Dane Curse (13 page)

I wanted to smile, but somehow didn’t have the strength to lift the sides of my mouth that high. Instead I waited, and thought. Just a few more days of unfettered freedom to investigate, that’s all I needed. But by tomorrow every white cape and SPEC Agent in fighting condition would be on patrol, limiting my movements considerably. I looked out over the horizon. Tomorrow it would feel like a prison, but for now, twinkling in the distance, Gold Coast was beautiful. Magnificent.

Like Rome, just before the fall.

Chapter 24

Once my car had its second set of whitewalls installed I checked it for bugs. There were two this time. One was in my steering column, the other under the engine, and both were emitting separate frequencies. I plucked them off, tossed them on the lawn, then headed towards town with only one thing on my mind, Lynchpin.

An organization like his couldn’t have shelled out the kind of dough Twiddle was talking about without its chairman knowing it. So why didn’t he mention that he knew about the Kaos rifles, or that his board had bought them all? Withholding that kind of info could only slow my investigation, and that made him look guilty. But if he was the killer then why hire me? Why bring in investigators at all? Whatever the answer it was stupid of me to tell him that I only needed a few more days. If he really was behind it then he would’ve called the authorities about Pinnacle right after I left his office.

As the ocean air blew in my window I had a strong feeling that Lynchpin was my man, but I’d need more evidence to be certain. That kind of proof would be impossible for me to get alone, but thanks to Lynx I might have a shot. She said we’d start early, so I hit the hay as soon as I got home, barely getting my guns on the nightstand before I passed out. The slumber was welcome.

I was going to need it.

#

It felt like I’d been out for less than an hour when the telephone rang.

I fumbled with the receiver. “Hello?”

Lynx spat the words out fast over the sound of squealing rubber. “It’s me, I’m on my way, get outside of your building.”

“What time is it?” I looked around. Sunlight poured in from between my blinds. The clock on the table said 6:15.

“Time to go. You said you needed my help, it’s coming now. Oh, and I’m being followed so you only have one shot at this.”

“By who?”

The line went dead.             

I dropped the phone, and jumped to my feet. Fortunately I still had on my threads from last night, so all I had to do was plant my iron in its holsters, grab my hat and coat, and run outside. I scanned the skies for any sign of hero activity. I didn’t want to be exposed considering Monday’s BOLO was still hanging over my head, but sixty seconds later Lynx pulled around my corner in a silver rocket of a sports car. As she slowed the passenger side popped open. “Hurry up.”

Not wanting to keep the lady waiting I threw one leg in, and before the second could join it we were out in traffic weaving through the early morning commuters.

“Sorry to be so curt,” she said.

“Don’t worry about it.” I slammed the door and buckled the seatbelt.

She looked in the rearview mirror, then downshifted as we blasted through a red light, much to the displeasure of the pedestrians who were planning on crossing the street. “It’s just that I’ve got Knuckles and Smiley back there, and I didn’t want them to see you get in.”

I glanced back. “Your bodyguards are tailing us?”

“Always. They follow me everywhere.”

We power slid through the intersection turning a perfect ninety degrees to the left, a move we repeated at the next cross street so that we were going in the exact opposite direction we’d just come. “Nice driving.” I said, with a firm grip on the door.

“It’s not as hard as it looks, especially when you can control large objects with your mind. Speaking of…” we came to a quick stop behind two cars idling side by side, waiting for the light to change. Lynx looked at them hard, and they slid away from one another giving us just enough room to accelerate between.

“You must never be late,” I said as an oncoming truck barely missed our back bumper.

“I usually don’t drive like this.” She turned to the right and we swung into a parking garage. “But we’re in a rush.” She bombed down two flights of corkscrewing ramp at speeds that left me pressed against the door. When we got to the lowest level she pulled into an empty spot, hopped out, and froze with her head turned slightly upward.

I joined her, and whispered “What’s-”

“Shhh.” Lynx stood perfectly still.

Behind me water dripped. Above us were the muted sounds of cars driving by along with the soft patter of shoes on asphalt. It was like listening to Gold Coast’s heartbeat.

