Losing It

J. R. Obra

Somewhere in Miami, Florida a lone five-year-old by the name of Alexandria Raven was taking a series of boring assessment tests. She sighed. Through the tasseled mess of long black hair a pair of vibrant blue eyes stared up at the large clock on the wall--two o’clock. With that another sigh passed her lips considering that she’d been here since eleven o’clock and all. She could be playing with her best friend Reese, but no here she was. Brushing some of her unruly hair out from her eyes she then continued with the last few questions. These questions are so easy...

“Name of a natural glass formed when hot lava cools suddenly?” Alex read the question aloud, “Oh, that's Obsidian.” Circling the final answer she then sat her pencil down. “Done.”

Just then Mrs. Reaps looked up from her grading to inquire, “Alexandria, are you done with your test?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Good.” The teacher removed her glasses and gestured for her to come up. “Please, bring me your paper.”

Pushing her wooden seat back Alex stood up, grabbed her completed test and the borrowed pencil then quickly approached the large desk. “Ma’am.” She said and held out both for her to take. “Here you go.”

Mrs. Reaps brushed the wavy blond hair from her gray eyes and flashed the child a friendly smile. “Thank you, Alexandria.” Taking the items she placed the child’s test upon the stack before her and began to grade it.

Alex placed her hands behind her back and nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.” Oh, she has the RED pen! Her mom used one to check off the wrong answers on all those tests that she’d been given at home. Assuming she had made a mistake, released a worried breath and lowered her gaze to the black and white tiled floor.

Mrs. Reaps swiftly graded the test. Once done she wrote the score on the top of it then gathered Alexandria’s other tests before stapling them all together. “Alexandria, I want to congratulate you on a job well done,” she praised. “You have the highest score so far.”

“Thank you, Ma’am.”

“You’re a gifted little girl for only being five years old.”

“Ma’am, I’ll be six in two days.” Alex corrected while nervously twisting her Spider Girl shirt. She then placed the other hand in a pocket and focused her attention on her brand new tennis shoes.

Just then the teacher noticed the child’s mother peeking into the room and grinned back, “Forgive me, Alexandria.” Slowly she rose to her feet. “Would you like to go outside and play while I speak to your mother?”

“May I?” she glowed at the thought of leaving this empty room.

“You may.” Mrs. Reaps led her toward the opened smoked glass door. “You have a nice day now.”

“I will!” An ecstatic Alex rushed up to a striking woman with an olive complexion that was her mom. And unlike her unruly hair her mother’s was always kept in a neat, tight bun. “MOMMY!”

“Hey, sweetie!” Sarah Raven greeted. She was dressed in a white dress shirt that had been neatly tucked into a gray skirt. Pushing her thin wire-framed glasses up with an index finger her cobalt eyes twinkled with love. “How’s my baby?”

“Mommy,” she drawled just as her mom knelt down before her. “I’m a big girl now.”

“Forgive me,” Sarah chuckled warmly, correcting. “How’s my big girl?” Wrapping strong arms around her daughter she gave her a big kiss on the cheek and flashed her a ‘I’m so proud of you’ smile.

“Mrs. Raven,” Mrs. Reaps approached the reunited pair, “may I speak to you for a moment?”

And as Sarah rose to her feet the pumps she wore only added to her already impressive height of 6-ft 2-in’s. She then turned to face the teacher, “Of course.”

“Mommy?”

“Alexandria,” she laid her magazine down before gazing down at her daughter, “Reese is outside waiting for you.”

Alex flashed her a joyful grin. “May I go outside and play?”

“You may.” Sarah said, sitting her down. “Be careful and don’t wander off.”

“All right, mommy!” She acknowledged before rushing off in search of her best friend. Reese was a few months younger than herself and truly her only friend in the whole world. Alex was charging down the empty hallway towards the exit, pushed a steel door open and yelled. “REESE!”

There stood a blonde haired girl dressed in green overalls with matching t-shirt and a pair of white sneakers. This budding artist who was known to draw their adventures out every chance she got was named Reese Collins. Who was at the moment engaging in a game of hopscotch with some girls, when she heard her name being called. A large grin quickly formed and her blue-green eyes lit up at the sight of her friend. “ALEX!”

Alex leapt over the two remaining stairs and skidded to a stop before her awaiting buddy. “Hello.”

“Hi, Alex,” Reese replied, brushing some hair out from her eyes. She casually pulled on a strap to her overalls and wondered, “Would you like to play hopscotch?”

“Nah.” Alex shook her head and hiked a thumb towards a nearby large iron structure. “Thought we could play on the Jungle Gym instead.”

“Sure.” she shrugged, turning to her playground friends. “Bye guys.”

“Come on!” Alex gestured for her buddy to follow before bolting towards her favorite piece of playground equipment.

As they approached Reese soon realized that it was crowded with other kids and sighed, “Alex, it’s really crowded.”

“Nah.” she voiced while starting her climb towards the top. “I’ll find us a good spot.” And as Alex was elbowing a few unruly boys along her way she found the perfect spot for them both. “Reese, come on up!” she shouted over a shoulder. “Don’t let these BOYS bother you.”

“All right!” Reese called back and began her journey towards her companion.

“Hey!” A burly boy protested the blonde’s intrusion and blocked her path with his large frame. “No girls allowed!”

Reese’s tearful eyes widened at the sight of this bully before her. “But...”

“I said-”

“Leave REESE alone!” Alex’s cold, blue eyes glared menacingly down at the stupid boy who dared be rude towards her best friend. “Or you’re going to have to deal with me.”

“Shut up...” He started to say, but swallowed hard upon seeing the intimidating tomboy above him. The boy froze in fear as his dark eyes made contact with icy blues. “Uh... um.”

“Let her pass.”

The boy gave her a quick nod and hastily moved out of the blonde’s path. “S-sorry.”

“Okay,” Reese said, drying her eyes. And upon reaching her destination she had a seat next to her best friend and praised, “Alex, you’re my hero!”

“No problem,” she replied, grinning. “I’ve gotta’ look after my sidekick.”

“Why did ya take so long?”

“Mrs. Reaps gave me FIVE tests.” Alex heaved a sigh then turned her attention to observing the busy playground from their perch above.

“Five?” Reese unconsciously twisted on a loose thread from her t-shirt. “I only had four tests.”

“Only four?”

“Yeah.” Reese nodded, counting on her fingers. “I had Math, English, Science and So-Soshul-”

“Social studies.”

“Yeah, the one with all the states.”

“Right.”

“Did Mrs. Reaps grade them?”

Alex nodded.

“Well,” said Reese before nudging her in the side, “tell me what ya got.”

“She congratulated me on a job well done.”

“WOW!” A cheerful Reese patted her on the back. “See you were special after all.”

“Yeah,” she agreed solemnly.

Reading her best friend’s unhappy face she wondered, “Alex, what’s wrong?”

“She said I was gifted,” sighed Alex while focusing on her shoelaces.

“Really?”

“Mrs. Reaps is talking to mom about my scores.”

“About that school you told me about?”

Alex nodded. “I think so.”

“B-but...” Reese was so afraid of losing her best friend that she began to nervously chew on a strand of hair. “They can’t!”

“I know. Reese, I don’t want to go to another school either.”

A tearful Reese begged, “I want to be with you.”

“Well then,” Alex tried her best to hold back her own tears as she slung her arm over Reese’s shoulders. “No ones going to break us apart!”

“Promise?”

“I promise,” she repeated, crossing her heart. “Cross my heart and hope to die. Stick a needle in my eye,” Alex recited just as she heard her mother’s voice.

“Alexandria! Reese!” Mrs. Raven called again. “Time to go!”

Alex gestured, “Come on, Reese.”

“I’m right behind you.”

~~~*~~~

Mrs. Reaps was waiting till Alexandria’s mother had left before pulling out her cell phone. She dialed a number and waited only a moment before it was finally picked up on its second ring.

“Eastman Plumbing,” a secretary greeted warmly, “what can we do for you today?”

“If you go...”

“You’re gone forever.”

“And if I go...”

And Mrs. Reaps finished with, “I’ll lose my way.”

“Welcome,” the secretary said next, “may I have the subject’s name?”

“Raven, Alexandria R.”

“Pass or Fail?”

~~~*~~~

June 2, 1977

An ecstatic Alex shouted, “YAHOO!” This was her day. She hopped out of bed, skipped into the living room and switched the TV on. After turning to channel 4 she made a running leap onto the couch. “YAY!”

“... da... DA... da... Spider Girl!” as she hummed the theme to her favorite show. Alex bounced twice before bolting into the kitchen in search of her cake, but it was to no avail. No chocolate cake. Instead, she found an assortment of health-oriented foods in the process. “Must’ve hidden it somewhere...” she pondered just as she spied some cookies behind a jar of strawberry jam. “Peanut butter cookies!” And after taking a couple of cookies she went in search of her sleeping parents.

“MOMMY! DADDY!” she called out and stealthily snuck up to her parent’s room. Placing an ear to their door Alex then snickered upon hearing her grumbling father awake and whispered, “Daddy.”

“For the love of God,” Richard groaned, yawning. “Sarah, it’s your turn.”

“We both have to.” Sarah nudged him before climbing out of bed herself. “It’s Alexandria’s birthday.”

“But, I’ve been up since 3 AM working on the damn virus.”

“Richard, WE’VE both been up,” Sarah countered, adding, “Hello--been working on that damned Becker case. Remember?”

He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry darlin’.”

“Uh huh. Besides, her first day of school is tomorrow and it would be wise of us-”

“Oh, yeah...” Richard yawned. “I almost forgot about that. Have you told her?”

“I wanted to surprise her.”

A wide-eyed Alex stepped back from the door before stomping back into the living room. “So, it’s true...” Sighing she threw herself onto the couch and stared up at the ceiling. She then heard her parent’s door open and the sound of their footsteps drawing closer. “They’re sending me to THAT gifted school.”

“Good morning, birthday girl.” greeted Sarah and when she leaned over to plant a kiss on her forehead noticed the pouting look from her daughter. “Alexandria?”

“Must I go to THAT school mommy?”

“We’ve already discussed this-”

“But why?”

“Like I said before... the Avery Academy for the gifted is an outstanding school--one that I might add helped focus me in my academic career.”

“Huh?”

“Alexandria, why not give this school a chance?”

“I want to go to Washington just like Reese.”

“You know just because you go to a different school doesn’t mean you two still can’t be friends.”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Sarah grinned, “Now silly willy... would you like mommy to make some yummy French toast?”

“Okay.”

Giving her a slight nod Sarah then turned and entered into the kitchen.

As Alex watched her mom gathering the necessary ingredients for their breakfast, she heard the heavy footfalls of her father approaching. “Hi daddy.”

“Good morning, little raven.”

“Morning.”

He ruffled her hair and inquired, “How’s my six-year-old child prodigy?”

“Fine, daddy.” Alex wanted to say something, but knew it would only fall on deaf ears. For she was the child and they were the parents after all.

Sarah in the meantime was tying her hair back into a bun when she felt eyes upon her person. And in an instant knew what Alexandria was thinking. The school for the weird, she sighed. They only wanted the best for her and this school would be a valuable asset in the years to come as it had for herself. And ultimately knew her little girl would understand this one-day she mouthed, “I love you.”

Alex waved back.

Richard was tall, dark and handsome as well as a successful biochemist in his own right. And as he was pulling his ‘Alex luvs Dad’ coffee cup out of the kitchen cabinet he thought back to something his investigative daughter once said about his giant stature.

Snapping back from his memories with a warm grin upon his face Richard silently slunk up to his preoccupied wife and snaked his arms around her waist. “Morning angel,” he breathed into an ear before giving her a peck on the cheek. “Making some yummy French toast I see.”

“Stud...” A glowing Sarah leaned into his firm body. Her body was an inch or two shorter than her mate’s, but it fit perfectly into his. The love of my life. She knew from the moment they had bumped into each other at homecoming that he was her soul mate. And reflected back to the day she had to explain its meaning to her daughter. It was a sweet scene indeed, one that she’d never forget as long as she lived.

Alex meanwhile was wishing that they’d just let her go to the public school with Reese instead of going to that special school for the weird. “I don’t wanna go,” she huffed then heard a knocking at the door. “Ugh!”

“I got it!” Alex leapt over the couch in her mad rush to answer the front door, unlocked it then swung the door open. “Hello?” she greeted and standing before her was Reese dressed in a turtle green shirt and a pair of white overalls plastered with numerous stick figures in different poses. The very ones that caused Reese’s mother to be pissed on account the creative duo had designed it themselves.

“Hi.” said Reese as she nervously pulled a strand of hair behind an ear to reveal a pair of sparkling green eyes.

“REESE!” she lit up upon recognizing her best friend. And when she pulled her in Alex added, “Come on in.”

“Good morning, Alex,” Reese greeted and let herself be led into the room all the while secretly hiding something behind her back. And just as Alex tried to sneak a peek at what she was holding Reese protested, “NO!” Moving so that the sneaky Alex couldn’t see she scolded, “Not until I say so.”

“Oh, good morning Reese,” Sarah greeted their early morning guest. “Would you like some OJ?”

Glancing up at Alex’s mother Reese nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Go ahead,” Sarah said before heading back into the kitchen, “and have a seat in the living room and I’ll bring it to you.”

“Okay.” she replied minding the present in her hands then had sat down on the couch.

“Mommy, can I have a soda?”

“Alexandria...” Sarah adamantly shook her head before scolding. “You know that pop is bad for your growth as well as your teeth.”

“But MOM.”

“No buts about it young lady,” Sarah added and offered her some alternatives. “Juice, water or milk.”

Alex sighed, “Juice then.” Scrambling over the back of the couch she had a seat next to her awaiting friend then leaned over. “Is it for me?”

“Yes,” Reese said with a giggle, scooting over. “It’s for your birthday.”

“Really?” she gasped before falling to her knees. “Can you please me give a hint?”

“Nope.”

“All right,” Alex said while trying to think of something to offer. “Okay, from now on YOU can be the hero and I’ll be your trusty sidekick.”

Reese’s eyes lit up upon hearing this. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Alex, you look funny on your knees,” she giggled. “It’s all right, I don’t mind being the sidekick.”

“No, I said you could be it and you’re it--HERO!”

“Okay.” Reese thought about her offer for a moment longer before suggesting, “How about if we switch? You know so we both could be it.”

“Sure, Reese.”

“Okay.” Reese gave in then held the package out for her to take. “Happy birthday, Alex.”

After examining the package’s comic strip wrapping Alex inquired, “Did you wrap it?”

“Yep.” she glowed proudly. “All by myself.”

“Thank you, Reese.” Alex grinned just as her mother returned with two glasses of orange juice and sat them down on the coffee table. “Thanks mom.”

“Here you go,” Sarah said, noticing the package. “Reese, I love the wrapping.”

“Thank you Ma’am.”

“Mom,” Alex turned to her mother and begged, “can I please open it?”

“Only if Reese says so.”

An ecstatic Alex then held the present in question up for her buddy’s permission. “Pretty please?”

Reese nodded, “Go on, Alex.”

As the birthday girl ripped open the wrapping then the box itself she found an envelope inside that read, ‘To my best friend’. Alex opened it quickly and pulled out a homemade card with the words, ‘Happy Birthday’ scrawled in red crayon and below it a bright sun with a smiley face. “Wow!” She opened the card next and read it aloud, “To my bestest friend in the world!” And beneath that were two stick figures holding hands. One was of Reese colored in green with long blonde hair and the other of herself colored in black. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Reese gestured towards the box. “But there’s something else.”

“Look mommy!” said Alex handing the card to her mom. She soon noticed a small black box within, picked the box up and opened it. Inside she found two round dark gray medallions that were stuck together. After picking them up she read the inscription aloud, “Friends forever.”

Reese grinned and pointed. “They come apart.”

“Really?”

“Yes, pick one and give me the other.”

“Okay.” Alex slowly caressed the weird circle design around the words then pulled them apart. As she placed the forever part around Reese’s neck she said, “I’ll keep the friends one.”

“Thanks, Alex.” Reese stared down at it. “I was hoping you’d chose that one.”

“I love it.”

“Can I put it around your neck, Alex?”

“Sure.” She leaned over and waited as Reese placed it around her neck. “Thank you.”

“There,” Reese gently kissed her check, “friends forever.”

“Always.” Alex replied and in turn pulled her buddy in for hug just as the phone rang.

“I got it!” Richard called out from the other room.

“Mommy!” Alex spoke excitedly. “Look at my cool medallion!”

Just as Sarah raised an inquisitive brow towards her daughter. “How did you know it what it was?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugged, “just do.”

“That’s so sweet, Reese.” Sarah expressed while examining the medallion’s design. “Nice.”

“Mom, what’s the weird design around it?”

“It’s Celtic... comes from Irish history and folklore. The designs were sometimes used for spiritual awareness.” Sarah explained and soon realized to whom she was speaking to and finished up with, “It’s a beautiful design.”

“Well, I love it!” Alex proclaimed to her best friend. “You’re the best.”

“T-thank you.” Reese blushed at the comment then picked up her juice and downed it in three gulps before emitting a satisfied sigh.

“Hey!” Alex protested then picked hers up as well. “Wait for me.”

Reese giggled as she handed the empty glass back to Mrs. Raven. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

“You’re welcome.” Sarah acknowledged, taking the empty glasses away.

“Reese,” Richard called out next, “your mother wants you to come home.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

Alex then spun around to her parents. “May I walk Reese home?”

“You may,” Sarah nodded. “Come straight home, though.”

“I will.” Alex said with a grin, leapt over the couch then bolted towards the door. “Come on Reese!”

Pointing at her Spider Girl PJ’S Reese giggled, “But you’re wearing your pajamas.”

“Hey!” Alex whined and led her down the stairs. “No one makes fun of her when she’s saving people!”

“I’m sorry, Alex.”

“It’s all right. I really did like my present.”

“You’re welcome.”

As the pair interlocked hands they proceeded to skip across three yards giggling and laughing all the way to a corner house belonging to Reese. The carefree duo finally approached Reese’s porch and paused before it, neither wanting to part from the other.

“Alex,” Reese fidgeted a bit before asking, “may I sleep at your house tonight?”

“Sure... But my mom said you’d have to ask your mom for first.”

“Okay.”

“Cheer up.” Alex said with a nudge and added, “Give one of your best pouty faces--it works every time.” She then gave her another hug. “Thank you for the cool medallion.”

“You’re welcome.” Reese grinned. “Best friends forever?”

“Always,” she agreed, letting go. “Bye, Reese.”

“Bye, Alex.”

As she was turning to leave Alex glanced over a shoulder and noticed that her buddy was trying hard to stifle a giggle. Reese was bashfully covered her mouth with one hand and waving with the other. And after flashing a grin her way Alex shouted, “BYE!”

“BYE!”

Alex was humming Spider Girl’s theme as she journeyed back to her house, rushed up the stairs and passed through the open front door. “MOMMY, I’M BACK!” she announced, but was distracted by a dish smashing to the floor. “Mommy?” Moving into the kitchen she inhaled a scent of gas. “Ew. What smells?”

“ALEX!” Sarah shouted, screaming. “GET OUT!”

“MOMMY!” she yelled back and was grabbed from behind. Alex realized too late that it was a trap just as a gloved hand covered her mouth and a strong arm tightened around her body. “NO!”

A masked intruder growled from behind, “I got her.”

And from the corner of her eye she noticed that her father was slumped over a chocolate birthday cake. Alex’s eyes widened as she observed his blood seeping out from her cake and was now dripping onto the floor. Appalled by the sight she tried to scream, but it was muffled by the strange hand.

Alex’s eyes meanwhile had locked onto a second intruder who stood behind her mom with a knife poised to her throat. “NO!” She shouted into the hand and watched in horror as it was slowly moved across. just as her mom collapsed to the ground in a heap. “MOMMY!” And as her mother’s killer passed by she muttered, “Leave her alone!”

“Shut her up!”

As her tear filled eyes were affixed on the crimson blood that was pooling all around her mother’s still twitching body Alex felt a quick needle prick to her neck. “No,” a sudden urge to sleep overcame her and her eyelids soon grew heavy with sleep, “mommy... daddy.”

“Come on,” the second intruder called out whilst lighting a tea candle in another room. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Tossing Alex over a shoulder the first grumbled, “Did they have to take her on her birthday?”

“Beats the hell out of me... I only do as I’m told and so should you.”

“Mommy,” Alex mumbled one last time before falling into unconsciousness, “daddy...”

~~~*~~~

A thirty-something, sandy blond dressed in a flowery sundress, had just finished setting the table for two when she poked her head out of the kitchen window in search of her absent daughter. Amanda Collins soon found her drawing yet another tree and disappointedly shook her head. “Reese,” she called out, “time for dinner!”

Reese was finishing up her charcoal drawing of a large willow that sat in the far corner of their back yard when she heard her mother’s voice. Observing the setting sun that was her sole light source for the masterpiece before her she beamed, “Mom’s gonna’ love this.”

After gradually smudging a few lines here and there and then blending the hard lines into soft, she laid the stick of charcoal down and slowly released the breath she’d unknowingly held. Reese wiped her hands on the art rag that had been tied to the belt loop of her cut-off jeans. Her drawing was finally finished, just as the gorgeous sun disappeared behind the trees.

“Reese Samantha Collins!”

“I’m coming, MOM!” she shouted back before accidentally knocking her charcoal to the ground. “Damn.” Reese leaned over to pick the elusive stick up when a medallion slipped out from under her tank top and distracted her for a moment. The artist read the word ‘Forever’ for what seemed like the millionth time just as the last image of her best friend replayed in her mind’s eye. Alex was waving back at her before rushing off. Where are you? “I miss you so much,” she whispered, adding. “Heaven’s a better place with you there.”

A frustrated Amanda repeated, “REESE!”

“Take a pill.” She tucked the medallion inside the shirt and yelled back, “I’m on my WAY!” And felt the cool metal against her skin. Bringing a warm smile to her face Reese began to reflect over the four years she’d been in Miami since that horrid explosion took part of their house out.

Reese watched as Alex headed home before entering her own, rushed into her bedroom where she plopped herself onto the bed. “MOMMY!” she called out, grabbing her sleeping companion Bucky the Beaver. “Mommy!”

Amanda was picking up her daughter’s cluttered room when she growled, “What is it Reese?”

“Can I sleep over at Alex’s tonight?”

“No,” she replied and violently tossed a rag doll into the toy box. “How many times do I have to tell you to KEEP YOUR ROOM CLEAN!”

“I’m s-sorry.” Reese shuttered and climbed out of bed as if to help. “I forgot mommy.”

“Uh huh.”

“Please...” Reese begged before stuffing the last of her animals into the box. “Pretty please?”

“What did Mrs. Raven say?” she inquired in a more calm voice.

“Alex’s mom said it was okay,” Reese said with hope filled eyes. “But I had to ask you first.”

“But,” a pouting Reese shoved her lower lip out and squeezed Bucky. “Mommy?”

“Reese.”

“It’s Alex’s birthday,” she whined, chewing on her sleeping companion’s ear. “Pretty please with sugar on top?”

“Well, I don’t know...”

“KABOOM!” A sudden loud explosion rocked through the house. The ground quaked violently beneath as everything was knocked off the vibrating walls. A wave of heat shattered the windows sending flaming chunks of debris into the living room. And in a matter of seconds causing the curtains and various pieces of furniture to burst into flames.

“MOMMY!” cried Reese before covering her ears from the deafening noise. “Mommy!”

“REESE!” Snatching up her daughter Amanda then rushed out of the room. As dark smoke bellowed in from the broken windows she skidded to a halt in the smoke filled hallway and realized too late that the flames had effectively blocked their exit. “Damn.”

“Mommy, I’m scared!”

“It’s going to be all right, sweetie.” she assured and held her crying child closer before backtracking to her daughter’s room. She sat her down, grabbed a tiny desk chair and tossed it out of the window. Once she cleared the glass shards Amanda then climbed out with her child in arms when she was approached by a concerned neighbor.

“Amanda,” the middle aged man inquired while ushering them to safety, “anyone else inside?”

“No, just us Sam.”

“Are you hurt?”

“We’re fine.”

“Good, I’m going see if anyone else needs help.”

“Mommy,” Reese sniffled. “W-what’s going on?”

“There has been a fire baby,” Amanda replied and held her tighter. She then turned her attention back to the fire that was engulfing everything in sight and uttered, “Oh no.”

Following her mother’s eyes Reese soon perceived the destroyed structure that was once Alex’s home. Huge flames were swallowing up her best friend’s house and she wailed out, “ALEX!” Tears were flowing down her flushed cheeks as she struggled to free herself. “NO!”

“Reese, no.” Amanda whispered, kissing her baby’s forehead. “Please, Reese--calm down.”

“I want Alex!” she sobbed. “Let me be-”

“Shhh... It’s too late.”

She snapped back from her thoughts then grabbed her sketchbook and headed toward their pastel stucco house before her mother blew a blood vessel. Once inside she sat it on the counter, proceeded to wash her hands free of the charcoal residue and dried them off on a floral printed towel that matched the décor of the kitchen. “Mom,” her face lightened with a grin, “I’m done with my sketch-”

“Did you do your homework?” Amanda interrupted rudely before brushing her bangs out from her hazel eyes.

Reese gave her a slight nod.

“Well?”

“Yes, MOTHER.” She said in lowered tones then took a seat across from her dear old mother and held out her empty plate.

“You SHOULD focus more on your studies than doodling with chalk,” Amanda huffed, slamming a slice of meatloaf onto her daughter’s plate. “There’s so many starving artists out in the world and YOU want to be like them.”

“Not everyone’s starving,” Reese corrected, adding. “They just haven’t found their big break.” She then scooped a spoonful of peas and some mashed potatoes onto her plate as well. “Besides, I’m not like them MOM. I have my own style.”

“Will drawing landscapes put food on your plate?”

“If I were to be an illustrator for a greeting card company or a professional artist--it would.”

“Yeah right,” cackled Amanda as she cut into her meatloaf. “What YOU need to do is focus on YOUR studies so that YOU can go to college.”

“If you’d pay attention sometime--instead of going off to all those make-up conventions!” Reese retorted, slamming her fork down. “You’d know that I’m a straight A student MOTHER!”

“Considering I’m the adult here...” Stunned by her ungrateful daughter’s outburst an awed Amanda sneered, “I can DO and GO anywhere I please, THANK YOU.”

Realizing too late that she had just crossed the threshold of her mother’s famous temper right after she had said it. “And art IS my passion.”

“Your FATHER isn’t working twelve hour shifts being a police officer so that YOU can waste YOUR life being an artist.”

“Dad loves the force--that’s his passion!” Reese abruptly stood up. “Why can’t you like mine?”

“Young lady--YOU will sit your butt down at this table and finish your meal,” a fuming Amanda ordered, adding. “And I don’t want hear anymore nonsense on YOUR passions or I’ll take away your art supplies.” Her deadly glare burrowed through her daughter and sneered, “Do I make myself clear?”

Reese knew full well that she’d do it too and sat back down. Secretly she wished Alex were alive--at least she’d have someone on her side maybe help with her overbearing Mother, but it wasn’t to be. Why did you have to leave me? She sighed and continued to eat her meal in silence.

~~~*~~~

4

June 2, 1984

Fort Grissom, Alabama

Building #4056/Level B2

“180... 181...” Miller counted. “182... 183...”

Alex kept pushing herself further and knew that she could go until 200 without much pain considering that she’d been doing push-ups on a regular basis now as well as during any down time she’d receive.

As she did this her mind reflected over the various books she’d read on espionage, bomb making, living off the land, Ranger tactics, ocean tactics and hidden secrets from the Seals. Out of all of them her favorite was the human anatomy which provided a guide to the numerous ways one could kill an individual intrigued her to no end.

“190... 191...”

Drill Sergeant Miller would test her upon finishing each book and if she missed any question or skipped one of the many steps, a punishment would be dealt in a swift manner. During the years she’d come to realize that the punishments weren’t too severe on account they’d focus their blows towards her abdomen area only. Although there was a time when she had just arrived that a Drill Sergeant Adams had grown fervent during one such punishment and struck her in the face. A deadly mistake on his part, she reflected.

A brutal kick followed up the savage beating that was administered to the overzealous Adams. He doubled over and began to vomit. “Please...” he pled for his attacker to stop. “It was a mistake!”

A battered Alex heard his pleas while she lay curled in a ball nearby. Her right eye was swollen shut and her lip busted from the prior punishment administered by Adams. As it was she’d been ordered prior by Drill Sergeant Miller to observe with her remaining eye her own sergeant’s beating. It was her right so he said.

Miller yanked Adams to his feet and recited, “She mustn’t ever be damaged in the face... arms,” he struck him in the gut, “or legs.” And observed as his fellow brethren dropped to his knees before him. “Any visible damage will hinder any efforts to use the soldier in undercover assignments.”

Adams coughed, “It was an accident-”

“All blows will be a third of the force and under no circumstances shall the soldier be sexually abused.”

“Please... I’ll never-”

“Any perpetrators that disobey FATHER’S orders will be terminated,” finished Miller before pulling out his weapon and squeezing off one round. The round struck Adams in the head splattering chunks of bone, blood and brain matter everywhere.

“193... 194...”

During routine exercises such as this, Alex would think back on all the academic and military training so far. The strict regiment was intriguing and different. Considering she was a prisoner so to speak Alex complied with the rigorous training and soon realized that this was her fate. Yet, in the back of her mind she wondered if it was at all possible for her to decide her own destiny.

Nonetheless the training was molding her into a perfect soldier. One that would ultimately become a member of an elite group called, ‘The Rogue Contingent’. A secretive group from what she had heard was so well hidden that only a select few possessed knowledge of it. Made up of past graduates with the sole purpose to terminate whomever Father designated in whatever fashion deemed necessary. A deadly group indeed.

“198... 199... one more... 200!” Miller cheered upon completion. “Good job, recover.”

“Kill,” Alex jumped to her feet in one quick move and stood at attention, “DRILL SERGEANT!”

“Name the holy commandment.”

“One bullet, one kill--Drill Sergeant!”

“Why is that?”

“If I don’t make the kill then, I’ll be killed--Drill Sergeant.”

“Good,” he nodded. “Complete 10 laps, shower and wait outside the dining hall.”

“KILL, DRILL SERGEANT!”

“You have one hour.”

“AFFIRMATIVE, DRILL SERGEANT!”

At these quiet times ghosts of her parents appeared in her mind. Alex would secretly revel in the images of love they expressed. She tried to imagine them giving her advice in whatever problem she was experiencing at the time and or just giving her some needed support, but they’d ultimately morph into Drill Sergeant Miller. Alex wished that she could remember more about them, but it was to no avail. So, she’d shove them into a hidden part her mind and focus on now.

“Raven, walk with me.” Miller stated then pulled out a cover for her to wear. “Wear this.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.” She said snapping from her thoughts to take the offered issued hat that would complete her uniform.

“Today is your lucky day.”

“Affirmative.” Alex followed a step or two behind him and donned the hat. “Thank you, Drill Sergeant.” And as she was exiting the facility she noticed a pair of armed guards that stood just outside the door.

