Chapter Five
RAGE
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter Five
I didn’t sleep all that well. Reanders had been on my mind. Now that I had time to think it made sense to assume Reanders was behind this. The Ragers acted more like her than like someone on Bath Salts. So that told me she was the one dealing. What bothered me was the timing. She escaped earlier, but that was not enough time for her to land, set up shop, make the drug, and distribute. She had to have been planning this for a while, but needed more info, which I had. I gave her the last piece of the puzzle she needed to refine the drug. And those things are the result. But that was the troubling part. Those things had once been normal people. Some troubled souls, some not, but still people. They were not of their mind as Ragers. I, as Lady Death, ended their torment and pain, but it still didn’t sit well. Reanders the Mad scientist. Murderer, dealer. I so wanted to shoot her in the head, but that would solve nothing. Not really. She needed to be captured alive.
It was four in the morning when I decided to get up. I got dressed and decided to go downstairs. Banner and two other SWAT Team members just relieved McKinley, Rogers, and the other team member.
Banner looked over his shoulder. “Couldn’t sleep, Princess?”
I gave him a smile. ”Nope. I’ll have some unfinished business to take care of after this.”
“You know, I find it interesting that the United Nations would have a representative here, at this time.”
“Not so strange,” I said. “Believe it or not, I’m often in LA and not just for vacation. Los Angeles is a cosmopolitan of sorts. It should be considered one of the World’s capitals.”
“That so? You know something about these things?”
“Who happen to be people gone bad.”
“That, too.”
“I do. That’s why I’m here.”
“Can you tell me anything?”
I thought for a few seconds. “It’s a drug. A variant of Bath Salts . . .”
“That I figured. But the number of these things and the way they work together sometimes . . .”
“Is the result of a tailored drug probably destined to the US Military. At least it was before all this.”
“No shit?”
“Yes shit. And I need to find the creator.”
He thought for some time. Then he said, “Bechard. You’re alright by me. The city keeps me as a mushroom. You know, I’m kept in the dark and fed bullshit. I’m told to perform. Most times I never see the big picture. Like today. I just knew we had to shoot monsters and rescue people. Nothing about the whys this started to begin with. But you. You got the big picture and your sights on the cause. I saw that news feed of you today. That was some nice work.”
“Thanks.”
“I would never have had to balls to run head long into that crowd. Forgive me for my behavior earlier.”
“Done.”
He paused for a moment and sighed. “My daughter would be about your age . . .”
“You’re that old?”
“Yeah. Retirement is around the corner. But she’s serving in Afghan. And everyday I pray she misses some IED. We talk once a week, but man it’s hard. After seeing you perform today, I know, with the right training, woman can do just as well as men. But it’s still a hard pill to swallow.”
I gave him a light punch to the shoulder. “Coffee?”
“Yeah, please. Black.”
I walked back into the lobby. Earlier Mary had cleaned as much as she could. The Pot had about two cups left. I pour Banner and myself a cup and made more coffee for the others. The flies hadn’t discovered us yet, but I was sure today would be the day. Flies and the smell. Disgusting combo.
I walked out and handed Banner his cup. “Another pot is brewing.”
He nodded and sipped his cup.
I did likewise.
Then we heard a shot off in the distance.
Followed by several more.
Then automatic fire. The radio crackled, “Hold your position.”
The shoots were about a block away, about another five buildings after the last one we checked.
Then we heard the screams.
I raced upstairs to get Mary and Jim, both were already dressed and headed my way.
“Morning. It begins.” And they followed me downstairs.
The radio crackled again, “Hold that line. Hold that . . .” Static and the automatic fire stopped.
Then we heard, “All Law Enforcement units pull back to home base. Pull back. Military personnel will hold ground. Ground forces are on the way.”
McKinley and Rogers were already in the truck. Jim was going to take driver when I said I think I should. He only thought about it for a second then handed me the keys. Mary sat between us and the SWAT team sat in the rear box.
Banner yelled, “I hope you can drive like you can fight.”
I revved the engine, yelled back, “Better!” and dropped the gear into D4.
