Wanted

by Ho, Jo

  Chase woke, instantly alert. She gave me a wary look. “Morning,” she said, as she dove into her bag before surfacing with several energy bars that she handed out between them. At least the girl had some manners.

  “We’re gonna have to get him more appropriate food. That much sugar isn’t good for him.”

  Stomach cramping from hunger, I nibbled on my own bar, though the sickly sweetness made me wince. I wasn’t a breakfast guy normally, but I needed the energy. What I wouldn’t have done for a cup of java.

  “So what’s the plan,” Chase asked.

  I forced the rest of the granola bar down my throat.

  “We need to find a way to communicate with Bandit that’s a little more than yes and no. Those men will probably be coming after us, and the more we know about them, the better off we’ll be.”

  “But what can we use?” Chase wondered aloud.

  “Something cheap. We don’t have much.” I replied.

  At that, Chase grinned.

  “Well, I’m kinda an expert on that.” She stood up. “Come on.”

  CHAPTER 33

  THE MERCENARY

  The Mercenary raged inside the empty van.

  After they’d set fire to the clinic, The Mercenary’s men had combed the streets until dawn, but the trio had disappeared. Vanished into thin air.

  The Mercenary thumped the steering wheel with his fist. Pain shot through his hand, but he welcomed it with a twisted delight. He had had them in his grasp! If only those damned dogs hadn’t attacked!

  He knew for sure what had happened: Alpha had set those mutts on them. The worrying thought wormed through his brain, boring into the back of his eyes, making his head throb. In all the tests run at The Facility, nothing like this had ever happened. Could Alpha control other dogs, or had he simply asked? The Mercenary reported his findings to Dr. Robbins, but her reaction had disgusted him. She had been excited! She considered the dog an ever-evolving marvel, but The Mercenary knew the truth. Alpha was a freak who needed to be put down. And he was the man to do it.

  The Mercenary flipped open his cell and dialled a number he kept for special occasions. The call was answered after a few rings by a curt male voice.

  “Chicago PD?”

  “Well, if it isn’t Danny boy! How’s pop?” he asked with something as close to enthusiasm as he could muster.

  “Uncle? Hey, how are you old man?”

  “Less of the old, thank you,” he retorted.

  “We’re all doing great. Dad caught a twenty pound rockbass over the weekend. Hasn’t shut up about it since.”

  The Mercenary smiled thinly, tapping his foot, impatient to get to the crux of the call. “But did he skin and cook it, or toss it back into the river?”

  “What do you think?”

  “Always the weakest link, my kid brother.”

  “So what can I do for you? Is this a social call?” Daniel asked.

  Finally! “Afraid not, son. I need a favor. I’m on a case about a missing girl. Young Caucasian, around fourteen? First name’s Chase, but that’s all I got.”

  “No worries. I’ll run it through the database, see what we can dig up.”

  The Mercenary smiled dangerously.

  “Thanks son. And when you’ve done that, I’m gonna need another favor from you…”

  CHAPTER 34

  CHASE

  On a scale of one to crazy this was definitely in the insane range. I felt like every person in the place was watching us.

  We were in another generic mall. It was a Saturday, so the place was heaving with kids and families out to damage their wallets. Just like us. Me, my dad, and our guide dog. Only, Sully’s wallet was looking pretty empty so our mission today? Get to a cashpoint and withdraw the hell outta it.

  While Sully and I were on edge, constantly looking over our shoulders for any soldier types who might be after us, Bandit was having a whale dog of a time. This was only his second time in a place like this (the first being practically empty), but here, Bandit couldn’t get enough of the noise, the bright lights, and smells. He was sniffing everything he could get his nose on. Including people. It was hugely embarrassing.

  For his part, Sully tried to act like this was no big deal, but there was something in the way his shoulders slumped, how he dragged his feet. I would never admit it, but I was feeling kinda bad for him. I’m not really the touchy feely type though, so I focused on the the mall directory and located what we needed on the map with a finger.

  “It’s just down there,” I pointed.