“FATHER believes that you’re ready.” Miller said, leading her towards a nearby parking lot. He halted just as a black van pulled up then opened the sliding door for her and said, “Get in.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

Miller observed his charge buckling her belt before slamming the door shut. He then climbed into the passenger side and had a seat before acknowledging their driver, a one Drill Sergeant Lewis who’d returned his comrade’s nod then drove the van out of the lot.

~~~*~~~

It was an hour later when the van passed by a sign that read, ‘Birch State Park rest area ½ mile ahead’. They followed the road a bit longer before turning off at the next exit ramp that would ultimately lead into the park itself.

Lewis parked the van just as Miller climbed out then slid the door open for Alex. “Raven,” gesturing for her to get out, “front and center.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“This is your target.” Miller stated, pulling out small photo. “Memorize his face,” he held up the picture. “You must find him in a crowd.”

Alex stared at the picture of a middle-aged man. She memorized his chiseled features, the square face with a pointed nose, which was slightly crooked from a break. His skin was bronze and aged with premature wrinkles. The man had short brown hair with a touch of gray and eyes a hue of chocolate that held some secrets.

“Enough.” He barked and replaced the photo into a pocket. “Come with me,” Miller gestured, moving towards the forest. “Here, put these on.” He then tossed a pair of surgical gloves her way before adding. “And never ever forget to wear them.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.” Alex caught them then quickly donned the latex gloves while following two steps behind him.

“Try to escape and you’ll be shot.” Lewis warned somberly while carrying a M40A1 sniper rifle with an attached silencer as he approached.

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“There are other snipers,” Lewis added and held the rifle out, “in case you fail or run.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.” She responded, taking the rifle and bringing it into her body.

“Raven, you’ll be graded on your accuracy.” Miller spoke next. “Is that clear?”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“Remember the kill zone,” reminded Miller before repeating. “One bullet, one kill.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“Good.” Miller nodded then held out a single bullet. “Here.”

Alex held her hand out and waited for him to place it there. “Kill, Drill Sergeant.”

Drill Sergeant Miller placed it on her palm. “Make FATHER proud.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“Fall out.”

She took a step back then made a left and headed deeper into the forest. Her mind was focused on her mission. Alex remained hidden in the foliage as she approached the edge of a large clearing, whereupon she proceeded to scan the area for the target in question.

The distant picnic area was decorated for a party of some type. A large metal shelter donated by AAA covered the food area and long tables were decorated and filled with plates of food. Centered on one such table was a large cake. Nearby sat two large grills. Cooking hamburgers and hotdogs filled the air with their enticing smells.

Alex moved into a prone position in the natural cover that surrounded the area around her. Flipping the scope’s cover up she pulled back the hammer mechanism, opening the chamber. Alex stared at the bullet one last time before placing it into the chamber and shoving the hammer forward, chambering it. She placed the butt of the rifle to her right shoulder then closed her left eye and stared into the scope with the right.

After scanning the crowd again she found her target by one of the large grills. He was wearing Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt that was half buttoned, revealing his dark chest hairs. The man was in the process of turning some burgers and drinking a beer when she matched the crosshairs towards his head before moving it down to his heart.

This was it. Do or die. Alex’s young life was on the threshold of sacrificing another. For she ultimately knew the circle of life always ended with death. Nonetheless something within her told her that self-preservation was priority one with her as well. Could she actually do such a thing as kill another? The answer was as simple as the bullet chambered in her rifle. “To live,” she breathed then turned her attention back to her target and squeezed the trigger.

Alex felt as though everything suddenly went into slow motion once the bullet had exited the barrel of her rifle and began spiraling through the air. She could see it arching from the pull of gravity, leveling towards its predestined target. Finally the round struck its mark by blowing a large hole through the man’s back and disintegrating his heart in the process.

“Perfect,” she said proudly. As her target fell to the ground in a heap before anyone had even noticed. Snatching up the spent shell Alex climbed to her feet then backtracked it towards the van.

“Damn, good job!” Lewis greeted first while taking the rifle from the youth then patting her on the back. “Congratulations.”

“Kill, Drill Sergeant.”

“Couple more kills like that,” Miller praised before gesturing for her to follow, “and you’re going to be a fine assassin.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

~~~*~~~

5

June 2, 1984

Whispering Meadows

Miami, Florida

Police pallbearers were lowering Sergeant Henry J. Collins’ casket into the concrete box that would seal his body for years to come. Reese observed his funeral with dread and couldn’t believe that her dad was gone. One minute he was joking with her and having a grand of a time playing catch. The next, a spray of bullets had mowed him down. Her anger swelled within her as she thought of the vengeful gang member who had ultimately gunned her father down. “Of all the stupid...”

“Reese, pay attention.” Amanda scolded. “I wish you’d stop daydreaming.”

Reese sighed, not wanting to start yet another fight. “Yes, Mother.” She responded drearily and lowered her head. The teenager was verging towards her breaking point when she wondered how sweet it would be to just cross that barrier and be done with it. All they did anymore was fight and argue over minuscule things and it was tearing her up inside.

“BAM... BAM... BAM!”

Reese jerked from hearing the loud gunshots from the honor guards, as a brutal flashback from that tragic day passed before her eyes.

Possessing a gentle nature and laid back demeanor Henry Collins was closer to his daughter than his wife would ever be and did his best to keep the peace between the two. Athletic, but not to the extreme. His brown hair that was always trimmed short, blue-green eyes that at times seemed to change to various shades of green as well. “Honey, don’t worry about your mom.” he assured. “I’ll talk to her.”

“Your Grandpa let me ride shotgun a few times and I fell in love with it.” He sighed thinking back to that wonderful day. “I’d hoped that one day you’d like to be on the force as well.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he added while leading her back to their car. “Nonetheless, I was being selfish. My little girl has a special gift that she needs to focus on.”

“Aw dad...”

“Follow your heart,” Henry kissed her on the forehead, “and I’ll be proud of you.”

“Reese Samantha Collins, you need to act more appropriate when you’re at a funeral,” Amanda scolded again, adding. “It’s your FATHER’S funeral, for GOD sakes.”

“I AM. Besides I didn’t know there’s a proper way of MOURNING dad’s death.”

Amanda instantly backhanded her. “Don’t YOU ever get smart with me, young lady!”

Reese’s cheek stung from the unexpected blow and her heart grew numb. Facing the window she and pushed herself against the door, away from her damned MOTHER. “This isn’t happening.”

Upon arriving home, Reese rushed into her bedroom then threw herself onto the bed. “Daddy,” burying her face in a pillow, “why did YOU have to leave?”

Amanda violently threw the door open a moment later and began to rip down the numerous sketches that were hung along the walls. She was in the process of grabbing Reese’s sketchbooks as well as a toolbox filled with art supplies when her daughter tried to stop her.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” she growled, pulling one of the books free from her. “LEAVE MY STUFF ALONE!”

Amanda bloodied Reese’s lip with a brutal slap her across the face. “SOMETHING I SHOULD’VE DONE A LONG TIME AGO.” She retorted then ripped the book from her ungrateful daughter’s hands and rushed out.

Anger swelled inside Reese as tears of frustration flowed freely down her flushed checks. “THOSE ARE MY SKETCHES!” she shouted and sprinted after her. “STOP!”

“I BOUGHT THESE BOOKS AND THESE SUPPLIES!” Amanda yelled back while exiting out the back door. After dragging a nearby metal trashcan she threw everything into it. “AND I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT WITH THEM!”

“DAD BOUGHT THEM FOR ME!” Reese yelled back. “YOU HAVE NO RIGHT!”

“IF YOU LIVE UNDER MY ROOF, YOU’LL DO WHATEVER I TELL YOU TOO!”

Reese realized what her mother was about to do, “No!” She brushed past her in order to save her treasured books, but was forcibly snatched by the shirt and thrown to the ground. With two brutal kicks to her abdomen she remained there gagging at the loss of breath she then curled up into a ball and whimpered.

“YOU WORTHLESS BITCH!” roared Amanda. Picking up the sketchbook she tossed it into the can then lit a match. “NO MORE ART!” she spat and threw it in.

The lit match arched towards the trashcan and landed onto the sketch of the willow tree. As the tiny flame slowly burned a hole into the drawing. A tearful Reese stared in horror. The only possessions she owned was being destroyed by the hellish flames that grew brighter and stronger with each passing moment.

“NOOOO!” Reese climbed to her feet in haste, but it was too late. “My drawings... all my drawings!” After wiping the tears with the back of her hand she screamed, “How could you?”

“Because I can,” Amanda chuckled and turned to leave, but not before saying over a shoulder. “Life’s a bitch.”

Dropping to her knees in defeat Reese cradled her face in the cup of her hands. She broke down to sob, as the fragrant smell of paper filled her nostrils. “No... no... no!”

Her heart grew heavy at the thought of this being only the beginning of her HELL. And was abruptly brought out from her thoughts by a car door slamming shut, then the start of an engine. Her mind raced as a devious plan for revenge formed. “She’s not going to get away with this.”

Rushing back into the house she made a beeline into her parent’s room and threw open the closet doors. After snatching up her mother’s most expensive dresses and the precious mink Reese then sprinted back into the living room. Along the way she picked up MOTHER’S favorite crystal Waterford vase from a nearby bookcase in passing.

“Call me a worthless bitch.” She grumbled and threw it against the wall. Kicking open the back door she approached the still burning trashcan and tossed her mother’s prized possessions into it. Her once bright eyes were now dark as they reflected back the hungry flames. “Mother, life’s a BITCH!”

~~~*~~~

6

June 1, 1992

0500 HRS

Fort Benning, Georgia

The years had flowed by like a breath in the wind for Alex. For Father had now ordered her to Fort Benning to further her training by becoming a ranger. Silently, she sat in the passenger seat as Drill Sergeant Miller navigated through the foreign base that was to be her temporary home for the next twenty-seven days. Even so, her mind wondered back to the mysterious stranger who had greeted her the night before.

Alex had just returned to her billet from a late night maneuver when she observed a petite figure dressed in a dark tailored suit waiting at the door. As she approached the dark-haired woman Alex observed her own reflection within the stranger’s wrap around sunglasses.

“Evening Raven.”

“Ma’am,” Alex responded, eyeing the dark stranger. “Is there a problem?”

“Nope, just wanted to meet you.”

Alex nodded and waited for the woman to step away from the door, but she hadn’t made a move. “Ma’am?”

“Truth?”

“The Fort Lauderdale Tribune,” the dark stranger said while approaching the operative. And said in a lowered voice before walking away. “June 3, 1977.”

An unsettled Alex knew there was just something about this woman. Be it an aura of power that seemed to radiate from the dark stranger or her arrogant demeanor. Whatever it was she was intrigued. And as she began to contemplate how to attain a copy of the tribune the vehicle she was riding in had come to a halt.

“Let’s go.” Drill Sergeant Miller said and climbed out of the parked sedan.

She followed him towards the Harmony Church area, which was to be the meeting area for the first week of training, otherwise known as ‘Zero week’. A large duffel bag filled with her required gear was strapped on her back and a rucksack in the front. Alex was led through a large archway into an assembly area where she noticed a large group of soldiers that were filling out paperwork while sitting on their duffel bags. Ignoring the stares she continued to follow her drill sergeant towards the awaiting first sergeant.

“First Sergeant Daniels,” greeted Miller.

“Drill Sergeant Miller,” Daniels grinned, “NSA keeping you busy?”

“Very much so, First Sergeant.” Miller expressed then hiked a thumb towards his charge. “I brought my best pupil for your tutelage.”

“Ranger,” Daniels said to his newest ranger, “remove your cover.”

“Affirmative, First Sergeant.” Alex responded and promptly removed her cover to reveal her close-cropped haircut.

“Nice,” he drawled, “put it back on Ranger.”

“Affirmative, First Sergeant.”

Miller waited till the first sergeant had turned away before proudly approaching his protégée. “Make me proud, Raven.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.”

“Ranger Raven,” First Sergeant Daniels ordered. “Fall in with the rest of the group.”

“Affirmative, First Sergeant.” Alex stepped back and made a left face. Walking towards the formation she fell into the last row and noted that she was of course the only female in the training group. And as she waited for the next command Alex shrugged off the negative vibes from her fellow rangers in training.

“At ease,” First Sergeant Daniels told her. “Ranger Raven set your bags on the ground.”

“Affirmative, First Sergeant.” She removed her bags, placed them on the ground before her then moved to at ease with her legs a shoulder width apart and hands interlocked behind her back.

“Heads up! I have an announcement,” Daniels addressed next. “We have a female training amongst us during this rotation and I want everyone to treat Ranger Raven as you would any other ranger with respect and dignity.”

~~~*~~~

Day one was filled with tests, the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) and the Combat Water Survival Test (CWST). All were designed to assess one’s abilities and endurance as well as to weed out anyone unfit. After the tests they were all sent to the Medical Considerations class to make sure that everyone was fit enough for the next rotation.

Earlier in the day, Alex had been assigned to share the barracks with the men. Not a problem due to the fact that she could handle herself in the event of any unwanted attention, considering that she was the proud owner of three black belts and was working on another before her arrival here.

It was the end of her first day when Alex finally entered into the large open room of the barracks. Fifteen bunks sat on the left side and fifteen more on the right, each with a wooden footlocker and upright metal locker assigned to it. She had been assigned to the second bunk on the right, closest to the latrine as well as next to her battle buddy, Ranger Wesson.

“Hey, Raven!”

Alex was placing her personal belongings into an open locker when she heard her battle buddy and paused in her unpacking. “Yes, Wesson?”

“I’m not like the rest of the guys here. I believe that a woman should have the right to become a ranger if she’s strong enough.”

“Thanks.”

“So, where are you from?”

“Fort Grissom.”

“I’m from Fort Campbell, but I was born in Sedalia, Missouri,” his face lightened with a warm grin. “What I meant was... where’s your hometown?”

“Fort Lauderdale.”

“Wow. The Atlantic Ocean, white beaches and beautiful babes--nice.”

“I learned how to swim there,” revealed Alex before turning her attention onto making her bed.

“Really?” Wesson nodded. “It was at a manmade beach near Truman Dam for me.”

“That’s interesting,” she said, fixing the second corner of the bed and was now on the third. “Don’t you have to make your bed?”

“Yeah. I guess I should,” Wesson sighed. “I’ll talk to ya later then.”

“Bye,” Alex nodded finally finishing with her bed. She pulled out a quarter from her pocket, dropped it upon the bed then observed as it bounced twice before resting on the tails side. “Perfect.”

After only a few hours of sleep day two would soon begin. Alex knew they were using sleep deprivation on them to slowly break their spirits and weed out the weak ones.

“I’ve had this done before.” She breathed having had prior experience. Either way, she learned over the years that one could meditate and revitalize oneself in order to make up for the lack of sleep. Unfortunately for some of her fellow rangers, that was not the case.

Physical training was at 0500 HRS and it lasted for about an hour or so, then on to a five-mile run. Alex accomplished it in thirty-four minutes -- a small task -- but she passed it in record time. Next was a speedy change into her BDUs and off to breakfast which she ate in a minute and a half.

Hand-to-hand training was next on the agenda for the day. As everyone was being paired off in the auditorium Alex was lucky enough to be paired up with one of the many rangers that detested her being here. Peterson was a southern with blue eyes, blond hair and a stocky physique. He gave her a menacing glare just as she stepped onto the rubber mat to face him. Alex returned it with a glow of confidence that she knew she had and was finally eye to eye with the man.

“Listen up,” Drill Sergeant Wells ordered. “I want a take down in two minutes.”

“Affirmative, Drill Sergeant.” She focused her attention on the ranger and with her keen sense of observation she found his weakness, a torn ligament in his right knee.

“Yes, Drill Sergeant.” Peterson snapped then glared back revealing his barbaric self. Gesturing towards her he taunted in his southern drawl, “Come on, girlie girl!”

Pressing the timer’s button Well’s shouted. “GO!”

Peterson was first to throw a forward punch towards her chest. She caught his wrist, noticed that he had put all his force into the punch and kneed him the groin. Alex attempted to complete this move with a swift knee to the face, when he suddenly grabbed her and tossed her back. Completing a back flip Alex connected her boot with his jaw and caused him to flip back. Peterson meanwhile slammed face first onto the mat with a dull thud just as she recovered and moved to attention, waiting.

“Ranger Raven that WAS entertaining!” Wells stopped his timer and read the time. “Forty-five seconds... very good,” he congratulated. “Get your sorry ASS up, Ranger Peterson!”

With Peterson’s humiliating defeat observed by his comrades. He grumbled something inaudible and scrambled to get to his feet. A fuming Peterson stood at attention, “Yes, Drill Sergeant!”

“Ranger Raven, stand down and have a seat.” Wells informed next. “Now, I want two more front and center!”

The victorious Alex had a seat and felt Peterson’s hate-filled eyes upon her. Slowly, she turned in his direction and glared right back with one of her death stares. The assassin heard Peterson mumble something under his breath before looking away and knew full well that this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

That night, Alex was lightly sleeping in bed when Peterson and two of his comrades approached. She recognized Jasper and Frederick in an instant as they grabbed her by the arms and yanked her out of bed. “What the-”

“We’re going to put you in your place, BITCH!” growled Jasper.

She let them drag her into the latrine knowing full well that they wouldn’t last very long against her. Alex’s captors abruptly halted before turning her around to face their awaiting leader. The right hook that caught her in the jaw was followed by gut punch, which she dissipated by falling into it. “Ugh.”

“How do ya like that DIKE?” Peterson spat rudely into her face.

“Well, I recommend a nice mouthwash.” Alex taunted and returned the favor by spitting into his.

A fuming Peterson wiped the bloody spittle off with the back of his hand and was about to grumble something when Alex broke his nose with a quick head-butt. She stomped on Jasper’s foot and her right arm was released. Jabbing Jasper in the gut she backhanded him in the face then pulled Frederick into an awaiting fist that knocked him out cold.

“YOU BROKE MY FUCKIN’ NOSE!” Peterson shouted, holding his blooded face.

Blocking the punch that was hurled towards her face she returned one to his diaphragm. Alex watched as he slumped to his knees in pain with the sudden blockage of air. “A word of caution, RANGER.” Alex warned to the gasping man. “I could easily kill you without a second thought.”

His loathing eyes stared back and she quickly realized that he wasn’t the type to listen. “So be it then...” she voiced, shaking her head. Dragging him over to the showers by the shirt she turned one on, yanked him to his feet then shattered his right kneecap with a swift kick.

Realizing too late that he had made a huge error in messing with this particular female. Peterson fell to the ground in a heap and began to whimper like the babe that he was.

“Now, I’m going to tell you this once and I won’t repeat myself,” Alex stated in a business-like manner, “This was an unfortunate accident and your clumsy self slipped on the wet floor. You landed hard on your right knee shattering it on the ceramic tile floor and as you scrambled to get up and you fell here,” she pointed to the small step that boxed in the shower, “slamming face first onto the step.”

“Uh huh.”

“I suggest you undress and get into position.”

Peterson stared at her in disbelief when he finally noticed movement behind her. “Whatever you say.”

Alex spun around just in time to block a punch that was directed towards her head, flipped her attacker onto his back and slammed a fist into his gut. She then elbowed Peterson’s remaining cohort and sent him back with a backhand to the face.

Observing his defeat Peterson slowly removed his shirt, “Why?”

“Because I can.” She said simply, moving over to the sink and turning on the tap. Cupping her hands under the warm water Alex brought it to her bloodied lip. “You wouldn’t have lasted two weeks with a torn ligament.”

His eyes grew wide. “It’s healing.”

“I did you a favor.”

A naked Peterson was crawling over to the stall when he retorted. “And what’s that?”

“At least you’ll get all your medical benefits this way,” she revealed with a smirk. “Besides, the latter would’ve meant your death.” Alex turned to him one last time. “If you try something stupid--like blame me, I’ll hunt you down and WHEN I find you, YOU’LL be BEGGING me to make it quick and fast.” She warned before leaving him to his thoughts.

~~~*~~~

7

5:00 AM

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Reese had finally earned her degree in Criminal Justice a few days prior. It had been the toughest three years of her life, and she’d had no help from dear old Mother, who hadn’t spoken to her since graduating from high school. Reese had closed that chapter of her life long ago. As she packed her belongings, her mind went to the formal ceremony that she was to take part in this afternoon, but was skipping in order to ship off to Andrews Police Academy.

Reese finished stuffing the duffel bag with the required essentials, zipped it closed and nervously ran a hand through her recently trimmed hair. She moved over to the mirror and stared at her reflection for a moment. Eager for the training was that ahead her she had already started on the physical aspects of it.

Actually, she’d been doing it for the past three years and one could certainly tell. She wore a white tank top that hugged her ample bosom and her to die for washboard abs. Her biceps were rock solid from doing two hundred push-ups a day. And accenting her tight ass as well as firm thighs was a pair of tight stonewashed jeans. As she was assessing herself she was brought from her thoughts by her roommate’s voice.

“Are you ready yet?”

“Almost.”

“Geez, Reese.” Danielle poked her head into the room and rolled her big brown eyes. “You look HOT for the umpteenth time!”

Reese gave her flirtatious roommate a warm grin.

Danielle was about her age and an inch taller at 5’5. She wore her trademark battered baseball hat that was always on backwards. Her naturally tanned skin was perfect, accented with a tiny silver hoop that hung from her right eyebrow and another on her right nostril.

Reese blushed, “Thanks, Dani.” And as she was staring back at her friend their first meeting flashed before her mind’s eye.

Reese was leaving the campus bookstore with an assortment of assigned books when she collided with one of the numerous jocks sending her books flying. “HEY!”

“Outta’ my way,” he grumbled, escorting his beautiful babe through the crowd of registering students. “Stupid bitch.”

A feminine voice sneered, “Dick-wad!” The voice belonged to a punk looking chick by the name of Danielle Ray. Her hair had been dyed green and shaped into a Mohawk. Danielle’s wardrobe consisted of a sleeveless shirt with a British flag printed on it, camouflage shorts and combat boots. Slung over one shoulder was an Army rucksack with numerous patches of punk bands sewn onto it.

Reese muttered to herself, “Of all the stupid...” Scrambling to gather her books she started to stack them when she glanced over at the kind person who had helped her. It was the punk chick she’d passed earlier that day. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” Danielle assured with a lopsided grin. “Jocks are blocks, you know?”

“Yeah.”

“The name’s Danielle Ray. Call me Dani and you are?”

“Reese Collins.”

“Nice to meet you Reese,” Danielle acknowledged. “How ‘bout I help you carry these books.”

“Oh, you don’t have to-”

“It would be my honor,” Danielle said taking half the books and gesturing with a nod of her head. “So where to, princess?”

There was an instant connection between the two and a strong friendship had formed thereafter. One she valued greatly, Reese reflected as she playfully pulled off Dani’s hat revealing a shaved head beneath and placed it on her own head.

“Hey! MY lucky cap!”

“I know,” she said with a wink. “I want a memento from my personal tattoo/body-piercing entrepreneur.”

“You know... If it didn’t look so damn cute on you--I’d take it away.”

“Awww,” Reese voiced with a chuckle. “Dani are YOU finally going soft?”

“Nah.” Danielle pulled her in for a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too, my friend.” Reese whispered back. “Eight weeks.”

Danielle nodded before pulling away. “I guess it’s time to go.”

“Yeah.”

“Come on Cadet Collins,” Grabbing the bag Danielle headed out the door. “Your chariot awaits.”

As Reese slowly followed her out she took one last look around their two-bedroom house and released a nervous breath. “Time has come.” Closing the door she headed towards her roommates’ crimson Wrangler, climbed into the passenger seat and said, “Let’s go.”

“So, when you get back...” Danielle started to say as she put the jeep into first and pulled out. “You’ll let me borrow your cuffs, right?”

“Dani,” she chuckled at the very thought. “I thought you owned a pair.”

“I do.” Danielle said with a mischievous smirk. “But yours will be FLPD issued ones.”

“Oh, stop!” Reese jabbed her perverted roommate in the arm. “I’m not sharing.”

“Come on, Doe would just die if I used them on her!” Danielle whined before offering. “I’ll give you a free piercing.”

“You already owe me one, remember?”

“Oh, yeah.” Remembering that Reese was the angel who had introduced her to the love of her life, Doe Hawkins. “Thanks, again.”

“No problem.” Reese acknowledged then turned to her with a mischievous smirk of her own. “Besides, I’d like to break them in myself--thank you.”

“Reese Samantha Collins,” An awed Danielle flashed a ‘shit eating’ grin her way, “are you hiding a girlfriend from me?”

“I wish.”

“Well, you know... if you’d just hang out with us.”

Reese was staring into the early morning sky as she spoke. “I really don’t think I’ll find MY woman in a bar.”

“You never know.”

“I guess.”

“I don’t know how you do it Reese.”

“Do what?”

Danielle nudged her in the side. “Go without.”

“Without what?” Reese inquired innocently and knew full well what her roommate was talking about. She so loved playing this little game of theirs. “I haven’t a clue what your talking about.”

“Good old hot, sweaty flesh upon sweaty flesh SEX.”

“Oh, that...” Reese thought about it for a moment then shrugged. “I’m just picky I guess.”

“Damn girl, it’s not natural for a princess like you to be alone.”

“Well, Dani I’m kinda’ saving myself for that special person.”

“And what if you don’t find her?”

“Oh, I will.”

“Well, I hope so.” Danielle sighed. “I can’t have my friend alone with twenty cats as her companions.”

Reese chuckled at the vision. “You have nothing to worry about.” She assured, patting Danielle’s leg. “Besides, I prefer dogs to cats.”

“My-my Reese, still surprising me after all these years. I’m impressed.”

“Wouldn’t want our friendship to go dull now would we?”

“Reese, it’ll never go dull.” Danielle lightened up as she turned into the large driveway that led them into the Academy. “Nervous?”

“A bit... But I shouldn’t be.”

“Girl, you’re only human.”

“I know,” Reese nodded. “Thanks for dropping me off.”

“You’re going to do fine.” Danielle grinned back before pulling the jeep over. “Show `em what you’re made of girl and don’t let anyone get to ya.”

“Thanks, Dani.” She thanked and climbed out. “I will. Be good.”

“I’ll try,” Danielle chuckled. “Call me anytime.”

“You know it. I’ll see you in eight weeks.”

“Eight weeks.” Danielle gave her a departing wave. “CIAO!”

“I guess this is it.” Reese said as she stood there watching the jeep move further into the distance. She turned back to the large campus before her and whispered, “Dad, wish me luck.”

~~~*~~~

8

October 31, 1995

2050 HRS

Five Seasons Hotel

New York

The express elevator’s doors closed as a disguised Alex pushed the button to the 40^th floor. Her next target happened to be waiting in this outrageously priced hotel for her persona, an on-staff masseuse. Unfortunately for them the real one was out for the count.

Alex was observing her reflection in the shined stainless steel doors before her. The face reflected wasn’t hers, but that of the green eyed masseuse. Her shoulder-length curly red locks were pulled back by a scrunchy, revealing more of her above average looks and porcelain skin.

The elevator halted on the 32^nd floor and its metal doors slid open to reveal two Armani wearing Caucasian males in their late thirties. The pair entered and stood on Alex’s left. The dark haired one’s eyes made contact with hers, as the blond ravaged her body with his.

She straightened her nametag, which read ‘Meg’. Alex flashed them both a friendly grin and spoke in Meg’s Irish-accented voice, “Good evening, Gentlemen.”

“Good evening to you, too.” The blond greeted with a lopsided grin.

“And you.” The dark-haired one responded next, eyes never leaving hers. “Meg, so what’s a beautiful woman like you working this late?” He inquired while pressing the button for the lobby.

“A girl must make a living.” Alex replied with a touch of flirtation. She soon felt the elevator slowing down, picked up her black duffel and said just as the doors opened. “Have a safe Halloween.” Stepping out she made her way towards room 4025. Alex took note of the guard sitting by the door who was lazily reading the sports page. “Excuse me.”

The guard jumped up, absently dropping the paper to his feet. “A-ah... Meg McCain?”

“Aye.” Flashing him her best grin Alex halted before him. “Mrs. Duncan is expecting me.”

“Yes, of course.” He nodded and whispered into his lapel microphone. “Sir, the masseuse just arrived.”

“Good.” Another male voice responded into his ear receiver. “Let her pass.”

“Yes, Sir.” The guard then turned his attention back to the masseuse. “Ma’am, I need you to open your bag.”

Alex opened it for him. “Sure.”

After rummaging through it he found nothing dangerous and said. “Ma’am, I need to run you through a small metal detector.”

“On what grounds?”

“I’m just doing my job, Ma’am.” The guard pulled out a thin device that was the size of a pin and ran it over the masseuse’s body in search of any hidden weapons. Once done he then turned to open the door for her. “Go on in.”

“Fine.” Alex huffed then passed by him without a second thought and entered into the room.

Alex scanned the expensive room that had all the amenities such as a king-sized bed with a plush comforter, love seat with matching side chairs and a highly polished oak coffee table. And leaning against a nearby wall was a top of the line folding massaging chair. After noticing that the bathroom door was closed and the shower was on, her eyes narrowed towards a dark-haired male who was lounging on one of the plush chairs enthralled in the local news.

A close-up of some hellish flames as it incinerated an engine was being broadcasted. The camera panned across the rest of the fiery plane wreckage that littered a stretch of land, almost a mile along.

“You’re seeing the wreckage of Cessna plane S320S.” A female reporter informed. “The plane was in the process of taking off when the crash occurred just outside of La Guardia Field, around 7:35 pm.”

“This just in,” the anchorperson added next. “Officials here informed us that the plane was registered to a Collins E. Wentworth II.”

“Isn’t it just horrible?” Alex’s eyes were locked on the TV as she sat her bag down and moved to the folded chair. Unfolding it she thought back to the 1/2 inch of C-4 that she had attached to the cessna’s engine. And was in the process of readying it for her target by dutifully placing disposable covers on all the cushions. It worked perfectly, she reflected, Explosives can be a true art form.

The guard glanced over. “Tragic.”

The shower was switched off and a feminine voice called out. “Roger, is the masseuse here?”

He lowered the volume down to the TV and rose to his feet. “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Take an hour break then.”

“Very well Ma’am.” He affirmed before turning to leave.

A short brunette by the name of Mrs. Duncan stepped out of the bathroom. Her decent bosom and curvy form were hidden underneath the complimentary cotton towel. “Meg,” Mrs. Duncan’s dark eyes assessed the masseuse, “you’re just in time.”

“I can see that, Mrs. Duncan.” Alex replied back before donning a pair of latex gloves. “What would you like today?”

“I’d like a full body.” Mrs. Duncan dropped her towel and was flaunting her nakedness. Casually she had a seat upon the massage chair, leaned forward and placed her head on the oval face cushions.

“Very well then.” Alex said and removed the scrunchy from her hair. Pulling out a small plastic tube she broke the seal to it and poured the clear liquid upon the palm of her hand. After placing the empty container back into the cloth band she stuck in her jacket pocket and began to rub her hands together as to spread the liquid over them

“How long have you been doing this?”

“It feels like all my life.” Alex confessed to the double meaning and placed her hands upon Mrs. Duncan’s tanned shoulders. Slowly, she began massaging the tension from her target’s muscles as well as the hard knots that accompanied them.

“Aaahhhhhh.” she moaned. “God, you ARE good.”

Alex continued her ministrations by rubbing in the liquid into the pores of Mrs. Duncan’s skin and finally into her blood stream. “How kind of you.”

“I bet you’re very skillful with your hands.” She purred lustfully, envisioning herself kissing Meg while her hands explored that firm body of hers.

“I’ve been told that.” Alex responded. “I really hope the oil isn’t too cold.”

“It’s not.” Mrs. Duncan sighed. “It’s actually warming up a bit as we speak.”

“Aye then.”

“Is it one of those oils that warm up when you touch it?”

“Oh, my--no.”

“Darn.” Mrs. Duncan pouted, feeling a tingling sensation beneath her heated skin. “That feels so good.” She closed her eyes to the ever-growing heat between her legs. “You’ve got to tell me what you’re using.” She breathed then sat up enough as to glance back at the redhead.

Alex leaned forward and whispered seductively into her ear. “Phyllobates Terribilies, luv.” Mrs. Duncan’s eyes snapped open upon registering the horrific news. After pinning her body with her own Alex’s hand covered her mouth as to halt any unexpected outbursts.

She tried unsuccessfully to break free and uttered into a gloved hand, “HOMPH!”

“The Poison dart frog.” Alex drawled and held her target close while the fatal poison traversed towards her target’s heart. Violent convulsions were erupting throughout Mrs. Duncan body when paralysis overtook her body next. After gasping out one final breath her target’s eyes grew wide before succumbing to the lethal toxin.

After carrying the body into the bathroom Alex laid her into the large tub. She pulled her gloves off, tossed them into the small trashcan along with the hair scrunchy before snatching up the trash bag with the vial then tossing it into her own bag. Picking up her duffle bag Alex scanned the room once more before making a hasty exit.

