Tail of the Dragon

by Connie Di Marco

  “I didn’t hear about any costume party in the building tonight, did you?” he asked his colleague, smirking. The younger man, unsmiling, ignored the sarcasm.

  “Look, you don’t understand …”

  “No, lady, you don’t understand. The firm is closed. No one is there tonight, and if you really work here, as you say you do, then you’ll know there’s been a murder on that floor and another one in the parking area. Only private security is allowed up there.”

  “A woman has gone missing and I think she’s being held up there.”

  The older guard did a double take, then shook his head. “I don’t think so. I think that’s the craziest damn thing I ever heard.”

  “Please. Call Sergeant Sullivan at the Hall of Justice. Talk to him. I think I’m right, and if I am, she’s in danger.”

  I could see the wheels turning behind his Neanderthal brow. It was slowly occurring to him that he might be the one to take any blame.

  “I can give you his number.”

  “Oh, we have it. We’re supposed to let him know about any suspicious activity.”

  “Then call him. Please. And let me go up there. If there’s nothing to find and I’m wrong, then I’ll go away and leave you alone.”

  We were at a standoff. I needed him to release the elevator and he needed to protect his job. He flashed a questioning look at the other guard, who hadn’t changed his position, and turned back to me. “I’ll give you ten minutes to look around. That’s all. And then I’m calling the security guy. I want to see you back down here and out of the building. Don’t even think about coming back again later because unless I program it, that elevator isn’t going anywhere. Sergio.” He turned to the younger guard. “Take her up. Don’t let her out of your sight and then bring her back down.” He shot a glare at me. “Ten minutes.”

  “Okay.” Sergio nodded. I stepped back into the elevator and he followed me. The older guard returned to his console and the doors finally closed. The elevator moved upward, directly to the 41st floor.

  When we reached it, Sergio slipped a key into a lock below the keypad. “I’m holding this car here so we can go down without waiting.” We stepped into the corridor and Sergio followed me to the door to the attorneys’ offices. “Look,” he said, “I’ll be watching you, but this place makes me nervous after what’s been happening in the building.”

  I used the key David had given me and pushed the door open. Frankly, the very fact of the guard’s presence made me feel a whole lot more secure. I reached around to flick on the overhead light but nothing happened. The room remained in darkness. Sergio pulled a flashlight out of his back pocket. “Lights not working? I don’t like this,” he mumbled. “I’ll hold the flashlight for you while you look.”

  I felt cold and clammy even under my clothing. I moved slowly past the desks and closed office doors, Sergio’s flashlight following my progress. I ducked under the yellow tape and opened the door to Jack’s office, and again tried the lights. Nothing. The main switch to the whole area had apparently been turned off. I waited a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, then felt my way over to the desk to try the lamp. No luck. Why would all the electricity to this section be off when the motion lights had just worked in the corridor? I moved as silently as possible around the room and felt my way to the coat closet that I remembered was there. Sergio was still tracking me with his beam of light. I opened the closet door. My foot hit something soft and bulky. At the same moment, I heard a crash. Sergio’s flashlight made a crazy pattern on the walls as it flew through the air and landed on the floor.

  “Sergio,” I called out. No answer. I fell to my knees and reached out. My fingers touched a wool garment and a sweatered arm. Without a flashlight I was blind, but I was sure it was Suzanne. I felt warmth and touched the side of her neck. There was a pulse. I shook her arm but got no response. She was unconscious but not dead. I leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Suzanne … can you hear me?”

  I sensed a shift in the atmosphere and heard ragged breathing. In the dark, I crawled backward away from the closet and felt my way to the side of the desk, hunkering down. If I was blind, so was Karen. The sound of her breath came closer. A low sound, almost a growl, and thumping footsteps on the carpeting. She was at the closet door. Another sound. I imagined her foot making contact with Suzanne’s prone body. She waited for a response from the prostrate figure. When none came, she moved away.

