Multiples of Six

by Andy Rane

  “And who raised them?”

  “There’s the kicker,” Paynter said. “I have no idea. For all I know, they were raised by the government.”

  “That would make sense, especially if they were planning on using them as…an army,” James said.

  “Can you imagine an army of old men jumping out at you…throwing their teeth as a last ditch effort…creepy bastards,” Kevin said.

  They all chuckled nervously.

  “I don’t think that was the plan. They might have appeared normal for a while…until things started to break down. They probably had very difficult childhoods. I imagine they must be on some serious enhanced substances to be jumping around like they do.”

  “Steroids?” Doug asked.

  “Among other things,” Paynter said.

  He moved to the rear of the car, leaned against it, and gazed out of the hangar doors into the field beyond. The three young men joined him.

  “I also imagine…that they’re on borrowed time,” Paynter said.

  “Jesus, don’t make me feel bad for them. The assholes just took Nicole!”

  “Why do you think they’re after us?” Kevin asked.

  “Revenge!” Doug said before Paynter could speak. “I’d be pretty pissed off…more so than I already am. And, for them…Jesus…if I looked like that and could blame a handful of people…well, I don’t want to make it sound like they’re behavior is justified, but--”

  “You’re pissed?” Kevin said.

  “Of course I’m pissed,” Doug said. “I’m as pissed as James is. Maybe I just don’t yell and scream like him.”

  James blushed.

  “This all sucks...on many levels. You never dreamed of having a brother or sister growing up? I did. All the time. Somebody I could play football with in the back yard. I never understood why my parents never had another kid. I begged my mom on a regular basis. Sometimes she’d just say no as if it was something I was being silly about. Other times she’d cry and I’d walk away feeling ashamed. I learned to stop asking. So, yeah, I’m pissed.”

  “But, you were making bagels in a shop in the middle of fucking Ohio. And, you,” Kevin said, pointing to James, “You were doing what? Pushing a pencil in a dead end job for the past three years, hating life?”

  “And, now we’re running for our lives, hoping against hope that our loved ones don’t come to any harm, and trying to assess what a shortened life would really mean at this point,” James said.

  “Isn’t it great?” Kevin asked.

  They stared at him in disbelief.

  “I mean…I haven’t felt this alive…in my entire life. This…this is living. I feel like I’ve been slapped out of a stupor. James, you said it yourself. We’ve been given a big wakeup call to life.”

  “This isn’t life,” James said.

  “No. You’re right, but it ain’t sitting at a desk having your brains sucked out by a computer monitor day after day. This is how change comes about. You think we’ll evolve by sitting at a desk, or behind a counter, or on a curb?”

  “So, now we’re the pinnacle of evolution?” Doug said.

  “Can’t you feel it? I should be exhausted, but you know what? I’m alive with energy. I feel like I could go another day without sleep.”

  James turned to Doug and said, straight faced, “I’ll have whatever he’s having.”

  Doug shook his head, smiling a bit.

  “Screw you guys…” Kevin said, fighting off a smile of his own.

  “I guess we owe you some thanks, Dr. Paynter,” Doug said without looking at him.

  “My thanks was seeing each of you again. I dreamed of this day for years. You were…you were sort of like the sons I never had. Sort of tough to get married when you’re on the run. I think Taylor felt…feels the same way.”

  “Funny way of showing it,” James said.

  “He did save your life back there,” Kevin said.

  “He also pointed a gun at me in my own home. Sorry if the warm fuzzies haven’t quite kicked in for him yet,” James said.

  “I’m really sorry this hasn’t gone quite according to plan. I really didn’t--,” Paynter said.

  “What about my uncle?” James asked.

  Paynter blew out a breath that hung in the air before them. “Well, I was hoping to avoid this, but–,” he said.

  “…but you promised the truth,” James said.

  “–I promised the truth…the whole truth. So here it is,” Paynter said.

