Once Shadows Fall

by Robert Daniels

  “We all carry latex gloves for crime scene work,” Childers said. “Won’t they do?”

  “I wouldn’t want to bet my life on them,” Jamison said. “The heavy-duty stuff is the way to go, but even with it, there are no guarantees.”

  “Well, that’s encouraging,” Childers said.

  “Dealing with that much current is like holding a rattlesnake. First rule of thumb, you don’t go near the juice if you don’t have to. In other words, avoid all contact. It’s dangerous and can jump without warning. If you can’t avoid contact, you’ll have to make the call. Should you locate the woman and her son, get in touch with me immediately and I’ll kill power to the area.”

  Looks were exchanged around the room as the reality of what they were dealing with began to sink in. No one offered a comment.

  Jamison continued, “The next rule of thumb is to stay as dry as possible. From the photographs I’ve seen, it looks like there’s water down there. Dry human skin isn’t a great conductor. Wet skin is another matter.”

  “Oh mama,” Dwayne Stafford muttered.

  Jamison glanced at him, then said, “Third rule of thumb, you can’t outrun the juice so don’t try. Even the most fleeting contact is enough to complete a circuit. And if part of that circuit is you, well, the results could be unpleasant.”

  “Unpleasant,” Stafford echoed.

  “I’ve seen an arc flash melt steel. Do not, I repeat, do not challenge it by thinking you can pull your hand back quickly enough. You can’t,” Jamison said.

  “If you’re trying to scare us, you’re doing a good job,” Spruell said.

  Jamison looked down at the floor for a moment and took a deep breath before he responded.

  “I had a friend named Lou Boedner who worked as a maintenance supervisor for Florida Power and Light in West Palm Beach. About five years ago, three different hurricanes hit the area, all within a couple of weeks of each other. The place was a total mess. Trees and lines were down everywhere. Utility companies from all over the Southeast rushed crews down there to help restore power.

  “Lou and another man had just climbed out of a cherry picker. They were replacing a blown switchbox. Two blocks away, a tree came down and landed in the middle of a substation. Even though the power was off at their unit, the arc flash from the substation jumped to Lou’s line and traveled two blocks. I was ten feet away when he burst into flames. So yeah, I’m trying to scare you. It might just save your life.”

  Beth had heard the expression about the air being sucked out of a room. If this wasn’t a good example of it, she doubted she’d ever see one.

  Ever since the meeting began, she knew where things were heading—back underground and into the dark. A drop of perspiration slid down the side of her forehead. Hopefully the next time they would land a killer partial to heights. She didn’t mind heights.

  Jamison was finished talking. The rest of the detectives were waiting for her. It took a second to find her voice.

  “Assuming the protective gear is here, we’ll divide into four teams and begin checking the intersections one by one. You all understand what we’re walking into. We need to find that woman and her son and get them the hell out of there.”

  Chapter 51

  Pam Dorsey was now certain they were not in a basement as she first thought. It was far too large for that. They were someplace underground. But where? The pipes seemed to go on forever. One section looked exactly like another. Like moths to a flame, she and Aaron were drawn to them only to be disappointed.

  Due to their lack of shoes and Pam’s inability to use her hands for balance, progress was slow. Mold and algae covered the floor. To make matters worse, the trickle of water that followed them after escaping from the room had turned into a stream. It was now up to their ankles. Thoughts of drowning began to gnaw at her and increased with each passing minute. She made an effort not to let it show. Aaron trudged along behind, clutching his sailboat.

  If she didn’t make it out, her son would. She kept repeating that mantra over and over in her mind, praying the words would push away the fear. She’d never considered herself a brave person. Quite the opposite. Timid by nature, she avoided conflict wherever possible. Even something as simple as learning to ski this past winter had terrified her. Roger’s idea of a fun family vacation. Hers was sitting in front of the fireplace at their hotel sipping hot chocolate.