Finally she said, “Let’s go.”

I followed her to a blue family sedan. She pulled out a set of keys, opened the door, and we both hopped in.

“I liked the other one more.”

Lynx altered the mirrors. “Me too, but it’s one of a kind, and secrecy is the watchword for the day.”

“Good point. If we get caught doing this your dad’ll have us both killed,” I said.

“Both? Just one of us, max.”

I did the math. “That arithmetic sounds right.”

“Yeah. I’ve always known the score,” she said, and started the car. “Hey, you’re not getting cold feet, are you?”

“No. It’s all kinds of wool socks over here.”

“But you don’t sound excited. Come on Dane, admit it, you’ve always wanted to break into a heavily guarded Sindicate chemical weapons lab.”

#

The place was located in an industrial estate north of the bay, and looked like any of the other beige, cement buildings in the area. The parking lot was one fifth full, and we found a spot behind a van, close enough to the door for a quick escape, but far enough away so that the guards inside couldn’t see us.

We got out and Lynx opened the trunk. She removed a lab coat, a pair of glasses, and an ID badge, then handed them to me. “Here, you’re Curtis Wagner, now.”

“Who’s he?”

“A former employee. His credentials will still get you inside, though.”

I took the gear, slipped it all on, and stood ready for inspection.

“There,” she said, smoothing out the white coat and adjusting the glasses, “you look perfect.”

I couldn’t help feeling a little silly. “Really? You got a lot of scientists in there that look like me?”

“More than you’d think.” Then she pointed at my chest. “But get rid those.”

I looked down. My hardware was poking through the lab coat. Reluctantly I placed Rico and Lois in the trunk.

“Much better.” Lynx slipped on the same coat as me, and pulled her hair into a bun. It made her look smart. And sexy. “Let’s go.”

We walked through the outer door, and into the lobby. Lining the walls were cheap paintings of seascapes and forests that would be right at home in any highway hotel along with a handful of plastic plants in each corner.

“Are you sure this is the place?” I asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“Doesn’t look like a Sindicate property is all.”

“On paper it belongs to a shell company out of Switzerland, but it’s ours. And blending in is sort of the point. This way.”

The security desk in the center was flanked by two archways; one for entering, and the other for exits. Lynx walked through the entrance first, swiping her ID card as she went. I followed a few seconds later, doing the same.

A loud buzzer screamed as the sirens lit up.

“Sir,” a guard to my right said, “are you carrying any metal?”

Lynx’s expression didn’t change, but there was panic behind her eyes.

“No.” There was nothing on me, but I touched all my pockets, looking for something foreign. When I found it I could’ve kicked myself. “Oh, wait. Yes I do. Here you go,” I said, showing it to the guard.

“What’s this, sir?” he asked.

A lock pick. “A lab tool.”

“And your name, sir?”

“What?”

“Your name?” He picked up a clipboard and pen.

“My name? Of course. It’s…” I couldn’t look at my ID. But Lynx had just told me. It was… “Wagner. Doctor Wagner.”

The guard nodded, wrote it down, and waved me on. “Sorry for the delay, have a good one.”

We passed another group of security guards who were listening to the radio on the desk. “The biggest news continues to be the murder of our city’s beloved protector Pinnacle. Authorities have yet to release any information regarding the mysterious crime, however a joint press conference has been announced by SPEC Director Marc Humphries and Team Supreme’s Glory Anna after the President’s address…” The guards were so engrossed they failed to notice how nonchalant I was.

I leaned toward Lynx “Sorry. I forgot I had it on me.”

“No harm, no foul. You handled it well.”

“Thanks.”

Lynx led the way down a large, white hall to the central elevator. The doors slid open revealing a barren, silver interior. Lynx stepped in first, and turned around. “Are you coming?”

“You’re sure this is wise?” I asked, looking inside. “Maybe we gained entry so easily for a reason.”

“Of course it’s wise, how else are we going to get to the fifth basement?”

“Fifth?” It felt like something punched the back of my throat. “Maybe this is a bad time to mention it, but I’m not a fan of tight places.”

Lynx laughed. “And here I thought you weren’t afraid of anything.”

