by M. L. WILSON
“Why weren’t you there for us?” Caroline asks.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sor—”
Bishop sits up and looks around the room He’s not at the morgue, he’s still in the motel room in bed. It was another nightmare. He looks over and sees that Saunders is still sound asleep. Frustrated, he turns the digital clock on the night stand towards him.
“Two o’clock.” Bishop wipes the sweat off of his face and lays back down and stares at the ceiling. He knows he won’t be getting much sleep tonight.
“I’m sorry.”
CHAPTER 57
MILLIES’ DINER IS not the type of eatery Saunders is accustomed to. She immediately turns up her nose at the sight of the building. They enter the building, and Saunders is not surprised at the atmosphere: smoke-filled room, greasy food, and rude truck drivers. She’s in no position to be picky, though. After all, beggars can’t be choosers.
“Not bad,” she says sarcastically.
They aren’t greeted by a waitress, not that they were really expecting to.
“There’s an empty booth in the back. Let’s sit there so I can keep an eye on the door,” Bishop says.
“Well, at least they have a television,” says Saunders. “Maybe there’s some news about who shot up my apartment.”
Much to their surprise, the booth was clean. Before they could even sit down, a waitress was there ready to provide service. Another pleasant surprise.
“Welcome to Millie’s. I’m Rita,” the waitress says in a loud, raspy voice. “Here’s the menu. Can I git y’all some coffee?” she says with a heavy Southern accent as she smacks and chews on a piece of gum.
Rita is only thirty-two years old, but you can see in her face how hard life has been for her. The bloodshot red eyes and heavy facial wrinkles gives most people the impression that she is in her mid-sixties. Being a heavy chain-smoker most of her life has done its damage.
“Yes, please. Black, no sugar,” Bishop says.
“What about you, darlin’?”
“I’ll just have water,” Saunders says.
“I’ll be right back.”
As Rita walks away, Bishop can’t help but think of the television show Rhoda that he used to watch when he was a kid.
“Well, here we are, Detective. Now what do we do?”
Bishop doesn’t immediately answer. There is no answer, actually. The only objective he can think of right now is to stay alive.
“We have to keep moving. We have to find out what the hell is going on.”
“Speaking of that, I never got a chance to thank you for saving my life.”
Bishop smiles. “All in a day’s work.”
Saunders sighs and says, “Well, looks like we got ourselves into one helluva mess.”
“Yeah,” Bishop says. He pats Saunders on the hand to comfort her. “Look. We’re gonna get through this, okay? Something big is going on here, and we accidentally stumbled upon it. That’s all. What we need are answers. It all starts with Kevin Phipps. We need to know more about him.”
“One thing I know about him, he’s not from this world,” Saunders says. Bishop is really not in the mood for any talk of aliens, though.
“Look, Doctor. I respect you and your profession, but I don't believe in aliens, okay?”
“Okay, but—” Before Saunders can reply, Rita returns with their drinks. “Here ya go. Y’all ready to order?”
CHAPTER 58
GREASY STEAKS, RUNNY eggs, and burnt toast was not on the menu, but that’s what Bishop and Saunders will call breakfast today. After nearly fourteen hours without food, they’re in no position to complain as they both tear into their food as if it were their last meal. The only sound they make is the clanking sound of their forks and knives on their plates. The possibility of this being their last meal has crossed their minds. The way things are going, it could very well be.
Not a word is spoken between them since Rita brought them their plates. After about twenty minutes, only morsels remain.
“Oh my goodness,” Saunders says. “That was the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time.” Bishop nods his head in agreement as he wipes his mouth with his napkin.
“This is all cops eat. Why do you think we’re all over weight?” Bishop says with a smile.
“You’re not overweight, Detective. Not by a long shot.” Saunders says with a girlish smile. The compliment is not lost on Bishop, but he doesn’t react much to it. Saunders feels a little embarrassed for saying it since Bishop did not react at all.
