Gargoyles I, II, III: Dark Angel Alliance

by Rach Elle

  The receptionist was a young, perky girl with a ponytail and poorly cut bangs. She was helping another visitor so Regina and James stood in line. Regina could feel her anxiety beginning to rise. She had never done something like this before and wasn’t sure she could pull it off. It’s all about confidence. She told herself.

  She was suddenly pushed from behind. She had to take a step forward to brace herself and whipped her head around to see the culprit.

  “I’m sorry,” the American woman apologized, “Lost my footing there.”

  Regina forced a smile, “No problem.”

  The woman looked to be in her early thirties. She wore her braid off to the side, draped over her shoulder. Her pencil skirt and tight blouse showed off her figure in a cheap way, Regina thought. She was carrying a cardboard tray filled with what looked to be fast food. Regina turned back around and resumed standing in line as the woman headed toward the elevators. She didn’t know why, but she had an odd feeling about her.

  Rue reached the elevator doors and waited for them to open. Nonchalantly, she glanced over her shoulder at the tall blonde she had bumped into in the foyer. She narrowed her eyes, trying to remember where she knew her from. The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. On her way to the fourth floor she reached for her cell phone.

  The man first in line was asking to speak with his wife. Denise, the receptionist, directed him to her cubicle. He thanked her and finally walked away, affording Regina and James the space to approach the desk.

  “May I help you?” Denise asked.

  “Yes, I’m Detective Wilds and this is Detective Hansen.” Regina began, flashing her fake badge briefly and hoping that was enough for Denise to comply. “We’re trying to locate a suspect in an investigation, perhaps you’ve seen him?” She held up a printed photo of Dr. Simon Crispin PhD. Denise’s eyes widened and she stiffened in her chair. “Is he in trouble?” She asked timidly.

  “No, we just need to speak to him. You’ve seen him in here then?”

  Denise nodded, “But not lately. You should talk to Sunders Harper.”

  Regina stopped breathing. She knew that name; he was a Finder in the Dark Angel Alliance. His findings were the stuff of legend. She tried not to draw attention to herself as she looked around the foyer and past the threshold into the floor of cubicles. Everything appeared legit. United Financial had to be a mask, she figured. Her muscles tensed every time her eyes focused on a passerby. Protectors wouldn’t be in the same location as Finders, would they? As far as she knew the two factions hated one another. Subconsciously she rubbed the forearm of her sports coat where she knew her incriminating tattoo sat embedded in her flesh.

  “Detective?” Regina snapped back to the here and now as the receptionist tried to get her attention. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Regina asked.

  Denise looked a little taken aback at the distance in the blonde detective’s eyes. “I said Mr. Harper works on the fourth floor. The elevators are at the end of the hall.”

  Regina forced a smile, “Thank you.”

  James and Regina stood alone in the elevator waiting for the doors to open to the fourth floor.

  “Why did you get to keep your real name?” James asked playfully.

  “Because I’m not related to one of the two people we’re looking for.”

  James could clearly see that Regina was anxious. “Hey,” he nudged her, “you okay?”

  She took a deep breath, “Let’s just make this quick.”

  The two detectives entered the fourth floor and were instantly staring down a long hallway with gaudy red carpeting. Although no one roamed the hall, booming voices called and yelled from office to office, filling the floor with obnoxious noise. Hesitantly, Regina led James into the corridor.

  “Just a moment!” A female voice called to them. They both stopped and turned to see a heavy set woman with large rimmed glasses sitting behind a desk. “You need to check in here,” she motioned for them to head toward her. James looked at Regina, “I got this,” he whispered. “Find that Harper guy.” He left her side to check in with yet another receptionist.

  Regina had never had so much trepidation in her life. She carefully headed down the noisy hall, doing her best to shield her face. She kept her eyes low and walked quietly, only peering up to read the names on the open doors when suddenly she felt a pair of hands latch onto her left shoulder and yank her into an adjacent supply room. Within seconds Regina found herself shoved up against a wall with a forearm pressing into her throat. She could barely breathe as she looked down to see the woman who bumped into her in the foyer downstairs. Her eyes were hard as ice as she smirked, “Hello Jessie.”

  Regina’s heart began to race; she had to think fast. Thankfully, she was much taller than this girl. She hoped that even though her fighting skills were lacking she’d be able to overpower her. Quickly, Regina grabbed onto the girl’s arm and pulled it away from her throat, only to have the girl counter her maneuver, twist her arm behind her own back and shove her up against the wall again; this time her chest pressing into the plaster as the girl threatened to break her arm in half.

  “This has to suck for you,” the girl hissed. “Running all the way across the globe only to get caught by a Protector; an American one at that. I mean really, what are the odds?”

  Regina wanted to cry when suddenly a figure appeared out of the corner of her eye and plowed into the Protector, knocking her to the ground as she grunted in pain. Regina turned around to see James with a very confused look on his face.