“Afraid? No. Wary? Of a few things,” I said, looking around the interior, “and being trapped in a box is one of them.”

“Will it help if I start clucking like a chicken?” She was amused. Normally that was a nice look on her. “Come on. I’ll protect you.”

I stepped in.

The doors slammed shut behind me, and the yellow lights above turned red. Lynx grabbed my arm. Her nails dug in. “What did you do?”

“Nothing. I did nothing.”

“Oh my God.” She was staring upwards, her head darting back and forth. “We’re trapped. Are you carrying any weapons?” She grabbed my jacket and shook me. There was a wild look in her eyes. “I told you to leave them in the car.”

“No, all I got is the ID you gave me and these stupid glasses!”

“My father must have found out about our plan.”

Two tiny hatches, about the size of dimes, opened on each wall. They began spraying a light mist.

“Gas. We’ve got to get out of here,” Lynx said. “Open the door, now.”

I spun around, and pushed my fingers into the tiny crack between the doors, but they were sealed tight. There was no room for a grip. I tried again, but the metal refused to give. “No good. What else you got?” I clamped a hand over my mouth, trying to let the air in but keep the gas out.

“Let me try.” She pushed me aside, and focused on the door. Nothing happened. She closed her eyes tight, and put her hands on it. Still nothing happened. “My TK isn’t working!”

“Lynx, how could they know we’re here?” I asked, looking for any point of weakness in the all metal box.

“They couldn’t.” She started breathing heavy. “What should we do?”

“I don’t know.” I looked for something, anything, to help me get the doors open. The red lights were just bright enough to let me know I was out of luck.

We were trapped.

Then the lights returned to their normal yellow. The small gas hatches clamped shut. I looked over at Lynx. She was all smiles. “I have an idea, how about we press this.” She reached out a finger, and pressed B5. Then the elevator kicked to life, and we plummeted downward.

“What the hell?” I had to stop my fists from shaking. “Was that normal?”

“Of course. The elevator seals us in, and the red lights and gas disinfect us of any foreign bacteria.” She smiled. “You didn’t think we were trapped, did you?”

I forced my breathing to return to normal, and shoved my hands into the pockets to keep them from grabbing her throat. “You’re a laugh riot.”

“Sorry, I thought it might lighten the mood. But actually, it’s a long way down, and while I didn’t ask before I think it’s time you tell me; why exactly are we checking up on the only source of Black Bleach?” 

Chapter 25

“I think it’s involved.”

She didn’t look convinced. “Do you think someone took a dose of Black Bleach and killed Benjy? Because I can tell you that it’s not safe for use.”

“I’ll let you know what I think later. For now I just need to check on it.”

“Ok. Let’s go do that.”

After what felt like a lengthy trip the elevator finally stopped. The doors opened and we stepped out into a hallway. The air was chilly, and smelled like lemon pine disinfectant. I took a look around. In both directions fluorescent lights illuminated white floors and walls that seemed to run on forever.

Lynx pulled out a piece of paper and looked it over. “It’s this way.” She motioned me to the left. We started down the corridor, turning here and there. The only thing cutting the silence was the echoes of our footsteps. I didn’t see another person in any of the hallways, only dozens of identical doors each with a small window, a silver handle, and a biohazard warning sign promising grim death.

“What’s that?” I asked, motioning to the scrap in her hand.

“It’s a map.”

“Is this your first time here?”

“No, but I’ve never been to this particular lab before. I had to look up the directions and the office number.”

“They have numbers?”

Lynx pointed to the top right corner of the next door we passed, and sure enough there was a set of five digits, tiny and barely noticeable.

“Those aren’t a lot to go on. Hospitals use different colored lines on the floor so people can find their way around easier.”

“Yeah, but disorientation is the point. These halls were designed by the same architects that do casinos. They keep unwanted visitors confused, and going in circles. There are stories of people who’ve worked here for years getting lost for whole weekends. I don’t believe them, but it’s possible.”

“At least we don’t have to worry about cameras.”

“No,” Lynx said. “Nobody wants a record of what goes on down here. Besides, you’d have to be pretty stupid to try and break in.”

