by Jaz Primo
“Wait, aren’t those key members in—”
“The Freedom Party,” Tevin said. “Yes, and they’re close supporters of the President, which doesn’t hurt their gravitas.”
“Okay, let me get this straight,” Sanders said. “The people who are key to the President want Bringer on board as fast as possible but don’t care to listen to advice from the two agencies who are working closest with him?”
“That’s about the size of it,” Wainright said.
“What the hell?” I demanded. “There’s a disconnect here somewhere. I mean, that’s not exactly a formula for success.”
“I never said they wanted you to be successful, Bringer,” Tevin said. “They just want to hire you.”
Everyone fell silent.
“I don’t think I like the implications there, Tevin,” I said. “Hell, that wouldn’t even make sense.”
“Now you see why I’m concerned?” Tevin asked. “Look, I hope I’m wrong but some things just aren’t fitting into place like they should. I’ve been in the business a lot of years, and I’ve never seen anything remotely like this, much less conducted with such disturbing disconnects at key decision-making levels.”
Nobody said anything after that, but my mind raced with a host of dark thoughts.
Wainright finally broke the ominous silence. “Well, that’s all we can do for now, I think. Anything further just spins up wild conspiracy theories that we don’t have near enough data to substantiate. Suffice to say, we need to keep our eyes and ears open moving forward,” he said. “Everyone be careful. Get back in touch the first chance you get after you assess the situation in Cardiff.”
“That may not be until after first contact,” Sanders said. “They’re mobilizing as soon as we’re wheels down.”
“Like he said, be careful,” Tevin said.
“Hey, Bringer, one more thing,” Wainright said.
“Yeah?”
“For the time being, I’d like you to limit operational information going to Clive Bernard at Nuclegene. I know he’s your contracting supervisor and everything,” Wainright said.
“Why? What do I need to know about Bernard?”
“Well, it’s not so much about Bernard as his boss, Nevis Wallace,” Wainright replied.
“Wainright’s correct,” Tevin added. “Wallace is a big political contributor to both Senator Conway and Congresswoman Vandersnoot.”
“Wait, you’re implying that Nevis Wallace is one of those Freedom Party cranks?”
“Not exactly,” Tevin said.
“Both Conway and Vandersnoot supported the Land Reclamation and Investment in America Act, which enabled corporate cities like Nevis Corners to be built. We think Wallace’s support to them is mainly tied to that. However, we’d rather not take any chances until we see who all the key players are batting for,” Wainright explained.
My head felt like it was spinning. “Yeah, under those circumstances, that’s probably not a bad idea. I’ll limit what I tell Bernard for now.”
“Much appreciated,” Wainright said. “Listen, I hope I’m wrong about suspecting Wallace, but it never hurts to be cautious, especially at this stage in the game.”
“Good luck, you two,” Denton said.
The screens went blank and I looked sidelong at Sanders.
“Damn,” I said.
“Double-damn,” she agreed.
Chapter 11
By the time we neared Wales, life on our luxurious aircraft was starting to grow old. There was a good reason I had once chosen to enlist in the Army instead of the Air Force.
Stuck on the plane, I felt like I was trapped.
Upon landing at Cardiff International, as Fisk had assured us, British authorities met us on the tarmac. However, the terminal overflowed with tension as many people watched televisions and their mobile phone screens.
A group of individuals approached us with an air of authority. They appeared on edge.
“What’s going on? What’s happened?” I asked.
“Mr. Bringer, Agent Sanders,” said an older man wearing a starched-looking police uniform. “I’m Robert Digginsby, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service. I’m afraid your arrival has coincided with a remarkable rash of events in Cardiff during the past hour. Matters have escalated far beyond investigations into Continuance Corporation. We’re trying to sort order from chaos at the moment.”
A middle-aged uniform-wearing man stepped forward to shake hands with Sanders and me. “Hello and welcome to Cardiff. I’m South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable, Geoffrey Hill, part of the joint tactical team working under DAC Digginsby’s leadership.”
A series of introductions ensued. Honestly, I’d already forgot most everyone else’s names, so I hoped Sanders could prompt me, if needed.
“Pardon me if I seem a bit hasty, but we really should proceed from the terminal as soon as possible,” urged DAC Digginsby.
Personally, I was fine with that. I turned to Strutt.
“You and Scott can check us into a hotel,” I said. “Then stand by until Sanders or I contact you.”
Strutt nodded. “Certainly, sir.”
Sanders and I fell into step alongside Digginsby as we proceeded through the terminal.
“About that rash of events?” I pressed.
“We’re still trying to make sense of it,” he replied. “It’s as if every sociopath in the city decided to go on a spree.”
Sanders and I exchanged dark looks.
“What do you mean by spree?” Sanders asked.
“You name it,” Hill interjected, walking behind us and alongside Fisk. “Murders, aggravated assaults, motorway road rage, arsons, and all manner of spontaneous acts of civil disobedience.”
“All at once?” I asked.
“Well, perhaps not simultaneously,” he replied. “But certainly beginning around the same time, then steadily increasing by each hour.”
“Could they be coordinated?” Sanders asked. “Perhaps going off in a timed series?”