  The Protector got to her feet and sneered at the man. She widened her feet into a fighting stance and brought her fists up to her eye level. James scoffed at the slender woman in a pencil skirt before her fist swiftly sliced through the air and landed square on his jaw. His head whipped backward and he collected himself just in time to stop her second fist from doing the same thing to the other side of his face. His large palm halted her knuckles midair but before he could think of his next move her first fist jabbed him in the ribs. He bent forward from the blow and she slapped him.

  James took a step back and regained his composure. He was in complete shock as he looked at the woman who stood in her fighter stance again, ready for round two. He lifted his chin and hardened his jaw before sending his right fist flying through the air. The woman dodged the punch; dropping to the floor and swinging her right leg outward, ripping a large slit in the side of her skirt, and sweeping both of James’ legs; knocking him off his feet. He landed on his back and the woman jumped on top of him, attempting to punch him again. James blocked the punch and used his body weight to roll over so he was on top of her. He grabbed onto both of her wrists and pinned them to the floor. He was breathing heavily as he looked into the bitch’s crazy eyes. Slowly, he lowered his head toward hers and asked, “How are you gonna get out of this one?”

  Suddenly the girl jolted her head upward; her forehead ramming into James’ face and sending him reeling backwards in pain. He let go of her wrists as he grabbed his nose and limply fell to the side. The girl quickly got to her feet as Regina tried to escape out into the hall. The Protector ran to the door and cut her off before she could exit.

  Regina could tell James managed to get back to his feet behind her as she squared off with the Protector.

  The Protector smiled devilishly, her hard eyes boring into Regina’s. “You’re not going anywhere.” She said in a low, dark voice.

  “Ah, Rue, back already?”

  The Scottish accent jarred the Protector and her head whipped to the right to see her superior. Her demeanor instantly changed from hard and cold to cheerful. A large, bright smile spread across her face and she was suddenly nothing more than a giddy school girl. “Yes Mr. Harper, I got everything you asked for.”

  Mr. Harper, Regina thought. This was the man they were here to see. But there wasn’t any way she could stay here any longer, could she? She had been discovered. One thing was for sure – she didn’t want to be left alone with
the Protector again.

  “So where’s the food?” Sunders asked Rue.

  “I put it in the break room.”

  “Mr. Harper, hello!” Regina stepped out of the supply room and extended her hand.

  Cautiously, Sunders accepted the shake. “Hello,” he began, “I don’t think we’ve met.”

  “My name is Detective Wilds. My partner and I are here to speak to you about a current investigation. Do you have a moment?”

  Sunders furrowed his brow as Ms. Wilds’ partner emerged from the supply room, looking like he’d just been in a rammy. Were the police still looking into those two lads that stole his flash drive? The last thing he needed was that little piece of information coming into light. “Uh, aye,” he stuttered, “we can talk in my office.” He pointed down the hall to his door as the two detectives headed that way. Rue started to follow them when Sunders stopped her. “Rue, um, listen, if our lunch is in the break room then every team is going to think it’s a free-for-all. Why don’t you go grab it and put it in my team’s office, alright? And let Madge know she’s welcome to it as well.”

  Rue wanted to scream as she watched her target walk away. She looked into Sunders’ eyes to see a stern expression. “Now,” he ordered. Rue took a deep breath, swallowed her pride and did as she was told. She turned around and headed for the break room.

  Regina entered the office of Sunders Harper followed by James. He shut the door behind him. “What was that all about?” He loudly whispered.

  “Old friend,” Regina said flatly without looking in his direction.

  “If that was a friend I don’t want to meet your enemies.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  Regina looked around the dark office. The light switch she had flipped upon entering didn’t turn anything on. Only a small table lamp worked tirelessly to light the space, but could only manage the desk it sat on. Regina narrowed her eyes at the map of London Mr. Harper had sprawled out over his desk. A large circle was penned around one section that looked to be the outskirts of the city. “What is he looking for?” She wondered aloud.

  The door to the office opened and both Regina and James snapped to attention. Sunders Harper closed the door and nervously ran his fingers through his hair. “Detectives,” he began, “I’m afraid I’m not going to be of much more help in your investigation. I already told the other detective everything I know.”

  Regina creased her brow, “The other detective?”

  “Aye, shortly after the break-in occurred. I don’t have any new information about those two lads…”

  “Mr. Harper,” Regina cut him off, “I believe you’re mistaken. We are not interested in a break-in.”

  “Oh?” Sunders looked surprised. “Then what investigation were you referring to?”

  “Were trying to locate a missing person by the name of Simon Crispin,” Regina began. She could see the Scotsman tense immediately. “We have eye witness reports that say you were the last person to see him.”

  “And we believe he was with a young girl by the name of Awilda Rose.” James added.

  Sunders’ heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. He suddenly felt like throwing up. His eyes darted to his desk where he had stupidly left the map of London open faced for all to see. And to top it off he’d penned a huge circle where he was focusing his search. But the two detectives didn’t have to know that locating Awilda and possibly Crisp was on his agenda. All he needed to do was casually walk to his desk and quickly, but nonchalantly, fold up the map and tuck it into a drawer. “I did know Dr. Crispin,” he began. “He came to me for financial advice, but that was the extent of our relationship. We are mere acquaintances, I assure you.”