“Okay, so what do we do now?” Saunders asks.
“I’m going to have to contact Justice and let him know what’s going on. He’s been calling all night.” Bishop looks up at the television to see if there are any news alerts.
“Are you sure you can trust him?” Saunders asks. “I mean, I don’t think it’s a coincidence he shows up as your new partner just when all of this starts happening.”
It’s hard for Bishop to argue with that. He doesn’t know Detective Justice at all. “I’m not sure, but my gut tells me the kid’s okay.”
“Hmm. Just hope your gut’s not wrong.” Saunders replies.
Bishop takes his phone off his hip to make the call. Saunders notices a frown as he looks at the missed calls.
“What’s wrong?” Saunders asks.
“Lots of missed calls and texts from Captain Danvers and Justice but none from Kuntz.” Bishop hits Kuntz on speed dial. “No answer. Got his voice mail.”
“You don’t think—”
“I think it’s time for us to go,” Bishop says as he waves for Rita to bring them the check. As they get up to leave, Saunders looks up at the television and sees a news alert. A very disturbing news alert.
“Holy shit, Bishop,” she whispers. “Look.”
Bishop turns to see a picture of them on the screen with a single word underneath in red letters:
WANTED!
Saunders is stunned to silence and unable to move. As Bishop tries to hurry her to the exit without drawing any attention, he is able to hear the news alert:
“...are wanted for the deaths of two law enforcement officers, Special Agent Jeffery Stafford and NYPD Sergeant Jeffery Kuntz. The suspects are considered armed and dangerous.”
CHAPTER 59
BISHOP AND SAUNDERS make it back to their motel room unnoticed by anyone in the diner or on the street. There is loyalty among criminals in areas like this. Authority is the least desired element around here. Unfortunately, there’s a reward for information leading to their capture. There is far more loyalty to the almighty dollar than there is for a fellow criminal.
“Oh my god,” Saunders says as she enters the room. “I can’t believe this is happening. What are we going to do?”
Bishop doesn’t answer. He locks the door and lays his forehead on the door in a silent prayer. They killed his friend. Someone else he cared about is gone forever.
“I’m...I’m sorry about your friend, but we have to do something. These people are serious,” Saunders says.
“Yeah,” Bishop says. “Yeah, I know. We need help.” Bishop takes his cell phone off of his hip and hits the speed dial.
“Who are you calling? Your partner?” Saunders asks.
“He’s all we’ve got.”
Before he hits the speed dial to call his new partner, his cell phone rings; CPT is all that shows on the screen. Bishop lets the phone ring a couple of times, deciding whether or not to answer. He still doesn’t know who to trust.
“Who is it?” Saunders asks.
“It’s my captain,” Bishop answers as he pushes the talk button.
“Hey, Captain,” Bishop says, acting as if nothing has happened.
“Where have you been, Bishop? I’ve been calling you all night.”
“Sorry, Captain, I’ve been...busy.”
“Yeah, well, I have bad news. Sergeant Kuntz was found dead in his apartment. Multiple gunshot wounds. He was murdered, Bishop.�
�
Bishop doesn’t answer because he already heard the news, and he knows he is being blamed for it.
“Bishop, there’s an APB out for you and Dr. Saunders. I don’t believe you had anything to do with Kuntz being killed, but I do believe that you and the doctor stumbled onto something that’s made you both very wanted. Where are you? Where’s your partner?”
Bishop hesitates to answer. Even though he’s known Danvers for years, he’s still not sure who to trust.
“We’re being set up, Captain. We didn’t kill anyone. I don’t know who to trust.”
“You have to trust someone, Bishop. You can’t keep running. Eventually, they will find you.”
“I don’t know,” Bishop says as he looks at Saunders. Bishop knows that if Danvers is a traitor, he’s putting both of their lives at risk. Surprisingly, Saunders nods the go-ahead to Bishop.
