Extreme Liquidation: Caitlin Diggs Series #2

by Gary Starta

  “I’m down here, Caitlin. I’m on the Zamboni. Everything is all right .”

  ***

  Diggs forced herself not to run. The fog Hainsworth had created still shrouded the arena in gloom. It forced her to take deliberate steps. Caitlin realized she would be no help to Dudek if she fell. And as she ambled along the arena’s aisles toward the ice, Caitlin knew instinctively that Dudek was hurt and she had to save him. She had come to the conclusion that Dudek and Hainsworth had confronted each other in the rink as if they were part of a great showdown pitting good against evil. She sensed Dudek had won, but she also realized he had paid a great price for his victory. When Diggs finally came to Dudek’s aid, he told her the fight was not over yet.

  Dudek explained to Caitlin how Hainsworth had gloated shortly before his death. How his plan for ascension was already in motion and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He handed her a cassette tape, noting he had taped the conversation.

  “All these attacks were all part of a plan to bring about the end time, Caitlin. He intentionally wanted to create chaos for this purpose. Maybe he’s hoping the ultimate war will break out.” Dudek gasped for breath.

  Diggs’s eyes searched frantically for something she could use to slow down Dudek’s blood loss. She grabbed the purple robe and wrapped it about her superior’s stomach, hoping it would act as a tourniquet. Diggs was painfully unaware that this procedure would do little to stop Dudek’s bleeding and in fact would aid a sinister force in the process. She retrieved her cellphone and thumbed 911.

  “Help is on the way, sir. Now, you’ve got to hang on for me. Reserve your strength. You can fill me in later.”

  “No.” Dudek wheezed. “There isn’t time. I just told you Hainsworth’s ultimate plan is already in motion. You’ve got to stop it. You’re our only hope. You have...the...gift.”

  “Sir?”

  “Hainsworth, or Crowley, or whatever he called himself told me about your abilities.”

  A shiver ran up and down Caitlin’s spine. She didn’t necessarily care that her secret had been revealed, but she was appalled to learn that this Crowley being truly existed.

  Her mind flashed back to her latest vision. The White House and the President. A formal dinner would be held later in the day. She was sure the final phase of the plan would take place there.

  Dudek began speaking again. “I think I found a chink in their armor, Caitlin. Hainsworth undoubtedly possessed some powers, possibly aided by this Crowley. For example, he used sorcery to suppress my will. But I think he’s incapable of evoking emotions in people.”

  “How will this help us, sir?”

  “He had to use drugs to influence Salinger’s behavior. That means he couldn’t simply wave a wand and make everyone obey to his commands. If you confront the man you’re searching for...”

  Diggs finished Dudek’s sentence. “The man in black...”

  “Yes. You’ve got to hit him with strong emotions. If he’s a disciple of Hainsworth’s teachings, he will be susceptible to the same weaknesses. Emotion seems to be their Achilles Heel. Make sure you confront the demon with emotion. Don’t rely on conventional means to stop him.”

  Diggs smiled. “And when have I ever relied on conventional means to get the job done?”

  Dudek smiled with his eyes. Diggs realized her friend and mentor was dying.

  As she wrapped the robe about him, attempting to ward off the dank coldness of the arena, Diggs unwillingly became a conduit for Crowley. In combination with the magical powers of the robe and the pure white light contained within her, Diggs allowed Aleister Crowley’s soul to leap from Hainsworth’s dying body into Dudek’s.

  “Caitlin, you’ve got to go prepare. Don’t worry, the medics will find me.”

  “I won’t leave your side until they arrive, sir. The world will have to wait a moment.”

  She grasped Dudek’s hand tighter. She did not let it go until paramedics had escorted her injured friend into an ambulance.

  Chapter 29

  “This is your penance, my friend. You really did want to blow the medical examiner’s head off.”

