Demon at War (The Mike Rawlins Series Book 3)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “Got it,” Mike maneuvered into a position slightly away from the wall, while Demon crouched between him and the wall.

  * * *

  “You are a very bad man, Cap. I like it. You know of course I’ll have to put you down after this op, right?”

  “Quiet, Farfel, I’m trying to concentrate.” Mike felt the numbers of conflicting thoughts within the room. He spiked one directive into the room – bring Tom Huang to the door and send him out. His body tensed as Mike felt all conflicting thought subside, and his directive take its place. “It’s working, D! Get ready.”

  The room door opened slowly. A beat-up Tom Huang stumbled across the entrance, clutching his shoulder, and hunched against the pain. Mike tore him bodily out of the way while Demon clamped down on a spaced out man in a tee-shirt and jeans with raggedy beard and hair who had brought him out. He threw the man down with his fangs at his neck in an instant as Navarone threw in the flash-bang grenade, slammed the door, and dived near where Mike held Tom in his arms next to the wall. The flash-bang went off as the tactical team moved into position on both sides of the door, with screams sounding inside the room. Mike blasted into the consciousness of Demon’s prisoner.

  “Are there any other hostages in there?”

  The man stared at Mike with his eyes wide in fear, feeling Demon’s jaws hovering at his throat. “No! No… man… no!”

  “He’s…he’s right… Mike,” Tom Huang gasped out, still gripping his wounded shoulder.

  Navarone stood up. “Come out now with your hands behind your heads… right now!”

  She grinned at Travers. “I don’t think they’re in any shape to come out. Want to go check?”

  “You bet!” Travers kicked the door open and his tactical team moved into the room with weapons ready. Inside, he found numerous bodies rolling around in agony from the very potent flash-bang. They secured the scene in seconds.

  Before the EMT’s could move Huang, he reached out and grabbed Mike’s arm. “Thank you.”

  Mike gripped his hand. “You believed in us. Demon Inc has your back, brother.”

  Travers arrived as the EMT’s wheeled Huang away and clasped the back of Mike’s neck. “Damn! How in hell did you pull that off, Mike? Good Lord Almighty! I thought Tom was a dead man.”

  “Thanks, but without Agent Navarone’s incisive leadership, this rescue could not have taken place. You have to admit, she took charge, and got this done. That’s not to mention you took off and ignored everyone to get me and Demon.”

  Travers began to deny Mike’s insight on the operation, but noticed the raised eyebrow, unspoken plea as Navarone moved next to them. “Exactly right, Mike. Thank you, Agent Navarone. Thank God Mike convinced you to take a hand in this.”

  Agent Navarone shook Travers’ hand with a big smile. “I appreciate that. I have to meet with the press and brief them on what happened. Great job, Mike. Thanks for calling me in on this.”

  “We have more, Agent Navarone.” Mike showed her the stills on his iPad Denny had already uploaded to him, singled out from the operation. “Denny sent these out to the press. I believe you’ll get the lift you deserve from this.”

  “I want you and Demon right by me, Mike,” Navarone blurted out happily, grasping Mike’s right hand with both hers. “Your help in this was vital. I-”

  Mike dulled Navarone’s enthusiasm. “Thank you, but I believe you’re the star here today. Me and Demon were happy to help, but the nuts and bolts leadership you provided should be what’s brought out in the press as our pictures will indicate. Thanks for letting me and Demon help on such an incredibly successful operation.”

  Navarone’s smile wavered for a moment, before she released his hand. “Oh… yes… thank you, but I was just doing what they pay me for. Those pictures are wonderful. Will you thank Denny for me?”

  “We sure will, Ma’am,” Mike answered.

  Travers furrowed brow brought Mike up short as he glanced at the officer. “What the hell, Mike? Did you just roll that FBI bitch with some kind of… mind control or something?”

  “Tom’s alive and recovering,” Mike answered, the smile dropping away. “Did you ask for our help to get him out alive, or not?”

  Travers met Mike’s look with complete understanding. “I did indeed, and you and Demon came through big time. I don’t give a damn how you did it. If you need anything, you call me, and I don’t give a crap what it is… I got your back.”