  Where was Sergio? Was he unconscious? Surely if we didn’t return soon, the guard downstairs would start to worry. Would he call one of Adam’s security guards or the police? Or would he be afraid of losing his job and decide to come up himself ? That would be deadly.

  My senses were on full alert. The room felt empty. Was she gone? If only I could see something, anything, even a glimmer of light. I crawled slowly away from the desk to move to the closet, hoping to wake an unconscious Suzanne. Then I heard sounds, grunting sounds, from the central room. She was struggling with something heavy. Sergio? Was she strong enough to move an unconscious man? Under cover of this noise, I crept forward. Staying low, I moved to just outside Jack’s door. I stepped silently in the dark, reaching the space between the two secretarial desks. The sounds were now coming from the corridor outside. Was she dragging Sergio’s body to the elevator? I was desperately casting about for some object I could use to defend myself. I remembered the stun gun I’d seen in Dani’s desk. I knelt. Sliding open the bottom drawer as quietly as possible, I felt around for the small black object. I could only pray it was fully loaded with batteries. My fingers finally felt something hard and plastic. It was in my grip, but now I had to quietly close the drawer that blocked me and leave my temporary shelter before it was too late.

  I pushed the drawer closed, holding it with my fingers before it made a final metallic click that could give me away. My heart was pounding. Taking a deep breath, I moved forward, hoping to stay invisible and escape the central room. If I could reach the elevator, I could get downstairs and find help. Where was the security detail? Had Adam found someone to cover the shift tonight? If not, maybe Adam himself was here.

  Sergio had locked the elevator in place when we first arrived. From my angle I could see the area in front of the elevators. I could tell the doors were still open because light from the interior spilled into the hallway in a bright rectangle. I moved closer to the door to the corridor. Sergio’s prone body was half in and half out of the elevator. Where had she gone? And why had she left him like that? I couldn’t tell if he was dead or only unconscious. If I could reach him, and if I was strong enough, it might be possible to drag him into the elevator with me and get us both to safety. I’d have to find his key to release the elevator. If I could hook my hands under his arms and pull him backward all the way into the elevator we could both escape.

  I slid the stun gun into a pocket of my jacket and hunkered down, rushing toward the elevator door. As I stepped over Sergio’s jutting legs, I felt a rush of air and a hand grabbed my arm. I was pulled backward and flung across the corridor, away from the waiting elevator doors. I hit the wall, winded, and slid down. She loomed over me and reached out to grab me again. I rolled away and stood up as fast as I could. I ducked under her outstretched arm and ran down the hall toward David’s office. If I could get inside, I could lock myself in and call for help. The key was in my pocket. I pulled it out and struggled to fit it into the lock in the semi-darkness.

  She moved swiftly. My fingers fumbled and the key slipped out of my hand. As I reached down to find it, I heard a rush of air and sensed something coming at me. I ducked and jumped to the other side of the corridor. A heavy crack rang out as an axe cut into the hard wood of David’s door. The axe from the emergency cabinet. She grunted as she struggled to pull the weapon out of the wood. This was my chance. I turned and ran back toward the elevator, but she was too fast. She cried out as she tackled me in the dark. I landed face-down on the c
arpeting. Her grip was strong. Her fingers curled into my hair. She lifted my head and banged my face into the carpet. I felt blood flowing from my nose. As my head was pulled back once more, I twisted and with all my strength hit the side of her rib cage with my elbow. I heard a gasp, and her grip on my head loosened. I rolled over and managed to pull one knee up against the weight of her body. I clawed for her eyes but missed as she pulled her head back and grabbed for my throat. I kicked upward and she released her grip. I kicked again and pushed her off. I scrambled up, holding onto the wall for support.

  “You don’t have to do this, Karen,” I gasped. “I know everything. I understand now.”

  “Do you?” her voice snarled in the darkened corridor. “You, all of you, you filthy lawyers, bloodsuckers, you killed him. You killed me, you took my life, and every single one of you is going to pay for that.”

  “Maybe he was unfairly accused, but that doesn’t give you the right to take a life. ” My fingers felt for the hard plastic casing of the stun gun in my pocket.

