Rena took notes on the back of the printouts as Misty continued to read about his conviction, the trouble in prison, and the experimental cybernetic implants. She shook her head. “He’s definitely been through a lot in his life.”
They returned the file to the agent and Misty looked at Rena as they left. The telepath was too quiet on the way back to the car. Rena chewed her lip as she sat in the passenger seat.
“What?” Misty asked.
“Things just don’t add up with this whole case.” Rena turned to her, frowning. “How come there’s no mention of what he did with the money or where they found it? ULTRA’s hackers can find anything. And another thing. If he’s such a high profile criminal, why are his records only Class II security?”
“You’re right,” Misty said quietly. “We need to talk to Captain Starblast.”
Rena pulled out her cell phone and called the Challengers, making an appointment for the next morning to meet with the city’s most popular hero. She turned to Misty. “Let’s go home and compare notes.”
Rena changed them back to their street clothes. She was silent for a few minutes, then said, “Misty, I’m afraid from here on out, things are going to get very complicated.”
They arrived at the mansion and headed straight for Misty’s room. The cheery yellow walls and flowered curtains were in direct contrast to their mood. The desk was neat with a few papers laying on top of a closed laptop. There weren’t any pens or pencils in the holder so Misty grabbed a pencil and paper from her bedside table as Rena sat on the dark gold carpet with the printouts in front of her.
Misty sat on her bed, her left leg curled in front as her right dangled off the side. “Okay,” Misty said. “Taylor lost his wife thirteen years ago. He grew up in England and was raised by his grandparents. His parents died when he was in his teens, he’s broke and out of work, he’s got a fake left eye and some bizarre connection to ULTRA.” She looked up. “Your turn.”
Rena tapped the pen against her forehead. “Jack McClennan grew up in England, lost his parents in his teens, was raised by his grandparents, and was in the army, Interpol, and ULTRA. He was accused of murdering his wife thirteen years ago. He did time, has cybernetic implants, including his left eye, and is currently on the run from ULTRA.”
Rena looked up, staring at her friend. “Now, Ms. Severin, how much clearer do you need it spelled out? Taylor Tremain is Jack McClennan.”
“Yeah, but...”
“But nothing!” Rena shouted. “Just admit it!”
Misty folded her arms and scowled. “I hate it when you’re right.”
****
The next morning, they stood at Challenger Headquarters, Misty’s hand shaking as she placed it on the scanner. Captain Starblast himself met them at the door, wearing his light blue micro-chainmail, a white star emblazoned on his chest. His brown hair covered the top of his mask and curled at the base of his neck. He wasn’t carrying the star-shaped shield he was famous for as he shook their hands.
He smiled as he escorted them down to the briefing room. “Misty, Rena, always a pleasure to see you. Your message yesterday was very cryptic. I hope I’m able to help you or answer any questions you have.” They entered the briefing room and Cap gestured to the chairs around the table.
Misty sat facing the captain, folding her hands to stop them from trembling. “Can you tell us why Jack McClennan wanted to talk you after he was arrested?” She hesitated. “It’s really important.”
The captain stared at her. “I don’t usually talk about that case. It was one of the hardest I’d ever worked on.” He paused, weighing his words. “After Field Commander McClennan was charged, he called me. He’d insisted he’d been framed and others were involved. He had evidence and told me where to find it.”
He pushed away from the table and began to pace. “I read it and he was the only one mentioned. When I showed it to him, he said what I had wasn’t his original evidence. I checked his claims and found nothing to substantiate what he’d told me. I handed the evidence pack over to the authorities. There was nothing else I could do, no matter what my personal feelings had been.”
He doesn’t want to talk about this, Rena telepathically told Misty. He’s been through almost as much as Jack.
Captain Starblast took a deep breath. “He accused me of tampering with his proof.” He voice lowered and he looked away from the Angels. “That was the first time I’ve ever felt I failed someone who truly needed my help. So for the past thirteen years, I’ve been conducting a quiet investigation on my own. At first, no one would talk to me, but then I found signs he was right. And I believe it’s still going on.”