  Mike clasped Travers’ extended hand. “We have yours too… without question… and without hesitation.”

  Travers smiled hugely. “Man, that’s a lot coming from you two freaks.”

  Mike and Demon, as if on cue, stood next to each other with their heads tilted in consternation. “Whatever do you mean, Officer Travers?”

  They watched Travers trying to walk away, still howling in laughter. He paused after a few stumbling steps. “Okay…okay, I get it… anything… anything you need… call me.”

  Denny’s voice came on in Mike’s ear for the first time. “We got it all, Mike. That was incredible. I just ran the video feed. It was very impressive. HG is on her way over to pick you and D up. Steve’s sticking around to have an after dinner beverage. She said to sneak on out down the block. She’ll be looking for you. Here’s the team’s take on your op, CD.”

  Mike chuckled as his Demon Inc cohorts cheered and yelled in the background.

  “Frodo out.”

  “HG’s picking us up, D. We just need to drift to the street on the down low. I’ll buy you another round at Brennan’s.”

  “I think you’re forgetting something, Cap. You still have the Navarone on the string. Is she going to be okay, or do you need to bring her back to earth before we split?”

  “I chilled her. She’ll be in the moment down at her press gathering. Straight up, D, that was like crack cocaine. I felt like I had complete control of it. Navarone followed my suggestions to the letter. She even seemed to be a better agent and leader.”

  Mike and Demon moved toward the opposite stairwell as the EMT’s brought out the perpetrators guarded by the tactical team. They made their way past the police officers blocking the alternate stairwell without incident. Because of the huge glut of roaming police, press, and residents, they had no trouble making it clear of the scene in the darkness. Mike kept glancing at Demon uneasily.

  “Hey… say something, Farfel. What’s with the silent treatment?”

  “What? Did you expect me not to be worried about you, Cap? Granted, that was one impressive power exhibition. I trust you implicitly. If you say you can control it, then fine. You do realize that crap is just like you already noted – habit forming. What’s to stop you from going all power ranger when a teacher gives you a bad grade, or you see something someone’s doing you don’t like? Altering reality could become second nature to you. In no time at all, you might be dictating everything going on around you whenever you feel like it. Are you comfortable with the task of keeping yourself in check?”

  “I think so, but I do know one thing for certain – I’m not so far gone as to think it could never happen. It was incredible. Think of this, D. What if I could actually juice a Haunt? I’m really thinking I might be able to.”

  “I’m with you. It’s just there’s a whole hell of a lot of people interacting with you here in this dimension. If you understand how easy it would be to start juicin’ anyone and everyone you come into contact with, then I can definitely see the advantages your power brings to the table if you keep the drawbacks fresh in your mind.”

  Mike stopped on the sidewalk under a street lamp. “I do, D. I’m not even going to pretend I won’t make mistakes either. It’s impossible for me to go back now. I have it, and I’m working it. I was raised by two people, I swear to God, I will never disappoint.”

  Demon nodded. “Yeah, you do have that for sure. Hey… you never tried to work that Mojo on me did you.”

  “Never.”

  “Why you no good, rotten-”

&
nbsp; “Oh look… there’s HG.” Mike pointed as the Demon Inc van approached, trying to seem suspicious to Demon. It worked.

  Demon growled. “I see a bad moon rising for you, Cap. Best kiss your loved ones and get ready for rough waters, because payback’s on tap.”

  Mike laughed. “Think about it, Farfel. If I could do what you think I can to you. What would stop me from going all Banzai on your butt the moment you tried anything. I never even thought of doing it to you, not even as an experiment.”

  “Grrrumph… okay… you’re clear for now, but I’m watching you, CD. Picture me with fingers alternating between my eyes and you. If I even feel a slight tingle in my head I’m going to rip a small part of your calf off.”

  “Noted. Don’t mind wipe, D, until I’m sure I can go full bore.”

  “I’m thinking of taking that piece right now, Huckleberry.”

