off her neck.

  She could hear Justice’s shouts but couldn’t make out the words.

  “I’m going to enjoy this, Bernard. I am going to make her scream, make her plead, make her beg for her life. Then I’m going to make her ask me to kill her.”

  She couldn’t hold the tears back. The urge to vomit washed over her. She wanted to scream. Most of all she wanted to see Justice’s face one last time.

  She didn’t know exactly when he’d closed the phone, but the man was no longer talking to Justice. Misery and fear mingled, making her body slump. Even if Justice found her, this man wasn’t going to let her leave alive.

  He was going to kill her anyway; she’d have to think of a way to save Justice. How would she be able to warn him away?

  There wasn’t a way. Her shoulders sagged with the defeat beating her spirit down.

  Psychoman walked over and stroked her cheek and smiled. “Having fun yet?” He pressed his lips to her face. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t you go anywhere.”

  His laugh echoed in the room and was still filling her mind when he stepped out and closed the door.

  Fire burned in her shoulders, and her legs cramped. She tried to stretch, but the ropes were so tight that she couldn’t move more than a fraction of an inch.

  Hot tears of frustration welled in her eyes, making it hard to see around the room. She jerked at the bonds harder, not caring that the fibers ripped into her flesh. She was beginning to understand why trapped animals chewed off their own limbs to break free. If it were possible, she’d be doing the same thing right now.

  The ropes refused to budge, the struggling only increasing her pain.

  She leaned back, resting, trying to control her panicked mind. It wouldn’t help if she continued to freak out. You’re a smart woman. Between her and Justice, they’d get out of this alive. Hold on to that.

  The sky began to darken. Was it going to storm or was the day already almost over? It didn’t seem possible, but time meant nothing to her in the confines of this large room.

  Her body was beginning to suffer more physical effects. Her stomach rumbled. Her mouth was dry from thirst and her throat burned. Misery? It was sheer hell. Mind over matter, Callye, that’s what it takes, mind over matter.

  As darkness crept over the room, she heard shuffling. In the gloom there was a glimpse of movement. What was it? She strained to make it out. It was a rat.

  In a televisio
n program, a man received major cuts and the blood drew the rats to his body. They ate him alive.

  She screamed and frantically pulled at the ropes. It can’t happen. Please don’t let it happen. The chair tipped and she struggled to right it. If she fell onto that filthy floor, it would be easier for the rats to reach her. Panic spurred her on. The chair once again swung then tipped. This time it crashed to the floor and the hard thud knocked the wind out of her.

  Her tied arms dragged the chair behind, shooting pain through her shoulders as she tried to crawl across the floor. It was slow, torturous, but she was moving. Neither the door nor the rats were readily in her sights.

  “Going somewhere?” His voice boomed above her. The chair jerked upright and she was face-to-face with the madman.

  “I have to get away. The rats…” Her heart pounded in her throat, and blood rushed through her ears.

  His laughter was mocking as he threw his head back. “If your hero could see you now.”

  She had just about reached her breaking point, ready to surrender to whatever this man wanted.

  “Bernard hasn’t seen you in almost twenty-four hours. You think he’s ready to crack yet?”

  Get a grip, Callye. If you don’t, Justice will be hurt. “I doubt it. He’s probably moved on by now.” Her voice sounded weak even to her own ears.

  Callye’s strength was fading fast. The darkness, the pain, the fear crushed her beneath its weight, making it hurt to even breathe. The sounds of scurrying paws somewhere in the room echoed in her head. Would the heavy bodies of the rats be crawling on her at any moment?

  She allowed the hopeless tears freedom to fall. It was no use. The strength to fight fled her and she ignored the tiny voice that was cursing her weakness.

  “I’m a coward,” she muttered under her breath. “No matter what it takes, I want this to end. I need it to end.”

  “Did you say something?” he taunted her and stepped closer.

  She’d been telling her body to fight any fear impulses when he came near. But showing fear might be the only way to end all this pain.

  “You are so pathetic,” Dalton sneered at her. “You aren’t the great beauty you think you are. You are a worthless, cheap, useless slut. You know that he’s not going to want you back now, right? Bernard never cared for my sloppy seconds. Always thought he was so much better than me. Who’s laughing now?” He turned and walked away.

  Always better? This man knew Justice?

  Sloppy seconds. Worthless slut. The words swirled together. There was so much chaos in her brain that she couldn’t focus.

  If she thought she’d lost track of time before, it was nothing compared to the confusion filling her now. Her already dry mouth felt filled with sand, but at least her stomach no longer gnawed at her. Her entire body was completely numb except for a stabbing pain in her side.

  In her mind, images began to form.

  A bright blue sky above her, the sun shining warmly down on them. Jus set down the basket he was carrying and spread a blanket for them to sit on.

  He’d looked so ridiculous when she opened the door. He stood there with a rose between his teeth, the blanket around his shoulders, the wicker basket held in his hands. His eyes, eyes that reminded her of the Grand Canyon with their reddish brown color, sparkled with laughter as he stood waiting for her.

  Her brave special agent.

  His tough guy image was spoiled. He looked more like a clown than what he really was. If any of the guys on the unit had seen him in that minute…

  She dashed inside, searching for a camera.

  “What are you doing?”

  “You honestly expect me to let the perfect blackmail photo op pass me by?”

  His arm suddenly snaked around her waist, pulling her close to his body. “Nice try.”

