by Matt Lincoln
“She’s still in bad shape,” he said without me having to ask him. “I don’t have everything I need here. I wasn’t expecting to have to patch someone up tonight, Header.”
“I know, Doc. What do you think about her?” I trusted his opinion, both as a friend and a professional.
Doc sat on the arm of the lone couch and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He took the bottle of water that I tossed his way and took a drink. “She’s got a lot of healed wounds and several broken bones in her arms and legs. Tattooed from armpit to… ankle. But I’d say most of those are phony, to throw people off.”
He took another sip and continued, as he realized that he wasn’t making sense. “Witnesses are often asked to mention any identifying marks, such as tattoos or birthmarks. But when the body is covered in them, it’s hard to distinguish anything specific. A good tactic for her, bad for the rest of us.”
That left me with a very serious question. “Do you think she’s a threat?”
“Right now? No, she’s too weak and injured to do much.” Doc glanced quickly back at the room she was in. “However, I would say that when she gets back on her feet, I’d hate to stand against her.”
I didn’t like the sound of that.
“Let’s hope she’s one of the good guys. Or girls.” Doc sounded a little too hopeful with that one.
We decided to take watches just in case this woman woke up or needed help in the middle of the night. Sure enough, I got woken up by a scream and some unpleasant sounding thuds against the walls.
Rosa, Doc, and I all ran to the room and found Xavier holding the woman in a headlock. Impressed and amused, I offered to help out. “Need a hand there?”
Xavier shook his head. “She started crying out about something, and when I got in here, she flipped out.”
“Let me go, you son of----” The woman was struggling to stay on her feet. It was obvious to the rest of us that she was on the losing end of this battle. For what it was worth, Xavier was making me proud.
“Listen… Kippy? That’s your name, right? The name that was on the badge in your pocket?” I hoped she’d remember that. And lo-and-behold, she seemed to calm down ever so slightly. “We called the number attached to your badge, and they told us to treat you on the field or by a private doctor. No hospitals. That’s why you’re here.”
Doc had slowly eased toward her to give Xavier a hand if nothing else. “The more you struggle, the more likely you’re going to pull those stitches I put in you.” Doc was always good for a subtle dose of logic. “I don’t have enough supplies to go through all that again. So, if you don’t mind, please simmer down, and we’ll talk. Is that acceptable?”
She ceased fighting against Xavier and turned her head to take in the Doc. “You patched me up?” She sounded beyond exhausted and was slurring her words a bit.
“I did. And Rosa helped.” Doc nodded in Rosa’s general direction. “We were there when the car crashed, and you were firing at the other automobile. Do you remember that?”
I swear a light went off inside her head when she heard that. I could see her muscles start to ease off as the tension began to wane.
“Where is the young man? And the driver? Are they here, too?” Her body finally gave out, and she collapsed to the floor. Doc and Xavier helped her back into the bed. This time, there was no struggle.
“Nope. Your driver’s dead, and the kid was taken by the second car.” I found it interesting that she didn’t mention the young woman. “You were the only one we could get to.”
She nodded and looked a bit defeated, and for some reason that made me smile. Then I realized that this was no time for such idiotic amusement.
“Is the girl dead too, or did she get away?” She looked at each of us in turn, seeking an answer.
Surprise, surprise, she might actually care. “No, they took her, too. The boy was out of it, but she was awake and fighting. So, do you know who they are?”
Her answer was snappish. “Of course, I know who they are. What kind of stupid question is that?”
Even Rosa bristled at this.
“Care to share the secret then, Ms. Ozoa?” This had started to feel like an interrogation of a double agent or some crap. I knew exactly what that felt like.
This Kippy looked about ready to pounce on one of us and tear her way out of the room, but I guessed she thought better of it because she started to talk instead. “My name is Kippy Ozoa, and I was hired to fly the boy, the young man, out of the Azores. He got into some trouble that he couldn’t get out of, and I was called in to get him.”
