Claws

by Ricky Sides

  “You must hate the man,” Rusty observed as the woman began to earn her rewards.

  “No, I don’t hate Jake. I just don’t love him. He made a lot of promises when we were dating. He was going to start a successful business and I’d never have to worry about a thing. But his business flopped, and I’ve had to work most of our marriage. It’s time to move on with my life. In fact, I earned more than he did, so I think it only right that I get everything,” she explained.

  “Enough about Jake. Do you want what you’ve got coming, my dear?” asked Rusty, who was now more than ready for her attention.

  With a gleam of sexual lust in her eyes, Clarisse said, “I was born ready.”

  For over an hour, the secretary tended to Rusty’s every sexual whim. When he was finished with her, he pushed his upper body up and gazed down into her contented eyes. “Are you ready for what you’ve got coming?” he asked.

  “Yes, give it to me,” she responded greedily.

  Rusty yanked the pillow out from under her head and shoved it down tightly over her face. Desperately the woman thrashed around beneath him. To his surprise, he found himself once more aroused and began to move inside the woman’s body. He would have to time it carefully. He didn’t want her to die before he climaxed, so when her struggles tapered down to feeble efforts, he raised the pillow for a few seconds, until she caught her breath, and tried to fight him off.

  “This is for the best,” he said as he jammed the pillow in her face once more. “You have the chance for redemption. There is still time, perhaps you should pray.”

  Clarisse tried to claw the man’s face. He grabbed her wrists and forced them over her head. With one hand, the man held the woman’s wrists and with the other, he continued the slow suffocation process, permitting her just enough air to keep her alive. Five minutes later, the man removed the pillow again. She was still alive, although she seemed to have lost consciousness. He kissed her lightly and said, “Thank you. You’ve just taught me something new about myself. Of course, I’ll have to be very careful, but that was the best sex I’ve ever experienced in my life. I’ll have to make arrangements to do this again in the future.”

  Clarisse began to stir beneath him. Without opening her eyes, she faintly whispered “Why?”

  “You know too much about me. Of course, that is my fault. When we were together, I talked too much about my past. In fact, except for your infidelity to your husband, none of this is your fault,” he assured her gently. Then, for the final time, the man placed the pillow on her face.

  When he left the hotel room, he hung a do not disturb sign on the door handle, knowing that no one would enter the room until past checkout time the next day.

  Chapter 12

  Jerry kissed Patricia at her door and headed for his car. He was just getting into his vehicle when his cell phone rang. He looked at the phone and saw that it was Robert Woodfin. Curious as to why the security chief would call him, Jerry answered on the third ring. “This is Jerry,” he said.

  “Jerry, this is Robert. You need to get your people to the Alcorn headquarters building as soon as possible,” Robert said. That simple sentence stunned Jerry

  “My people?” Jerry queried.

  “I don’t have time for this bullshit! I have two dead security officers in my command center. I’m going to have to call the police in a few minutes. Once they get involved, everything will be out of my control, so if you want to avoid a massive problem for your superiors, you’d best get your ass here on the double. The guards will be expecting you,” Robert said, and then the line went dead.

  Jerry called Sergeant Haskell and ordered the team to meet him at the Alcorn site pronto. He was informed that the team was on Elm Street patrolling the city while they waited for his call, and that they would be there in mere minutes.

  Jerry pulled his car up behind the van at the gate. A security guard walked up to Jerry’s car and said, “Jerry, I was told that you were coming this morning with some men. The guys in the van say they are with you, but I don’t know them.”

  “They’re with me. I’m sorry they arrived first, but we’re together. Robert said for me to hurry, so let us in, buddy,” Jerry said.

  “Sure. I’m sorry you quit, man. You’re a good guy. I hope they don’t replace you with a jerk,” the guard stated, and then he opened the gate so the two vehicles could enter the parking lot.

  Robert met the team at the door. “Follow me, gentlemen,” he said without preamble.

