Agent M: Project Mabus (The Agent M Series Book 1)

by L. M. Vila

Every morning, Michael carried out a specific workout routine. His night shirt dropped to the ground and he started with a regiment of one hundred pushups. Next, he turned over quickly and ran through about two hundred crunches just shy of three minutes. After a few quick stretches he grabbed a pair of fifty-pound dumbbells from under his bed and did seven sets of bicep curls before feeling satisfied. For Michael, it was a minor routine but enough to get the blood flowing. His muscles felt slightly worked over but it’s still an intense and satisfying feeling.

  He eyed himself in the nearest mirror. Sweat glistened across the tight curves of his body. If he ever trained in a public gym, he’d meld in perfectly. That reason alone kept him out of places like that. It's not enough with people gawking at his physique but they go a step further by assaulting him with useless questions and comments. On his last visit, they outright called him a liar when Michael told them his body remains supplement free.

  In the kitchen, he prepared himself a simple breakfast. A pair of scrambled eggs cooked in extra virgin olive oil followed by a two pieces of toast, a bowl of granola, and finally a cup of orange pekoe tea. A popular breakfast with his colleagues is a double shot of espresso and a cream cheese bagel. The thought of putting junk like that in his body was horrific. Michael detested coffee. Despite the rich history it has with this country, he despised it. Even the smell annoyed him.

  Michael finished the meal quickly, barely savoring any of the flavors on the plate. Seven o’clock was right around the corner and he had to be out of his apartment in less than half an hour if he wanted to make it to work on time. Today, however, was a bit different. Michael eyed his calendar and noticed there was a large red circle over today’s date. He moved past it, attempting to pay no mind to its significance and headed into the shower. Michael soaked his entire body in piping hot water and made sure to scrub out any traces of sweat he accumulated during his work out.

  The shower ended quickly. No more than five minutes. He stepped out and began his other bathroom routines. Brushing his teeth was simple and well measured. Not a single stroke wasted but every region had been covered in full. He spit the remaining pasty liquid and flushed the rest with a generic brand of mouthwash. A closer look in the mirror revealed he had a bit more stubble on his cheeks then he cared for. Michael scrubbed his face with shaving cream and gave himself a quick once over with a straight razor. He verified his work quickly with his right hand. Slapping on some aftershave finished the job. He didn’t even flinch when the alcohol seeped into his pores.

  Michael finished his routine by rubbing his arm pits with deodorant and putting a shot of mousse in his hands. The small ball of foam ran through his hair once allowing for a clean lift. He washed his hands and tossed his towel over the shower door. The clock now read 7:17. Only a few minutes left to get dressed and head out. Again, the calendar caught his eye and made a particular mental note about the date again. His focus wandered over to the only photograph he kept in his apartment which reminded him about something very important.

  Today, Michael was going to see her again.

  Opening his closet revealed a uniform wardrobe filled with several matching suits. Michael owned a few pieces of civilian clothing but he kept most of that in his drawers. After slipping on his underwear and a pair of black socks, Michael completed the rest of his ensemble: a white shirt, black slacks, and black jacket; the standard uniform for all Special Agents in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

  Michael reached in the top drawer of his cabinet and pulled out his standard issued Glock 23 pistol and tucked it into a shoulder holster. He grabbed his ID badge and pinned it to the jacket. Work would begin early today. There wasn’t a moment to spare.

  This new case assigned to him was extraordinarily unique. He had been working on a series of incidents which at first appeared to look like suicide attempts. However, something about the condition of the bodies struck him as odd. The suspected causes of deaths lead towards a clean injection from a syringe in the abdomen. Conversely, there were no traces of evidence leading towards suicide; as if they just decided to end their lives at that moment for no specific reason in particular. The only clue they had leaning towards suicide was that there were no signs of forced entry in any portion of the homes. Neighbors questioned stated they saw no one enter or exit the house for a few days. Since this was only the third day of the investigation, useful information was in short supply. Luckily, the autopsy reports would be coming in the morning. The total body count after last night's incident stands at four.

