I got up. “We need more coffee if we’re to get anything done tonight.”
*******
After several cups of coffee, I began to formulate a plan.
Notice I didn’t say a GOOD plan. Just a plan.
“Buddy, you said you might have an idea for getting Harbinger to come to us. How?”
Buddy, who had been pacing the room, came and sat down opposite me. “My mentor had done a lot of research on the Runner. After Justin was killed, the information was passed on to me. I have added to it over the years, and I may have found a pattern we can use to our advantage.”
“Sounds promising. What exactly is this pattern?”
“Steve Mason, when he was alive, lost his mother and sister to a cabin fire. I went through the records from that time, sketchy as they were, and found the day of the fire. From there, I was able to find a newspaper article about the deaths.”
“The Post-Dispatch is that old?”
“Actually, back then it was a different newspaper, called the St. Louis Daily Missouri Republican. It consisted mainly of local news events as well as marriage and death records.”
Brother Edwards stood at the far end of the room, leaning on the fireplace mantle. “What did knowing the date of the fire gain you?”
Buddy stood up and resumed his pacing, moving back and forth between the pastor and myself. “Well, the death notices list both birth and death dates. That gave me three important dates in Mason’s life.”
I was beginning to see where he was going with this. “Did you find where his sister and mother are buried?”
“Yes. They were placed in the same grave, under one tombstone. That stone is in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.”
“You said you had three dates of importance?” I asked.
“Yes. His mother’s birthday, his sister’s birthday, and the date of the fire. I started watching the grave on those dates.”
Gary put down his cup of coffee. “What happened?”
“He visited the grave on all three days.”
Now I was up and pacing. “Buddy, that’s fantastic. We know where he’ll be and when he’ll be there. Did you ever confront him?”
Buddy hung his head slightly. “No. I never felt I had enough of an advantage.”
I stopped next to him and put my hand on his shoulder. “There’s no shame in knowing your limitations.”
Gary brought his desk calendar over to us. “What are the dates, Buddy?”
“September nineteenth was his mother’s birthday, October tenth was the date of the fire, and April second was his sister’s birthday.”
Gary put an X on each date. “The soonest date is September nineteenth, but that’s less than three weeks from now.”
I restarted my pacing, this time rubbing my forehead, trying to piece together my plan. “Okay, now we know where and when we can set an ambush. But how? He will be manifested in physical form. He always is if he thinks he might be vulnerable, so we have to find a way to weaken him sufficiently to turn him back to spirit and cross him over.”
I paused my pacing to see a pair of intent, but nonetheless blank, stares. I continued, seeing no help coming from my audience.
“Buddy, you remember the altercation at the post office? The electricity weakened him quickly, right?”
He nodded.
“Well, what if we could bring a portable source of current, and get him attached to it?”
“Sounds good, but what kind of portable electricity would do the job?”
I stopped and snapped my fingers. “Taser guns!”
The blank stares had not disappeared.
“Think about it. Haven’t you ever seen the police take down a big guy with those things?”
Brother Edwards nodded. “Yeah, I think I’ve seen a video of it somewhere. Will it work?”
I looked at my watch. Two in the morning. “I don’t know, but I’m gonna find out. First, though, I’m going home to get some rest.”
Buddy stood. “Me, too. We’ll talk again tomorrow, agreed?”
Everyone nodded and the meeting was over. I left with a small inkling of hope.
We can do this! Right, Lord?
I don’t know if I was tired, or He spoke a little too softly, but I don’t remember the answer.
CHAPTER 14
The next morning I was in the office early. I needed to research Taser guns. Just because I suggested it, didn’t mean it would work.
It turns out Taser guns get their name from the company who markets them, Taser International.
I thought it was from Star Trek. Oh wait, that was Phasers!
Anyway, Tasers are legal for the public to carry in forty-five states, including Missouri. Running from five-hundred dollars on up to over two thousand for the police models, the guns delivered an average of fifty-thousand volts for around ten seconds.
The charge caused ‘neuromuscular incapacitation.’ This translated to ‘they knock you down and make you flop like a fish,’ long enough for you to be controlled in another manner.
I wasn’t convinced ten seconds was long enough to make Harbinger lose his physical form, but twice that length of time should be do the trick. We needed two guns.
So far, so good. But now where do I get two Taser guns?
My bank account wasn’t near big enough, and I doubt the Chaser Council would pony up the bucks. There was only one person I know who had access to these things. I looked at my watch.
Lunchtime. I wonder if she’s eaten?
I already had a lunch date with my mother. We were meeting at The Olive Garden, and Mandy loved their soup and salad lunch. I dialed her number.
“Detective Myers.”
“Hey, Mandy. Whatcha doin’?”
“Looking at the Timmons file for the twentieth time.”
“Any luck?”
“Not so far. What are you up to?”
“I’m meeting Mom at The Olive Garden in Maplewood for lunch. You interested?”
“Sounds good. I need to get away from this desk for a while. Pick me up?”
“Be there in twenty.”
