The Excoms

by Brett Battles

  One look at it was all he needed to send it back. When the waiter returned with it six minutes later, the thing on the plate looked no better than it had before.

  Clearly, the cook was unfamiliar with how to create a good Denver omelet. Ricky, if he did say so himself, was an expert.

  “Maybe there’s something else on the menu you might enjoy more,” the waitress suggested after Ricky communicated his dissatisfaction.

  “There’s nothing I would enjoy more than a Denver omelet. It is what I’ve been thinking about for the last hour. It is what I came in here to eat. It is what I want.” He picked up the corner of the plate and let it drop back on the table with a bang. “This, however, is not a Denver omelet.”

  The woman smiled uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what else I can do.”

  “I think the best thing would be for me to talk to your cook.”

  “Oh, I, um, don’t think that’s a good idea. The chef is very busy right—”

  “Chef?” Ricky snickered. “Ma’am, the person in your kitchen is not a chef. He’s a cook, and not a very good one.” Ricky rose. “Trust me, he’ll appreciate my feedback.”

  “Wait! You can’t go in there!”

  But Ricky wasn’t listening to her anymore. He pushed through the swinging door into the kitchen and stopped a few feet inside. “Who’s the one pretending to be in charge in here?”

  It took two dishwashers, three prep cooks, a security guard—apparently they had one during the day—and the largest of the waitresses to pull Ricky from the man who claimed to be a chef and restrain Ricky until the sheriff’s deputies arrived.

  Ricky, of course, loudly proclaimed his innocence as he was ushered to the deputies’ car in handcuffs, saying he’d only been trying to help someone who obviously didn’t know what he was doing. The deputies, for their part, smiled and nodded and told him to watch his head as they helped him into the backseat.

  24

  AFTER FOLLOWING THE deputies’ car all the way back to a small sheriff’s substation in Groveland, Ananke, Dylan, and Liesel watched the deputies transfer Ricky inside. Ananke didn’t think there was a moment during the whole parade when Ricky’s lips weren’t moving.

  “Do we go in and get him out?” Dylan asked.

  “They’re not going to just hand him over. So unless you’d like to get into a firefight over that asshole, then, no, we don’t go in.”

  As tempted as Ananke was to let Ricky stay locked up, if the sheriff’s department figured out he’d been staying at the Hardwick Inn, they’d quickly learn he hadn’t been there alone. That would be a major problem. Like it or not, she had to do something.

  “Progress?” the Administrator asked once she had him on the line.

  “We have a situation.”

  “Is that so?”

  She filled him in.

  “And you don’t know the reason he was arrested?” he asked when she finished.

  “I can think of several hundred, but I don’t know specifically.”

  He said nothing for a moment, then, “I would like you to return to the hotel until you hear from me again.”

  “We’re not going to get a lot done sitting in our rooms.”

  “Until I have a better idea of what’s going on, it would be prudent if you stay out of sight. I promise you’ll be hearing from me very soon.”

  __________

  UPON RETURNING TO the Hardwick Inn, Ananke took fifteen minutes to freshen up before meeting up with the others in Rosario’s room.

  “Anything new?” she asked Rosario.

  “One of our chaperones may be involved with the kidnappers.”

  “Oh, really? Do tell.”

  “The chaperones were all supposed to have come from local Point Five chapters—two from Palo Alto, and one from Daly City. Same chapters the kids are from. Marta Sorenson, the Daly City rep, needed to be replaced at the last minute.”

  “Why?” Ananke asked.

  “Single vehicle car accident. Two days before the trip.”

  “Drinking?”

  “No alcohol or drugs in her system. The police report says several witnesses saw her car suddenly speed up and clip the side of a semi-truck then flip over. She is still unconscious, so they have not been able to question her.”

  “Suicide attempt?”

  “Possible, but she had no apparent money troubles. Also, she is recently married, and everything I have found indicates they had no problems. Her medical records also contain no mentions of mental health issues. My guess is no.”

  “You got into her medical records?”

  “Shinji did.”

  Ananke grinned. “I told you he’d be a help.”

  “So far, he is…acceptable.”

  “Which one’s the last-minute replacement?”

  “Him. Andrew Carter. He was presented as a Point Five member from San Francisco able to fill in. A check of the San Francisco membership roll did turn up his name, but it appears that someone hacked their system and added Mr. Carter within the last week. Shinji checked the associated home address and employment information, but they were also false.”

  Ananke thought for a moment. “Shinji has a facial recognition system that can check a whole crapload of databases. Have him run the picture of Carter we—”

  “Already in progress.”

  “Oh…um, great. I’m guessing no hits.”

  “Nothing yet.”

  Ananke’s mission phone began ringing. It was the Administrator.

  “Yes?” she answered.

  “You are free to continue your investigation.”

  “Ricky?”

  “Taken care of.”

  “In what way?”

  The Administrator, as he often did, hung up without answering.

  “What happened?” Dylan asked as Ananke lowered the phone.

  “No idea. He just said it’s taken care of.”

  “Don’t you assassins say something like that when you kill someone?”