  Flanked by his men, Jerry followed Robert to the elevator. Robert set a fast pace. Once the door to the elevator closed, the Alcorn security chief punched the button for the third floor, and then he said, “Time is of the essence, so I’ll lay it out quickly. I know you men are a special team working for the US government. You’re probably with the CIA or the defense department. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter which. I know that the government was testing some sort of formula on pet food. I don’t know why, and I don’t want to know why. I know that someone penetrated security a couple of hours ago. They killed one of my men and a woman who was our computer forensics expert.”

  The elevator stopped and Robert stopped talking. When the door opened, he said, “Follow me.”

  Once more, Robert set a fast pace as they walked down the hall to a door marked Security Command Center. Inside the room, Robert stopped at a desk and picked up a box of rubber gloves. He handed each of the men a pair and said, “You’ll not want your prints left in here. The police will be looking for evidence.”

  “Be sure to take them with you when we leave,” Jerry added as he put on his gloves.

  Robert led the men to the bodies. “Don’t touch them,” he instructed. “I just wanted you to see that the killer apparently used the same method to kill both my people.”

  “Blunt force trauma,” Sergeant Haskell observed.

  “From behind! The cowardly bastard,” Corporal Evans added angrily.

  “Now you know what you’re dealing with, gentlemen. A ruthless murderer,” Robert explained. “If the cops get the bastard, at worst, he’ll end up spending time in prison. I’m helping you, because you are probably authorized to deal with this matter in a more satisfactory manner. I want you men to take this bastard out,” he said fiercely, his eyes ablaze with anger.

  “How did you know I was more than I seemed,” asked Jerry.

  “We’re short on time. I have to call the police soon,” Robert stated.

  “It’s important, or I wouldn’t ask at a time like this,” Jerry pointed out.

  “In short, I’m good at what I do. One of my guards reported a suspicious van in the manufacturing facility parking lot a few nights ago. I checked it out, and I saw you with these people entering the woods. I went back the next morning and checked out those woods. Your camera traps probably have several pictures of me; although it was so damned cold, I was wearing a ski mask. That’s some sophisticated hardware. Not the cheap junk amateurs buy, so I knew you were either military or CIA,” Robert explained.

  “Have you told anyone about us?” asked Jerry?

  “I’m not a damned fool. If the government is involved, there’s probably a good reason. I don’t want my people involved or getting in the way, so I told them it was a nothing to be concerned about and advised them not to log the incident,” Robert explained. Then, frowning, he said, “I’d like to cooperate with you, but if I don’t report this to the police soon, my ass is going to be in hot water.”

  “Alright, what else do you have for us?” Jerry asked.

  Robert turned and strode rapidly to a computer terminal. “This is Phillis’ terminal. She was working on an alert that the killer must have deleted. I can’t access the deleted file, because I lack the skill to locate it on the computer. I’m not a cyberforensics expert.”

  “What makes you so sure that she was working on something?” asked Jerry.

  “The system automatically pages me when there is a top priority alert, such as someone hacking
the classified files. If no one had touched the computer, the alert would be showing on the screen, so I know someone did.”

  “The killer could have killed her before the hack and then turned off the alarm,” Sergeant Haskell observed.

  “There’s only one way to find out. Do it, Sergeant,” Jerry ordered. “But be careful. Don’t leave any traces.”

  “Yes, sir,” the sergeant responded. He sat down at the terminal and began to work on recovering the deleted file.

  “Was there anything on the video surveillance tapes?” asked Jerry.

  “The cameras were shut down at 6:48 A.M. I assume the killer backed up the tapes and deleted any incriminating evidence,” Robert said. Then, for the first time that day, he smiled and added, “All but one. Lately, there have been some strange things going on around here, so I took the liberty of concealing a camera and its associated receiver. I’ve got it loaded, ready for you to see.”