Misty jumped to her feet and leaned on the table. “You mean there actually is a secret group selling information under ULTRA’s nose?”
The hero nodded. “I’m still gathering evidence, but I’m doing it slowly so no one suspects.”
“There’s a woman in the file room,” Rena said. “Her name’s Amy Rogers. She might know something that could help you.”
“Thanks, Cap. You’ve been a big help,” Misty said. As they headed out, she turned to Rena. “We need to find Taylor or Jack or whatever he calls himself.”
****
As soon as the Angels left, Captain Starblast made a decision to see Agent Rogers as soon as possible. He sat at the conference table, remembering everything that had happened.
He remembered walking into the weapons locker at ULTRA. He’d found the envelope and for a brief moment, he knew everything would be all right. Then he opened it and read the documents. The captain felt his heart sink all over again as he remembered reading the file that only mentioned his friend.
At the prison, he’d had to fight back the anger when he saw how beaten Jack had been. He’d wanted to go storming to the warden and demand Jack be better protected but knew in his gut that would’ve only made things worse. So he sat, silent and stoic as Jack read the file, then threw it at him.
He could still see the hate in Jack’s eyes as he was led away after threatening to kill him next time they met. He felt his fingers curl into fists and he slammed it down on the table at the past injustice done to Jack McClennan. “I will set this right, Jack,” he whispered. “I promise you.”
Chapter Eleven
Jack arrived at his country house, entering through the back door, and heading straight for his room. He remembered the way Misty had looked as she slept, her hair fanned out over the pillow, the covers not reaching her shoulder, her breathing deep and even. Her hand had curled under her chin and she’d looked like an angel laying there. And he had snuck out. He shook his head, his heart aching at how he’d left her.
He threw his jacket on the bed and rang for his butler on his way to the bathroom. “Liar, thief, killer, and now you can add coward,” he grumbled. “Keep racking up those good qualities, hero.”
“You’re home, sir. What can I do?” the butler asked outside the bathroom door.
“Is Frank DiNello here?” Jack shouted.
“Yes sir. He was getting concerned that you weren’t back when you said. Shall I send him in?”
Jack ran water in the sink and grabbed his razor. “Would you, please?”
“Right away, sir.”
“You summoned me, o master?” Frank said as Jack came out of the bathroom. “It never ceases to amaze me how you can change your appearance so completely. A wig and new eye color and you look completely different.” Jack now had short, black hair and no accent. He’d put in contact lenses and presto, there stood one of the most successful businessmen on the east coast.
Jack threw a shirt and a pair of pants on the bed. “I was always good at disguise.” He paused. “I have to send Amy back to ULTRA. I’ve got no choice.”
“Why?”
“It’s Misty’s friend, Rena.” He threw what he had been wearing on the floor by the hamper and dressed in tan khakis and a polo shirt. “Something about her screams ‘hero.’”
Frank laced his fingers toge
ther and leaned forward. “How can you tell?”
Jack rubbed his chin. “If you met her, you’d know. When she looks at you, it’s like she knows every thought in your head. In case she starts poking around, I want to know who I’m dealing with.” He closed his eyes. “Amy has to go back.”
“Isn’t there any other way?” Frank asked quietly.
Jack shook his head. “Hacking in from outside will alert them.” He laid a hand on Frank’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.’’
The older man got up. “Me too.”
****
Amy ran Rena’s name and description through the database. Her skin broke out in goose bumps and her stomach turned sour as she read the screen that popped up. “Oh, brother,” she mumbled. “This can’t be good.”
Her name was Rena Kalamus and she was a telepath, one of the stronger ones in the area. She was a member of the Angels hero team, her code name, Charm. Amy copied the entire Angels file, burned it to a CD, and stuffed it in her purse.
