Gone at Zero Hundred 00:00, page 18
“Noooo!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. Seconds later, weak from exhaustion and a loss of blood, I collapsed to the ground.
SIXTY-TWO
WHEN I woke up, I was lying in a hospital bed. My shoulder was wrapped, and an IV protruded from my arm. I glanced around the room. Jaden’s huge frame was slumped uncomfortably in a chair in the far corner. Cody was glued to his laptop in another chair. They noticed I was awake.
“Hey,” Cody said. His grin lit up his face.
“Welcome back, Syd,” said Jaden.
I tried to sit up. Pain shot through my shoulders and face. “What happened? Everything is hazy.”
Cody approached the bed and set his laptop down on the end; then poured a pitcher of water into a cup and placed it up to my lips. I took a long gulp, not realizing how dehydrated I was.
“Well, you were shot,” Cody went on. “Thankfully, it only grazed you, but your collarbone took a hit when I tackled you to the ground. Sorry ‘bout that. Doc said it would heal with no problem, but you might need assistance for a few weeks.” He winked. “That means I get to help you out with your showers.”
I glared at him. “As if…”
“You passed out at the airport.”
“Forget my injuries,” I said, impatient. “What happened with Aaron Grant? He got away, didn’t he?”
Jaden and Cody glanced at each other.
“Don’t worry, Syd,” Jaden said. “They’ll catch him. Guys like him can’t blend into the woodwork. He thrives on attention.”
“Yeah,” Cody added with a scowl on his face. “His good fortune won’t hold out for long.”
I scoffed. “He’ll never be caught. He’s got more money than God. He’s in Mexico. He has cars, boats, and a private jet…probably a couple of them. He can hide for a very long time.” I was suddenly despondent.
All in all, the injuries weren’t as bad as they could have been. I was more concerned with the victims. Knowing that the guy responsible for their abductions was still on the loose would definitely have an impact on them. It did me, so I could only imagine what they would feel. The doctor recommended we not disturb them. They had finally dozed off after their long ordeal. They suffered physically, but thankfully, nothing that would be long-term. Traces of drugs were also found in their system. Their mental status was a concern. Specialists were being brought in to work with them. Arrangements had been made for them to remain in the hospital for several days. The City of Sutter Beach would handle the bill, and try to locate any family members. They were needed as witnesses, so their health was critical.
“Hey, check it out,” Cody said, trying to cheer me up. He turned his laptop around for me to see. “I edited a bunch of footage and put an action trailer up on YouTube. The hits and comments are going wild.”
I groaned. “You already put it up?” I said, clearly agitated. “Without checking with me? Carter will be deep in the investigation and prepping for a trial. You could hurt that. Do you think I care about the comments on YouTube?”
Cody just smiled, and ignored my outburst. “Just look, Syd.”
I appeased him and glanced at the screen. He edited the film footage he took of us over the last few months, and showcased our skills using splatter effects and action music that ended with a bang. He didn’t show either of our faces, or give any information about the case, but put together some of our unusual methods while working on the case, and added his own fictional plot finale. The teaser could work to attract clients on the website, but it was also a cool trailer to showcase his filmmaking skills on his resume.
“It’s good,” I said with reluctance. The last thing I wanted to do, right then; was feed Cody’s ego. But, I was impressed. I hit the replay button to view it again. “It’s really good.”
He saw the admiration on my face, and smiled. “Did you really think I was so insensitive that I would put something up that could hurt the outcome of what happens to those victims?”
“No, I just wasn’t thinking straight,” I said. “I’m sorry.”
He sat down on the edge of the bed, and got emotional. “It’s okay. You’ve been through a lot in the last couple months. You know … when you collapsed, I thought we lost you.” He leaned over, and brushed a kiss on my lips; then pulled back, unsure.
