Minutes after the request for Sage, he entered through the metal door. Sage looked far better than he had two days earlier; his eyes were sharper and his face was clean. He asked what Evanston wanted and Evanston’s grin widened. “This,” he said as he scrambled to the water bottle. Once in his hands, he unscrewed the cap and closed his eyes. “Just sit back and watch this,” he told the detective as the water in the bottle began to churn. The churning quickly slowed and soon the water was nothing more than a frozen mass. Evanston opened his eyes and handed the result to Sage for him to investigate.
Sage stared at the anomaly he witnessed and asked, “How did you realize you could do this?”
Startled by the question Evanston cautiously replied, “I really don’t know, it just happened. Then I spent a few minutes toying with the water and found that I could control it.” He chuckled, “You…You were right! This…This is just amazing! Oh and… and I can do more than just that, here,” he held his hands out for the bottle, which Sage returned to him. The man turned the ice back into water and then produced steam, which emptied the bottle. “This is the coolest part…hope you don’t mind getting wet…”
Sage was going to for a clarification, but was briefly rained on before he could speak.
Sage looked about the room, perplexed. He asked, “You did that too?”
“Yeah, one second,” the man concentrated and lifted the water from the ground in the form of vapor and recollected the water into the bottle.
“So you don’t have to touch the object?”
“No…I-I want to try it on something other than water, but I didn’t want to ruin your table…” the man said.
“Thanks…I’ll get you some paperclips.”
Detective Sage left Evanston alone and headed to their supply closet for a box of the paperclips but was intercepted by his partner. “Did you find anything out?”
Sage nodded and told him to get Johnson. “You’ll both want to see this.”
Felton left to get the chief while Ryan returned to Mario. He handed him the box and asked, “How do you know you’ll be able to manipulate these too?”
The curly haired man shrugged and asked why he shouldn’t be able to. “I’m just changing its state of matter, so my next thought was something other than water…so something metal popped into my head.”
Chief Johnson and Detective Felton joined them and asked what they discovered. Evanston took one of the small metal clips from the box and set it on the table. “Just watch.”
He closed his eyes and focused on the small metal object. However, the entire table began to vibrate, so Sage quickly stopped him. “Just hold it in your hand before you melt the entire table, okay?”
The man agreed and held the small metal item in his hand. Within seconds the metal turned to liquid. Johnson’s eyes widened, “Ryan, how the hell do you explain that?”
Ryan only shook his head, “I have no idea. But this means my theory was right…”
“Can you turn it back into a paper clip?” Felton asked.
“Maybe with enough practice, but I can do this.” He concentrated and formed a solid cube. “If you give me enough I could probably make something really cool, like a sword or a shield or something.”
“I’m not sure I would want you making a sword in my station,” Johnson told him. He turned to Detective Sage and asked what it meant for them.
“It means he’s the eleventh target of Cladis,” Sage stated.
“Whoa…who’s Cladis?” Evanston asked.
“He’s the guy who’s been killing people in your situation,” Felton told the man.
“So that guy’s gonna try to kill me?” he asked Sage.
“Probably. But now that we believe you’re the eleventh, you’ll be under twenty-four hour surveillance, for your protection. And if he doesn’t show and someone else is murdered, you’ll be free to go and we’ll pick up the investigation from there. If, however, he does try to break in and kill you, we’ll stop him,” Sage told Evanston.
Evanston nodded cautiously and muttered that might be more secure in another state if they were that worried. Sage apologized and told him they would try to be as accommodating as they could be. They left him with the rest of the paperclips and started toward Sage’s office.
Johnson let out a heavy breath as soon as the door closed and they were in the hall. He asked, “So what sort of ability would you classify that as Sage?”
He scratched his head, “Most likely state of matter manipulation… y’know, ice to water to vapor.”
“What’s our next step then?” Felton asked.
“Excuse me,” a thin Asian man interrupted them, “But before the three of you take off in separate directions, I’d like to ask you all something.”