  Jerry followed Robert to a workstation across the room. He watched the monitor with interest. It depicted Talbot entering the room and talking to Barney. A moment later, while Barney’s back was to Talbot, the man drew a short club from beneath his suit coat behind his back and clubbed Barney in the back of the head. Jerry watched as Talbot bent down and clubbed the unconscious man, striking him an additional three blows, and then Robert stopped the tape.

  “You got him on tape. Good, I’ll report this to my superiors to see if they want to sanction any action,” Jerry said. Then he asked, “Did he also kill Phillis?”

  “Yes, but if you want to see that, you’ll have to watch it without me. I don’t want to see it again.”

  “You were close to her?” asked Jerry.

  “I recruited her right out of college,” Robert responded. “Now I wish the hell I hadn’t.”

  “One way or another, he’ll pay for what he’s done,” Jerry assured Robert.

  “I hope so, but men like him seem to be able to get away with murder.”

  “That won’t happen this time,” Jerry stated confidently.

  “What if Washington says otherwise?” Robert asked directly.

  It was a troubling question, but before he could reply, Sergeant Haskell said, “I think I’ve got it, sir.”

  Haskell was a trained computer expert, but he lacked the skill, Vinnie had possessed. Vinnie could have recovered the information in five minutes. It had taken the sergeant twenty.

  “Yep, I’ve got it!” the sergeant said in an excited tone of voice.

  Jerry leaned over the sergeant’s shoulder. He read the file in growing alarm. Shaken by what that file revealed, he said, “Send a copy to command headquarters. I have to call in for orders.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Jerry had his orders. The team was to meet with the police and cooperate with them, up to a point. They were to safeguard the secret. Command had received the file Haskell had sent, and assets would be dispatched to deal with the issue, but Jerry’s team was to delete the file on the computer in such a manner that the police couldn’t locate it. They were also to delete the classified files from Alcorn’s main databank. Further, they were to take Talbot into custody at the first opportunity, but first, they were to follow up on the lead and seek out the suspected haven for the freed test specimens, which were a threat to a great number of people.

  Jerry gave Haskell his orders, and then he turned to Robert. “Call in the police. My superiors just ordered me to cooperate with them, up to a point. They aren’t to be told that a secret government formula has been stolen and sent to various email recipients around the globe. Nor are they to be told anything regarding the effect that formula has on animals. They request that you give me the tape of Talbot. If he turns up here, I would appreciate it if you took him into custody and call me. Don’t worry. You won’t be present when he is punished.”

  “I should give the tape to the police, so they know he committed the murders and they’ll put out an all points bulletin,” Robert said.

  “Think about it. If he’s charged with the murders, it becomes a local matter. With his money, he’ll bring in a bevy of lawyers. When it’s all over, he could walk away a free man. Granted, he’d be considerably poorer, but he’d be free. Do this our way and he’ll never be able to walk away from this. The police will put out an APB for him, anyway. He’s listed as a terrorist now,” Jerry assured Robert.

  “I’ll do it on one condition,” Robert stated.

  “Oh?” asked Jerry.

  “I want to see him being put down. I need to see it. I owe that much to Phillis. She wanted to go to work for Microsoft, but I talked her into coming here. I owe her, man.”

  “I’m afraid you’ve got it all wrong. He’ll be taken into custody, so that government interrogators can try to determine who he sent those files to, and why. It’s imperative that the government learn the answers to those questions. In the wrong hands, that formula is a time bomb just waiting to explode.”

  “I guess I hadn’t thought of that,” Robert replied.

  “We have to think of such ramifications. It’s our job. But if you’re worried that he’ll plea bargain for a lighter sentence or release, you shouldn’t. When the government is through with him, he’ll be executed,” Jerry assured Robert.

  “You’re sure of that?”

  “He turned over an extremely dangerous government formula to several foreign sources. There’s no doubt in my mind as to his eventual fate. But first we need to capture him, and for that, we might need your help.”

  “Then you can count on me.”