Once outside she soon realized that the posted guard was nowhere to be seen except for a paper that he was reading prior. Passing by it she caught a quick glimpse of the newspaper’s date. June 3, 1977. A wide-eyed Alex quickly snatched up the paper before making her way towards the elevator.

“Gas explosion kills family of three,” she read aloud while pressing the call button. She grimaced at the headlines and lowered her gaze to the large color photo of a house engulfed in flames. As her eyes scanned through the article beneath the photo she came upon a line that sent chills up her spine. “... Mr. and Mrs. Richard Raven along with their six-year-old daughter Alexandria were burned to death...”

Quick flashbacks of her past overwhelmed Alex’s senses as she relived that day. The faint smell of natural gas, the pinprick of the injector and the feeling of sleepiness... Pulling herself from those haunting memories she pushed the button for the lobby and began to assess her missions to date while she rode down.

Alex savored the thought that her comrades envied her unique methods in terminating her targets. She was a professional through and through and had prided herself in doing a job well done. For anything less would be unacceptable in her eyes. Alex’s hard work soon paid off for she had finally acquired something within the Rogue Contingent she hadn’t experience in her life until now, respect.

Once Alex had stepped out from the hotel a dark sedan pulled up to the curb. She climbed into the back seat of the vehicle and said. “They gape at me...”

The driver in turn recited, “Like a raging and roaring lion.”

Alex acknowledged his dark eyes that were reflected in the rearview mirror with a simple nod. Satisfied, the driver then pulled out into the evening traffic towards La Guardia. It was protocol for her to test any member she came in contact with any of the prearranged phrases and with any wrong answer would result in death. And so far she’d only terminated one unfortunate individual who had fumbled their response.

Alex’s hand reached up to her jaw line and pulled the latex mask from her face, revealing her own flushed face underneath. She peeled off a ‘Voice Altering System’ or VAS, a 2” x 3” clear silicon external patch from her vocal cords that had been programmed to mimic Meg’s voice. She then pulled off the flesh colored latex gloves and finally her curly wig. “Free.” She whispered before running her hands through her short hair. “Time to go home.”

Glancing back at his passenger the driver’s cell phone vibrated at his side. “Hello?” He answered it. “Uh huh. She is. Very well then.” The driver then held his phone up to her. “Operative, it’s for you.”

Alex eyed him while she took the offered phone. “Hello?”

“Operative Raven, I must congratulate you on yet another successful mission.” A feminine voice said. “So, did you enjoy the reading material?”

“You...” Alex recognized the voice in an instant. It belonged to the dark stranger that had visited two years prior. Her mind was racing when she realized who had left the copy of the tribune. “Ma’am, what does my past memories have to do with anything?”

“In order to understand the future one must learn from the past.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“Because I can.”

Alex narrowed her eyes towards the driver and sneered, “Who are you?”

“What’s in a name?” said the stranger. “Besides it’s you that I’m interested in.”

“Why?”

“Your talents of course.”

~~~*~~~

9

January 4, 2000

1500 HRS

Rolling Hills Cemetery

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Glancing into the gray sky above Alex thought how ironic it was that her next target would be the very dark stranger who had been communicating with her over the years. And part of her wondered if it was because of that or what. Whatever it was, it wasn’t her job to question Father’s orders.

Having been dropped off along with her usual pair of watchers who’d observed her from afar. Fox and Weller were their names. She’d known about them ever since her first unsupervised hit right after completing Ranger School. She caught their scents earlier. It was mixed with the natural aroma of rain, which she noted to herself had a tinge of horse manure to it today.

As she traversed through the forest she found a perfect spot behind some foliage and a large pine tree. With her gloved hands she removed the Browning Precision Tactical Elite Rifle, BPTE rifle for short, from the shoulder sling. It possessed a Shilen select match grade heavy benchrest stainless steel barrel, and sported a black Teflon-finished custom trigger pull and muzzle break with attached silencer. Once she was ready Alex then dropped to a prone position and awaited her target.

Silently she observed the funeral ceremony from about 600 meters. Alex adjusted her shooting glasses, flipped the scope’s covers off and brought the rifle up. Placing the butt of the weapon to her right shoulder she rested her right cheek against the cheek piece. Alex pulled back the chamber bolt, placed the round inside and pushed the hammer forward. After closing her left eye she focused the right on the thin crosshairs and scanned through all the mourners until finally zeroing in on her moving target.

Alex observed the dark stranger dressed in a dark tailored suit and over that a matching trench coat. The target along with a tall, dark-haired female was casually walking in her direction. And made a mental note of the stranger’s companion who resembled herself in a strange way. A doppelganger, she thought if there was such a thing, makes no difference.

She watched as her target halted a few feet from the other mourners and handed the doppelganger a weapon. Alex aimed the crosshairs dead center of the stranger’s chest, the kill zone. Exhaling a breath she then squeezed the trigger firing the round that would mean instant death for the individual who’d been targeted. And with its custom-made muzzle silencer silenced the rifle as well as hid any bright flashes that would usually accompany it effectively hiding her position.

“WHAT HAPPENED?” One mourner shouted a second later. While screams from fellow mourners filled the still air as chaos ran amuck down there. People were scattering in all four directions trying to find a safe place to hide. Some hid behind other tombstones while a lucky few had made it to the safety of their cars.

“CAIN!” The doppelganger shouted while pulling the stranger to safety. “FIND COVER!” she roared out to her fellow mourners. “GO, GO, GO!”

Alex observed the scene for a moment before slinging the rifle over her shoulder. She was about to grab the spent shell case when she felt someone on her right. Slowly the rogue turned towards the voyeur and her eyes widened upon observing her reflection within a pair of familiar sunglasses. The dark stranger whom she had just terminated was now kneeling on one knee with a Browning 40 caliber trained on her.

“Great shot.” drawled the stranger. Whom still couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at an exact double of Detective Rineheart. Shoving the thought of her acquaintance aside the stranger focused on the operative before her. “Relax, Raven I’m not going to hurt you.”

An awed Alex stared at the woman whose face was now painted to match her camouflaged BDUs. “How?”

“It’s simple really,” she shrugged. “A latex mask and a traitorous body double.”

“Why?”

“I enjoy this life a little too much to die now,” laughed the stranger. “Besides, tell me you don’t enjoy our little conversations.”

“No,” Alex shook her head and knew full well that she did enjoy their conversations considering. “I mean why are YOU telling ME this?”

“Did you even wonder WHY they sent YOU here to kill me?”

“Ma’am, it’s not my place to-”

“The truth,” the stranger said and held up a hand to silence her. “And my name is Devin.”

“Devin?” Alex’s brow rose upon hearing the stranger’s first name. Part of her wondered why she was having this conversation with the very a person whom Father deemed necessary to die. Yet, from their exchanges prior a strange camaraderie had formed that caused her to hesitate from her prime directive, to obey the will of Father. “And yes,” she said finally. “I have.”

“It seems that Father believes I’m a threat to him.”

“Are you?”

“If you consider a long time nemesis a threat then yes,” Devin confessed, adding. “But I do have my own reasons to detest HIM.”

“And they are?”

“Later, I promise. Right now I need your word that you won’t try and assassinate me a second time.”

“Ma’am?”

“You see I have this sniper watching your every move,” Devin revealed somberly. “Please, I really don’t want to waste your talents--but concerned comrades of mine fear for my safety considering.”

Alex was contemplating the consequences that would surely befall her if she failed to terminate her target. But technically she had completed her mission. “You have my word,” she said, “But it’s not safe for you-”

“The dynamic duo are preoccupied for the moment,” Devin commented with a hiked thumb. “No worries there.”

“So, mind telling me why you’re doing this?”

“Ah...” Devin lowered her weapon, “three things really.”

“Go on.”

“Well, first off is the fact that your sweet little rifle is empty.” Devin commented. “And yes I’m aware of your Glock 18 that’s holstered behind you.”

“Oh.”

“Secondly, if you haven’t figured it out the fact that I’m trying to woo you from The Rogue Contingent then your not as smart as I’d hope.”

“Tell me something new.”

“Very good.” A lopsided smirk played on Devin’s face as she spoke, “And third...” pulling out a small jewelry box, “A gift,” she said, tossing it to her. “Thought you like to have this back.”

Alex caught it and began to eye it suspiciously, “What is it?”

“Something from your past.”

Upon lifting the box’s lid Alex recognized this memento from her past. She hesitantly picked the medallion up and began to caress the Celtic pattern. “Friends,” she read aloud. “Forever.” Images of her childhood buddy flashed before her eyes and brought a smile to Alex’s face. She placed the medallion around her neck, next to the set of dog tags and wondered if Reese would even remember her.

“Why?” she inquired next and soon realized that Devin was nowhere to be seen. “Thank you.”

~~~*~~~

10

January 4, 2000

6:45am

Fort Lauderdale

A 500 Sq. ft section of Fort Lauderdale’s Pompano Beach was blocked off with yellow crime scene tape as Police cordoned off the murder scene. A black tarp covered the victim’s body from view, while the forensic team was in the process of collecting data. A small group of civilians and reporters meanwhile were slowly gathering outside the police barricade, trying to get a glimpse of the grizzly site.

Reese held up her detective’s shield that was attached to a chain around her neck and entered into her next assignment. Scanning the scene she took some mental notes on all the flagged evidence that surrounded the body. She eyed a pair of expensive sandals that lay discarded nearby before turning her attention to the victim’s torn clothes that had been scattered about.

Reese observed the team of experts that were busy doing what they did best, gathering evidence. “So, I guess I owe ya’ll a box of Crispy Dough’s?” She greeted, moving towards her partner Parker.

Detective William Parker was around her age with short dark hair and hazel eyes that revealed a man with a good soul. His average physique and height gave way to his own inhibitions, which he freely joked about. He flashed his trademark ‘I’m so good’ grin and replied, “You certainly do, Collins. Keep this up you might as well splurge a little more and buy out the company. It’d be cheaper for you.”

“You’d like that now, wouldn’t you?” Reese jested, squeezing his shoulder. “All the doughnuts you could eat.” She then suddenly remembered something he’d confessed to over a week ago. “Hey, weren’t you the one that had that fantasy about being buck naked and surrounded by thousands of doughnuts?”

A dark haired photographer was snapping a shot of a bloody butterfly knife before laughing, “He’s the one.” Kimi Hermes rose to her full height of 5’4” and slowly approached the pair. Dark brown eyes twinkled at her on again off again lover, Parker. She gave him a wink before straightening her trademark FLPD cap that she always wore backwards. “He also said that he had company... a certain blond-”

“HEY!” Parker glared at her. “We have a murder to solve.”

Reese chuckled at that already known bit of info and knew full well that he had, had a crush on her when they first met. And being the professional that she was she politely informed him of a few key parts he lacked and soon became better friends out of it. The sound of Hermes’ camera snapping off a few more shots brought her away from those thoughts. “Let’s get started,” Reese said, lifting the tarp up.

The unidentified victim was a female Caucasian in her late twenties. Long matted blond hair framed a pair of dark eyes that were glazed over as they stared off into the early morning sky. Her battered nude body was bluish from the lack of oxygen and spread-eagled, revealing her bloodied and semen-covered sex for all to see.

Reese noticed that there were two rather deep bite marks upon her, one on her right-breast and another on right shoulder. “Love bites?” She murmured and also took in the fact that the female possessed defensive wounds on her knees and forearms, which had resulted in some mild bruising.

She assessed the expensive red silk scarf that was tied tightly around the victim’s neck. It had been used to slowly cut off the flow of oxygen to the brain. Reese also noticed that a long gash under the female’s chin wasn’t a killing wound, but rather where the killer/rapist had pressed their knife to coerce her. She covered the victim once again before inquiring, “Any witnesses?” A familiar male voice belonging to a certain CSI investigator responded on her right.

“Nada.” Forensic Specialist Sam Rich was in the process of collecting the victim’s clothes and putting them into paper bags. He then turned his loveable green eyes to the detective. “A couple tourists that found Jane Doe here.”

Rich pushed his wire-framed glasses up with the back of his gloved hand and placed the bagged evidence into his duffel. His lanky frame, the glasses and his crew cut made it seem that he was one hundred and ten percent full-fledged nerd. In the end, he was the best forensic specialist they had on hand and a vital part of the team.

“No ID, huh?” Reese muttered, envisioning how the murder/rape had taken place.

Jane Doe was forcibly dragged here by knifepoint, where the killer pushed her to the ground where he removed her clothes off with the knife. Used her scarf to control her, making sure she wouldn’t make any noises and probably tightened it when she fought back. He raped her. And when he was finished with the assault, he viciously impaled her with his blade tearing the inner walls of the vagina.

“Damn...” Reese muttered, feeling the brutal tearing in her own groin and shivering at the horrid image. She imagined Jane was in shock as the killer continued his vicious attack before finally killing her.

“Afraid not.” Parker replied, jotting down a note or two in his notebook. “Your basic Rape/Robbery/Murder.”

She raised an inquisitive brow. “You think?” And as Reese was continuing with her silent deductions she spoke aloud, “Five hellish minutes were spent in a highly public area and no one saw a damn thing.”

“It happens.”

“Anyone on the trash detail?”

“Initial responding officer is on it.” Parker responded while rechecking the scene again. “Check out the expensive sandals,” he pointed just as the coroners arrived. “Seems our Jane had money.”

“The dark keepers have arrived,” Hermes remarked with a hiked thumb.

“Funny, Hermes.” Reese chuckled then pulled out her notebook and quickly started sketching the scene for future reference.

“Can we take her?” A coroner’s assistant spoke next.

“One moment.” Reese said and held out a hand to the duo. She approached her forensic specialist who was in the process of donning Jane Doe’s hands with paper bags then securing them with masking tape at her wrists. “Is she secure?”

“Not yet,” Rich shook his head. “Need to swab and dust her first.”

“All right.” She gave him a nod then turned back to the coroner’s assistants. “Rich will give you a heads-up when he’s done.”

Just then an officer called out, “DETECTIVE COLLINS!”

“Hermes, come.” Reese spoke up, moving towards his voice.

“Yes,” the photographer lurched over and drawled, “Master.”

“I found a purse.” Officer White replied, stepping aside.

Glancing into the smelly trashcan Reese noticed the expensive purse that sat open within. It was complete with a bloody handprint. “Well... well, our killer left us a present.” She remarked, turning to the officer. “Good job, Officer White.”

“Thank you, Detective.”

Hermes brought up her camera and snapped a few shots of the discovered evidence from different angles. “Done, boss.”

“Rich, you’re up!” Reese called out before turning back to White. “So, Officer White mind telling me what you’ve observed?”

“Yes, Ma’am. The Samuel’s flagged me down at around 6:05am. As I came to the scene I noticed the victim’s body. I immediately called for back-up and proceeded to block the scene off.”

She jotted this into her notebook, “Did you see any other witnesses?”

“No,” the officer shook his head. “It was still early.”

“Where are the Samuel’s now?”

“Mrs. Samuels hyperventilated as our interview ended and she was taken to County General along with her husband.”

“Did either one say anything?”

“Only that they were going for an early morning walk when they stumbled upon the victim.” Officer White recited from his notebook, adding. “And that’s it.”

“Very well,” Reese nodded. “That’ll be it for now.”

“Found it huh?” Parker said, approaching.

“It’s not a robbery, Parker.”

“What makes you think that?” He probed his partner. “She’s missing her jewelry.”

“It’s in the purse along with all her money and credit cards.”

“And how would you-”

“Gut instinct,” Reese revealed with a smirk. “Seems that the killer was punishing her.”

“Uh huh.”

“Maybe someone she scorned in public, a friend or a lover perhaps.” She continued before turning the her forensic specialist, “Rich, what do you have for me?”

“Our Jane Doe is actually Sara Dawson.” Rich read a loud from the victim’s Florida driver’s license. “And lookie here--seems that Mrs. Dawson’s jewelry is in here as well.”

“Money and credit cards?” Parker inquired next.

“Yep, it’s all here,” revealed Rich.

Parker shook his head in disbelief, “I don’t know how you do it Collins.”

“Call it a special gift.” Reese enlightened, flashing him her best smirk. “Now, let’s go find this bastard and bring him to justice.”

~~~*~~~

11

May 31, 2000

Saint Louis, Missouri

Alex’s latest target was a single, average looking brunette woman in her late forties. She observed over the last 24 hours period that Denis Fowl exercised to numerous workout videos, jogged two miles at sundown, enjoyed tea while surfing the net and worked a nine to five job at Fox Laboratories as a tech. She was also a collector of numerous penguin figurines that were placed throughout the two-bedroom house, as well as the many family pictures.

Alex knew Miss Fowl’s characteristics by heart in order to plan the normal termination. She had found her target’s weak link. A back window that was always kept open for her Calico cat named Peaches. Make it look accidental, no questions about it, she reflected and today happened to be the day on which her termination was to take place.

Comfortably hidden in a large oak in her target’s front yard Alex was waiting for Miss Fowl to return from her evening run. Glancing up at the once starry sky above she witnessed the gloomy looking clouds overhead and caught the hint of fishiness within the gentle breeze that blew over her.

Lately, her mind wondered why FATHER wanted these people dead. What could they have possibly done to deserve death? Were they against Father like Devin is? Usually she’d just do the job and get it done fast. Never would she sit around and think about why nor did she really care about her targets, but since her last conversation with Devin her views began to waver.

She glanced down at her watch, which read 19:25HRS. Good, she’ll be here soon. Alex pulled down her black cloth mask that effectively covered her face, and donned her surgical gloves. After which she took a few deep breaths to clear her mind and then focused her energy into her plan.

Just then an out of breath Miss Fowl arrived covered in perspiration. She removed her gray tank top to reveal a white sports bra beneath and wiped the sweat from her face with it. After a few quick stretches she entered the front door and closed it behind her. She lit some large candles that were in the living room that brightened the dark room thus revealing her now naked form, and strolled lazily into the bathroom.

Alex checked the area around her one last time for any witnesses and found none. Climbing down from the natural perch she stealthily moved towards the back yard. As she approached the opened window Alex observed Peaches cleaning herself on the windowsill. After shooing the cat away the rogue then lifted the window and climbed through.

Blowing out all the pilot lights Alex sat the half-filled teakettle on the front burner and turned the burner’s knob on high. She moved through the shadowy kitchen passed the living room and hid in the shadows of the hall for her target. Once there, she heard the shower turn off, then the shower curtain as it slid open.

Pulling out a cloth soaked in chloroform from her thigh pocket Alex heard Miss Fowl humming an unknown tune while waiting patiently for her target to exit. She then observed the door open, and out stepped the woman wearing only a white terrycloth robe.

Alex let her pass before grabbing her from behind and placing the cloth firmly upon the target’s nose and mouth area. Struggling against her the woman then collapsed into her arms when she succumbed to the anesthetic. Quickly, Alex carried her into living room and laid Fowl down on the couch. After placing the cloth back into her pocket, a moving shadow caught the corner of Alex’s eye.

She stepped into the kitchen and realized that the back door was wide open. The faint smell of natural gas hit her like a brick as it filled the air, but there was also the hint of Brut. “FOX!” Alex breathed and was violently shoved against the wall just as the shelved knickknacks above her crashed to the ground.

On total reflex, she kneed the attacker in the groin and slammed a fist into his back. Fox groaned, releasing his hold and dropped to his knees in pain. She muttered, “Get out...” Bolting out the open door she was struck in the gut by a baton, flipped over the weapon and landed hard on her back. And when the baton was shoved against her throat she observed her shadowy attacker.

Leaning over her with hate filled eyes was Weller disguised as a police officer. “Think you’re better than us, huh?” he growled before calling out to his partner. “Come on, Fox!”

“No, I know I’m better.”

“Huh?”

Alex pushed the baton off her neck to release some of the downward pressure besides giving her a chance to breathe. She kicked her legs up caught Weller by the head and flipped him onto his back. Leapt up and threw the baton towards the charging Fox. After knocking him back into the house she then focused her attention back to Weller just as he pulled out his holstered weapon. Alex in turn completed a roundhouse kick to his head, flipped him over and sent the weapon flying.

Once Weller had recovered, he pulled out a knife instead and swiped it at her gut. Alex jumped back just as he lunged towards her head, side stepped him, and grabbed his wrist then flipped her attacker over. Alex twisted his arm, which released the knife, and pinned it behind him. As she pulled him to his feet the rogue wrapped her left arm around his neck, in an attempt to break it. When the candles inside Miss Fowl’s residence finally ignited the natural gas, and the house exploded. “KABOOM!”

The fighting duo meanwhile were blown back by the sheer force of the explosion and sent flying. Weller’s bulky body landed on top of hers, shielding Alex from the flying projectiles that rained upon them. A second later, something hard struck Weller and she noticed a large chunk of wood poking out of the middle of his back.

“DAMN!” Alex growled just as thin projectiles impaled her unprotected forearm, left shoulder and upper thigh. “Son of a bitch!”

Shoving the dead weight of Weller off Alex scrambled to her feet, searched through his back pockets for his wallet and found it. As she stole any cash he had the rogue muttered, “Don’t think he needs it anymore.” When she heard the distant sounds of sirens gradually grew closer with each passing minute. “Damn.” Quickly, she picked up his discarded .45 before hightailing it out of the hot zone.

Charging through the backyards of numerous houses in order to distance herself from the chaos Alex stuck the acquired weapon in the waistband of her pants. Holding her injured left arm she crossing a dark street. “Need to find a safe house.” She said and kept to the shadows as the whole neighborhood began to stir from the loud explosions that woke them.

Alex felt a sharp ache in her shoulder and her eyes grew wide once she realized that a large chunk of wood was now protruding from it. Continuing forward as fast as her wounds would allow Alex then moved through the neighborhood, avoiding any voyeurs not to mention the occasional cop car that sped towards the scene prior.

After leaving the normal radius of an incident such as this Alex finally came upon a rundown gas station. She removed her mask, and then pulled her shirt out from her pants to cover the .45. As Alex passed by a graffiti covered public phone, it all of a sudden came to life. She eyed it for a moment then hesitantly answered it on the third ring. “Hello?”

“Evening Raven,” Devin greeted, adding. “It’s a beautiful night for a stroll.”

“Devin?” An awed Alex spoke as she kept a watchful eye out for any suspicious persons. Part of her wondered how in the hell Devin knew where to find her especially at a time like this. “How?”

“Aye, my little grasshopper...” Devin said playfully, “It seems that you’ve left the dark forest and have landed on a path that shall soon lead you to freedom.”

“Again how?”

“I have many eyes.”

“….”

“Or a live video feed,” she chuckled. “I must say that I was at the edge of my seat with your performance so far... Very intriguing I might add.”

“Uh huh.”

“And I was wondering if you’d like to have some help?”

Alex nodded while glancing down at her throbbing shoulder. Her mind raced. She hadn’t really planned on leaving the fold this soon, but when she was attacked by those imbeciles her time was up. Father was onto her and that meant a one way ticket to the ever after. After mentally scolding herself for not realizing this prior she said simply, “Some medical attention would be prudent about now.”

“Very well,” Devin replied, informing. “Metro bus 278 should be arriving at any moment. Take it till Washington and 5^th. Once there, head towards ‘The Elven Clan’ hobby shop on the corner and enter from the alley exit. Inside there’ll be a hallway. Take the door on your left and it’ll lead you to a fully supplied clinic run by a Dr. Franklin.”

“All right.”

“And Raven?”

“Ma’am?”

“Dr. Franklin’s a loyal friend of mine who’ll take good care of you so DON’T terminate her. Okay?”

“Ma’am, I won’t... And thank you.”

“No problem, Raven. I’m glad to help a fellow spirit.” Devin expressed wholeheartedly. “Now hang in there.”

“Affirmative, Ma’am.” After hanging the phone up Alex observed the area around her while moving into the shadows to wait. Her life seemed to be changing as fast as her heart was beating. Toss in some positive thoughts and a few negative ones, shake them up a bit and that was her in a nutshell. As she calmed herself Alex observed Metro bus #278 approaching and whispered, “Freedom.”

~~~*~~~

12

8:50pm

Fort Lauderdale

Reese drove her black 96’ Ninja 500 into the driveway and parked it alongside her roommate’s Jeep. She bought this two-wheeled classic, for which she named Seth, from Dani’s uncle after graduating from the academy. Who by the way, happened to own one of the best bike shops in Miami. She was given a great discount for it and knew that Dani had a hand in it somehow. Either way she couldn’t have been happier. Climbing off the sweet bike, a relieved Reese removed her black full helmet then entered into their humble abode.

“Hey, grrl!” Dani greeted from the kitchen and held up a cold import beer. “Want one?”

“Sure.” She sighed, tossing the keys into the helmet and sat it under an end table. Reese then unzipped her leather jacket and hung it on the coat rack next to the door. “Ever had one of those days?”

“You betcha.”

“Could it be any worse?”

“Of course.”

As Reese plopped down on the Okra colored lazy boy chair that she had purchased at a local thrift shop a few months back then pulled the lever back and propped her legs up. “Ugh!”

Reese was glancing around living room that had an artsy deco style, complete with black leather furniture, her Okra chair and a retro coffee table. Upon the walls were glowing Neon advertising signs, Dani’s surreal landscapes, as well as one of her very own beach scenes. Then there was an entertainment system that sat against the far wall, along with a large screen TV with dual surround sound and of course a Play cube 2.

The tired detective wondered if she’d rather relieve some pent up energy on killing some fleshing eating zombies on the game system or just vegetate in her comfy chair. And it seemed that vegetation was the answer.

“Why?” Dani inquired, handing her a cold one before having a seat on the couch. When she quickly remembered that her roommate having a date earlier that night. “Oh... Was Jackie that bad?”

Reese responded by taking a large swig from her drink.

“I’ve known her for a year-”

“She was like an octopus. I swear--once those lights went out in the theater, her hands were all over me. I threatened to arrest her ass for attempted rape if she didn’t stop.”

“Damn.” Dani gave her a pained look before apologizing, “I’m sorry, Reese.”

“Dani, it’s not your fault.”

“I should’ve-”

“Should’ve... could’ve... would’ve, what’s done is done.”

“I know.” Dani nodded. “Guess I’ll have a little discussion with her tomorrow.”

“Nah...” Reese gestured with chuckle. “I scared some sense into her though.”

“Are ya sure? I mean--it’s been a while since I got in a good butt whoppin’.”

“I’m sure.” Reese reaffirmed, “Besides I’m not in the mood to file anymore reports tonight.”

“I hear ya,” Dani grinned just as the front door suddenly swung open and in stepped a pale looking woman with short purple hair. “About time...”

The retro punk’s tight fitting black clothes hugged her firm body as she entered into the dimly lit room, carrying with her a large pizza and a case of beer. Her name was Doe Philips. This fourth year medical student was top of her class and not to mention a highly intellectual young woman who cherished the punk era of the 70’s. “Mind getting the door?” She inquired to her smirking lover before turning to the relaxing detective. “What’s up Reese?”

“Hey Doe.”

“I got it.” Dani said, closing the door.

“Thanks hon,” Doe said then sat her purchases on the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Come and get it!”

Dani purred to her girlfriend, “I missed you.” Wrapping her arms around Doe she then gave her peck on the cheek. “Dani needs some Doe.”

“Well... Doe is having some hellish cramps right now.” The medical student responded as she fell into the warm hug. “So, she needs some protein for her body and a bit of alcohol to dull the pain.”

“Ouch.” Reese remarked, chuckling. “That’s gotta hurt, Dani.”

Dani sarcastically laughed. “Do ya need another, my Hestian Princess?”

“Sure.” Reese said and sat her empty on the hardwood floor next to the chair. “I’d love another.”

“Oh, how did the date go?” Doe inquired next before grabbing a plate of pizza, a cold one and had a seat on the couch. “Jackie was looking forward to it all week.”

“I bet.” Reese remarked, taking the offered beer. “She was too aggressive for my taste.”

“Really?” Doe wondered in surprise then turned to her. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope.”

“The witch was trying to deflower our princess.” Dani grumbled having a seat next to her girlfriend. “Reese, won’t let me bust her ass.”

“Good,” Doe nudged her in the side, scolding. “I’m not in the mood to stitch YOUR ass up tonight.” She then turned back to Reese. “Sorry, Reese... She seemed so cool.”

“It’s all right, Doe.” the detective said with a shrug. “It’s just not my time to be with anyone.”

“Well, you have us.” Doe assured placing a gentle hand upon her arm. “Okay?”

“Thanks,” flashing them a reassuring grin Reese thanked them both. “I know your only trying to help, but I’m fine.” She then noticed that they both were still worriedly staring at her and added, “Really.”

“Grab yourself a slice.” Doe suggested, holding her slice up. “Are you going to watch the movie with us?”

“What’s it about?”

“Blood, gore, werewolves and hot babes.” Dani revealed with a broad grin. “Ya gotta love it.”

“Nah.” Reese shook her head then climbed out of the chair. “I’m gonna surf for bit, then go to bed.”

“Okay.” Doe responded. “Have fun.”

“Don’t go overboard with the cyber sex!” Dani remarked playfully.

“Hey!” The medical student jabbed her lover in the ribcage, chastising. “Be nice.”

“Nite, guys.” A grinning Reese said before heading into her room. Once there she flicked the lava lamp on, switched on her laptop, and then made herself comfortable in the desk chair. “Let’s catch up on the news.”

As Reese took a sip from the beer while waiting for windows to load up and realized how much she loved her cable connection. Skimming over the main story of yet another affair from their dear President and its failed cover-up she rolled her eyes and muttered. “Whatever.” When her eyes were finally drawn to a headline entitled, ‘Gas explosion rocks local neighborhood’.

