Friction

by Dwayne Gill

  Every person in the house was burdened by worry, and Calvin had been trying his best to keep a relaxed atmosphere. He disguised his own anxiety by laughing, joking, and offering to play games or watch television, but nothing seemed to raise their spirits. Until there was resolution to the many problems surrounding them, Calvin feared there would be no peace.

  Lynks was inside communicating with Barkley, desperately trying to find Swelling, Tina, and Shauna, but Calvin was growing weary of what seemed to be inevitable failure. Even if Barkley found the captives, what could she possibly do to save them? She’d nearly lost her life earlier today trying the same stunt.

  Calvin looked at his watch and frowned. Cane still hadn’t arrived across the country, while Daniel and William were still airborne as well. We just need our heroes back, thought Calvin.

  The ladies were huddled at the diving board, talking low, but Calvin could hear their voices carry over the water. Jordyn asked about Tom and sighed when Natalie reported back the honest news. He wasn’t responding. Calvin felt terrible for Jordyn; the woman had been through enough without having her hopes dashed all over again. Tom was never coming back, and the sooner he was out of the picture, the better. Jordyn deserved to move on.

  Calvin froze as he heard Jordyn mention something. “What I’d give for a banana split,” she said. The other three ladies echoed her sentiment by making ‘yum’ noises and continued discussing desserts. It frustrated him. Not only were the women having to deal with their anxiety, but they were doing so on empty stomachs. Suddenly Calvin thought of his own limitations when it came to helping the team. He wasn’t strong, his intelligence was limited, and he certainly wasn’t overly brave. However, one thing he had was compassion and resourcefulness, and in that moment, he thought of a way to make himself useful.

  “Hot fudge sundae, with nuts,” said Taryn.

  “I’m with you on that one,” said Kristy.

  “Anything with caramel,” said Natalie.

  “Maybe there’s a half-eaten candy bar inside,” said Kristy.

  They let out a collective laugh, which was rare lately. Calvin rubbed his hands together and got up. “I’m gonna go help Lynks with something,” he said. They waved at him as he disappeared inside. He couldn’t take Lynks’s mobile center, for the tech guru likely had an alarm that would go off. That only left his brown, beat-up Toyota Camry, and he hoped it still had enough battery after sitting up for weeks. He snuck out the front door after snoozing the motion sensors. They’d be operational again in five minutes, which would alert them when he returned, but he didn’t care about that.

  Calvin entered the garage and got in his car, delighted to see the battery half-charged. Now was the fun part, and he couldn’t wait to see the looks on the women’s faces when he returned with their favorite desserts.

  *

  October 2, 2028

  9:00 p.m. EST

  Miami, Florida

  Barkley’s heart was pounding. The first house had been a failure, which left only this one, and it already looked promising. It had all the right ingredients: it was in a secluded area, had been abandoned for years, and best of all, lights were on inside. The house was smaller than Barkley would have expected; most of the others on the list were two stories or greater, and the home was on the cheaper end of the spectrum. Left to nature, the structure had definitely seen better days, for vines grew up the sides, and what remained of the siding was chipped and dirty. Barkley guessed they had never kept the home in immaculate shape, but it had once been an acceptable abode for a middle-class family. The yard’s condition offered more proof of the home’s decline. Weeds overtook the property, obscuring what had once been a decent lawn.

  Barkley knew in her gut this was the right place, and she couldn’t imagine being any more frightened. Her earlier brush with death had sobered her to the reality of her fragility, although she’d handled her attackers before. The spade she’d speared through the marked man’s eye had been a lucky occurrence and one she didn’t think would grace her again. Barkley didn’t think her odds were great, and there would be no one coming to help her. Hart was in Maryland by now with his own burden to bear, one far more dangerous than hers.

  Considering Hart, she realized she needed to call him back. He’d tried to call earlier when she was mid-search and left her a message, but she’d been distracted. He’d sounded sad in his voicemail but didn’t seem in urgent need to talk. However, she wanted to call him before she made her move.

  Barkley had trouble hearing him when he answered because of all the background noise. “Barkley? I was worried.”