  Pain burning her side jerked her back to the present. It had grown so much darker, but at least neither the four-legged nor two-legged rats had bothered her. Please let it stay that way.

  Justice must be going out of his mind by now. She’d never be able to prevent him from coming, not after all the things the madman had said. But when he got there, would it be too late?

  She ran her tongue across her dry lips in a pitiful attempt to moisten them. Even tears were impossible—she was just too dry.

  Holding her head up was such a strain. Slowly her chin dropped, resting at her chest.

  Come on, Cas, don’t allow this creep to win. You are stronger than this, you can do it. Come on Cas, fight this. I’m coming for you, baby. Justice’s voice seemed so real she had to open her eyes.

  You’re losing it, girl.

  Had it been only minutes, or was it hours that passed when the sun began to peer back in through the window? There was a noise behind her. Don’t let him see your weakness. But if I don’t, this won’t end. The argument bounced back and forth in her mind. What are you going to do?

  He stepped in front of her, a bottle of water dangling in his hand. Then he lifted it to his lips and took a long drink. “Ice cold and refreshing.” His eyes met hers. “Want a drink?”

  Don’t beg. Deny it. But her body wouldn’t let her. “Yes.”

  “Yes what?”

  “I’d like a drink,” she croaked.

  “Yes, you’d like a drink what?”

  He was getting too much pleasure out of her despair. Still, she had no choice. The smile on his face ripped her up. God was she thirsty. Give in, just do what he wants. “Please, can I have a drink?”

  The bottle was so close. She leaned forward. Just as the opening reached her lips, he pulled it back, taunting her.

  Lifting it up, he took another drink, then held it down, torturing her with it being so close but still so far from her reach.

  Her dry throat ached as she tried to speak the words. “Please, just one drink. Please.”

  Finally, he pressed the bottle to her lips. The water quenched her body. He didn’t move the bottle and she kept drinking, absorbing as much water as she could. Who knew when there would be more?

  He grinned that evil smile. “Shouldn’t have taken it so fast.”

  Her stomach began to cramp. “God. Oh, it hurts. What…was…in…that?” She needed to vomit.

  “Just plain water. But you drank too much too fast. Tends to make a body worse after being so dry.”

  All that just to be sick and lose it? No. “What now?”

  “Now we wait. I understand he’s quite miserable without you.”

  She tried to shake her head. “He…doesn’t…”

  “‘He doesn’t care,’” he whined. His hand swung back and he slapped her across the side of her face. “I told you I hate liars.”

  She tried to think above the ringing in her ears. “And…I hate—” she took a ragged breath, “—rats.”

  “You calling me a rat?”

  “If the paw fits.”

  “You’ll change your tune before long.” He left her vision.

  Memories of Justice. That’s what she needed to keep her afloat in this sea of misery.

  Justice at the park the first time she saw him. He held her sister’s little dog out like Scraggs was a leper.

  Holding him when he drifted off to sleep in front of the television.

  The pictures played like a movie through her mind.

  She drowsed off-and-on through the day. Each time she opened her eyes, the momentary confusion swirled, and then reality would hit her full force.

  Pins and needles crawled through her skin. Her body would never be straight again, she was sure of it.

  This time she wouldn’t be so defeated when she had to face her tormentor. If she was going down, she would go down with a fight. Right?

  The sound of his footsteps echoed in the room, and her resolve waffled. There was some strength buried deep, and a trace of it trickled into her. Despite the pain, she straightened up a little in the chair.

  “Almost time to call him.” The gleeful sound to his voice grated on her last nerve.
<
br />   “Go to hell.”

  “Such a mouth, tch, tch, tch.” He clucked his tongue at her while dialing the number. “Hello, Bernard. So, you ready to end this little game?”

  “Leave him alone,” she tried to shout. It came out a painful whisper, bringing on a coughing fit. Along with the cough was the metallic taste of blood.

  The man was standing over her, holding the phone close enough that Justice could hear her raspy breathing, her painful coughing.

  “She’s not the beauty she was before, but I’m sure you can overlook that, right?”

  He paused and Callye held her breath.

  “Here’s what I want you to do. You’ll come to me, alone. I’ll know if you’ve got company following you. Are you willing to take the chance I won’t kill her?”

  Another pause. “I didn’t think so.”

  Callye’s heart shriveled. Justice would come and walk right into a trap. Psychoman would kill them both. Or worse, Justice would die and the man would… Once more, Justice’s voice filled her mind. Don’t go there again, Cas. This is almost over. We’re both going to be safe. I’ll see to it.

  “I’ll call you with more details. We play this my way. Remember, you come alone.” He clicked the phone shut and turned to her. “Wait until he gets a load of you.”

  Her eyes burned. Just when she’d been sure no tears were left inside, they flowed down her cheeks. “You’re going to kill me anyway, aren’t you?”

  “Probably. Although if you’re nice, I may let you live. For a while, anyway.”

  There was a suggestion in his voice that once more raised bile to burn her throat. “I’d rather die.”

  “That can be arranged. If he has to watch you die, it might make his pain even more intense. If he sees me touch you, fill you…” The man stroked his chin as he considered the notion. “Yeah, that might just be worth it.”

  Please make it stop. I want to die, now. Stop it, Callye. You know Justice is going to come in here. You’re both going to walk out. Justice won’t let you die.