  Mike grinned and nodded. Gail hit the unlock button, and Mike opened the extended cab door for Demon to get in. He nearly tripped on his way in when he saw how far Gail had allowed her black cocktail dress to ride up. She waited only a moment for Mike to shut the door before launching into a passionate embrace only Demon’s tongue lick on the side of her cheek ended. Gail turned while rubbing her face as Demon nudged them apart.

  “Eeeuuuuwww… D! You slimed me!”

  “Arf!”

  “I was going to let you drive back to Brennan’s while me and Captain Darkness got busy in the back too,” Gail said, still taking swipes at her cheek.

  Her statement provoked a long snorting, head nodding acknowledgement of amusement from Demon, who sat with his front paws pretending to steer. “Tell HG, I bet her Dad’s timing how long it takes to return us to Brennan’s.”

  After Mike repeated Demon’s observation, Gail slapped the steering wheel. “How did you know that my Dad actually held up his watch, and pointed at it with exactly what you said in mind?”

  “Lucky guess. Maybe your Dad is all too aware of your checkered past, HG.”

  Mike repeated what Demon said hesitantly. Gail stared at Demon in annoyance, but then laughed while gripping Mike’s hand. “Yeah… okay… I’ll give you that one. Follow me home tonight. I’ll sneak you into my bedroom, CD.”

  Mike collapsed back on his seat. “Did you have to put that into my head?”

  “Well, how is it fair you get to go home with Laura?”

  “Fair has nothing to do with it. I wasn’t given any choice. Tick tock, tick tock, we better get moving before your Dad sends the Demon Inc team after us. Denny probably has everything on us and around us wired.”

  “Just remembered that, huh, Cap?”

  Mike heard Denny’s voice and laughter in his ear. He put his head in his hands.

  Gail smacked the back of Mike’s head. “Oh no you didn’t! You did not forget to disconnect Frodo after the op!”

  Mike took his ear piece out without meeting Gail’s eyes and handed it to her. She put it in her ear, gasping as she heard laughter and her Dad whistling the old ‘Beat the Clock’ tune. “You turn us off this instant, Frodo, or I will stomp your Hobbit butt into Neverland!”

  The earpiece went dead. She handed it back to Mike and started the van. She giggled because Demon was chortling in muffled fashion in the back. “We are so going to be abused at Brennan’s. Oh my God… they could hear the sound effects from my pouncing on you when you got in the van.”

  “I might have remembered my hookup with Denny if someone hadn’t blasted all thought from my head with a certain cocktail dress hem positioned at her waist, HG. Is this a bad time to mention they had video too?”

  “Oh my God!” Gail dropped her head against the steering wheel while Demon made noises in the back signifying immense enjoyment. Gail sighed and got them on the road. “I’m sure one day we’ll laugh at this.”

  Mike reached over and patted her knee. “Laugh at it now. We’ll be toe to toe in a pitched battle for our lives all too soon. In the last few days I’ve exorcised and fought battles with monsters from another dimension, and snapped the neck of a human monster. I liked your waist riding hem and the way you greeted me. I’m only sorry your Dad was part of the audience for it.”

  Gail clasped his hand. “I think I’m in love with you, Rawlins.”

  “I know I’m in love with you, HG. It doesn’t matter what else happens, or how we eventually end up. You’ll always be with me. We’re friends for life. Period.”

  “Friends with benefits, CD.”

  Mike nodded, squeezing her hand. “Yeah, we are.”

  “Arf!”

  * * *

  Denny watched Gail say goodbye to Mike in the Brennan’s parking lot with fervor. There was not much doubt they cared for each other. He looked away, only to meet Demon’s grinning snout poking into view from the rear seat. He grinned back, knowing Demon probably knew every thought going through his head. The bit with Mike forgetting audio and video was still running had eased everyone’s nerves after the tension filled rescue of Tom Huang. Even Laura, to everyone’s surprise, laughed when Denny reminded Mike they were live. Tears were streaming down her cheeks from laughing so hard when Gail threatened to stomp Denny into Neverland.