“I - I’m, sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean…”
He and I looked at each other, stunned by his sudden show of affection. I squirmed on the hospital bed. He and I have been pals since like, forever, but we’ve always kept any guy, girl feelings out of our friendship. He was the player who could have any cheerleader he wanted, and did. I was the tomboy who he was comfortable rolling around in the mud with. His little display of affection caught us both off guard. We were both struggling with how to deal, when two of the cheerleaders sauntered into the room.
“Cody!” the lead cheerleader squealed.
Cody backed away from me, and stood, flummoxed at the sight of the cheerleaders.
“You’re okay,” one of them went on to say. “We were so worried.” They hurried up next to him, and draped their arms around him to let him know how concerned they were.
I turned my head away from the sight of them hanging all over him. I was suddenly filled with feelings I’ve never experienced before.
Cody peered over at me, with a look that said: “I’m sorry”.
I ignored him.
Thankfully, Carter walked in and saved me from myself.
“Did I come at a bad time?” he teased when he walked through the door, and sized up the scene. As a seasoned detective, all he had to do was see the look on my face to get a clear image as to what was going on.
“No. Your timing couldn’t be more perfect” Jaden said. “Our boy Cody was getting all mushy, which was totally out of character for him, and making me uncomfortable. But now, I’m kinda liking the show.” He smirked at Cody who was now trapped by the girls.
Carter walked over to the side of the hospital bed. The closer he got, the more worried he got. Until now, he hadn’t seen my bruises. “How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been better,” struggling to find my voice. I didn’t know what hurt more, the injuries, or the mixed emotions I was suddenly dealing with.
He squeezed my hand.
“What happened with Summer Klein and Diego?”I said, hoping to keep things on the business at hand. One, I didn’t want them anywhere near the victims, and two, I was worried Aaron would somehow get to them, and set them free.
Carter must have sensed my fear. “Don’t worry. They’re in police custody. They were transported over to Mercy Hospital in Los Angeles with round-the-clock guards. We didn’t want them being treated in the same facility as their victims.”
“How bad were their injuries?”
“The bullet was a through and through on Diego, so he’ll pull through in a few months. Summer has several bruises and welts from the pellets, but it’s her disposition that’s suffering. She’s sorry she ever met McSwain & Beck.”
“Good!”
“Once they get the all clear, medically, they’ll be transported to the county jail. Syd, there’s something else.”
“What?” From the look on his face, I knew I wasn’t going to like what he had to say, but I was pretty sure I already knew what it was.
“We got the ballistics. Those slugs we found at the crime scene when Tamara was killed, they match the slugs from your mom’s crime scene.”
“It was Foley, wasn’t it?” I said, resigned.
“How’d you know?” He said.
“There were some coincidences along the way, but when I found the pension fund files at the club, I knew they were involved. I just didn’t know who actually pulled the trigger. Then I realized that Foley worked vice, so he dealt with Marty Cole, the guy that was arrested on the day she was killed. I knew with a hundred percent certainty that it was Foley, when the dirt bag brought her up while he was smacking me around. I went into a rage and kicked him in the balls.”
“He was a former sniper with a money problem. Aaron and Summer Klein met him and Marty Cole at a bar in Los Angeles some time ago. They met Diego on one of their many trips to Mexico…”
“And they all came together to form The Privileged Ones at a secret club called The Devil’s Door,” I said without feeling.
We both just stood there for a moment, not knowing what else to say. I thought I would feel better once I knew who my mom’s killer was, but I didn’t. To tell you the truth, I just felt kind of numb. And, I couldn’t help but think about what Foley said; that there was something in the DVD that I missed. When I got out of the hospital, I was going to have to give it another look, but I had to come to terms with the fact that I may never know.
“Your mother would be proud of you,” Carter said, bringing me back to the present. “I know I am.”
“Talk about mushy,” Cody said, finally breaking away from the girls. “Man, you guys are gonna make the whole room weepy.” He sat down on the edge of the bed.
Carter said, “When you get out of here and feel up to it, you and Cody can come in and we can go over all the evidence to prep the D.A. for trial. We’ve got plenty of time…Anything you need, magazines, something better than hospital food?”