“Who called you in? And why?” I hoped that she’d be forthcoming if we asked nicely.
Her jaw flinched, but that also could have been because Doc was readjusting her bandages. “The kid’s mother.” She said this with obvious distaste. “She couldn’t come over here herself, so she hired me. Arik, that’s the kid, was partaking in a private retreat to soothe some… unsavory behaviors.”
“Enough of the innuendo.” My patience had started to wear thin tonight. “You’re wasting everyone’s time by trying to be clever. Just tell us the truth, and we’ll try to help out if we can.”
She didn’t like that. “Fine. The dumb kid’s an addict. Been popping Adderall for years, and now mommy needs him to clean up. She sent him out here, away from all his friends and influencers to recover.” That seemed to give her a secret delight as she told us about it.
“The rehab is hush-hush, posh, and costs more than I make in a year. But mommy dearest can afford it and wants the best for her baby boy. Plus, he’s kind of an embarrassment to her during election season.” She laid back on the pillows to rest.
I didn’t like this woman. There was just something… I wasn’t sure. I just didn’t like her.
“Mom’s a politician or something?” I caught Rosa’s glance my way and knew that we were thinking the same thing. Ransom.
“Or something. A Judge. Federal. And she’s about to sit on the biggest illegal drug overhaul case to date.” She sneered. “You can see why junior’s pill problem might look bad for her.”
“Okay,” I continued, “then who’s the girl?” Charm and tact were not this woman’s strong suits. All I needed was the truth, not all the attitude.
She smirked at this. “His one and only, Mia. They were trying to run away together. Elope or whatever, but they couldn’t get off the island. Mommy had cut him off monetarily, and Arik didn’t have a penny to his name while he was in rehab. He begged Simon to call the Judge and ask her to send him money but---”
I stopped her. “Who’s Simon?”
“The dead driver. Simon Chorley. He was the prime bodyguard for Arik.” She shook her head as if she found this funny. “A lot of good that did either of them.”
That was a bit unnecessary. “So, you’re not a bodyguard. You were the pilot that was supposed to fly them out?” My BS meter was going at full tilt. By this time, we were all wondering just how much of this was real.
“Only Arik, Simon, and I were going. Mia was on her own.” That sounded like it upset her.
“Why’s that?” And with that question, I knew I’d gone too far.
Kippy squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes at us. She took a good, long look at us all, and I knew she was sizing us up. “You know, I appreciate y’all’s interest, and I thank you for making sure I didn’t bleed to death, but I do think it’s time for me to head on out.” She moved to stand on her own feet, but Doc placed a hand on her shoulder to keep her in the bed.
“You really shouldn’t move too much. You need to rest.” He was concerned but also cautious.
“No, I need to get Arik and fly his happy butt back home to mommy. That’s what I’m being paid for. And I’m sure you know that when money talks, people like me walk.” She stood and swayed a bit. “Thank you again for your hospitality, but I really must be going.”
I was already standing in the doorframe, so there was no way she could leave the room. Xavier had exc
used himself and could be heard typing on his laptop in the living room, but Rosa was watching her with a type of scrutiny I’d seldom seen before or since.
“We’re worried about the kids,” I told her. “We saw what happened, and to us, it looked like a kidnapping. Now, drug addict or not, your charge, Arik, probably needs some help to get out of this situation. And the girl, Mia, sounds like she just fell into a… something beyond her control. We’d like to know more, and we’d like to know who is behind it.”
“Some idiot is behind it. Arik tried to con a local dirtbag, and he got caught. When Simon found out about it, he had no choice but to call Arik’s mom, Judge Fu. And then she hired me.” There was a nasty sneer on her lips that made me want to… well, nevermind.
I kept trying to be civil. “And what about the girl? Mia? How did she end up with you if she wasn’t supposed to fly out?”