If Rena was a hero and Misty’s friend, what did that make Misty? Was her friend in danger from the two of them? Were the Angels adding themselves to the list of heroes trying to make a name for themselves by bringing in the notorious Scavenger?
“Jack, you owe me big for this,” she muttered.
The desk agent poked his head in to ask her something and stopped. “You okay, Amy? You look kind of sick.”
She gave him a weak smile. “Yeah. It’s just been a long year today.”
****
George Fenmore sat at his desk in the Council’s hidden offices, turning a pencil over and over. ULTRA Commander Frailer was breathing down his neck for results. Not to mention, his own inner circle, the Council Leaders were not pleased by the amount of money Jack McClennan was costing them.
An agent burst into his office. “Scavenger has been sighted, sir.”
Finally! “Assemble Alpha squad and my personal car. I intend to make sure there are no slip-ups.”
“Yes, sir.” The agent saluted and left.
Fenmore yanked open a bottom drawer on his desk and pulled out a silver device. He held it up to the light and studied it briefly. It was round with a flat side and recessed needle-like grips that would open when activated to hold to whatever it was placed on. He bounced it once in his hand.
“Now, Jackie boy, if this cybernetic scrambler doesn’t make you see reason, nothing will.” He grabbed his jacket and hurried to meet his troops.
****
After taking care of some business matters at the country house, Jack retrieved his armor and went out as Scavenger to pick up more information. All of his usual sources were gone. He shook his head. Whoever said silence was golden was a fool. Even Mexico had disappeared and that worried him more than anything.
“Bloody hell,” he muttered. “How can I do anything if I can’t find anyone?” He hurried across the dimly lit, deserted parking lot, stopping short when Cyber-X stepped out from the shadow of the large, brick, building at the edge of the lot.
“We meet again, Scavenger,” the mercenary said. He gestured to Jack’s armor and weapons. “It’s nice to see you’re prepared this time.”
Jack stepped back. “What, no shot in the back? That was pretty low, even for you.”
Cyber-X shrugged. “Just trying to get your attention. Fine looking woman you were with that night. Anyone I know?”
Jack’s anger began its slow burn in his gut. “I don’t think so.”
“Too bad.” Cyber-X threw a straight punch at his target’s chest.
Jack blocked it, catching him in the jaw with a right cross. The mercenary grabbed his right arm, twisting it up behind him. He pushed it higher and grinned.
“Just surrender,” he hissed, “and make this easy on everyone.”
“I can’t. Not until I’ve finished what I’ve started.”
Cyber-X shook his head. “All that time in prison, and you still haven’t learned. What a pity.”
“I’m no traitor, but believe what you want. It makes no difference to me.”
Jack kicked backwards twice in quick succession, catching the mercenary in the crotch. He spun around, driving his fist down to keep Cyber-X off balance. Cyber-X surged up, his fist smashing into Jack’s face, splitting his lip. Jack dropped, taking out the hunter’s feet with a leg sweep.
Cyber-X yanked Jack to his feet and spun him around so his back was to him. Cyber-X wound up with a haymaker and slammed his fist with all the built up energy around it into his right kidney. Jack clutched his side as he dropped to his knees.
I should’ve upgraded this body armor. His breath hissed through clenched teeth as he watched the mercenary loom over him.
“Good work,” said a nasal voice. Fenmore stepped out from the darkness, his squad lining up behind him. “Come to my office tomorrow, and you’ll receive the other half of your fee.” He scowled. “I should dock you for the time it took you to finish the assignment.”
Jack glared at Cyber-X. “Damn you. You couldn’t even work for the clean ULTRA. You had to soil your hands with him.”
Cyber-X frowned. “What?”
Fenmore stalked over, pulling the scrambler from his pocket. “You may go, mercenary. I no longer need your services.”
Cyber-X shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’ll be at your office early and you’d better have all my cash.”
****
Jack tried to rise to his feet as he scanned possible exits. The squad moved closer to him, raising their rifles higher.
