“I play a mean game of Mortal Combat,” Gabe said with an infectious smile.
But I wasn’t concerned with Mortal Combat at the moment. I had to imagine I’d be going through enough of that in the hours to come. Now I needed help. “Gabe,” I started as I watched him reach for his t-shirt which was draped over one of his kitchen stools. He threw it over his head, pulling it down over his well-defined chest. “Caressa released me earlier today but I shouldn’t be here—I’m supposed to be on a portal back to Earth.”
“And obviously you aren’t,” he said as he eyed me knowingly. He released a pent-up breath of what I imagine was anxiety over my now being a criminal on the run whom he was illegally abetting. “How did you get here?” he asked.
“A cab; but don’t worry, I had it drop me off a few blocks from here.”
He nodded but that expression of concern hadn’t left his eyes. “Why do I have the feeling you’re a wanted woman?”
Well, that was basically the gist of it. “I’m not going to be wanted until tomorrow morning,” I said as I offered him an apologetic smile—basically for involving him. But I had no other choice—I had nowhere else to go. “As of now, anyone who matters thinks I’m en route to Earth Splendor.” I took a seat on his leather couch, feeling as if I could fall asleep right there. I was suddenly exhausted. It felt like I’d been going nonstop since I got here—either in court, fending off Cyclops or going through major emotional trauma. And to top it all off, I hadn’t had much sleep and even less to eat in Hades only knew how long.
“But you made a stopover here,” Gabe said with a secretive smile. “And I can’t imagine it was to say goodbye to me.”
I nodded as I thought about my next steps, what my plan entailed. I’d gotten this far and it almost felt like it had been too easy. The biggest hurdle so far had been my worry whether or not Caressa was going to agree to help me. Well, one hurdle down but who knew how many more to come…
“No, I didn’t come to say goodbye.”
Gabe took a few steps closer, sitting on the arm of the couch as he glanced down at me with a sweet smile. “So if this isn’t a social call…”
I shook my head, wondering where I should start. “No, it’s not a social call at all, Gabe.” I looked at my knee which was bouncing nervously. I was apprehensive… I had been for days. “I came here to ask you to help me free Knight.”
Gabe swallowed hard and gazed at me, as if he saw right through me. “You know I’m ANC, Dulcie.”
I nodded, thinking it an odd comment. “Yes, that’s why I came to you.”
He began tapping his fingers against his thigh in time to the bouncing of my leg. Frazzled nerves, anyone?
“I want to help however I can, Dulcie, but I need to be careful,” he said finally.
“I’m not going to put you in any danger, Gabe. I’m accepting all responsibility in this. It’s your behind-the-scenes assistance I’m after.”
Gabe stood up and took a deep breath, walking toward the window. He glanced outside and was quiet for a few seconds as he seemed to zone out, probably getting lost in his own thoughts, weighing the options. When he turned to face me again, he smiled sadly. “Knight would never forgive me if something happened to you... if I let something happen to you.”
I shook my head. I’d come this far, I wasn’t about to be talked out of it now. “Knight has one day left, Gabe. So his never forgiving you isn’t something you really have to worry about.”
“When you put it that way…” his words died, swallowed up by the air.
He dropped his gaze to the floor and seemed to be inspecting the carpet. But I knew better. He was still weighing the options, trying to decide if he should honor his best friend’s last wishes or put his faith in me, someone he didn’t know and probably doubted. “I know what you’re thinking,” I started as I offered him a wizened smile. “I’m not much to look at—small and a woman. But that’s where people always make their mistake—they misjudge me because I can fight like a tiger when I care about someone.”
Gabe smiled down at me and nodded. “Knight said you were the strongest woman he’d ever met.” He paused for a second or two as if he was thinking about his friend’s words and he studied me with narrowed but exacting eyes, sizing me up, trying to decide if he thought I could pull this off, if I could save Knight. “Okay, Dulcie, how can I help?”
I smiled, appreciating the fact that he was going to make this easy on me. I needed all the friends I could get. And already there was a plan taking place in my head, delineating itself into something real, something tangible, something that just might work. “Does the head of the ANC work in the ANC building at the airport?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I nodded. That was good. No, I didn’t know the building at all well but the airport was an island unto itself—separated from the rest of Splendor, Netherworld, which meant fewer onlookers. “Great. I need a map of that building, Gabe. I need to know entry points and exits as well as where his office is located.” I took a deep breath. “I need to know where bathrooms are, janitorial closets… anything you can tell me.”
“Going after the head of the ANC, huh?”
I inhaled deeply. The less he knew, the better but I had to admit to myself that I’d just been incredibly obvious. “It’s the only way.”
“What are you planning?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want to involve you.”
He nodded and took a deep breath, studying me intently with those beautiful hazel eyes. “You realize you could get yourself killed?”
“I realized that a long time ago and it didn’t stop me then.” I smiled. “It’s not going to stop me now.”
Gabe returned the smile and even added a slight chuckle to it, shaking his head like I was unbelievable. “I have a map of the ANC building in my desk at work.”
“You have a map?” I asked, surprised.
“I guess it helps to be on the emergency preparedness team,” he said with a chuckle. “We’re given a map with exits clearly identified.”
I shook my head as I laughed at my timely luck. “Good thing you’re a good corporate citizen.” Then I faced him again, thinking of the next item to check off my list. “Do you know the ANC head’s hours? When he comes and goes?”
Gabe shook his head. “I don’t know when he comes and goes; but I can tell you he’s a workaholic. He isn’t married and doesn’t have any children so he basically spends all his time at the office.”
