Tanya flashed a brilliant smile that deflected the reporter's anger at Dan. She took the reporter back to the street to let Dan and Cuero resume speaking with the children.
"You do know you can't interview children without their parent's permission, right?" She asked with a light Texan accent and her disarming smile.
Dan escorted the small child back to the group and listened as Cuero was asking Mikayla questions about the car and man inside.
"Would you say he was a big man? Like me, big, or like officer Lanahan?" Cuero asked, indicating Dan.
"Kinda, he was tall like him, but big there, like you," Mikayla answered slowly, she pointed to Cuero's girth. Her big eyes were locked on him, warming up to him, her smile displayed missing front teeth.
Dan grinned and shook his head as he made notes. Cuero stood and looked around. Two more cars had arrived on the scene. "Lanahan, get a team to canvass the whole neighborhood. Let's see if we can get a better description of the man and the car. He might have been staking out this street for a while."
Dan jogged over to the new officers just arriving and began handing out assignments. Cuero watched a moment, then squatted to look Mikayla in the eyes. "Can you tell me what type of hair he had, or if he had a beard or mustache?"
"He was like that other policeman, the one who you got mad at," Mikayla said. "Will you be able to find Jazzy? She's my cousin."
Cuero stood up and looked at the grandmother. "Jazzy?"
"The kids couldn't say Jackie right, so the name stuck." She began looking around and saw a woman walking along the sidewalk from Westmoreland. "Oh lord, there's Beverley, Jackie's momma."
Cuero waved at Dan and Tanya. His eyes were locked on the thin woman walking along the sidewalk, in a grocery-clerk smock, name tag and worried eyes, looking at all the commotion on the street.
Tanya walked swiftly to the woman. Cuero and Dan watched as Tanya explained what was going on. Then she had to grab the woman as she started to drop onto the sidewalk. Dan hustled to the two women, and crouched by the child's mother. Cuero watched as Dan assisted her to her feet and walked her to the yard. By then the grandmother had gone to her and they were hugging and crying.
Cuero walked to his car and keyed his mike, calling for more units into the area, making sure all units were looking for the car.
He looked around and started towards the TV news vans. Time for a statement.
It was well past sundown when Dan pulled into the substation on Illinois Ave., and parked his patrol car. Cuero and Tanya were right behind them. All three had reports to write and a meeting with the Division commander, which would add another two hours to their day, easy.
Five days later, the word came through the division. A body of a child was recovered out of the Trinity River, just west of downtown. It was positively identified as the body of Jackie Bonner.
CHAPTER FIVE
Furies House
Alecto was checking data on her pandimensional computer. Alecto had built her super computer with parts she obtained from a far distant future timeline, it contained sophisticated processors that would cause the leading US & Asian chip manufacturers to collapse in tears. It was a super computer that used the other dimensions to run its calculations, tapping into every computer network on the planet, pulling data from all time streams, all potentialities, and all parallel universes. It could pull CPU power from all connected computers all over the world, causing many pc's to lag. Their owners would blame the operating system. Nope. It was Alecto's super computer tapping into their processors.
This went well past Artificial Intelligence. The display hovered in mid-air, the computer itself was located in another dimension. She used her hand to scroll, placing a finger onto the image and dragging it up or down.
The purpose of Alecto's computer was to keep track and locate all the targets given to them by petitioners; souls of the murdered who had asked the Furies for retribution. By tapping into all the world's law enforcement systems, drivers' records, credit card accounts, bank records, newspaper morgues, utility databases, and social media accounts, she is able to track almost anyone down in just a few moments.
The petition process was simple: A soul would seek out the Furies and simply ask. The petition is accepted under one condition, the person who had murdered them must be a blood relative; otherwise the Furies would be out on petitions every second of every day.
Otherwise, Alecto's room was typical, bed, armoire, mirrored dressing table. An added touch were the vintage bladed weapons displayed on the walls. Most were of Japanese design and manufacture. Katanas from Japan, sabers from South America, and multiple Viking swords from a settlement in Iceland she loved to visit in the 12th century. Time wasn't an issue with the Furies, they can travel not only between places, but through time as well.