  Pam spared a glance at her son and smiled. He was as stubborn as his father, lugging that silly sailboat with him. She shook her head. Children trust their parents to keep them safe. She had no idea how she would accomplish that, but try she would. Aaron chose that moment to look at her. She smiled. He smiled in return. And in that look, she found the strength to keep her legs moving to the next light.

  *

  Clad in knee-high rubber boots and wearing gloves that came halfway up their arms, Beth and Jack removed the access panel, ducked down low, and entered the relay junction room. It was approximately ten feet square and quite empty, save for the electrical conduit and different colored pipes overhead. Jack swept his Maglite across the floor. Dusty. Bone dry. On the wall in front of them was a black metal box with the words, “DANGER—HIGH VOLTAGE” stenciled in yellow letters. An ominous hum was coming from inside the box, reminding them there was something alive in there. Something extremely dangerous. Apart from their Maglites, the only other source of light came from a single overhead bulb surrounded by a metal safety cage. It was obvious no one had been there in quite a while. According to the map, the pipes would lead them into the tunnel system.

  Beth had issued hand communicators to all the detectives. Steve Jamison thought reception would be hit and miss at best. All twenty-two locations where electrical conduit met the city’s water pipes had been circled on their maps. The plan was to eliminate them one by one.

  Dan Pappas, whose location in the suburbs had been scratched off early on, was now in the mobile command van that would function as a central relay to communicate with the other detectives and the utility companies in the event services had to be cut. Ironically, the place they chose to enter the grid, as it was called, was directly below City Hall, barely a block from where Donna Camp had been rescued.

  Steve Jamison elected to stay with Pappas and answer any technical questions that might come up. Roger Dorsey, after being advised of the situation, had left work and arrived a half hour earlier. It looked like the man hadn’t slept in two days.

  Jack’s voice came over the van’s speakerphone.

  “This is Kale. Detective Sturgis and I are in. Area One is negative. We’re heading into the tunnels now.”

  “Acknowledged,” Pappas said. “Be careful.” He then turned to Jamison and asked, “How long ’til they reach the next junction?”

  “Maybe fifteen minutes for Kale and Sturgis. Thirty minutes for Childers and Spruell. Stafford and his partner should be at theirs in about twenty.”

  The detective sat back in his chair and began tapping a pencil against the desk. He didn’t mind Jack taking his place. The truth was he hated tunnels and confined spaces as much as Beth did. She was too competitive to admit it. So was he. He’d seen what she’d gone through at the barn as she tried to hold it together. Considering where they were, that didn’t bode well. Still, Jack was a bright guy, and a psychologist to boot. If a problem did crop up, he was more likely to recognize it than anyone else.

  But that left him sitting in a van, tapping a pencil, while they walked into who knew what.

  Chapter 52

  The water appeared to be increasing. The flow, coming from somewhere behind them, was now up to her calves. What progress they made was laborious and exhausting. Thankfully, her son seemed to be managing well, still clutching his sailboat in one hand and her arm in the other. They stumbled along, hoping to find a door that would lead to their freedom.

  After two hours in the semidarkness, Pam’s sense of direction became hopelessly muddled. For all she knew, they were retracing their steps. The sin
gle access panel they found shortly after starting out gave them momentary hope, but it was also locked. So on they went, down one corridor after another with the water trailing behind them. The tunnel had finally widened, allowing them to walk side by side.

  The brave little man next to her remained stoic, but she could see his strength was waning. Every so often, Pam stopped to give him a rest. Aaron’s eyes had assumed a vacant, hollow look. A hundred-yard stare, her husband called it.

  My little boy.

  The thought of getting him to safety became all consuming. No matter the cost, she would see it done. Even if that meant her own life in the process. The next door couldn’t be that far. Despite the bravado, doubts began to take over. She was a weak, overweight housewife, frightened of everything for as long as she could remember. Well, not anymore. She snuck a glance at Aaron again.

  My baby.

  Her son would live. She swore a silent oath on that.