  Reflecting on the day’s assignment ate up a considerable amount of time. Michael quickly tucked his wallet and keys in their respective pockets and headed for the door. Curiosity snagged his attention before he could turn the handle. He looked back at the photograph one last time. Nostalgia caved in.

  This particular picture had been taken years ago, back when he graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department Academy. Standing next to him with one arm slung around his back and the brightest smile you could find in California was his best friend. He smiled right alongside her. Looking at the emotionless expression Michael carried now, you would never guess he could look grin like that. They both looked genuinely happy. Michael couldn’t remember the last time he felt so elated. How things have changed since then.

  Michael hadn’t spoken to her in two years; something he should regret to some extent. Their lives had moved in different directions. He was a different person back then. Their reunion today may play out differently than either of them would hope.

  The door of his apartment was sealed shut. Michael headed downstairs into the indoor parking garage. If routine had taught him anything, Los Angeles traffic was going to be a bitch. Appeasing these thoughts would be meaningless now. There were more important matters to attend to. He entered his car, a panther black 2007 Nissan Altima coupe and made his trek towards the freeway.

  Today was going to be a long day.

  An irritating ringing vibrated throughout the air carrying an army of a thousand annoyances. A constant beat screamed over and over again without any signs of letting up. The steady howl if rhythmic sounds continued on in the same annoying pattern as it always shouted every morning. From under the sheets of the bed, a hand slid out like a serpent slowly hunting its prey. It felt around at the various ornaments decorating the nightstand. Locating the source of the noise was a top priority. Grasping a rectangular object, relief had finally been achieved. The beast had been summarily hushed for the remainder of this day.

  With the same hand she used silence the monster; Meryl Lewis slowly dragged the sheets off her body. Darkness ensued. Her eyes were steel traps. Their weight could not be lifted by any mortal alone. Reasoning soon got the best of her and Meryl mustered the strength to force them open. She stared blankly at the clock, doing her best impersonation of a zombie, focusing on the shining red lights. After one good pinch, Meryl's vision began to clear. The machine that dared to wake her stared meekly back at Meryl. It clearly displayed a time of 6:04.

  Panic slapped her in the face. Four minutes had already been lost. A new found energy surged through Meryl’s body as she leapt off of the bed and rushed into the bathroom. Minutes could not be wasted as she quickly undressed, tossing her night garments back into the bedroom, and jumped into the shower. Icy water instantly poured over Meryl's body forcing her to let out a high pitched yelp. Climbing inside before the temperature reached a tolerable level wasn’t too bright but the cold liquid did help kick the exhaustion from her system.

  Soap lather quickly coated her body. Meryl exited the shower and hastily covered herself with a towel. The loose knot could have been broken with a single nudge, allowing it to drop and exposing her naked body. Meryl didn't give it much thought. Time didn’t allow for any decency. Seeing her radiant figure was something she was used to already. And what a great sight it was.

  Meryl worked hard to keep her body in shape, despite the temptations of pastries constantly dancing before her eyes. Her
gleaming brown hair sat modestly, just below shoulder level, the length she kept it at longer than she could remember. Complimenting that, her creamy skin made her look as if she was glowing in the right lighting conditions. Fighting against the desires of most women her age to get married and start a family, Meryl focused solely on keeping her body fit and career steady. The mere thought of settling down when she had so much energy to spare annoyed her.

  Minutes drained away as Meryl finished the rest of her grooming procedures. Skipping a single step in her routine was out of the question and thankfully didn’t run into any complications along the way. Her hair was now dry, teeth brushed, and skin cleansed.

  Darting back into the bedroom, the towel fell from her body. She quickly caught it with one arm before it dropped and examined the time. Almost thirty minutes had already passed. Breakfast seemed like an afterthought. Meryl quickly wiped away any remaining traces of water from her body and started to get dressed. She had to be quick yet efficient. There was no way she would make it on time battling against the notorious traffic of Los Angeles. Time dictated she should be on the road no later than seven o'clock. Being late today was out of the question.