A dozen Ragers stood in front of us. Not one moved. I turned sharply left and caught the glimpse of something heavy behind them. Now they’re thinking Ragers? That was a sobering thought. Banner called through the radio, “Why didn’t you ram those bastards?”
“It was a trap. They were sacrificing themselves.”
We had another two blocks to go when I spotted another dozen just standing there.
I spoke in the walkie-talkie, “I don’t like this.” One block left, then I saw the Helicopters, Homeland Security and Military. Marine Hummers drove past us along with several tanks. A dozen five tons, and deuce and a halves rumbled by. We made it to the barrier and home base had been transformed into a Military outpost. The troops arrived, for better or worse. I pulled up next to the LAPD Command Unit.
Richardson walked out. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “The Military is running this rodeo now. We’re to stand down and do clean up later. Their gonna clear the area out in mass.”
Just then my cell phone went off. It was Cortez. I said, “Excuse me, this might be important.” I walked a few feet away, “Karen speaking.”
Cortez said, “I think they should call you UN Jane. More accurate.”
“Really? I was thinking that last night.”
He laughed, “You know, Vadnez is beside himself. He said the F word.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, but not for obvious reasons. Credit was given to the LAPD for saving that family. And that a UN Operative may have stepped over the political line. The SG called Vadnez to his office an hour ago. Both want to see you as soon as you wrap up your case there.”
Interesting that I was to report after I wrapped up my case.
“By your silence you find it interesting that Vadnez said after you wrap up your case. Through me for a loop too. I know the SG called the White House. So, apparently, you’ve got some leverage. Something about your “heroic” performance.” He laughed. “They don’t know it, but that’s just you being you. Brace yourself, you may be our new poster child.”
“What?!? Buzzzzzzzzzz, wrong answer.”
“Negatory, but of course I’m only speculating . . .”
“Alright, speculator, any other news I can use?”
“Ole ye Human again. . . “
“No theatrics.”
“Killjoy. Okay. Reanders is in Santa Monica. I found that out by simple detective work and a tap into a local surveillance camera. You are the second person to know. Whatcha gonna do?”
“Could you send . . .” My message notification indicator beep.
“Done. Map too.”
“Anything else I . . .” Indicator went off again.
“Your video went viral and someone put a soundtrack to it. Close-ups and everything. Enjoy.” He hung up.
I walked back over to the Command Unit. Banner was talking to Richardson. They both looked my way.
Banner said, ”You still in the know?”
I gave him a smile. “Now you will be, too. Any place secure to talk?”
“Yeah, the Command Unit.”
He walked in and several people walked out after he said, “Folks.”
Banner, Jim, Mary and I stepped in and he locked the door.
“That’ll raise suspicions.”
“My van. I get first dibs on debriefing. If Homeland wanted you so badly they should have approached you. Okay, give.”
“Dr. Dorothy Reanders of the Reanders Institute is the creator of the variant Bath Salts and this new drug.”
Richardson grunted. Banner listened. Jim and Mary looked at me. “She escaped NYPD custody yesterday and we think with a high degree of certainty she is here. She’s a super genius and very dangerous. We also think she’s been preparing for something like this for a while . . .” Just then my cell went off. It was Cortez.
“Yeah?”
“Karen, transmission was through several of the local Missions and food banks. She also distributed free water and drinks to all the homeless and locals. Only the needy would accept.”
“Thanks, Cortez. Can you send that to CDC? In a meeting right now, but I’ll call you later.”
“Already Done. Vadnez is determined to have our department get credit this time. Be good, Girl.” He hung up.
I looked at the group. “More news. The drug was distributed through charitable means.”
Banner said, “Makes sense. All of sudden help swoops in from nowhere. What’s our next move? Or what’s your next move?”
Indeed, what was my next move? “The FBI is already after her, but they don’t know where she is. I have strong Intel that’s possibly found her. Sneaking up on her would be difficult. She was able to remotely follow me through New York City and effect the Traffic Lights on a whim. She was also able to tap into my personal and official cell and momentarily disable them. To say she’s terst is an understatement.”