The three found an Asian man dressed in a white collared shirt with thin black pinstripes on it. He wore a black tie and a dark brown undone overcoat, with well ironed black slacks, shined black shoes, and gloves on his hands. His thick black hair was well groomed and the man stood a few inches shorter than Detective Sage.
He flashed a badge and introduced himself, “Agent Ryuzaki Miyaza of the Bureau. I’m here to question a man you have detained here, named Mario Evanston, for his connection with the case you’ve been working on, what you’ve classified as the ‘Cladis investigation,’ if I’m not mistaken.”
Johnson frowned, “We haven’t even added that to the report yet,” he crossed his arms, “How come you’re here so suddenly?”
Miyaza smiled. His eyes flashed and he told the man, “I was here in Baltimore on personal business when I was asked to look into this case by my section chief.” He looked at Felton, “That’s why I’m here without any partner, to answer your next question.”
“I wasn’t going to ask that,” Felton told the agent.
Miyaza’s eyes gleamed and his smile flickered, “I’ll have to take your word on that…” He looked at the door, “Time’s an issue my friends, so if you’ve no more questions, I would like to answer mine.”
The Asian man didn’t hesitate to push past Ryan and into the holding cell. To Ryan’s relief, Mario had stopped manipulating the paperclips when the agent entered the room. Agent Miyaza greeted Evanston frankly and retrieved a black pen and a pad of paper from within his coat.
Felton stood at the door, with Sage on the right side of Agent Miyaza, and Chief Johnson near the metal table where Mario Evanston sat. Agent Miyaza asked Detective Felton to close the door and once his request was met, he asked his first question, “You drive a taxi, is that correct?”
Evanston looked at him blankly. He slowly answered, “Yeah…Why the hell’s a fed asking me if I drive a taxi? Isn’t that obvious?”
“Thank you,” Miyaza said as his eyes flashed and he scribbled notes down on his pad. He continued to fire questions, “Did you ever meet Angela Walsh before the accident?”
“No, and you can’t really call it meeting her, as she died in my arms.”
He nodded, “Of course not…And when she swerved off the road, how did you react?”
Evanston cautiously answered, “I hit the brakes.”
“She did swerve, right?” Miyaza nearly cut Evanston off as he asked.
He hesitated, “Yes…”
Miyaza frowned, “Are you certain? You’re sure another car didn’t push her into your lane?”
“No.”
The agent scribbled more into his notepad. “Did she hit the brakes?”
He shrugged, “I-I don’t know…maybe?”
The man’s eyes illuminated briefly, “I’ll trust your knowledge of the event, don’t worry too much Mister Evanston.”
Mario watched the man continue to write and asked, “Why are you writing so much? I’m hardly sayin’ a thing, yet you’re writing a lot.”
Miyaza nodded, “I’m just writing mental notes, formulating hypothesizes and such.”
“Okay, well why are you asking me these kind of questions?”
The agent looked up and asked w
hat he meant.
“You’re questions are…basic. These guys could have asked me these by now, they did in fact, but why are you just rattling off the same things? Shouldn’t the FBI be askin’ me tougher questions?”
The Asian man nodded. He flipped the top of the notepad over his notes, stowed it and the pen away in his coat, and replied, “I could ask you the questions I really need answers to…like how Cladis was able to stand by the side of the road and push Angela Walsh’s car into yours, how not a single soul could see him, and why there are suddenly a vast number of ‘super powered’ individuals throughout this city.” He glanced at the chief and two detectives and calmly added, “You need to stop looking at this case like it’s just another routine investigation. For starters, you have a serial killer, something none of you have experience with, but more importantly, this isn’t a traditional mass murderer. As such, this case is something new to all of you and to most, if not all detectives in your shoes.” The agent turned his attention to Detective Sage and continued, “You’re missing clues because you’re not thinking abstractly enough. Nothing is quite what you think. This isn’t a simple investigation, your target is not a rational or typical serial killer…and I am not a federal agent.”