“I’m only here overnight,” I said. “But some peanut butter M’M’s might be good.”
He grinned at me. “You and Cody did a helluva job tonight.”
“Kudos to Syd,” Cody said with all sincerity. “I just followed orders, and went along for the ride. Of course, Jaden helped out a little. Where’s my camera, by the way?”
Jaden laughed. “It’s secure in the car. You think I’d lose your precious lifeline?”
Carter looked at me like a concerned father. “Well, don’t think just because you’re injured, that gets you out of Sunday dinner and helping with the dishes.”
I laughed. Then I had to grab myself because it hurt.
Then we all laughed.
And that is when a large man filled the doorway. “Sydney McSwain?”
We all looked in his direction, and immediately stopped laughing. I adjusted myself on the bed, as if I should stand at attention, or salute. He wore a full-dress military uniform covered with medals.
“Do I know you?” I said.
He cautiously entered the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you. I understand you’ve been through quite an ordeal and probably need your rest. My name is General Harry Wells. I wonder if we could have a moment in private.”
I glanced toward the guys for assurance. Carter clasped my hand. “These are my friends. You can speak in front of them.”
The General nodded; then said, “I am here to talk to you about Jake Logan…”
FIREWORKS ON THE 4TH
First Two Chapters
ONE
JADEN WHITE stood in front of a run-down hotel in the seedy section of Tesoro Island, waiting for his contact to arrive. Men, women and children roamed the dust-filled streets while locals peddled their goods nearby. Dinged up Toyotas and taxi-cabs, came and went kicking up a cloud of dust. If it wasn’t for the Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses and the Blackberry he used to text his buddy, Cody, he could have been pegged as a local with his dark hair and bronzed skin.
Jaden had never traveled outside the State of California, until now. He was the star that led his high school hockey team to two consecutive championships, and now had hopes of going pro. Between five a.m. practices and the hours spent pumping iron, there hadn’t been time for anything else. When his parents unexpectedly divorced, Jaden was told he’d have to give up hockey, or find a job to help pay the fees. There was no way he was giving up hockey, so when he was offered a part-time job that wouldn’t interfere with his ice time, he jumped at the gig.
While working out at the Sutter Beach Gym, he met a guy named Rojas who said he was looking for someone to be a courier for his uncle’s retail store. The job was easy. Ride the ferry over to Tesoro Island, inspect some retail goods and transport them back to the United States. After doing a quick Google search of Tesoro Island, and realizing it was less than a two-hour trip with a half-hour customs check, Jaden said, heck yeah, I’m on board. He had no idea the hotel where he would be sent to meet his contact, was nowhere near the images he found on the internet. How was he to know the festival images he viewed were taken long before the President of Mexico declared a war on drug cartels, and citizens, officers and border patrol agents were being kidnapped in high numbers. Jaden had no time for the news.
A few moments later, a Mexican teenager wearing stained khaki pants, a striped shirt, and a NY Yankees baseball cap, maneuvered a rusted moped through the crowd and headed in Jaden’s direction. A large package, wrapped in plain brown paper, was strapped to the handlebars by a straw rope. The teen looked around as he approached, as if wary of being seen. A few feet away he brought the moped to a screeching halt, pulled the rope free and flailed the package toward Jaden; then stepped on the gas and sped off into the crowd.
What the heck?
Jaden shoved the Blackberry into his pocket and put his hands out to catch it. Rojas told him he was to meet a man who manufactured retail goods, inspect them and bring them back to the states. He didn’t think it would go down like this.
How do I know who this guy is, or what’s inside? I’m an American on an island in a foreign country.
Holy crap, it could be a bomb!
Suddenly paranoid, Jaden let the package land on the ground, and he crouched down low with his hands over his head. The rope dropped like a slithering snake on top of it. He stayed like that for a moment and just stared at the package.
Nothing happened.