“Damn.” She downed another sip before clicking on its link. “A late night gas explosion shook a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri.” Reese read aloud as she felt an odd sensation running down her spine. “Among the destruction of three houses--a body of a local police officer was found outside of the originating house.”

~~~*~~~

Dr. Franklin had patched her shoulder, removed the shrapnel of wood, stitched it up then politely informed her that she was lucky that she hadn’t sustained any muscle damage in the process. After checking out her various cuts and burns to her arm she was finally given some pills for the pain.

Leaning over Alex grabbed her small backpack that the doctor had filled with some basic necessities she might need for her journey here. She began to rummage a hand through it, when she found the small bottle of painkillers and the bottled water.

After popping the pills she then took a large swig from the water to wash them down. As the plane finally came to a complete halt Alex released the lap belt and stood up to stretch her long legs. She slung the backpack over her good shoulder and noticed the lanky pilot moving towards the exit door.

He pulled the lever to the door and it abruptly swung open. The ladder extended towards the pavement with a press of button just as the pilot stuck his head out. “Ma’am, your ride is here.” He vocalized and flashed a grin towards his lone passenger. “Have a nice day.”

Acknowledging him with a simple nod she exited out of the plane. As Alex was climbing down the metal stairs she quickly shielded her eyes from the early morning light. Squinting her eyes she observed the clear blue sky for a moment longer.

As soft eastern breeze was caressing her she inhaled familiar scent of the sea and purred, “Beautiful.” A slight grin was forming upon her otherwise emotionless face. And in an instant it vanished upon recognizing the familiar person dressed in black that was leaning against a parked SUV. And as she approached Alex observed her reflection in Devin’s sunglasses. “Ma’am.”

Director Creed held out a welcoming hand, “Welcome to Florida.”

Alex shook her hand firmly. “Good morning.”

“We need to talk.” Devin said simply then gestured towards the vehicle. “Climb in and I’ll tell you along the way.”

“Affirmative, Ma’am.” Alex nodded, climbing into the passenger side.

“First off,” Devin spoke up before starting the SUV. “You can drop the formalities and just call me Devin.”

“Affirmative, Ma’am.”

“Second...” as she pulled the vehicle out, “I know it’s hard to trust anyone considering--but I’ll do my best to earn yours.”

Alex nodded.

“As you well know I’m Director of Counter Intelligence in the NSA,” Devin revealed. “But before I say anything... I don’t work in the same branch as the group that’s responsible for training you, which by the way are code-named Alpha. Anyway the Rogue Contingent is a subdivision within that group.”

Silently Alex turned to her, taking this new revelation in and waited for further information that she somehow knew was coming next. The not so obscured thought of terminating her ass crossed the ex-Rogue’s mind as she probed further, “How can I be sure that you’re not one of them?”

“You don’t.” Devin replied simply then turned to her passenger. “All I can say is that I’m a member of the Delta branch.”

“….”

“Really, I’m on your side and I’ll do whatever I can to help you.” Devin plead then grumbled under breath, “Besides I don’t believe in their methods of recruitment. It’s a bit barbaric in my opinion.”

Something within Alex told her that Devin was speaking the truth even if was in bits and pieces. Much like a code, she thought. And whatever it was intrigued her so. Besides as it stood now she was a wanted woman whose been targeted for death. Death by the very people whom created her. Ironic as it was she listened patiently to what Devin was saying.

“And for your information what they’re doing has been going on since the creation of the NSA and it will continue if someone doesn’t stop them.”

Raising a brow at her final comment Alex finished with, “And that would be me?”

“In a matter of fact way, yes. But, I must also add that there are other members to this team that will aid us as well.”

“….”

“Let me explain. The NSA is split down the middle over this and the debate still goes on as we speak.” Devin said grimly. “The only thing is... That our members are being assassinated along the way and soon Alpha will possess all the key positions.”

Alex continued to listen to the director with subdued enthusiasm. Her motives seemed valid and the thought of bringing down Alpha as well as the Rogues brought an unrequited pleasure to the assassin. “And that would be bad?”

“Of course!” Devin uttered with a sigh, “Care to live in world with a crazy man calling himself FATHER...” When she quickly realizing that she had just described the assassin’s world and apologized, “sorry.”

Alex only acknowledged her with a raised brow.

“Anyway, imagine him taking key positions... Such as in the white house. Big bad. Not a pretty picture let me tell you. Anyway the theory is there--it’s just I’m in the process of gathering proof so we can’t technically prove any of this,” Devin sighed. “And going public isn’t an option.”

“You need the use of my talents.”

“Yes.” The director said as she lowered her glasses to glance over at Raven. “And no.”

Alex’s brow perked up.

“I would like your help in solving this problem of ours,” she confessed. “But I’m not forcing you to do anything. You must want to do this on your own free will.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just say I promised a fellow comrade of ours that I would.”

Alex’s mind raced at who this person Devin was speaking of was. It wasn’t as if she knew many people considering, which left her with a handful of potentials. Yet, another mystery to solve. “If I do this...” Alex started to say then gazed into her dark eyes and found within them truth. “I want something in return.”

“Anything--you name it.”

“I’ll tell you when I’m done,” Alex said.

“All right.” Devin nodded just as she pulled into the starlight motel’s parking lot. After parking her SUV in front of room 25 she climbed out, “We’re here.”

Alex in turn got out and followed her towards the motel room. She was led into the room that consisted of a king sized bed, table, two chairs, 18in TV upon a stand that was screwed into the wall and of course the basic bathroom area. Everything in the room was made up in a floral motif, curtains, seat covers, bedspread as well as the wallpaper and the floor, a solid dark green.

“I thought you might like some gear.” Devin said before gesturing towards a large duffel bag that sat next to the bed. “Go on and once you’re done I’ll treat you to lunch.” She informed then closed the door behind her. “You must be famished.”

“Affirmative, Ma’am.” Alex acknowledged and lifted the duffel bag with her good arm, placed it upon the bed then unzipped it. Inside she observed some bandages, tape and beneath that were a fresh set of clothes that was her size and pair of tan hiking boots. “How?”

“I’ve had practice.” A grinning Devin replied as she flipped the TV to a 24hr news channel. She then made herself comfortable in one of the floral printed chairs and stretched out. “With the help from a fellow comrade of mine that is.”

Alex gave her a nod as she noticed a small arsenal of necessities that one in her field should always carry on ones person. There was a coil spring automatic CBJ Mark 4 knife, six color-coded magazines (Red and Blue) filled with ammo, two shoulder holsters with extra ammo pockets, a thigh holster, a compact Starlight a six shot .25 ACP (6.35mm) and two Browning Mark III (a 9mm and a .40) handguns.

“Nice.” Alex purred, pulling out the brand new 9mm. Examining its sleek barrel, non-glare matte finish and two-piece molded grips the ex-Rogue picked up two magazines. She glanced down at the rounds within them and recognized the tiny color dot on the tips of each bullet. Turning to the preoccupied Director she probed, “Explosive and Chemical?”

“Rojo es explosivo (Red is explosive).” Devin stated, flashing a mischievous smirk her way. “Azul es ardiente de dentro (Blue is chemical).”

“Azul (Blue)?” Alex repeated, “Yo no se’ (You don’t say)?” Slapping a blue clip into the .40 she pulled the slide back, loading it then repeated the process with the 9mm, but with a red one.

“Se’ (Yes).” The director nodded, revealing in two words. “White Phosphorus.”

“Sweet.” Alex voiced ecstatically. “A chemical that’s insoluble in water, but soluble in carbon disulphide. It reacts to air. Absorbing the water particles, then dissolving, forming phosphoric acid.”

“Deadly...”

“Very.” The ex-Rogue added before tossing the clothes back into the duffel and heading into the bathroom to change. She turned the water on to fill the tub and quickly removed her clothes. Alex pulled the lever to the drain as she was ripping off the large bandage from her shoulder and the smaller ones upon her arm. Thus revealing her stitched up wounds and the various minor burns and abrasions upon herself.

Slowly she climbed into the warm bath, turned the water off and leaned her head back. “Something about her...” she mumbled to herself. The ex-Rogue let her overly tensed muscles relax in the bath for a few moments longer as she tried to assess the director.

Alex noticed the relaxedness that Director Creed seemed to displayed around her. Strange as it was it was as if she wasn’t afraid of her. The reaction she’d usually get from meeting others was one of trepidation. Well, except from her drill sergeants that is considering. “And why is that?” Shaking her head at the whole thing Alex then decided to come back to this at a later time. With that settled she proceeded to cleanse her body of the dried gore from the night before.

~~~*~~~

A now lounging Devin had moved onto the comfy bed and was enjoying a program on Crocodiles, when her cell phone vibrated against her. She turned the TV volume down and pulled her phone out. “Devin here.”

“I found two coded files.” A feminine spoke up in a Welsh accent. “One on Raven and the other on you luv.”

“Chay,” Devin’s demeanor instantly perked upon hearing the sound of her loving wife’s voice, “you’re kiddin’ right?”

“Afraid not.”

“Damn...”

“I’ve been working on them for the past three hours.” Chay revealed as she continued to type various codes into her laptop. “And I do believe that I’m getting closer to solving it though.”

“Good to hear,” Devin nodded at hearing this tiny bit of hopeful information. “So, Miss Blake how long has it been since I last commended you on a job well done?”

“Well...” she playfully drew her answer out as to tease her. “Let me think.”

“Come on,” whined Devin and rolled her eyes. “What about last night?”

“What about it?”

A pained director said, “Ouch.”

“Oh, bloody stop it.” Chay chuckled. “You know I’m kidding luv.”

“I know, just pulling your chain darlin’.”

“Uh huh.” Chay calmed herself and turned her attention on the operative Raven. “So, did she make it in all right?”

“Just fine and she agreed to help us.”

“That’s great!”

“It sure is.” An elated Devin grinned. “We need someone as talented as her on our side.”

“We certainly do. Oh, everything’s set up for you as you requested.”

“Good.”

“Dev be careful,” Chay warned. “Your agency is on alert.”

“I know and I will.”

“Dev-”

“I miss you too.” Devin expressed with a lopsided grin. “Bye, darlin’.”

“Bye luv.”

~~~*~~~

Alex glanced at the half-open door, which she had deliberately left ajar as to keep a perceptive ear open on her new ally so to speak. As she was taping down a fresh bandage to her shoulder she breathed, “I’m free.” The ex-Rogue stood before the mirror observing her reflection. And reflecting back was her image dressed in a white sports bra and a pair of black boxer/briefs. “And yet I’m not.”

“I really should bump it up a notch,” mumbled Alex before grabbing the CBJ Mark 4 knife. She pressed the button on the knife’s 3 ¾” anodized aluminum handle releasing the 2” titanium carbonitride coated blade. The assassin folded the blade back as a mischievous smirk grew. “Sweet.”

“So,” Devin called out next, “where would you like to eat at?”

Alex grinned upon hearing the director’s voice as she tossed her old clothes into the empty bag. The very thought of choosing where one might eat was so foreign to her that she almost laughed at it all. “I’m open for anything.”

“A cool 50’s diner it is then.”

The ex-Rogue stepped out of the bathroom a moment later carrying with her a duffel slung over one shoulder. The choice Director Creed had made seemed fine to her and she gave her companion a slight nod. “Ma’am,” she wondered next, “what do you want me to do with this?”

“Bring it with us.” Devin responded, observing Raven’s attire with approving eyes. “I’ll dispose of it later.”

Alex gave her a lopsided grin. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” The director said. “Looks great,” she added then flipped the TV off and rose to her feet. “Can’t tell that you’re packin’ either.”

“Affirmative, Ma’am.”

“The Rogues have taught you well.” Devin said eyeing the operative. “But for our relationship to blossom into a more civilized yet laid back one I’d hope that we could all be on the same level so to speak.”

Alex assessed this and wondered what Director Creed was up to. Never had she been leveled to anyone with such rank and in a way hadn’t known what to expect from it. “Ma’am?”

“I insist you call me Devin,” the director corrected. “I know it’s hard to forgo your training in this aspect, but it can be done. Besides I’m NOT at old--ya know.”

“Very well then, Devin.”

“With that settled...” Devin said as she held open the door. “We can move onto much better things--such as discussing any fringe benefits that you may desire from our business relationship.”

“Benefits?” Alex repeated with a raised brow.

~~~*~~~

‘Bebop’s Diner’ was a 50’s retro establishment complete with vinyl booths, Formica counter with spinning stools and vintage jute boxes filled with classic 45’s scattered throughout. Covered on it’s egg white walls were movie posters of the same time period as well as numerous autographed memorabilia from famed stars of that era. And completing this establishment’s friendly atmosphere was the sound of the 50’s that played over the dining rooms speakers.

Devin was leading Alex along side the long counter that effectively blocked the entrance into the large kitchen when she noticed the dozens of large incandescent globes that dangled from the ceiling on thin black wires. The ex-Rogue observed high upon the North and South walls were replicas of the front grill and tail end of a cherry color 57’ Chevy convertible. “Interesting.”

“It is.” Devin said as she casually made her way to one of the rear corner booths then had a seat against the wall. “This is perfect.”

Alex nodded and sat down on the pea green vinyl booth cushion across from her. “Been here before?” She inquired and took a quick count of the handful or so other customers, not including the staff that was present.

“When we get a chance.” The director responded as she browsed over the diner’s laminated menu. “Which isn’t often enough I’m afraid.”

“We?”

“Yeah...” she nodded. “My wife and I.”

“Welcome to the Bebop’s diner.” An average looking waitress greeted them with a friendly smile. She pulled out an ordering pad from her retro pink mini uniform that accented her above average bosom. “My name’s Cathy.” The waitress said before acquiring a pin from behind her ear and used it to brush the blond bangs from her dark eyes. “What can I get you two ladies to drink?”

“Hello, Cathy.” Devin replied. “I would like an iced tea and a glass of water.”

“Can I please have a cola and a glass of water?” Alex spoke up next.

“Coming right up.” Cathy said before hurrying off to gather their drinks.

“Devin,” Alex inquired, removing a menu from behind the table Condiments display. “Do you live here?”

“Nope... have a place twenty-five miles outside of Birmingham, Alabama.”

As Alex opened the menu and her eyes focused in on the section entitled burgers. Five types to choose from was before her and each sounded a bit better than the one before. Her stomach growled in anticipation to the half a pound of ground beef on a bun, grilled onions, Swiss and cheddar cheese with French fries and a sweet pickle on the side. And soon realized that hall chow was never this appetizing she thought.

“Pick whatever you want.” The director said as she observed her dilemma. “My treat.”

“Thank you.”

“It’s the least I can do.” She said, setting the menu down. Flashing her a lopsided grin Devin only shook her head at the assassin just as Cathy came back with their drinks.

“Here ya go.” The waitress sat them before them, then again pulled out her pad and a pen. “Would you ladies like a few more minutes?”

“Nah.” the director responded first, “I’ll take the number 3 with French fries, please.”

Cathy jotted the order down then turned to the assassin. “And you?”

“May I please have the number 5 with French fries.”

“All right.” The waitress quickly scribbled the rest of their order down. “It’ll be a few.”

“Sure thing.” Devin acknowledged and watched as she rush off to place their orders. “So...”

Alex took a sip from her soda and felt the familiar bubbly sensation as she did years ago. Been too long. “If I’m going to do this...” she finally spoke up. “I’ll need a few things.”

“Anything.”

“First, I need transportation.”

“Done.”

“I’m going to need a safe house.”

“I’ve got the perfect place.” Devin expressed with a broad grin. “You’ll like it.”

Alex raised a brow.

“I also took the liberty of choosing some special items for you as well.”

“All right,” the ex-Rogue acknowledged. “I’d like to check out the inventory myself of course.”

“Of course.” Devin agreed with a grin. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Affirmative.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Devin revealed, sliding out of her seat. “I’m going to use the facilities--be back in a moment.”

Alex nodded as she observed the director making her way across the diner towards the wooden doors that were advertised with the generic male/female figures. Just as she watched her lunch companion disappearing into to restroom her attention was drawn towards a casually dressed young couple that had just entered into the diner.

Something passed between the suspicious pair when they locked eyes with her before taking a seat in an empty booth five tables away from her. A sudden shiver ran down the ex-Rogue’s spine and the tiny hairs on her back stood on end. Alex averted her gaze as the newcomers picked up their menus. When she looked over again the average looking, dark haired male looked up first and flashed her a friendly smile. His dark eyes revealed a hidden agenda as he leaned over and whispered something to his fair-haired female companion who in turn sat the menu down and only nodded her reply.

~~~*~~~

Devin meanwhile was in the process of drying her hands off when her cell phone vibrated against herself. Quickly she removed it from its holder and answered it, “Devin here.”

“Dev dear,” Chay purred. “I’m about to break the code and wanted to have you share in my triumph.”

“Awwww.” Devin vocalized. And as she was leaning against the wall right next to a tampon machine she heard her wife typing into to a keyboard. “Now that’s one of the reasons that I fell for ya darlin’.”

“And here... I thought that it was because of my beauty.” She chuckled back, as her fingers flew over the keyboard. “I’m in.”

“What did you-”

“A chip...” Chay interrupted as she scanned over the recently acquired information. “Oh my.”

“Huh?” Devin uttered, feeling something amiss. “Chay?”

“Luv, get the bloody hell out of there NOW!”

~~~*~~~

As Alex sauntered over to a nearby jukebox she tried to reassure herself that it was just being over observant about them and casually glanced down at the 45’s that were inside. When she observed from the corner of her eye that another couple had entered into the establishment before having a seat at the counter.

“Damn...” the ex-Rogue muttered under her breath and realized too late that the suspicious couples were blocking her exit paths. “It’s a trap!”

“Excuse me?” Cathy uttered as she was bringing over their lunch plates. “Would you like anything else?”

Alex silently moved up behind the waitress who had just sat their food down and said in a whisper. “Find a safe place to hide.”

The waitress gave her a perplexed stare, “What for?”

~~~*~~~

Meanwhile, outside a dark sedan with tinted windows slowly pulled up along side the curb of Bebop’s parking lot and came to a halt. As the passenger side window rolled down it revealed its driver an African American male driver Operative Lawrence Kazen. Dressed in a two-piece, dark tailored suit he wore in his right ear a wireless ear piece. His dark eyes were hidden behind dark, wrap around sunglasses. As he turned his attention towards the diner the operative addressed his smoking superior who was seated in the rear.

“Ma’am, the operatives are in position and have positively identified our target.”

“Good,” responded the shadowed female by the name of Kylie Gryffyn. With her attention focused on the palm PC in her left hand she took a long drag from her cigarette. Enjoying the rush of nicotine she observed four green blimps as well as two blinking dots, one red and the other blue, within the confines of the diner. The red belonging to the AWOL Raven was labeled with BLC 193753mhz and the other had yet to be identified.

“It seems that Raven has chosen an interesting place for lunch.” Gryffyn remarked soberly and pressed the blue dot. “Did she not?”

Observing her through his rearview mirror Kazen gave her a simple nod. “Perhaps.”

As Gryffyn waited for the PC to search through the extensive database of BLC numbers she added, “Not to mention her present company.”

“Excuse me Ma’am?”

After exhaling another drag Gryffyn waited as the screen switched to a bio of Director Devin Creed complete with color photo of her. “Well, I’ll be...” she muttered before scanning over the information. “Our little Raven is having lunch with my old pal Director Creed.”

“Perhaps... Enigma may be emotional at times but never brash,” she drawled. “No, it could be a effective tactical maneuver that may pose a threat to us all.”

“No, this may be an added bonus so to speak. You know... kill two birds with one stone kind of thing.”

Kazen nodded.

“Nevertheless, it makes no difference.” Gryffyn chuckled softly and put her cigarette out in a nearby ashtray. “Give the signal.

“Move it!” A male squad leader hollered out. “GO! Go! GO!”

As a team of four broke off they headed for the diner’s rear exit just as an individual welding a Squad Automatic Weapon System or M249 SAWS rushed forward. This portable machine gun was used to support the squad operations and had efficiently replaced two MP5’s. Training his weapon at the front of the building the assassin proceeded to fire into the diner’s plate glass windows as to clear the way for his remaining counterparts.

~~~*~~~

14

Alex growled, “Get down!” Pulling out her holstered weapons she then spun around and unleashed a barrage of bullets towards the suspicious couples.

Just as the first pair were scrambling to pull theirs out the chemical rounds ripped through them. And once the white phosphoric came into contact with the flesh and air, a chemical reaction occurred causing the entrance wounds to grow larger, as the flesh around the slugs smoldered and burned through them. Meanwhile, as to the second duo... well chunks of their bone, flesh and organs lay scattered in numerous bloody pieces all around the room. Grisly remnants from the usage of explosive rounds.

Alex rushed past her downed foes on her way towards the rear exit just as a spray of rounds from the SAWS shattered through the front plate glass windows spraying glass everywhere. She dove to the ground barely missing the rounds that assaulted her and skidded across the glass-covered floor. Her body collided into an unfortunate customer who was being pelted with rounds before coming to a halt. Once Alex righted herself she began to scan her surroundings and witnessed an ill-fated victim’s head disintegrating before her. “Damn... Damn... Damn.”

“HELP ME!” Cathy called out in desperation from behind her. “OH GOD--someone HELP ME!”

Thought all the blood chilling screams from the wounded and the sounds of ricocheting rounds surrounding Alex her attention was focused on the large globes of light that hung above her. One by one they were shattering. And hastily shielded her head from electrical sparks that rained down upon herself. The room darkened a notch just as more bullets riddled an old jukebox sending fragments of the neon decorative lights as well as the classic 45’s within it everywhere.

Another weapon discharging nearby instantly caught Alex’s attention. A grunt was heard next then a thud of a body dropping to the ground. Glancing towards the sound she found Devin ducking down just as a few rounds struck her prior position. “You set this up!”

“HEY!” Firing two more rounds at her attackers Devin rebutted to the glaring assassin. “I resent that remark!”

“You...” calculating the distance between them the ex-Rogue grumbled, “might as well be a mile.”

Cautiously she began crawling over debris, shards of glass as well as the body of a fallen waitress in attempt to escape this death trap. When all of a sudden there was an uncanny silence then the sound of clip being ejected. This was her chance. Alex made her move by leaping over the row of booths that was in her way, just as another barrage of bullets bombarded her again.

And as the rounds sped by her she breathed, “Son of a bitch!” Her landing was anything, but perfect. The ex-Rogue landed hard on her right side before rolling into the counter. Just as she heard more gunshots coming from the direction of the kitchen then a blood-curling scream amidst the crashing of pots and pans.

“Damn, Bravo assassins,” sighed Alex before taking a deep breath. “Front or rear.” Assessing both possibilities she finally came to one conclusion. “Never wanted to live forever anyway. Rear it is.”

The ex-Rogue holstered the .40 just as she heard the fall of footsteps moving towards her. Grabbing an unbroken LP Alex rolled out from her hiding place to face her attackers. As the armed duo approached she flung the record towards the lead’s unprotected throat, severing his Jugular. Alex brought up her 9mm when she heard movement behind her then squeezed off two rounds into her assailant’s chest as he entered through the front door.

Alex gave the kneeling assassin who was desperately grabbing for the vinyl disk embedded in his throat a passing glance. Pulling out her .40 caliber she trained it towards the companion that followed next. Two rounds later he exploded. His internal organs had disintegrated and his ripped limbs were sent flying.

“Deadly.” Alex smirked before moving into the bloody kitchen. With her head low she carefully stepped over the numerous bodies that were scattered about. When a whisper just outside the ajar door alerted ex-Rogue just as the sound of sizzling and popping drew her attention.

Realizing that it was hot grease, a sly smirk quickly formed. She reached out, grabbed the skillet’s handle and flung the hot liquid towards the unprepared individual that had just entered. The unlucky female was now covered with the burning grease. Unfortunately for her the cloth masked and clothes were no protection to the hot liquid. Causing her scream out in utter agony as her flesh was being fried by the grease.

Meanwhile in another part of the diner, Devin had just fired four rounds dropping two of the four oncoming assassins that were trying to enter into the diner. Quickly ducking from the onslaught of bullets that came her way she called out to companion, “We’re seriously out numbered here!”

“You know grease is bad for your health,” Alex remarked. Dodging a couple stray bullets that happened to fly by she moved further into the kitchen and grumbled, “You think?”

Devin muttered, “Fuck this.” She then fired two more rounds towards the approaching assassins before retreating back into the restroom.

Alex in the meantime, just heard the distinct sound of a grenade launcher firing then the high pitched whistling of it shooting through the air. Noting from the corner of her eye the round’s trajectory and uttered, “Tear fucking gas!”

As the grenade sped towards the ex-large soup pans that hung from the ceiling racks above her, Alex grabbed another skillet. The round crashed into them abruptly releasing a white gas on it’s decent downward just as she swung her makeshift bat and sent it sailing out the rear window.

Alex heard the sound of crunching glass coming from the entrance then the cautious footsteps of a three-man team drawing nearer. Taking in a quick breath, she dropped the skillet and pulled out her .40 caliber weapon. The ex-Rogue charged forward, closed her eyes then dived out the broken window. As thick white smoke trailed the canister it bounced twice on the driveway before rolling off to the side. On instinct Alex balled her body up upon landing on the gritty asphalt and rolled to her feet. Her presence was enveloped by the cloud of gas and gave her a great cover.

“SHIT!” uttered a lone assassin. He jumped back as to distanced himself from the gas and hurried to put on his gas mask.

Alex squeezed off two rounds in the direction of the voice and four at the approaching assassins behind her. His body had collapsed to the ground with a dull thud followed by the sounds of pots and pans crashing to the ground as the two assassins behind her were silenced for good. After which she heard a sound of a skidding vehicle then a bone crushing, “THUMP.. THUMP!” It had in effect halted any further steps that Alex would’ve taken and instantly brought her weapons up.

“DON’T SHOOT!” Devin roared out just as she opened the passenger door for Raven. “GET IN!”

Alex’s logical side wanted to terminate her ass, but her instincts nixed the idea considering that she really didn’t have many other options at the moment. Releasing the breath that she held in the ex-Rogue holstered her weapons. She opened her eyes and decisively jumped into the SUV just as it peeled out.

With her eyes now open the damned chemical burned causing them to tear up and causing the mucus in her nose to gush out like a waterfall. Alex grabbed the bottled water from the bag beneath her seat and poured it into her eyes, cleansing them. Even with the instinct to rub them overwhelmed her so, she knew better considering that it would only make it worse.

“God... You almost shot me there-”

“I would have.” Alex countered grimly, wiping her nose with a Kleenex. “And I still might,” drawing her 9mm, “YOU set this up.”

“I didn’t do this.” The director objected before glancing over. “You have to believe me.”

“I don’t have to do any such thing,” Alex growled. “They were trying to terminate me.” Then held out a hand and ordered. “Remove your pistol.”

“Well, I was there too...” Devin grumbled and did as she was told. “They didn’t hand me flowers either.”

The ex-Rogue raised a brow to her little comment, “Find us a place to hide out.”

“Please, listen...”

“Why?”

“I didn’t know, really. My wife warned me just as the assassins made their move.” Devin revealed just as her cell phone vibrated against her. “One moment,” she said and quickly answered it. “Devin here.”

“DEV!” Chay greeted ecstatically, “Are you hurt?”

“No, darlin’.” sighed the director. “I’m not and neither is Raven.”

“Thank you, Gaia!”

“Chay...” glancing over at the assassin Devin revealed, “We kinda have a little problem.”

“What?”

“Raven believes that I’m behind this.”

“You’re bloody joking right?”

“I wish I was darlin’.”

“Let me talk to her.”

Devin gave her a nod before holding the phone out to Raven. “My wife Chay would like a word with you.”

Alex raised a brow her way and took the offered phone, “Hello?”

“Raven, my Dev had nothing to do with it,” Chay informed. “And I have the proof.”

“Why should I trust you?”

“Get Devin’s palm pilot and I’ll send you the evidence.”

“Evidence can be faked-”

“Bloody hell woman!” growled Chay. “If my Dev was behind this she would’ve killed you by now.”

“….”

“Now, wouldn’t she?”

Alex thought about it for a second or two before finally acknowledging her. “Perhaps.”

“Please, just listen to me.” Chay begged her. “I’ve just sent the information off and all you have to do is look at it. The truth is there.”

“All right.” Alex agreed then turned back to the director. “Your palm pilot?”

“Here.” Devin said, detaching it from her belt and quickly typed in her code. Waiting till her email had opened before holding it out. “Here you go.”

“Give me a moment.” The ex-Rogue said as she began to read over the lengthy file that was about a Bio Locator Chip or a BLC for short. “Uh huh...”

This microchip, the size of a grain of white rice was otherwise undetectable. She read further on and realized that all assassins were implanted with the BLC at the time of processing as well as certain high-ranking agents within the agency. Each member had his or her own frequency that the NSA kept on file and all were then in turn imputed into a special computer that had been designed to routinely keep track of each member at any given time.

“A hi-tech leash,” Alex grumbled just as a figure outline appeared onscreen. Located in the lower back of the figure the BLC was placed in between the Epidermis and Dermis layer of the skin.

As Alex was observing the figure the curser began to type at the bottom of the screen. ‘CASE #002569 SUBJECT: RAVEN, ALEXANDRIA R.’. Below that was ‘BLC frequency of 193753mhz’. After which ‘SUBJECT AT LARGE’ was typed in bright red letters that proceeded to blink off and on across the figure.

“Damn,” the ex-Rogue muttered. “Can you take it out?”

“Of course,” Chay replied, adding. “I’ve made a scanner to pinpoint the BLC and I also might add that I possess some medical knowledge as well.”

Taking everything in as best as one could Alex final agreed. “Fine.” She holstered her weapon then handed the palm pilot back. “Can I assume that Director Creed has a chip as well?”

“Aye, that’s why we need to remove them as soon as possible.”

“Port of Miami.” The ex-Rogue suggested next. “Find a boat-”

“Found one.” Chay finished. “Stall #60. It’s a Netherlands national cruise ship. I’ll be waiting for you both.”

“Hold on.” Alex said, handing the phone back to the director. “Port of Miami.”

Turning to the assassin Devin flashed her a grin. “All rightie then.” After taking the offered phone she purred happily. “Darlin’, I owe you big time for this.”

“I figured as much,” Chay playfully remarked, adding. “And I plan on collecting it too.”

~~~*~~~

Back at the diner only two out of a fourteen-man squad of assassins remained standing amidst the carnage. The lone duo swept through the demolished diner in search of any remaining survivors as well as comrades. And nether were to be found so far. Nevertheless the clock was still ticking for them to wrap this unsuccessful mission up before the civilian authorities arrived.

“Grab the surveillance tape,” barked the squad leader to his automatic rifleman. He approached a crawling waitress, trained his weapon on the lone survivor and fired one round into the back of her head killing her instantly.

“Affirmative.” The rifleman responded before rushing off in search of the tape. And came back a few seconds later with the item in question. “Got it.”

“Good.” he acknowledged while reentering from the kitchen area. “Clear out!”

~~~*~~~

Gryffyn brutally smothered her cigarette into the ashtray. “Drive!”

Kazen acknowledged, “Yes, Ma’am.” Rolling up the window at a press of a button he then pulled out into traffic and away from the scene. “At least we know she’s here.”

“Incompetent fools.” Gryffyn knew full well that this mission wasn’t going to be a simple task that she had been briefed on prior. She shrugged off this minor setback just as another plan began to piece together.

“They’re only B class assassins.”

“True.” She affirmed with a scoff. “Nevertheless, it seems that if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.” She concluded as a loud explosion erupted from the diner a moment later.

~~~*~~~

Port of Miami

Alex observed the large Netherlands cruise ship with dual smokestacks and all too familiar colored plastic flags that were flapping gently in the breeze. She took note of its many occupants were now boarding the ship that they would be calling home for the next two weeks.

“Here,” Devin removed her black button down shirt and held it out, “you need it more than I do.”

“Thank you,” said Alex before removing her blood splattered one and donning the offered one.

The director suggested, “Just stuff it under the seat.” As she proceeded to climb out of the vehicle Devin discreetly covered her holstered .45 that was secured behind her by pulling the black tank top she wore out from her pants.

Alex gave her a nod, “Gotcha.” She in turn exited out then stuffed the shirt beneath the seat before slamming the door shut. “Well, let’s get this damned chip removed.”

“I second that,” Devin affirmed. As she was leading the way towards the cruise ship her cell phone vibrated against her again. “Devin here.”

“Uncle Ed will be waiting for you,” Chay informed, adding. “Dev, I’m in the infirmary.”

“All right.” She replied. “We’re boarding now.”

“See you in a few.”

“Cya,” Devin said just as the person in question approached. “Perfect timing.”

Standing before them was an average man with a slender build, dressed in a white Navel uniform that went by the name of Dr. Edward Delmos. Atop his thinning gray hair was a matching hat. His dark, brown eyes focused on them as he greeted warmly. “Devin, it’s been awhile!” Holding his hand out for her take. “It’s so good to see you again!”

“Likewise my friend.” Devin replied with a grin just as she was pulled into a bear hug. “Whoa there Doc,” she laughed. “Gonna crush the goods.”

“No, I wouldn’t want that…” the doctor chuckled and released his captive, “the wraith of my favorite niece is the last thing on my mind.”

“The sea has been kind to you.”

“Thank you.” Dr. Delmos gave her a wink before wondering. “So, how are you treating my little Chay?”

“Fine. She’s ornery as ever.”

“Good... Good.” He affirmed before leading them through the chaos that was the ship’s deck. “There’s two first class passes with your names on it.” Dr. Delmos stated, adding. “Hey? Isn’t your anniversary coming up?”

“In a week,” Devin revealed, “And I have a few ideas. This is Raven... An associate.” Gesturing towards her companion she introduced her. “Raven, this is Dr. Edward Delmos.”

“Ah... You have an interesting name Raven.” Dr. Delmos was first to greeted and held out a welcoming hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise Sir,” Alex acknowledged and firmly shook the offered hand.

“I’m not that old Raven, but thanks for reminding me.” He chuckled. “Please, call me Doc.”

The ex-Rogue nodded, “All right.”

“Edward here...” Devin enlightened with a grin, “is my wife’s favorite uncle.”

“Speaking of which--she’s below deck.” He informed and gestured for them to follow down a flight of stairs. “This way.” Dr. Delmos led them down a corridor and halted at the infirmary’s door. “Welcome to my office,” the doctor said and held the door open for his guests. “I’ll give you ladies some privacy,” he added, waiting for them to enter first before heading above deck.

As the duo entered they observed an attractive woman possessing shoulder length burgundy hair readying her equipment. Her name was Chay Blake. She wore a white-sleeved shirt that had been tucked into a gray skirt that ended at the mid-line of a shapely thigh covered in a pale hose. As she sat atop a stool her delicate feet were donned with black open toed shoes that rested on a footrest beneath her.

Devin approached the brunette and placed a peck upon her cheek. “Hello, darlin’.”

A grinning Chay turned and pulled her wife into a warm embrace. “Dev,” she voiced caressing Devin’s cheek, “I was so worried.”

“I as well,” Devin whispered before turning her attention to her companion. “Chay, I want you to meet Alexandria Raven.”

“It’s good to finally meet you Raven.” Chay’s gray eyes focused on the assassin’s for a moment before holding her hand out. “Even though it’s under these circumstances.”

Alex gave her a slight nod and shook it. “Ma’am.”

“So,” the director advised next, “I suggest we get down to business.”

“True.” Flashing her lover a gentle grin Chay picked up the micro scanner and said in a professional manner. “Now, I need you BOTH to please remove your shirts.”

