by M. L. WILSON
“The light is red!” Saunders says.
“Yeah, I know! Hang on!”
“Oh my god!” Saunders says as she fights to put on her seat belt.
Bishop spots a fuel tanker coming through the intersection. He speeds up to get through the intersection before the tanker, hoping the driver will slam on the brakes and block the intersection giving them a change to get away.
“There’s a truck coming!” Saunders yells.
“Yeah, I know. HANG ON!”
Saunders closes her eyes and prays for a miracle. Bishop zips through the light and past the tanker. As planned, the tanker driver slams on the brakes, stopping traffic both ways. Without a single scratch on the car, Bishop and Saunders look back to see if Bishop’s plan was a success.
The pursuing police cars weren’t so lucky, as the first police car slams into the undercarriage of the tanker, killing the officers instantly. The other two police cars skid to a halt.
CHAPTER 63
“DID WE MAKE it?” Saunders asks.
“Yeah, we made it, Doc. You can open your eyes now,” Bishop says as he turns the corner.
Saunders slowly opens her eyes and looks behind them and sees that they are not being followed. “We made it. Holy shit, we made it.”
Bishop smiles, but he knows they are not out of the woods yet. He decides to take a few side streets just in case.
“So what now?” Saunders asks.
“We have to ditch this car. They’ll be looking for it. Then we have to get out of town.”
Just as Bishop says that, he spots a Mercedes-Benz E-Class. He pulls to a stop behind it. “If we’re gonna run, we may as well do it in style,” Bishop says. “Come on.”
As Bishop is about to break the driver side window, a car drives up and skids to a halt. Bishop turns quickly and points his gun at the car. To his surprise, he sees his partner exit the car. Bishop keeps his gun pointed on Justice, not knowing if he was the one who turned them in to the police.
Justice gets out of the car with his hands up. He knows he has to be cautious considering all that Bishop and Saunders have been through.
“Listen, partner, I—”
“Don’t partner me, you son of a bitch. You ratted us out,” Bishop says angrily.
“No, I didn’t. Listen—”
“Don’t trust him, Bishop,” Saunders says. “For all we know, he was the one who told the police where we were.”
“No, I didn’t. I’m here to help,” Justice says. Bishop isn’t buying it as he keeps his weapon trained on Justice.
“Bull!” Bishop says angrily. “How did you know where to find us?”
“I listened to the whole thing on the police scanner. Think about it, Ken. If I wanted you dead, I could have made it happen a long time ago. I never would have let it get this far. Whatever we stumbled on, it’s big. Really big. You’re gonna need some help. Go it alone, and you’re both dead before sundown.”
Bishop keeps his weapon trained on Justice, but he considers that he’s telling the truth.
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” Bishop asks.
“You don’t. You just have to trust me. Is there anyone else that knows where you are?”
“Just you, Kuntz, and…” Bishop hesitates to say the one name he fears could be the one who gave away their location.
“Captain Danvers,” Saunders says.
“No,” Bishop says. “No way. I’ve known him for years. He would never do that.”
“Do we really wanna debate it right now?” Saunders asks. “We need to find a place to hide, guys.”
“All right, what’s your plan?” Bishop asks with his weapon still pointed at Justice’s head.
“I know a place we can hide; someone that can help us.”
“Get in the car, Doc,” Bishop says. “You drive, Detective Justice. I’ll sit in the backseat right behind you. If I see anyone following us, you’re history.”
CHAPTER 64
CAPTAIN DENVERS WALKS into the station hoping no one has figured out his secret. His conscience is making him paranoid. The attempt on Bishop’s life has failed, which doesn’t surprise him. He’s known Bishop for years. He knows he’s a tough, resourceful cop.
Danvers listened to the entire chase on his scanner, and he had mixed feelings about Bishop’s success. He’s happy the Bishop got away, but he knows the agents that came to him and threatened to expose his secret will be back. They won’t stop until Bishop and Saunders are dead.
The worst part for Danvers is that he doesn’t even know why they are trying to kill them. He knows it must have something to do with Kevin Phipps but beyond that, nothing.
“Morning, Captain,” Detective Keating yells from across the room. Keating is known as the wise guy, smart-ass of the department. He wants the entire squad to know that the captain is in for a reason.
As if on cue, all heads turn to greet the captain with a good morning in unison. Danvers can’t help but be a little nervous. Keating has never done this before.
Do they know the truth?
“Got some visitors in your office, Captain,” Keating says with a smile. “Three gentleman in black suits. I’m thinking FBI or CIA. The question is, Captain, what do they want with you?”
“Maybe I’ll hire one of them to replace you after I get rid of your smart ass,” Danvers says.
“Relax, Captain, I’m just pullin’ yer chain. Seriously, is it about Bishop?”
“I’ll let you know when I know.”
Danvers opens up his office door to see two of the agents sitting and the other looking at the pictures and awards on the wall behind his desk.
“Make yourselves at home,” Danvers says sarcastically as he closes the door behind him.
“I am sure you have heard, Captain, that our operatives failed to kill the detective and the doctor,” says the agent reviewing the captain’s wall of success. The agent doesn’t bother to turn and look at Captain Danvers. Danvers is human; humans are inferior.