“Don’t get up, Jack,” Fenmore said, a cold smile on his face. “I like you on your knees at my feet.” He gestured to the agents behind him. “This squad is my own creation. They’ve got firepower even the head of ULTRA doesn’t know about. Try to run, and they’ll cut you in half.”
Jack didn’t doubt Fenmore’s words. The rifles they carried had only been prototypes when he was in. He stayed where he was, hoping he’d have a chance to get away and frowned when Fenmore waved a small device in front of his face.
“Know what this is?” Fenmore asked. “It’s a cybernetic scrambler. It going to prevent your escape, and it’s going to hurt.” He grinned. “A lot. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to do this.”
He motioned two agents closer. “Hold him.” The agents held his arms tightly as Fenmore pulled Jack’s collar out and slammed the device against his neck.
Fire and ice shot through Jack’s body and the needles dug into his neck. He screamed as he was let go and nausea fought with the agony that slammed through his body as he hit the ground. The slightest movement sent fresh, searing pain raging through him. His breath rattled in his chest as light exploded behind his eyes, and he welcomed the blackness that quickly crashed over him.
****
Cyber-X cringed when Jack screamed. He watched the renegade fall at Fenmore’s feet.
He lifted his goggles, his eyes hard. He didn’t know what Fenmore did to the renegade, but he did know he didn’t like it. Yes, the ex-field commander was a criminal, yes, he was dangerous, and yes, he needed to be returned to prison. Somehow, he didn’t think prison was what Fenmore was planning for Jack McClennan
He reached into an upper pocket on his vest and pulled out a small grenade. He glanced at it, then looked toward the agents loading Jack in a black van and grinned. “Nothing says rescue like a good old fashioned flash bang,” he said, bouncing the grenade once in his hand.
Chapter Twelve
Fenmore slammed his hands on the desk making the pens and pencils jump. “What do you mean, he got away?” He himself had brought the outlaw down. All they had to do was drive him in. “Can’t you morons do anything right?”
“We got him in the van, when we heard something,” the agent stammered. “We checked out the noise and got hit with a flash grenade. When we recovered, the prisoner was gone.”
Fenmore glared at the agent. “So, obviously, you have no idea who it was or what they looked like, right?”
“We didn’t see anyone
, sir,” the agent insisted. “Just the grenade. It could’ve been Cyber-X. He’s rarely seen before he attacks.”
“Cyber-X is on our payroll. He got the contract from us.” Fenmore rubbed his chin, his eyes narrowing. “McClennan may have a larger force than we thought.” He shook his head. “It’s a shame those two agents of his didn’t live through our questioning. I know I could’ve gotten what I wanted from them.”
The agent stood silent, waiting for his next instruction.
Fenmore sat down at his desk. “It’s time I had help with our tracker.” He picked up the phone. “Get Donald Harrington on the phone.” He glared at the trembling agent in front of his desk. “Get out.”
****
Amy’s grip tightened on her cell phone. “What do you mean he can’t be found? You always know where he is, Frank.”
“Not this time.” He paused. “I’m worried.”
Amy could hear it in his voice. Frank wasn’t worried. He was scared, and she shook, his fear bleeding into her. “Call me if you hear anything, even if it’s just a rumor.”
“Will do.”
Amy snapped her phone shut and stared at the stack of papers on her desk. She pulled a file from the top and opened it. The words blurred before her eyes as she read it three times and still didn’t know what it said. I should’ve gone home, she thought.
An all too familiar and extremely unwelcome voice drifted to her from the outer office. Not him. Not now. She rose on trembling legs and went to greet the visitor.
“Hello, Captain Starblast. Can I help you?” she asked, praying her voice wouldn’t shake.
“Good morning, Agent Rogers,” the captain said. “May I speak with you privately?”
She smiled. “Of course.” She turned to the counter agent. “I don’t wish to be disturbed. This way.”
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