Fatally Linked

by Juliann Vatalaro

  “Oberman. Dr. Oberman.” He moaned, moving his head from side to side.

  “Dr. Keith Oberman?” Dani stepped up and asked.

  “Who’s that?” He looked around Katie. “Who are you?” He realized his wrists were bound when he tried to sit up.

  Mrs. Textler answered. “They’re with the police, honey. Lieutenant Castello and Detective Santos. They’re here to try to figure out what happened to you.”

  He pulled at the restraints as he tried to sit up again. “Why are my hands tied?”

  “Whoa, champ,” Jake said, pushing him back down. “Your hands are restrained to keep you in bed. You need to rest.”

  “No time. I have to get the others out.”

  “Tell us where they are. We’ll go get them.”

  He shook his head. “I’m not sure. I’ll know it when I see it, but I don’t know where it is.”

  Dani stepped up to the bed. “Willy, can you tell us what happened from the beginning?”

  Willy looked at Katie. “It’s okay. They’re friends of mine. Tell them.” Katie raised the bed, removed the bands holding his hand down and helped him to sit back.

  He looked at his mother. When she nodded he told them what happened. “About three months ago I got an email saying I was invited to meet with others like me in New York City. The email wanted me to tell them when would be a good time for me. I ignored the email. But a few days later another one came. It told me to meet at a café on Madison Avenue and East 84th Street. The email gave me a date and time to be there.” He looked at his mother.

  “Sorry, Mom, but I was bored. It sounded like it would be fun, so I left school to go to the meeting. There were seven of us there. We sat at a table that was set up for us. Dinner was served. We talked and got to know each other. Finally someone asked, ‘So which one of you set this up?’ We looked around at each other, but no one spoke up.”

  “So whoever set up the meeting didn’t show up?” Katie asked.

  “Nope. We discussed the email. We decided we would keep in touch and eventually we left.” He took Katie’s hand. “That night I met you in the park.”

  When they stared into each other’s eyes a little too long, Jake cleared his throat. “What happened then?”

  “We kept in touch.” He finally took his eyes off Katie. “Except about a month ago, some of them stopped answering my calls. The same when some of the others called. We never talked about where we lived, so we didn’t know where to look for them. We figured they decided they didn’t want to be part of the group anymore and took off.”

  When he tried to sit up this time, Katie helped him.

  “Then one night I fell asleep in the park,” he continued. “When I woke up I was in the basement of this house. Well, I wasn’t sure if it was a house, but it was definitely a basement. All cement, cold, damp. When I tried to stand up, I couldn’t. I was chained to the wall. I looked around and three of the others, the ones that disappeared, were also chained to the wall.”

  “You have no idea where this place is?”

  “No. Oberman said we were all part of an experiment. He said he knew how smart we are and as long as we did as he asked we would not be harmed.”

  “What did he want you to do?”

  “Cloning. He wanted us to prove that cloning, exact replicas of a person could be done.”

  “Did you?”

  “We were working on it. But none of us wanted to do it. He said he would kill us if we didn’t find the answers he wanted. Finally a few days ago I figured out a way to break out. We knew it was dangerous but I had to try. So I broke out. I’m not sure how far I got, but he caught me. The next thing I remember is waking up here.”

  Dani and Jake looked at their watch, which had Katie looking at hers. They had to go. If they left right now it would be close, but they should get there on time.

  Dani stepped up to the bed. “Willy, I’m going to send some people over. One will be a sketch artist. We’ll need you to try to get us a picture of the others. Do you think they gave you their real names?”

  “Yes. Why wouldn’t they?”

  “I have no idea. This whole thing is weird, but with their names and a good description of them we may be able to find the other look-a-likes before something happens to them.”

  She looked over to Katie before continuing.

  “The other will have a computer. I want you to work with him on trying to find out where you were, where they are. Can you do that?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good. I’m sorry, but we have to go. We’ll try to get back later, but it might not be until the morning.”