  “I’m so sorry,” said Barkley. “I’ve been busy. I should’ve called you back sooner.”

  “Lindsey’s dead,” said Hart. He said it matter-of-factly, but Barkley could hear the pain behind the words.

  “Oh my God,” said Barkley. “What happened?”

  Hart told her about the raid at the FBI field office in Chicago. “It was a massacre. It reminded me of the Miami club scene.”

  Barkley knew him well enough to know how much guilt he must feel, although it wasn’t his fault. She also sensed his resilience, because as bad as it had been to see his friend and other innocents slain, Hart was on task, doing what had to be done.

  “There’s only fifteen of us here,” said Hart. “Maybe I shouldn’t have been so picky with who came along.”

  “One bad egg could get you all killed,” said Barkley, reasoning with him. “You did the right thing.”

  “We’re moving in soon,” said Hart. “Wish us luck.”

  “Wish me luck, too,” said Barkley. “I’m standing in front of the house where Swelling and the others are.”

  There was a moment of silence. “You’re not going in alone?”

  “I am,” said Barkley.

  “Wait for me,” said Hart. “We’ll go in together.”

  “You know I can’t do that,” said Barkley. “No matter what happens there in Maryland, when Vinson finds out, Swelling, Tina, and Shauna will be killed.” Hart’s silence told her he understood. “Lynks has this address. If something happens to me…”

  “Please be careful, Ellen,” said Hart. He sounded pleading and desperate.

  “You too, Lance.”

  When Barkley hung up, the ensuing silence weighed a ton as she realized how alone she was, but it reminded her to call Lynks one more time. “I’m going in.”

  Lynks’s anxiety had reached its limits over the last hour. “I’m begging you, please wait. You can sit there and keep watch. Just don’t go inside.”

  Barkley had grown to respect Lynks over time, but she’d never felt more appreciative of his concern than at this moment. As lonely as she felt, his care and caution comforted her but also helped push her over the hump. She had no choice; there was no other option but the one she was exercising. “I’ll call you when it’s done.”

  *

  October 2, 2028

  9:30 p.m. EST

  Herald Harbor, Maryland

  Vinson couldn’t believe his ears as his man in Chicago relayed the news. “You’re sure the license plate matches?”

  “There’s no doubt. It’s the same beat-up brown Camry.”

  “Follow him discreetly,” said Vinson. “Call Rick. He’s not far away. Do not lose him.”

  The brown Toyota was a match to the vehicle they’d spotted weeks ago trying to spy on one of their BioFare facilities. Who was driving it back then, Vinson never knew, and he didn’t care who drove it now. All that mattered was that whoever was in the car was connected to Cane, Daniel, and William, and the driver was going to lead his men directly to their lair.

  Vinson was glad he’d waited to kill Bowman, Swelling, and the rest of the hostages, for he’d almost ended them after he repeatedly failed to reach Cane by phone. Now he had an even bigger show to put on for the assassin, especially if Vinson could get his hands on Cane’s beloved Kristy. He hoped Travis hadn’t killed Swelling and the two children in Miami yet either; synchr
onizing everyone’s deaths would truly be a magical moment. Vinson called Travis, just in case, to make sure he knew about the latest development. “I want Swelling and the kids safe until it’s time. Please tell me they’re still alive.”

  “I haven’t touched the children,” said Travis. “The woman is still alive.”

  Vinson took this as good news, though it didn’t sound like Swelling had been unharmed. As long as she’s alive, thought Vinson.

  This news came at the heels of another bit of fortune as Vinson bubbled over with anticipation. Hart and Plumber were at their doorstep, planning a raid on the CIA facility, at this moment. Once again, the FBI had underestimated Vinson’s reach and had trusted the wrong person, and this time it would cost Hart, the slippery agent, his life.

  Vinson’s element of surprise would lure the FBI agents to their demise. Now Vinson just hoped he could somehow synchronize all the executions to make the biggest impact on Cane. However, unless the assassin answered his phone, it wouldn’t matter. Vinson wasn’t out of ideas; he had already thought of a way to make sure Cane didn’t miss the coming spectacle. He turned to Mick.