  Mollini’s voice rang in Stanford Carter’s ears. The detective could not tell if he was still in Nirvana or back on prison grounds. Stanford did realize that he was aiming a fully loaded weapon at his temple. A dangerous action in any time or place. His finger began to apply pressure on the trigger. The action evoked no more emotion in Carter than a yawn or a sneeze. It was as if he were squeezing the trigger involuntarily. In that nanosecond of awareness, a small part of Carter began to fight the false memories Mollini had planted. Carter forced himself to regulate his breathing, realizing any sudden movement might release a bullet into his brain. Involuntary response. Carter realized he was about to commit involuntary suicide. Yet the moment he had relived was voluntary. Someone had manipulated his memories. The event that had transpired in Carter’s mind mere moments ago was not real. It was only real to those who could think beyond the five senses.

  Carter struggled to find his rightful place in the world. He had driven to the prison to elicit Mollini’s aid. He had phoned Jill before departure, assuring her he would come back in one piece despite her objections. It dawned on him that Jill was alive. He had disabled Shock from killing her. He detected an ethereal whiff of deception receding from his mind. Carter was back in the here and now.

  Carter began to speak with his mind, hoping a telepathic communication existed both ways. Mollini could apparently speak to him, but Carter wasn’t quite sure if he could speak telepathically to Mollini. He had to try. If he could be somehow coerced into firing the bullet, Mollini would win. He couldn’t abandon Jill like this. He couldn’t leave his department without a leader. He concealed his desperation, lacing his telepathic tone with detached emotionalism.

  “Mollini. I know you hear me. Stop this. Stop this, or you’ll never see the light of day again.”

  Mollini responded without hesitation, assuring Carter a two-way telepathic link did indeed exist.

  “You must face your emotions in order to reach Nirvana. I’m helping you to reach a higher ground, detective.”

  “You’re helping me into a coffin. Release your grip.”

  Mollini did not speak. But a black wave of emotion hit Carter hard in brazen defiance of the detective’s request.

  “Join me, Carter. Most people are insignificant, like your beloved Jill. She’s a one -dimensional being. You can learn to live without her, in another consciousness, with me.”

  Carter began chanting. “Drop the gun. Drop the gun. Drop the gun...” He knew he had to ignore Mollini.

  Calling upon his Ch’I, a Chinese term for life energy or spirit, Carter willed his life force to center all its strength into his gun hand. He felt a throbbing sensation in his fingertips. He smiled, realizing he was slowly regaining control of his body and mind.

  Speaking telepathically, Carter countered his nemesis.

  “I will lock you away so deep from humanity you won’t be able to hypnotize cockroaches, Mollini. Now, let me see what I requested. Let me see the man who threatens to usurp your power.”

  Mollini cursed.

  “That’s right, Mollini. If we don’t catch this man in time he’s going to claim all the glory. Generations will look upon him as the grand sorcerer, not you. You’ll soon be a forgotten memory.”

  “Okay. Okay.”

  Carter felt the gun slip from his fingers. It tumbled to the ground.

  “You had to admit, Carter. You really wanted to kill that bastard for holding your girlfriend hostage, didn’t you?”

  “I admit that wanting and doing are two different things entirely. It’s what separates the likes of you and me. You give in to the devil. I resist him. I’m only standing here talking to you today because I didn’t give in. I exercised control and only wounded the M.E. so he would let Jill go. That’s what really happened. That’s what’s in the history books.”

  “History is bullshit, Carter. It all
depends upon who’s writing it.”

  “Well, today, Mollini, that writer would be me. Now if you want to have a hand in writing history, show me the man, show me the future.”

  Mollini’s eyes rolled in their sockets. Carter’s eyes began to fully open. He took a brief instant to confirm his surroundings, eyeing the lawn and prison itself. He breathed in a lungs full of air. In the next moment, Mollini plunged Carter back into the darkness of his Nirvana. The prison faded away. Blackness descended upon him. Carter felt his heart pound like a hammer in his chest. It disturbed him.

  “Remember, Mollini.” Carter spoke to Mollini telepathically. “You’ll never see another human being again if you don’t help me.”

  Mollini remained silent. Soon, images flitted in Carter’s mind.

  He saw a huge, burly man. He was completely attired in black. Black suit. Black pants. Black sunglasses.

  “Tell me who he is, Mollini.”

  “I can’t say for sure. He’s blocking me.”

  “Are you acknowledging defeat? Is he a better magician than you?”

  “Of course not. He’s being assisted. He’s a beginner. Yet he has been under the guidance of a Master, someone who works in government. He’s in law enforcement himself.”

