*****
Benny’s car weaved up a main city street, heading towards the central district.
“She contacted one of the witnesses,” he explained, “Looks like she’s finally making her move.”
“She contacted a witness? Directly?”
“Yes. And that little contingency spell left in place had the witness contact me.”
“Selena wouldn’t know that?”
“Not sure. Either way I had him organise a meeting with her. I told him to make it at a place across town. But somehow it landed up being here.”
We arrived at a city park and Benny pulled into a parking bay. Ahead of us, stretching off to a duck-infested lake, neatly trimmed lawn was laid out like green carpet. Clusters of civilians hovered at regular intervals, crowding around outdoor tables and picnic baskets.
Benny had barely opened his door when a figure approached at speed.
“Where the hell have you been,” the middle aged man asked.
“Relax,” Benny replied, “Plenty of time. Now tell me how this landed up being in a public park? I was very clear about where I wanted it to be.”
I climbed from the car and lo and behold before me stood Morris Chapman. He still sported a grey moustache stolen from a vintage film. The last time we met he had been shooting at me with a silver pistol in his penthouse.
“She insisted,” he replied to Benny, glancing at me. No indication was made that I had been recognised.
Benny sighed. “She insisted? Christ’s sake, Morris…”
“Why just the two of you?” Chapman snapped, “You said there’d be a squad.”
“A team is on the way. Tell me exactly what she said.”
“She said she suspected foul play in her case and wanted to discuss it with me. How many in this team, Enforcer?”
“Kingston.”
“Kingston. I heard this woman is extremely dangerous. How many?”
“She is extremely dangerous. But we’ll be ready, don’t worry.”
Bizarrely, Chapman didn’t even seem to recognise Benny. I wondered if he remembered how to tie his shoelaces.
“What else did she say,” Benny prompted.
“Just that. And she wanted to meet me in the park. You said I had to make the meeting under any circumstances. I tried to change her mind but…”
“It’s fine. Where in the park?”
“I don’t know. She just said the park. Am I going to be safe, Kingston?”
“You’ll be safe, Mister Chapman. Now, if you please, there is a protective vest in my car’s trunk. Put it on under your shirt.”
Chapman moved to obey as a black van entered the parking lot. It pulled up and allowed six plainclothes Enforcers to jump out, then moved off again. A burly mid-forties man marched toward us. His neck was hidden somewhere between immense shoulders.
“Kingston,” he said, “Six of the finest. Plainclothes. Another van is incoming.”
“And these men are Defence and Countermeasures experts?” Benny asked.
The burly man nodded. “Yes. The best that could be arranged at such short notice. Now you wanna tell me what the hell we’re doing here?”
Benny jerked his thumb at Chapman. “Selena is coming for the witness.”
“Selena Stephania? Holy shit,” the burly man sneered, “I knew this would come and bite us in the ass, Kingston. Doing upkeep on the shit you pull is seriously getting out of hand. You hear me? Rein it in you stupid bastard.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll be sure and give my regards to your wife next time we’re cleaning up a harem of whores on your behalf. Shall I?”
“You’re such an asshole, Kingston. That was eight God damned years ago. Is this operation even authorised?”
“It was the moment you got here. Thank you for your trust, Commander.”
The burly man narrowed his eyes and spat a glob of phlegm on the ground. “Just tell me what we’re doing.”
“Stephania is due here shortly. She’ll likely make contact with the witness and try to escort him elsewhere as quickly as possible. I would like your men in this park, blending, and ready to act. My guess is she won’t risk injuring civilians, though I can’t be certain of that. So it’s just a matter of force and advantage of numbers. We bring her in, simple as that. Non-lethally, as a first option.” He paused, then added; “With your consent, Commander.”
The burly man swept his head around to inspect the environment. “There is a real risk of civilian injuries here, Kingston. Look at this place. I can’t take the heat for authorising this shit if it goes sour. You know that. I’m already under enquiry…”
“I know, relax. It won’t go sour. You have my word.”
“It better not. Where are we putting the lure?”
“I’m thinking that table there,” Benny replied, pointing to a stone table on the far side of the grassed area.
“Lure?” Chapman cut in. He stepped up, refastening buttons. “Enforcers, if I am injured in any way…”
“Your safety is our top priority,” the burly man responded, “You are in no danger and we thank you for your participation Mister…”
“Chapman.”
“…Chapman. Please step over to the van and you will be issued with a two-way communications radio.”
Chapman frowned for effect. But I had an inkling refusal was not an option for him. He headed for the van. The burly man looked round and spotted me.
“You’re Clarence,” he said matter of factly.
“Yes.”
“Heard about you,” He glanced at my bandaged hand, “Heard about the girl, Judy Carlson. Either way I’m glad you’re here. I’ve heard your Spirit Level is a force to be reckoned with.”
A second van arrived and ejected more Enforcers.
“Right, lets get this show on the road,” Benny declared.
The dozen Enforcers gathered and the burly man addressed them.
“She is dangerous and very powerful. I’m sure you’re all aware. This parking is the only entrance, so keep your eyes open and wait. Let her get to the table before moving. Do not look her in the eyes, avoid being within ten meters of her proximity, and do not lose your focus. When she gets within range of the table, I will give the order to move. Do so quickly; surround her, contain her, and put her down. And for the love of God do not let this woman inside your head. She is highly trained and very capable.” He paused, his stern eyes drifting from face to face. “And this is a populated area, Enforcers. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that. Raw Spirit is a last resort. Any reckless discharges will not be tolerated.”
There were murmurs of agreement. The group spread out and disappeared into the park. After a few seconds, I could not tell which men were Enforcers and which civilians. The burly man turned to Chapman.
