“Are you certain that his DNA is in CODIS?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes.” The man continued to study the room. “Also, the same car he used at the scene is parked in this garage. There is an idiot’s trail of evidence from the scene to his car to this house. The police will very quickly connect him to the scene. Then they will come for him and arrest him.”
“He would not have talked.”
“That is not a chance I will take.”
“But don’t you have people inside the police department who can –”
“It’s too late for my people to make this go away. And so, now, when they find his body, they will have their serial killer. And they will close this case.”
She mechanically began reloading her equipment in the EMT bag. “It’s a shame. He was a good soldier.”
“He was a fool.” The man turned his face to her, and the woman trembled. “Because of blood loss and shock, he made unforgivable mistakes. And if you make a similar mistake you’ll die in the same fashion.”
She took a deep breath before saying, “But, now, who will we send? We still have to deal with this last child.”
“I’ll take care of the last child,” the man answered.
“Very well.” She began to back away holding the EMT bag over her chest. “Do you need me for anything else?”
“No.” The man pulled back the hood revealing dark hair tinged with white at the temples; his stern face was the mold of intellect and will. “The only thing that matters now is this last child,” he whispered. “When he is dead, this is finished.”
“And then?”
The man’s brow hardened.
“Then our victory is assured,” he said in a different voice. “And at the end of that day, and the battle is won, the sun will not shine again.”
* * *
Walking toward his barn in the full dark Joe Mac knew he wouldn’t sleep.
His mind kept turning the scene over and over like he might steadily turn a rock in his hand looking for clues as to what kind of rock it might be.
He knew they’d snagged a good line on this old woman, and he wasn’t worried about somebody knocking her off before they reached her tomorrow, so, in truth, he should have been more relaxed. But he wasn’t relaxed. He was still fired up from the gunfight with the smoke of gunfire on his hands and the sound of gunfire ringing in his ears. And he felt a whiteness in his blood that he hadn’t felt in a long time.
He didn’t even raise his face at the sound of an onrushing hurricane-sound and Poe landed lightly on his shoulder instantly pulling in his powerful wings. Poe dipped his head to touch Joe Mac’s face with his beak, and Joe Mac said in a low voice, “Yeah. Let’s go inside, buddy. It’s cold out here, ain’t it?”
“Poe,” said Poe in his human voice. “Poe … Home …”
“Ha. They say you don’t know what your words mean. They’re idiots. You know exactly what they mean, don’t ya?”
“Home,” said Poe.
Joe Mac laughed gustily as he unlocked the barn door and Poe flew into the vast space to immediately find a familiar place on a wood lamp arching over Joe Mac’s desk. And Joe Mac knew the raven would be awake all night. And he would be alert to the slightest sound, aware of the tiniest movement.
He had learned that Poe had a different call for every occasion. A ‘caw’ was affectionate. A ‘cluck’ was loving. A ‘shrill’ was a warning; it meant danger is near. A ‘shriek’ was his battle cry, and what Joe Mac considered to be his ‘scream’ was just pure rage.
Wearily Joe Mac dropped his heavy wool coat over his recliner and walked to the kitchen. He felt in the refrigerator for a pack of bacon and pulled out a piece. Then he tore it into greasy strips and laid them in a plate. Walking back to his desk, he laid the plate beside Poe with a cup of water and took a moment to smooth Poe’s long feathers.
“You’re a good boy,” Joe Mac said and leaned his forehead into the raven. “Yeah, you need to stay inside tonight. The world is just … too cold for us no more.”
Poe cawed softly.
With a nod, Joe Mac took a seat at his desk. He opened a drawer and pulled out another Springfield 1911. He removed the clip, cleared a round from the chamber, and disassembled it. Then he carefully laid the clip, the frame, the barrel, spring, plug, slide and slide lock on the big unused calendar beneath his hands.
He took a moment, silently counting.
“Okay,” he breathed, “let’s do it.”
He grabbed the slide and slammed in the barrel, then the spring and plug. He locked the slide onto the frame and it took him two seconds too long to find the slot for the slide lock but he finally found it to lock the slide in place and he checked the safety. Last, he slammed in the clip, instantly racking a round.