“We’re still piecing information together, but it seems not. Thus far, it doesn’t appear that the perpetrators have had communication with each another,” Hill replied.
“That doesn’t make sense,” Sanders said. “Could it be chemical in nature? Perhaps some psychotropic-induced mass hysteria?”
“Agent Sanders, you sound as if you’ve seen too many science fiction programs,” Digginsby said. “It seems to me our best angle is some sort of terrorist-related event. However, we simply don’t know how they’ve perpetrated it. At least, not yet.”
“What about our primary target?” I asked.
“We have a police tactical team working alongside our antiterrorism response teams,” Digginsby replied. “They’ve established a perimeter and they’re maintaining its integrity under the highest priority.”
“Do you have estimates concerning casualties from the various events?” Sanders asked.
“That’s a bit sketchy right at the moment,” Hill replied. “Certainly, dozens of people either killed or injured. However, at the rate events are occurring, I fear that number will quickly escalate.”
“Everyone at the Yard has been mobilized, and the entire MPS has recalled its officers to immediate duty,” Digginsby said. “Order will be reestablished soon enough. We’ll mobilize the army if we have to.”
I glanced back at Hill to see a less than optimistic expression on his face.
We all got into police-marked SUVs, Sanders and I sitting in the back seat of one while Hill commandeered the front passenger seat.
Lights and sirens blared as we made our way through semi-congested streets. The entire city teemed with rushing people.
“Bit chaotic, as I said earlier,” Hill said, glancing back over his shoulder at us. “Still, we’re making the best of it. I wish that we had three times the force to leverage, though. Or maybe just three of you, Bringer.”
“Oh, really? We’ve found that one is hard enough to keep
up with,” Sanders offered.
I gave her a sidelong look. Then I started thinking about some of the things DAC Digginsby had said.
“When did everything start happening?” I asked.
“Hm? Oh, just over an hour ago, I’d estimate,” Hill replied.
“Where did it start?” I asked, though I had little to no knowledge of the area.
I pulled up a map of Cardiff on my smartphone.
“The roaming charges are going to cost you your first year’s salary,” Sanders said.
I looked up at her with a sober expression and then back at my phone.
Damn, she’s probably right.
“I’ll write it off on my taxes as a business expense,” I said. “Now, Hill, do you recall where everything began?”
“As best we know, somewhere along the Cardiff docks,” Hill said.
“Pardon me for saying, sir,” said our driver. “But, if I’m not mistaken, the first strange call was Grangemoor Park, not far from University Hospital. A man attacked two joggers and then started thrashing bystanders.”
“Yes, yes, that was it,” Hill agreed. “Well said, Officer Gibbons.”
“Sir,” he replied.
“Wait,” Sanders said. “When did your tactical team get everyone into place?”
Hill frowned over his shoulder at Sanders and then looked out the front windshield. “Let me see. It’s coming up on two hours ago. Isn’t that about right, Gibbons?”
“Right you are, sir.” Gibbons replied. “They were here well before chaos erupted throughout the city.”
Hill’s mobile phone rang. “Hill here.”
Sanders looked at me. “Are you thinking what I’m—”
“A diversion?” I interrupted. “Yeah, that crossed my mind, too.”
“But for so many people to be involved,” Sanders ventured. “We’re talking about a major cell here.”
“What if they weren’t involved? Just victims,” I said.
“Virus? Contamination from something?” she asked.
“No, someone,” I said.
Sanders’ face reflected my own level of concern.
“We haven’t met anyone who can do that,” she said.
“Not yet. But after what we found on our recent sightseeing venture, I suspect there’s a number of other surprises out there waiting for us,” I said.
“Here’s an update,” Hill said. “There’s more events occurring throughout the city now. What did I miss between you two while I was on the phone? Perhaps an epiphany of some sort? We could use anything right about now.”
“Listen, didn’t I read somewhere that the UK uses a camera system for monitoring the general public?” I asked.
“Yes, we do. But we’re hardly Big Brother around here,” Hill replied. “We still have nothing on your own NSA, eh, what? They know what you’ve had for breakfast before you’ve finished clearing the table, I hear.”
Hill appeared quite pleased with himself over his quip.
“If only,” I said. “Actually, it’s the CIA we worry about nowadays.”
“Oh, I see,” Hill replied.
Sanders gave me a sharp look.
“We’re almost there, sir,” Gibbons said.
“Thank you, Gibbons.”
“Hill, is there any chance that your folks could confirm if there’s a common person in any of the areas around where the events are occurring?” Sanders asked.
“Our technicians are already working on that with inspectors from the Yard,” Hill replied. “We’re awaiting an update.”
Our group of vehicles pulled up outside what appeared to be a warehouse and industrial area.
“Where are we?” I asked as I exited the SUV with Sanders.
“Business district,” Gibbons replied. “Not far from Hill Snook Park.”
DAC Digginsby approached us, along with a tactical commander wearing combat gear. Digginsby made the introductions.
“They’re just inside that dark gray and white warehouse,” Commander Yarborough said to Digginsby. “We have the perimeter secure and we’re waiting to either engage in dialogue or move in on your orders, sir.”