I thought for a few more seconds.
“She might even know we’re on to her.”
Jim said, “If sneaking up behind her won’t work, how about knocking on her front door?”
Richardson said, “I’d like the LAPD to do the bust.”
“I’ve no problems with that, but I need to confront her. If she even suspects a trap we’ll lose her. We have some unfinished business and I left her pissed. I’ll have to go alone. No wire, no electronics, just me.”
Mary said, “She’s the one who started all this?”
I nodded.
“That’s crazy, Karen!”
“We can do this, we . . . “
“Not we, you. You’re gonna be in there by yourself.” Her eyes welled up with tears.
Banner said, “I got my money on you.” He handed me his card. “Put me in contacts. Message me when or if you can and we’ll be there in minutes.”
Richardson looked at Jim, “Well, what do you want to do Officer?”
“Drive her there, sir. I can at least do that. Maybe wait nearby.”
He nodded. “Alright then. If she’s outside of LA I’ll have to make a few phone calls.”
“Santa Monica.”
Richardson smiled. ”Good, I know the chief over there. I can make this happen.” He sat at his desk and took out his cell phone. A few button pushes later he was talking to someone. “Tanya! Me Frank. . . Peggy’s good. So are the boys. . . How’s Tom? . . . Good, good. . . So why the call? Glad you asked . . . remember how you always wanted a high profile takedown? . . . yes . . . yes . . . exactly . . .”
We left and let the Commander deal.
Once I stepped outside I was approached by Homeland Security. He flashed me his ID and said, “Homeland Security, Porter. Agent Karen Bechard?”
I flashed him mine. “That’s me. How can I help you?”
“Someplace private?”
I smiled congenitally, “Most certainly.” I turned to Mary and Jim. “Wait for me Guys. This hopefully won’t be too long . . . “ I looked Homeland in the eyes.
He said, “It shouldn’t take long at all.”
I followed him over to the Homeland Security Command Unit. We stepped inside.
Porter said, “Please have a seat, Agent Bechard. May I get you anything? We have Starbuck’s coffee. Juice?”
“Coffee, please. No cream, no sugar.”
He got it for me.
“Is there something you wanted to ask me?” I said sweetly and sipped my coffee. The temperature was perfect and the blend was yummy.
Mr. Porter relaxed.
“Not ask per se, but an offer.”
“And that is?” I took another sip.
He said, “A job.”
I nearly spat the coffee out. “A job?” Then I laughed. Porter joined me. “But I have a Job.”
Porter said, “We know, but we would like to offer you a position within Homeland Security. It’s a new division we’re starting.”
I sipped again, “I don’t know what to say. What is this new division?”
“I can’t give you many details yet, of course . . .” Porter said.
“. . . of course.”
“You would be in charge and would have majority control of filling position.”
“Majority?”
“There are some positions that would be reserved for promotion within. Some department heads within this division would be seeded with senior FBI staff. Some CIA. Some Military.”
“Really? A multi-discipline division. Budget?”
“Main budget tied directly to the Pentagon. If you could justify an Ocean Liner you’d get it.”
“R&D?”
“Ten percent from all branches.”
Now that spoke volumes. Hidden research money. From all branches. Interesting. “You know I really like the UN. My boss, Vadnez, is pretty good to me.”
Porter nodded. “He thinks very highly of you.”
I almost spat that sip out, too.
“You’ve spoken to him?”
“Not me personally. The President, Homeland Security Secretary, your boss, and the UN Secretary General talked earlier.”
He let that sink in.
“I’m gonna need more info.”
Porter thought for a moment. “Homeland Security is a mishmash of departments. The 2008 act that created us left out the FBI and CIA. We did absorb some of their lesser departments but those were rather toothless. The Coast Guard gives us bite, but that is on the coast. So, by Executive Order a new department will be created.”
“And by Executive Order it can be de-created.”