~~~*~~~

Holiday Park

Reese brought the medium sized lemonade to her parched lips and took a large sip from it. “How bout some lemonade with this sugar,” she sighed before crumpling her empty sandwich bag into a ball. The driver’s door opened just as she was setting her seat back as to stretch her cramped legs out a bit. Upon seeing her partner’s Cheshire grin she uttered, “What?”

“Oh nothing...” Parker said making himself comfortable before reaching over for his diet soda.

“Yeah, right. Spill it.”

“Well, I found out that someone has a crush on you.”

“Who now?” Reese sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Well...” He drawled and turned the radio up a notch. “You know that blond that runs the wiener stand over there.” Parker gestured over his shoulder. “Her name’s Vivian.” Pulling out a folded note he held it out. “She gave me this to give you.”

Reese vocalized, “Awww.” She took the offered note from him and quickly read over it. “It’s your basic I really like you note and I’d like to go out with you sometime.” She shook her head then folded it back up. “And oh... Here’s my number.”

He nudged, “Well?”

“Nothing.” She responded and casually dropped it into the trash bag next to her.

“What? Not even slightly interested?”

“Nope.”

“Come on, Collins.” He whined, “She’s your type-”

“Now, how do you know what my type is Parker?” Reese interrupted gruffly.

“Well...” he fumbled for the right words then shrugged. “She’s a blond beauty and easy to talk too.”

“Parker... if she’s so wonderful then, why don’t you go out with her?”

“I wouldn’t wish the wraith of Hermes on my worst enemies.” Parker chuckled before adding. “Besides, she plays in YOUR field--not mine.”

“There’s been a gas explosion at Bebop’s diner in Miami,” the local DJ reported. “It seems that a group of heavily armed suspects, dressed in black SWAT type uniforms entered into the establishment and unleashed a barrage of bullets into the diner.”

Parker uttered in total awe, “Holy shit!”

“I second that.”

“There’s no mention on the identities of the gunmen, nor any of the unfortunate victims within.” the DJ continued. “But there will be briefing later in the evening by the Miami PD. So, everyone stay safe and stay tuned for any late breaking news on KISS 107.9 FM.”

“Damn,” Perkins voiced, sighing. “What is this world coming to?”

Reese brought her seat back up and simply said, “Hell in a hand basket.”

“It’s all this end of the world crap.” He grumbled then buckled up. “Psycho’s running amuck.”

“Maybe.” She glanced down at her watch that read, 11:45am. “Nevertheless, time to get back to busting some criminal butts.”

“Busybody... Busybody everyone loves a busybody,” Parker sang just as a lopsided grin formed. He turned the ignition then pulled out from the parking lot of Holiday Park. “So, Detective Collins...” he commented next, “Have you noticed that a lot of crimes are being committed more frequently?”

“Unfortunately, yes.” Reese nodded. “I know this sounds horrible, but we’d be out of a job if the world were to drop everything and became a more passive one.”

“Uh huh.”

“Besides, I believe that there must be a balance in everything.”

Intrigued by her thought provoking response Parker wondered aloud, “How so?”

“There can’t be more of one thing and not the other. Good or bad--right or wrong.” Turning to her slack jawed partner and grinned. “Everything has to have some kind of balance to it.”

“Interesting perspective.” Parker quickly gathered himself then smirked. “Since when did YOU become a philosopher anyway?”

~~~*~~~

After the incision had been surgically taped, a Band-Aid was placed over it. Next was the cool liquid of a disinfectant as it was wiped onto her upper arm Alex then felt a slight prick of the needle.

“All through,” Chay said.

“I’m going to drop this off,” Chay said, “and meet you two in a few.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Devin replied, pulling her wife into a warm embrace. And after a passionate kiss goodbye she whispered, “Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Goodbye,” Chay said to the assassin before exiting out of the room.

“Ma’am.” As Alex finished tucking her shirttail in then turned to the director. “Are we ready?”

Moving over to the door Devin held it open for her associate. “I believe so.”

~~~*~~~

Devin drove her SUV through a warehouse district of Ft. Lauderdale in silence. She approached warehouse #10, pulled out a small garage opener and pressed it. A large shadowy room was revealed as the building’s large metal doors slid open. The vehicle then proceeded to pull forward into the belly of the building just as the doors closed behind them.

“We’re here,” the director said and climbed out of the driver’s seat. “Home away from home.”

In an instant overhead lights lit up to reveal an open loft that had been built above. There were two spiral staircases that led to ground level, one in the foreground and the other located in the rear. And beneath the loft itself were a large screen TV and a state of the art stereo system equipped with surround sound. A glass coffee table was between it and a black leather couch that sat facing it with a pair of matching recliners located on either side.

And to the right of the living room was the computer area. A large, dark stained oak desk with a leather swivel chair, sat at the far end. Upon the corner desk sat a palm pilot and a top of the line laptop, along with the computer’s numerous accessories that went with it.

Just to the left of the living room was a large, modern kitchen. Stainless steel appliances surrounded the center-island, and an assortment of copper pans hung from above. An egg white tablecloth covered a large oak table that had the settings for four sat nearby.

“Weapons storage?” Alex gestured towards an enclosed room on her right before turning her attention to a large cargo elevator on her left.

“Affirmative,” said Devin as she led the assassin towards a black panel. Placing her right hand upon it she waited as a green beam quickly scanned it. “The door will only open by an authorized hand print,” she stated, adding. “There are other panels such as this located around the perimeter as well as secure sections of the warehouse.”

Alex heard the weapon’s storage unlock then its doors slid open. The interior lights flickered on in an instant, revealing an assortment of semi-automatic rifles that were cradled in the rifle rack along one wall. Shelves that surrounded the rest of the walls were filled with metal boxes of ammo, a case or two of C-4 with detonators and primer cord, a case of fragment grenades and a stack of body armor. The assassin’s mouth salivated upon seeing the firepower within, “Nice.”

“I like to keep it stocked. Never know when it might come in handy.”

After taking a quick inventory of the hardware Alex realized that everything she would ever need for her plan of vengeance was here before her. And the makings of a sly smirk formed.

“Come on,” Devin gestured. “Let’s get you into the security system. I must inform you that this warehouse has the best system in the known world and as of yet there is NO way of hacking into it. So, you don’t have to worry about anyone trying to get in.”

Alex’s brow perked up. “I see.”

“I designed it while my lovely wife created the security.” The director revealed proudly. “She’s so talented--not to mention that she’s ingenious at redesigning things.” Pulling open a drawer from the desk she removed another palm scanner then sat it next to the laptop. “Raven, could you please place your right hand on the scanner.”

The ex-Rogue did as she was told and waited for further instructions. Alex then observed Devin’s fingers gliding over the keys as her name was being added to the security system.

A greeting from the computer typed out on the dark screen. ‘Greetings, Raven. Welcome to the family.’ And beneath it, ‘Voice activated? Yes or No’ began to type out as well.

Devin recited with a grin, “Yes or No?”

“Yes.”

“Welcome to our family Alexandria R. Raven.” A feminine voice greeted. “My name is Elfie and I am a Cybernetic Life-form. Alexandria R. Raven, I am at your service.”

“Thank you, Elfie.” Alex responded, adding. “Raven will do.”

“Very well Raven,” Elfie replied. “Mistress Devin, you have an urgent email waiting in your inbox.”

“Thank you, Elfie.” Devin casually had a seat before glancing through her mail. “Chay should be here at any moment. Say, why don’t you take a moment to explore the place?”

Alex gave the director a nod just as the large doors opened. A motorcyclist wearing a black leather jacket and a hiked up gray skirt drove up. The ex-Rogue observed the helmeted rider before turning her attention to a pair of familiar thighs. She recognized them belonging to Chay just as the full helmet was removed. Her eyes lock with bemused grays.

“Good afternoon Mistress Chay.” Elfie greeted her creator.

Chay ran a hand through her tousled hair, fixed her skirt and replied, “And you as well, Elfie.” Turning her attention back to the staring assassin, “Raven.”

Alex responded, “Ma’am, hello.” Her gaze then focused in on the classic 96’ Ninja 500 behind the red head. An enthusiastic grin formed as she slowly circled the bike taking in all its sleek features. “Nice.”

The bike was jet black, polished to perfection and in mint condition. Her keen eyes noticed that it had what looked like two side turrets attached to the outside of the leg shields, which at the moment happened to be retracted in.

Removing her jacket Chay wondered, “You like?”

“Of course!” Alex remarked excitedly. “Who wouldn’t?”

“Good.” She said, tossing her the helmet. “It’s yours then.”

Alex easily caught it and uttered in surprise, “You’re kidding right?” She then shook her head and held out the helmet. “I can’t take your bike.”

“Nay.” Chay responded with a large grin before gesturing. “It’s a gift.”

“It’s too much-”

“Nay, it’s non-refundable. Now put the helmet on and mount it.”

Alex finally gave in just as the large grin on her face grew wider. The ex-Rogue did as she was told and placed the full helmet over on her head. A hue of neon green radiated from the visor then a thin red beam projected out, scanned her eyes twice before disappearing. “A Retina scan,” she purred, “Nice.”

“Please state your name,” whispered Elfie.

“Raven, Alexandria R.”

“Greetings Raven, you are now authorized to wear this helmet,” the CLF informed, “As well as to ride the Ninja 500.”

“Thanks.” As Alex climbed onto the bike and it came to life in an instant humming its sweet melody. The surge of power between her legs intensified and it felt good. “Hot damn,” she drawled enthusiastically.

“This Ninja has a rebuilt engine made from a ZX-6R with a total of 96 horsepower all together. The engine type is a 4-stroke, DOHC in-line four with 16-valves.” Chay stated, warning. “The spec’s were from that of a racing bike. This means it’s perfect on the track just remember that it takes a bit more control on the streets.”

Alex gave her an acknowledging nod.

“It uses only a high-octane fuel, as does the speedboat and the two-man wave runner.” Chay continued. “The fuel pump is located on the sub-level along with our watercrafts.”

Not wanting to leave the little bit of heaven here Alex nodded her reply. “Uh huh.”

“You have two, three inch turrets on the leg guards that are half inch in diameter which fire 5.56mm explosive rounds.” Chay gesturing towards them. “You have a supply of a hundred on each side and to access this you must say ‘arm turrets’ then give the command to fire.”

“Affirmative.”

“The turrets are moveable only from YOUR actions. The downside of it is that you only have an inch and half in both directions. Nevertheless, command it to lock on target and it will lock in position. Go on, try it.”

Alex stated, “Arm turrets.” Her visor lit up again and four green lines appeared in the center of the screen to form a square with crosshairs. Just then the turrets slid out from their compartments and locked into place. The green square began following her movements, as did the turrets themselves until she decided upon the refrigerator as being her target and ordered. “Lock onto the refrigerator.” And the crosshairs glowed red when it was locked onto the appliance.

“Does it calculate the distance?” She wondered aloud, but found her answer in southeastern corner of the screen. “Interesting…” and a large grin began to form upon her face, “Disarm turrets.” An awed ex-Rogue then turned her attention towards the deadly turrets as they retracted in.

“The motorcycle automatically turns on when the authorized person is upon it and only then will it start,” Chay informed, adding. “The helmet is the key though.”

“Visor up,” she said and climbed off just at the motorcycle switched off. Alex then turned to face Chay, “Cool.”

“As you already know, Elfie is networked into the helmet as well. She’ll inform you if the bike has sustained any damage and such.” Pausing in her briefing to stare into a pair of blissful eyes for a moment before continuing. “You can even access the computer system too--for maps and anything else for that matter. It will show up on the LCD screen of your visor. Oh, the helmet is also equipped with night vision and infrared scanning as well.”

“You’re very talented Ma’am.” Alex expressed, removing the helmet. “I’m impressed.”

“Why thank you.” Chay flashed her a grin. “Please call me Chay.”

“Very well... Chay.”

“And I bet my Dev hasn’t even given you a grand tour yet.” She gestured for her to follow, “Has she?”

“I’m afraid not.”

“Bloody tragic,” grumbled Chay. “I must give my co-hostess a refresher course on proper etiquette.” She joked and narrowed her eyes towards the person in question. “Alas, it’ll be my pleasure then.”

Alex nodded and proceeded to follow her.

“Oh!” Chay then quickly remembered one small detail. “And if any unauthorized person tries to wear the helmet, chloroform will be administered. The dose will effectively knock that person out giving you time to recover it.”

The ex-Rogue’s brow perked up, “I’ll remember that.”

“Dev dear.” Chay called out to her preoccupied partner. “Making Raven’s new ID’s?”

“Working on that as we speak darlin’.” Devin replied with a lopsided grin before remarking. “And I heard that Miss Blake.”

“Uh... Huh.” chuckled Chay before turning to the assassin. “Would you care for a something to drink?”

“Affirmative.”

“Let’s see, we have in alcohol...” Chay began while heading into the kitchen, “Domestic and import beers, Red and White wine as well as a full bar of liquor. Now, if you’d prefer non-alcoholic beverages... We have bottled water, soda, Ginger Ale and pink lemonade.”

“Bottle water will be fine. Thank you.”

Pulling out three bottle waters Chay handed a one to Alex then came up behind her partner and placed one next to her. “There you go luv.”

“Thanks, darlin’.” The director said as she waited for the assassin’s false information to register. “Raven, for the time being your alias will be Kyle Taylor.”

“Kyle Taylor, huh?” Alex repeated before twisting off the lid then bringing the drink to her lips.

“It suits you. Okay, now I need you to stand still while I take your picture.” Devin said then snapped a picture with her digital camera. “Done.”

Alex nodded.

“Let me show you the sub-level.” Chay said next and gestured for her to follow. She led her guest over to the large elevator, palmed the identification plate and waited as the doors slid open inviting them inside.

Alex followed her into the large cargo elevator just as the steel doors closed behind them. The duo listened to the soft hum from the elevator as they rode it down. Its doors slid open upon the pair’s arrival on the sub-level. As they stepped out the incandescent lights flickered on overhead thus revealing a large spacious room.

Divided in half, the room had a workshop on one side and a dock the other. An assortment of toolboxes lined the workshop area and in the center of the room was a computer mainframe. On either side of it sat two long worktables with various computer parts and half-assembled projects that lay in various stages of completion.

Now the dock half of the room was complete with it’s own gas pump and retractable crane. Two vehicles were docked here, a black and gray striped military type speedboat and matching wave runner. And just past the watercrafts were a pair of Titanium doors that sat between the large dock and the canal behind it.

“The walls and doors are bullet proof and designed to block out any infrared scans.” Chay revealed with a gesture towards the dock’s doors. “They’re remote controlled just like the one upstairs. Oh, by the way each vehicle comes equipped with one.”

“All right.” Alex voiced as she walked over to the docked speedboat that had caught her attention. “Is this the Falcon X?”

“Aye, it is. Are you familiar with the type?”

The ex-Rogue nodded before climbing aboard. “I’ve used the prototype in my Special Forces training,” she said and leisurely examined the deck area. “And it was a beauty to use.” And noticed that the door that led into the vessel’s control cabin had been equipped with a palm panel as well. Alex then remembered that it possessed one pilot seat and could carry up to 13 people as well. “Range at full speed 500 nautical miles?”

“Aye, 600 at cruise.”

“Twin diesel engines at 600 hp?”

“Aye. It’s 53’ in length and 10’2 in height.”

Taking in the little battle cruiser’s sleek aerodynamic design Alex placed her hand on the panel’s scanner and wait as the door slid open for her. With a dark gray interior, the high-tech cockpit was state of the art. The half steering wheel and gearshift possessed a futuristic like design. An inclined front window protected computer panels had been designed in the shape of a horseshoe around the lone pilot’s chair.

“Elfie is also networked with the Falcon and the Raven. Although neither are equipped with any weapons as of yet, but each are bullet proof.” She enlightened then gestured towards the wave runner. “Unfortunately my time has been sparse as of to date. So, all that I’ve added were the basics--a bit more power and Elfie.”

The ex-Rogue nodded, “Were you going to add a M-60 turret to the Falcon?”

“Well, I’ve contemplated it... But I figured that I could use a M249 SAWS instead. It’s a machine gun that’s lightweight, gas-operative weapon that uses a 5.56mm caliber round.”

“True. Where were you going to place it?”

“I’m going to have it extend out from the deck, here...” Chay pointed. “Its main function would be for rear combat considering it’s 90 degree radius to swivel action.”

“Interesting...”

“Alas,” Chay chuckled. “I’m kind of behind in Devin’s toys.”

Stepping off the speedboat, Alex spun around and helped Chay off as well. “So, are you an NSA agent?”

“Technically, nay. I’m affiliated with them--but I’m officially with the MI6's.”

“The Secret Intelligence Service.” Alex said with surprise. “Or otherwise know to as ‘The Friends’.” And was in turn led by her hostess towards the elevator Chay then palmed the panel. “I want to thank you for helping me and all,” the ex-Rogue thanked, gesturing for the agent to go first. “After you.”

“Thank you, and it’s our pleasure.” Chay said in passing. “When Devin informed me about your situation I was more than happy to help.” When her Welsh temper suddenly flared up as she spoke, “I’m abhorred by Alpha’s barbaric recruiting techniques and the damned bureaucrats that turned a blind eye to the bloody whole thing.”

Alex gave the agent a slight nod before acknowledging about her foreign accent. “Welsh?”

“Aye... Barmouth.” Chay revealed with pride. “Know of it have you?”

“On Tremadoc Bay. I’ve always had this desire to one day visit England.”

“The lands are heavenly and full of history.”

“Do you miss it?”

“Aye, at times.” Chay thought back to the beauty of her homeland, “But Devin’s my home, now.”

~~~*~~~

15

Reese tightened the Velcro strap to her body armor before removing her 9mm from its side holster. “About ready?” Observing her partner as he placed their arrest warrant under his vest, before turning to the awaiting team of SWAT members. “Parker?”

Withdrawing his weapon he nodded, “Ready.”

“Let’s do this,” she muttered then gave the SWAT leader a thumb’s up.

As the team charged towards the front door, the SWAT leader knocked once and yelled. “FORT LAUDERDALE POLICE! WE HAVE A WARRANT!” When an officer stepped forward carrying a modified sledgehammer then rammed it through the front door forcibly ripping it from its hinges.

“GET ON THE GROUND!” The SWAT leader yelled just his eight-member team stormed into the duplex. “FACE DOWN ON THE GROUND! GET ON THE GROUND!”

Parker along with two members dropped back, covering a lone individual that had dropped face first to the ground. While the rest of the team continued further into the apartment thoroughly searched the kitchen, the closet, the main bathroom, both bedrooms and finally the second bathroom.

Trailing a safe distance behind was Reese. She was rounding the corner when a door to the second bathroom was brutally kicked open sending splinters of wood and brass into the air. Inside was a stunned, Caucasian male with dark hair and eyes. Quickly he rose to his feet in horror while his pants and underwear sat crumbled around his ankles.

The suspect uttered, “OH FUCK!”

“HANDS UP!” The SWAT leader ordered. “GET ON THE GROUND!”

“I’m doing it!” The suspect affirmed, throwing his hands up. “I’m doing it!”

Two SWAT members rushed forward and threw him down to the ground. And while they were cuffing him another shouted, “SUSPECT IN CUSTODY!”

Reese waited as the officers pulled the suspect’s pants up before escorting him out. “Daniel Jacopo, you are under arrest for the murders of Jackie Seams, Sara Dawson and Rita Espreza.” She greeted then pulled out the Miranda rights card and proceeded to read it off. And once done with this she followed up with, “Do you understand these rights?”

“Fuck you.” Jacopo sneered and flashed a sly grin her way.

“Well, Mr. Jacopo I can take that comment as a no then.”

“Collins,” Parker called out to her, “when you get a chance.”

“Guys,” she growled eyeing Jacopo one last time before heading towards her partner, “take this ignorant piece of trash and stick him in the wagon.”

“Sure, Detective Collins.” A SWAT member nodded as he guided Jacopo out. “Let’s go.”

Reese approached, “What’s up Parker?”

“It’s a good day.” Parker said as he roughly pulled another handcuffed male up to his feet. “This is our lucky day my friend.”

Reese turned her attention towards the scruffy male in question. With the dazed green eyes, dirty clothes, unkempt hair, did nothing to take away from the scar upon the man’s left brow that identified him as one of Lauderdale’s most wanted. “Tray Reeps aka Browser.” the detective uttered with a broad grin. “Wanted on 5 counts of murder and rape. Hot damn, we’ve been looking for you for the past 5 months. Well, Parker today IS a good day after all.”

~~~*~~~

Once Reese returned to her home away from home, being the FLPD Homicide Division, she dutifully erased a trio of victim’s names from the unsolved category and wrote them under the solved one. Proud and elated she stepped back taking in the large dry marker board before her. The detective covertly loved bringing closure for the victim’s families. Twenty names were written on the board and all were in the process of being solved in one way or another. Shaking her head at all those poor victims she muttered, “Too many...”

“Hey, Collins!”

“Hey, Parker.” She imitated and casually approached Parker’s cluttered desk. “What’s up?”

“What time should I be over on Saturday?” He wondered without taking his eyes off the paperwork that he was in the process of proofreading. “You know... With YOU having a barbeque all.”

“Around two.” Reese replied, having a seat. “I’ll start up the grill about that time as well.”

“What do you want us to bring?”

“You don’t have to bring anything, Parker.”

“You know Hermes wouldn’t hear of that,” Parker commented. “Come on, Collins.”

“Parker...” she vocalized and rolled her eyes at him. “Fine. How about those yummy chocolate cookies? You know... The ones with bits of coconut in them.”

“The no bake cookies.”

“That’s it.”

“Yummmm.” he purred. “My favorite.”

Opening up a thick case file Reese then proceeded to skim over it. “Mine too.”

“Okay, will do. And I won’t dance on the table this time.”

The very thought of his infamous dance routine brought a smile to her lips. “Oh darn,” Reese sighed, “and I bought film this time--just in case.”

“Ha.. ha.. ha.” He laughed then glared at his teasing partner. “Very funny.”

~~~*~~~

Reese having had just finished filling out all the necessary paperwork for the day, said her goodbyes and it was time to go home. “Another day done,” she said tightening the strap to her helmet. Casually she climbed on her bike, placed the key into the ignition and kick started it. As the engine was purring to life she fed it some high-octane gas before kicking it into first, then pulling out of the police parking lot.

After a rather unpleasant trip home, due to the fact that she was almost blindsided--twice. Once by a little old lady who could barely see over her steering wheel and the other, a Metro bus. “Hell... Evening traffic hadn’t even picked up yet,” grumbled Reese. “I SO need a beer.”

Once home, the detective unlocked the front door and entered into the silent abode. Removing her helmet, she tossed the keys inside before placing it beneath the end table. Reese then unzipped her jacket and headed into the kitchen for that much-needed beer.

Collapsing into her comfy chair with a cold one, Reese leaned back and clicked the TV on. She found a late version of the local news and took a large swig from her beer. Having made herself comfortable enough before focusing on the next segment and purred, “Tastes so damn good.”

The broadcast was of the Miami shoot out earlier that morning. The camera was panning over what was left of the smoldering build that used to be the famous Bebop’s diner. Windows fragments and twisted chunks of the building were intermixed with large pools of blood and water on the ground. As the camera switched to a pair of coroners that were in the process of removing the partial remains of a victim, a lone fire inspector combed the scene for evidence. And captioned at the bottom of the screen read, ‘Footage taped earlier.’

“An unexpected gas explosion rocked a five block radius surrounding the diner. And to think that a tragic shooting took place prior to this.” A feminine voice reported just as the camera switched back to an Asian female by the name of Delores Chan. Her dark eyes focused on the camera’s lens as she spoke. “The fires here were so intense that one could only assume that the use of DNA will play a vital role in identifying the victims within.”

Cringing as the horrid scene unfolded before her minds eye Reese envisioned a group of armed attackers spraying rounds into unsuspecting customers within. Chaos ran amok. Seconds would feel like minutes or even hours as the instinct to survive kicked in. Survivors of the initial onslaught would retreated only to be engulfed in a gas explosion that ensued next. When the detective was brought from her thoughts with a start, then shakily lifted the bottle to her lips and had a large swig.

“Am I twisted or what?” she scolded herself for wishing that this would have had happened in her jurisdiction instead. Reese sighed, “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemies.”

Nevertheless she loved mysteries and desired cases with pizzazz. Not that her cases were stale or anything. Every homicide deserved to be solved in her book. She knew this. It’s just that this was one of those types that she salivated over and her gut affirmed this. With that the thought of her own caseload was enough to let these desires subside. “Don’t need more than I can handle.”

~~~*~~~

Back at the warehouse a black comforter matching the black and gray motif of the room covered the large king-size bed. One corner had already been turned down to reveal the matching silk sheets underneath. Two maple end tables were placed on either side of the bed along with two brass lamps. A digital clock that read, ‘6:45 PM’ sat upon one of the tables and small figurine of a wolf sat on the other. Hanging above the bed was a large surrealistic landscape complete with hidden images painted in oils. And to the far right of the bed was a large walk-in closet complete with mirrored doors.

“The loft area is of course where one sleeps.” Chay informed with a sly grin and led her guest through the room. “This is the main bedroom, which shall be yours to use.”

“You don’t have to give me your bed.”

“Nay, it’s our pleasure.” She disagreed and shook her head. “You’re our guest.”

“But-”

“Besides we’ll be in and out.”

Alex just shook her head as the monstrous faces within the landscape caught her eye. “Interesting painting.” She said moving in closer and found other hidden figures as well as smiling trees within it. The ex-Rogue soon realized that she could very well stand here for hours trying to find all the hidden images in the painting before turning her attention back to her guide.

“Devin painted it for me for our first year anniversary.” Chay revealed with a glowing grin. “It’s my favorite.”

“It’s a very intriguing painting. Draws you in--very nice. Director Creed is a very talented artist.”

The agent nodded.

“Does she have any of her work in any galleries?”

“Aye. One series resides at ‘The Loft’ in New York and another at “The Gardens’ in Beverly Hills.”

“All under an alias I assume?”

“Aye, of course... Her name is Enigma.”

“Something obscure or hard to understand.” Alex recited. “It seems that the director is a very enigmatic person as well.”

“Very much so. She’s been through a lot. And maybe one day we could all talk about it over some drinks.”

“I’d like that.” The ex-Rogue agreed with a warm smile. “I believe it would be a very interesting conversation.”

“Aye, it would be.” acknowledged Chay before escorting her guest into a hall that had a door on the right and one directly ahead. “This is the spare bedroom.” She pointed to door before them. “The bathroom is straight ahead. Oh, I also wanted to inform you that I have a large medical cabinet filled with the basics in case I need to do a patch up job on either one of you.”

“All right.” Alex nodded, remembering. “Do you have morphine in stock as well?”

“Of course... Why do you ask?”

“Oh,” Alex drawled, “I have a feeling that I may have use of it at a later date.”

“Sure, go right ahead.” Turning back to her Chay wondered, “You do know how to administer the proper dosage right?”

“But of course.”

“Aye then, and this concludes our tour.” She announced in jest and descended down the second staircase. “I hope that you’ll find our home a comforting one.” Chay added moving into the kitchen. “Help yourself to everything. What is ours is yours.”

“Thank you,” Alex said. She flashed her hostess a smile then noticed the director approaching. “Devin.”

“Here’s your new identity,” Devin informed and held out a leather wallet. “Social and an official State of Florida driver’s license.”

“Thank you.” After taking the offered item Alex then apologized. “I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Forgiven. Now hold out your hand.”

The ex-Rogue wondered, “Huh?” And when she did so a money clip holding crisp hundred dollar bills was placed onto it. “You don’t have to-”

“For whatever you need.” Devin advised. “And if you need more, just ask.”

“I can’t take this--this is too much.”

“We have more than plenty.” Chay spoke up next, but not before adding. “Besides, you might like to buy your own food and stuff.”

“And it takes money to do so,” the director affirmed. “Nevertheless I suggest you take it and enjoy it.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Alex said, staring at the grinning pair. “Thank you, both.”

And they relied in unison, “You’re welcome.”

~~~*~~~

“Police Commissioner,” a reporter shouted out, “could this be a mob hit squad?”

A middle aged looking fellow with slicked back gray hair that was dressed in a pinstripe suite stepped forward and shook his head. “I’m sorry,” he said while his dark eyes nervously roamed over the crowd of reporters. “But I cannot comment on that.”

“Were there any survivors?”

The commissioner shook his head, “Unfortunately no.”

Lifting a fresh bottle of beer to her lips Reese’s eyes were affixed to the TV. As she pulled the lever to her chair and made herself more comfortable she listened to the briefing.

“Is it true that there were 15 shooters dressed in black?” Someone probed further, adding. “And were they military personnel?”

“No comment.” The police commissioner said before turning to the reporter in question. “And no comment on the second question,” and was gathering up his notes. “On that note, thank you and good day.”

With a groan Reese clicked the TV off, grabbed her beer and headed into the bathroom for a much-needed soak. After closing the door behind her she began to undress tossing her discarded clothes in the corner. Turning the water on, the detective lifted the lever to the drain then began to pour some bubble bath into it.

She reached over, clicked the waterproof radio on just as a classical piece was at it’s crescent. Slowly Reese climbed into the large tub and began the prerequisite journey towards relaxation. As her sore muscles were reacting to the warm water when her eyes closed to the brutal world around her.

A five year old, Reese held out her pillowcase just as a handful of candy was dropped into it. “Thank you!” She called back before rushing off the decorated porch and onto the next. When she abruptly skidded to a stop and soon found herself alone.

“Why did you leave me?” Alex inquired from the shadows.

“I didn’t,” she uttered and spun towards her voice. “You left me.”

“You could’ve saved me Reese.”

“I tried...” Reese begged, “I really did.” And when she dropped to her knees she morphed into her present day self. Warm tears were flowing freely down her blushed cheeks as she spoke, “My MOTHER held me so tight...”

“Don’t make excuses Reese.” Alex chastised, adding. “You WERE my friend.”

“Alex, it wasn’t my fault.”

“No wonder no one wants YOU.” Alex sneered before taking a step towards her. “You’re just a little girl hidden behind a tin badge.” she said narrowing her eyes. “Does it keep you warm at night?”

“….”

“Doubt it.”

“Please, Alex...”

“I really did try.” Reese repeated, focusing on the small outline of Alex. “I’ve missed you-”

“There’s a saying,” Alex interrupted, as her voiced changed into that of her own Mother’s. “Life’s a bitch.”

The detective’s eyes widened. “What the...” she gasped in utter shock at the familiar voice, “Mother?” When a loud banging erupted from all around her effectively disrupting her disturbing thoughts. She covered her ears from the offending noise and roared out, “What’s going on?”

“What?” Alex laughed. “You can’t handle it?”

“NOOOOOOOO!”

Grabbing the edges of the tub as she bolted up from her nightmare Reese took in her surroundings and soon realized that she was immersed in cold water. “Damnit.” She muttered just as a series of knocks were heard. After climbing out of the tub she wrapped a towel around herself and violently swung the door open. “YES?”

“I thought you... Had drowned or something.” Dani said in surprise at the abrupt greeting she had just received. “You didn’t answer me earlier.”

“Dani, I’m sorry.” Reese apologized, sighing. “I must’ve of fallen asleep.”

The artist eyed her, “Are you all right?”

“Yeah...” Reese nodded. She took note of her concerned roommate and assured. “Just had a weird dream and all.”

Satisfied with her answer Dani then wondered, “Wanna talk about it?”

“Maybe later, and thanks for checking on me though.”

“That’s what friends are for.”

“Give me a moment to get dressed.” Reese said grabbing her discarded clothes. “I’ll meet you in the living room, okay?”

“Sure thing, take your time.”

Reese turned back to the bath, released the drain and flicked the light off before heading into her bedroom. The very memory that seemed to haunt her most was that of their last Halloween together. It always ended with Alex jumping out from the bushes and scaring the living crap out of her. “Until tonight...” she breathed, “why now of all times?”