*******
Mandy was waiting for me in the parking lot when I drove up. She always has her hair up at work, but today it was down. “Your hair is down. Somebody pull your ponytail?”
She laughed. “Nobody at the precinct is that stupid. I’m having lunch with you and your mom. I thought a little less business attire would be nice.”
“I agree.”
We had only gone a short distance when she snapped her fingers. “That reminds me. I saw a friend of yours last night.”
“Oh, who?”
“Steve Mason.”
My heart jumped into my throat, and I tried to hide my sudden nervousness. “Really?”
“Yeah. Wasn’t that the name you and Buddy mentioned at his house after the memorial service?”
“It is. How did you run into him?”
“I stopped to get gas, and he pulled in next to me to fill up. He said he saw my badge, and was I the same Amanda Myers who’s friends with Jack Carter?”
“No kidding?”
“Yeah. He said to tell you hello. By the way, that guy gave me the creeps. All that leather, a shaved head, and eyes like I’ve never seen before!”
Yeah, I know. He gives me the creeps, too. Maybe because he’s dead!
I pulled the Ranchero into the restaurant parking lot. “Did he say anything else?”
“Nope. Where did you meet the guy, anyway?”
“I met him through Buddy.” I got out of the car. “There’s Mom’s car.”
She let the conversation drop and we went into the restaurant. Finding mom at a booth, I kissed her cheek and Mandy got a hug. “Amanda, you look adorable with your hair down. Why don’t you always wear it that way?”
“Thank you, but it’s too hot to wear down all the time.”
“Doesn’t she look super with her hair down, Jack?”
Really, Mom? You know she looks super
to me all the time.
“She sure does. Did you order yet, Mom?”
“Nope, I just got here.”
“Okay, well we better get to it. Mandy is on her lunch break.”
I waved down the waiter, relieved to change the subject once again.
*******
After lunch, Mandy and I headed back to the precinct, while Mom continued on to a hair appointment. It was now or never.
“Hey, Mandy, do you have a Taser gun?”
She looked at me like I’d just shot her with one. “Yeeeees. Why?”
“Is it yours or the departments?”
“I have two, but I repeat, why?”
I gave her my best sheepish grin. “Buddy and I have a little project we’re working on, and I need a Taser gun. Actually, I need two Taser guns.”
“This project, does it involve you and Buddy shooting each other?”
I laughed. “No, no, nothing like that. I just need them for a day.”
Dang it! She’s giving me that suspicious squint again.
“Well, one is mine, and the other belongs to the department. I need to know they’re not going to be used for something illegal before I can say yes.”
“I promise you, it’s not illegal.”
“Can I go with you on this little project?”
“No!” I said too quickly. “I mean, it’s a private thing.”
“Private, huh? Sounds weird to me.”
We stopped in front of the police station doors. I chuckled, but it came out as awkward. “It’s not weird.”
She shut the door and leaned in the window. “Well, I guess it will be okay. Just let me know when you need them.”
“Thanks, Mandy. You’re the best.”
“So you keep telling me.” She winked and walked away.
A giant sigh left me after she was out of earshot.
I dialed Buddy’s home.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Sarah. Is Buddy there?”
“Hi, Jack. No, he went back over to Journey right after breakfast. I haven’t heard from him since.”
“Okay. I’ll catch up with him there.”
I flipped on my blinker and turned the Ranchero around, heading for Journey Chapel.
*******
When I arrived at Journey, Buddy’s Impala was still in the parking lot. I knocked on the back door, and Brother Edwards let me in.
“Hi, Jack. Buddy’s down in the office.”
I followed in silence down the long hallway and into the office. Buddy was standing, looking out the window, with a cup of coffee in his hand. He turned when we entered. “Hi, Jack.”
“Hey, Buddy. I’ve got news.”
Buddy met me at the sitting area, and the pastor brought me a cup of coffee. We sat facing each other, both men waiting for me to speak. I sipped first, savoring the moment. It’s the first time I could remember getting to make Buddy wait!
“Harbinger visited Detective Myers.”
Concern raced across both their faces, and they started to ask the same question, but I cut them off. “She wasn’t hurt.”
Both men exhaled a sigh.
“They met at a gas station. He asked her if she knew me, and when she said yes, he told her to say hello. The implications are clear. She’s next.”
Both men nodded in agreement. Buddy stood up, walking back over to the large windows running the length of the room, staring out as he spoke. “Do you think we have time?”
“Time for what?” I asked.
“Time to wait for September nineteenth.”
I rubbed my chin, unsure of the answer. “I don’t know. It’s just over a couple weeks away. Maybe if I avoid contact with both Mason and Journey Chapel, he’ll think I’m reconsidering my ministry.”
Gary was staring intently at me, as if measuring my idea by something written on my face. “You think he’s watching you for signs?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“I think it does. Buddy, what about you?”
Buddy didn’t turn around. His voice was distant, as if he was on the phone in another town. “I agree, but it’s risky. We’re putting lives, other than our own, at risk.”
“How about this? I’ll stay out of touch, unless I see Harbinger is becoming a bigger threat, at which point I’ll come in so we can change the plan.”