  The images continued to play in Carter’s mind. He could see the man. He struggled to emblaze the image upon his mind so he could relay it to Diggs. Mollini might be telling the truth. Maybe his true identity couldn’t be summoned with magic.

  Mollini relinquished control of Carter’s mind. The telepathic link had been severed.

  Now, Mollini spoke verbally to Carter. His voice dripped with arrogance.

  “I gave you your man, Carter. Isn’t that worth more than a trip to the gym?”

  “You almost made me blow my brains out. I’d say that nullifies our pact.”

  Mollini swore in defiance. “You never intended to keep your word, Carter. You bastard. I hope you and your cat rot in hell.”

  Carter walked away, back turned to his shackled heckler.

  “My parents taught me well, Mollini. They told me never to make deals with the devil. And I’m pretty sure Celeste won’t negotiate with you, either.”

  Minutes later, Carter was engaged in conversation with Diggs.

  “I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, Caitlin. I believe the man may work in some kind of security capacity for the government. He wears black.”

  “Yes, Stanford. It makes sense. And for God’s sake, don’t be sorry. You helped me immensely.”

  “Don’t forget to tell Celeste hello for me.”

  “I will.”

  As soon as the call disconnected, Diggs’s cell rang.

  Diggs knew the gruff voice on the other end even before he identified himself.

  “Why Captain Marcotte. How’s the manhunt going?”

  “Funny thing is, Diggs, it’s more like a woman-hunt, at least for me. We found who bought the bottles of water. I bet you’re not going to guess who made the purchase.”

  Diggs could see the captain was taking great pride in his revelation. She dared not spoil it.

  “No, I’d never guess in a million years. Tell me who?”

  “None other than our strawberry blond counter worker.”

  “You mean Cynthia Willis?”

  “Bingo. Looks like she assisted whoever murdered the water deliveryman. She made a large purchase of bottled water with a credit card. She also recently—and quite foolishly I may add—used that credit card to book a hotel room. I’m going after her and when I get her, I’m going to charge her with being an accomplice to murder. I’m also going to charge her with attempted assault on an officer of the law. You were right, agent, she was responsible for Rivers’s bizarre behavior.”

  “Good work, captain. Is the hotel in the area?” Diggs believed she already knew that answer but decided stroking Marcotte’s ego one more time could never hurt. In all probability Cynthia booked a nearby hotel believing the final phase of the plan to liquidate humanity was already in place and that investigators were simply out of time.

  “Yes, right in DC. Dumb son of a bitch. Oops. I mean dumb broad. Ahhh...I didn’t mean that either...”

  “It’s all right. I sometimes think being politically correct all the time is a hindrance to the force.” Diggs suppressed a laugh. Marcotte had no clue she was being facetious.

  “Now that’s spoken like a true lady. Good luck with your manhunt.”

  “Yes, and do keep me apprised. You know, concerning your woman-hunt and all, captain.”

  “Will do.”

  What a charmer.

  Caitlin braced herself for her next task. She phoned lab pathologist Ed Hoyt. He answered on the third ring, feigning surprise at the Saturday morning call. His voice intimated another emotion. Diggs was sure Hoyt was suspicious of her and probably not the least bit shocked by her request to meet her immediately at the Quantico lab. She was sure Hoyt knew what the meeting was about, but she dared not verbalize it, especially under the strained circumstances. Diggs was certain Hoyt held her in contempt for Rivers’s recent incarceration. He probably wasn’t going to volunteer any aid. She might have to take what she needed by force. She had driven for the past half hour unable to recall one detail of her driving route. Her mind had become totally consumed with forging a battle plan.

  Diggs sighed in relief upon turning into the Quantico parking lot. Hoyt’s SUV was parked in its usual spot. At least he complied with the meeting. She knew the hardest part was forthcoming. She absolutely had to take possession of the trust spray Hoyt and Rivers had concocted. It would be an essential part of her battle plan to even the score, to allow Agent Rivers not only a chance to save the world, but also to vindicate the rookie agent from all suspicion regarding her recent behavior.