  If only we were so lucky, Ananke thought. “We need to get back out there. Five minutes to freshen up then meet back at the van?”

  “Works for me,” Dylan said.

  Liesel nodded.

  Ananke walked to the door and opened it. As she stepped into the hallway—

  “Morning, kitten!” Ricky stood in front of the door to her room, his hand in mid-knock. “I was wondering where you were.”

  She jammed her finger against her lips and motioned for him to come to her. As soon as he was in range, she grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pulled him into Rosario’s room, and pushed him onto the bed.

  “Whoa, baby. What was that for?”

  “How about we start with you getting arrested?”

  Ricky grinned sheepishly. “So you heard about that, huh? Big guy tell on me?”

  “We’re the ones who told him, you idiot! Right after we watched you get marched out of the Conifer Lodge and into that patrol car and taken to jail.”

  “I was wondering how he found out so fast. That makes a lot more sense now.”

  “What the hell happened?” she asked.

  “There’s a conspiracy in this country to keep people from knowing how to make a proper Denver omelet.”

  She closed her eyes in dread. “You didn’t.”

  “Of course I did. Someone had to tell that cook what to do.”

  “You were arrested over food?” Rosario said. She considered that for a moment before adding, “I hate to say this, but I can actually appreciate that.”

  “Don’t encourage him.” Ananke said.

  “Sorry,” Rosario said, but gave Ricky a nod.

  Ricky acknowledged her with a point of his finger, and then said, “So what are you all doing here? You can’t get anything done this way.”

  If there was ever a moment when Ananke wished she could breathe fire, this was it. She settled instead for drilling holes in Ricky’s forehead with her gaze. It wasn’t nearly as satisfying.

  “Y
ou’re cute when you’re angry, baby.” He glanced at Dylan. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  Dylan, looking uncomfortable, didn’t respond.

  “You know what?” Ananke said. “I don’t care why you were arrested. We need to get back out there, and see if we can locate those motorcycles. I have a feeling they might—”

  “Motorcycles?” Ricky asked.

  She brought him up to speed on what he’d missed while he was locked away.

  He grinned. “I’ve seen your motorcycles.”

  Ananke stared at him. “Today? Where?”

  “Not live. A recording.” Ricky told them about his visit to the manager’s office at the Conifer Lodge and what he’d seen on the security footage.

  Rosario showed him the clip of the bikers Shinji had found.

  “Yep. Same guys,” Ricky said.

  “You’re sure?”

  “Sure I’m sure.”

  “That’s actually helpful,” Ananke said.

  “If you liked that, you’re going to love this,” he said.

  “What?”

  “That chaperone you were talking about? Carter. He signaled the motorcycles before the van left.”

  “You saw this?” Liesel asked.

  “I sure did.”

  Ananke couldn’t help but sound impressed when she asked, “You find out anything else while you were digging around?”

  “As a matter of fact…”

  Ricky showed them the photo of the list of other guests who’d been staying at the lodge over the same days the kids had been there, and tapped the name of the guy who’d been in the room next door to Carter’s.

  “You were right,” Dylan said to Ananke. “He is a pretty damn good hunter.”

  Looking flattered and surprised, Ricky said, “Did you really say that about me, kitten?”

  Ananke looked at Rosario. “Have Shinji check the names out.”

  With a nod, Rosario motioned for Ricky to give her his phone.

  “We know there’s no sign of the van leaving the area,” Ananke said to everyone. “Same with the motorcycles, but they would have been easier to smuggle out in a camper or truck. If we can find one of them, it could help us figure out who these people are. Maybe even point us to where they’ve taken the kids.”

  She had Rosario bring up a map of the area.

  “We’ll need all our eyes on this, so that means you, too,” Ananke told her. “Shinji can handle research for now.”

  Rosario nodded.

  “We’ll split into two groups. My group will check places along these two roads.” Ananke pointed at two routes leading south from the highway. “Ricky, you’ll check this one.” She pointed at the only road leading north.

  “Whatever you want me to do, kitten…Oh, sorry.”

  Jaw tensing, she said, “Dylan, you’ll be my driver.” She looked at Rosario and Liesel. “I hate to do this, but one of you is going to have to go with him.” She nodded at Ricky.

  The women shared a look, then Liesel shrugged. “I will do it. He is…entertaining.”

  “I am entertaining, aren’t I?” Ricky said.

  Ananke rolled her eyes and said to Liesel, “If he becomes a problem, feel free to dump him at the side of the road. Or kill him. Your choice.”

  25

  THE BUNKER

  THE HATCH OPENED, spilling ultra-bright light into the dark and dank space. Hands immediately went to eyes as those inside were blinded by the illumination.

  Two thuds on the floor, and then the hatch closed again, plunging the occupants once more into pitch-black. A few muffled whimpers broke out, but no wailing like there’d been during the first few hours.

  A shuffling of feet, followed by the sound of plastic ripping.

  “Water,” Erica Wright, one of the chaperones, said. “Everyone, come to my voice.”

  The children and Chris Jones, the other remaining chaperone, started toward her.