  Sully looked at where my finger was.

  “That’s your big idea?” He didn’t bother to hide his scepticism.

  “Look, this is my area of expertise. I guess you wouldn’t know that, living where you lived, but this is what I know. ” I headed off before he could ask any more inane questions and looked down at Bandit. “What do you say boy, want to go shopping?” I asked. He grinned at me and picked up the pace. Sully saw his reaction and patted his pockets worriedly.

  “Let’s keep it light, OK?”

  Moments later we stepped into my favorite place in the whole world, The Dollar Store. Seriously, if you’ve never been in one, you don’t know what you’re missing. They have everything in this place. E-very-thing.

  On my left was the cleaning section containing all kinds of amazing products that you’ve never heard of. From an eraser sponge to white vinegar spray — the most organic and best cleaner out there apparently, but whiffy I’d bet. Ahead of me stood the gardening section where tools were going for a dollar! And plastic nets for growing vegetables, and oooh, a red gnome! On the far side was the food aisle, where my feet naturally wanted to head, but that wasn’t what we came here for. I silently commanded them to obey and we — my feet and I — were about to move to the back of the store when Bandit took off down an aisle. Sully stopped me from following.

  “I think I know where he’s going. I’ll go after him, you get the stuff.”

  Sensing there wasn’t anything to fear in this place, I nodded and ambled to the back, following the signs until I found what I was looking for — books. But not thick, heavy tomes — who reads those, right? I grabbed bright and colorful children’s books, ones suitable for a child just learning how to read. I wasn’t sure what Bandit’s reading age would be, so I grabbed one of each, up until age six. After that the books had fewer pictures and weighed a ton more.

  I made my way to the cashier, but the quickest route there was to detour past the food. I took that as a sign from the Universe. Juices flooded my mouth as soon as I saw the breathtaking range on offer. It’s just insane what you could get in here, especially when you compared it to other places. I once snuck into a Wholefoods just to see what the fuss was all about. The prices made my eyes water, no joke.

  Almost of their own accord, my fingers plucked several heart attack-inducing cakes from the shelves, curling around the satisfying weight of them. We had to eat I justified to myself and chocolate is good for energy. It’s what rock climbers and survivalists carry4 for emergencies.

  Within seconds, my arms were piled so high, I could barely see over them. You’re probably wondering why I didn’t just use one of those baskets? Well, I normally don’t get to shop for more than a handful of things at a time, so it never crossed my mind. Rounding a corner, I almost crashed into the others. Bandit had the goofiest grin I’d ever seen on him, and in his mouth, he carried a bone so big, it looked like it could’ve been the leg of a horse or something. Sully’s arms were loaded up too, with dog kibble, some other random stuff, and a backpack of his own. Despite everything he was going through, Sully’s face was a picture of amazement.

  “They have bags in here, for a few dollars! I’ve bought coffee that costs more than this!”

  I couldn’t help my grin. “Told ya.”

  Sully’s eyes were wide, unable to comprehend it all.

  “How do they make money at these prices?”

  “I don’t think they’re doing ba
dly,” I replied, gesturing at the heaving store full of customers. We dumped everything in front of the cashier and she tallied up the items. Her hands moved so fast they were almost a blur.

  “That’s twenty-five dollars,” she said. We looked at the four bags full of stuff we’d just packed. Sully couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he handed the bills to her.

  “First time in a dollar store. Won’t be my last.”

  The cashier gave him a baleful look and kept silent. Clearly she wasn’t as excited by this place as we were. Fool. She forked over his change.

  “Thanks for coming to your one stop family shop,” she intoned emotionlessly, already reaching for the next customer’s purchases.

  Sully shoved everything into his new backpack and we left the store.