  “James…your uncle and I go way back. We served briefly in the Navy together. We were good friends, Teddy and I. He’s a good man, your uncle. Has a head for what’s right and wrong in the world. Well…he disappeared for a few years after the Navy. I went to MIT and heard from him maybe once a year. He’d write a note busting my chops about something or wishing me a happy belated birthday six months after the day. Then, about a year into this project he called me. Seemed nervous at the time. Told me some things I thought only Taylor and I knew. He seemed to know that it was going to be terminated. He’s the one who gave me the heads up about ‘changes’ and that’s when we decided to act. He asked me to do him a favor. He wanted to keep an eye on one of you. Somehow felt responsible. Said his brother…your father, James…couldn’t have any kids of his own. And could we please give him one of the boys.”

  “Ted knew all along,” James said.

  “Yes. He kept me up to date with you,” Paynter said.

  “So, he’s not a carpenter,” James said, now very distant.

  “Not professionally. I think he picked it up as a hobby, but as it turned out, he was a Navy SEAL. Could have probably gone up the ranks, but showmanship was never his thing.”

  “No…no it wasn’t.”

  James looked down at himself. He was a walking mud puddle.

  “We’d better get going,” he said.

  “Where?” Doug asked.

  “My uncle’s place up in Michigan. He said that’s where he was going,” James said.

  “I think that would be unwise…that’s what they want. That’s the only reason they took Nicole,” Paynter said.

  “Are you saying we should split up?” Kevin asked.

  “We’ve only got one car,” James said.

  “Not anymore,” Doug said, dangling the keys on the end of his finger. “I got myself a shiny new Grand Marquis.”

  “Well, wherever we’re going, I need to get out of these clothes. I’m soaked,” James said.

  “Yeah, join the club” Kevin said.

  “We could go to my house,” Doug said.

  “No,” Paynter and James said it together.

  “They might be watching your parents place now,” Paynter said, then added when Doug frowned, “I don’t think they have anything to worry about. It’s not them anyone is concerned with.”

  “The less they know the better. All we need is for another loved one to get in the way,” James said.

  “They won’t kill her, James,” Paynter said.

  “I don’t…need to hear that,” James said. “I need to hear a plan…I need a next step before I go out of my mind from standing still.”

  “I have an old friend in Ohio. Not more than four hours from here. She…she might not be happy to see me, but--”

  “This sounds promising already,” James said.

  “We don’t exactly have a menu to choose from, James,” Kevin said.

  “Can we trust her?” Doug asked.

  “You can. Me on the other hand…well…,” Paynter scratched his chin and shrugged.

  “Great,” James said.

  “Why do I get the feeling that we might be better off not visiting this woman,” Kevin said.

  “Sounds like we have more to worry about visiting her than staying put,” Doug said.

  “Listen, she and I go way back…and we were really good friends, but men and women sometimes…I…you know…things happen,” Paynter said.

  “You old heartbreaker, you,” Kevin said.

  “
Yeah, except…she thinks I’m dead,” Paynter Saud.

  “What? Good Lord. I’ve heard enough. Explain in the car,” James said.

  “Who’s going in the Marquis?” Doug asked.

  “Doug, do you want to go in the Marquis?” Kevin asked mockingly. Doug nodded his head like a little kid being offered chocolate.

  “I’ll go with Doug,” James said.

  “Oh,” Paynter said, but he let it go when James started to walk away. “Do you want a ride to the car?” he called out after him.

  “Naw…maybe the rain will wash some of this shit off,” James shouted without turning.

  They were on the road minutes later, the white Grand Marquis following the beat up Chrysler. James slumped in the passenger’s seat, warding off any sort of conversation Doug attempted to start with him. He told him to wake him if someone started shooting at them, but only if they would survive. Otherwise, let him sleep. Sleep came quickly, but he stirred frequently with the same image in his mind when he woke; the glimpse of Nicole’s face as the helicopter pulled away. He knew she must’ve been scared, but there was something in her countenance that told him she was more afraid for him than for herself. He hoped that she had seen the same. At last, sleep took him and he dreamed no more.

