Bedeviled Angel

by Annette Miller

  “It’s about time you got home,” said a familiar voice.

  He moved to the front of the couch and there lay Rena, reading one of the few books he still owned. He backed up a few paces. “What are you doing here? And how the bloody hell did you find me?”

  “Really? You have to ask that?” She rolled her eyes and stood when he scowled. “Fine. I saw this location when I telepathically contacted you about Amy. And don’t shout. It’s not polite.” She moved around the coffee table to stand in front of him. “I’m here to talk to you about your relationship with Misty, seeing as how you’ve completely screwed everything up.”

  He could tell from her stance and the look on her face she wasn’t impressed with his armor, his temper, or with him in general. “Say your piece and leave.”

  She shrugged. “Okay.” She pulled her arm back and laid a hard right cross to his cheek, boosting her strength with her telekinesis. She smiled as she watched his head rock back.

  He grabbed her arm and twisted it out to the side. “What do you think you’re doing?”

  “I was trying to knock some sense into you.” She telekinetically pulled his fingers from her arm. “But I was mistaken. You don’t have any sense to knock in.”

  Jack stepped away from her, rubbing his jaw as he eyed her warily. Telepaths always made him jittery. “Why shouldn’t I shoot you right now?”

  Rena clenched her fists and closed her eyes. He could see her lips moving and realized she was counting. When she reached ten, she looked at him again. “Try it and see where that rifle ends up.”

  He stalked to the bedroom, and Rena followed him. “Look, you idiot, why can’t you just admit you were wrong? Just get the hell over yourself, and tell her you love her. I know it, and you know it. Misty is so messed up because of you, and you need to set it right.”

  Jack threw his rifle on the bed. “I can’t, don’t you understand? I’m a wanted man. The only end I see to this whole thing is with me dead or in prison. Do you think I want to bring her down to that?”

  “You’ve ripped out her heart!” Rena shouted. “You think she’d care if you were in prison as long as you still loved her? She loves you, and I have no idea why!”

  There it was again. That weird ability to make people shout. He had no idea why Misty still loved him, either. He threw his sword on the bed next to the rifle, took off his knife and pistol and began removing his body armor.

  “I want to tell her everything she wants to hear,” he murmured. “It’s just impossible. Every time I go out, something else inside me breaks. One day, I’ll slow down, and that’ll be the end. I couldn’t do that to her.”

  He lifted his head and looked around him. “There used to be so much more to my life. I had a house in the suburbs, a wonderful wife.” He paused. “Love.” He turned to Rena. “I was actually human then.” He pulled at the synthetic skin on his arm. “I’m more machine than man these days. With everything that’s happened, everything I’ve done, it’s put me on a long road to nowhere.”

  “I’ve seen in your mind what you’ve been through, and no one should ever have to endure all that.” She stepped closer to him. “Let her help you. You have to let the healing begin sometime. You’ve already let pain and anger fester in you for thirteen long years. Let it go. Find that part of you that still loves, that still trusts, and give it to Misty. You won’t be sorry.”

  Jack considered her words. Did he still have that small part that believed? “How do I know you’re not telepathically influencing me?”

  She laid her hand on his arm. “If I was in your noggin, you’d know.” She smiled. “At least think about it.”

  Jack stared at her, before slowly nodding. “I’ll think about it.”

  Rena blew out a breath. “I’ll take it.” She headed for the door. “And Jack, you’re not the only one to doubt their humanity. At least you started human. I still don’t know what I am.” She waved over her shoulder. “See you around, field commander.”

  ****

  Jack stored his gear and sat on the couch, drinking his last beer. Rena’s words stayed with him as he slowly savored the cold brew in his hands. “Trust,” he murmured. “Can I still trust?”

  He thought about his wife, and then Misty. He’d trusted Carol completely in their days at ULTRA. He’d even trusted Misty in some pretty serious situations. He went to his desk and pulled out Carol’s picture. Sitting back down, he traced her face with his finger.