“Tell him,” Saunders whispers. “We need help.”
“All right, Captain. We’re in a motel just outside of town. The Palace Motel off the interstate.”
“All right, stay inside. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Captain Danvers hangs up the phone and immediately makes the call that he has been dreading to make. The call that’s going to get two people killed. After a few rings, Danvers gets an answer.
“It’s Danvers. I found them.”
CHAPTER 60
AS SOON AS Bishop hangs up the phone, he begins to have second thoughts about telling Danvers their whereabouts. Saunders tries to comfort him.
“You did the right thing, Ken. We have to trust someone. Who better than someone you’ve known for years?” Saunders says.
“Yeah, I hope so.” Bishop says. “I still want to let Justice know where we are.”
“Are you sure? You just met him.”
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“How can you be so sure?” Saunders asks.
“I just know, okay?” Bishop says as he hits the speed dial.
After two rings, Justice answers.
“Bishop,” he says anxiously.
“Hey, partner,” Bishop says.
“Hey my ass, partner. Where the hell have you been? I’ve been waiting all night for you to call.”
“We’ve been...busy.”
“Too busy to call your partner?” Justice asks.
“Listen, Justice. Me and Dr. Saunders are in big trouble. We stumbled onto something big; something that has to do with Kevin Phipps. They tried to kill us tonight. They killed Sergeant Kuntz and framed us for it. We need your help.”
“Yeah, I know all of that, Ken. They’re blaming you for the agent’s death as well. There’s an APB out for you all over the country. Where are you?” Justice asks.
Bishop hesitates. That hesitation is not lost on Justice.
“Look, partner, you can’t go at this alone. You and the doctor will be dead by the end of the day. You have to trust me. Tell me where you are, and we’ll figure this thing out.”
“We’re in a motel off the interstate. The Palace Motel. Captain Danvers is on his way also. “
“No offense, but are you sure you can trust him?” Justice asks.
Bishop is offended by the question. Justice hasn’t been in the department two days, and he’s asking if a twenty-year veteran of the police force is trustworthy?
“I’m not sure who to trust. I’m not even sure if I can trust you,” says Bishop. He remembers what the agent told him in that dark alley, that one of the aliens was close to him. Only way to find out who’s who is to flush him out and make him talk.
“I understand. Just sit tight. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Justice hangs up the phone, grabs his gun, and jacket and he’s out the door.
Bishop hangs up and hopes he hasn’t just sold themselves out. There is more at stake than his survival. He has to think about Saunders’ safety as well. He also has to consider the possibility that what the agent told him in the alley is true. If it is, the whole world is in trouble.
As fantastic as it sounds, Bishop is beginning to believe that it’s actually true. His only options are to either keep running or get some answers. It’s a gamble that he doesn’t share with Saunders, but he believes that Justice is the someone that the agent was talking about.
“Aliens,” Bishop says in disbelief.
“Yeah, aliens, Detective. You still think I’m crazy?” Saunders says. “How long has this...war between them been going on? Why do they want our planet?” Saunders asks rhetorically.
“We’ll soon find out.”
CHAPTER 61
“OKAY. SO NOW what?” Saunders asks as she nervously nibbles at her cuticles and paces the floor.
“We wait,” Bishop says.
“Wait? Wait? That’s your whole answer?” says Saunders angrily. Bishop stands up and gently puts his hands on Saunders’ shoulders and guides her to the chair.
“Look, Doctor. You need to calm down. Pacing the floor and eating your fingers isn’t doing us any good. We need to remain calm if we are going to make it.”
Saunders doesn’t reply and she doesn’t stop eating away at what was once a very nice manicure.
“Okay,” Saunders says. Bishop knows his words went in one ear and out the other as Saunders rocks back and forth in the chair. At least he got her to sit down.