“So, Arik and Mia met at the rehab. She was a nurse or something there and they… ‘fell in love.’” She used air quotes for that part. “As I said, they wanted to run away together, but they had no money. So, Arik finds this piece of crap, Hemez, who says he can get them fake passports and IDs to get off the island. Well, that sounds all good, except that Hemez does expect to get paid. Arik hits up Simon, is turned down, and apparently, Arik gets a little desperate.”
She took a breath and paused for a moment or two, collecting her words. “Keep in mind this is Arik’s version that he told me just tonight. Anyway, the kids try to cheat Hemez and take the IDs without paying, and Hemez gets a bit unhappy with them. Arik panics, tells Simon, asks him for help, and then Simon calls the Judge again. Judge calls me, and I fly in, take a boat, and load them into a rental.” She stopped to make sure we were still following along.
“But Hemez had some friends, followed us and… then smash, crash, boom, I guess. Now I’m here.” She looked a little too self-satisfied for my liking, and we shared a look between the three of us still in the room.
“So, if Mia wasn’t going with you, why was she in the car?” I thought that her story was odd, to put it mildly.
“Well, I didn’t tell her I was leaving her behind. Besides, I figured that she could return the rental for me after we left.” She smirked again and shook her head. “Look, for the record, I was sent first to pay Hemez off. I tried it the nice way, just like the Judge told me to, but he wouldn’t go for it. When we met up, he had some new flunkies with him. That’s what Arik told me. He’d never seen them before. So, I’m gonna say there are some extra players in this and that I don’t have all the info yet to retrieve Arik. Key word being ‘yet.’”
Doc, Rosa, and I exchanged looks again, and I jutted my chin out to the hall. The woman shrugged and sang into the bed while my team followed me out of her room and over to Xavier for a little conversation. I needed to know what their impressions of her story were. And also, if my concerns were too far off base.
“She’s lying.” Those were the first words out of my mouth.
Obviously, but about which part? I knew that Rosa would see it clearly, too.
“Take your pick.” I could see plenty to pick apart. “The whole thing is full of holes and unlikely drama. All I know is that the kids, Arik and Mia, are in trouble of the real kind. That was a kidnapping, no question about it.”
“Agreed.” Doc sounded as if he hated to admit it.
Rosa nodded too, and Xavier made his best impression of someone who cared about what was going on around him.
“I say we keep her here and try to get some more information out of her. We all know what we saw, and if we can do something to find them and help them, then we should.” I wasn’t about to leave a couple of young people in a situation like that if I could help it. “Regardless of whatever that woman in there says.”
So, it was decided. I went back in to ask some more questions, but she was gone. The window was wide open, and there was blood on the sill and sheets. My first thought was to go after her. Then reality sunk in.
She had a good head start from us in the dark and in a city that none of us knew competently. As much as I disliked letting her go like this, I didn’t see any use in fighting this tonight. I knew that we stood a better chance of finding Arik and Mia without her, anyway.
Chapter 5
Eve
I was at the gym, jogging my usual mile and listening to my favorite playlist of absolutely terrible 80s classics. I got the best treadmill this morning, the one directly in the middle of the window looking down on the plaza and parks. I loved this view of Chicago.
People tipped really well to get this machine, so I came prepared with a crisp twenty-dollar-bill when I stepped in here. And from here, I got to tune out all the other gym members and staff around me. I could almost pretend that I was here all alone. If only I could say the same for the smells.
The gym had a problem with their ventilation system this morning, and they had apologized profusely when I arrived. I didn’t care. Part of exercising was sweating, and there was a promise of that great shower they had in the locker room afterward. I happened to glance down at my cell, safely secured in a cup holder on the frame of the treadmill. It was flashing, and I knew that I had to answer it. The Judge’s call was not one to let slip to voicemail.
“Good morning, ma’am. How are you doing today?” I tried to breathe normally as I didn’t want her to think she’d interrupted me.
“Eve! Agent Ozoa checked in and… it’s bad. She didn’t get Arik.”