  “I want this streaming on the Internet,” said Vinson. “I want the entire world to witness it.”

  Mick nodded and smiled. “I’ll make it happen.”

  Vinson readied his men for the approaching FBI raid, rubbing his hands together in delight as he spoke to everyone by radio. “Try not to kill them all, especially Agent Hart. I know he means something to Cane, so I want him to be part of the finale.”

  Derailed

  October 2, 2028

  9:45 p.m. EST

  Miami, Florida

  Barkley had walked around the perimeter of the house three times, trying to get a visual of the interior. The windows were so dirty, she couldn’t see through them, but there was no doubt someone was home. She heard a television in a bedroom in back playing regular programming, maybe a movie, while another played cartoons in the front den. Was the abductor trying to keep the girls entertained?

  Barkley didn’t dare venture too close to the windows in front, fearing she’d give away her position, but she couldn’t avoid detection indefinitely. She readied her pistol and made sure she had a plan of attack in her head, trying to push back her anxiety. Whatever she did, she had to do swiftly, precisely, and without reservation. Once inside, she might only have moments to react, and she had no idea how many men awaited her.

  The only approach that made sense was through the front door, for the back barrier appeared sealed shut and impenetrable. Since the house was small, breaking a window to gain entry didn’t appeal either, for the noise would surely alert whoever was inside, and the last thing she wanted was to struggle through a small opening while being fired upon.

  The front door looked rickety and fragile and seemed like the surest way of instant access. She hoped to surprise the captors inside before they knew what was happening; it was her only chance.

  This plan was all she had. The thought of waiting for help had crossed her mind repeatedly, for she’d never felt so afraid in her entire life. The same feeling she’d had at Tina’s house engulfed her, but this time Barkley was even more aware of the marked men’s lethal nature. Ultimately, Barkley’s decision was driven by her concern for the innocent people inside, knowing she was likely their only hope of survival. If I die, I die, she thought.

  Barkley raced forward and kicked the door with all her might and was surprised at how easily it surrendered. The interior was dirty and smelled terrible, but the only things she could focus on were the two young girls bound on the floor in front of her. They were both awake and wild-eyed, reacting to the commotion. Tina and Shauna looked at her pleadingly but couldn’t speak because of their gags.

  Barkley heard loud, thundering footsteps before she saw the source, and when she looked up, there was a large, muscular, shirtless man running at her, full speed ahead. It shocked Barkley how fast the man moved, and he looked different from most of the other marked men she’d seen. There was something more in his eyes and the way he carried himself, like he was an advanced version of the other men she’d faced. A lieutenant, she thought.

  Perhaps it was this intimidating thought, or just the fact that he was almost inhumanly quick, that kept Barkley from reacting in time, though she got off a shot. The bullet grazed the man’s shoulder, but it barely slowed him as he plowed into her.

  Unlike the last marked man, the lieutenant didn’t land clumsily on her but had shoulder-tackled her, causing her to spring backward to the floor, where she fell hard. Before Barkley could refocus, the man had extracted the pistol from her hand and was aiming it right at her.

  “Welcome to the party,” he said. “I’m Travis. Nice to meet you, Agent Barkley.”

  The way he said it sent chills down her spine, and she instantly knew there was no way she would live through this. There’d be no magic spades or stray water hoses this time. As she finished the thought, the lieutenant’s right foot left the floor and came crashing down on her already battered face, and she lost consciousness.

  *

  October 2, 2028

  9:00 p.m. CST

  Naperville, Illinois

  Lynks paced the den, anxiously waiting for Barkley’s call. He looked at his watch. It’s been fifteen minutes, he thought. He tried to reason with himself to keep calm, for there were several things that could have happened, and not all were negative. Maybe Swelling or one of the kids needed immediate medical attention, he thought. The possibilities flooded his brain, the worst scenarios fighting to the forefront. He considered calling Cane, but there was nothing he could do, and there was no reason to falsely alarm him.