Bishop walks over to the window to check for any unusual activity. As he looks out, he notices two police cars pulling up in the parking lot. Having the police patrolling this area is not unusual, but something doesn’t feel right with this patrol. They are driving slower and more purposely. Seconds later, a third police car pulls up in the parking lot.
“Damn!” Bishop says.
“What? What’s wrong?” Saunders asks.
“Police are here,” Bishop says as he starts packing their bags. “Get your stuff. We gotta go.”
“Damn it!” Saunders says as she starts packing. “Which one did it? Which one snitched us out?” Saunders asks angrily. Bishop doesn’t have an answer. He’s asking the same questions.
“How are we gonna get out?” asks Saunders. “We obviously can’t go out the front door.”
“The bathroom window. Come on.” Bishop throws the bags out the window first. “Come on.”
“I can’t fit through there,” Saunders says in a panic.
“Would you rather die from lead poisoning? Get your butt out that window!”
Saunders manages to climb out. She lands head first on the ground. “Damn it!” she says. As soon as Saunders says that, Bishop hears a loud banging at the door.
“POLICE!”
Bishop climbs out the window just as the police kick in the door.
“This way,” says Bishop. They start running toward a nearby housing project.
CHAPTER 62
BISHOP KNOWS THEY don’t stand a chance of escaping on foot. It would just be a matter of time before they are caught and killed. Bishop looks back to see if the police are close behind them and sees one of the officers pointing his 9mm at them out the bathroom window. Fortunately for Bishop and Saunders, he doesn’t have a clean shot. Bishop knows any second now, those police cars will be coming around the corner. They have to find wheels and fast.
Exhausted, Bishop and Saunders make it to the first car in the parking lot. Bishop uses the butt of his weapon to shatter the driver’s side window and opens the door.
“GET IN!” Bishop yells to Saunders. He reaches under the steering wheel and yanks the wiring loose.
“You know how to hot-wire a car?” Saunders asks, breathing heavily.
“You learn a few things being a cop.”
It only takes seconds for the engine to start. Bishop slams the car in drive just as two police cars are coming around the corner.
“Here they come,” Saunders says.
Bishop speeds into oncoming traffic, causing drivers to swerve to keep from hitting them. Drivers lay into their horns and shout expletives at Bishop. Fortunately, the few fender-benders Bishop causes slows the
police and forces them to maneuver around the accidents. At seventy miles an hour, Bishop swerves in and out of traffic to keep from causing a major traffic accident.
“They’re right behind us!” Saunders says.
“Hang on!” Bishop says as he hits the accelerator. He knows there is no way they are going to outrun police cars. His Trans Am could have, but not the four-cylinder Nissan Sentra he stole. Their only hope is to outsmart them, maybe lose them in the traffic. It’s also just a matter of time before more police join in the chase.
“We have to lose them, and fast!” Bishop says.
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?” Saunders replies sarcastically.
The officer on the passenger side of the lead car loads his weapon. He leans halfway out the window and fires at his target. The rounds hit the trunk and shatter the back window.
Bishop hits the accelerator to ninety miles per hour, which is easily matched by the pursuing “police officers.” Bishop knows there is no way they are going to outrun the Ford Mustang squad cars with nearly four-hundred horsepower. The only chance they have is to lose them in traffic. In and out of traffic, Bishop lays on the horn so he doesn’t hit anyone.
“GET OUTTA THE WAY!” he yells to the drivers in front of him as if they can actually hear him.
“Did we shake ’em?” Bishop asks Saunders.
“No, they’re still behind us.”
Bishop slams the accelerator to the floor. At top speed, he continues to weave in and out of traffic with the police following closely behind.
“Come on, you piece of crap!” Bishop yells to the car, hoping it will make the car go faster.
“They’re gaining on us!” Saunders says as she looks back through what’s left of the rear window.
Just as Bishop was beginning to doubt their chances of escaping, he sees an opportunity to elude their pursuers.
“Turn around and hang on!” Bishop tells Saunders.