by Mike Gomes
“I’m sorry. You’re right,” said Tyler humbly, looking over to his friend. “You’re a grown man and I need to respect that. I also have to make some time to do some things out of work hours. I have a problem with that in general. I basically just see people connected to the job. You’re my only friend, and I have just about managed to make that work. When this one is all finished we’ll start over by taking in a Red Sox—”
Suddenly an envelope dropped onto Tyler’s lap from his open window. Looking into the rearview mirror Falau saw a short man with an overcoat and a ski hat walking away from the car and up the road.
“Drive,” Tyler said, a look of urgency in his eyes.
“Where to?”
“Anywhere. Just as long as we’re moving.”
The van pulled back into the traffic and cruised along various side streets and in and out of parking lots. Despite not being instructed to do so Falau was sure that Tyler wanted to make sure nobody was following them.
After ten minutes of tactical driving Tyler ripped into the envelope and slipped out the contents. Unfolding the single piece of paper he started to laugh.
“What’s so funny?” asked Falau, knowing Tyler was not one for levity when it came to information about missions.
“The paper has only three words on it.”
“So, what does it say?”
“Calvin Wise alive.”
“Calvin Wise? Isn’t that the kid who just got off after killing that girl?”
“That’s exactly who it is. Your option of mission was between him and one other person the judges were looking at. Looks like Calvin just won the worst contest of his life.”
The van moved in and out of the traffic with ease as Falau kept one eye on the road and one on Tyler. The uncomfortable feeling that Tyler was withholding information started to permeate into Falau’s mind. He could always tell when Tyler was holding back.
“Okay, what’s the catch? This guy is in my backyard and just some college kid. Anyone could pick him up. Why me?”
Tyler nervously shifted in his seat and tapped his ring on the center console. “It’s not really a catch. It’s more like a risk. This kid Wise is the son of John Wise, a very rich man who comes from old money. He took that old money and turned it into billions with the dot com explosion in the late 1990’s. Turn right here.”
Falau cut the wheel before passing the street. The tires dug into the road and screeched as they made a turn that no other minivan could have made.
“Nothing like waiting until the last second!”
Tyler laughed. “You wanted to see what the van could do? Well, I figured I could show you in bits and pieces. That was turning. Anyway, John Wise knows everyone in Massachusetts. He contributes to all the campaigns. He’s a townie. This guy could do or say anything he wanted and nobody would say a thing. He is the power in the state that nobody sees. If he wants he can control just about anything. Little Calvin Wise knows how much power daddy has, so he knows he can do anything including, killing people. That trial was dirty before anyone even hit the court room.”
Falau nodded in fake agreement, not fully understanding what Tyler was talking about.
“Why is it I have never heard of this guy until the kid went on trial? The father was never involved in anything that I can remember.”
“He was involved with every major thing that has gone on in this city for the last thirty years,” Tyler said as a matter of fact. “Every city has these guys. It’s only just a few in each place. They are never public. They are way too smart for that. They stay underground and manipulate everything from afar. Most of the time these guys are not even in it for money. It’s all about the power.”
Falau smiled, not taking his eyes off the road. “Comes in handy if your kid is a psycho killer.”
“You got that right. The worst part for you is that he has an inside link with every police department and court all over the state. Basically, they act like his security. The cops on the street are not on the take, but they are told he is at high risk of being attacked by terrorists because of some history they say he has with a counter-terrorism group. It’s all bull shit, but it does the job. The guy is above the law and as we both saw the kid is above the law too.”
“So, there are always eyes on the kid?”
“Now you’re getting it. To take this kid, it will be more than just grabbing him out of some dorm room. He now lives at home and the house has guards and attack-dogs. The police drive by the house constantly and there are still news cameras popping up. It’s basically hell for what you are trying to do.”
Falau slapped the shoulder of his long-time friend. “Sounds like my kind of mission, Tyler. It is my kind of mission.”
Chapter 8
Tyler continued to give instructions of various twists and turns until they had been in the car for over an hour. It was clear he was again making sure they had not been followed. No matter how much he said the federal officers who followed him were fools, Tyler was always sure to put caution first. Falau admired his attention to detail and his focus on what was at hand. No simple mistake would lead to Tyler’s undoing.
Following the instructions Falau found himself at a gate leading up to a house high on a hill. A security pad was located just outside the gate.
Tyler hopped out of the passenger seat. “Sorry man, no offense but I can’t let you know the code.”
“No offense taken. Besides, if I wanted to get in I would just climb the fence.”
Tyler laughed and hunched over the key-pad, screening his hands as he entered in the code. The large wrought iron gadget slowly started to slide open. Falau watched as the gate did not wiggle at all as it opened, meaning it had to be seriously reinforced. Tyler would not have gone to all the trouble to have the gate and wall built if a bump from a car could take out the gate with little effort.