  The ambient light from the elevator highlighted her frame. “You couldn’t possibly understand. Watching him day after day, shunned by everyone, losing his license, slandered in court by those bastards. He did nothing wrong. There was nothing wrong with his work. He was a convenient scapegoat. Pin the blame on him while everyone else walked away with a bundle of cash.” She sneered. “He couldn’t defend himself. He couldn’t hire lawyers to clear his name. But that didn’t concern any of them.”

  My mind was racing. Where was Adam’s security? At least thirty minutes had elapsed. I slid the stun gun out of my pocket very slowly, hoping she wouldn’t spot the movement in the darkened hallway. “Nobody killed your husband, Karen.” I spoke quietly, almost a whisper. “Nobody took his life. He killed himself.”

  She lunged at me. Howling. I wheeled away from her and as she reached out, I stepped closer and shoved the stun gun against her neck. I pressed the trigger. My hand vibrated as the electrical charge coursed through her body. She trembled and uttered a gagging sound, finally crashing to the floor.

  I leaned against the wall and slid down. My legs were shaking. I could barely breathe. The overhead lights flickered on, temporarily blinding me. Someone stood at the end of the corridor. Adam. It was Adam. I sobbed in relief.

  thirty-seven

  Adam rushed to my side. “Julia. My God. Are you all right?”

  I nodded. I couldn’t speak.

  He reached down and helped me stand, then picked up the stun gun and slipped it into his pocket. “Are you hurt?” he asked tenderly.

  “I’m more shaken than hurt.”

  Adam kneeled next to Karen and felt for her pulse. He straightened out her body, securing her hands and ankles with plastic ties. “She’ll be okay in a few minutes. Good thing I got here when I did.”

  “You have to help Suzanne. She’s in the closet in Jack’s office. And one of the guards is unconscious by the elevator.”

  “I saw. Just wait here for a moment.” Adam hurried down the hall to the litigation section. He returned a moment later. “I tried to wake her but I think she’s been drugged. She’s breathing okay, though. The paramedics can have a look at her when they get here.”

  I felt like bursting into tears in relief. “Where was your security guard tonight?”

  “He called to tell me he was down with the flu and I arranged for someone else, who obviously didn’t show up. I just stopped by to check up on him and the guard downstairs told me a woman had been let up to the 41st floor.”

  “Sergio, the guard. How is he?”

  “He’s out cold. Concussion, I think. Looks like she clobbered him with a fire extinguisher. I just called an ambulance for him. They’ll be here soon.” He reached for my shoulders. “Here, let’s get you into David’s office. You can rest on the sofa until the police arrive.”

  “Okay.” My legs didn’t want to cooperate. I wasn’t sure whether from fright or injury. And I’d have more bruises soon. “The key …” I pointed to the floor. “I tried to get inside and lock myself in, but she was too fast.”

  “I’ll get it.” Adam scanned the floor, picked up the small key ring, and unlocked the door. He led me into the outer office and helped me out of my jacket. I collapsed on the sofa. Adam pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped my face where my nose had bled. “Stay here and relax. You’ve had a struggle and a shock.”

  He left, shutting the door behind him. A moment later I heard the elevator ding. Perhaps Sergio had regained consciousness and Adam was helping him into the elevator. Or maybe the police had arrived. I closed my eyes and leaned back on the cushions. I was crashing after the adrenaline high. I stirred myself a few minutes later. I needed to call the Eye and let Gale and Cheryl know I wouldn’t make it back tonight. I could pick up my car in the morning. I was sure Adam would drive me home. I stood, my legs still a little shaky, and walked to the phone on the desk. Then I remembered that my cell phone was in my pocket. I dialed the Eye and Cheryl answered immediately.

  “What’s going on, Julia?”

  “Everything’s fine. I found Suzanne, the woman who’s been missing. And Adam’s here with me. We’ve called the police. They should be here soon.”

  “Well, that’s good news. I’m glad you’re not alone. We didn’t want to leave in case you called. You’re sure you’re all right?”