  Chapter 37

  “Hello, John,” the man in black said.

  “Don’t you speak to me,” Norris said.

  “After all these years, John, still no kind words for your old friend?”

  “You’re going away this time…friend…even if it’s in a body bag,” he said, his hand clenched around the grip of his gun. He could feel the cough coming on, but pushed back on it hard.

  “You think so?” the man asked. “Do you really think so, John?”

  “You’re a scumbag,” Norris said.

  “I’m just man with a job, John. Just like you. Paid by the same people even,” the man said

  “Bullshit,” Norris said.

  “Oh c’mon, John. Think about it. Think about the last time you saw me,” the man said and now he slowly got to his feet, hands spread before him.

  “Remember? Can you remember that day, John? I can. You know why? Because you cost me big time that day.”

  “All I know is you killed innocent people that day,” Norris said.

  “Innocent maybe, but the government wanted them dead. That’s why they had you to protect them. You stuck your nose where it didn’t belong. You know that. You knew what was going down, and yet you still jumped in, trying to be some sort of hero. Fucked my job up big time. I had to leave the country because of you. Had to live in a dozen South American shit holes for ten years because of you. Meanwhile, you freaked out…lost a couple partners, lost your wife, nearly lost your job…on more than one occasion. Oh, I know all about it, John. Now look at you…twenty some odd years later and you’re still trying to wear that little cape and leap from tall buildings. Still jumping in head first and hoping for a soft landing. The only thing you seem to have learned is to leave the partner at home…”

  “Ahhhhh!”

  Norris grabbed the man by his jacket collar and slammed him against the opposite wall, the gun pressed against the man’s temple. They were nose to nose.

  “Agent Norris!” Fields called out behind him.

  “I should have killed you when I had the chance…”

  “When was that, John? College? After one of our drunken bouts? After I fucked Lizzie what’s-her-name? A girl you didn’t give two shits about until you found out I’d nailed her. You’re not still bitter about that, are you? That isn’t what this is all about, is it? No…I can see that it isn’t. It’s something else. Something you’ve had brewing for a long time now.”

  “Shut up,” Norris said, shaking him by the collar again.

  “You see, John, you’ve spent way too many years thinking about me. I, on the other hand, couldn’t give a rat’s hairy ass about you to be quite honest. Oh sure, I got my updates, just out of curiosity, but you…you seem to have been holding a grudge. A bit obsessive perhaps? Yeah, I’d say so. What say you, Dr. Taylor?”

  “Someone say my name?” Taylor said, when he noticed the man in black had turned to speak to him. He could hear nothing in his right ear and the left seemed to be stuffed with cotton. He shrugged and pretended to ignore the situation again.

  “Oh, he’s going to be fun in the car,” the man said.

  “What makes you think you’re going to be driving again anytime soon?” Norris asked through clenched teeth.

  “John, I told you…we’re working for the same people. I expect you’ll be getting a call any moment now,” the man said, looking over Norris’ shoulder.

  “Bullshit,” Norris said, relaxing his grip and moving a step back.

  “The hell it is,” the man said, lowering his voice. “You think I’d have let you slam me against the wall like that? You could be dead by now, John. You and I both know that. Sure, you’re a tough old cock, but you’ve been filling out paperwork at a desk too much recently. And, that cough. You should really get that looked at.”

  “Fuck you,” Norris said, trying to hold it back, but the pent up cough released as if summoned and Norris turned choking and sputtering bloody mucus into his hand. He doubled over from the body-racking coughs. The man stood behind him, saying something, but Norris could only cough. The urge eased finally and he stood up, rooting into his pocket for his handkerchief.

  “What did you say, asshole?”

  “Check your phone,” the man said.

  Norris looked perplexed until he heard the beep. He pulled the cell from his inside his coat and flipped it open. One missed call.