Looking back down the hall I couldn’t help but agree.

After another couple of turns we finally arrived. “This is the one.”

I pointed at the Biohazard Level Five sign hanging on the door. “Is this accurate?”

She shook her head. “That means nothing. Every door has one of those. Even the break room.”

Some of the tension in my shoulders relaxed. “Great.”

“Hey, don’t get too casual. I’d say that for ninety-five percent of these rooms those signs are one hundred percent accurate.”

I stifled a shiver. Most people think that being invulnerable means you’re impervious to death, but nothing is further from the truth. Lots of things can kill a guy like me such as drowning, exposure, or fire. Some are quick, others are slow and painful, but biological weapons ran the entire gamut. “Ninety-five,” I said. “That still leaves five percent non-lethal.”

“You’re good at the math,” she said. “Now give me your ID.” The lock on the wall was a flat, white square, and Lynx waved my keycard over it, then twisted the handle, and the door swung open. She returned the card, and I followed her in. The room was dark and cold, with a sense of impending dread that would feel at home in any dentist’s office.

“This way.” Lynx kept the lights off, and led me to the back where we went through another door, and into a second room. It was much darker and smaller with just enough space to fit six people comfortably. There was a safe hanging on the back wall. It was tall and wide, but not deep, and had a glowing keypad in the corner. Lynx punched a twelve-digit password into it and the doors slid open, bathing the room in a soft green light that shone behind one hundred vials hanging in ten rows of ten. Each one was about the size of my pinky and had a number printed on the front next to a bar code. Inside was a thick, brackish liquid with tiny bits of suspended debris.

I leaned in. “I thought it would be blacker.”

“Me too.”

“So, how do we check them?”

“Like so.” Lynx removed what looked like a staple gun with a small screen on it from the inside of her coat, and held it up to the vial in the top left corner.

“How’d you get through security with that?”

“I’m authorized. Being the boss’s daughter carries with it certain privileges.” Lynx pressed its trigger and the gadget cast a yellow light through the liquid. A few seconds passed, and a handful of letters and numbers appeared on the screen. “See that. It’s the molecular makeup of Black Bleach. This vial’s the real deal.”

“One down,” I said, “ninety-nine to go.”

She nodded, and started working her way to the right. The first row went quick enough as did the second, each of the specimens proving to be authentic.

“Could someone just have taken a little bit from one?” I asked.

“No. See here.” She pointed to a number on the vials, which were the same for each. “This is the amount of liquid the individual dose holds. If any, and I mean any were removed this would tell me.” She finished with the third row and again, everything checked out.

But when Lynx began on the fourth row she froze. “Was that you?”

“Was what me?” I asked.

Lynx stopped breathing and stared at the door. The lights in the outside room were still off. I strained my ears, but all I heard was silence. After a minute of playing statues she relaxed. “Never mind, it was probably nothing.” She returned to her work, completing the fourth row without incident, but halfway through the fifth Lynx stopped dead. “Son of a bitch.”

“What?”

She double checked the specimen. “This isn’t Black Bleach.”

“What is it?”

“How should I know, I’m not a chemist. It could be ink, it could be jam. All I can say for certain is it’s a dumb dose.” She turned back to the display on the safe. “Let me see.” She pressed a few buttons causing a stream of numbers to fill the screen. “That’s not possible.”

I looked at the numbers. “What?”

“These are all the records of when this case has been opened. Date, time, and identity of the accessing party should all be saved.” She turned to me. “But there’s nothing, it’s been wiped.”

“So,” I said, “whoever removed it from the lab didn’t want anyone to find out about it. Makes sense, I wouldn’t want a paper trail either.” I looked at Lynx.

There was terror in her eyes. “No. You don’t understand. Me, Gravel, none of us could do that. Only one person has an override code this powerful. But it doesn’t make any-”

“It’s your dad,” I said, “isn’t it?”

Lynx nodded.

“That’s all I needed, let’s get going.”

Lynx returned the dose.

As she closed the safe the lights in the outer room clicked on. A voice called out, “Hello, Ms. Lynx, are you in there?”