All of the men froze where they were. Sage felt his heart race faster than it ever had. All three of the officers reached for their weapons but the Asian man was far too fast for them. He rushed toward Felton, struck him in the throat with the flat of his hand which preceded three decisive blows to his head and a swift knee into his gut. Felton fell to the floor though Miyaza already dealt with the chief of police before Felton hit the ground. Miyaza used the table to boost himself into the air where he kicked Chief Johnson square in the forehead and brought him down. Sage hardly moved for his gun before the man seized his hand, broke his grip, took the gun, and slammed the side of the weapon into the side of his head. It didn’t leave him unconscious, but his head rang as the man removed the safety and aimed it at him. Before Evanston could make a sound, a second gun from Agent Miyaza’s coat came into Sage’s blurred vision and marked Evanston.
Miyaza smiled, “Now, I’ve got the answers I needed so I can get out of here before anyone realizes what I–” he looked at Evanston and his eyes flashed, “Don’t even think about it!” he barked. “You might be able to turn metals into liquids, but you are not fast enough to stop bullets…and if you were I’d just snap your neck with my hands, so save me the trouble and sit quietly.” Miyaza returned his attention to the wounded detective and muttered, “I’d take a closer look at those security tapes if I were you…and look at the rain, very closely.” He took Sage’s gun, removed the clip, took the weapon apart, and dropped the pieces on the floor. “And don’t bother trying to find me,” he told him while he walked to the door and moved Felton out of the way, “You won’t.”
Ryuzaki Miyaza stowed his weapon away, opened the door, and let the heavy metal door slam shut behind him after he escaped.
---*---
11:13 PM
London, England
Jason lay wide awake in bed with Audrey, who slept soundly beside him. I can’t sleep at all…I never can though and it makes me wonder why I even bother anymore. Their room was only lit by what little light crept in between and around the drapes at their window. When Jason could sleep he needed it dark, just as Audrey did, so they didn’t keep a television in their bedroom either, not that Jason wanted to pass the night with infomercials and syndicated television. In actuality Jason was quite limited to what he could do to pass the hours.
I could get up and find Audrey’s digital reader and download a book. I have wanted to read The Iliad and The Odyssey again. And who knows? Maybe the culture and written form will make more sense given my studies…Not to mention it will give me a chance to see how rusty my Greek is…Yet, we do need more eggs and bread for the morning. I could just run and get it and return to bed and start on Homer’s epics then. He stared at the ceiling and let out a sigh. I need to get out of here soon anyway or I’m going to lose it.
Jason quietly rose from bed and found his clothes without rousing Audrey. He did run across some trouble locating his shoes though, and just as he believed he’d found them Audrey turned over and sleepily told him the pair he’d selected were hers.
“Yours are near the door,” she mumbled.
He thanked her and told her to go back to bed.
“You’re heading out then?”
“Yes.”
She frowned and told him she wished he would stay. “You know how I hate that. You tell me how dangerous this city is and I worry about whether or not you’ll be here when I get up in the morning.”
Again? “Audrey, I always return and I’m always unscathed.”
She pulled the covers up close to her and glanced away from him. I’m not going anywhere except the damn store and we need milk and eggs and bread for breakfast. I’m only going to be out for a moment anyway.
They both retained their silence while Jason put his shoes on. “I’ll only be out for a quick minute.”
“Where are you going?”
“The store a few blocks from here.”
“Why?”
“To get some things we need for breakfast.”
Audrey studied him and asked why it couldn’t wait until the morning.
It’s for breakfast Audrey. I need it in the morning and I’d rather not have to race over to the bloody store and back all for a hot meal I can guarantee tonight.
“I’m already up honey; just go back to sleep.”
She sat up and watched him put his shoes on and waited until the laces were tied before she whispered, “You always leave in the middle of the night Jason and I hate it.”