  “Thank you. Now you’d best call in the police, but remember not to mention the tape. You don’t know who did this. It’s the best way to let the government keep this under wraps and deal with Talbot outside the judicial system.”

  Robert nodded his agreement, and then he went to the desk to make the call. As the phone began to ring, he saw Phillis’ body. A single tear rolled down his cheek. He had to turn away so that he could concentrate on speaking to the police.

  ***

  By the time Jerry’s team was able to leave Alcorn, it was already one in the afternoon. The police officers on the scene had wanted to take them in for questioning, but Jerry’s superiors had already placed several calls that prevented the local authorities from hindering the team.

  They left Jerry’s car at the Foodland grocery store parking lot on Jefferson Street, which was only a couple of blocks off Elm, and then they headed out for the hunt in the van.

  “I think we’re making a mistake not going after Talbot first,” the corporal stated.

  “We’re not. There are still forty-one of the cats unaccounted for, and each of those animals is a threat to this community. Talbot’s picture is already in the hands of airport security around the nation, and at every border checkpoint. He’s listed as a dangerous known terrorist who is expected to attempt to leave the country. Soon, his bank account will be frozen, and his credit cards canceled. A team will already be going through his last few credit card purchases looking for leads, and they’ll go back further in the hours ahead.” Shaking his head, Jerry said, “Don’t think Talbot’s not being hunted. There are thousands of people hunting him.”

  “How are we going to handle this hunt, Lieutenant?” asked Sergeant Haskell as he drove north on Highway 127.

  “Our orders have changed in that regard. The brass says that if the cats are still hostile, we are to kill them on sight. They have enough specimens to study, and say that further risk to personnel in hazardous attempts to capture the animals is unwarranted,” Jerry explained.

  He then reminded the men to watch the trees when they were in the woods, but made no mention of Patricia’s dream, or the fact that she had spent the night at his place. His men would almost certainly leap to the wrong conclusion, and he didn’t want to hear their remarks regarding the matter. He just reminded them that the cats could, and that some of them quite probably would, climb the trees to await prey passing unsuspectingly beneath them.

  Of cours
e, he couldn’t know it, but Sergeant Haskell parked the van in almost the exact spot where seventeen-year-old Johnny Miller had parked the day he’d gone hunting with his dog, Rex.

  “Make sure all of the windows are secured properly,” Jerry reminded the men, but neither of them had forgotten what happened to Vinnie.

  “What’s our game plan, Lieutenant?” asked the sergeant when they were standing beside the van about to head into the woods.

  Jerry drew a satellite image of the area from his pocket and spread it on the van for the men to see. “We’re right here,” Jerry said, placing his finger on the map in the spot that indicated where they were located. “The woodlands stretch a mile to the north. As you can see, the width of the forest varies widely. We’ll start on the west side and search to the far end, and then sweep back along the east side ending up back here at the van. We keep the noise to a minimum, stay within sight of each other at all times. Our intervals will vary, but let’s try to stay in proper formation, abreast of each other. We use the radios if we spot something.”

  Jerry paused and looked at the men to see if they understood their orders. When they nodded their understanding, he said, “Alright, let’s check our ammo, weapons, and radios, and then we’ll move out.”

  Minutes later, the men were just about to move into the woods when they heard a shot fired somewhere in the trees near them. Then the sound of screaming reached their ears. Jerry moved quickly into the woods, his weapon at the ready. They had their silenced pistols with them, but since it was hunting season, and the sounds of shotgun blasts wouldn’t attract unwanted attention, they were also carrying twelve gauge pump shotguns. Patricia’s dream was accurate on that score.

  They had moved only forty feet into the woods when they spotted movement ahead of them. A man was standing with his back to a tree, swinging his shotgun like a ball bat as he tried to fend off what had to be at least a dozen cats. Jerry tried to get a clear shot, but the cats were too close to the man beside the tree. “Be ready,” he told his men. “I’m going to fire a shot in the air to drive them off. When they run, take them down.”