  His chest grew tight, and his eyes burned. He laid his head back, pictures of the past flooding his mind no matter how hard he tried to banish them.

  Frank and Amy dropped him off at the corner and took off, just like he told them to. He ran for his house and grabbed Carol as she waited for him on the porch.

  “We’ve got to get out of here,” he told her.

  Carol shook her head. “They’re on to you. They knew you were coming.”

  “That’s right,” Fenmore said as he appeared behind her with a gun pointed at them. “Inside.”

  Jack gazed at his wife. “It’ll be all right. Don’t worry.”

  The agents forced them inside, and Jack was pushed into a chair. Donald Harrington walked out of the dining room. Jack watched him as he stood there, staring down.

  “Well, Jackie boy, you’ve stirred up quite the hornets’ nest,” he said, smiling an oily grimace that made Jack’s skin crawl. “Just tell us what we want to know, and the two of you will get out of this without a scratch.”

  Jack eyed the gun in Harrington’s shoulder holster. “No scratches,” he said. “Just a couple of bullet holes.”

  Harrington folded his hands. “We just want what evidence you’ve gathered, and to know who you’ve told. You’re a good agent.” He looked at Carol then back. “Maybe a little too good. Just tell us everything, and you’ll be free to go.”

  Jack stared up at him. “Now, why don’t I believe you?”

  Fenmore stepped forward. “It’s true. The Council doesn’t want any more trouble than necessary. Give us the information, and you’re done with us.”

  Jack was silent as he watched Fenmore walk over to Carol and pull her to her feet.

  “Surely, you’re prepared to be sensible,” he said. He nodded to an agent who pulled a long knife from his boot. “Open him up.”

  The agent ripped the knife down Jack’s arm, making him cry out. Fenmore smiled as he watched Jack’s blood well and drip on the carpet.

  “Tell us what we want to know, or I’ll have him gutted,” Fenmore said. They moved in again, and Carol cried out.

  “I don’t know anything. Jack hasn’t told anyone what information he has. No one knows where it is.” She grabbed Fenmore’s jacket. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

  Jack watched his enemies. He scanned the room and knew it was now or never. He sprung from the chair, driving his fist into the knife wielder’s face. He blocked a punch from a man behind him and saw Carol take out Harrington from the corner of his eye. They made it to the front door, when a bullet ripped through his leg, dropping him to one knee.

  “Carol, get out of here.”

  She pulled him to his feet. “Not without you.”

  The agents jumped them, and they were brought back to the living room where Jack was, again, shoved into the chair, and Carol was held by Harrington.

  Fenmore glared at him. “That was inconvenient. Now, Jack, is what she said true?”

  Jack felt warm blood run down his leg and watched more drip from his fingers. Fenmore backhanded him. “Answer me.”

  Jack nodded. “It’s true. No one knows but me.”

  “Where’s the evidence?” Fenmore turned the gun to Carol. “Don’t make me ask again.”

  “Carol, I’m sorry,” Jack whispered.

  She smiled at him, and he could see in her eyes that she knew what was coming. “It’s all right. Just tell them, and then everything will be all right.”

  Fenmore hit him again, and Jack felt his lip split. “You’re wasting time.”
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  “It’s in my office at ULTRA,” he said. “Let her go.”

  Fenmore smiled. “Thank you, Jack. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” He pointed the gun at Carol. “But loose ends cannot be left hanging.” And he pulled the trigger, filling the room with the acrid stink of gunpowder, and Carol jerked backwards.

  Jack surged out of the chair. “No!” he screamed, hitting everyone in his path.

  He grabbed Carol and held her close as her blood soaked through his clothes and covered his hands. Tears streamed down his face as he screamed her name, again and again and again.

  Something hit the back of his head, and that was all he knew until he awoke in jail.

  Jack rubbed his eyes, trying to focus on the present. That same scene had been his constant companion for thirteen years. He’d sat there helpless while his wife was murdered. He was supposed to protect her. He was, after all, one of the good guys. A hero. He frowned. He hated that word and everything that went with it. As far as he was concerned, the whole hero population could go straight to hell.