  He threw the covers off. “It can’t wait ‘til morning. We have to find them now.”

  Katie grabbed his hand. She looked at Jake and Dani. Jake motioned to Mrs. Textler to go out in the hall with them. “Make it quick. We’re cutting it close as it is.”

  “Make what quick?” Willy asked.

  “I’m sorry we have to leave, Willy, but my mom was killed the other day. I have to go say goodbye to her.”

  Willy pulled her in for a hug. “Oh God, Katie. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” He tightened the hug. “I should have been there for you. I’m sorry.”

  She pulled back. “It’s okay. You were dealing with your own problems. But I have to go.” She kissed his cheek. “Talk to the people Dani is going to send. I promise we’ll be back. We will help you find the others.”

  She walked out.

  Mrs. Textler went back into his room. Mr. Textler was with her. Willy was getting out of bed. “Willy, what are you doing? Get back in bed.”

  “I’m sorry, Mom, but she needs me.”

  Mrs. and Mr. Textler looked at each other. “Did they mention where they were going?” Mr. Textler asked.

  “Where are my clothes? I have to get to her before she leaves.”

  “It’s okay. I know where they’re going. Let’s get you released. Then we’ll go to Katie.”

  Willy sat back down. “I’m sorry I put you through all this.” He rubbed his arms to ward off the chill he was feeling. “She needs me. Thank you for letting me help her.”

  Mr. Textler hugged him, while Mrs. Textler went for the doctor. He stepped back and looked in his son’s eyes. “We would do anything for you, son. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Yes. I know. I’m sorry I keep causing all this trouble.”

  His father laughed as he pulled him in for a hug. “Yeah, maybe when this is over we can figure out a way to keep you from getting bored without giving me and your mother a heart attack.”

  Mrs. Textler came back with the doctor. Thirty minutes later they were walking out of the hospital.

  CHAPTER 38

  KATIE SAT IN THE CENTER of the backseat with her mother’s urn hugged close to her chest and tears running down her face. It broke Dani’s heart to see her in such pain. A tear slipped out of her own eyes as she remembered walking up to Zach’s grave on the day she buried him.

  She wiped the tear away, took out the light, and slammed it down on the roof. Hitting the switch for the siren, she looked at Jake and shrugged.

  “You know that’s technically illegal?”

  “I won’t tell if you don’t.”

  Jake smiled as he pulled out into traffic. He pulled up to the hospital entrance with only two minutes to spare. There was an officer waiting for them. Jake handed him the keys and helped Katie out of the back.

  “Are you doing okay, sweetheart?”

  She nodded as they headed for the chapel holding the urn tight. Jake nor Dani tried to take it from her or even suggest that they help her with it. They knew she needed to do this herself.

  Katie pulled the urn closer and gasped when she saw Willy standing outside the chapel doors. “What are you doing here?”

  “You need me. I had to come.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m good. Don’t worry about me.”

  Lizza walked up to them and hugged Katie. “Are you okay?” S
he placed a hand on the urn.

  “No, but I will be. Mom would want me to be.”

  Lizza explained the procedure for the memorial. She walked slowly down the aisle of the chapel with her arm wrapped around Kate’s shoulder and a hand on the urn.

  Dani was happy to see that so many people have shown up for the memorial. It would help Katie to know that her mother was loved by so many.

  The urn was placed next to a picture of Jennifer that Lizza had made from one that was hanging on the wall in their house. The priest took his place behind the podium. He gave the most beautiful sermon and tribute that Dani has ever heard. She couldn’t help the tears, this time for Jennifer.

  Daren stood in the back of the chapel. Carefully hidden by the doctors and nurses attending the service. He knew he shouldn’t be here, but he had to see Katie. She was his and she would not get away from him again. He’d let her say goodbye to her mother. He knew how hard it was to say goodbye. But then he would take her away from all this. He would help her get over her loss. She’ll fall in love with him. Then they can be married and put all this behind them.