~~~*~~~

16

The next evening

Alex opened the mirrored doors to reveal a set of shelves stocked with undergarments, T-shirts, shorts and socks. On the left side of the shelves hung the different types of pants that were sequenced by colors, already pressed long sleeved shirts to the right and were color-coded as well. Lined up along the floor had been an assortment of shoes; running, hiking boots and exceptionally shined combat boots. And finally hanging from a hook on the side of the shelves was a black pouch filled with basic boot cleaning tools and such.

“Nice.” Alex grinned and chose her outfit from the numerous selections for her first evening out.

Once she was dressed the ex-Rogue placed her weapons into their perspective holsters before throwing on a black leather jacket. The black tee Alex wore accented her ABS and full bosom matched the SWAT pants that were tucked into her combat boots. She was staring at her reflection for a moment when she muttered, “Onto my next target.”

With that the ex-Rogue made her way into the bathroom, opened the medical cabinet and removed some essential supplies that she would need for tonight. This included a vial of Morphine, a syringe and a scalpel. “Simple and effective,” Alex purred. Placing the supplies onto the marble counter, she donned a pair of surgical gloves then opened a zip lock bag.

Alex tore open the sealed syringe, removed the needle cap and plunged it into the vial. After withdrawing 5cc of it, capped the needle before placing the syringe into the baggie then returned the vial back into the cabinet. Next she pulled out a large bottle of chloroform, ripped open a cloth bandage and generously soaked it. The cloth was then sealed in another baggie. After replacing the bottle back into the cabinet Alex then shoved the baggie’s into her thigh pockets as she exited out.

Whereupon the ex-Rogue descended down the stairs and observed Devin leaning against the couch. And as she approached Alex noticed something wrapped in black cloth in her hand. “Devin.”

“Good evening, Raven.”

Alex gave her a nod.

“I hoped that I would get to see you off,” said the director with a crooked grin. “I wanted to give this...” Devin held out a folded black mask and an ultra thin cell phone tucked inside its belt case. “You never know when you might need it.” she added. “My personal number is under Enigma and Chay’s Celeste.”

“Alright,” Alex nodded and took the offered items. “Thank you.”

“This is the only way you can safely contact us.” Devin gestured, adding. “The phone is untraceable and it’s on a very secure line.” Observing as the assassin attached the phone and placed the mask inside a right cargo pocket before informing, “I may not be around as I’d hoped, but I’ll still help you in any way I can and so will Chay.” Remembering something more Devin pulled out a Palm PC and held it out.

“What’s this?”

“A Palm PC.”

Alex shook her head, “Why?”

“It’s another form of communication,” Devin said with a grin, “besides it holds a couple addresses that you may find interesting.”

Her brow rose as she understood.

“Now, off with ya.”

“Again thank you.” Alex thanked offering her a hand, “You both have been more than generous.”

“You’re welcome.” Devin said shaking her hand firmly. “Be careful out there. You are a wanted woman after all.”

“No worries.”

~~~*~~~

Moving through the semi-dark and shadowy room the ex-Rogue’s only light source was from the parking lot light that seemed to seep into the room from the half closed blinds along the west wall. As Alex continued into the room she heard the soft humming of the dryer as it was progressing into its last cycle. Laundry day huh? Not for long. She removed a mini-light from her jacket pocket and went in search of the breaker box. The quick sweep led her through the apartment where she finally found it hidden behind the laundry room door. With a flip of a switch the main breaker was off causing the dryer to halt in mid spin. Satisfied with her progress she drawled, “Step one complete.”

Now Alex was in search of something to restrain her intended target with and was drawn into Sims’ bedroom. She scanned the room with the flashlight and came upon a large ring used in bondage and S&M. My target is in the kinky thing is he, the assassin pondered counting four in total that had been attached to each bedpost. Well, that should come in handy now won’t it? When she heard the sound of the front door unlocking and moved into the shadows just as the door swung open. Removing the chloroform soaked bandage from its bag she patiently observed Sims’ large frame drawing near.

Sims flicked the light switch twice, “God damn breaker!” With his arms full of groceries he kicked the door shut with his foot. “Damn manager needs to fix this shit!” He fumed, setting the bags on the sofa before making his way to the breaker box. “God damn lazy ass.”

Upon hearing that all to familiar haunting voice again the ex-Rogue’s eyes narrowed. The very one that she’d heard as her mother was being murdered before her very eyes. Pressed herself against the hall wall just as Sims flew by Alex waited until he had opened the door to the laundry room before making her move.

She was upon him in a instant. Snaking one arm around his throat while the other placed the bandage over his nose and mouth. During the struggle Alex was elbowed in the gut for her troubles causing her to release small grunt. Nevertheless she tightened her hold on his throat until his body finally ceased in it’s struggling and went limp against her before unceremoniously releasing him.

After stepping over his prone body she moved over to the breaker and flipped the switch back on. “Step two complete,” she purred, flicking the light switch on. Flooding the darkness with its warming light she waited for her eyes to focus before progressing further into her personal vendetta.

As she did so the ex-Rogue observed the metal shelves that were mounted above the off white washer and dryer. A plan formed. She reached out, grabbed the metal rods that held the shelves together then firmly shook it. “Solid,” murmured Alex feeling them not give an inch to her ministrations. “Perfect.”

~~~*~~~

The only real light source in this pitch-black room was that of a mini flashlight that flashed into the eyes of Sims. He grumbled something inaudible from the intrusive bright light. His pupils were slowed to dilate an after effect from the drug that had been administered to him earlier.

A smirking Alex turned the dryer on and paused to listen to its rhythmic cycle. “THUMP…thump... THUMP…thump.” When she began to ponder the last half hour with pride assessing it as time well spent.

Although Sims was dazed he half-heartedly tried to struggle with his binds to no avail. Much to his dismay he was at the mercy of his captor. He tried to speak, but all that came out was a garbled grunt from the blood that he now swallowed.

“Now... Now. Sims, Frank D. Don’t waste your final moments in struggling with those binds.” Alex advised. “Since YOU had the good sense in choosing the best for your personal use.” Moving in closer to him as to reveal her masked face for him to see. “Thank you, for your kindness and foresightedness.” With that her eyes narrowed as she spoke to him, “You should’ve listened to your instincts back then, my friend.”

Sims’ mind raced at who this person was and when he realized who his eyes widened. No... It can’t be. He didn’t want to die like this, not by a long shot and desperately he tried to answer. And unfortunately for him all that came out was muffled and diluted grumbles.

“Forgive me. I wouldn’t want anyone breaking up our little reunion considering that you deserve my full and undivided attention.” Alex said, then soon realized her error in manners and corrected. “Forgive me, Frank. May I call you Frank?” As the assassin patiently waited for his response that she had yet to hear, her right hand latched onto his larynx and squeezed. “Don’t be shy.”

Sims gasped out for air and nodded his reply. Once released his dark eyes darted to and fro as fear washed over his stoic features. He gasped out a raggedy breath before choking from the blood that was now profusely seeped from his mouth and down along his chin.

“Fear...” she purred. “You fear me--GOOD. I was hoping for that particular emotion.” Alex then pulled out the scalpel from her pocket. “Now think back on a day that you took an innocent child away from her loving parents. A day they had just sat out a chocolate birthday cake--my favorite by the way.”

Sims replayed that faded memory over in his minds eye with dread. He knew his role and what it entailed, but he hadn’t expected this. To be tortured by the person whom he help create.

Alex read his fearful eyes with pride. “Good.” she drawled, “We’re on the same page now.” With that she flicked the light off before growling, “You made me watch...”

~~~*~~~

17

The next afternoon

As Reese entered into the apartment that belonged to the late Frank Green she bypassed the usual voyeurs of the force while donning a pair of gloves. The detective approached the scene of the crime then poked her head into the small room and noticed a large pool of blood on the floor.

After the detective had taken in the laundry room, she focused her attention towards the hanging victim. A worn whip had been wrapped around Green’s wrists securely tying him to the metal shelves and his ankles were bound together by leg cuffs. His once Caucasian skin was now transparent and bluish. The victim’s faceless head slung forward and his clothes were soaked in blood.

“Detective, you might want to wear these.” A sergeant said and held out plastic shoe booties for her to take. “God knows what he might have.”

“Very kind of you, Sergeant Hall.” thanked the detective. She took the offered item then quickly put them over her shined boots. “By the way, have you seen my forensics’ team?”

“Not yet, Ma’am.” He said, shaking his head. “But I’ll keep my eye out for them.”

“Thanks,” nodded Reese. As she was staring down at the large pool of blood she heard a faint voice in the background and assessed it as Hermes. With a playful smile she chided, “About time you guys showed up.”

A cheerful Hermes greeted, “Hey, Collins!” She too had donned a pair of booties as well and made her way towards her. “I told ya’ll that was her bike outside.” She remarked over a shoulder towards her trailing coworkers that were following two steps behind.

“Damn,” sighed Parker. “I guess this means lunch at Pac’s taco’s Huh?.”

“I don’t think so.” Reese interjected towards her partner as a faint burnt smell finally reached her nostrils. “What is that smell?”

“Awww... Come on Collins,” whined Parker. “A detective’s salary isn’t much anymore.”

Hermes snapped another shot off before glancing back at her. “What smell?”

“Boo hoo,” Reese taunted back to her comrade. “Hermes, I need you to shoot this before I can examine...” and paused to quickly read off the name from her notepad. “Frank Green. Well, it kind of smells like burnt meat--I would guess.”

“Sure, boss.” The photographer nodded before brushing past the detective as to take her seventh series of photos of the day. “I’m gonna enter the room now.”

“Go right ahead.”

“Hey!” Hermes uttered clicking off some shots, “Remember that scene in that horror movie.”

“What scene?”

“I don’t smell anything,” Parker piped in. He gave the air a quick sniff before coming up from behind the photographer. “Yeah... The chick was laying on the operating table,” he informed as he was sketching out the scene.

Reese voiced, “Huh?” Still she wasn’t picturing the scene they were describing and repeated, “Say that again?”

“The killer like shoved an IV needle into her arm.” Hermes described by heart the scene in question and all the while snapping off shots. “Her blood like dripped onto the floor by the thin tube... I just loved the killer. God, that movie is a total classic.”

After Reese had finally pictured the scene to the movie, she added with a shrug. “The first two parts were the best. After that it kinda went down hill.”

“Well, the seventh part wasn’t too bad.” Hermes expressed. “The ending was too easy though.” Moving in closer as to get a better shot of the victim’s face she observed something strange. “Guys...” she uttered, “his face is like removed.”

“That’s easy,” mused Hermes. “A psycho can.”

Reese meanwhile had lowered her gaze to the man’s throat. She observed a horizontal cut that was from ear to ear, which had severed Green’s jugular and more than likely finished him off. She cringed upon envisioning a shadowy person methodically moving the knife over the man’s neck before removing the face.

“What a souvenir?” joked Parker as he was jotting it down in his notebook. “Just plain sick.”

“Probably.” nodded Hermes. After taking a few more shots of the victim she wondering aloud, “Maybe he’s making a mask or something.”

“Right sweetie,” chuckled Parker. “Is that before or after putting a bit of him in that famous chili?”

Reese enjoyed listening to the all to familiar banter as it helped lessen the seriousness of their cases. She stared into the victim’s gazed over eyes as another scenario began to form within her mind. One that was through the eyes of Mr. Green. Those fateful moments as his own face was skillfully removed with the utmost precision before the final cut that ended his mortal life.

“It could happen,” Rich piped up from the living room, “you know.”

Hermes seconded it, “Yeah!”

“Nah.” Reese shook her head and dropped her two cents into the mix. “I don’t think our person is like that.” Her gut was screaming out to her just as something drew her attention to the ordinary dryer on her right. Pulling the door open Reese’s eyes widened at the smell of burnt flesh that literally hit her in the face. “Damn... Hermes, need a shot of this.”

“Sure, boss.” The photographer squatted down and began clicking off a few more shots when she finally noticed it. “Damn,” grimaced Hermes, “that smell... What the hell is it?”

“It kind of looks like a well done tongue to me,” Reese suggested with a frown, then leaned in for a closer look at the burnt offering. “But that’s my opinion.”

“Ewwwww!” Hermes uttered snapping off a shot or two of it. “That’s just gross.”

“So, what your saying is that our perp slit Mr. Green’s neck, ripped his face off AND removed his tongue?” Parker assessed while jotting this into his notebook. “Wonder what the guy did to deserve that.”

“On my way, Collins.”

~~~*~~~

In another part of city Alex was pretending to work on her disabled bike in an apartment complex’s parking lot. Dark sunglasses covered her ever-watchful eyes as she observed a Delivery man knocking on apartment 2B’s front door. A small smirk began formed upon recognizing the bald, Caucasian male as Williams, Roger E.

And again those horrible images of her parents flashed before her eyes. The blade moved across her mother’s soft throat and her life’s blood sprayed down her neck... “Not now,” muttered Alex focusing her attention back to the present. Once back she observed from afar that the delivery man had handed the package to him and was now retreating back to his truck with his clipboard tucked under an arm.

Williams glanced over in her direction before slamming the door to the outside world shut. As she got to the count of ten her target in question abruptly stormed out of his apartment and rushed up to the startled delivery guy. Williams grabbed the poor man by his shirt then shoved him against the side of the truck. “WHO SENT THE PACKAGE?”

“I don’t know!” The terrified man uttered dropping his clipboard. “MAN--I only deliver it.”

“YOUR RECORDS!” shouted Williams. And again he repeated his prior actions for emphasis. “Show me your records.”

“It’s on my clipboard!”

Williams released the peon, “FIND IT.”

“All right... All right.” As the delivery man skimmed over his papers in search of the sender’s name he finally came upon the name in question. He then held it out for the crazy man to look at. “Here it is.”

“Green, Frank...” Williams’ eyes widened, as he read off the name. “Did you see the person who signed this?”

“I’m sorry, but no.”

“If you’re lying...”

“MAN!” whined the delivery man. “I’m not--REALLY I only deliver it.”

“GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” Williams roared, spun around then stomped back into his apartment, but not before slamming the door shut behind him.

“Guess he liked the present.” Alex chuckled having witnessed their exchange with utter amusement as she mounted her bike. And waited till the delivery truck had passed by before following it out of the parking lot and onto the street.

~~~*~~~

Fort Lauderdale County Morgue

“Mr. Green’s face was removed an hour or so before his throat was slit,” stated the coroner in between bites from his peanut butter and cucumber sandwich. Rusty Fogg aka Doc Rusty was a lanky, middle-aged hippie that possessed a laid back demeanor as well as a lezzy flair attitude. His shoulder length gray hair had been pulled back into a ponytail and around his neck was a beaded necklace with a tiny mushroom made from oak.

Rusty wiped his hands on his lime scrubs while his hazel eyes focused on the opened file before him. “Oh, his tongue was removed before his face with a very sharp instrument,” he added, “possibly a scalpel.”

“Come on Doc,” Parker gasped, “he was alive during the process?”

“I’m afraid so. I found blood in his stomach.”

Parker cringed at thought of the victim suffering so.

“I also found traces of chloroform in his blood,” added Rusty, “I can only assume that it was to knock this burly guy out.”

Causally Reese was leaning against the corner’s cluttered desk when she wondered, “Any prints?”

“He was clean as a whistle.”

“Damn it!” muttered Reese under her breath. “Can’t get any breaks can we?”

“Anything at the scene?” Rusty inquired with a mouth full of food.

“Nada.” Parker replied, tucking his notebook in his jacket pocket. “Our suspect is good.”

“Oh!” Rusty all of a sudden remembered something from his notes. “I found a small incision on our victim’s lower back. The cut passed the Epidermis and halted at the Dermis layer of the skin.”

Reese’s demeanor perked up in an instant upon hearing this tidbit of information. “Find anything?”

“Nothing...” the corner shook his head, “I’m afraid.”

Parker jotted it down, “Why would someone do such a thing?”

“Haven’t a clue on that.” replied Rusty before scanning through his notes. “That’s it--no other cuts besides the obvious ones.”

“So,” Reese probed further. “Do you think our suspect was removing something?”

“It’s a possibility,” Rusty shrugged, “but without any real proof-”

“I know,” she held up a hand. “Thanks for your time, Doc.”

“Happy to oblige.” Rusty acknowledged downing the rest of his coffee in one swallow.

Parker spun around and held the door open for his partner. “After you.”

“Thanks.” a grinning Reese thanked before adding. “I believe that SOMEONE’S buying ME lunch today.”

“Sounds fine with me.”

~~~*~~~

Alex now disguised as a police officer followed a silver BMW convertible driven by Williams down east Sunrise Boulevard for a half a block before she flicked the sirens on. She observed the vehicle pulling over, but not before feeling the assassin’s hate filled glare reflecting from his rearview mirror. After straightening her sunglasses Alex then placed the officer’s hat upon her head and stepped out of the squad car. Glancing into the back seat as she approached her attention was on the pissed driver. “Sir, I need to see your driver’s license and proof of insurance.”

“What the fuck for?” grumbled Williams as he took the requested items out of his leather wallet and held them out. “I wasn’t speeding.”

“No, Sir you weren’t.” Alex took the offered items and added. “But your brake lights are both out and that’s a violation.”

“WHAT?” Williams uttered in disbelief then unlatched his seatbelt as to get out.

“STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE!” Alex shouted while her gloved hand instantly went on her weapon. “PUT YOUR HANDS ON THE DASHBOARD!”

Williams halted in his attempt to get out, “Take it easy.” And did as he was told, but not before glancing at her nametag. “EASY, Officer Holston... I’m not moving a muscle.”

The ex-Rogue backtracked it back to her squad car and pretended to punch his license into the computer. Her anger was swelling to per portions for this bastard. After waiting a few moments for the required processing time she removed her weapon before walking back. She halted a few paces away from him and brought her weapon up. “STEP OUT OF THE CAR!” She yelled pointing it at him. “PLACE YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD AND WALK BACKWARDS TOWARDS MY VOICE!”

“WHAT?” uttered Williams. “Are you arresting me?”

“JUST DO IT.”

With that he conceded to the officer’s demands and exited the car, but not before grumbling, “On what grounds?”

“Walk towards my voice.” She repeated removing the cuffs with her free hand. “DO IT!”

“I don’t believe this.” Williams muttered and did as he was told. “It’s within my rights to know.”

After holstering her weapon she snapped a cuff onto his left wrist, pulled his right arm back and repeated the actions with his remaining hand. “Mr. Williams, there is a warrant out for your arrest.”

“On what charge?”

Alex responded, “First degree murder.”

“What?”

She led him back to the rear door of the squad car and opened it for him. “Watch your head.” Alex advised and placed her gloved hand atop his head as to clear the roof of her vehicle.

“WHAT THE FUCK?”

Slamming the door shut on his outburst she climbed into the driver’s seat. “Getting irate won’t help your case,” the ex-Rogue pointed out as she started her vehicle up then pulled out into the late afternoon traffic.

“Lady... This is a mistake.” Williams protested in a more civilized tone. “Really, can’t you retype it in again? It has be some kind of mistake--I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Oh, I believe that you’ve done something terrible Roger.”

Struggling with the cuffs he sneered, “I’m innocent!”

“Uh huh.” Alex glared back at him through the rearview mirror. “An innocent man wouldn’t take a child from their parents on her BIRTHDAY.”

“HUH?” Williams ceased his struggling in an instant and focused all his attention on the cop before him. “What are you talking about?”

“Let me refresh your memory.” Alex said as she took out a miniature gas mask from a satchel on the front seat and sat it to the side. She then reached in and pulled out a small metal capsule that was about an inch long with a fourth of a diameter. It had a tiny cylindrical press top button and stenciled on the side in black ink was, CHCI3. “June 2, 1977.”

“So?” Williams shrugged. “What about it?”

“I guess someone like YOU wouldn’t remember something like that. And I bet it’s like breathing to you.”

“Lady, what are you talking about?”

“So, what did your supervisor say?” Alex wondered as she pressed the break pedal and came to a complete halt at a red light.

“Huh?” Williams voiced, eyes narrowing. “Who are you?”

“Didn’t they warn you about me?” She probed with a sly smirk before turning off at the next road. “You really should go to a anger management course, that poor delivery man is never going to be the same.”

Williams’ eyes widened upon realizing who she was. “You’re the BITCH that killed Sims!” He exclaimed as the vein in his neck bulged. “Wait till I get my hands on you!”

“Calm down, Roger.” she advised, adding. “You’re going to burst a blood vessel at this rate.” Donning the mini gas mask Alex then taunted, “I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself before I had the pleasure.” Twisting the cylindrical top with a thumb she pressed it, then tossed it through one of the holes in the Plexiglas barrier that separated them.

“WHAT THE...” he uttered. Williams stared at the tiny canister as it hissed a colorless anesthetic that filled the cabin in a matter of seconds. He tried to hold his breath, but it was too late for his eyes rolled back and he fell over, unconscious.

Alex noted the time on her watch, ‘13:35hrs’ and purred. “Perfect.” A smirk quickly formed as she spoke, “Step one completed.”

A half hour later, Alex was rechecking Williams’ bindings one last time. She then placed the baggie that held Sims’ face inside his soaked dress shirt. And with a brutal backhand to his face she woke him up. “Wake up!” She shouted and brought her masked face before his dazed eyes. “Good, it would be shame to miss your grand exit.”

The drenched Williams struggled with the cuffs that held his hands and legs together underneath the chair’s seat. He tried to speak, but all that came out were muffled grunts on account of his mouth being taped shut by black duck tape. “MUTHER FUKER!”

“Now... What would your mother think of you using such words?”

“STUPID BUTCH!”

Moving around her seated guest she whispered into his right ear. “You showed me what death was.” She closed her eyes for a moment as her nostrils were bombarded by the smell of gasoline. As she brought up her left hand and ripped off the duck tape, the right was slitting his throat with a scalpel.

Williams growled out something inaudible as his larynx was severed and his life’s blood poured out. His startled eyes widened. He glanced back at his killer one last time whilst the darkness lulled him into its lair.

Flicking the lighter against her pant leg the ex-Rogue lit the wick. As the lighters flame reflected back at her through the terrified eyes of Mr. Williams, the smell of his fear was sweet ambrosia to her. She then yanked his shirttail from the back of his pants and brought the lighter’s flame to his shirt engulfing him in a matter of seconds.

Alex grabbed the metal hand railings above her and sent him out the rear doors of the truck with a swift kick. She was observing his graceless nose-dive onto the street while pulling herself up onto the roof of the truck. Next, she stuck a wooden match to the roof of the delivery truck and tossed it back inside. The fuel soaked packages burst into flames and were engulfing everything within. Once done she climbed to her feet, leapt off the burning inferno then landed on a parked truck’s roof before rolling off to safety.

~~~*~~~

Yellow crime scene tapes and police barricades blocked off a two-block radius of this busy section of the downtown area. A torched delivery truck sat nearby with its radiator wrapped around a light pole. Firefighters were working frantically to dowse the remaining flames that flared up inside the truck. As the paramedics were focused on the grumbling driver as well as a few injured bystanders.

Further down the block however sat the charred body of Williams resting on its side. His eyes were sunken back and hair all but burnt off. Once thin lips now shriveled up around his mouth area revealing his teeth in a deathly smile for all to see. A few feet away lay the remnants of a melted bag with the remains of Sims’ burnt face. Both were now covered in a thin layer of fire extinguisher foam.

An officer gasped, “My god!” And was about to cover the burnt body with a black tarp when he heard someone shouting behind him.

“WAIT!” Hermes repeated running up to the officers’ side. “Let me take a few shots before you do that.”

“Sorry.” He apologized then lifted the tarp up. “You made it here in record time.”

“Always.” The photographer nodded as she clicked off a few pictures of the body at different angles.

“Damn,” muttered Parker as he took in the grizzly scene before him. “Torched on a public street--no doubt.”

“Can you hold up the tarp for a moment longer officer?” Reese spoke up next. As she knelt next to the victim the smell of burnt flesh and the faint hint of gasoline reached her nostrils. “Do you smell that Parker?”

“What?” mused Parker, “Burnt flesh?”

Reese nodded, “That too.” Leaning in for a closer look at their John Doe she added. “But I’m talking about the gasoline.”

“Oh...” Parker affirmed, “yeah.” His eyes were focusing on the victim’s body when the god-awful stench overpowered his senses. “Nothing smells worse than human flesh.”

“Take a breath sweetheart.” Hermes assured him and snapped off some close-ups of the body. “Your turning green.”

The victim’s hands and feet were cuffed together under the seat of the metal chair Reese observed. Half his clothes had been burnt off his body leaving anything uncovered blackened. She was staring at the victim’s blistered face for a moment longer before noticing a slit on the man’s throat that ran from ear to ear.

“His throat’s been slit.” Reese announced just as something on her right caught her eye. “Hermes, did you get a shot of this baggie?”

“Sure did boss,” Hermes acknowledged, “and might I add that our guy has a sick personality.”

Moving in for a closer look at the baggie Reese soon realized that it looked like a person’s face. “I’ll be damned...”

Parker kneeled next to her, “What?”

“I have a feeling that we found Green’s face.” Reese drearily responded and gestured for her forensic specialist to come over. “Rich, more presents for you.”

Rich grinned, “Always thinking of me, Collins.” And was sitting his tools of the trade down when he wondered aloud, “What are people going to think now?”

“I want them to be envious.” Reese remarked with a lopsided grin then leaned over to take a closer look at the victim’s hands and noticed the cuffs. “He’s cuffed.”

“Great...” Parker noted this down in his book. “Someone’s into S&M.”

“Or someone who wants us to think that,” Reese reminded. Climbing to her feet she then proceeded to scan the scene again. “So, that’s the exit vehicle?”

The once silent officer spoke up as he held up the tarp. “Yes, it is.”

Reese glanced over his nametag as she brushed past him on her way towards the smoldering truck. “Officer Smith, were you the initial officer?”

“Yes, detective.” Smith nodded then pulled out a notebook. “The burning victim was tossed out of the moving truck before it too caught on fire then swerved off the road and crashed into the pole there.”

Parker probed next, “Did anyone identify our suspect?”

“One witness stated that a person dressed all in black leaped off the roof and disappeared to the crowd,” the officer recited from his notes. “She couldn’t make out their features nor the sex.”

“Very good.” Reese acknowledged and knelt down next to the delivery driver. “Can I have a moment of your time, Sir?”

“Ralph Jenkins,” Smith informed.

“Mr. Jenkins,” she corrected. Reese flashed him a gentle smile and introduced herself, “I’m Detective Collins and this is my partner Detective Parker.”

“Hello.” Jenkins greeted reluctantly and removed the icepack from his bruised forehead. “Like I told the officers before... I had just got back from my extended lunch break-”

Parker repeated, “Extended?”

“Yeah,” the delivery driver nodded. “Anyway this Psycho went ballistic on my ass, because I dropped off a package this morning.”

“What type?” Reese inquired next.

“Let me think,” Jenkins muttered, “it was about the size of an business envelope.”

Reese was assessing this when she wondered, “What time was this?”

“Around 9am this morning--give or take a few minutes,” Jenkins replied, “I guess he didn’t like what was in it.”

Parker rolled his eyes at the comment before inquiring further, “Do you know what was is it?”

“Nope, all I do is deliver it.”

“Go on,” Reese advised, “Mr. Jenkins what was his name?”

“Uh...” he thought about for moment, “Roger Smits.”

As Parker was jotting the name down he queried with, “Do you remember if the package had a return address?”

“No,” Jenkins responded with a shake of his head. “it must’ve been dropped off at our home base early this morning.”

Parker added, “Any records?”

“Listen, some people pay not to have their addresses on it. Wait--there was an address.” When Jenkins quickly thought back, “A... Frank Green--that’s it.”

“Very good, Mr. Jenkins.” Reese acknowledged. “Now why don’t you tell us what happened after your lunch break?”

“Well, after I spent some quality time at ‘Gary’s Tavern’.” the delivery driver revealed. “I parked behind his place--he’s my uncle and all. Anyway, I left there around 2pm and decided to hell with this. So, I was on my way back to base ya know... To clock out and go home.”

“Did you have anything to drink?” Reese questioned when she caught the faint hint of alcohol in the air. “Never mind... Go on.”

“A bit,” Jenkins nodded. “Anyway, I always lock the back of my truck. So, I didn’t need to check it again. Turned off on this road and headed east,” he continued. “That’s when I noticed the smoke--OKAY. I freaked then swerved to my right and crashed into that damn pole.”

“And?” Reese wondered raising a brow at his lack of attention. “You didn’t hear anything?”

“No, I was listening to my headset on account my truck doesn’t have a radio, DETECTIVE.”

“You didn’t notice a person on fire exiting the back of your vehicle?” scoffed Parker.

“NO!” Jenkins growled rubbing his throbbing temples. “And that’s all I know.” He groaned, “My head hurts...”

“Excuse me, detectives.” A paramedic interrupted then proceeded to help his patient onto an awaiting stretcher. “But we need to take him.”

Reese stepped to the side, “Fine.” Focusing her attention back to the scene she envisioned John Doe’s final few moments in her head.

“Damn...”

Parker whispered, “What’s up, Collins?”

“Besides our suspect being calculating, very athletic, ingenious to a T and not to mention highly intelligent?”

“Sounds like the qualifications for a superhero.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised.” She sighed, adding. “Our perp knew them... Stalked them and even taunted one of them.”

“You’re reaching for the stars, Collins.” Parker chuckled. “Or... Our man wants us to think he’s all that, but in reality he’s just an insane man focused on revenge. You know, probably over a girlfriend or something.”

~~~*~~~

“That will be $4.10,” yawned a green haired, convenient store clerk as he rang up his latest customer. As he took the offered money his dark eyes darted over at two grade-schoolers who were hovering around the candy display.

Alex meanwhile was twisting off the top to her soda and patiently waiting for the change. She brought it to her parched lips drenching her thirst then pocketed the change and grabbed her bag of Gummi Dino’s. “Thanks.”