“Get a grip, White,” he finally said to himself. “If it was a bomb, wouldn’t it have gone off when it hit the ground?” At least that’s the way things play out on TV. He moved toward the package and gently picked it up with his fingertips. He put it up to his ear to see if he could hear anything, a ticking sound or something.
Nothing.
His heart was racing a mile a minute. He examined the package for signs of where it came from, an address, name, or something.
Nothing.
Feeling a little bolder, he slowly shook the package.
Still nothing.
He couldn’t tell if the sweat dripping down his body was from the heat, or his overwhelming fear. He began to slowly peel away the brown paper to get a look inside and let out a heavy sigh of relief.
Whew!
Inside, he found boxes of exotic teas and samples of Mexican Tapestries, the items he was hired to retrieve. He leaned up against the grimy wall of the hotel to steady himself. His paranoia was messing with his head. He had been on Tesoro Island for two long days. The contact Rojas set him up to meet cancelled on him three times leaving him stuck in the rat trap hotel. He couldn’t go outside and tour the island, because he was afraid he’d miss the call. The stupid signal on his Blackberry kept going out.
What kind of godforsaken place was this, anyway? He hated the food, and he steered clear of the water. Now that he had the goods, he just wanted to go home and collect his check.
He lifted the front of his shirt and wiped the sweat from his eyes, tucked the package under his arm and tried his Blackberry again. Oh good, one bar. He typed a quick text to Cody: ‘Hey bro, ETA 1700 hours. CUL8R.’
Cody texted back: ‘Bout friggin time. KEWL’.
Jaden typed another text: ‘Have 2 5-Guys Burgers and a large Coke waiting. Food here sux!’
‘LMAO’, was the text sent by Cody.
TWO
THE MINUTE Jaden drove his beat-up Ford Mustang up to the checkpoint for the ferry that would take him over the Pacific and back to America, he had a bad feeling. It was swarming with uniformed officers - shoulder arms at the ready - as if on the hunt for something, or someone. A number of officers worked their way through the lines of cars, and rifled through the vehicles of unsuspecting individuals waiting to have their papers checked. Jaden shrugged it off, and chalked it up to the extra security precautions taken since September 11, 2001. He was looking forward to getting home, and having a cheeseburger without having to rush to the toilet. While he was on Tesora Island, even a gulp of water made him hurl.
Moments later, his thoughts of home were squelched when an officer with beady eyes stormed over to the driver’s side window, and began to bark out orders in a high-pitched tone. Simultaneously, other officers circled around his car with their weapons drawn, eyes glaring at him in a threatening manner and ready to shoot if he moved a muscle.
“Step out of the car and put your hands up,” the beady-eyed officer ordered in broken English.
Jaden complied. He yelled out, “I’m an American!”
The officers ignored him and began to search through the car. They retrieved two duffel bags from the trunk and dumped the contents onto the ground.
The beady-eyed officer stood in front of Jaden and glared at him, in attempt to intimidate him. “What was your business here?”
Jaden wanted to cooperate and didn’t think he had anything to fear. “I came to pick up goods for a retail store.” He pointed to the samples of tapestries and teas that were now scattered on the ground. At that moment, he was glad he remembered to remove his hockey gear from the trunk. His skates, alone, cost him six-hundred bucks.
Meanwhile, the beady-eyed officer continued to issue orders to the others in Spanish. Without saying another word to Jaden, they picked up all the items and carted them off to a nearby building. The beady-eyed officer poked Jaden in the chest with his weapon. “You, come with us,” he ordered.
It was then, that Jaden knew something wasn’t right. The officers were too confrontational. He tried to figure out what was going on. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. Transporting retail goods isn’t a crime. Before he left the hotel, he double-checked his duffel bag to make sure there were no nail clippers or tweezers inside that could be considered weapons. He was baffled. Without being seen, he took a picture on his Blackberry and typed a text: ‘brdr truble. WTF’ and hit send.
