by Jason Parent
“Bring me that picture,” Marklin said then hung up.
If he isn’t Carter Wainwright, then who the hell is he? Aaron didn’t think he wanted to know the answer. But one question troubled him most of all. Where’s the real Carter Wainwright?
Try as he might to deny it, he was pretty sure he knew the answer to that question. And somewhere in the recesses of his mind, soft but sinister, the beast was still laughing.
CHAPTER 25
“What do you mean, you lost them?” Bruce was mad enough to hit somebody. “How does one ‘lose’ the equivalent of a two-ton gorilla, for Christ’s sake?”
“Sir,” Officer Angela Cusack said, “they ducked us. We heard them creep out their cellar door and proceeded to follow. We engaged them at—”
“Speak English, Cusack!”
“We saw them hop their back fence, and we went after them. But by the time we got over it, they were gone. We heard doors slam and tires screech, so there must have been somebody waiting for them at the street, like someone knew they’d be coming that way, over the fence and through their neighbor’s yard. They must be up to something.”
“You think, genius? I want all available cars responding to this immediately. We got half the country watching us, and you two just let our number-one suspect vanish!”
Seated across from him, Jocelyn raised an eyebrow. The matter called for action, not complaining.
He grumbled but tempered his anger. “Radio Captain Pelletier in Somerset and get his guys on it, too.” Bruce’s grumbling intensified. Something guttural, akin to a roar, passed his lips. “Fuck!” He slammed down his phone, turned, and punched the wall. His hand gave way before the plaster did. Blood trickled down his knuckles. “We should have never let that fucker walk! Something stinks like shit-stained shit over at the DA’s office! Ugh!”
Jocelyn rose with the grace of a ballerina. She stepped out of his office. “All right, people!” she shouted. “Those of you not already assigned to a high-priority task, get out there and find Douglas Fournier. He is believed to be traveling with his wife and at least one other individual. Fournier is to be located only, with that location immediately reported to Detective Marklin or myself. He is not to be apprehended. I repeat, do not engage the suspect. Find him and report. And, people, be quick about it. That’s all.”
Bruce stepped out to stand beside her. “Stravenski!”
“Yes, Detective,” Stravenski answered, springing to his feet.
“Get everyone here a picture of our suspect. Then, make sure you get a copy over to Somerset. We need everyone’s cooperation in this manhunt.”
“Officer Clemens,” Jocelyn said. “You find out the makes, models, and plate numbers relating to all vehicles owned or registered by Carter Wainwright, address 8 Lakeside Avenue, Rehoboth. Get that information to all active cars, pronto.”
“I’m on it.” Officer Clemens hurried away.
CHAPTER 26
Save me! Aaron tried to yell, but his voice came out in bubbles. Someone or something was pulling him down. Skeletal hands tore at his clothes, clawed at his flesh, dragging him deep beneath the surface. A faint moon shimmered above, but its light was fading. Darkness spread around him and tried to swallow him. He reached up. Somebody, please, take my hand!
“Forgive me!” Aaron bolted upright, awakened by the sound of his own scream. Another nightmare, its details were quickly fading. The chill of the ocean remained.
A car honked outside, and he ran downstairs, where his mother waited with a brown lunch bag, likely filled with a ham sandwich and carrots, neither of which he liked. He ignored it and barreled out the door.
“Have fun at work!” his mother called as he jumped into the passenger seat of the police car. “Be safe.”
“Dude, you’re all wrinkled,” Brian said. “I thought you had some important matter to take care of. Were you sleeping for the last hour?”
Aaron scoffed. “No.”
“Who’s that?” Brian asked, waving.
“That’s my mom.”
“I thought you said you needed to stop by your place,” Brian said. “Kind of lame that you’re still living with your parents, isn’t it? How old are you?”
“Ha, ha. Do you write your own material? Because you’re way too fucking funny.” God, I hate this job. “Anyway, I just separated from my girlfriend, and I needed a place to crash. This was… convenient.”
“Oh.” Brian grimaced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. If you needed a place to stay, you could have called me.”