A sharp tapping on her door broke Alecto's concentration. She snorted and looked up. "Eisago!"
Megaera threw open the door and stalked in.
"Anything queued for me? I feel like killing a few mortals," Megaera growled.
Alecto turned and eyed her sister. "You interrupt my research for that? There's a man in Sonora we've been tasked to deal with." She turned and made a few motions with her right hand.
"There," Alecto said. "It should be showing in your files now."
"Alright." Megaera was still frowning. "Now, how about some information on that mortal cop who interfered in my last assignment?"
"Ah! So, that's why you've been so upset! Personally," Alecto began, "I don't mind at all if the victim is taken out by others. Saves wear and tear on my weapons."
Alecto stepped away from the cloud display and studied her sister.
"This had better not be a stupid crush like you had on that Spartan warrior," Alecto sighed.
"Which one?" Megaera asked.
"The one with the two wives in two different countries, at the same time. He made your heart soar," Alecto made "air quotes".
"Oh, him. It was fun while it lasted," Megaera shrugged.
"So, who is it this time?" Alecto turned to her virtual keyboard.
"He's a cop in this town. About six feet tall," Megaera began.
After a few minutes, Dan Lanahan's face appeared on the display.
"Is this the guy?" Alecto stepped back.
"Oh yes. A bit rough around the edges, but it's him," Megaera smiled.
"Looks like he's single, only family is a sister and her family, and an ex in Texas." Alecto read from the screen. "Weird, but mother has accessed this file as well. Why would she want to know about this mortal?"
"Who cares? I'll go pay this man a visit shortly," Megaera smiled. "A visit he won't forget."
"You have two petitioners waiting. They may be in spirit, but they are still people," Alecto pointed out.
***
Brianna tried to open her eyes. She was held immobile, her arms hurt and she could barely breathe through her nose. A gag was wrapped tightly around her head, making it even harder to breathe. She pulled and twisted, the ropes were too tight to give.
She managed to open her eyes. Her face was streaked with sweat. Her hair in strings, wet from something. There was a single light above her, very bright, the rest of the room was solid black.
Her dress was torn and her left sandal missing. Her toes dirty, crusted with dried blood, a middle toenail was missing from her left foot. Her beige dress was ripped and bloody. Her sweater was gone, leaving her shoulders bare.
She looked like she was dragged hard across dirt. Her knees bloody, skinned. In short, she was a hot mess.
She looked around, the movement making her dizzy. She was trying not to vomit again. There was a bitter taste in her mouth, the bile creeping up in her throat. She swallowed and tried to keep her breathing under control.
She tried to remember the advice her uncle had given her, when she was a kid, about how to defend against attack. A large part of the defense method was having your hands available. She looked down. She was tied to a chair, and pl
astic covered the floor. Plastic? Why plastic?
A figure moved in the darkness. A click. The distinctive sound of a switchblade opening. Her eyes went wide. She began peering into the darkness, trying to see where the sound was coming from.
Her breathing increased. Her breath whistled through her nose.
Kyle stepped into the cone of light and crouched on his heels, looking at Brianna. A slender switchblade in his right hand, pearl inlay handle. A long, expensive stiletto. Brianna's eyes were pegged to the knife.
"Good morning, Sunshine! I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up. I was afraid I'd have no one to play with after all." Kyle grinned. An evil light glowed from within his green eyes. He looked up to the ceiling. "And we want to play, don't we?"
Who was he talking to? It was too dark to see past the damned light in her eyes.
Brianna struggled to talk, all that came out was a series of grunts. She began twisting her head, hard, trying to get the gag out of her mouth. Her chest heaved. She was in the cold, hard grip of panic.
"It's time to play, and we want to play." Kyle paused and grinned. He stood and started pacing in front of Brianna. A captive audience. "That's not all I want. I also want to be loved for who I am, is that too much to ask?"