  After the priest said the final prayer, Katie moved to the front of the room. She stood by her mother’s urn with Jake on one side of her and Willy holding her hand on the other. Lizza stood with them as Jennifer’s friends paid their last respects. There were still tears in Katie’s eyes, but she would make it. Dani knew she would make it, just as she would make it through the loss of Zach.

  Dani stood toward the back of the chapel filling Jeremy in on what they had found out from Drums and Tim. When she looked at the front of the room she saw her whole squad standing in line to give their support to Katie.

  “You have the outside covered,” Dani asked Jeremy.

  He nodded. “If he shows, we’ll know.”

  Daren smiled when he heard that. Then he slipped out the back. He figured this service would be over soon. He needed to find a spot where he could keep Katie in his sight. He wasn’t much into dressing up in costumes and the one he was wearing was itchy as hell.

  When the line ended, Katie ran her hand over the urn, leaned down to kissed it before running out of the chapel. Jake and Willy ran out after her. Lizza and Dani looked at each other with a smile and ran out after them. Jake and Willy stopped dead in front of the women’s room door. Dani and Lizza walked past, following Katie in.

  “How are you feeling?” Jake asked Willy as he leaned against the wall across from the women’s room.

  Willy leaned against the wall next to him. “I’m okay. Still a little weak, but I’m okay.” He pulled his jacket closed. The chill was back, but he didn’t want anyone to see he wasn’t feeling well. They would make him go back to bed if they knew. No way was he leaving Katie when she needed him. “So besides being a cop, who are you to Katie?”

  Jake gave a sideways look at him. “What makes you think I’m anything to her?”

  “Well, since none of the other cops were up there with her, none of the other cops call her ‘sweetheart.’ You were the first one to run after her when she ran out, I figure you know her better than the others.”

  He took a few steps away and moved back to the wall.

  “Besides, you kind of look a little alike.”

  “I guess your brain wasn’t affected by your recent drug overdose.” Jake laughed. “I’m a long-lost uncle.”

  “She told me she didn’t have any family except her mother.”

  “She didn’t until recently. It’s a long story. Since you two seem to be close, I’m sure she’ll tell you about it.”

  When Dani and Lizza entered the rest room, Katie was standing at the sink throwing water on her face. Lizza rubbed her back.

  “Are you okay, honey? Is there anything I can do?”

  Katie grabbed some towels to wipe her face. “I’m never going to see her again.” She turned and hugged Lizza. “I miss her so much.”

  “I know. I know. We all do.”

  “I don’t want to be alone. What am I going to do?”

  “You’re not alone. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”

  Dani took hold of her shoulders, turning her around. “Hey, you’re not getting tired of me already, are you? Because I’m really starting to like having you around. I’d miss you if you suddenly weren’t in my life.” She pulled Katie in for a hug.

  “You just want me around to run down all your computer stuff.”

  Dani laughed. “Well, yeah.” She moved Katie back. “But I also want you around because I like you. I want to be your friend if you’ll let me.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really.”

  “So I can stay with you once all this is over?”

  “Of course. I know Jake is going to want to be around, so we’ll figure out what’s best for all of us.”

  “Okay, thanks.”

  “Come on. We still have work to do if you’re up to it.”

  “Yes. I think I need to do some work. I’ll be right out. I just need a minute alone.”

  Daren was hiding in the stairwell when he saw the two women that had followed Katie into the restroom come out. They walked up to the two men that were sitting with Katie during the service and standing with her after.

  That’s not good. There are so many cops around that I need to grab her as soon as she comes out. I can’t do that if they are standing outside the door.

  “Dani, Jeremy was just telling me that they found Matt’s, Daren’s, and a third person’s fingerprints at the house,” Jake told her.

  “Matt’s prints were there?”

  “Yup.”

  “What did he say about that?”

  “He’s not due back for another hour. I plan to be at his house when he gets home.”

  “Lizza, you’re going to take care of Jennifer’s ashes until she’s ready to take them up to the mountain?”