“Agent Bechard . . . Agent Bechard, a job is something you never need worry about. In the US, in the UN, in anyplace. We . . . I am hoping I can arouse your curiosity enough to consider working for your home country. As director, you may not go out on many field mission, but you would have a major impact on those missions.”
“And, that’s the problem. I’m not a Director type. I don’t think I ever will be . . .”
He started to speak, but I held a finger up. “This is not to say I won’t consider the position or one of those field positions. Can you give me a little more info?”
He thought several moments. “Please, keep this between us. The new division is a blend of FBI and CIA but under direct control of Homeland Security. Its jurisdiction is considerably wider than either of the two and you’d be working closely with the UN.”
“My boss wants to talk to me after this is all resolved. Can I give you an answer after that? Maybe do some serious talking?”
He knew he had me. He gave me a Cheshire cat grin. “Here’s my card.”
I stood up. “I’ll give you my answer in a few days.”
He stood up as well, “Of course.” And walked me to the door.
Mary and Jim had been waiting outside. Before they could talk I said, “Everything is fine. I need a good bath.” Off in the distance I could hear the sounds of machine gun fire. Victory through attrition, but with their side shrinking. We did most of the dirty work and they’ll take the credit. I shrugged. C'est la vie.
Banner came up beside us. “Sucks pretty bad not to close one doesn’t it?”
I nodded, “It’s not going to be an easy close, but I would have liked to have finished.”
“Well, there you go then. Job security.” And he smiled.
“Banner,” I said, “How would you like to be in the know? Often?”
He grunted, “Depends. How much of my soul will I have to sell?”
I smiled. “Not much really.”
He said, “Now I should be afraid.”
I gave him that punch to the shoulder again. “I’ll give you a call later with more Intel.”
He nodded, smiled.
Jim looked at me. “You got something cooking don’t you?”
“I do.” Then I turned and looked Jim in the eyes. “You ever think about something other than the LAPD?”
He nodded, “Yeah, I do, but I like my job.”
“FBI, CIA?”
“Passing thoughts. But I suppose it would be nice working for the greater good. Local is good, but national is different. You get local and everything else.”
“What about you, Mary? Thought about anything other than the airlines?”
Mary reflected some. “Sure I have. But being a flight attendant has lots of perks. Travel is free and I meet lots of interesting people.”
She looked me in the eyes. “Case in point.”
I blushed. “But, if you had a choice. What career would you pick?”
”I got a charge out of shooting bad guys, but I know that’s not the whole picture. I think I’d be too chicken to be a soldier or cop. Carrier maybe.”
Jim asked, “Karen, why the questions? Something with Homeland?”
I lied, “Not at all. I was just debriefing with Homeland. Richardson was right. If they had wanted me first they should have reached me first. Anyway, I was just curious. Really.”
Banner looked me in the eyes and declared, “I’d never play poker with you.”
We walked toward Jim’s Truck. I handed him the keys. I asked Jim and Mary to give me a few minutes. I took out my cell, Mr. Porter’s card, and dialed his number. A few seconds later we were talking.
“Mr. Porter, a question.”
“Certainly, Agent Bechard. I’ll answer as much as I can.”
“I’m not the Director type. I’d wind up pissing folks off and making a mess of the whole thing. Pissing people off is what I do best. I’m more of a Field Operative. That’s what I like and that would be the best place for me.”
“Agent Bechard, Director Vadnez said as such. He also said you would turn down the Director position and ask for field operations instead.”
Good old Vadnez. He does know me well.
“Suppose I gave you a recommendation for the Director position? How much pull do I have?”
“A lot.”
“Okay, we can talk tomorrow morning?”
“Excellent. May I send a car to pick you up or would you rather drive to my office?”
“I’ll drive there. Just message me the address and what’s needed.”
“Thank you, Agent Bechard. We have good days before and ahead of us.”
I agreed and we hung up. I hopped into the truck and Jim drove Mary and myself to his apartment.
In the Truck I sent Cortez a message.
He replied, “Congratulations, Director Bechard.”
I typed out “Topics
Thirty minutes later we pulled into Jim’s parking spot. We dragged ourselves into his bedroom and promptly slept.