  But now, he had Misty, and she was one of them. She was not only a hero, but an ULTRA liaison. The two things he hated most in one beautiful, selfless woman. She knew all about him and still wanted to help him. All she asked for was his trust, but he hadn’t trusted heroes in a long time.

  “I don’t think I can change,” he whispered as darkness began to fill the warehouse.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  George sat behind his desk, staring at Donald. He was beginning to regret bringing him in. If it wasn’t for the other man’s ties with the Leaders, he’d get rid of him and do the job himself. Donald had told him about his encounter with the maid in exceedingly graphic detail, like he’d wanted to know.

  “You’re having no better luck than I am,” Fenmore said quietly.

  Harrington smoothed his pants. “You think I don’t know that? We should pick up the woman he’s been seen with lately. If that doesn’t bring him out in the open, nothing will.”

  “Bring her here.” Fenmore leaned forward. “And this time, don’t get sidetracked.”

  Harrington narrowed his eyes and nodded once. “When everything’s over, George, I’ll do as I please with her.”

  ****

  The afternoon sun was covered by fluffy white clouds as Jack prowled the streets, his armor feeling like it weighed more than usual. He had paced the warehouse one too many times, stared at the phone, one too many times. He’d almost gotten himself under control when Rena showed up and started all those disturbing thoughts all over again. Taking to the streets seemed the best course of action.

  He saw his informant shuffle by. Talking to someone, anyone, would help. He leaped off the building, landing behind the street man as he turned down the alley.

  “Evening, Mexico.”

  Mexico, jumped, then smiled, seeing who said his name. He straightened up and lost the heavy Spanish accent he used around everyone else. “Hey, Jack. What brings you this way tonight?”

  Jack shrugged. “Not much. Didn’t feel like sitting home. Heard anything new?”

  Mexico shook his head. “Not a peep. It’s not like ULTRA to suddenly clam up. Fenmore’s crowd is probably planning something big. Watch your back, boss. I don’t like the way things feel these days.”

  “I know what you mean.” Jack looked around, almost feeling the city hold its breath, as if it knew something bad was coming. He handed a wad of bills to Mexico. “Here. How much longer are you going to be sponging off me?”

  The Hispanic man grinned. “As long as you’re paying the bills, I see this going on for a long time.” As he took the money, the edge of tattoo peeked out from his jacket cuff on his wrist.

  Jack grabbed his arm, pushing the sleeve up and smiled. “The old Gravedigger emblem. I’d almost forgotten what it looked like. You know, if anyone recognizes that, you’re a dead man.”

  “Live on the edge or not at all,” Mexico said. “Isn’t that what we used to say?”

  Jack nodded. “Yeah, but this edge is getting sharper all the time. Be careful.”

  Mexico grabbed him in a tight hug. Stepping back, he gripped his friend’s shoulders. “You too, Jack.”

  ****

  Misty and Rena walked back to Misty’s apartment. Rena glanced at her. “Will you be okay?”

  Misty nodded. “I’ll be fine. Go back to the mansion.”

  “Hey. I know he loves you. Hold on to that.”

  Misty nodded again, unlocking her apartment as her friend headed toward the elevators. She wandered through her home, seeing him everywhere. He sat there, on her couch. He held her there, by the door. She couldn’t even look at the bedroom, remembering the passion they’d shared.

  Misty went to the kitchen, taking out things to make something to eat, then putting them back. She walked back out to the living room and sank down on the couch, clutching a throw pillow to her chest. “Damn you, Jack McClennan. I love you.”

  “That’s just what I wanted to hear.” Harrington stepped out of the darkness, flanked by two agents.

  Misty shot to her feet. Why didn’t Rena sense them? “What do you want?”

  Harrington folded his arms while he looked her over. “We’re taking you to ULTRA. Our ULTRA.”