  *

  Nearly a mile away, Beth and Jack continued along the tunnel to the next point on their map. The farther they went, the worse the reception was becoming on their hand communicators. After an hour of walking and feeling their way along portions of the tunnel where maintenance lights had burned out, Beth suddenly stepped in water that covered the tops of her boots. Despite the heavy rubber, she could feel its chill.

  Electricity and water don’t mix.

  Right. I’ll remember that when I light up like a Christmas tree, Beth thought.

  Somewhere, air was moving. As the breeze passed over Beth’s skin, she realized she’d broken out in a cold sweat. Annoyingly, Jack seemed fine. His face was grim, but his eyes were very much alive, taking in the details of their surroundings. He finally realized she was looking at him and smiled at her.

  After several minutes, he came to a halt and studied the map. They were at a junction of some sort where the tunnel split in opposite directions.

  “You know where we are?” Beth asked.

  “In a tunnel,” Jack muttered, without looking up.

  “You’re just irritated because you have to look at a map. Admit it.”

  He seemed to find that funny. “It’s that way,” he said, pointing.

  “Good. Do we still have a signal?”

  Jack took the hand communicator from his belt and checked it. “Two bars.”

  “Better let Dan know where we are,” Beth said.

  Jack keyed the unit and said, “This is Team One. We just encountered water. It seems to be coming from up ahead of us in the direction of our next stop. Can you check with the utility company and see if they’re reporting any leaks?”

  “Will do,” Pappas said. “Hang on.”

  Jack waited while a conversation took place in the background. He couldn’t make out any of the words. Pappas returned to the call.

  “Sorry. That was Childers checking in. They cleared the first four doors. No sign of the woman or the kid. Anything on your end?”

  “Nothing,” Jack said.

  “I’ll make the call and get back to you.”

  “What about Stafford and Mundas?”

  “Same. You sure about this search?” Pappas said.

  “Best guess,” Jack said. “It’s the only game in town.”

  “Yeah. Good luck,” Pappas said and disconnected.

  “How long ’til the next door?” Beth asked.

  “Thirty, maybe forty minutes,” Jack said. “Basically, we’re following Spring Street now. According to the map, the tunnel intersects with a feeder line up ahead at Tenth Street.”

  “What’s with all this water?” Beth said. “This can’t be right.”

  “No,” Jack said. “It can’t.”

  On they walked. Thankfully, the water level remained constant, perhaps even receding in some areas as it drained into the side tunnels.

  Dan Pappas called back five minutes later.

  “The water company says they have no indication of any leaks, but that’s not unusual. Until there’s a major drop in pressure along a specific line, they have no way of knowing.”

  “Wonderful,” Beth said. “We could drown down here and they won’t have a clue until someone’s faucet runs dry.”

  The detective added, “Team Two’s coming in. That’s Childers and Spruell, in case you were wondering. All four of their locations are clear. Stafford and Mundas have two more to check. You want them to hook up with you when they’re done?”

  “No,” Beth said.

  “What about the water company? They’re asking if you want them to send a repair crew down and start tracing the problem.”

  “Negative,” Beth said. “Let’s keep the civilian risk to a minimum until we locate that woman and her child.”

  Gutsy gal, Pappas thought to himself, then remembered Jack’s comment about it being politically incorrect to call women “gals.” His daughters were always getting on him for being a dinosaur. He figured it was okay as long as you didn’t mean anything bad by it. Steve Jamison interrupted his thoughts with a question, which he relayed to Beth.

  “Jamison wants to know how much water you’re in right now.”

  “It’s backed off some, but it’s over the soles of my boots,” Beth said.

  “And where exactly are you?”

  “According to Jack, somewhere under Spring Street approaching the Tenth Street cutoff.”

  Jamison came on the phone.

  “The map doesn’t show it, but that line runs straight down and crosses I-75/85. Eventually, you’ll come to the fifth relay station at Northside Drive.”