He waited for her to reply. She wiggled and shook her head.
Then the grin disappeared quickly. His eyes hooded, he looked hurt. "That's what all the girls say. I ask too much, or I try too hard."
He stopped, then spun to face her, stooping until he was in her face. "All you pretty girls do the same thing: You get a guy on the hook and then, what do you call it now? Oh, yes. Into the 'Friend Zone' the guys go. Without a thought about how they might feel about it. What about their feelings? Huh? That seems to never enter into the equation."
He gently held the blade against her cheek. "That's really a cruel thing to do to a guy, you know?"
Kyle grasped her by the top of her head. He turned her to look him in the eye. "Now, let's see what you say for yourself."
He slipped the blade next to her cheek, then with an outward slash, he cut the gag.
Brianna's eyes went wide and her mouth opened into the biggest scream she ever punched out.
"Alright. I really doubt anyone is around to hear you, so scream," Kyle started, then yelled, "SCREAM ALL YOU WANT!"
He stopped and cocked his head, as if listening.
"See, no shouts from outside, no sudden hammering on the door. We're all alone, so we can play together without being interrupted."
"Please, mister, please." Brianna said between sobs. "Let me g-g-go."
He casually strolled behind her. He caressed her hair, running his gloved hand down the side of her face. His fingers brushed her cheek. He circled to her front, and squatted down so he was at her eyelevel.
"I'm so sorry, but you are the chosen one. Chosen not by me. But by HIM." Kyle indicated a spot overhead, near the ceiling. "If it was up to me, sweetheart, we'd just have sex, you'd let me come into your mouth and then, we'd call it a night. But, no. He won't let me have sex with you girls. All he wants is blood."
His eyes lit up with an inner fire.
"Y-yes, let's have sex. Then you let me go," Brianna's voice trembled. Anything to make him see her as human.
Kyle stopped, pondered the offer. He nodded.
"A few questions, first." He smiled. "I want to know if you are a real blonde? Not just for me, you know. He loves pretty blondes even more than I do."
Kyle walked into the shadows and stopped.
"Mister, just let me go. I promise I won't tell anyone," Brianna started begging.
Kyle walked around her. Her eyes followed him, and she noticed the plastic on the walls. A bed was pushed against the wall, covered in plastic.
Kyle pushed against her, his hand rubbing her shoulders. Sliding his hand lower, he caressed her breast through her dress. In a flash, his knife cut the thin strap holding it up, and he slipped his hand down her dress.
"Hey, buddy! Careful!" She tried to twist away. "It'd be easier if you untied me and we moved all this to the bed."
He walked unhurriedly around her and squatted in front of her. This time, he slid his hand up her thigh, caressing her leg. She turned her face away, eyes screwed shut. He grinned, his teeth glinting in the light. Kyle grabbed her head and made her look at him. She cautiously opened her eyes.
Then Brianna's eyes grew wide. A shadow was forming just behind this monster. She thought she saw red eyes glowing in the shadow.
He pulled away and stood, silent. Then he thrust out his hand, grabbing her by the hair, he pulled her head back, she closed her eyes in the bright light.
"He won't let me," Kyle began. "Let's start with some art work, shall we? Kids are into scarification, so let's see what we can do..."
The knife began slicing her forehead. Blood gushed across her forehead and down her temples, into her hair.
She screamed out in pain. Her screams filled the air as Kyle carved and dug into her once perfect skin. She pulled and bucked, managing to kick the chair over. She hit her head hard on the floor, but Kyle was over her, gripping her face as he started cutting into her cheek.
The torture went on and on. Endless pain wracked her body.
He grabbed at her eyes. She squeezed them shut, but his fingers pried them open, the knife slicing into the sclera.
She twisted and writhed. She never saw the knife shooting upwards.
A single swipe. The knife descended.
Then silence.