  “Yes. I’d appreciate it if you could carry them down to my car.”

  Jake looked at the door to the restroom and then to Dani. “It’s okay. I got her. We’ll be down as soon as she comes out.”

  When Jake and Lizza walked away, Jeremy turned to Dani. “I thought Daren would show up today.”

  “Yeah, me too. But then again, I’m sure he got wind that we’re looking for him. I’ll have someone go talk to Drums and Tim to get a list of where he hangs out. We’ll get him before the weekend is out.”

  “Let me know if you need any help. I’ll leave the two officers in the chapel and the two patrolling the parking lot for a few more hours. Maybe he wasn’t sure about the time. He could just be running late.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the help with security.”

  “Not a problem. I want this guy as much as you.”

  “No way in hell,” Dani mumbled as Jeremy walked away.

  Dani was just about to head back into the restroom to get Katie when her phone rang. She looked at the readout and answered.

  “Hold on a second.” She turned to Willy. “Are you feeling well enough to wait for Katie alone? I’ll only be a minute.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Dani hesitated, but nodded. “That tall guy over by the escalator is a cop if you need help. If I’m not back when she comes out, meet Jake in the parking lot.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Dani nodded to him again and walked away for some privacy. Daren didn’t waste any time. The second Dani was out of sight, he pulled Willy into the stairwell and hit him on the head. Willy went down and out. Daren peeked out the door just in time to see Katie coming out. Again without wasting a second he reached out and grabbed her, pulling her into the stairwell. He pulled his gun out, sticking it into her ribs as he covered her mouth to prevent her from screaming.

  “You scream and he’s a dead man. Understand?”

  She nodded. “Good. I’ve missed you. Did you miss me?”

  When she didn’t answer he pulled her closer and kissed her cheek. “Did you miss me, Katie?”

  She nodded as sh
e continued to stare at Willy.

  “Good. Now come on.” He pulled her toward the stairs. “We have to get out of here.”

  Willy moaned as he started to come around. Katie shook off Daren’s grip on her arm and ran to him.

  “Willy, are you okay?” She ran her hand over the side of his head. When she pulled away she thanked God there was no blood.

  “I’m okay. Someone hit me.” He started to get up.

  “Stay down,” Daren yelled, “or I’ll shoot.”

  Willy rubbed the side of his head. “What’s going on? Katie, are you okay?” He started to get up again.

  “I’m okay. Just stay down.”

  Daren grabbed Katie’s arm to pull her up. He pointed the gun at Willy. “Stay down and no one will get hurt.” He dragged Katie down the steps.

  Willy was not one to stay down. He jumped to his feet and tackled Daren. They both fell down the steps to the next level. Daren recovered first and made it to the gun just as Katie was about to pick it up. She fell to her knees next to Willy.

  She whispered in Willy’s ear. “Get to Dani or Jake.”

  It was all she could get out before Daren kicked Willy in the stomach a few times before grabbing Katie’s arm and pulling her down the steps.

  Willy didn’t waste any time figuring out what his new injuries were. He jumped up, grabbing at the shooting pain in his ribs, he climbed the steps to go get Dani. He found her just outside the chapel searching the hallways.

  “He’s got her,” Willy told her as he sucked in some air. “He’s got her.”

  “Who has her?” Dani took out her phone, hit some buttons and hit send.

  “I don’t know, some guy. He took Katie. He’s got a gun.” He rubbed his head.

  Just as Lizza pulled away Jake’s phone rang. “Jake, Daren’s here. He has Katie. He has a gun.”

  She turned to Willy.

  “Where are they?”

  Willy pointed to the stairwell. “That way. They went down the stairs.”

  “Jake, stairwell, west side.”

  “Got it.” Jake left the line open, but grabbed his gun as he headed toward the west side of the building.

  Dani called to the officer that was by the escalator and headed down the stairwell at full speed. Willy was on her heels. At the door for the first floor, she held up. “Willy, wait ‘tll we’re out of sight and go find your parents.”