I could hear the disappointment in her voice even though I didn’t know that entire story. “Oh, ma’am, I’m so sorry. But I’m sure that Ozoa will fix that. Perhaps things were more---” The Judge cut me off.
“No! Eve, I need you to go take care of this. I want you to find that man that the Admiral mentioned and draft an email to him. Make sure he understands how important this is to me and to… that I have to get Arik back home safe. Please, Eve. Right away.” Judge Fu hung up without another word. That was a normal occurrence, and I didn’t take it personally. She was just high strung, and I ranked her an “ultra” in the high-maintenance area.
I knew that she expected results, and with them so clearly lined out for me, there was no time to waste. So, I gathered my stuff and headed for the locker room. At this time of the morning, the place still felt fresh, aside from the ventilation snafu. The beige floor was free from the sweat droplets and sticky steps that would litter it later. The windows still gleamed, and the equipment wasn’t all… fingerprinted and grody.
The only thing missing was the fresh laundry scent of the towels after the second hour from opening. I was usually here for that, just on my way out. But not today, no! Today was all about doing what Judge Fu asked, and it was never on my list to disappoint her.
After a quick shower, I dressed in my favorite linen slacks and my gathered plum shirt that was softer than silk. I stared into the steamed mirror and wiped it clear just enough to do my hair. I slicked my black hair back into a ponytail and pinned it tight along the sides. I decided to forgo any makeup or jewelry, as the matter at hand would have me racing the clock. I thanked the receptionist of the gym as I passed by and tipped him well, too.
I dialed up my office and talked to Uriah. “I need my usual waiting for me when I get in. And please have the files on that Azores rehab ready. I’ll also need that contact number marked ‘Farr’ pulled and ready. As soon as I can get a cab, I’ll be on my way.” I hung up and tried to get a cabbie’s attention.
I was waiting only a few minutes before I was off to the office, still making calls as I went. Within twenty minutes, I was seated in my custom leather Executive chair, behind my teak and cherry desk, and on the laptop composing the email the Judge needed.
The man in question was named Header, but I couldn’t find an active business address for him. There was a location in Puerto Rico that I thought might work. Then I came across an associate of his after I cross-referenced his contacts. I found a viable email address and sent the expected opening s
tatement to ask for a meeting.
While I waited, I did a little research and found a few things that piqued my interest. There was an old fort located in the Capital of Azores, in Angra do Heroísmo. It looked incredible. There were more on the other islands, too! I loved going to places like that and just getting absorbed into the history and majesty of them. I just had to get the Judge to let me do the negotiations personally. Maybe she’d appreciate it if I took the intuitive and stepped up to fix all of this for her. It couldn’t hurt, right?
So… yeah, I made a reservation at a respectable and not at all paid-for-by-firm hotel, booked a private flight (because tick, tock, people!), and I checked my email again. Being proactive was good, right? It showed gumption and ambition and… I really wanted to see that old fort.
I left all the pertinent information with Uriah and rushed home to pack for the Azores. I pulled up a video to learn about it as I dragged out my carryall and started to pack. Seven pairs of shorts? Check. Seven tank tops in various shades? Check. Two pairs of linen slacks, a wraparound skirt, two multi-tiered maxi skirts? Check. One each of a flutter, kimono, batwing, and button-up shirt? Check. Only my favorite green floral sundress because I planned to go shopping once I got there? Check!
I already had a backup bag with my toiletries and extra items like pajamas and such that had sadly sat in the corner of my closet for far too long. The Judge was known for needing immediate gratification to certain matters, and so I had a case with a week’s worth of necessities ready to go. It was time to show it some love and acknowledge my preparedness skills! It was also time to use up some of that business travel surplus that I’d ignored for a year now. It was time to… well, work, of course.
I looked around to make sure that I had everything that I needed before heading off. I texted my sister to come to check on my apartment tomorrow. I could email the Judge and her office once I got on the jet. Once I was in the air, they’d have a harder time telling me “no.” Yeah, I knew how these things worked. I’d just never done it before.