  “Yes. Couldn’t be better.” Except for a bloody nose and a few bruises. “I’ll come by tomorrow and get my car. Is it okay if I leave it there tonight?”

  “Of course. Don’t worry about it. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, Cheryl.” We hung up. I breathed a sigh of relief that the worst was over. I wanted to find Adam and see what he was dealing with. I tried to turn the door handle but it wouldn’t budge. Had it locked automatically? Where was the key? I knocked on the door and called out to Adam. No answer. “Adam?” I called again, feeling a rush of fright.

  “I’m here. Come on out,” he responded.

  “I can’t. I think the door’s locked from the outside.”

  “Oh, sorry. Hang on.” The door opened. I stepped out to the corridor and pulled the door closed behind me. The hallway lights were now on, but Karen was no longer on the floor. Had she managed to remove the plastic ties?

  “Where is she?”

  “I took her down in the elevator. The security guards are with her. She’s not going anywhere.”

  A strange odor assailed my nose. “What’s that smell?”

  “I don’t smell anything,” Adam replied.

  “It’s smells like …” The phone in my pocket trilled. I had a text. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out. It was a text, two texts from Don. I clicked on the first one.

  “Who is it?” Adam asked.

  “Oh, it’s from Don, my friend at the Chronicle. I forgot I asked him to look up some stuff for me.” The first text said, Look what I found. Elva and her son in a Minnesota newspaper. I opened the second text and saw a clear photo of Elva Ward, aka Karen Jansen, and … I froze. The man next to her—the face caught by the camera—was Adam Schaeffer. A jolt of fear shot through me.

  Adam was watching me carefully. I did my best to cover my shock. “It’s nothing. Don … uh … Don found a photo of Terrence Ward in a local newspaper.” I was certain the blood had drained from my face. I attempted a smile.

  “Why don’t you show me?” Adam advanced and held out his hand. The voice that had seemed so comforting a moment ago now held a hint of threatening power underneath. My mind reeled. How could I have been so blind?

  “It’s nothing … really.” I tried to slip the phone back into my pocket but Adam was too fast. He snatched it from my hand and opened the text. His face hardened. I stayed perfectly still, my knees beginning to quiver in fear. He looked up at me with dead eyes.

  “I’m so sorry, Julia. This wasn’t the
way it was supposed to go.”

  I took a step back, away from him, pressed against the door to David’s office. I felt the key in the lock against my spine. “How was it supposed to go?”

  “I thought … well, it’s too late now, isn’t it?”

  My heart sank. “There’s no ambulance coming, is there?”

  Adam shook his head. “No police either. You’ve left me with a real mess to clean up. What am I going to do with the guard and with you?” He shook his head. “It’s too bad …”

  A red plastic container sat against the wall of the corridor. Gasoline. That’s what I’d smelled. They planned to set a fire. I had to escape. I slid a hand behind my back and felt for the key. “So you and Karen …” I had to keep him talking. I slid the key quietly out of the lock. “Where is she?” The door to the emergency stairway was on the other side of the elevator bank. This key would work to get out of the stairwell. If only I could run, but he blocked my path.

  “She’s taken Suzanne downstairs to the van. We should have taken care of that earlier, but we couldn’t. We couldn’t get her out without being seen. Now we’re going to take both of you out of here. Sergio’s still unconscious. He saw nothing.”

  “You’ll never get away with this. I told the guard downstairs to call Sergeant Sullivan. The police are already on their way.”

  Adam smiled sadly. “I doubt that. I just called to let him know Sergio was fine and the situation is under control.”

  “Why, Adam? Karen I can almost understand, but you …”

  “He wasn’t my biological father, but he was my father in every other sense of the word. He didn’t deserve what was done to him by Harding and the others. We’ve bided our time and worked hard to get this far and we will get away with it. Every single person who had a hand in destroying him will die.”

  I thought of Don at the Chronicle. Eventually he’d learn something had happened to me and put two and two together. But by then it would be too late.