  Regina couldn’t help but notice Sunders’ eagerness to put away his map, and she knew all too well that Mr. Harper was not a financier. She had heard rumors about this man when she first began with the Dark Angel Alliance so many years ago. At one point in time he was considered to be the greatest Finder the faction had ever seen. His reputation had since fizzled and the last she heard he’d led a group of Protectors on some bogus trip to Egypt; but he was still adored by the elders of the alliance. “What kind of financial advice?” She asked as he shoved the map into a drawer and shut it.

  “Oh, you know,” Sunders stuttered. “Bonds, stocks, off shore investments, a lot of jargon that would probably bore you to death,” he forced a laugh.

  “Try us,” James said flatly.

  “Um…”

  “No need for that,” Regina interrupted, knowing Sunders would have no clue what he was talking about anyway. She’d already caught him in a lie, unbeknownst to him.

  James looked stunned. “Well we should at least know if he set up an account with United Financial.”

  “Nah,” Sunders shook his head. “I explained to him our standard operating procedures and he decided against investing with this company.”

  “And why is that?”

  Sunders shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him. He left the premises and I haven’t the slightest idea where he is now.” After a moment of silence, he continued. “I’m very sorry I can’t be of more help detectives, but I really am very busy and need to get back to work.” He walked to his door and opened it. “Please see yourselves out… whoa! Rue, you gave me a start.” He held his hand over his heart as he looked at the tall, lean brunette standing in front of him under his threshold.

  “Sorry,” she smiled and giggled. “I put our lunch in the other office like you asked.”

  “Good.”

  “Yeah,” she looked around awkwardly for a moment.

  “Is there anything else?”

  She shrugged lightly. “I just thought that whenever you’re done talking to the detectives I can be the one to show them out. You know, leave a good lasting impression of United Financial.” She leaned forward as if telling him a secret but barely lowered her voice, “I’m kind of a people person.”

  Sunders slowly nodded, trying to hide his cringe. “I see that.” When she wouldn’t budge he opened his door wider so she could see inside. “You actually have pretty good timing. The detectives were just…” Sunders turned his head to see his two guests but only saw an empty office. “Where did they go?” He heard himself ask.

  “Oh no,” Rue said under her breath as she whisked past him and ran to the open window.

  She leaned over the sill to see the blonde and her boyfriend reach the pavement below and disappear down an alley. “Shit!” She cursed as she hopped out of the window. She didn’t have time to take the fire escape step by step. Instead she latched onto the railing and threw her body over the edge. She let go of the steel rail and allowed herself to fall down to the next level where she latched onto another rail. She let go again and fell to the second story, then again and landed on the pavement with bent knees and a light thud. She headed down the alley, trying to pick up her pace. She cursed as she slowed to a stop and took off her high heels. With her shoes in hand she started running; sprinting toward the chain link fence at the end of the alley. The metal links were still shaking from having been scaled by Jessie and her boyfriend. She was closing in on them. Rue dropped her shoes and pushed her legs to carry her faster. She reached the chain link fence and didn’t slow. She outstretched her arms and leapt through the air. Her slender fingers held onto the chain fence and her toes poked through the diamond shaped openings. She scaled the fence in record time and threw herself over the top, landing perfectly on the other side. She took off running again and in no time at all reached the end of the alley, which opened up onto a busy city street flooded with cars and people. With heavy breathing she whipped her head in all directions, looking for Jessie. “No,” she breathed, “No!” She screamed in the midst of a crowd of pedestrians. They all looked at her like she was crazy. Some jumped back, startled. And others just ignored her and continued on their way. Rue couldn’t believe what was happening. Jessie was nowhere to be found and there were too many places and adjacent roads she could have weav
ed through by now. She was long gone.

  Rue was still breathing heavily as she backed out of the street and back into the mouth of the alley. She felt light headed and placed her hand on the brick building beside her to steady herself. She could feel hopelessness suffocating her as she tried to catch her breath. Finding Jessie was the closest she’d come to keeping her promise in almost a decade. Images of her father and mother rushed her brain and she could feel her all encompassing failures weighing her down; her limbs suddenly heavier than cinderblocks. For the first time in nine years Rue couldn’t stop herself from crying.

  “Okay, what the hell is going on?” James called to Regina, who was using her long strides to carry her swiftly down back roads and away from the United Financial building. “Hey!” He picked up his pace and caught up to her. He grabbed onto her arm and forced her to stop. “What the hell?” He began as she turned to look at him. “Why did we just jump down a fire escape? And who was that crazy ninja bitch?”

  Regina hardened her eyes. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

  “Yeah, no shit; how about you start by telling me why I suddenly feel like I’m on America’s Most Wanted.”

  “You wouldn’t understand.” She began walking away again.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t understand?” He followed her. “I just flew across the world incognito because I was afraid gargoyles were monitoring my credit history. I highly doubt you could say anything that would be crazier than that.”