“Do not look at her. Do not talk to her. Do not even acknowledge her. Do you understand? Just sit there and keep your mouth closed. Let her come to you.”
“I understand,” Chapman replied.
“You do not need to signal us she has arrived, we will have seen her. You do not have to signal us to act. We will do so when we are ready. And most importantly, Mister Chapman, do your very best to not even think about us. We will act before she is close enough to effectively probe your mind but it does not hurt to be cautious. Understood?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
‘Then move to the table. Let’s get this over with, Mister Chapman.’
Chapman headed to the table. The burly man turned to me and Benny.
“Well, let’s go, Enforcers. When this is over we’re even, Kingston. You get me? I don’t wanna hear about it. Not ever again.”
“Agreed. We’re even.”
The three of us moved to a cluster of benches at the far end of the parking lot. Behind them, a wall of towering trees whispered as they swayed in the mid-afternoon breeze. The position allowed a clear line of sight on Chapman and the parking area, as well as being partially masked by a low hedge.
A teen couple occupied o
ne of the benches and the burly man addressed them. “Move along please. Official Enforcer business.”
The two exchanged glances.
“What’s going on,” the boy asked.
“Nothing of significance. We’re just observing. Please move along. Perhaps you’d better head home.”
They moved off and we sat. All three of us faced into the parking lot.
“Eye’s peeled,” the burly man said, “Don’t let her sneak up on us. But be casual. Don’t stare when she arrives. Once you’ve seen her just divert your eyes.”
I wiped away cold sweat, watching, waiting. Selena would enter via the parking lot’s mouth sixty meters away. Minutes ticked by. After what seemed an age of listening to nearby chatter and watching cars arriving and exiting, Benny glanced at his watch.
“She’s due now,” he said.
My eyes scanned the parking lot, jumping from car to car. I examined the face of every new person. She was nowhere. A few more minutes ticked by. Then fifteen. Then thirty. Then forty-five. The tension melted. Part of me sighed in relief.
“She’s not coming,” Benny sighed.
“Or she got tipped off and left,” the burly man snorted, “Waste of my time. Let’s clear out.”
We stood, emitting various sighs and groans. The burly man spoke into a radio.
“Alright Enforcers, we’re clearing out. She’s not coming. Bring in the vans.”
We headed back towards the centre of the parking lot. The sun had passed its peak and crept down towards the tree lined horizon. The park was now bubbling with activity.
I glanced at Chapman, wondering if he had blown it and tipped her off. The expression on his face halted me. He was staring at us with saucer eyes, face glowing red from sun exposure.
“Something’s wrong with Chapman,” I said.
The others stopped and followed my gaze.
“Think he just has a mild case of sun stroke,” Benny muttered.
There was an awkward pause. Around us the wind picked up and the leaf canopies whispered. Then Chapman tilted his head, ever so subtly, towards the lake. His lips were so tightly pressed together, they turned white.
I diverted my eyes and looked out over the glittering water. There was nothing but a group of snowy white ducks.
“Go get him,” the burly man told Benny.
The ducks began to part, drifting off and leaving a clear path. Between them came a small wooden boat. And in the boat was a figure.
“Oh shit,” I muttered.
The other two spotted the boat and watched as it beached under a weeping willow. The figure, partially masked by a group of civilians, hopped out and stood on the shore.
“Is it her?” the burly man whispered, squinting his eyes. He raised the radio. “Enforcer’s, belay that order. Hold your positions. Repeat; hold positions. Possible sighting on the shore. Can someone confirm?”
Chapman was now visibly trembling. Something wasn’t right.
The figure, meanwhile, was still. Its head turned as it inspected the park. I could envision flashlight beams from its eyes moving over the surrounding civilians.
“It’s her,” a voice whispered back from the radio.
Benny restrained an exclamation of delight. We turned and strolled back to the benches.
“Stay in position,” the burly man said into the radio, “Same plan. Just note she is coming from the shore, repeat, the shore. Not the parking lot.”
It was as we reached the benches that I sat and turned my attention back to Chapman. His face was now a frozen mask of terror. Something was definitely not right…
“Chapman’s losing it,” I muttered.
As I squinted at him a sense of misplaced uncertainty crept into my mind. My instinct seemed to be acutely aware of something my brain was not, insisting I should look deeper, probe harder; see the face in the clouds. Still I could see nothing but Chapman’s horrified expression.
‘Ignore me,’ a little voice said, ‘Ignore me, ignore me…’
Vertigo pulled at my stomach and distantly the warning buzz began to sound. I found my Place of Calm. Like a switch completing a circuit my focus snapped into reality. A second figure was standing meters behind Chapman. And always had been.
“There’s someone else there,” I gasped, “By Chapman. There! They’re Ghosting!’
Benny and the burly man looked, frowning. After a moment their expressions reflected what my eyes were already seeing.
“Oh shit,” Benny breathed, “Oh my God…”
The instant the figure was identified it began to move. It grabbed Chapman by the scruff of the neck and dragged him towards the shore.
“Chapman! Eyes on Chapman!” the burly man roared into the radio, “There’s a second person! A second person!”
“Repeat that? Second person? Can’t confirm,” the radio responded.
I watched in dumbfounded awe as the figure guided Chapman across the park, weaving between civilians, passing through groups, dodging around couples, all the while seeming to be invisible. Confused heads turned; Enforcers attempting to spot them, but glazed eyes saw nothing. Even when the pair passed meters away.
“Oh shit, oh shit,” I heard Benny snarl. He looked at me, teeth clenched, then grabbed the radio from the burly man’s hand. “All Enforcers, move on the person by the shore! Now, now, now!” His eyes fixed on me again. “Let’s move, Jet!” And then he was tearing off into the park.
Balance - Book 2 Page 40