  Diggs would not let Rivers take a fall she didn’t deserve. Rivers had not been herself when she attacked the store security guards. She had also not been herself when she attempted to prevent Greg Salinger from taking his life. Diggs knew she would have a hard time convincing Rivers of her complete innocence. Deondra Rivers took great pride in her reputation and because she did, Diggs knew the agent would have a hard time making excuses for herself. Despite their differences, the agents were more alike than they were aware of. Diggs too would never point a finger of blame at anyone or anything to excuse unbecoming behavior. Still, the trust spray would help Rivers get her feet back on the ground. Ironically, the one man who stood in Diggs’s path was Rivers’s lover, Ed Hoyt.

  Diggs didn’t attempt to convince Hoyt the spray might help restore Rivers’s reputation. He greeted her with something resembling a grunt. His eyes burned right through her. She believed their true color was gray, yet today, in the confines of the stark whiteness of the laboratory, Hoyt’s orbs appeared charcoal. Diggs’s mind wandered as Hoyt began to call her bluff.

  “So Caitlin, what absolutely couldn’t wait until Monday morning?”

  “First of all, Ed, I wanted to let you know I may have a break in the case. I think I may be able to find who was responsible for drugging Deondra.”

  “I appreciate the personal appearance. But you surely didn’t drive all the way to Quantico to ease my nerves. I think you’re only concerned about your partner’s welfare out of guilt. You would lead her down whatever precarious path your wild imagination might conjure up simply to keep a rein on your title—you know the one. It should be emblazoned on a shirt: World’s Most Unconventional FBI Agent’.”

  “What are you talking about, Ed?”

  “I know the real reason you’re here.”

  Ed didn’t have to explain. Diggs knew what he meant. He realized she was here to take possession of the trust spray.

  “I bet Dudek’s behind this, too. Tell me I’m wrong.”

  “Stop! There’s something you’ve got to know. Assistant Director Dudek was critically injured in a fight with the director this morning. Director Hainsworth is dead as a result.”

  “I don’t believe y
ou.”

  “It’s the truth . I suspected Hainsworth of duplicity since Geoffrey’s death. So did Dudek. I think Dudek finally reached the boiling point and confronted him. There’s a valid reason for Dudek’s extreme actions. As we speak, a bigger threat is taking shape. Now we’ve got to pull together and stop this threat or everyone dies.”

  Hoyt’s eyes grew wide as saucers.

  “I need the spray, Ed . This is bigger than you and Deondra. It’s bigger than you and me. I’m doing what’s right. I think Deondra will agree.”

  “Oh, so your plan involves Deondra, does it? Doesn’t her suspension mean anything to you? She won’t be able to assist you. She’s off duty.”

  Diggs recognized the volatile tone of Ed’s voice. His voice resonated with a demented timbre, like the voices of several gunmen she had encountered over the years. From past experience, Diggs realized men behaving in this fashion were often reaching a breaking point. Usually some kind of desperate behavior would follow their indignant pleas. They somehow felt they were standing on the right side of the law, and those equipped with badges and guns were the duplicitous enemies.

  Diggs watched in horror as Ed reached behind him to open a cabinet. Maintaining steady eye contact , Ed retrieved a bottle of liquid from a shelf. Diggs believed she knew what Ed was going to do with that bottle. Her mind raced to find some logic for his bizarre behavior. Yes, maybe as Deondra’s boyfriend, Ed felt a duty to be her protector. And yes, sometimes the unconventional approach to law enforcement might cripple or even end an officer’s career for insubordination. But Diggs saw something darker in Ed Hoyt’s eyes. She recognized his actions were being controlled.

  She recalled the first vial Ed had processed from Alyssa Morgan’s apartment. The deceased junkie-hooker had most likely used this vial to infect Gregory Salinger. Ed had found traces of ethanol in it. She had touched this vial and fell over from negative energy. Diggs theorized someone with a black soul had once touched it as well. Maybe Ed had experienced the same sort of reaction. Yet with nobody to observe him, it was quite possible Ed had been taken over by a negative energy force without even realizing it, despite taking the precaution of using latex gloves. In effect, Ed wasn’t protecting Deondra so much as he was protecting the men responsible for procuring the psychotropic drugs. She had to act fast. Ed was probably going to smash the bottle to smithereens.