  Misty walked around the couch to be in a better position to defend herself. “I don’t think so. I know who you are and I know what you’ve done.” Misty engaged her power and stuck her intangible hand into the windpipe of the nearest agent and partially solidified, cutting off his air.

  A laser passed through her and she turned, coming back to the solid plane and hitting the agent who fired with an open palm strike before he could re-calibrate his weapon. She was turning desolid again when Harrington’s voice stopped her.

  “You wouldn’t think of leaving, would you?” He opened her front door, and an agent came in, carrying Rena’s unconscious form. “I would hate for anything to happen to your friend.”

  Misty’s chest grew tight as icy fingers clamped around her heart. She couldn’t draw a decent breath to loosen the chill that gripped her. If they decided to kill Rena, she wouldn’t be able to stop them. She lifted her gaze to Harrington. “You win,” she growled. “But if you hurt her, you’ll regret it.”

  Harrington smiled. “I knew you’d see it my way. Drop her and let’s go.”

  The agent dumped Rena on the floor and, as they stepped over her, Misty tried to see if she was all right as she was shoved out the door and herded into a waiting van.

  ****

  Misty was locked in a barren, white room. She paced the confines, stopping every few steps to glare at the door. In a weird way, she missed all the usual interrogation items. There should’ve been a two-way mirror, a metal table with spindly legs, and at least two uncomfortable chairs.

  When Harrington said “our ULTRA” she had a feeling she wouldn’t be seeing the usual agents walking around. She definitely knew she wouldn’t come across Commander Frailer. She sighed. However, she wasn’t expecting to be dumped in a room and left alone for who knew how long.

  She glanced at the door again. “What the heck are they waiting for?”

  The door opened and a thin man with small round glasses and wearing an expensive suit walked in. He was the ULTRA psychologist that had been on the newscast and also the man from the restaurant when she and Rena had spoken to Amy. “Good evening, miss. I’m George Fenmore. Please tell me what you know about Jack McClennan.”

  Misty stared at him. Fluorescent light was definitely not kind to him. It showed the pallor of his skin, the wrinkles on his face. “According to your interview on NewsLine, you used to work with him and were friends. Shouldn’t you know everything by now?”

  He stepped closer to her. “Don’t try my patience. Just tell me where he is and you can go.”

  Misty backed away from him, the strong smell of his over-used cologne making her want to gag. “I don’t know where he is right now. He always came for me. I don’t know where he lives.”r />
  “That’s unfortunate.” Fenmore checked his watch. “I have another appointment. I’ll be back later to continue this discussion.”

  “Don’t do me any favors,” she mumbled as he walked out.

  Misty tried to trigger her desolidification, but couldn’t get her power to work. She examined the room and noticed small round devices set into the ceiling at each corner. As lights flashed when she tried to activate her powers, she knew exactly what they were. “Stupid power inhibitors,” she grumbled.

  She sat down. One thing left to try. Hopefully, she could get a telepathic message out. She refused to consider that Rena wasn’t in a state to hear her down the link they shared. She crossed her fingers and, steadying her breathing, sent a message to her friend.

  “Please hear me, Red,” she whispered.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I must be alive,” Rena mumbled. “I hurt too much to be dead.”

  She groaned and pushed herself up. The pounding in her skull matched the flip-flopping her stomach was doing every time she moved. She closed her eyes, cradling her head.

  “Psychic shields should be against the law.” She rubbed the back of her neck. The pounding continued, and it finally dawned on her that someone was at the door.

  Rena staggered over and threw it open. Seeing Jack, she frowned. “Just what I need. Of all the people to drop by, it had to be Mr. Congeniality.”

  Jack walked in, closing the door as he watched Rena walk to the couch. “What’s wrong? Where’s Misty?”

  “I don’t know,” Rena mumbled as she continued to hold her head.

  He sat next to her. “What do you mean, ‘you don’t know’?”

  “I mean those imbeciles you’re mixed up with took her, you idiot!” Rena shouted, realizing too late, that was a mistake. She groaned and massaged her temples.

  “Bloody hell.” He got up and began to pace. “How long ago?”