  “Better call ‘em back. Might be important,” the man said, smiling.

  Norris held the phone up, as if it were strange to him, and pushed a button. It only rang once.

  “Norris?”

  “Who’s this?

  “This is Deputy Director Williams.”

  “Jesus Christ,” Norris whispered.

  “Why aren’t you in Cleveland yet?” Williams asked.

  “I…I’ve become involved in a local matter,” Norris said.

  “So I’ve heard. Listen, Norris, just drop it and report to Cleveland,” Williams said.

  “Why are you suddenly being nice to me?” Norris asked.

  “I’m trying to save your ass…one last time. You’re meddling in something we shouldn’t be touching. It isn’t our business, John.”

  “What the hell is going on here,” Norris said, the inflection gone from his voice.

  “John…”

  “You never call me John…what the hell is this?”

  Norris turned and assessed his location in the hallway. He might be able to outrun them. If Robinson wanted to catch him, there was nothing he could do but shoot him. He’d aim low if he had to.

  “Walk away from it, John. It’s for your own good,” Williams said.

  “Yeah, maybe so,” Norris said, “Maybe you’re right.”

  “I’m glad you agree, John…”

  “Yeah, maybe I should just roll over when told. Like a good ol’ dog. Just like you say,” Norris said.

  “John…that’s not what I meant. You’ve got to believe me. Listen, if you won’t go quietly…”

  “What have you told Fields?” Norris said.

  Fields and Robinson both started to move at the same time.

  “Lieutenant Fields and I have been in communication,” Williams said, and now Norris was slowly backing away from all of them.

  “What have you told them, Williams?” Norris said, and he turned and began walking away quickly.

  “Agent Norris?” Robinson called.

  “He’s been told to make sure you drop all of your activities immediately. You are to report…”

  “Cleveland can kiss my ass and so can you,” Norris said, then turned and threw the cell phone at Robinson, who had broken into a trot behind him.

  “Don’t do it, Robinson,” Norris called over his shoulder as
he turned to run, his lungs burning. “Don’t you do it! Go back to your quiet little neck of the woods and live the life of a towny cop!”

  Norris made it to the end of the hall and plowed into the stairwell doorway ahead of him. One flight down, he hurdled the crouched figure of a paramedic, three men looked up. They were placing a heavy set man in a white shirt and black pants into a body bag. The zipper moved over the name badge on his blood soaked chest. It read “Charlie.”

  Epilogue

  On the northern edge of Lake Michigan, up past the great Green Bay, a spit of land juts out into the lake, just south of the Hiawatha National Forest. If you follow route 483 down the peninsula, a mere 8 miles across at its widest, you’ll eventually come to a bend in the road called Devil’s Corner. It was here that Ted Masterson had staked his claim. The country was exactly what he was looking for; rugged, intimidating, but also full of the kind of people you could trust. The kind of people who did as they were done in return. His thirty-five acres allowed him the type of privacy he liked. His nearest neighbor was a five minute drive on roads they didn’t even bother naming.

  Here, he had tucked himself away, half hoping to forget the world; half hoping the world would forget him. But, despite his seclusion and the hours spent immersed in manual labor around the farm, he couldn’t allow himself to forget. Once a year, he would start preparing, sometimes unbeknownst to himself, to leave his retreat. He would visit his brother in New Jersey. He would visit the boy. Make sure all was well. Make sure that his mistake had not cost his brother any more than it already had. Then his brother had died unexpectedly. It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. Little brothers were supposed to bury you, not the other way around. He had remained stoic through the service. A hardened face of courage for Maggie, only a few years from death herself, and the boy. A lie revealed only the week following his burial, when he spent three straight days weeping alone in the darkness of his cabin. When the sorrow finally abated, he plunged himself into the farm, pushing himself to his own physical limits and beyond. It was only later that he could admit that he’d been trying to kill himself. Trying to break the heart in his body as his brother’s had been broken.