  “Slowly,” she said. “There’s plenty for everyone.”

  “Ow,” Nicholas shouted. “Hey, there’s something else here.”

  Cardboard ripped.

  “Feels like candy bars.”

  “Let me check that,” Jones said.

  Sounds of movement and a wrapper tearing.

  “Granola bars,” Jones announced.

  “One each for now,” Wright said. “If there are extras we’ll divide them up later. Mr. Jones, make sure.”

  “I know, I know,” Jones said.

  Not for the first time, Wright wondered how long it would be before Jones snapped. The man had been going downhill since they were forced into this room. But with Carter gone and likely dead, both Wright and Jones needed to stay strong for the kids.

  There was no other choice.

  26

  JUST WEST OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

  ANANKE SCANNED THE house through her binoculars. Though it was not deserted, it looked as if no one had been around for a while.

  A vacation home, likely. One with a very large, three-car garage in the back that had caught Ananke’s interest.

  She swung the glasses across the rest of the property. A dull forest green Honda Element sat to the side of the circular driveway. Based on the dust and pine needles covering it, the vehicle hadn’t moved in a while, probably months.

  She lowered her binoculars and whispered to Rosario, “We’ll circle around and meet behind the garage.”

  They headed off in opposite directions, Ananke alternating her gaze between the path before her and the property. Still no signs of recent activity. If not for the garage, she and Rosario would be back in the van, headed to the next destination. But it was the biggest they’d seen so far, and could easily hide a van and several motorcycles.

  She turned on her mic. “Anything?”

  “Nothing so far,” Rosario said.

  “Dylan?”

  He was still in the van, keeping an eye out in case someone came up the access road. “Nice and quiet, boss.”

  Ananke continued around the property until she was in the woods behind the garage. A few moments later, Rosario joined her.

  She’d been hoping the building had a window along the back, but other than several vents near the roofline, the wall facing them was unbroken.

  She motioned for Rosario to stay where she was, and then Ananke headed toward the garage. As she stepped out of the trees, her toe caught on a twig, causing her to glance down. Only it was not a twig, but a monofilament tripwire strung low through the brush. Before she could free her toe, one end of the line snapped.

  “Down!” she yelled.

  __________

  THE BUILDING WAS more storage shed than garage, but Ricky figured a van might fit as long as there wasn’t anything else inside, so he picked the lock and pulled the rusty-hinged door open.

  “Nope,” he said to Liesel, standing off to the side. “I’m thinking this van isn’t worth the time it’s taking.”

  This was the sixth place they’d checked without finding anything.

  “It might contain fingerprints or something that could identify the kidnappers. If we know who they are, it will be easier to find them.”

  “Might contain,” he said as they started walking back toward the car. “There’s your key word. But who’d be stupid enough to leave a van full of evidence?”

  “But what if they did?”

  He glanced at her. “You’re like a piranha, aren’t you? You grab on to something and don’t let go.”

  She walked on as if she hadn’t heard him.

  After the comment she’d made when she agreed to go with him, he thought they would get along just fine, but man, did she turn out to be a tough nut to crack. She wore an all-business, tough-as-nails attitude like a second skin. Pretty, too, though he doubted she realized it, or, if she did, cared.

  “Anybody ever tell you you’ve got nice eyes?” he said without thinking.

  She turned on him, those same beautiful eyes narrowing to slits. “You are not my type.”
r />   “Hey, I wasn’t flirting. I was just, you know, stating a fact, and was curious if anyone else ever told you.”

  For a moment, he was sure she was going to hit him, but after a long pause, what she did was whisper, “They smile.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Someone once told me my eyes smile. A long time ago.”

  “He was right. That’s it exactly. He an old boyfriend?”

  Another pause, then, “An almost boyfriend.”

  That kind of comment called for further prodding. But when he opened his mouth to do that, a loud rumble rolled over the trees.

  __________

  ANANKE FLEW INTO the woods on the concussive wave of the explosion.

  For a moment, she lay on the forest floor stunned, with her ears ringing and no idea what had happened. Then she remembered the trip wire, and—

  “Rosario!” Though she knew she had yelled, she couldn’t hear herself. She struggled to her feet and turned in a circle. “Rosario!”

  A wall of flames filled the space where the garage had been, while burning debris that had been blasted into the air was raining down in a fountain of fire.

  “Rosario!”

  Something touched her arm. She whirled around to find Rosario standing there, blood dripping from a cut on her forehead.

  Rosario’s lips moved, but all Ananke could hear was the buzzing echo of the explosion. She pointed at her ears and shook her head, then motioned back toward the van.

  They ran through the trees, dodging pieces of the garage still falling from the sky, and spots of fire that had already caught on the ground.

  When they emerged onto the driveway, Dylan was out of the van, looking toward the blaze. He ran to them, his mouth moving a mile a second.

  Ananke waved him off. “No! Get the van started!”

  He skidded to a stop and reversed course.

  Ananke and Rosario reached the van as the engine roared to life, a noise—Ananke was relieved to find—she could actually hear. She let Rosario in first and flopped into the bench seat beside her.