Brian’s straight-faced stare made him appear as though he were actually serious. Aaron found the offer disturbing. Is Marklin’s little errand bitch trying to bond with me? Yeah, living with him would be loads of fun. We could bake cookies for Grandma, suck off Marklin together, and still have time to get up bright and early for church on Sunday. We’d be a modern-day Felix and Oscar. Aaron slouched in his seat. Then again, living with my parents is double the Felixes. God, I’m so pathetic.
“I appreciate the offer, Brian. But at least this way, I can get some bills paid off.”
“That’s cool. I just thought—”
Aaron’s cell phone rang. He cringed. He still hadn’t changed that awful ringtone. “Hello?”
“Aaron. It’s Sven. Where the hell are you guys?”
“Dude, chill out. We just stopped to get a taco and—”
“Beaudette wants to know your status immediately. Aren’t you guys listening to your scanner?”
Does anyone listen to that thing? Aaron didn’t even know if it was on. “Like I was saying, we just got back to the car, and—”
“What about your portables?”
Aaron’s portable radio was off, but when he glanced over at Brian, he was surprised to learn that Mr. By-the-Book’s was, too. “Sven, why would we need those? We’re in the car.”
“Well, Fournier flew the coop. Everyone’s looking for him.”
“How long ago did this happen?”
“Only five or six minutes ago. Marklin wants him found and surveillance reestablished yesterday. He is pissed.”
“Well, if I could go back to yesterday, it would be fairly easy to reestablish surveillance since we knew where Doug was then.”
“Don’t be an asshole. I’m just doing my job here.”
“Sorry. Marklin just pisses me off.”
“Yeah, well, you and me both, pal.”
“But relax. You can tell Marklin that Officer Temple and I are heading over to Ricardo Jimenez’s house to see if he knows anything.” Aaron smirked. Taking the initiative—that should appease everyone. The detectives would think he was following up a lead, and he would get to enjoy some down time with Rick, maybe play some Xbox. He was thrilled that Ricardo’s sight had improved enough to play again. If Brian’s good, maybe we’ll even let him play a game or two.
“Will do, Aaron,” Sven said with a laugh. He’d been out on patrol with Aaron before. “Enjoy your Xbox.” He hung up the phone.
“Aaron, we never got tacos,” Brian said, stating the obvious.
Not yet, anyway. “No shit, Brian,” Aaron responded, mildly annoyed. “I was covering our asses.”
“What did he mean when he said to enjoy your Xbox?”
Aaron rolled his eyes. “Brian, shut up.”
Brian frowned. “Well, we’re going to your friend’s place, aren’t we?”
“What is this? Twenty fucking questions? Yes, Brian. We’re going to my friend’s place. He lives three miles from here. You need to relax already.”
When they arrived, Ricardo was standing on his apartment steps, holding a bowling bag.
“Wait here,” Aaron said to Brian as he parked. “I’ll be right back.” Maybe. If I feel like it. He walked over to Ricardo. “Going somewhere?”
“H-Hey, Aaron…” Ricardo shifted his feet, making
the bag swing at his side. “What are you doing here?”
“I had some free time… sort of. You know how it goes. I figured I’d stop by and see what you were up to.”
“Sorry, I’m going out. I’ll be leaving any minute now.” Ricardo chewed on the thumbnail of his free hand, his gaze shifting repeatedly up and down the street.
“Hey, are you okay? Did something happen?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m going bowling, and now I feel bad for not inviting you.”
“That’s not it. Come on, Rick. What’s up? Did Doug call you?”
“Why? You don’t think he did it, do you?”
“Doug? Nah. He’s about as normal as they come… more normal than us, anyway.” Aaron laughed. “He’s okay in my book. But, Rick, you should be wary of Carter. I don’t trust that guy. I don’t think he’s who he says he is. Something about him and who he claims to be… it’s all wrong. His name isn’t even really Carter Wainwright.” Aaron shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away. “There’s something about him… like familiar, but all wrong. And something else, something I never told you, never knew how to tell you—”
“Is that so?” Ricardo seemed distracted, his focus constantly switching from Aaron to the street.