Joe Mac turned his face to Poe.
“Seven seconds is too long,” he said. “These are some mean ol’ boys. You and me need to be ready.”
Violently extending gigantic wings Poe bent and shrieked.
“I know you’re ready!” Joe Mac laughed. “We’re gonna both be ready!”
* * *
Statements the next morning were cut and dried since no dead body was recovered, but Brightbarton said, “I’m happy to let you know that you hit him solid, Joe. We found his blood on a tree, and we’ve already submitted a sample to CODIS. If we’re lucky, he’s in there. And if we’re really lucky, he’s our man, and this nightmare is about smash into a real bloody, biblical ending.”
Jodi asked, “You sure it was Joe’s shot or my shot?”
“It was Joe’s shot,” Brightbarton laughed. “The only thing you hit, rookie, was a couple of dangerous looking trees.” He stared a moment. “Good thing you were there, though. Ain’t no telling who them trees was just waitin’ to attack.”
Jodi rolled her eyes across the walls. “So is the FBI putting a rush on the CODIS? They’re not gonna take their usual two months, are they?”
“Rollins told me he’d push it through in a couple of days.”
Joe Mac stood. “Let me know.”
Brightbarton leaned back in the squeaky wood chair; “So what’s on the agenda today in case we roll snake eyes with the DNA?”
“We’re following up a lead.”
“Anything I should know?”
“Not right now.”
Brightbarton took a long time before he said, “How do you figure this shooter knew where you guys were headed last night?”
Joe Mac shook his head. “I don’t know. But I think I’m gonna play this one real close from now on.”
“That’s liable to put you in a bind.” Brightbarton didn’t say anything for a while. Then added, “What about you, Strong? You okay with playing Lone Ranger?”
“Yeah,” Jodi said emptily. “I’m tired of this in-fighting. And nobody should have known where we were last night. Something’s wrong.”
“Something’s always wrong,” Brightbarton rumbled. “You just ain’t been around long enough to know it.” He paused. “All right. You two keep your cards close. But, Joe, if you got instincts on somebody, at least give me a call.”
Joe Mac lowered his face.
Brightbarton emphasized, “Just me.”
“Man, you only got two more months before it’s casinos and naked women,” said Joe Mac. “I don’t think I’m gonna do that.”
“You’ll do it or you and Strong are off the case. Right here. Right now.”
Jodi stood and clapped her hands once. “If Joe won’t do it, I’ll do it!”
Nothing was said for the longest and then Brightbarton grunted, “Go on. Get out of here. Call me soon as you get something.”
Walking down the corridor Jodi gently guided Joe Mac by the arm and said quietly, “You don’t even trust the captain? Are you serious?”
“I trust him,” Joe Mac rumbled. “But he’s too good a man to get shot dead in this fiasco when he’s only got two months to go. He needs to take sick leave and not even come in until he turns in his badge.
That’s what I’d do.”
“No, you wouldn’t. You’d go out guns blazing. Look at you right now. You’re old. You’re blind. You don’t stand a chance if you have to go up against this guy in a standup fight. But here you are.”
“I just want justice. But justice can be expensive. It can cost you.”
“Cost you what?”
“Might cost you everything,” Joe Mac said, brow hardening. “So, if you want justice done, you better make sure your own debts are paid up first.” He paused. “Don’t they say that justice starts at the House of God?”
“Yeah,” murmured Jodi, “that’s what the Bible says. But tell me something more to-the-point, Joe, since we’re ‘partners.’”
“What’s that?”
“Do you have some kind of death wish?”
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Not that you’re ‘aware of?’” Jodi stared. “That’s not exactly a ‘no,’ Joe.”
“What are you worried about? You’re not the one who don’t care about dying.”
“Because it’s always the person who doesn’t care about dying that ends up living! It’s people like me, who are scared to death of dying, that end up getting killed. It’s always people like you that live.”
“Aw, don’t worry about it. I ain’t gonna let nothing happen to you. I’ll die first.”