They looked at each other. “Agreed.”
“Okay, on a more positive note, I have secured us two Taser guns.”
Buddy turned away from the window and came back to us. “That’s great! Where did you get them?”
“Detective Myers.”
“Did she ask any questions?”
Did she ask questions? She’s a detective!
“Yeah, but I told her it was a private project Buddy and I are working on.”
“And she bought it?”
“I don’t know whether she bought it, but she trusts me.”
Brother Edwards wasn’t as enthused. “I think it’s great you can get them, but did you research whether they’ll do the job?”
“Actually, I did.”
The next ten minutes were spent filling them in on what I’d learned about the Tasers. When I was done, I left Journey Chapel until time came to put our plan into action, or something forced me to return.
CHAPTER 15
For the next two weeks, I stayed to myself. No visits to Buddy and Sarah’s home, and no trips to Journey Chapel, not even for Sunday services. What I hadn’t taken into account was what I would do if I had a Chaser vision.
A chase could not be put on hold. People’s lives and eternal destinies were at stake when a Runner was loose. Each vision must be chased immediately, the Runner crossed over as soon as possible.
Okay, I’ve waffled on the ASAP portion of the job a few times, but with good reason! At least, I thought so.
I needn’t have worried. I hadn’t even had a normal dream since the day I left Journey, let alone a vision.
Obviously, the Spirit knows what He’s doing. Who would’ve guessed!
I had two brief phone calls with Buddy in the last week, and he told me he’d had three chases since I went in to hiding. That’s three more than he’d had in months.
More importantly, I’d spoken with Mandy every day, and so far she hadn’t mentioned Harbinger again. Our ploy seemed to be having the desired effect, and there were only a few days left until September nineteenth.
One afternoon, there was a knock at the door. Peaking through the curtain, I found my mom standing on the stoop, with a dog.
What in the world?
I opened the door. “Mom, what are you doing here?”
“That’s no greeting for your mother.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just I’m surprised to see you...with a dog.”
She smiled. “It’s meant to be a surprise.”
“What? You or the dog?”
“Can we come in?”
“Sure, I guess. Is he housetrained?”
She looked at me with indignation. “She, and yes, she’s housetrained.”
The two of them came through the front door, went to the living room, and Mom sat on the couch with the dog standing next to her. I took the chair opposite them. “What made you want to get a dog?”
Without answering, she reached over and unclipped the large dog’s leash. The dog immediately walked over to where I sat, laid down by my feet, and looked up at me.
My mom clapped her hands. “That’s what I thought!”
I ruffled the dog’s long fluffy coat. “Thought about what?”
Ignoring the question, she started into a story about her friend. “Ruth-Ann asked me to go to the Humane Society today. Her little thirteen-year-old Chihuahua died last month, and she wanted to find a new companion. Anyway, I agreed to go along. That’s how I found her.” She pointed at the black, white, and tan fluff ball lying by my feet.
“That’s great. What’s her name?”
“That’s for you to decide.”
“Me? I don’t want to name your dog.”
“Of course not! But she’s not mine, I got her for you.”
My hand instinctively stopped petting her. “What? No, Mom, I don’t need a dog.”
“I didn’t say you needed one. I said I brought you one.”
I looked down at the face, and the big eyes that hadn’t left mine. “But why? What made you think I needed a dog?”
Her smile disappeared, replaced by an intensely serious stare. “The Lord did.”
“The Lord did what?”
“The Lord told me to get her for you.”
I stopped and looked at her, then the dog, then back at mom. “Why?”
“I don’t know. We were walking through the large-dog kennel, on our way to where they keep the toy breeds, when I felt myself being drawn back a couple cages. I went back, and there she sat. I felt certain I was to get her for you.”
I examined the dog more carefully. She was large and well-muscled. She reminded me of a herding dog I’d seen on TV. “What kind is she?”
“Bernese Mountain Dog. Here’s her paperwork.” Mom handed me a manila envelope.
“I don’t know, Mom. I’ve never had a dog, and I don’t know if I want one now…”
Just then, the dog stood. She went around the corner into the kitchen and started to growl. I followed her and found her staring out the back door, her tail sticking straight up and her teeth bared. Another low snarl escaped her throat.
I peered through the glass, unable to find the source of her concern, until I spotted a movement in some trees. Nearly a hundred yards from the house, I caught the image of Harbinger walking away.
I looked down at her, and she was watching me. I rubbed the top of her head. “Good girl.”
The tail wagged ferociously, and she followed me back into the living room, reclaiming the spot at my feet.
“Thanks, Mom. I’ll keep her.”
“Fantastic! I have to run, but be sure and let me know when you name her. If you have to go out of town, she can stay with me.”
I walked Mom to the door, the dog staying where she was. “Okay. Thanks, again.”
I closed the door behind her, and went back to the couch. Encouraging the dog sit up, I took a closer look. She was large, black with white on her chest, and rust-colored markings above the eyes, as well as along the front of her legs.
JOURNEY (THE CHASER CHRONICLES Book 2) Page 6