“Any movement?” Sanders asked.
“No, they’re just sitting tight,” the commander replied. “One of my snipers believes they may have spotted our team, but it’s as if they’re waiting on something. We’ve got the airspace locked up tight and we control all ingress or egress routes by street, so I’m confident they’re not going anywhere.”
“They’re waiting for the chaos to overwhelm us,” I said.
“What?” Digginsby demanded. “What do you mean by that?”
“I’m in the wrong place,” I said. “At least, right at the moment.”
Digginsby appeared dumbfounded while the commander watched me through narrowed eyes.
“Sir, precisely why have we been waiting here?” he asked. “What is it that Mr. Bringer here can do for us that we can’t already?”
“I’m afraid that’s strictly a ‘need to know only’ for now, commander,” Digginsby said.
“Due respect, sir, but I’d say that my need to know is now,” Yarborough said.
“I’m the heavy artillery, commander,” I said. “You’re here to take people with telekinetic abilities into custody. And, right now, I’m the only person who can counter those abilities.”
“So it would seem,” Digginsby said. “Point well made.”
“Wait, you’re one of them?” Yarborough demanded.
“No,” Sanders said, arching her brow. “He’s on our side. He’s one of us.”
I gave Sanders a proud look.
“But I suspect the telekinetic I need to be worried about isn’t here right now,” I said.
“Well, if not here, then where?” Digginsby asked.
“Out there,” Hill said, giving me a meaningful look. “You think there’s someone out there causing all these events, don’t you? That’s why you asked me if we’ve evaluated the camera footages.”
I nodded. “Yep. Your mass acts of violence will stop when I find the person who’s the source of the chaos and make them stop.”
“You mean one person might be responsible for what’s sending half the city of Cardiff off the rails?” Yarborough asked.
I shrugged. “That’s my guess.”
“Well, couldn’t they be doing that from in there?” Yarborough asked, pointing toward the warehouses.
I considered his question. “Maybe,” I replied. “But I haven’t met anyone yet with that kind of range or scope. I’d wager they’re still somewhere in the city.”
“DAC Digginsby, can you permit us access to where they’re studying video recordings?” Sanders asked.
“Of course.”
“Wait. What about the people in that warehouse?” Yarborough asked.
“I’d recommend letting them sit there, but keep them surrounded,” Sanders said. “As long as they think their plan is working, we’ve got a chance to apprehend the person causing the havoc.”
“Sanders is right. If they figure out otherwise, we may lose our opportunity to take them into custody,” I said. “These people are proven extremists.”
“I’ll have officers convey you to the nearest facility where you can access the video feeds,” Hill said. “Perhaps you’ll see someone who looks familiar. In the meantime, we’ll stand down and keep this area secured. That is, with DAC Digginsby’s concurrence.”
Digginsby nodded. “Certainly. Do proceed.”
“I’m going to stay here with the tactical team,” Agent Fisk said.
The plan all sounded well and good to me, and I admired Sanders’ confident tone, but I didn’t have the heart to confess to them that Sanders and I were as much in the dark as they were.
By the look on her face, she must’ve been thinking something similar.
Chapter 12
I had been around large cities enough to know the difference between a hectic pace and out-and-out pandemonium. Cardiff had the look of the lat
ter.
Gibbons and a fellow officer—Anson? —drove us to one of the nearest police labs where we could gain access to the video surveillance systems. The chatter on the vehicle’s police radio was incessant. The mayhem had exceeded the ability of the authorities to contain it.
I wondered about the significance of Continuance Corporation’s presence in the UK. Was it the location of one of their operational or logistical centers? Or did the shadow group have larger plans, perhaps even against the government itself?
Unfortunately, there was still too much I didn’t understand about our foes and their objectives.
While we waited at a stoplight, a loud crashing sound, much like vehicles colliding, caught our attention.
“I think it came from the street to our right,” Anson said, tightly gripping the steering wheel.
Gibbons started to report in via radio. “They’re overwhelmed. Can’t even get dispatch to respond.”
Gunfire and screams followed. People ran for cover up and down the street.
I reached for the door handle. “Anson, take Sanders to the lab. Gibbons, you’re with me.”
“Right, sir,” Gibbons eagerly replied, already exiting the vehicle.
Sanders grabbed my upper arm. “You can’t go out there, Bringer. We need you against the source.”
“I’m not going to sit around staring at video feeds when I can be doing something useful,” I said. “Call me when you locate somebody or some place of interest.”
I slammed the SUV’s door and ran headlong into a mob of frantic people who streamed past me. To Gibbons’ credit, he pushed forward alongside me with his baton at the ready.
“Police! Move aside now!” he yelled, sounding authoritative and confident. “Seek cover! Get off the street!”
Two vehicles had collided in the middle of the street, one with what appeared to be small bullet holes in the back window and trunk. Both drivers appeared to be okay so we moved on.
Two more gunshots sounded as we rushed forward. By then, the crowds had thinned somewhat, many people ducking into nearby shops and behind vehicles.
Just ahead, I saw an older man wearing a hunter’s vest. He’d just finished reloading a shotgun.