“That’s edifying.”
As always Joe Mac caught every familiar sound and smell as they descended the reversing stairways to the first floor, and then they were on the street; Jodi guided him with an ever-gentle hand – he was learning to read her slightest touch – to the car.
“Hey, Poe,” Jodi said. “You gonna follow us again?”
Poe shrieked; he was perched atop the squad car.
“Yeah, I know. You’re ready for a fight,” muttered Jodi as she turned her face to Joe Mac. “Don’t worry, Poe, it’s coming.” She looked at Joe Mac. “Now we check out the old woman?”
“Yeah.”
“Go on, Poe!” she said as Poe lifted off, wings smashing down with prehistoric strength.
Joe Mac asked, “You remember the address?”
“Yeah. It’s way out on Long Island. Gonna take us a while to get there. We need to pick up anything on the way?”
“You got a Remington and an AR-15 in the trunk?”
“Standard issue, yeah. What about it?”
“Rack the shotgun and chamber the AR-15. We’ll keep ‘em up front with us.” Joe Mac listened as she obeyed without objection; he heard her open the trunk, rack the Remington 870. Then she racked the AR-15 and walked back to her door.
“I got ‘em,” she said.
Joe Mac got in the car and closed the door as she handed him the shotgun; he placed it between them with the barrel pointed into the floor. He listened as she reached over the seat, laying the AR-15 in the back.
“I’m not even gonna ask what you plan to do with that,” Jodi said as she started the car. “You think we might be walking into an ambush?”
“Yeah,” Joe Mac grunted. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Well, I’m wearing a backup in addition to the Glock I checked out this morning.” Jodi smoothly weaved her way into traffic. “I got a nine millimeter Beretta in a shoulder holster, a .38 six-shot in my purse, and my Glock on my waist. If that’s not enough firepower we’re probably dead anyway. What about you?”
“Same as last night,” Joe Mac droned. “But I want you to know something,”
“What’s that?”
“If things start lookin’ dicey, I want you to back out whether I go with you or not.” Joe Mac waited, but she said nothing. “I can handle myself just fine without you. And one of us is gonna have to call for help. So if I tell you to get out, do it with no questions. You understand?”
“I’m not afraid, Joe.”
“I know you’re not afraid. But I’ll be a dead man if you don’t do what I say. You’re gonna have to trust me.”
Jodi was silent a long time. “All right,” she said finally. “But if I think you’re just sending me outside so I won’t get hurt I’m gonna be mad.”
“That’s all right,” Joe Mac nodded. “Where’d you get the extra guns?”
“I’ve got friends, too. Last night I called my old uniform partner and he brought me two backups this morning.”
“Better to have ‘em and not need ‘em than –”
“I know,” said Jodi. “Is Poe gonna follow us all day?”
“Probably.”
“Good.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I think Poe’s a better guard dog than any guard dog that ever lived. I also googled ‘ravens’ last night. Biologists say that ravens are the smartest animals on the planet.”
Joe Mac laughed, “You did what?”
“I googled ‘ravens.’ Did you know that ravens have been tested by biologists, and they’ve determined that ravens are even smarter than chimpanzees and dolphins?” Jodi didn’t wait for an answer as she continued, “Can you imagine that? That a raven is even smarter than a dolphin? Who would have guessed that? No wonder Poe can follow us everywhere we go. It’s probably child’s play to him. And if a guard dog can sense danger I guarantee you that a raven can sense danger ten times faster. Heck, I like having him around. If Poe does his shrill or whatever it is I’m gonna put my hand on my Glock without even looking. I don’t know what’s coming, but I’ll be ready if Poe gives his warning.”
Joe Mac chuckled.
“I’m serious, Joe.”
“I know you are.” He stopped laughing with an effort. “Oh, man, that’s funny.” He laughed some more. “Well, I’m glad you like him because I don’t see no getting rid of him. I think he’s with us to the end.”
“I hope and pray,” Jodi said quietly. “It also said that God always uses a raven to lead and protect his people.”
Joe Mac was still. “Did it really say that?”
“Sure did.”