Aaron straightened and cleared his throat. “Anyway, Rick, you know me. I doubt I’d bust Doug even if he was the killer.”
A Toyota Camry pulled up behind the patrol car.
“Well, here’s your chance to prove it,” Ricardo murmured.
The driver of the Camry opened his door and stepped out. It was Carter Wainwright.
“Carter! What are you doing?” Doug yelled from inside the car. “We need to get out of here!”
“Too late for that,” Carter said. “Get the one in the police car,” he ordered, keeping his eyes locked on Aaron.
Doug emerged from the Camry and walked toward the cruiser.
“Hey, Doug,” Aaron said. “You’ve got the whole city looking for you.” He laughed.
Carter’s unnerving stare felt wrong—seriously wrong. Aaron tried to look through the tinted windows to see who else was in the car, but he couldn’t see anything. His attention shifted back to Carter, then to Doug, who was getting closer to the patrol car.
Aaron unsnapped his holster and rested his palm on the grip of his service pistol. “Brian! Wake up, you idiot!”
Brian had been reclined in his seat, picking at a fingernail. He jolted upright. “Fuck!” He must have seen Doug approaching in his side mirror. He squirmed in his seat, probably going for his weapon.
Aaron sensed danger, but he couldn’t be certain where it would come from first. They all seemed hostile, even Ricardo. The horror stretching Brian’s eyes and mouth signaled the most imminent threat. Aaron had to act.
“Stay where you are, Doug,” he said, taking a step forward.
Doug didn’t stop. He loomed over the passenger-side window of the patrol car, his mountainous body casting an eerie shadow over the vehicle.
Aaron pulled his weapon out of the holster. “I said, don’t move.”
Doug drew back his arm and punched the cruiser’s window. The force shattered the glass, and Doug’s fist continued into Brian’s head, whipping it to the side.
By the time Aaron had his weapon raised, he couldn’t fire for fear of hitting his partner. He took a step closer. “I said freeze! Damn it, Doug!” His hand was trembling, making the barrel of his pistol shake. “Don’t make me do this.”
Doug’s wrist and arm were badly cut, but if he noticed, he didn’t show it. He pulled the door open with his left hand, grabbed Brian’s shirt with his right, and pulled him from the patrol car.
Brian’s back hit the street hard, a whoosh of air bursting out of him. Doug kneeled on his chest, pinning him down. Brian wheezed as he struggled to take in air. Soon, he would suffocate.
Aaron had a clear shot. He aimed, swallowed hard, and squeezed the trigger. Just as he fired, he tumbled to the ground. Someone had shoved him from behind.
Carter bent over and snatched Aaron’s pistol from his hand. “Not my weapon of choice, but it’ll do for now.”
Aaron shot up to his feet, preparing to charge. Carter nonchalantly raised the pistol and aimed it at Aaron’s forehead. Ricardo—the only person in a whole damn world suddenly gone crazy, the only one Aaron could still trust—stood behind Carter, holding that damned bowling bag and doing nothing.
“What the hell, man? Are you out of your fucking mind?” Aaron had no idea what he should do. His mind was racing. Then it hit him. “Shit, Doug. You really are him! Get off of my partner and lay down on the ground, right now! You, too, Carter.”
Carter smiled like a politician. “But, Officer Pimental, I have your gun.” He studied the pistol. “Such a crass way to kill someone. No… personality.” He twirled it around his finger. “Do you want it back?” He held it out, butt first.
Aaron squinted. Expecting some trick, he stared at the offered pistol but did not take it.
“Here,” Carter insisted, shoving the gun at his chest. “I don’t need it. I have something much stronger on my side.”
Behind him, Ricardo offered a low “Amen” as he moved to the right, away from Carter. Aaron snatched the gun and stepped back. He raised the weapon and aimed it at Carter.
