The Light, the Dark and the Ugly (10 page)

She ran with the shield like a battering ram. The gunshots ricocheted off her defenses as she made contact with her assailants. As much as the men tried to hold their ground, Erica ran them over like a Mack truck. The agents tumbled to the ground and Erica kept on running. Redican followed close behind, turning to shoot off one last sonic blast before they splashed through the hallway.

Erica’s pulse reached top speed as they turned several corners and ended up in a dead end with the same wide windows beside a set of elevators on either side. She tossed the shield to the ground. “This’ll work. Where’s our lift?”

Redican put his hands on his knees. “I’m working on it.”

Erica heard the squeak of wet footsteps in the distance. “Work faster.”

As the first agent came running into the hall, Erica leapt through the air and kicked the weapon out of his hand. He didn’t even flinch at losing the gun and immediately swung for Erica’s head. She feinted the blow and pulled him straight back. His head slammed into the wall and he crumbled to the ground. She met the next two agents with a spinning kick that connected with both of their faces. As they landed face-first on the ground, Erica took one of their weapons and fired a few warning shots down the hall.

She glared back at Redican. “This is taking too long.”

He scrunched up his nose at her. “I can control people’s minds. Not space and time.”

Erica fired another shot. “You should work on that.”

The remaining agents returned the fire, and Erica ducked around the corner to avoid it. She knelt in front of one elevator.

Vott’s voice bellowed from the hallway. “It’s over, Erica. We’ve got you cornered. Throw down your weapons.”

Erica looked over at Redican. He nodded and she tossed the gun toward Vott’s voice. She backed away and stood beside her former English teacher. While Vott's men looked bedraggled and beaten, he seemed no worse for the wear despite his drenched suit.

“I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see you again.” Vott led the pack with his weapon drawn. “And I assumed that if I did, I’d be the one coming for you.”

Erica put up her hands. “At Kable’s beck and call.”

Vott twitched at that. “I don’t know what you–"

“That’s why Redican can’t touch you. Kable’s got you under his control.”

Vott growled. “I make my own decisions.”

Redican let out a chuckle. “Denial really is the first stage. It's better to just admit you have a problem.”

Vott clicked a bullet into the chamber. He stepped forward, the two elevator doors flanking him on either side. His lips curled into a snarl. “You think I’m not in control. I’m in control!”

Redican grinned from ear to ear. “Just keep telling yourself that.” He snapped his fingers.

Just then, both elevator doors opened up and a crowd of two dozen people swarmed the middle of the room. In his surprise, Vott shot off his weapon. The bullet zipped between Erica and Redican and slammed into the glass behind them. The windowpane shattered, and beyond the sound of the growing elevator crowd, a propeller could be heard.

Redican gestured to the shattered window. “Go first, I insist.”

Erica raised her eyebrows. “Mind before kind?”

Just then, Vott emerged from the pack and pointed his weapon directly at them. Without hesitation, the two fugitives took off at top speed. Bullets rained at their feet, but they were one step ahead. Erica took hold of Redican’s waist at the last second and leapt from the building.

The wind felt cool against her skin as the helicopter rose to meet them. They landed just inside the open door, their legs skidding to a stop against the base of the craft. The mind-controlled pilot jerked the copter to the side. Erica slid until she a got hold of some cargo netting. She slammed the open door shut as the helicopter lifted up and away from the DHS headquarters.

Redican shook his head. “I can’t believe we pulled that off. Do you think they’ll come after us?”

Erica opened up her backpack and took out the two pieces of broken staff. “No. Kable won’t want to call that much attention to this. I’d be surprised if we were even on the news.” As she brought the two halves of the weapon together, Erica could feel something ancient course through her. “We’re halfway there.” She looked out through the front of the helicopter and into the pale blue sky. “Let’s see what the others can do.”

Chapter 15

The last two weeks hadn't made Dhiraj feel like much of a high school student, but all of that changed when Beth and Winny sauntered into the lair. Despite the chilly fall conditions that left frost along the tips of the suburban lawns, the two popularity queens wore short skirts and low-cut tops. Dhiraj pushed aside thoughts of how much better his dolled-up peers could spend their time and went back to wondering what the heck they were doing there.