He nodded.
“I believe it.”
* * *
It was a sedate two hours down Long Island to the home of Critiani Morgan, the only name in Montanus’ organizer that even came close to matching the name he’d been in the middle of mentioning when he was shot down.
Jodi drove past the address, turned around, and came back stopping the car a quarter-mile from the house. She put it in park and waited, staring until Joe predictably asked, “What do you see?”
Jodi began, “Well … not much. She’s got a two-level colonial-style house. Baby blue. Lots of windows. Got some sheets blowing on a clothesline. Got a little maroon Honda in the driveway. I don’t see her walking around. Must be inside.”
“Nobody else?”
Jodi looked up and down the road but didn’t see a single car. She checked the rearview mirror and said, “Nope. And I think I would have noticed if somebody was following us. They would have had to have turn around when we did.”
“Does she have a porch?”
“Yeah. A big ol’ screened-in front porch.” A pause. “What? You want to interview her on the porch? Isn’t it kinda cold?”
“Yeah, it’s cold. She can put on a coat.” Joe Mac was silent a long time. “All right. Let’s go on up there.”
“You gonna mention what happened to Montanus last night?” she asked as she pulled back onto the road.
“Not right off.”
“Why not?”
“I wanna see how tight-knit these people are. I wanna see if she already knows.” Joe Mac paused. “If she knows that he’s dead, she’ll know why we’re here.”
“And is this good or bad?”
“Depends of whether she’s friendly. If she’s not, she’ll tell us everything she knows. But if she’s one of them, we won’t get anything out of her.”
Suddenly Jodi exclaimed, “Uh oh!”
In the near distance a light green, beat-to-death, pickup truck leaving a trail of burning blue oil was roaring down on them.
&
nbsp; “Heads up, Joe!”
“Is it a pickup truck?”
Jodi gaped. “How do you know that it’s a –”
Sending gravel flying in a shower that peppered her squad car like bullets, the pickup truck had barely stopped when a burly, bearded figure bearing a pump-action shotgun leaped out of the passenger door and walked calmly forward.
He was six-and-a-half feet tall and pushing four hundred pounds. As tremendous as his arms and legs appeared at close range they paled in comparison to his kegger-beer gut stretching his ‘Y’ALL NEED JESUS’ tee shirt to the max. His wild head of hair descended to his shoulders beneath his ‘CAT’ bulldozer cap. Behind him, from the driver’s door, came a nearly-identical shape carrying a gigantic Smith and Wesson .44 revolver.
As if Jodi had stepped on their mother’s grave, they came to the front of the car and stood staring. The first one sharply racked the shotgun. The second one raised the .44 and held a steady aim at Joe Mac’s head. Then the passenger leaned sharply closer, squinting at Joe Mac. He reared back with a gut-shaking laugh and came down again. “Joe Mac!” He dropped the shotgun to one hand and punched the driver. “It’s Joe Mac, Bobby!”
“Bobby” leaned closer, peering, then a huge smile divided his chest-level beard. “Joe Mac!” he shouted and came around to Joe Mac’s side as the second one walked to Jodi’s window, the shotgun low in his hand. He leaned down to Jodi’s window and said, “Well, hello, little lady! I’m Ronnie! And that’s Bobby!”
“Officer Jodi Strong,” said Joe Mac loudly, “I’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Kosiniski and Bobby Kosiniski. Or as they are known far and wide – The Kosiniski Brothers.”
“Nice to meet you, Officer Strong,” smiled Ronnie Kosiniski.
“Nice to meet you, little lady!” called Bobby Kosiniski. He slapped Joe Mac’s shoulder. “How you doin,’ hoss! We kept an eye out for ya, but we ain’t seen hide nor hair. She ain’t even been outside but to hang them sheets.”
Joe Mac asked, “Graveyard dead, huh?”
“Quiet as a church.”
“Good,” Joe Mac nodded. “That’s real good.” He took a deep breath. “All right, I appreciate you boys helping me out. We’ll take it from here. Oh, and by the way, how’s your pa doing these days?”
DARK VISIONS Page 10