Once Alex was outside she ripped open the bag, poured a handful of dino’s into her hand and tossed it into her mouth. MMUUMMM... These are SO good! A silly grin grew on her face as she headed back to her parked motorcycle. The very thought of her enjoying a bag of Gummi anything was just so heartening that she felt like a kid again.

~~~*~~~

A grinning Chay glanced up from her duties to greet Alex who had just pulled up and was now pulling off her helmet. “Evening Raven!”

“Aye, heavenly lullabies.”

Alex nodded just as a divine scent of food finally reached her nostrils causing her stomach to growl at its lack of real nourishment for the day.

Chay chuckled.

“Excuse me.”

“No problem, just in time for dinner.” Chay enlightened as she was readying a setting for two. “I thought you might like a home cooked meal.”

“Thank you.” Alex said, approaching. “Do I have time to take a quick shower?”

“But of course.”

Rushing up the stairs Alex disrobed upon entering into the bathroom, hopped into the shower and began to ravenously cleanse herself of the day’s activities. Warm water washed over her face and took with it any negativity that lingered within. As she felt her tense muscles relax from the water’s gentle massage she whispered, “Two down.”

After the refreshing shower and a quick change of clothes the ex-Rogue descended down the spiral staircase to an awaiting meal. “Smells good,” she purred, “are we having chicken?”

“Aye, creamy chicken lasagna to be exact.” Chay said as she was pouring herself a glass of red wine. “For starters, we have a warm spinach salad and creamy garlic soup. I also made a delicious bread with garlic and artichokes as well.” Gesturing towards the chair athwart from her, “Please have a seat.”

Alex took the offered seat, “Thank you.”

“I do love a good red wine with all my dinners,” she enlightened, “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I’ve never had wine before.” Alex replied spreading the cloth napkin over her lap. “I’ll have to trust your judgment in that area, Chay.”

“Thank you.”

The aromatic aroma’s overwhelmed Alex’s senses and caused her mouth to salivate. She stared at the tiny bits of bacon, scallions, eggs and mushrooms that were scattered throughout her a delicious salad with glee. “I’ve never seen a salad look so good before.” Taking a forkful and placing it into her awaiting mouth she soon realized that the French dressing brought everything together. It was just superb. “Let me add that I never had a salad that was this good either.”

“Raven, how kind of you.”

“Alex,” the ex-Rogue corrected, “Raven seems out of place in a setting such as this.”

“Very well, Alex.” Flashing her a friendly grin Chay added with a wink. “Wait until we get to the main course. You’re going to love it.”

~~~*~~~

A crowd of reporters was huddled outside the Fort Lauderdale Police Department all were vying for an exclusive on the latest murders. And behind them were numerous cameramen focused on the approaching Detective Collins as she tried to enter into the department’s front doors.

“Is it true there’s a link to the Bebop’s Diner massacres to the two recent deaths here in Fort Lauderdale?” Deloris Chan shouted out, as she shoved her microphone in the detective’s face. “Detective, is it true that the suspect may be the last remaining member of the group?”

“NO COMMENT!” Reese shouted back to the insistent reporter and recognized her from the broadcast the other night. “Miss Chan, you know I cannot divulge any information on this matter. However, I can tell you that we’re doing our best to solve this case--thank you.”

“BUT WAIT!” Miss Chan called out, “Just another question!”

Reese ignored them as she plowed through her way through crowd and entered into the lobby of the station. “Damn, it’s like a school of piranha’s out there.” She grumbled to the desk sergeant by the name Herns who was sitting behind the thick Plexiglas barrier. “Where the hell is Commander Urchin?”

“He’s talking to your LT,” said Sgt. Herns. “Oh... And Collins,” he glanced up from his large stack of papers to buzz her in, “he’s in one of those moods again.”

“Great.” Rolling her eyes she then passed through the Plexiglas door. “Have you seen Parker?”

“He left with Hermes.” He replied glancing down at his watch. “It couldn’t have been more than 10 minutes ago.”

Reese waved, “Thanks.”

“Detective Collins, report to Lieutenant Kelly’s office.” a male voice announced over the intercom. “I repeat...”

“Collins, don’t take his shit.” The sergeant called out then gave her an assuring grin. “He’s all talk and no bite.”

“Thanks, Herns.” Reese said, moving down the long corridor that led to the Homicide department. She knew that it was always a bad sign when Commander Urchin got involved. “Lord,” she sighed, “what have I done this time?” As the detective entered into the already tense room her fellow co-workers scrabbled to look busy. Eyeing them suspiciously she had a feeling they were keeping an ear open for what was to take place. Get a grip... I’ve been through worse, Reese thought when she noticed a few glances her way, but shrugged them off then moved to her desk.

“COLLINS!” Lieutenant Kelly shouted. He poked his head out of the office and waved her over. “Pick up your feet!”

The detective did as was told and made her way through the maze of desks. “Take a breath,” she assured, “you can handle this.” She entered into the lion’s den and closed the door behind her. Once inside Reese felt the familiar glare radiating from their beloved Commander Urchin. “You called, Lieutenant?” She inquired, not wanting Urchin to soak up her nervousness and use it to boost his over inflated ego.

An agitated Lt. Kelly ran his thick fingers through a head of short blondish hair, sprinkled with gray hair. He stood a good two inches taller than Collins and the dark tailored suit he wore accented his averagely built body and fashionable style. And around his neck was a polka-dotted tie that had been held in place by a smiling frog with bright blue eyes, a gift from his adorable little girl on Father’s day.

This ex-marine loved his home family and cared about his detectives as though they were his extended family although Reese was more so than the others. He considered her like a daughter and did his best to teach her everything he knew. “Collins,” he began, “Commander Urchin here wants a few minutes of your valuable time.”

Reese knew that learning from the best was a bonus in their field. Never pass up knowledge that could further your career, she thought and reflected to a time when her father and Kelly were friends in the academy. And she remembered the stories he would tell... “Sure, Lt. Kelly.” The detective said turning towards Urchin. “What can I do for you Commander?”

A scowling Commander Urchin spun around to face the tardy detective. Cloudy, dark eyes focused on her. His average frame was clad in a pressed uniform, brass buttons shined to perfection, hair trimmed and slicked back. Urchin was the model officer, created from and honored by the officer’s manual. “Detective Collins,” he spoke up in a West Virginian drawl, “do you have a suspect as of to date?”

“I’m sorry, Commander... But no.” Reese shook her head. “Forgive me Sir, but we’re doing the best we can.”

“I understand.” The commander narrowed his eyes and stated simply. “The chain doesn’t stop with only me.”

“I realize that Sir.”

“And when I get a call from them I must investigate the matter as well.”

“Of course, but if you’d just let us do our jobs and be patient-”

“Patience is a virtue.” Urchin recited picking a tiny piece of lint from his hat. “And oh time... DETECTIVE can either hinder or assist one’s case.”

Reese waited till his lectured was through before speaking up, “May I speak freely Sir?”

“You may Detective.”

“My record is above excellent,” Reese restated and knew full well that he knew this. “Why I am I treated as a new recruit?” She wondered aloud. “And I do believe that all my cases have been solved as to date, SIR.”

“You have a point Detective.” Cdr. Urchin nodded. “But I’m also YOUR commanding officer. And considering that the daily duties of MY officers reflects onto MY career, this organization and YOUR career. I want you to focus on this case only and I might suggest that you wrap this up ASAP. Do I make myself clear, Detective Collins?”

A fuming Reese glared, “Crystal, SIR.”

“Good,” smirked Cdr. Urchin. “My-my Kelly, your protégé has spunk just like a certain Marine I know.” Glancing over at his overly silent Lieutenant. “I do hope she learns how to tame that bothersome little trait,” he drawled. “Far better pastures await her future.” He then turned back to the awaiting detective once more. “I do hope that you learn something from the lieutenant here, Detective. One could only hope to reach his level.” Urchin finished. “Good day to the both of you.”

Reese so wanted to slug him as he brushed passed by her. Releasing a calming breath she imagined herself knocking his ass out consequences be damned. The bastard deserved a good beating she fumed.

Lt. Kelly observed the commander exiting out of his office before complementing, “I’m proud of you, Collins.” He grinned then had a seat. “You handled yourself very well.”

“I decided early on that if I showed any weakness in his presence, then he would’ve drained me like a succubus.”

“Collins, whatever you do--don’t change a bit!” Lt. Kelly chuckled at her little remark. “Now go on with you.”

“I won’t,” Reese assured with a grin. “And thanks, LT.”

~~~*~~~

18

“The lasagna was fabulous and the orange sorbet--delightful.” Alex enlightened, finishing the third glass of wine that evening. She leaned back into the cozy couch as to stare her extraordinary host and not to mention a gorgeous woman to boot. A married woman, she scolded herself, can’t think that. Her hungry eyes meanwhile roamed over the silky red dress Chay wore and sent her heart aflutter.

As the carnal thoughts Alex had locked away pounded against its door with relentless abandoned she ignored its protests. She then averted her gaze from the beautiful creature to a nude bronze sculpture of a woman that sat in a corner by itself. Unfortunately for it just added to the lust that was growing within when Alex snapped her eyes shut from the erotic statue and focus on her mission.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Chay said returning with another bottle of Chianti and had a seat on Alex’s left. “If I’d let Devin have her way she’d live on that god awful, fast food.” The hostess chuckled as she was refilling her companion’s glass then her own.

“Isn’t that a bit hard?” Alex wondered, “You know, when she’s off on assignment?”

“Very.” Chay nodded with a gentle smile. “She seems to be holding off though considering that she hasn’t yet came home looking like a blimp.”

Taking a small sip from her wine Alex’s body was besieged with a warm and fuzzy feeling that relaxed her so. “Uh huh.”

“May I ask you a personal question?”

Alex nodded.

“How did it feel when you killed those men?”

“Terminate,” corrected Alex. “And I didn’t feel a thing.”

“None?”

“Emotions equals death. One cannot be a successful assassin if one cannot terminate one’s target.”

“I see.”

“There’s no time for regret during an assignment. It’s either you or them.” Alex continued then placed her glass on the table. “Do you not terminate in your field?”

“Yes of course,” she replied, “but I don’t plan on it.”

“Well, this is what I do.”

“I guess it is,” Chay assessed. “Death is your gift.”

The ex-Rogue nodded.

“By some chance... Do you know who’s in charge of the Rogues?”

Alex shook her head, “No one.”

“No one?”

The ex-Rogue remained silent as she eyed her hostess. And knew that divulging FATHER’S involvement would be cowardly and weak on her part. I’m not a coward. Alex thought back on the keeper of all knowledge in her life, Father. She was taught that he alone decided on who lived and died and not to mention to obey his orders to a T. And yet the identity of the very person that shaped her life remained a mystery.

Meeting him, THAT would be an honor in itself, she thought and knew in her heart that Father would have done so in time considering only the elite shall meet him. And heard that only one person by the name of Gryffyn had been honored with this. Although rumor had it that Father himself tutored this assassin, which was another honor as well.

“Sorry...” Chay apologized, “forgive me for prying.”

Alex nodded before quickly downing her wine.

Just then Elfie interrupted with, “Excuse me, Mistress Chay. But you have an urgent message from Special Agent Morris.”

“Thank you, Elfie.” said Chay as she rose to her feet. “Will you excuse me for a moment?”

“Of course.” Alex acknowledged just as her cell phone suddenly vibrated to life. Removing it from its holder she brought it to her ear, “Raven here.”

“Evening Raven,” Devin greeted back. “I’ve got some information that might be of interest to you.”

“Go on.”

“Well, I found that Sims and Williams were affiliated with a company named, Eastman’s Pluming which may be a front for a branch of our Alpha group.”

Alex’s brow perked up, “Who’s in charge?”

“Special Agent Greer.” Replied the director before continuing on. “Greer however, seems to be in Washington.”

“Is that so?”

“Now, his second is an agent by the name of Ingles.” Devin stated. “They unofficially run the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area.”

Alex nodded. “Affirmative.”

“I’m sending you the info as we speak.” Devin informed, as she was typing into her laptop. “Greer should be back on Monday.”

“Thank you, Devin.”

“No problem... Bye.”

“Excuse me Raven,” Elfie spoke up next, “but you have an urgent email from Mistress Devin.”

“Thank you Elfie.” Alex said rising to her feet.

Chay heard her approaching then rose as well and gestured to the laptop. “It’s all yours Alex.”

Alex had a seat, “Thanks.” Just as the screen popped up the email in question courtesy of Elfie. “Elfie.”

Elfie responded, “You’re welcome.”

“Elfie, I’m in the mood for the Innovation channel.” Chay informed as she returned to the couch. “What’s showing now?”

“Good choice, Mistress Chay.” Elfie replied, “Wild world is about to begin.”

“Ah... Sounds like a winner.” Chay purred then kicked off her shoes and stretched out just as the TV switched to the desired channel.

Alex meanwhile was focused on memorizing the first color photo of Agent Greer and his corresponding bio that followed. Greer was older gentleman whose snow-white hair, now receding and his chubby cheeks wrinkled from overexposure. Dark eyes stared directly into the lens of the camera and his once fit frame revealed his overabundances, as well as the lack of physical activities in his life. “Greer, Dale R.” she read his name aloud, “Aka Dale Eastman”

Once done, Alex scrolled down to the photo of Agent Donna Ingles, which followed his. This fifty-something female by the name of Donna Ingles possessed long blondish curly hair that was pulled back into a tight bun. Her thin lips formed a small grin while her sparkling hazel eyes focused on the photographer. Considering her age and all her olive skin possessed only faint hints of wrinkles. And from the opening of her white dress shirt, a thin crucifix rested upon her collarbone.

“Ingles, Donna Mae... Aka Sara Langley” she whispered before decreeing, “You my dear shall be the first.”

~~~*~~~

Lighter fluid was squirted onto the glowing charcoal bricks, causing the tiny flames to flare up from the depths of hell itself. Heat from the flames warmed Reese’s exposed skin and singed the hair on her arms. Quickly stepping back as not to torch herself in the process of heating her grill Reese uttered, “Whoa!”

“DAMN REESE!” Dani called out from the kitchen window. Rushing to the patio door she poked her head out, “Whatcha’ tryin’ to do grrrl? Make yourself into a cop-kabob?”

“HA.. HA.. HA.” Reese laughed and brought up her beer. “You’re TOO funny Dani.”

“Well, that’s part of what you paid me for.”

“Uh huh,” she muttered with a shake of her head. “Well, I guess I should cut back on your salary then.”

“Now why would you do a thing like that?” Dani approached while carrying with her a large tray stacked with thick burgers.

“Cause, your jokes are showing your true age my dear.” Reese remarked slyly. “Perhaps you need a refresher’s course on comedy, SWEETHEART.” Covering the grill with its hood she waited a moment for the flames to die down.

“Ooooooo.” Dani purred then sat the tray on a table next to the grill. “That was a good one Reese. Remind me NOT to use it on you next time.”

“Funny, Dani.”

“I thought so.”

Reese removed the lid as to place the raw burgers onto the heated grill, covered the sizzling burgers with the lid and had a seat. After which she took a large swig from her beer and leaned back to enjoy the soft billowy clouds that were floating above.

“Need another?”

“Sure.” The detective said and finished off the one she had before handing off the empty. “Thanks.”

“I got to,” Dani grinned, “can’t have our chef burning our food now can we?”

“I’ll be sure to drop yours and step on it a couple times.” Reese chuckled. “Gives it that extra added flavor-”

“How kind of you,” laughed Dani, “see, you’re always thinkin’ of me.”

“I have too.” Reese smirked. “Doe pays me well to do so.”

“Uh huh.” The artist glanced over a shoulder just as the doorbell rang. “I got it!” Dani called out, made her way to the front door and opened it to reveal a grinning Hermes and Parker. “Howdy all! Come on in.”

“Hi, Dani. Thanks.” The casually dressed couple said in unison then entered carrying with them a few essential items for the barbecue, no bake cookies and more beer.

“Reese is in the back.” Dani gestured and closed the door behind them. “I can take the beer off your hands Parker.”

“You’d like that now wouldn’t you?”

“Not if it’s that watered down kind you always get,” Dani remarked in jest. “What was it? Red, white-”

“Hey!” Parker whined then placed the case of import onto the kitchen table. “I only used it for bonging my shots.”

“Yeah,” Dani chuckled, “sure.” She then handed them both a cold bottle. “Here ya go. Now get out there--Reese may be lonely.” Turning back to Hermes, “Care to help me make some potato salad and my famous deviled eggs?”

“Sure.” Hermes nodded. “So, tell me all the juicy gossip girl.”

“Well...” Dani drawled as she led her helper into the kitchen.

~~~*~~~

“About time you two showed up,” Reese chastised while flipping the burgers over. Fat dripped off them and into the hot coals causing them to sizzle and pop. Covering them again she then had a seat. “I thought I’d have to hunt you down or something.”

“You know how women are.” Parker muttered before popping the top off his brew and taking a hearty swallow. “They’ll take forever if you let them.”

Raising a brow towards him Reese just shook her head, “Which you don’t?”

“Hell, no!” Parker had a seat across from her. “She totally runs the show, Reese. I’m just her boy toy.”

Hermes shouted out from the kitchen window, “Damn straight!”

Reese lowered her voice an octave and made a whipping sound effect. All the while, snapping an invisible whip for effect and chuckled. “Parker you are like SO whipped.”

“You’d be too if you had a gorgeous babe yourself.”

“Perhaps... But I have a feeling that I’ll be the one holding the whip, though.”

“I wouldn’t doubt that.”

~~~*~~~

A maroon Saturn was traveling south on Florida’s famous turnpike passed a slow moving pick-up truck and settled into the right lane. The wind was blowing Agent Donna Ingles’ unbound hair caressing it. She was conversing with Agent Greer on her cell phone and oblivious to a shadow that trailed three car-lengths behind.

A small zoomed in picture of Ingles sat in the left-hand corner of Alex’s visor, as she focused on the road before her. Her target had just finished a trip to the grocery store before setting off to meet him. The ex-Rogue was listening to their private conversation as she speed by a beat-up pinto.

“Seems that Raven left the burnt remains of Williams on a busy street.” Agent Ingles continued her briefing with her superior. “Sims and Williams’ BLC’S were removed as well. Sir, god knows what she may do with them.”

“Well, it seems that Raven sent them to Father along with a note.”

“What did it say?”

“Two down and more on the way.”

“When?”

“Last night in a simple envelope and the other was enclosed with the note. Rumor has it that it was delivered sometime this morning--which means...”

“Raven has access to our unofficial files,” Ingles finished. “Damn.”

“Looks like it,” Greer sighed. “Ingles, I want emergency debriefing. I want everyone brought up to speed--give them whatever we have on Raven. I want ANYTHING that we can use against her... Hell, dig up any childhood friends she may have had, but do it ASAP.”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I also want you to have an escort wherever you go as well. Raven may just be moving through, but I don’t want you taking any chances if she’s not.”

Agent Ingles nodded, “All right.”

“Find her weakness and exploit it,” Greer affirmed and added with a warning. “Be careful”

“I will, Sir.” Pushing the end button Ingles placed the phone back into her purse. As she was lowering the sun visor as to block the late afternoon sun that was beading down on her she noticed a small envelope sticking out from the small mirror. “Roger, you devil you.” Grinning she then removed the note. “Always giving me tiny love notes.”

Having heard their banter with disgust Alex narrowed her eyes and growled, “Arm detonator.”

“Affirmative,” repeated Elfie. “Detonator armed.”

“Good.” With a nod the ex-Rogue began to speed past the Saturn. “On my mark,” stated Alex while glancing over at her target and flashed Agent Ingles a friendly smile. Whilst Alex kept a watchful eye on her target pulling out the small business card she settled into the lane before her just as the camera angle changed to a frontal shot.

“Raven,” Elfie spoke up, “we are now safely out of the blast radius.”

“What the?” muttered Agent Ingles as she recognized the type as Courier New. “Two down and one on the way.” She read aloud and soon realized whom this may be from. “Oh, GOD--Raven.”

“Detonate.” Alex ordered, kicked it up notch and sped away from her target’s car. She was angry. No, pissed due to fact that they even thought of using her friend to get to her. “No way in hell,” she growled, “Elfie, get a close-up on her.”

“As you wish.” Elfie responded with a close-up of the agent’s vehicle.

The car exploded a second later, sending fiery pieces of metal and fiberglass into the air. A flaming chunk of metal missed a mini van as it swerved to the left. While an airborne hood embedded itself into the ground fifty feet away. The burning frame however, flipped twice, flew off the road and came to a rest upside down in a small canal. A lone tire on the other hand was ripped from its axis then sent sailing past the wreckage and into an empty field a hundred yards away.

Scanning the tragic scene around them Elfie stated simply, “Target is terminated.”

~~~*~~~

“Reese, you outdid yourself again.” Parker complimented, as he tossed his used paper plate into the garbage can. “And Dani, as always your deviled eggs and potato salad were delicious. But the only thing is... That I’m going to totally regret it later.”

Reese chuckled, “Well, there’s always a price to pay for pleasure Parker.”

“Here... Here.” Cheered Hermes as she lifted her bottled water up. “A toast.” And waited for all the discussions to cease as Parker, Dani, Doe and Reese raised their bottles into the air. And each in turn, gave their full attention to the grinning Hermes. “To the hosts.” The photographer said. “Thank you, for inviting us and bringing us into your lives. You guys are the best.”

“Aww... It was nothing,” Dani replied timidly. “I know our lives may lead us onto different paths, but friends are forever.”

“It’s our pleasure.” Reese added with a grin. “Besides, your family in my book.” Where upon scenes of her late father, dressed in a Hawaiian shirt and tan shorts, hovering around the old grill came to mind. With a spatula in one hand and an icy brew in the other. Henry would flashed her a gentle smile before his image faded away.

“My dad would have a barbecue every other weekend. Rain or shine, it didn’t matter to him.” Reese thought back on the good old days and fell into the feelings once again. “I’ve always loved that time.” And as a sudden realization overcame her she quickly focused back to the present. “Sorry about that,” she apologized then finished the remaining swallow before holding the empty up. “Who needs another?”

As always time had flown by in a flash and the evening was already upon them. Reese was escorting her guests back to their car with a bag full of goodies. “Be careful, guys.” She advised then handed Parker some leftovers. “I added some extra eggs for you partner.”

“Thanks, Reese.” Parker nodded taking the bag. “Take it easy, okay?”

Reese assured, “I will.” Glancing over at his designated driver, “Hermes, have a safe trip home.”

“I will,” Hermes acknowledged. She starting up her 98’ Mustang convertible and shifted it into reverse. “Thanks again, Reese.”

“My pleasure.” Reese waved and stepped back. “Later.”

The duo said in unison, “Bye!”

Reese observed the convertible as it was backing out of the driveway before speeding down the empty road. And as she turned to head back into the house a shooting star caught her eye. Quickly the detective wished upon it whilst it streaked across the sky as she had when she was but a child. “I wish I could be as happy I was back then.” She whispered to the fading star before entering into her humble abode. “Oh, well.”

Once inside her candlelit room Reese sat down in front of the laptop. After scanning through the world headlines she clicked onto the local link and waited for it to download. And her eyes widened while reading the headliner aloud, “Explosion on Florida’s turnpike kills one...”

~~~*~~~

19

A fine Sunday afternoon, Alex thought as she drove towards her destination. Having decided earlier that morning that this would be great day to go shopping for some essential materials for the many identities that she’d be using throughout her task here.

“One must master the art of disguise,” she purred as her mind reflected over what those damned assassins had discussed the day prior. Using her friend... Reese in any way, shape or form was just plain wrong. “Bastards.”

Alex wondered if her childhood friend even lived in Miami still and part of her hoped she did. Yet, her logical side told her that Reese was long gone and was never to be heard from again so to speak. Nevertheless Alex hoped that wherever she was that her childhood friend was safe and happy.

Focusing on the present the ex-Rogue turned attention back to her mission, shopping. Alex realized early on, from studying numerous books on the subject, the proper techniques of using latex. She needed a simple mold of her own face. Once done, it was the perfect foundation for the many prosthetics that would be created for the realistic features that she so desired.

Alex climbed out of the SUV wearing an X-large gray t-shirt, stone washed cut off jeans, tan hiking boots with the gray calf socks rolled down and her ever ready 9mm holstered behind her back. Glancing up at the clear blue sky, she felt her skin warm up and adjusted her sunglasses. Will I ever be able to just sit in the sun and not worry about anything? Alex pondered, but tossed that thought out the window in an instant.

“I could never have a life like that.” She muttered and made way into the large make-up outlet. Grabbing a red hand basket Alex embarked on the little shopping spree. Once inside the cool air from the store’s air conditioner chilled her heated skin in an instant just as tiny goose pimples quickly spread across her arms.

Long florescent lights hung from the ceiling, lighting the numerous aisles that were overly organized and neat. Full sized displays of horrific figures and busts were scattered throughout the shop and lighting them were small museum spotlights.

From across the room, a full figured gray alien encased in a bio chamber of sorts stared at her with cold, large black eyes. Alex approached a gray haired werewolf bust with glistening yellowish teeth that rested upon a glossy black stand. Its glaring red eyes seemed to follow her every move. She turned to her right and there sat the front counter with its large display case filled with realistic eyes of every color and style.

Alex moved further into the shop and came upon an interesting sight. There stood before her was a brunette vampiress who’d been frozen in crouched position and looked as though she was about to pounce upon the viewer. She wore a sexy, low cut black dress that had been ripped along her toned thighs and ended at mid thigh. Deathly pale skin covered her angelic face and her pouting blood full red lips were curled back to reveal a set of deadly fangs. The undead creature’s alluring, dark brown eyes stared back almost hypnotizing the viewer in a way. “Nice...”

Just then the store’s clerk approached, “She’s from the movie Blood Sluts.”

“Interesting.” Alex voiced, turning to the stranger and locked onto his gentle hazel eyes. “She’s breathtaking.”

“She certainly is.” A dark haired male with round wire frame glasses stood before her. Max Amos was a plump man that possessed a very friendly demeanor and a genuine smile always befitted him. “Her name’s Caitlin,” he revealed. “It was made by a local artist by the name of Madman, my protégé.”

“Well, he’s a very talented person. You should be proud.”

“Yes, he is and I am.” Max thanked, “So, what can I do for you today?”

“I need a few things.” Pulling out a handwritten list from a front pocket Alex then unfolded it for him and held it out. “My list.”

“Give me a few.” Max nodded as he was scanning over it. “And I’ll have everything gathered up for you.”

“That’ll be fine. I’ll browse for a bit--if you don’t mind.”

“Sure.” He gestured before rushing off to fill the large order. “Go right ahead.”

As Alex was casually walked down each aisle she took in the shop’s various products and noted that it possessed a nice assortment of brands from the utterly cheap to the most expensive. Being a stickler at perfection Alex always bought the best brand for anything else could mean ‘her’ termination and that wouldn’t do.

Pausing at the crepe hair display she chose a black as well as a dark gray one. She then picked up a large bottle of 355 Adhesive for attaching the hair to her face and Detachol for removing it. The ex-Rogue continued onto the next aisle, which was filled with a huge assortment of make-up in every color imaginable. After picking up a 14oz container of Ash powder used to resemble soil or ash she placed it into her basket as well before making her way towards the counter.

“So,” Max inquired as he waited behind the cash register, “did you find everything Miss?”

“Okay, your total is $2131.50.” Max informed after adding the final items onto the bill. “Will that be cash or credit?”

“Cash.”

“Very good then,” he said whilst taking the money. After depositing it into his register he then handed back the receipt. “I’ve placed everything on the cart there.” Max gestured over his shoulder. “If you need help-”

“It’s all right,” she assured. And as she was pushing her purchases towards the door she skimmed over the items on her cart. Two 5gal containers, two 5-pound bags, a 100-pound bag of Ultracal plaster, 1 gal of flowing blood syrups, a Mixmaster for mixing the foam latex, injectors, 8-pounds of clay, sculpting tools, airbrush set, sponges, condoms, a full set of crème make-up, and finishing up with a handful of brushes and applicator sponges. “I can handle it myself.”

“Here, at least let me open the door for you.” Max said and moved towards the door as to open it for her. “So, are you shooting a movie?”

“Thanks.” Alex flashed him a grin and waited a moment before pushing the cart out the door. “Nah, this for my extra curricular activities,” she revealed playfully. “I’ll be right back with your cart.”

Max lowered his gaze towards his shoes, “Take your time.”

Once outside Alex unloaded everything into the back of the SUV, slammed the rear door shut and brought the cart back into the store. “Here you go.”

“Thanks,” he waved. “You have a great day now.”

“You too.” Alex walked back to her vehicle, climbed into the driver’s seat then buckled her belt. Turning the ignition on she pulled out of the parking lot and her thoughts went to her next task. “Wig shopping.”

~~~*~~~

20

Manic Monday

“It’s just tragic.” The landlord muttered as he was unlocking the door to Smits’ apartment. “Mr. Smits was the perfect tenant. His rent was always on time... No loud music... No parties-”

“Nothing out of the ordinary?” inquired Parker.

“Nope.” The landlord shook his head before correcting himself, “Well... He’d never bring home the same girl twice, but I don’t think that’s weird.”

“Uh huh.” Reese entered into the room first and gestured for her team to follow. “Let’s get to work guys.”

“Nice pad.” Hermes said, entering next. She snapped a shot of the living room then moved into the kitchen. “So, what’s the rent on this?”

“Four hundred,” the landlord informed, “that’s including the utilities, spa, pool and onsite laundry as well.”

“Wow!” uttered Hermes before glancing over at her partner. “Parker, jot his number down.”

Parker nodded, “May I have your number, Sir?”

Reese just shook her head at her opportunistic partners just as something caught the corner of her eye. It was a natural colored piece of paper sticking out from under the beige sofa. “What do we have here?”

Hermes was at her side an instant. Observing the paper she then snapped a shot of it before grinning back, “Got it.”

Reese lifted the fabric with a gloved hand to reveal a business card. She waited for the familiar flash from the camera before carefully picking it up by its edges and reading it aloud. “One down and one on the way.” And recognized the font as Courier New. “Rich,” Reese called over a shoulder, “bag this.”

“Gotcha.”

After depositing the evidence into a clear baggie Reese turned to her partner. “Parker, I want you to check out his car-”

“Excuse me.” the landlord interrupted. “But Mr. Smits’ silver BMW convertible isn’t in its assigned parking space.”

Reese glanced over at the landlord, “Are you sure?”

“Positive.” He nodded and held out a parking permit. “Everyone must fill this out to receive a parking space.”

Parker took the offered paper as he exited out of the apartment. “I’ll call it in.”

A sudden realization of dread overcame Reese at the very thought of them overlooking an important piece of evidence such as this. “Rich,” she inquired, “were there any other cards found at Mr. Green’s apartment?”

“Nope.” Rich replied. “We checked that place from top to bottom--nothing.”

“His car?”

“The Mustang convertible? Yep, that too.”

“What about Mrs. Langley’s car?”

“Well, the wreckage was sent to the impound yard.” Rich informed, adding. “As far as the paperwork goes, initial investigators didn’t find anything besides ruminates of the C4.”

“They may have overlooked something at the scene.”

“Anything’s possible,” he shrugged. “Say, what’s the sudden interest in the Langley case?”

“I don’t know.” Reese replied with a shrug. “It just came to mind.”

“BINGO!” Parker uttered, rushing in with a large grin. “It’s been impounded.”

~~~*~~~

An older officer by the name of Lake was waiting patiently in the shade of the police impound yard for the pair to arrive. After having observed the pair exiting out of their car he greeted with, “Good morning Detectives.”

“Morning Sergeant,” replied Reese. “Sorry, about taking so long--traffic was hellish.”

“No problem.” he grinned. “Please follow me.” Glancing down at his clipboard as to recheck the number, he led them through a maze of impounded vehicles that were either stolen, used in some type of crime or just plain confiscated by the department. After rounding a corner the officer came to a halt before the vehicle in question. “This is it.” He said, pointing to the silver BMW. “Everything is as is.”

“Has anyone printed it?” Reese inquired. And as she was moving over to the driver’s side the detective noticed the immaculate leather interior inside. “He must’ve loved this car.”

“No, why should we?” Sgt. Lake shook his head. “It was towed here on a 1070.”

“What?” Reese voiced aloud. “It was an abandoned vehicle?”

“Yeah... It was found on the westbound lane of Sunrise Blvd,” the sergeant read from his clipboard. “That’s what it says here.”

Parker circled the parked vehicle, “Who called it in?”

“Says here that an Officer Lott did,” Sgt. Lake read off. “The time was 12:45pm on June 2, 2000.”

“If it was an abandoned car...” Parker wondered, “then why would it be sent here and not to a public impound yard?”

“I haven’t a clue detective,” shrugged Sgt. Lake, “could’ve been a mix-up.”

Pulling out her cell phone Reese dialed Rich’s number then waited as the call went through. “Come on... Come on.” She mumbled when it was finally answered on its second ring.

“Hello?”

“Rich, I need you to print William’s car.”

“Sure Collins. Want me take a look at the Langley car as well?”

Reese perked up, “Sure, can you?”

“It would be my pleasure,” Rich chuckled. “I’ll be there in a few.”

“Thanks Rich.”

“No problem. So, guess what I heard on the grapevine?”