Falau started to pull up the driveway, and noticed small cuts in the asphalt. Not needing to ask what they were for, he knew that the driveway had been equipped with some kind of security system, most likely concrete pylons that would pop up when triggered to do so. It was a simple yet efficient way to stop someone from following you in or out of the house. There was no telling how many of these surprises Tyler had rigged up, both within the grounds and inside the house.
“Beautiful home. I assume it’s yours,” commented Falau.
“Yes, it is. I got a great deal. You could say I know some people that helped me out.”
“I bet. Looks like you have some nice security items here in the driveway. Have you had problems with taking the job home with you.”
“No, thank God. It’s been smooth sailing as far as that is concerned. But I don’t like taking any chances. Besides, bringing riff-raff like you around here, who knows who will come charging after me?”
A great belly laugh rolled from Falau, catching him off guard. It had been a long time since he had genuinely felt this good. Being back a part of something was giving him purpose and providing him something to look forward to.
At the top of the driveway a three-car garage sat below the house. The door to the far left slowly started to open.
“Did you do that?” questioned Falau.
“Yup. Don’t worry. Just pull in.”
The van slipped into the parking spot and the door softly closed behind them to reveal a screen attached to the back of it that was linked to a camera focused on the driveway. As Tyler and Falau got out of the van they looked at the screen, seeing that nobody had followed them.
“Right up here,” said Tyler walking up two steps and unlocking a door that led to a hallway.
The two men worked their way into a kitchen that looked as if it was made for a master chef rather than a guy in Tyler’s kind of work. Pots and pans hung from a suspended rack above the island. There were large cutting and preparation areas. A propane grill was even built into one of the counters.
“Wow. This is one hell of a house. The kitchen is bigger than my whole apartment.”
“It’s nice. I wish I could cook better. Honestly, I don’t really cook here at all. I do more work-related things in here. Come on, there’s no time to waste. Follow me.”
Pulling a key from his pocket he started unlocking a plain white door that anyone would think was a simple broom closet, and as the door swung open it appeared to be just that. Tyler reached out and grabbed his friend by the arm, pulled him into the closet and closed the door.
In the darkness Falau heard Tyler speak.
“Yes, my dear, 2, 4, 6, 3, 1.”
Suddenly the room began to move and shake its way down, touching the bottom in less than ten seconds. The door to the bizarre elevator was opened again by Tyler.
The room was dark and Tyler charged headlong into it. Falau struggled to let his eyes adjust to the darkness, but with little success.
“One second. Where is it? Just a minute. Okay, got it!” exclaimed Tyler as he flipped the switch to the lights of the room.
“Oh my God!” muttered Falau, trying to understand all he was seeing.
The lights had exposed a giant lab that was at least two times the footprint of the home itself. There were areas for all types of experiments and developments of whatever Tyler wanted. At the far end of the room sat a car that was being modified. To the left was an area that appeared to be a chemistry work-station. A ballistics range just to his side. All of it seemed to be a total mess and out of control, but he was sure that, like any great scientist, Tyler knew exactly where everything was and exactly what it was for.
“Not bad, huh?” exclaimed Tyler.
“How big a team do you have working down here with you?” asked the big man
“Just me.”
“Just you? No other people are helping you? How are you keeping track of all of this stuff?”
“You know me... I find a way. But don’t worry about all that now. I brought you down here to show you some goodies I have for you to work with.”
“Now you’re talking.”
Tyler led the way, waving a hand for his friend to follow. “We need to start you off with some new clothing. Take a look at what I have for you here.”
Sliding open a drawer, a stack of shirts and pants were exposed that looked exactly like ones Falau had at home, albeit they were crumpled up in a ball on his floor.
“They look just like yours, but these are better. These are made with a thread that acts as a recording device for audio and video. The buttons are the cameras. If you’re looking to get a confession out of that little brat, he may spill the beans and then you have it on tape to show to the judges. It will record everything you say and do from the moment you put it on and upload to our secret servers.”
“I’ll make sure not to trash you while I’m wearing it.”
“Oh, and it is not something we can use to monitor you, so if you’re in trouble we can’t see it until after something happens.”
“Got it.”
Sliding the next drawer open Tyler removed a cell phone and held it up.
“You’re going to like this one. Check it out.” Holding up the cell phone he pointed it to the far wall. “Just hold the volume up button and the power button together.” Suddenly an arch of electricity shot out of the phone, breaking some of the stone wall across the room. “You will get two shocks like that per charge. Like any cell phone, if the battery is low it will not work right. Oh, and it will work like a regular phone. Keep the long distance to a minimum.”
“This thing is awesome. Almost worth getting into a problem just to see how it works.”
Tyler’s eyebrow rose without him lifting his head.
“Almost worth it, Tyler!”
“Good. No need for unwanted confrontation. Hey, check out these sunglasses.”
Tyler tossed the glasses to Falau who plucked them out of midair. Flipping them open he put them on his face, adjusting them slightly.