“I’ll only be gone–”
“I don’t like it Jason,” she told him flatly. “Why can’t you stay here with me and–”
“I can’t stand lying awake for hours on end each and every night Audrey,” he cut in. “Do you know how long each night is? I mean without any rest or sleep at all? There’s nothing to make the minutes, the hours pass by any faster, and all the while you know how damn tired you’ll be the next day? It’s horrible Audrey. I need to get out and occupy myself somewhat.” He paused a moment to find her through the darkness and added, “It isn’t enough to just read a book or watch films for seven or eight hours each night. You get restless real quick. Do you understand?”
She nodded silently and allowed him to gather some money from his wallet on their dresser near the door.
“I hate sleeping alone Jason,” she confessed. “I take comfort knowing you’re beside me whenever I turn over at night.” Audrey looked him in the eye and asked him to stay.
He kept quiet for a moment before he told her he would be back in a moment and promised to stay beside her from then on. I need to stretch my legs and get some air. And I’ll be back before you know it Audrey.
-- -- --
Jason wasn’t alone. London, like many other metropolises throughout the world, always had someone awake at every minute of the day. It’s not too late, so I’d guess these people are all out for parties or what have you. It’s difficult to imagine that Audrey and I once lived that life too. I can’t even recall the last time I stepped foot in a nightclub, though I would assume I’m too old for all of that now. Call it adulthood or growing old too quickly, but I doubt I could enjoy it now anyway.
The night was clear, though there weren’t any stars to show for it. Out of all the things he hated about the city, the lack of starlight topped his list. He never planned on living there for his whole life, but school dictated where they lived and then work followed. Audrey loved London though, and as such Jason held a suspicion that he’d never leave.
We have another dinner with her family in a few days just before we take off to Greece for a week. Enduring more of Jack’s accomplishments of his firm and criticisms of living in the city and of my job. I’m not even sure I want to go but there’s little sway my voice holds in such ma
tters. I know it’s different for her though, she’s close to them and they have one another, but I’m just…just not the family type. That’s as best I can put it I guess.
Jason walked with his eyes low and fixed on the sidewalk before him. The city around him became lightless and soft, with all sound muffled against his thoughts and introspection; the shop Jason planned to stop by sat idle as he passed it and on through London.
-- -- --
He circled back after a few minutes and bought a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs, a loaf of bread, and a newspaper. Jason carried the paper bag back in one arm while he read an article on the front page of the paper. The headline read ‘Bombing in Cairo. 16 Dead, 12 Wounded’.
Aug. 22 – Late last night, in front of Khan el-Khalili, a major tourist attraction in Cairo, a bomb was detonated on a person within the market that resulted in the deaths of six individuals and nearly another dozen injuries. The market is closed today as a precaution to the possibility of a second attack. The bomber is assumed to be a member of the Dáfù who have since their attack on United States President Jean Monroe last Friday, made attacks on ten other areas around the world including Tokyo, Mexico City, and Berlin. The velocity of the recent attacks has caused alarm in many nations world-wide and many are on edge from fear that the Dáfù may be plotting a much larger attack.
For the complete story see section A2…
Jason reread the small news clip over again. What possesses someone to do something like that? Kill others? Why do they think it’s right? I would have thought everyone would have some semblance of life’s worth, but I guess not. He stopped walking in front of a small bakery and set his bag down for a moment to open to the rest of the article, though another story caught his eye first. ‘Body of Local Seamstress Found, Missing One Kilogram of Flesh.’
Aug. 22 - The remains of Emma Thompson, aged twenty-four, were discovered near the Municipal Offices in Twickenham mid-afternoon yesterday. Thompson was found without nearly a whole kilogram of skin, which is said to have been surgically removed. The list of suspects is limited at this time given the nature of the macabre state of the victim’s remains. There is however speculation that this murder could be linked to the disappearance and ultimate finding of Edward Park’s remains not a week earlier. Park, thirty-six at the time of death, was missing over a liter of blood when he was located outside his home in Ham. Authorities have declined any official statement at this time about any connection between the two murders.
Impact (Book 1): Regenesis Page 16