  CHAPTER 35

  CHASE

  We’d gone a little way when Sully pointed across the mall at a Bank of America. I knew it was too risky for us to go inside, what with all the cameras bank’s usually had. We wanted to draw as little attention to ourselves as possible, so Bandit and I were back in “disguise.” Still, a blind kid with a dog gets noticed. He handed me his backpack, and I decided to wait by the indoor water fountain while Sully made the withdrawal. Well technically, Bandit decided this for us when he forgot our little charade for a moment and bounded towards the gushing display. Luckily, a kindly woman helped “guide” me to him. I had to explain he was still young and in the process of being trained. Afterwards, Bandit hung his head like I’d berated him when I really hadn’t. Who knew the dog would be so sensitive?

  We sat by the fountain and watched as Sully slipped his card into an ATM. He keyed in his password, but something flashed across the screen that I couldn’t make out. I could see the concerned expression on Sully’s face though, all the way from over here. I stood up as a metallic taste flooded my mouth; I had bitten the inside of my cheek. Happens a lot when I get nervous. Like now.

  Sully tried his password again. This time the whole screen flashed red. Then a high pitched alarm sounded from within the bank.

  So much for not drawing attention.

  Everyone in the mall was now looking in his direction. Sully backed away from the ATM looking stunned. He turned, found my face in the crowd, and mouthed one word at me.

  “RUN.”

  CHAPTER 36

  SULLY

  It all happened so fast, I hadn’t had time to process it. I typed in the correct password, but the following message had flashed up on the screen:

  Return the dog to us now and you and the girl will be spared.

  We only want the dog.

  Press #1 for our team to begin extraction.

  The message stayed on the screen just long enough for me to take it all in, before it vanished, swallowing my card in the process. I could barely fathom it. They’d gotten into my account! The speed these people worked at, and how wide their net had been cast, was absolutely terrifying.

  I had just begun to register the fact that we wouldn’t get far without any cash when the alarm had sounded. It seemed every face in the mall turned to me. Even though I had done nothing wrong, I froze, and it was this moment of hesitation that undid me. A flurry of activity came from within the bank. Security guards raced towards me, guns raised.

  I turned and searched frantically for Chase. Picking out her face from the crowd, I mouthed RUN, then bolted in the opposite direction, clear, even in the heat of the moment, that our best chance of not being caught would be if we split up.

  I charged past startled shoppers and hurdled over a bench, but it had been some time since I’d participated in any school sports days. Technique all wrong, I came down heavy on one foot. A sharp pain shot through my ankle. I winced and pushed on, but at a slower pace, favoring my left leg. Seeing a guard approaching my flank, I swerved into a packed food hall.

  “Hey, you! Stop right there!” The guard shouted.

  I ignored him, weaving quickly through the shocked diners. Every step causing increasing pain, when I finally saw a way out, sequestered between the Chinese and Italian booths. I was three feet from the exit when a tattooed-covered cook swung a steel pan at me.

  Pain EXPLODED in my stomach.

  I crashed to the floor, hands over my stomach, gasping for breath.

  CHAPTER 37

  SULLY

  The pain ricocheted inside my stomach, tearing through my guts. I could do nothing but try to breathe through it all. The cook stood over me, holding the pan, grinning smugly.

  “He’s over here!” Applause broke out among the diners, enjoying the impromptu show. Boots thundered to my side, and I felt myself hoisted unceremoniously onto my feet. My arms were jerked behind me, and handcuffs slapped onto my wrists. The cool metal bit into me, threatening to cut off my circulation.

  “Loosen up on the shackles,” I growled, but my captor, an overweight rent-a-guard, only pulled tighter on my binds, enjoying the grimace this caused. Still winded from the chase, his cheeks were flushed an ugly red. Perspiration dripped from his forehead and ran in rivulets down his face. I noted the name sewn onto his uniform: “Sholtz, Henry”.

  Sholtz breathed into my face.

  “Looky here, first catch of the day.” It wasn’t a pleasant experience since his breath reeked of smoke and coffee. Throw in a doughnut and we’d have ourselves every cop cliche under the sun, I thought. I leaned away from the other man.

  “Someone could do with a mint.”

  Sholtz’s cheeks turned even redder if that was possible. All niceness disappeared from his eyes. “This way, scumbag.”