He attempted to smile through his confusion. "Elizabeth. Winifred. Welcome to the–"

Winny blew past him like he was a camera-free red light. Beth followed closely behind with a similar lack of acknowledgement.

Yup. Just like high school.

Winny's high heels hammered against the ground as she propelled herself to Jennifer and the sheriff. "Oh my gosh, cuz. I'm so glad you're okay."

Jennifer seemed as confused as Dhiraj was. "Thanks. What an... interesting surprise."

Winny moved on to the seated sheriff. "Uncle Mike." She sniffled. "When we heard you were shot." Her voice caught in her throat. "Mom and I didn't know…."

Dhiraj supposed he shouldn't be surprised that Sheriff Norris was the one comforting his niece. She buried her face in his shoulder and left a lipstick stain on his neck.

Beth, whose top bordered on criminal, hugged Jennifer and then took a long look at Travis from top to bottom.

She whistled. "Hot damn. There really is nothing like a sweaty man late at night."

Winny pulled away from her uncle and joined her friend's side. "If I'm not mistaken, there are biceps on top of those biceps." She raised her eyes to his. "Hey Trav. Good to see you again."

It was tough to tell, as Travis had been flushed from his assault on the punching bag, but his cheeks seemed to turn a few shades darker.

He squinted in their direction. "What the hell are you doing here?"

Beth walked toward him. "Ooh, testy." She licked her lips. "But I recall you being pretty testy last year at that party. Didn't we have fun, Trav?"

Travis gave Beth a wide birth and retreated across the room to the front door. Dhiraj suppressed a laugh as Travis stood behind him. As much as he wanted to ask Natalie's boyfriend what happened at this party, there was a more pressing matter.

Dhiraj cleared his throat. "As much as we're happy to see two friendly, painted faces, we'd love to know how you found out about this place."

Winny looked at Jennifer and rolled her eyes. "Oh, moneybags. Such a worrier." She beamed. "Erica told us, of course."

Dhiraj gave Jennifer a questioning look. His girlfriend simply shrugged.

She wrinkled her nose. "But you two weren't followed, right?"

Winny gave a fake gasp. "Followed? We're pros, cuz. Enough nights sneaking out to drink will do that to you." Her eyes grew wide as she looked over at the sheriff. "Uncle Mike. I meant, drinking in the great works of literature at the librar–"

The sheriff stood up. "Enough, ladies. I suppose Erica sent you here to help?"

Beth posed. "We don't just get dressed up for anyone."

While Dhiraj questioned the truth of that statement, having two allies who could walk around in public might be helpful. If they could be trusted.

He chewed on his lip. "Could you ladies give us a second?"

Winny smirked at Travis. "As long as Mr. Muscles agrees to give us a tour later." She winked. "That party really was fun."

Travis nodded and moved further behind Dhiraj. The girls clacked off to the training area as the four fugitives gathered in a circle.

Dhiraj cracked a smile. "What was that all about, Trav?"

Travis shook his head. "Look, we made out at a party last year. No big deal."

Jennifer gave him a sidelong glance. "With both of them?"

His cheeks grew even redder. "Not at the same time."

The sheriff coughed. "We need to focus." He gripped his daughter's shoulder. "Can we trust them?"

The team looked over and saw Beth holding Winny's legs as the latter tried to do pull-ups.

Jennifer sighed. "I certainly hope so."

That's when the plan began to form in Dhiraj's mind. He hadn't been sure how they'd infiltrate the sheriff's old office, but Beth and Winny might've been the puzzle pieces that would complete the picture.

Dhiraj gripped Jennifer's hand. "I've got a little play in mind for our friends." He met her glance. "Think you can help me with the script?"

She grinned. "With pleasure."

An hour after Beth and Winny had entered the lair, Dhiraj and the gang put their plan into action. The nondescript van was parked just outside the lot beside a chain link fence covered with brush. It didn't take long for Dhiraj to tap into the Sheriff Department security feed using the equipment from the rally. It was warmer in the van with four people than it'd been with two, but the sheriff said they should stick together in case things go south.

Dhiraj turned his head to the side. "What could possibly go wrong?"

Sheriff pointed to Beth and Winny, who were trying to take a selfie when Jennifer smacked the phone out of their hands.