“They seem very normal, don’t they?” questioned Tyler as he walked across the room. “But normal glasses can’t do this.”
Flipping the lights off, Falau saw the world in night vision. All objects appeared to be outlined in green and he could see every slight movement that Tyler made. Falau marveled, realizing that he was able to see better and more detail in the room with the help of the night vision sunglasses than with his own eyes in normal daylight.
“Tyler, you have outdone yourself with this. I can make out every little thing.”
“They are very effective. You can also use them to drive and get the same results. So just turn off the lights on the car on a back road with no streetlights and only you will be able to see everything.”
Tyler flipped the lights back on and Falau removed the glasses.
“Just one more thing. The other day I saw that little 9mm you like to carry. I was giving you a hard time about it, just having some fun. But I want you to have the power you need if things get too hot. So, I made some adjustments for you.”
“What? How could you make adjustments for me?” asked Falau.
“Oh, I went back and broke into your apartment to get the gun and replace it with another. I have the real one right here. Sorry for breaking in.”
“Tyler, that gun had sentimental value for me from my first mission.”
“I know. But it’s still the same gun with just a few improvements that will keep you from being dead. No matter how much sentimental value it has, it will not help you if you’re dead.”
“Fair enough.”
Tyler removed the weapon from a desk to their side. He raised the gun and shot it across the length of the room, impacting the target and blowing it to pieces.
“Stopping power! I just made the 9mm able to handle my ammo without breaking apart. My ammo packs more of a punch, and when they hit their target they explode, causing far more damage than your standard bullet. Give it a try. Shoot the car.”
Tyler handed Falau the gun and stepped behind him, nodding his head as Falau checked, without speaking, to make sure it was really okay to shoot the car.
Firing two quick shots, the front driver’s side quarter panel of the car erupted into flames and fell from the vehicle. The small explosion was more than Tyler had made it out to be.
“That is some real power,” remarked Falau as he looked at the gun.
“Not to brag or anything, but if you get in a shootout you just need to be near the person to take them down. If you hit them, the bullet explodes on impact, meaning that as it enters the body the explosion will be happening. Stopping power.”
“Ya! Stopping power!”
Chapter 9
Sitting at the desk in his bedroom, Calvin Wise leaned back in his chair and took a sip from his soda. He looked around the room, enjoying all the things he had accumulated over the years.
The bedroom was ostentatious by most standards. On the wall hung a 60-inch LCD flat-screen television. Embedded in the ceiling and walls were the world’s best surround sound speakers, ensuring an amazing viewing or gaming experience no matter where you sat in the room. Gaming consoles sat atop the dresser from all the major brands, such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. A king-sized bed sat in the center of the room, with the open space all around it giving a clear indication that all things in the room revolved around that one spot. An unused treadmill sat off to the side by one of the large bay windows that looked out into the backyard. There was a personal bathroom complete with hot tub and a walk-in closet that could pass for a child’s bedroom in another home. The walls were covered in neon beer signs and posters of scantily clad women leaning on sports cars and motorcycles. The room as a whole looked like it belonged to an average 14-year-old boy, and not the room of an adult.
Putting the chair back to the ground, from its leaning back position, his hands reached for his laptop and opened it. Sliding the cursor over the links on his home page he stopped and hovered above the one for Hooked. Temptation filled his body and mind to click the icon and find another young woman who might want to meet for a drink.
“They’re watching you and waiting for you to go on Hooked again. They will be on you before you can think and then you will live your life in prison,” said a voice from the back of his mind.
“My dad will get me off,” Calvin replied to the voice in his head.
“Don’t do it. He can’t get you off again. You have to find a new way to feel your special love.”
“But I like Hooked. It works so well,” Calvin said, sounding like an upset child.
“Don’t whine! If you want to fix the soulless women then you need to work harder. If you want to feel them under your hands, desperate for breath, then it will take more effort from you. The question is, how much do you want their true love?”
“I want it very much. You’re right, I need to be careful or there will be no more love.”
The cursor slid down the page and opened to his search engine. With a few simple keystrokes, he found another suitable dating site.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The door shook slightly as a voice asked for permission to enter the room.
Closing the laptop instantly he stared at the door, assessing if the noise had come from inside or outside his mind.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound came again, but this time with more authority, and the handle of the door started to turn and the door opened approximately five inches.
The face of an older man peered through the door, though not so bold as to come fully into the room. The face was clean-shaven and handsome. He had a tan and a perfectly manicured smile that was far from natural.
“Hey, Calvin. I was going down to the kitchen and wondered if you wanted anything.”
“No. If I wanted something I would get it myself or have one of the servants get it.”
“I told you before, they are not servants. They work here at the house but we do not call them servants. Besides, we can go get some food without having them do it for us.”
“They are lower than us. We pay them. They will do what they are told or will work somewhere else,” snapped the young man, turning to the door in his chair.