“Yeah, I heard. Two of your, ah, ‘operatives’ died in the crash. Too bad.” Danvers’ comment makes the agent turn to face him.
“Do I detect a hint of sarcasm in your voice, Captain?”
“Why are you here?” Danvers asks. The agent smiles and takes a seat.
“I’m assuming I do not have to remind you of what’s at stake here, Captain, your career and your freedom?”
Captain Danvers doesn’t respond. He knows they have him over a barrel.
“Now that I have your attention, where is he?” the agent asks.
“I don’t know.”
The agent shakes his head in disagreement. He’s not going to let Danvers off the hook that easy. There’s too much at stake.
“Look, Bishop’s a smart cop. He’s probably figured out by now that I was the one that...sold him out. He’s not going to trust me. Besides, you guys are the ones that missed the opportunity, so don’t blame me. I did what you asked me to do.”
“That is not the answer I was looking for, Captain. Surely you must have a means of finding him.”
“I’ve been calling him, but he’s not answering. He’s on to you,” Danvers says with a slight grin.
“What about his partner?”
“What about him?” Danvers asks.
“Your detective and the doctor are all alone. They have to trust someone. Who better to trust than his partner?”
Danvers does know a way to find them, but he’s hesitant to tell the agent. Unfortunately, his facial expressions tell the agent all he needs to know.
“I’m afraid you do not have a very good poker face, Captain. Let me remind you again of what’s at stake.”
“You don’t have to remind me; I know what’s at stake,” Danvers says angrily.
“Good. Now, help us find them, and we will be on our way.”
“Okay. I’ll find them. When I do, I’ll call you.”
Danvers’ visitor is hesitant to take him at his word.
“You�
��re just gonna have to trust me.”
“Very well. We look forward to hearing from you very soon, Captain,” the agent says as the other agents stand and leave the office. “You’ve been very helpful.”
The agent leaves, and Captain Danvers is alone with the thought of how he’s condemned three people to death.
I can’t let this happen, Danvers says to himself.
He spins his chair around to his computer to access the department’s GPS software. He types in Detective Bishop’s department-issued cell phone number. The GPS shows its location at the motel. He types in Justice’s number, and in a matter of seconds, he is able to get a location on him.
“Damn rookie,” Danvers says as he shakes his head in anger. He figured Justice would at least throw his cell phone away so it couldn’t be tracked. He’s also surprised that Bishop didn’t think of it. No matter. Danvers know how resourceful the agents are. Now he has to make the toughest decision of his life. A decision that will get him killed.
He closes his eyes for a moment in a silent prayer, then picks up the picture of his two daughters from his desk. “I love you.”
Danvers has made his decision. A decision that will certainly get him killed. He grabs his coat and walks out of his office. An office he knows he will never see again.
CHAPTER 65
THEY’VE BEEN DRIVING for hours. It’s almost dark, and a slight rain has started. Gray skies and thunder says the rain is about to get a lot worse. Bishop keeps his gun in his hand and continues to look behind them to make sure they are not followed. So far, so good. No one following, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t being lead into a trap.
Lambs to the slaughter.
The one thing that a seasoned cop has to rely on is his gut feelings. Bishop’s gut feeling tells him that Justice is telling the truth. It also helps that they aren’t being followed.
“Damn!” Bishop says abruptly, startling Saunders and Justice.
“What?” Saunders says.
“Dropped my cell phone. Where are we headed?” Bishop asks.
“I know a place we can hide until we figure all this out,” says Justice.
“We?” Saunders interrupts. “I don’t recall anyone shooting at you, Detective.”
Justice is annoyed by Saunders’ comment. He and Bishop are cops. They run the risk of being shot at every day. Comes with the job. But Saunders is a doctor. Justice doesn’t feel she has a right to question him.
“Bishop is my partner, Doctor,” Justice says. “If they’re after him, they’re after me.”
Saunders isn’t completely convinced, but she knows the loyalty officers have to each other. Truth is, she’s glad Justice is with them. They’re going to need all the help they can get.
“I’m sorry, Detective, but you have to understand. It’s a little difficult to trust anyone right now,” she says with sincerity.
“Apology accepted.”
“So if you two are finished kissing and making up, you mind telling me exactly where we’re headed?” Bishop says.
“To see some friends that can help us. We can hide out with them until we figure out what to do next,” Justice says.
“What’s so special about these friends of yours? Why should we trust them?” Bishop asks. He trusts his partner, but how can he trust complete strangers?
“I don’t see where we have much of a choice, partner,” Justice says as he makes a left turn down a dirt road. There is no conversation as they proceed down the bumpy road. The area is wooded on both sides of the road with only the sunset providing any sort of illumination. This area reminds him of his first homicide crime scene—a young woman shot and killed and dumped in a wooded area just like this. The sight and smell of the woman’s decomposing body made him think twice about wanting to be a homicide detective.
Bishop clutches his 9mm just a little tighter. He and Saunders can see lights a few hundred feet ahead of them. As they get closer, they see a large cabin with four Cadillac Escalades parked in front. Justice seems to have some wealthy associates.