***
Gaia surveyed the planet. She drifted in space, just observing. It was rare that she'd leave the surface, but she had felt a tugging to get the big picture and the best spot was very high above the planet. So, she locked herself into a quantum potentiality bubble and rose into an orbit well away from satellites and probes. Space was terribly crowded now, it seemed to her that every company on the planet needed some type of satellite in orbit. Eventually, one might hit Mount Olympus. It was currently in a stable gravity well, called a Lagrange point, so Mount Olympus orbited the sun like Earth does, being mistaken for an appropriately named object: a "Trojan Asteroid".
There was something about this mortal Megaera was interested in. It went far beyond the incident at the store. She felt as if another god might be manipulating the mortal or someone close to him.
A vision unexpectantly hit her. It disturbed her to her core. It was the face of a young woman, greatly disfigured. It drifted into view then dissolved, but it was there long enough to allow Gaia to target the individual. She saw the symbols carved on the poor girl's face and torso. Only one beast was evil enough to do something like that to a mortal.
She had to descend again and find out all she could about this mortal.
***
Dan slept the sleep of a man heavily anesthetized by scotch. File folders littered his bed. He still had on his trousers, but had pulled off his shirt.
Dude was curled into a ball at the foot of the bed, sleeping soundly. He knew not to sleep any closer. Besides the snoring, there was the solid chance his human would move suddenly and dump him unceremoniously onto the floor.
Dude blinked and looked around. What was that sound? A mouse? Whatever it was, it was in the hallway. He sat up and jumped to the floor, trotting past piles of laundry. He pawed at the door. It opened, and he trotted into the hallway. Whatever it was, it's in the in bathroom now.
And it smelled really, really bad.
The smell of nasty energy in that room. Now, time to let the human know about this.
Dan's eyes snapped wide open when Dude let out an unearthly yowling. Dan was up, his sleep shattered. He tripped over some files and went fumbling out into the hallway.
Dude was pissed at something in the bathroom.
"Seriously? You just want faucet water? In the middle of the goddamned night?" Then Dan noticed that Dude was crouched, ears flat, tail totally "bottle-brushed".
"Dude. What is it?" He inched clo
ser to the door. His hand touched the antique glass door knob. He slowly turned it.
The door swung open. The bathroom. Vintage tile around the whole room from floor to chest height. Vintage enamel bathtub, separate knobs for hot and cold. Only sign of modernity was the shower head; a massage head with multiple settings.
He snapped on the light and the room was empty. Dan looked down at his cat. "Dude, it's just a bathroom. What's wrong with you? Dumbass."
Dan walked into the bathroom and stood looking in the small medicine cabinet mirror. He ran some water and leaned forward to rinse off his face. Eyes closed, he straightened up and fumbled for the small towel he kept by the sink.
He dried his face and looked into the mirror as he did it. Then he opened the cabinet and the mirror reflected the bathtub.
On the edge of the bathtub sat Brianna. Her head tilted down, her hair bloody, matted and covering her face.
Dan gasped, and turned. "Bree?"
Then Brianna tilted her head up.
The sight stunned Dan, made his breath halt, his blood ran cold. Dan's eyes were locked on the most horrifying site of his life.
Brianna's mouth was yawning open and trying to form words. Black blood flowed out of the gaping maw. Her eyes were gone, and in their place, dark, bloody sockets, dripping blood down her cheeks.
Her face was carved in ugly marks. Circles and runes. A foreign language cut in curving lines over her face. Her dress torn, her chest a bloody mass of carvings. Her hands were missing fingernails. The hands reached out, wanting a horrifying hug from Dan.
A barely audible whispering, a long exhale.
He stumbled backwards, against the sink.
His hand knocked a glass to the floor, shattering it. The soap was sent clattering into the sink. Before he could collect himself, the apparition faded.
Dan could scarcely breathe. Dude walked in and began rubbing against Dan's legs.
***
Dan found himself sitting at the kitchen table as the sun was trying to burn off the heavy mist of morning. A plate of uneaten fried eggs was on a plate. Another smaller plate held scrambled eggs and Dude was hunched over it, eating peacefully.
Angels of Vengeance Page 5