  As Lynks tried to harness his emotions, he heard a door slam, immediately followed by the sound of a motion sensor. Before he could check his phone to see who it was, Calvin came bursting through the front door in a panic. “Get everyone to the panic room!”

  Lynks tried to make sense of the strange scene, but Calvin was already running toward the back patio where the ladies were. Outside, Lynks heard vehicles skidding to a stop, snapping him into action. Thinking quickly, knowing Calvin was already halfway to the back of the house, Lynks sprinted to the library and typed in the code to open the panic room so it would be ready. His heart pounded as he heard a loud banging at the front of the house, undoubtedly the intruders trying to enter.

  Moments later, Calvin rounded the corner with the women in tow and Wally at the rear. Calvin escorted the confused-looking caravan into the room and looked at Lynks. “I’m so sorry,” he said.

  Lynks still had no clue what had happened, but there was no time to discuss it. Calvin stepped in, followed by Lynks, but right before Lynks shut the door securely behind them, he realized Fletcher was missing. “Fletcher is upstairs,” said Lynks.

  Calvin shot him a terrified, confused look, while everyone else muttered and cursed under their breath. Lynks pushed Calvin back and said, “If I’m not back in time, shut this door.” He heard Calvin protesting and the rest of the room’s occupants yelling and struggling with Calvin, likely restraining him.

  Lynks sprinted to the stair landing and ascended when he heard the front door give way. When he was almost to the second floor, he saw Fletcher walking toward him, puzzled. “To the panic room!” said Lynks. The guard registered the urgency in his voice and ran toward him, so Lynks climbed the stairs back down to the ground floor.

  Lynks didn’t bother looking in the direction where the commotion originated as he made a beeline for the library, for it would only slow him down. When he entered the doorway, he heard a loud pop, felt a severe burning sensation in his upper back, and couldn’t stop himself from falling forward. It was as if his own body had betrayed him. He looked up to see Calvin peering from behind the half-open door of the safe room, eyes wide with panic, but hands grabbed Calvin and pulled him inside as gunfire sprayed the steel door as it closed. More shots behind Lynks were surely the men subduing or killing Fletcher, but Lynks di
dn’t have the stomach to turn and look.

  At least the rest are safe, thought Lynks as he looked at the panic room door. As he lay prone, he saw boots step in front of him and stop. “Hello, Lynkoln,” said the voice. Straining, Lynks glanced up to see a face he’d only seen once but instantly recognized. It was Rick.

  *

  October 2, 2028

  10:15 p.m. EST

  Herald Harbor, Maryland

  “We must move fast,” Hart said to Plumber. “If they deploy an EMP, we’ll be sitting ducks.” Having been a strong advocate of Eguns, Hart had never wished for access to traditional firearms until this moment. If the marked men had time to deploy their countermeasures, they’d certainly do so, which would at once cripple the operation.

  “You sure we shouldn’t split up?” asked Plumber. “Eight men in front and seven in back?”

  “We can’t,” said Hart. “These men are more skilled than the average man. If we’re going in, it’s gotta be full force.”

  Plumber nodded. “I trust you.”

  For what it was worth, it felt good to hear it, although it had come a few weeks too late. Hart couldn’t blame Plumber entirely for his skepticism, for Hart had spent the first couple of weeks in hiding. He now wondered if having Plumber’s cooperation sooner would have made a difference. Perhaps Lindsey would still be alive, and Barkley would be by his side and out of harm’s way.

  As badly as Hart needed to block these thoughts from his mind, he couldn’t stop worrying about Barkley. He considered calling her once more, but they were out of time. The longer they lingered in front of the CIA building, the greater the chance of the men inside being alerted to their presence.

  The facility wasn’t well-guarded, and in fact it functioned more as a public meeting place for agents. The front doors were glass and undoubtedly locked, but entry didn’t concern Hart. What lay behind those doors did, for though the place was rather small, they’d seen the floor plans showing the underground space beneath the main structure. The CIA had disguised the building in plain sight, giving no hint of its government affiliation unless one knew better, and its true treasure was found below ground. How they planned on searching the place quickly was still a mystery, but at least Blake had given him the code to access the lower level.