Dhiraj nodded. "Okay. We'll stick together."

The two short-skirted secret agents were in position by the side of the building. Jennifer sat in the chair beside Dhiraj, while Travis nervously paced using the little room he had available. Sheriff Norris sat in the front seat in case they needed to make a quick getaway. All of them were tapped into the same radio feed.

With everything in place, including microphones hidden under the shirts of their two spies, Winny walked barefoot into the Sheriff's Department. She stumbled right by a DHS agent, one of two such sentries who were posted at the building all day long. The man didn't even flinch, as he was there for one purpose alone: to catch Erica, Dhiraj or any of the other fugitives who tried to come back home. Winny walked right up to the main reception area and leaned her elbows on the desk. The officer on duty shook himself awake and tended to his station.

"Can I help you, Miss?"

Winny let out an audible groan. "Yes! I'd like to report a theft." She pointed downward. "Somebody stole my shoes!"

Dhiraj laughed and looked at Jennifer. "Really?"

Jen stared straight into the monitor. "It's not the first time this has happened."

The officer sighed. "Fine. Whatever." He pulled out a piece of paper from below the desk. "Fill out this form and bring it back up here."

Winny lifted her chin high. "Thank you, fine sir. You'll get a medal for this."

Dhiraj whispered into his headset. "Overselling it, Winny."

Winny nodded to the air and snatched a pen before sitting down in the lobby. The one other person waiting beside her scooted a few chairs over before eventually crossing to the other side of the room.

Dhiraj nodded. "This could actually work." He took in a deep breath. "Let's start the second act. Beth, it's time to shine."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

Dhiraj's stomach squeezed. "Beth?"

He could hear her lips form into a smile through the mic. "I think Travis should wish me good luck first."

All the eyes in the van turned toward him. Travis shook his head. "Come on, guys."

Jennifer huffed. "Just do it."

"I don't want to!"

Dhiraj poked him. "For the good of the team?"

Travis grumbled. He walked over to the mic and flipped on the switch. "Good luck, Beth."

Beth sighed happily and strode toward the front door of the building. With the first step she took inside, Beth fell face first to the ground right in front of the DHS agent.

Dhiraj grimaced, until he heard her out-of-control giggling. When the DHS agent helped her to her feet, she wrapped her arm around his.

"Hey, big boy." She thrust out her chest. "Is this where the party's at?"

While Dhiraj couldn't tell if the agent looked down at her cleavage, he'd be surprised if the man hadn't. The agent said nothing as he led Beth toward the front desk. She started laughing again for no reason at all.

Dhiraj's mouth hung upon. "She's really good."

Jennifer chuckled. "She's had the practice. Winny, wait until all eyes are on Beth."

Before Beth could reach the desk, she tripped and fell to the ground again. This time she refused help from the agent.

"No. Let me rest down here." She smiled dreamily. "Unless you want to lie down here with me. That could be real nice."

The officer from behind the desk and the other DHS agent convened by Beth's side. The girl laughed loudly, and Winny took that as her cue to move. The camera feed showed Jennifer's cousin slip down the vacant hallway and into the sheriff's office. As she closed the door behind her, Dhiraj switched to the feed for that room. He watched as Winny removed the painting from behind the sheriff's desk to reveal the wall safe.

She began to enter the combination. "I feel like a sexy cat burglar. Do I look like a sexy cat burglar, Travis?"

Travis didn't hesitate this time. He leaned into the mic. "Yes, you look very cat-like."

As she opened the safe, Dhiraj watched one of the DHS agents get up from Beth's side and look around the room.

"Hey! Where'd the other girl go?"

Dhiraj's throat closed up. "Beth, go big or go home!"

With that, Beth began to scream. The agent withdrew his question and knelt back by the girl's side.

Beth breathed heavily. "Oh my gosh. I think the baby's coming!"

Dhiraj threw up his hands. "I didn't mean go off script!" He huffed. "You've got about 30 seconds, Winny."

He watched on the screen as Winny gathered the books and the sword into a bag she'd snuck in. She shut the safe with a thunk, and Dhiraj could see the agent's ears perk up immediately after. He stood up and tried to leave, but Beth grabbed his ankle.