Carter’s smile broadened. In an instant, the smile was replaced with an expression of guileless innocence. His body sagged as if he alone carried all the burdens of the world. He raised his arms, palms up, and held them out as if he wanted to give Aaron a hug. “Ricardo, this has been foreseen. He’s supposed to come with us. Today is his induction. Rejoice, for he is one of us.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Aaron said. “Stay where you are. I don’t have any idea what bullshit you’re going on about, but don’t think for two seconds that I won’t drop you where you stand, motherfucker. Get down on the ground. You and Doug are under arrest.”
“Ricardo, trust in him,” Carter continued. “He’s led us here today. Aaron must come with us.”
Aaron couldn’t see where Ricardo was, but he didn’t have time to worry about that. He had to keep his focus on Carter. “I said shut the fuck up, or I’ll blow your goddamn head off!”
“Ricardo, you know what to do.”
What is he saying? Ricardo? No fucking way! Aaron chanced a glance around to see where his friend was. Ricardo had moved until he was almost behind Aaron. “Rick, what’s he babbling about?” Aaron asked. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and turned his head back to see Doug finally getting off Brian, but his partner didn’t move. He was either unconscious or dead. Either way, Aaron was on his own, unless Ricardo—
“I’m sorry it has to be this way,” Ricardo said softly. “In a few hours, though, you’ll understand.”
“Rick, what—” A burning sensation at the small of his back dropped him to the ground, while the rest of him went cold and shuddered. He looked up to see Ricardo holding a stun gun.
“Give him a longer jolt,” Carter said.
Ricardo bent over and hit Aaron with a second wave of pain.
“Put them in the car,” Carter ordered.
“But there’s no more room,” Doug said.
“It has a trunk, doesn’t it?”
CHAPTER 27
Aaron stared at a pinpoint of light surrounded by darkness, an all-consuming black that had him lost in its bends and folds. That dot of light was his marker, the only thing that gave him bearing in the endless emptiness. But as a point of reference, it was too insignificant to afford him any sense of direction.
Still, it was all he had. The darkness was cold, and…
Something’s here. He couldn’t see them, but he knew both in his heart and his mind that he’d found the place where monsters dwelled. And one monster in particular.
He heard the laughter as if the mouth that
made it were beside his ear. Hot breath made the hairs on his neck rise. He bolted for the light.
He seemed to cover miles in seconds. The light grew closer and larger at an alarming rate. He stopped and realized that the light was racing toward him. And he was suddenly more afraid of it than he was of the dark and all the beasts with their dripping fangs and sordid laughter.
Before he could react, the light smashed into him, enclosed him, and blinded him. He squeezed his eyes shut and heard a shrill cry of a—
A bird?
He squinted, and as his eyes adjusted, the brilliant white expanse gave way to a gorgeous blue: the sky, filled with rolling white clouds.
No. Rolling white caps. He was staring at the ocean, out in front of him and—his eyes followed the water toward his feet—below him.
Dizzying. Rocking forward, he feared he might fall into the waves. Or am I already falling?
“Is he dead?” The voice—a woman’s voice that he knew well—was filled with agony and had the same effect on his heart.
He turned his head. Raquel Miranda stood beside him, as beautiful as he remembered. Her fingers bent like claws as she ran them down her tear-covered face. At that moment, he hated her, hated her as much as he’d ever loved her. Maybe I should push her, too. He raised his hands. After all, this is all her fault!
But he couldn’t. He loved her. He did. He stepped toward her, arms outstretched. He tried to touch her, but she slapped his hands away. “Shhh, shhh. Please,” he muttered.
“My God, Aaron, what have you done?” She paced back and forth, pulling at her hair, barely keeping clear of the ledge.
The enormity of his actions was beginning to set in. His hands trembled. “I… I don’t know.”
“Oh my God, Aaron! You killed him. You fucking killed him!”
“No, I… I didn’t mean to! He came at me first. I was defending myself. You saw it.”
“You pushed him! That’s what I saw. You pushed him off the cliff! You weren’t even supposed to be here.” Snot ran from her nose, racing the tears down her face.