  “Isn’t that near the reservoir?” Jack asked.

  “Close. The reservoir’s on Howell Mill Road, one street up,” Jamison said.

  “Maybe it’s leaking,” Pappas said.

  “I don’t think so,” Jamison said. “Those holding tanks are pretty solid. Still, you can’t underestimate the danger. I’ve seen an arc flash travel over two hundred yards.”

  I wish he’d stop saying that, Beth thought.

  “I’ll call Water just in case and have them check the levels. Let us know immediately if you see any increase.”

  “Oh, you’ll hear from us,” Jack said.

  “Once you reach Northside Drive, the electric and water lines split in different directions. Our conduit routes toward your school.”

  “That’s fine,” Jack said.

  “Your sixth stop will be at Moore’s Mill Road, where they meet again.”

  “Acknowledged. We’ll let you know what we find.”

  With the water slowing their progress, it took nearly an hour to make their way to the Tenth Street intersection. There, they found a ladder that descended into a hole. Water spilled over the edge like a miniature waterfall. On the wall next to the ladder, someone had spray-painted, “Welcome to Disney World.”

  “Oh, this just gets better and better,” Beth said, zipping her rubber jacket closed. “These damned pants have a leak.”

  Jack seemed to bite back a smile and said, “I’ll go down first. Give me as much light as possible. If it’s safe at the bottom, I’ll call up to you.”

  “Wait, what? Why wouldn’t it be safe?”

  “Let’s see how much water’s down there.”

  Twenty seconds later, he yelled up, “We’re good.”

  Beth started down, muttering to herself about tunnels and water and suits. Two rungs from the bottom her foot slipped. Jack grabbed for her waist to stop her from falling, then eased her down the rest of the way. When she turned to thank him, their bodies were close and their faces inches apart.

  Great, I finally get him to touch me and I’m dressed like a lobster fisherman.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Jack held her a moment longer than strictly necessary then asked, “Ready?”

  “Ready.”

  He nodded and turned back to the tunnel, not seeing the swipe she took at the back of his head.

  Chapter 53

  Pam and Aaron Dorsey were cold, wet, and completely l
ost. Every tunnel they turned down looked exactly like the one they’d just come from. Getting out seemed hopeless. Pam knew they had to keep moving. The timer was still ticking. Whatever that lunatic was up to, it was going to happen soon. She willed her feet forward.

  Keep following the pipes. Sooner or later, they’ll lead the way to another door.

  Her son was nearing the end of his strength. When they paused to catch their breath, he leaned against her, resting his head on her hip. It wasn’t fair. His life was just beginning, and no madman was going to rob him of it.

  “Look, Mom,” Aaron said.

  Pam followed where he was pointing.

  Above their heads, a line of mice and rats were scurrying along the highest of the pipes.

  Pam fought down a wave of revulsion and said, “Guess they know something we don’t.”

  “Where are they going?”

  “They’re getting out of here. And so are we.”

  They had only taken a few steps before Aaron froze. He tugged on his mother’s arm.

  “Honey, I’ve seen the rats. They won’t hurt us. We have to keep walking.”

  “No, look!” Aaron whispered.

  Pam turned and gazed into the darkness behind them. A light was moving against the wall. A moment later, the shadow of a man appeared. Panic seized her. The policeman was coming for them. Desperately, she tore at the restraints binding her wrists. There was just a little play. If she could just get her hands free, she could fight him. Claw his eyes. Hurt him. Give Aaron a chance to escape.

  “What do we do?” he whispered.

  “Stay very still,” Pam said. “He’s going down a different tunnel.”

  “He’s getting closer.”

  Pam Dorsey made her decision. She could now make out a shape behind the light. An ominous malignant shadow.

  “Run,” she hissed. “Keep following the pipes.”

  Aaron stayed where he was.

  “Do as I say.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Pam’s heart nearly broke. She loved him for his loyalty. His courage. She loved him more than her life.