Reese glanced over at her waiting partner, “Go on.”

“Your getting the Langley case assigned to you as well.”

“And what makes you think so?”

“Rumor has it there may be a connection with our recent cases.”

“Your joking right?”

“Nope.”

“Well, thanks for the info Rich. Talk to you later then?.”

“Sure, bye.”

Reese pressed the off button before reattaching it back onto her belt. “So, Sergeant.. .” turning to Lake, “mind taking us to the Langley car?”

“Sure, follow me.”

As they were being led away Parker moved to his partner’s side and wondered, “Why the Langley car?”

“Seems that we’re inheriting the case.”

“Really?”

“I believe so,” assured Reese. Following the sergeant around another bend she observed that this section consisted of an assortment of wrecked and ruined vehicles. And each sat in it’s own pile of parts tagged, with their own case number, and ready for their turn in the cycle of investigation.

Sgt. Lake soon led them to the charred remains of a car tagged with ‘#0702035’. After removing a file from beneath the clipboard he held it out for her to take. “This is the inventory list,” he stated next. “Whatever they found at the scene is in there.”

“Any personal belongings?” Reese wondered moving closer to the charred wreckage. When she noticed a faint smell of burnt fiberglass in the early morning breeze. After taking the offered file she then began to scan through it for any vital information.

Moving her attention back the wreckage Reese observed the ruptured frame of the Saturn as it rested on two of its remaining rims’. The hood had been ripped clean off and was leaning against it, as well as its two remaining tires. And whatever was left of the car’s engine sat in another cardboard box inside the car’s exposed front end.

“Uh huh.”

Parker turned to the sergeant, “That’s it?”

Sgt. Lake nodded, “Anything left over is in that box and it’s not much let me tell you.” He then gestured over his shoulder towards another cardboard box that sat a few feet from the car. “But, have at it.”

Parker knelt over the cardboard box in question and made a quick inventory of its contents. “Nothing out of the ordinary really.” he said before calling out, “Partially melted CD’s, a singed owners manual, mangled License plates, a rearview mirror...”

“Anything useful?” Reese inquired next as she circled the car. “Gotta be something... I wouldn’t have this feeling.”

“Nope, nothing at all.”

She shook her head, “Maybe they overlooked something at the scene.”

“Maybe and maybe whatever we’re looking for was destroyed in the explosion or the fire that followed.”

“Humm...” muttered Reese whilst processing their information as to date. “It a possibility.”

“Uh huh.”

“So, Smits’ car was found abandoned and on a busy main street no less... Right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then someone must’ve seen something.”

~~~*~~~

Homicide Department

“Well, our victims had a few things in common.” Parker informed and sat a manila folder down in front of his partner. “It seems that Green and Smits were plumbers.”

Reese glanced up at him, “Plumbers huh?”

“Yep.” he nodded, “both were employed at Eastman’s Plumbing.”

“Interesting...”

“And that’s not all, Rogers gave me a little tidbit from the Langley explosion case he’s working on.”

“Go on.” Reese said thumbing through the victims’ biographies.

“Traces of C4 were found in Sara Langley’s engine.”

“All right.” She nodded whilst reading through Mrs. Langley’s file. Reese was staring at a copy of Langley’s license photo, her blondish hair was pulled back into a ponytail. With an olive complexion and bright hazel eyes Langley seemed emotionless as she stared forward. The first two buttons on her dress shirt were opened, revealing a thin gold cross that hung from the ultra thin chain.

“Well, she’s the secretary for Eastman’s Plumbing.”

“Is that so?” Raising a brow to that tidbit of information Reese envisioned their suspect of having a killer grudge. Seen people do far worse, she thought then quickly nixed it from her mind.

“Our perp must’ve hated their plumbing job.” Parker remarked with a sigh. “What happened to the good old days of taking them to court and suing the hell out of them?”

“Competitors are capable of doing all kinds of horrendous things.” Reese added as she closed the file. “But I don’t know if it’s that simple.”

“True.”

“Revenge may be playing a big role here.” She thought aloud then leaned back in her swivel chair. “I guess we should pay a visit to Eastman’s plumbing and find out more about our victims.”

“Collins and Parker!” Lt. Kelly called out from his office, “Front and center.”

Grabbing her gray blazer Reese made her way into his office. “Let’s go, partner.”

Parker grabbed his as well, “Right behind you.”

She gave the lieutenant’s door a light tap. “LT?”

“Come on in,” responded Lt. Kelly.

“You wanted us?” Reese inquired and held the door open for her partner.

Parker walked by her, “Thanks.”

As Reese was closing the door behind her she observed Lt. Kelly leaning against his desk. When she soon felt another’s presence in the room and her eyes focused on a pair of pale blue eyes that belonged to a gorgeous woman with shoulder length fiery red hair.

The stranger gave the detective a nod and slowly rose from her seated position. Her tailored black two-piece suit hugged her curvy form and the white silk shirt she worn under the matching blazer was feminine, yet professional. And upon her breast pocket was a plastic FBI ID badge with the name Anya Doran typed on it.

“What in the...” Reese uttered in disbelief. “What’s the Bureau doing here?”

“They sent us a profiler.” Lt. Kelly informed. “Collins... Parker this is Special Agent Anya Doran.” Gesturing towards their guest, “Agent Doran, this is Detective Collins and her partner, Detective Parker. They’re lead investigators in all three cases.”

“Three?” Parker repeated. “We only have two.”

Agent Doran gave them a friendly grin and held her hand out to Collins. “It’s nice to meet you detective.”

Reese shook it twice before responding in more civilized tone, “And you agent.”

“Under the advice of Special Agent Doran. I’m assigning you Mrs. Langley’s case as well,” Lt. Kelly revealed. “She has some information that pertains to our recent cases.”

“Detective Parker.” Agent Doran greeted with her hand held out to him as well.

Parker shook it, “Agent Doran.”

“What?” Reese glanced from her lieutenant back to the FBI profiler. “Do tell.”

“Well, for one...” Doran spoke up then held out a black folder for Reese to take. “I’ve been on his trail ever since St. Louis. Nevertheless I believe we’re searching for the same person-”

“Who?” uttered the detectives in unison.

“Shadow.”

“Shadow?” repeated Reese.

“Yes,” the agent nodded. “A nickname given by the local reporters there.”

Parker vocalized, “HIM?”

“Yes,” Agent Doran nodded, reciting. “Well, most serial killers tend to kill in the same ethnic background. And I believe that our unsub is a Caucasian male between the age of 25-30.”

“All right,” acknowledged Parker. “So, what happened there?”

“An explosion was what happened.” Agent Doran informed casually. “In a suburb, which unfortunately killed one civilian and two police officers.”

“And you believe that it’s the same suspect doing this?” Reese inquired taking the offered folder. And as she was scanning over the dossier she came upon a crime scene photo. It was of the charred remains of one victim that had been scattered about.

“By the way.. .” Agent Doran added, “I’ve looked over your reports and I’m positive that Shadow fled here.”

“What makes you think so?” Flipping the photo over Reese perceived a second charred victim and wondered aloud, “How could you be so sure?”

“I found some trace evidence that Shadow was present at the Bebop’s massacre--some DNA samples that matched-”

“What?” Parker uttered in surprise.

Reese glanced up from a photo of a police officer impaled by a large chunk of wood. Dark bruises covered his face and neck. Specks of blood suggested to her that he’d been in a fight of sorts before his untimely death. “I read about this... Wasn’t the explosion caused by a natural gas leak?”

“Yes,” the agent nodded. “The theory is that Miss Fowl had been the original target all along. The police officers unfortunately startled Shadow and were in turn killed. One was impaled with debris outside and the other inside the house along with Miss Vale when the house exploded.”

“From what I read,” Reese continued, “The only piece of information that the witnesses could verify was that the suspect wore black clothing.”

“But that’s not much to go on,” muttered Parker.

“Nonetheless I believe that it’s in both of our interests to work together in solving this.” Lt. Kelly acknowledged. “Am I right?”

Reese nodded, “Yeah.” With that she turned back to the agent and decreed. “I want to see EVERYTHING you have. And so help me god... If I find out that you’re keeping vital information from us-”

“Of course and I won’t.” Doran assured. “Detective Collins, I believe that WE need to work together in capturing our mutual suspect and finally bring him to justice.”

Something within Reese told her to be weary of this profiler. And why was as obvious as a two headed quarter. Feds were notorious at keeping secrets. She so wanted to voice another protest, but she knew that it would be in vain. Must keep an eye on her nevertheless. Alas, she swallowed her pride and gave her a simple nod.

“Everything I have is in that file,” Doran gestured towards it, “including classified information on the Bebop’s diner massacre.”

Reese held the file out to her, “Here you go.”

“Keep it.”

Reese nodded before passing the file to her partner, “Better look at it, Parker.”

“Sure Collins.”

“Good,” Lt. Kelly grinned as he opened the door for his guests. “I expect full cooperation Collins.” He reminded his protégé before turning to Parker. “Now, let’s get to work.”

“Of course LT.” Reese said waiting for Agent Doran to exit first. “After you.”

“Thanks. So, what’s our plan of action Detectives?”

“We need to pay a visit to the owner of Eastman Plumbing.” Reese enlightened while sliding her arm into the sleeve of the blazer. “A one Dale Eastman to be exact.”

~~~*~~~

21

The Majestic Hotel site

After parking her newly acquired electrician van in the makeshift parking area of the hotel’s renovation site Alex thought back to earlier that day when she was flirting over the phone with an Eastman Plumbing’s secretary. And chuckled at how easy it was to find the boss’s whereabouts by simply flirting with the woman. Unless they wanted me to think that, she thought with apprehension, This may be interesting indeed. Nonetheless the ex-Rogue found out that Agent Greer was overseeing a job that his ‘plumbers’ were working on.

Her reflection in the rearview mirror was that of a Hispanic male with a goatee and a five o’clock shadow. Dark brown eyes stared back at Alex just as a grin formed upon her new features. Her hair was peppered with gray giving her an older look and the uniform she wore had been baggie enough to allow her true form to stay hidden.

As Alex was exiting out of the truck she leaned back in to grab her tool belt, clipboard and battered hardhat that would complete her disguise. “Let’s get busy,” the ex-Rogue drawled. After attaching the weathered belt around her waist she added the hardhat and made her way to a side entrance of the hotel.

Entering into the side doors that had been propped open with half cement blocks the ex-Rogue noted that the windows themselves were covered with brown butcher paper. Alex passed under the large archway and made her way through debris and chunks of old drywall that littered the marbled floor. Once she was the lobby of the hotel a band saw suddenly erupted on her right.

As Alex continued on her journey, she bypassed the once over by the local workers and came face to back with the site foreman. There stood before her was an African American man with his back turned toward her. This average built man covered in a layer of sweat and grime was observing the scene before him.

“Uh,” Alex spoke up. “Excuse me.”

“Yeah?” The foreman spun around to reveal a disguised Kazen complete with a five o’clock shadow. He then shouted over the band saw’s loud roar, “Can I help you?”

“Si, Senor...” responded Alex in a Hispanic accented voice before pulling out her ID badge. “I’m here to recheck a breaker box #4 and do a quick once over-”

“Let me see your work orders.”

“Sure.” nodded the ex-Rogue and handed him her clipboard. “So, when’s this place scheduled to open?”

“End of next month,” Kazen replied scanning through the official looking documents. “Looks okay.” Returning the clipboard he then gestured over his shoulder. “Take the stairwell down to the basement level. It’s the large metal doors at the end of the hallway. So, be warned--the plumbers are working on the third floor.”

“Huh?”

“They’re an unfriendly bunch.” Kazen enlightened with a grunt. “They hate anyone hovering over them. So, stay clear of them. Anyway, when you go up there show Mr. Eastman your paperwork.”

“What’s this Eastman look like?”

“The one smoking a damn cigar,” grumbled Kazen. “You can’t miss him.”

“Muchas gracias.” Alex said, flashing him a friendly smile and headed on her way. She entered into the stairwell and descended down the flight of stairs towards the breaker room. “Gotta drop off a little something...”

~~~*~~~

“Detectives,” Agent Doran spoke up from the back seat of the sedan. “I must say that your reports are very thorough and well above standards in your department.”

“I guess that complement warrants a thank you,” Reese responded dryly. “Agent Doran, I’m here to solve murders not to score high in the report department.”

“And bring the accused to justice,” the agent finished with a smirk. “Very honorable Detective.”

“Why thank you, Agent.” Parker said next just as he pulled their vehicle up next to an parked electrician’s van. “We’re here ladies.”

“Agent, I’m not here to be your friend.” Muttered Reese. And as she was exiting out of the car she turned to the agent, “So, why don’t we do away with the fake formalities and focus on what we have at hand.”

“Come on ladies.” Parker interjected by slamming the car door shut. “Let’s be civilized here-”

“Parker,” Reese suggested, “why don’t you ask around for the whereabouts of our Mr. Eastman?”

He sighed not wanting to get on his partner’s bad side, “Sure Collins.”

“Honest and to the point.” Agent Doran replied with a raised a brow. “I like that in an associate.” She then in turn gestured for Collins to go ahead of her. “Please, after you.”

Reese held her tongue for fear of another wisecrack and simply said, “Fine.” Don’t know what’s about her, she wondered and hurried into the building where she found her partner speaking to the site’s foreman. Maybe it’s her arrogant self--I don’t know. As the detective made her way through the manmade obstacle course of debris and approached them. “Well?”

After thanking the man Parker waving for his coworkers to follow. “He’s on the third floor.”

~~~*~~~

As the ex-Rogue scanned a cluttered room of the fourth floor she noticed that the floor had been ripped apart revealing some intricate wiring attached to the steel support beams underneath. Making a quick assessment of her new surroundings Alex counted ten workers that were scattered among the various work areas around her. She carefully made her way across the main beam and all the while keeping an eye on her fellow workers. And pretended to focus on the wiring beneath she following it as it led to the first light socket for the floor below.

Alex was checking the socket’s wiring when a strong fragrant smell from a fine Cuban cigar drifted up. With a smirk she then observed a heavy-set figure sauntering into view from below leaving a smoke trail behind him. He wore a button down work shirt, faded jeans, battered work boots and a dirty, yellow hard hat that hid the male’s identity.

Agent Greer barked out, “Daniel!”

An out of breath assistant replied with, “Yes, Mr. Eastman?”

“Get me a soda from the truck.”

“Right away, boss.” Daniel nodded before rushing off in search of the soda.

As to get a better view of her target below Alex continued across the beam, bypassed some hoses and power cords along the way and found a significantly larger hole. When the ex-Rogue spied Agent Greer as he was dumping the contents of two milk crates onto the floor then had a seat on the makeshift stool.

“What is taking that boy?” Greer muttered impatiently.

Alex sat down on the 5in-support beam and proceeded to check out the aged wiring that was hung beneath. After another quick glance around she focused her attention back to her target. What to use, she mulled over, My trusty Browning? Nah. Maybe something new... And when her eyes locked onto a discarded nail gun a plan of action formed.

“It’s just too damn hot!” exclaimed Agent Greer while chewing the cigar’s butt. Removing his hat he then pulled out a handkerchief as to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Alex meanwhile was watching as the subordinate returned with the requested item followed by three newcomers. About time they showed up, she mused, Let’s pick out the agent first. She observed as a dark haired male with an average build, wearing a dark suit led a female duo in. One was blond with a short styled haircut and a tiny bit shorter than the fiery red head that trailed behind.

The ex-Rogue noted with the red head’s tailored blazer and the holstered weapon that was discreetly hidden beneath that she was the government agent. Probably a profiler sent here to give them half-truths. Bemused by this Alex assessed the two remaining individuals as local detectives. She chuckled at Fort Lauderdale’s finest and bided her time.

~~~*~~~

“Boss,” Daniel announced, “they need to speak with you.”

Popping the top to his soda Agent Greer indicated over his shoulder. “Get to work, Daniel.” With that he then lifted the cold drink to his parched lips and took a large swallow from it.

“Mr. Eastman, my name is Detective Parker.” Parker greeted before gesturing towards his companions. “This is my partner Detective Collins and Special Agent Doran. May we ask you a few questions?”

“Can’t you see I’m working?”

“Mr. Eastman we need your cooperation in solving your employee’s untimely deaths.” Reese added next before following up it with a firm threat. “We can do this here or downtown. The choice is yours.”

“Fine.” Greer sneered, narrowing his eyes towards the insistent blond. “What do you want to know?”

Ignoring his tone Reese inquired with, “Your relationships with them.” And slowly circled him. “Mr. Eastman, anything at all would be a help to us.”

“Well, Green and Smits were my best employees-” Greer informed. “And Sara’s been my secretary for seven years now.”

Parker was pulling out his notepad as he added, “And both were plumbers?”

Agent Greer nodded, “Both been with me for five years now.”

“Know of anyone that might have wanted to hurt them?” Parker continued, “Anything strange?”

“Nope,” he shook his head, “My employee’s come here to work not socialize.”

“Notice anyone suspicious hanging around them?” Reese wondered next. “Any phone calls perhaps?”

After exhaling a billowing cloud of cigar smoke Agent Greer sighed, “Not that I can remember.”

With that Parker eyed the man with apprehension. “Are you certain?”

“Detectives...” removing his cigar Agent Greer then spat to the left of him, “I don’t give a damn about what goes on after the clock.” He then narrowed his eyes towards Parker, “Now is that all?”

“No, I believe you know something.”

Just then Greer stood up and growled, “ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR DETECTIVE?

“I never said you were,” Parker countered. “Why are you SO defensive?” Taking a step towards him the detective felt that the guy knew something and it was just a matter of getting it out of him. “Well?”

“BOY, you’d better get out of my face!”

“ALL RIGHT!” Reese quickly stepped between the agitated pair. “Time out.” She then turned to her agitated partner. “Parker, can you please question some of his employees?”

“Fine.” Parker glared at the man a moment longer before turning his attention to a nearby worker, “Whatever.”

“Sir,” Reese continued with their interrogation, “are you saying that their private lives remained private?”

“Yeah...” a fuming Agent Greer nodded, “that’s what I’m saying.”

“I haven’t a clue.” Shrugged Greer as he was chewing the butt of his cigar. “Say--shouldn’t you be beating the streets in search of their killer instead of harassing me? My GOD Sara was blown pieces, Green’s throat was slit and Smits’ a burnt crisp.”

As she was moving a few steps away Reese noticed a seated electrician perched above her. Realizing that had an audience around them she reiterated with, “Mr. Eastman we’re only doing our jobs.”

~~~*~~~

Their eyes met for only a split second and the ex-Rogue swore she felt something familiar pass within them before moving. Pushing the intriguing pair of emeralds to the side for further analysis Alex scolded herself for diverting her attention elsewhere. Having only heard bits and pieces of the conversation due to the loud band saws and various loud power tool erupting all around her she then focused on her task at hand when a sudden feeling of being watched overcame her. And with a quick scan of her surroundings for reassurance the ex-Rogue picked up the unattended nail gun and readied herself.

~~~*~~~

“Seems Smits and Green were buddies that kept to themselves,” Parker said after calming down a bit. He’d assessed his prior behavior as improper and decided to apologize. He then turned to Eastman to do so. “Sir, I must apologize about my prior behavior.”

“Whatever.” Agent Greer muttered, ignoring him then turned back to the blond detective. “If you want to know if they had any enemies... Well it beats the hell out of me.”

“What about you, Mr. Eastman?” Reese questioned, growing tired of this uncooperative man with each passing minute and not to mention the rudeness towards her partner. “Did you have any enemies?”

“Hell,” chuckled Greer, “In my business it pays to have enemies.” And took a long drag from his cigar. “They’re called competitors, detective.”

Agent Doran was next to inquire, “Anyone in particular that comes to mind?”

Greer thought about it for a moment before shrugging, “Possibly Terry’s Plumbing.”

“Care to enlighten us?” Parker retorted and was readying to jot down the company’s name.

“Perhaps it was the look on his pansy face as I outbid on this project--it was just priceless.”

Just then there was a loud explosion that rocked through the construction site. Lights to flickered on and off as the fire alarms blared, warning everyone of the fire raging below. Chaos was running amuck as workers dropped everything and scrambled over one another towards the exit ways for safety.

“WHAT THE...” Reese voiced aloud as she covered her ears from the obnoxious alarm. “...HELL.”

~~~*~~~

“Perfect timing,” murmured Alex under her breath. With an instinctive squeezed to the grip of her makeshift weapon she flipped back. Pushing the 14ft drop from her mind the ex-Rogue focused on her mission. Death to those who ordered her family’s termination. Once her target came to view, she brought her weapon up and squeezed the nail gun’s sensitive trigger. Three 1- ½ in brad nails shot out of the battered nail gun before her feet had even touched down. She then swung her weapon behind her and fired two rounds dropping the approaching armed person in their tracks.

As a groaning Agent Greer cupped his bloody face dark red artillery blood poured through the gaps between his fingers, drenching them. He dropped soon to his knees with a thud and fell back dead.

“DAMN IT TO HELL!” shouted Parker. Grabbing his throbbing shoulder he noticed the blood upon his fingers. “Oh GOD I’ve been SHOT!”

As Alex observed the female agent reaching for a holstered weapon she released two more nails towards the redhead. And to her sure grin her target unceremoniously dove face first into the ground. Taking the advantage of the situation the ex-Rogue then grabbed the blond detective from behind and roared two octaves lower. “DROP YOUR WEAPONS NOW!”

“DROP THEM!” Reese affirmed, raising her hands into the air. “DO IT!”

“DON’T HURT HER!” Parker warned while removing his weapon then sitting it on the ground.

“You’re not going to get away with this, SHADOW.” Agent Doran growled as she too laid hers down as well.

Alex taunted back, “I already have, AGENT.” Tightening her grip on the detective’s shirt caused the first two buttons on the cotton/polyester shirt to pop off. “Slowly turn around and face me.”

Reese again did as she was told and turned to face her captor. Focused entirely on the electrician her stony face gave way to the fearfulness in her eyes. “All right.”

Alex was again stricken with another strange feeling she had yet to identify. “I don’t think you’ll need this,” she said before relieving the detective of her weapon. “Now get on your knees, DETECTIVE and place your hands behind your back.” ordered the ex-Rogue who waiting until her captive had complied with her commands before continuing, “Lean forward.”

“All right.” Reese calmly nodded and leaned forward. “No need to do-” just as her friendship medallion fell out from her shirt and dangled before her captor, “-anything rash.”

Alex’s eyes grew wide when she read the word ‘Forever’ that was etched onto it. Her heart skipped a beat just as a sudden realization overcame her. Those eyes, she reflected, could this be?

Just then she noted movement in the background and squeezed the nail gun’s trigger dropping the uninvited person with a dull thud. Tossing the nail gun to the side Alex pulled the slide back on her recently acquired Beretta. And with a quick glance over her left shoulder the ex-Rogue perceived a neon orange trash chute a few feet away.

“Hasta la vista!” she called out. And charged towards her exit route followed by a rain of bullets that nipped at her heels.

Reese meanwhile grabbed for her partner’s discarded weapon and shouted, “HALT!”

“BRING HIM DOWN COLLINS!” Parker cheered.

Alex lunged headfirst through the large hole, crashed against the inner wall of it and descended down the tube. Observing the chunks of used sheet-rock below that would soon cushion her fall the ex-Rogue quickly rolled herself into a ball to help reduce the impact before crash-landing into pile of trash below.

Once grounded Alex ignored the pain in her side and climbed out of the large metal trash bin. She then sprinted across the two-lane road followed by yet more bullets that struck the asphalt beneath her feet. Charging down an alleyway with renewed vigor the ex-Rogue bee-lined towards her hidden bike.

Reese meanwhile was running down the stairs two at a time until she reached the 2^nd floor and literally leapt off the landing, but not before crashing into the first floor wall. “GODDAMNITTOHELL!” She growled then stumbled out of the stairwell. With her weapon readied she rushed out of the front doors and all the while hoping that her prey hadn’t gone too far.

“Please be there,” Reese mumbled to herself whilst checking both ways before crossing the busy street. Once a crossed the detective heard the familiar sirens in the background. When she caught a quick glimpse of someone rounding a corner and followed suit.

~~~*~~~

At the same time, a wounded Parker was descending down the last flight of stairs when he passed by a seven-man team of construction workers led by the site’s foreman. “WAIT!” he called out to them. “We have get out of here!”

“I’m not going to leave my men!”

Realizing that he wasn’t going to get anywhere with the man being that he was wounded and all. Parker muttered, “Whatever.” And continued down the remaining stairs towards safety.

“We can handle it!” Kazen added over his shoulder. “Go on.” Sprinting up the last few flights until he’d reached the third floor, Kazen withdrew his weapon and rounded the corner.

With a quick count Kazen noted that two of his men were down. “Get these men out of here!” He ordered while sprinting towards a shattered window and caught a quick glimpse of Detective Collins rounding a corner. “We have four minutes!” He reminded his team as they dispersed to gather their fallen comrades behind him.

~~~*~~~

“POLICE... HALT!” Reese shouted to her fleeing perpetrator, passed a young couple as they dove for cover and finally skidded to a halt at the corner. She caught a quick breath while resting against a pastel colored stonewall for a moment. Lowering her stance she then counted to two before stepping out only to find an empty alleyway with a grimy trash bin.

Reese cautiously moved towards the bin and flipped the lid open. She hoped in way that Shadow may have hid there, but instead got a large whiff of the God-awful rotting trash that stunk to high heaven. “DAMNIT!” griped the detective in sheer disappointment. “Perfect!”

“You can say that again,” remarked Agent Doran as was she holstering her weapon.

Standing before her was the agent a bit shorter and the once dark suit now covered in a thin layer of white dust. And upon realizing that Doran’s Italian shoes were missing she assessed with a chuckle, “Went down the chute, huh?”

“What gave it away?” As Doran ran a hand through her tasseled hair she passed by her. “Shadow escaped on a black motorcycle.”

“What type?”

“It looked liked a Ninja.”

“Did you get the plates?”

“No.” Agent Doran said with a shake of her head. “It didn’t have any.”

“I guess we can’t have everything now can we?” Reese sighed before making her way back to the crime scene.

The two-lane street was now crowded with a pair of parked ambulances, a large fire truck and a total of five police cruisers. From corner to corner, yellow crime scene tape roped off this section of the block. While witnesses were being questioned and evidence tagged, officers around the perimeter were holding back the reporters and a few voyeurs that had gathered.

Between the distant sirens and all the questions that were being tossed out by the overzealous reporters, Reese noticed her wounded partner being loaded into one of the ambulances. “Parker!”

“I need to find my shoes.” Agent Doran broke off and was making her way towards the dumpster to retrieve them. “I’ll meet you upstairs in few.”

“Take your time.” Reese replied over a shoulder and sprinted over to her injured friend. “YO PARKER!”

“HEY, COLLINS!” He called out with a wave. “Did you get that BASTARD?”

Reese shook her head, “He got away.”

“Hey, at least we know what he looks like now.” He assured with small grin. “I already gave them a description of that bastard. So, it won’t be long now.”

“Yeah.” She acknowledged handing his gun back. “I brought Marilyn back to you.”

Parker’s eyes lit up at the sight of his precious 9mm and purred. “Ahhhh... Marilyn!”

“Excuse me,” a paramedic interrupted, “detectives...”

“Oh, sure... Sorry about it.” Reese apologized and moved out of his way. “Talk to you later Parker.”

“Later Collins!” Parker replied just as he was loaded into the back of it. “Be careful partner.”

Reese gave him a nod and waited until the doors were slammed shut before heading back to the hotel. All the while observing a team of firefighters and the handful of investigators and officers going about their duties. The detective was climbing the three flights up and had just entered into the crime scene when she was met by a gray haired veteran detective by the name of Rogers.

“Collins, how are you holding up?”

“Fine, Rogers. Can you add to the APB that Shadow escaped on a black Ninja with no plates.”

“Sure, do it right now.” Rogers said, gesturing over a shoulder. “The lieutenant’s waiting for you.”

“Thanks...” Reese replied and made her way towards the lieutenant who was crouching over Eastman’s body. “LT?”

“What in the hell happened here?” Lt. Kelly snapped and rose to his feet. “The condensed version.”

“In the process of questioning Mr. Eastman--Shadow, disguised as an electrician, flipped down--from there.” Pointing up towards the beam behind him. “Used the nail gun as a weapon and attacked Eastman, wounding Parker and finally using me as a shield.” And as soon as she was finished the detective grew silent at the thought of her near death experience.

Lt. Kelly noticed this and lowered his tone, “Do you need some time?”

“No.” Reese shook her head before continuing. “He shot at couple of workers--didn’t even aim, just pointed and fired. It’s like he knew they were there or something. Almost like a professional.” Snapping out of her thoughts she finished with, “Anyway, he dove through that chute and fled on foot. I followed him on foot and thought I was on his tail-”

“But she was pursuing me.” Agent Doran finished as she was dusting off her suit. “He escaped on a black Ninja... Going eastbound on 8^th.”

“Wait a minute.” Lt. Kelly’s eyes widened upon hearing Collins’ assessment of Shadow. “Are you saying that we may have an assassin on our hands?”

The agent nodded, “Anything’s possible.”

“I believe that his prime target was Eastman.” Reese said, glancing down at the deceased. “And we all can agree that he accomplished that.”

Lying on his back in a dark pool of his own blood was Mr. Eastman. One of his hands rested upon his bloody cheek and the other at his side. His eyes had been penetrated and now lay shredded inside their sockets as pools of dark blood trickled out from them, down the side of his face and onto the floor.

“I don’t know,” Lt. Kelly shook his head, “where’s Hermes?”

Turning to the detective Agent Doran raised a questioning brow. “Acquaintances with many assassins?”

“No, just a gut feeling.”

Another officer passed by the lieutenant, “She’s taking some pictures outside Lt. Kelly.”

“Well?” he grumbled and hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “Go get her.”

“Uh... Y-yes, Sir.”

Agent Doran gave Collins a nod before pulling out her phone and dialing up a number. Casually stepping away from her she then lowered her voice once it was answered on its second ring. “Subject has fled--I know.”

Reese meanwhile had moved over to a shattered window and was staring out it. A wave of guilt overcame her as she tried to focus on what’s next. “Should’ve followed him down the damn chute,” she groaned. The horrid scene replayed over in her mind’s eye with dread. Shaking it off she soon realized that this meeting with Shadow wasn’t in vane after all and whispered. “Now we know what you look like.”

“Lt. Kelly,” another officer called out, “you need to come downstairs right away--we found something!”

~~~*~~~

With red, puffy eyes Hermes was in the process of shooting some photographs of a parked Electricians van. When she observed her friend. “Collins,” she sniffled. “Did you get a chance to talk to Parker?”

“Yeah.” Reese placed an reassuring hand upon Hermes’ shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Hermes said, pulling her into a tight hug. “It’s just one of the negative parts of this job that I could do without.”

“I second that.” Reese agreed just as their had hug ended. “Hermes, he’s in good hands.”

“I know...”

“Besides he’s to ornery for God to take.”

“He is isn’t he?” the photographer nodded and tried unsuccessfully not to chuckle at the little comment. She wiped the now forming tears from her eyes and calmed herself. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Reese grinned, “that’s what friends are for.”

“Collins,” Lt. Kelly called out from the rear of the van, “you’d better look at this.”

“I’m on my way LT,” Reese said and approached Kelly who’d stepped aside giving her a better view of inside the vehicle. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth went dry at the sight before her. There before her was a hooded male wearing only a t-shirt and poke-a-dot boxers lay on his side on the floorboard of the van. His hands and legs had been bound by duck tape.

Donning a latex glove she carefully removed the man’s black hood only to reveal a Hispanic male with duck tape upon his mouth. “What the hell?” Muttered Reese, as she took in this double of Shadow. “How in the hell can this be?”

The bound man’s eyes snapped open in an instant before struggling with his binds. Anguish was revealed within in his terrified eyes as he desperately tried to scream but the tape had held his pleas at bay. “Umph!”

Reese heard the terrified man muttering something inaudible before uttering, “My GOD!”

To be continued in part 2...