  He shoved me through the food hall, past the cheering diners, and into an elevator. With every step, my eyes roamed the area, searching for a blind girl and her dog, feeling relieved when I couldn’t see them. Hopefully, they were long gone by now.

  Sholtz punched B on the control panel and the elevator doors pinged closed. I watched the floor numbers descending. Basement. Why does it have to be the basement?

  “Exactly what am I being detained for?” I asked.

  My guard shot me a disgusted look.

  “Like you don’t know.”

  “Tell you what, let’s assume I’m innocent until proven otherwise and oblivious to the crime. What exactly are the charges? Failure to retrieve money from my account?”

  Sholtz shot me another look filled with loathing and spat out the words.

  “Kidnapping of a minor.”

  CHAPTER 38

  THE MERCENARY

  Like a spider who has spun his web and was now waiting patiently for his prey to land, The Mercenary sat in his van, drumming his fingers on the wheel.

  A few hours ago, his ever reliable nephew, Daniel had come good, sending through an email with information on the mystery girl. While it wasn’t exactly a dossier, there was enough for The Mercenary to formulate a plan.

  Her name was Chase Ryder. Fourteen years old, born in Holyoke, Hampden County to one Tracy Blueman. No father listed, Blueman was typical trailer trash, living off the state. Her employment history was as sporadic as her personal relationships; the woman couldn’t hold down a job or a man it seemed, not until a few years ago when one Frank Tubble was added to the home rental agreement. There were two reports of domestic disturbances which hadn’t lead anywhere, but other than that, there was no more listed information until ten months ago, when Chase was reported as missing, a suspected runaway.

  Local uniforms had interviewed the couple. Despite noting that they weren’t particularly savory characters (the home was a wreck and there was evidence of alcohol abuse), they were not suspected of misconduct, and any questioning at Chase’s school only revealed that the girl was a loner and seemed unhappy. Despite being described as bright from her teachers, Chase’s grades were failing, and she seemed headed in a downward spiral.

  The Mercenary didn’t need to be a shrink to see the pattern. Desperate mom brings home a new stepdad, who turns out to be less a knight-in-shining-armor, and more, an abusive-drunk. It wa
s a story as old as time, though The Mercenary felt no sympathy; everyone had their cross to bear.

  Blueman hadn’t checked in on the progress to find her child in months now, something that pleased The Mercenary. Good. The last thing he needed was a busybody parent, nosing-in on his plan. An absentee, un-caring parent was exactly what he wanted.

  Having created a missing child report, The Mercenary had sent it to Daniel to distribute among the police stations across several states. He had taken liberties with the report, describing Sullivan as a suspected kidnapper, painting him in a very bad light indeed since nothing was more abhorred than a predator of children. When Sullivan and the kid eventually surfaced, it wouldn’t be long before The Mercenary was informed…

  CHAPTER 39

  CHASE

  We watched the whole takedown in shock.

  One minute Sully was at the ATM, the next he was being pursued by mall cops.

  I signalled Bandit, and he came to my side immediately. Since everyone’s attention was on the pursuit at hand, it wasn’t hard for us to discreetly follow.

  Sully sure could run fast! He put so much distance between himself and the out-of-shape cops that I thought he’d get well clear of them, but then he leapt over a bench and stumbled on the landing. I saw his ankle buckle — just a bit — but it was enough that he was in trouble. Still, he would’ve gotten away if it weren’t for Slugger.

  It was like I could feel the blow in my own stomach. I flinched as Sully went down. Hopefully the guy hadn’t cracked any ribs or we’d be in serious trouble.

  A hysterical laugh escaped my lips. Like we weren’t already. Bandit tossed me a confused look. I didn’t have time to reassure him of my sanity. I stood there, rooted to the spot, torn by my natural instinct to flee and my guilty conscience, which was shouting at me, telling me we couldn’t leave Sully like this. Bandit must have realized what I was struggling with, as he barked twice, loudly and stamped his paw in Sully’s direction. I hesitated, then nodded. He was right, we couldn’t leave him. We hurried after them.