As Justice parks, they are greeted by three of the residents standing on the porch. They seem to be anxiously anticipating their arrival.
Bishop removes the magazine from his weapon to count the rounds. Saunders sees the precaution Bishop is taking and does the same.
“There’s no need for that,” Justice says to them both. “You’re among friends.”
“All right, partner.” Bishop opens the car door. “After you.”
CHAPTER 66
BISHOP AND SAUNDERS cautiously walk through the front door behind Justice. In case their guests aren’t as friendly as Justice claims they are, Bishop can always use him as a shield in case the shooting starts. He hopes it doesn’t come to that.
Their guests look harmless enough. All of them appear to be middle aged with graying hair. The leader appears to be a woman in her mid-fifties. Athletically built, she stands six feet one, with glasses and long, flowing gray and black hair. Saunders thinks she looks like a school teacher or a librarian. Bishop finds her attractive; he always has gone for the athletic type.
“Please make yourselves at home,” the woman says to Bishop and Saunders as she ushers them towards the leather couch.
Bishop and Saunders admire the luxurious accommodations as they take their seats. The richly decorated log cabin is three stories with twelve bedrooms. The living room has a large fireplace, veneer hardwood flooring and vaulted ceilings. A large Venetian rug sits underneath a large, marble coffee table. This is the type of home Bishop dreamed of giving to his wife and daughter.
“Nice place you got here,” Saunders says.
“No time for pleasantries. Time is short, Detective. They’ll be coming.”
“Who are you?”
“You can call me Christine,” the woman answers. “These gentlemen work for me.”
“You said ‘they’ will be coming,” Bishop says. “Who is ‘they’?”
“Promelians.”
“You mean, the people that tried to kill us are—”
“Aliens, Dr. Saunders.”
Saunders sits back in her chair in disbelief. She always believed in extraterrestrial life, but never actually thought she would encounter one, much less try to be killed by them. Bishop, on the other hand, is still skeptical.
“I’m still not buying this whole alien crap,” Bishop says with anger as he stands and paces the floor. “We stumbled onto something that they don’t want to get out, but it’s just the government trying to cover it up. Not aliens.”
“Listen to them, Ken,” Justice says.
“Why the hell should I? What’s your part in all of this? Who are these people, Alan? And for that matter, who are you?”
“We are Cereleans, Detective,” Christine interjects. “We’re the ones the Promelians are trying to kill.”
Bishop shakes his head in disbelief.
“Believe it, Ken,” Justice says.
“Why should I?”
“Because...I’m one of them.”
CHAPTER 67
THERE IS COMPLETE silence in the room that seems to go on for an eternity. As skeptical as Bishop has been, and considering all that has happened, he is starting to believe the story. Bishop just stares at his partner with mixed emotions. Saunders, who’s always willing to talk, abruptly breaks the silence.
“You’re a freakin’ alien?”
Justice doesn’t immediately answer. He can’t bring himself to make eye contact with either of them.
“Yes, Doctor,” Justice says, “I’m a Cerelean.”
“Oh my god,” Saunders says with a smile. “I knew it. I mean, I didn’t know that you were an alien, but I knew there were aliens. I was right. The guy you spoke to in the alley was right.”
While Saunders celebrates the confirmation of her belief, Bishop shakes his head in disbelief. All this talk of aliens and an alien war is too much for one day. He cups his hands over his face as he tries to understand all that has happened. Then
much to everyone’s surprise, Bishop does the unexpected. He starts laughing.
“He doesn’t believe us,” says one of Christine’s aides. “He thinks we’re crazy.”
“You find this amusing, Detective?” Christine asks angrily.
“I’m just waiting for Allen Funt to jump out and tell me I’m on Candid Camera. Or better yet, maybe Mulder and Scully from The X-Files will show up and save the day,” Bishop says.
“Ken—”
“You know, Justice, or whatever or whoever the hell you are. I woke up this morning thinking that today was going to be just another crappy day in New York. Another day of me being haunted by my demons. Instead, I find a dead man with black blood, men in black suits armed with automatic weapons, strangers talking to me in dark alleys, and assassins trying to turn me and the doctor into Swiss cheese. On top of all that, I lost a good friend and a helluva cop. You have to admit, it’s a little unusual.”
“Try to understand, Detective,” Christine says, “we came here to escape a genocide. Our people were being eradicated. We did not mean to involve your world.”
“Maybe not, but here we are,” Saunders says.
“So, you’re saying everything the agent told me in the alley is true; there is an alien armada headed to Earth?”
“Yes, Detective. The Promelians will be here soon, and no weapons you have in your arsenal will be able to stop them.”
“Why? Why do they want your people dead?” Saunders asks.
“Because...we created them,” Christine reluctantly answers.
“What do you mean you created them?”
“Genetics, Doctor. Centuries ago, our leaders realized we needed an army to defend against any alien attack. We created the Promelians for that purpose. The Promelians were genetically predisposed to violence. Over time, we realized that they had become a threat to our way of life. We exiled them to a nearby planet, Promelia. Over the years, their population grew. They resented us for exiling them. They waged war on our planet and killed millions.”