  The crowd at Brennan’s who had heard the cheering Demon Inc team huddled around Denny’s notebook computer in their meeting room, knew Mike and Demon were playing a part in the standoff on all Brennan’s TV screens. The manager had made the rounds after hearing the outcome of the hostage situation from Denny, letting everyone know Mike and Demon had been in the thick of it. It had been a great ploy for business as nearly everyone stayed to watch the live feed on TV, and the final outcome. To offset Mike and Gail’s embarrassment somewhat, Mike and Demon garnered a standing ovation from the crowd, even though they had only been mentioned briefly by Agent Navarone in the press conference afterwards.

  Although the roast was on when Mike, Gail, and Demon reached the Brennan’s meeting room, they were initially greeted with heartfelt hugs and congratulations. Demon was of course presented with a beer and shot bowl. Denny had only noticed one slight reservation in the tone of their celebration, starting with Gail’s Dad. The weapon’s master perceived an underlying uneasiness. They had all witnessed the live video where Navarone ordered Mike and Demon to wait for the kidnappers to bring Tom Huang to the door. No doubt existed in any member of Demon Inc where those orders originated.

  * * *

  “Today, HG, today,” Steve called out from the passenger side of the Demon Inc van.

  Gail broke away from Mike with a groan. “Come over later. I’ll sneak you in. Better yet, I’ll sneak out later and come over to your house.”

  Mike framed her face with his hands, letting her see even in the darkness how much he would have liked to follow her suggestion to the letter. “Goodnight, Gail. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “You better.” Gail pushed Mike back. “I hope you can’t sleep because of me.”

  She spun around and hurried toward the driver’s side of the van. Mike took a deep breath and walked to his Chevy. Denny and Demon were sitting straight with their heads together over the front seat. They only broke their pose when Mike opened the door and slid in behind the steering wheel.

  “That was one hot goodbye, brother.”

  “Arf!”

  “I just hope Steve doesn’t think I’m controlling her,” Mike replied, starting the car.

  “I noticed you didn’t say ‘juice her’, Cap.”

  Mike whipped around to stare at the snorting Demon, holding his finger and thumb a millimeter apart. “You’re this close to being locked in a real dog house, Farfel, never to see or taste another beer again.”

  “D whacked you again, I take it,” Denny observed. “Although no one mentioned it, that thing you did ordering the Druggies to bring Tom to the door unharmed was incredible. Sure, Steve might have some lingering doubts about your will seeping into everyone else’s, but it’ll get better when you put a few days together where you don’t go rogue on us.”


  “Thanks for the ringing endorsement.” Mike drove toward home. “I’m hoping for a few days where I’m not in a position where I have to worry about collateral damage, and people thinking I’m turning into ‘Skynet’.”

  “Tomorrow you get to don your football hero cape. That should get you some points, as long as you don’t juice the opposing team into laying down every time Arroyo snaps the ball.”

  “Oh my God… I forgot about agreeing to be with the football team. Hide me, Denny!”

  “Think of it this way, CD. If you can crank out a good showing as whatever it is you agreed to be tomorrow night with the football team, you have the weekend off completely. We can’t move against the Haunts yet, and you don’t have an MMA match coming up. Maybe Saturday night would be the time to ask HG out on a date.”

  “Jinx! You’re right, Den. Saturday would be perfect. Good Lord Almighty, I pray to God I can string two days together without Haunts or football. Don’t think I forget about what you do in the background. You have the FBI on a string. We have backup now. The rest of this mess will have to be sorted out later. We at least know the score with the Haunts. Our personal lives depend on us stopping them. If I keep that in mind, I’ll be okay, and I’ll keep the whining down to a minimum.”

  “Forget about me, Mike. I told you before, I’m livin’ the dream. Whether it’s short and sweet doesn’t mean much to me. What do you think of my asking Joan out to a movie with you and HG?”

  Mike nodded enthusiastically, not taking his eyes off the road. “I like it. Joan, huh?”

  Denny shrugged. “I like it better and she likes it. She’s not a teenager by all the standards of the old times. She’s more like a teen during WWII. I thought it would be therapeutic to do something normal, like take in a movie and have dinner.”

  “I like your thinking, especially with the way Steve must feel about me now. I can spend time with Gail without him thinking I’m both physically and mentally mind raping her.”

  Denny shook his head in the negative. “He doesn’t think that, Mike.”