  Cleverly, Meryl had laid out her uniform the night before just in case she ran behind in the morning. After slipping into her underwear, Meryl slapped on a pair of socks and her freshly pressed slacks. She saved the shirt and jacket for after her meal. Even the slightest risk of a stain could put time in jeopardy.

  Breakfast had to be prepared swiftly and unfortunately Meryl would have to sacrifice nutrition above all else. A couple of slices of toast with large scoops of jelly and a reheated cup of yesterday's coffee would satiate her appetite. Not the kind of meal she was used to preparing but vitamins could not compete against time. Glancing back at her clock, Meryl realized perseverance prevailed as she was now right on schedule with about fifteen minutes left in the hour.

  As she wolfed down the remainder of her food, Meryl jumped back into her bedroom and finished dressing. Being presentable and professional at the same time was difficult work. Everything had to be perfect. Making a good impression is critical. Today was her first day as an Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

  Meryl’s eyes drifted towards her dresser and a collection of various photographs. One immediately jumped at her attention; the day she graduated from the Los Angeles Police Department Academy. Meryl couldn't have smiled wider or brighter; her arms happily wrapped around a handsome young man who shared her joyful sentiments. A tinge of wistfulness tickled her heart. It was hard not to feel that way. After all, they were best friends. That particular moment circled around her thoughts for a blissful period. She soon realized why that picture touched her so deeply.

  Today, Meryl was going to see him again.

  Excitement almost immediately morphed into depression. Thinking about their previous relationship was both fun and disheartening at the same time. They were inseparable during the academy and through their tenure as L.A.P.D. officers. Meryl was still having difficulty with her parent’s acceptance of her career choices so she spent most of her time, including holidays, with Michael.

  To believe that they hadn't spoken in two years became discouraging. They didn’t even separate on bad terms. Not towards each other anyways. In fact, when Meryl reflected about the last moments they spent talking together it made the hairs on her neck rise.

  She could still hear the sound of the gunshot echo through her heart.

  That feeling had to be subsided. Today was all about thinking positive. There shouldn’t be any reminiscing on the past tragedies; time to live in the present. She walked towards her bathroom one last time and applied the finishing touches to her uniform. Meryl dabbed only a bit of makeup, allowing the natural beauty to shine. Her feet slipped into a pair of black flats. Walking with a heel higher than half an inch seemed ludicrous, regardless of the occasion. Being comfortable is much more important than style.

  Meryl threw on her jacket and made one last final check on her appearance before feeling confident enough to leave. Seven o’clock was just around the corner. Time mandated that she head out now in case some unforeseen circumstances postponed her arrival.

  Sitting idly on her dresser was her newly printed FBI ID badge. She had gone in a few days before to pick it up and perform the standard new hire drills, filling out paper work, signing documents, and swearing her utmost allegiance to this new organization. A similar dance to the one she did before starting at the L.A.P.D. but the steps here were much more formulaic.

  Pulled from inside her panty drawer, Meryl carefully eyed her standard issue Glock 19 pistol. Though a small weapon, she particular enjoyed working with it during her days as a street officer and decided to stick with it. Tucking it into the newly assigned shoulder holster reminded her of how awkward it felt compared to hip holsters. Despite its adequate security features it almost felt like it could go off if someone rubbed her the wrong way while walking. Yet another thing to deal with when transitioning from city to a federal level of employment.

  The unique smell of food emanated from each passing space as Meryl walked through the hallway. She was surprised to see that some people were getting up as early as she did and then felt a little jealous that they had more time to prepare a proper meal. The stairs were right around the corner which would lead her away from the intoxicating aromas.

  A brand new white Kia Rio sat magnificently in her assigned parking space. Meryl bought it a few days after she finished her training. The old beater Toyota she drove wasn’t going to cut it for a new government agent. Meryl stepped in an allowed the new car smell to perforate around her senses before starting the engine.

  Memories started to creep in. She hadn’t forgotten what today would bring. Meryl wasn’t exactly sure how it would all play out and thus, she started to question herself. Poisonous thoughts could turn a good day into a dismal one. She had to remain positive. Still, Meryl couldn’t help but think about the last time she saw Michael. He had changed so much. In some ways, she felt that day was the catalyst to her new career.

  The drive was going to be long so her memory to drifted back to that particular time. Meryl was hoping to be able to discuss it with him one of these days. No other situation puzzled her thoughts. The events of that time slowly began to unfold.

  Today was going to be an interesting day.

  February 24th, 2011

  Los Angeles, California

  Rain drowned the city of Los Angeles, numbing the senses of all of its citizens. Easily one of the worst storms in recent memory. Residents had been advised by local television programming to stay inside. They all listened. Midnight rapidly approached. The day couldn’t have ended any sooner.

  Passing through the downpour, completely ignoring any safety concerns, a white van sped east down 6th street. The vehicle bounced from curb to curb as if it were completely undecided about which side of the street to drive on. Up ahead, oncoming driver desperately flashed their lights and sounded its horn. Collision was imminent. The vehicles came within inches of each other, instantly setting one man’s fury to high.

  “Danny!” A coarse voice yelled. “What the hell’s the matter with you?!” His tone indicated dominance to the rest of the group. Given the current situation, they did not need to be reminded of that.

  “Sorry boss!” The driver cried. He turned his head towards the back to acknowledge his guilt but was immediately reprimanded.

  “Eyes on the road you idiot!”

  Danny shifted his focus back towards driving as he tried to quell the constant pattering of his heart with the nonstop paranoia running through his mind.

  “Is he still back there? Is he?!” Another shouted.

  “Shut up and keep driving.” The boss ordered.

  They needed stringent leadership now more than ever. Currently, Richard Montalv’s crew tallied at six. Twenty minutes ago, that number was fifteen men larger. This former group of hardened and forceful band of men who would ki
ll anyone given the right price had an unbridled reputation for being very efficient. Sadly, that is what brought them to this dire situation now. They had just been ranked number one on the FBI’s Most Wanted List. The timing couldn’t have been worse.

  The van dashed towards Vermont Avenue heading east at over eighty miles per hour. Danny ignored every traffic signal. A large semi truck that was coming in fast from the north snatched his immediate attention. Another vehicle headed in the opposite direction as well. Fear swept through Danny’s conscious as he weighed out the options. The oncoming traffic light shined a flat red color.

  Ignited by desperation, Danny’s foot slammed against the gas pedal. The van raced forward, melting rubber against the soaking wet asphalt. It hurled past the light without hesitation. The decision to ignore the law sent the opposing drivers panicking. They both wildly slammed their steering wheels into another direction, hoping to avoid a gruesome collision. Unfortunately for them, that choice led their vehicles right into each other.

  Frightened, the semi driver smashed the brakes. His truck collided engine first into the oncoming vehicle. Steel crunched, forcing him to hear every twisted snap just seconds before he was knocked out by the exploding airbag. Thankfully, it prevented further injury to befall the driver but also stole his consciousness in the process. The other’s fate could not be determined, though easily inferred just by a simple glance. Over forty percent of the vehicle’s mass rested in the former engine compartment of the semi truck.

  The sudden impact in the distance alarmed Richard's crew. Most of them turned their heads to investigate and were welcomed with an image of hope. The truck had made a complete stop with a new SUV-shaped hood ornament. As an added bonus, the vehicles had completely blocked all access to 6th street. Anyone, and especially that particular one, would be hindered for quite some time.

  Cheers erupted from inside the vehicle. Everyone earned a few moments to catch their collective breaths. Gaining distance was their top priority. Richard shaped a tiny smile while remaining vigilant to their goal. Freedom was well in their grasp.