I nodded. This was good news. Even better news that he didn’t have a family—it would be easier to pull the trigger knowing he’d have few to mourn him. “Do you think he’ll be there tonight? In a few hours?”
Gabe cocked his head to the side as he considered the question. “Most probably. Are you planning on acting tonight, though, Dulcie? That isn’t much time to cement a plan…”
“I don’t have the luxury of time, Gabe,” I pointed out as I thought about the repercussions, should I fail in my scheme tonight. “Knight could be dead in the morning.”
He nodded and glanced at the floor, heaving a sigh of what I imagined was anxiety for his friend. “Then I guess I’d better go get that map.”
“As long as it won’t seem strange that you’re there at this hour?” I started, not even sure what time it was. I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was eight p.m. “The last thing I want is to have you attract undue attention.”
He shook his head. “We Regulators come and go as we please, basically making up our own hours.”
It was the same as when I worked as a Regulator at the ANC in Splendor. I smiled at him as my stomach suddenly started groaning, bemoaning the fact that I hadn’t eaten in a long ass time.
“Raid the fridge,” Gabe said, pointing to it as if to reiterate the fact that he wanted me to.
“Thanks and, um, while you’re gone, do you mind if I take a quick shower?”
He smiled. “Mi casa es su casa.”
#
After I’d e
aten and showered, I felt better than I had in a long time. Even though I was still exhausted, the warm water had done a number on my frazzled nerves. I felt as if I could think again, and I came up with, what I considered, a pretty solid plan. The beauty of my plan was that I didn’t have to rely on anyone. Well, in the actual carrying out of the plan I didn’t have to rely on anyone. I would have to rely on Gabe for the lead-up.
While Gabe went to Headquarters to retrieve the map, I not only showered but, when raiding his kitchen, I managed to sate myself on frozen lasagna and two beers. My heart rate had been through the roof since my arrival here and I figured the beers might take the edge off.
Gabe returned to his apartment at nine o’clock on the dot. I finished the last sip of my Bud Light and dropped it in the trash, noticing he didn’t seem to have a separate bin for recycling. Shame on Gabe… or maybe they just didn’t recycle here in Hellville.
“Got the map?” I asked with a smile, stretching my arms out and looping my fingers together to stretch them too.
He nodded and placed a few manila folders on the table. Opening one of them, he pulled out a legal-sized sheet of paper that was folded over on itself. He unfolded it and laid it out on the table in front of him, smoothing the edges as I took the few steps separating us. Standing next to him, I leaned over the table, taking stock of the map. And I was impressed—it was fairly detailed, inclusive of all exits, bathrooms, closets, and offices in the building.
“Good?” Gabe asked.
I nodded, suddenly finding it strange that Gabe didn’t seem in the least bit concerned for the big boss even though he apparently worked with him. Although I hadn’t detailed my plan to Gabe, it was pretty obvious that I was gunning for the man in charge. “You don’t seem very concerned about the head…” I started, wondering if there was a reason why.
“He’s a bastard,’ he was quick to answer and then shrugged. “As far as I’m concerned, whatever happens… happens.”
I nodded, wondering what the man had done to make Gabe and Knight hate him so much. Or, what Knight had done to make the head want to knock him off. “Why does he want Knight dead?” I asked, wondering if Gabe knew or would tell me, if he did.
“It’s not my place,” Gabe answered. “Knight doesn’t want you to know for a reason.”
I wasn’t going to push the subject because it really didn’t matter now. It was sort of a moot point. The head of the Netherworld wanted Knight dead and that was all that mattered. Now I had to get into that building without anyone seeing me and from there, I had a date with the head honcho, the big wig of the Netherworld.
“Did anyone see you?” I asked.
Gabe shook his head. “Nope, no one did. I parked down the street and was in and out in, maybe, five minutes flat.”
“And if you’re caught on video surveillance or if it turns out someone did see you?”
“I grabbed a case file that I’m currently working on,” Gabe said, pointing at the manila folders sitting on the kitchen table with a dimpled, handsome smile. “I’m legit, Dulce.”
I smiled and patted him on the back. “Nicely done.”
He smiled in return and seemed to study me for a few seconds. “I know why Knight’s so into you.”
I felt my eyes widen with surprise by the subject change. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “You’re beautiful, yes, but there’s more to you than just a pretty face. You’re a good woman and they can be hard to find.”
“Well, I’d say you found a good woman in Alex.”
Surprise filled his wide eyes. “Was I that obvious?”
I laughed. “Just a little.”
He chuckled with me and, after a few seconds, our laughs faded to silence; and I recognized the weight of the situation. Tonight could very well be the last night of my life. At any rate, tonight would most certainly mark a turning point for me—something I might never come back from. But those weren’t thoughts that I wanted any part of—what needed to wholly occupy my mind was the idea that I was rescuing Knight from certain, impending death.
“I need two more things from you before I can leave, Gabe,” I said in a deadly serious tone.
“Anything.”
“I need a weapon. I didn’t bring my Op 6 with me.”
He nodded. “I’ve got an Op 7.”
The Op 7 was just slightly larger than my Op 6. It was Quillan’s weapon of choice and I was more than accustomed to shooting one. “Is it registered to you?”
He shook his head. “No, to the ANC and it’s the same registry we use for ANC employees on Earth.”
This was all very good news—it meant the gun wasn’t traceable. “So for all intents and purposes, it could have been a gun I brought over with me?”
He nodded. “Once we clean off my prints, there’s nothing tying me to it.”
“Good,” I said with a smile. “Second thing, I need to use your phone.”
“Sure,” he answered, motioning to the corner of the room where I noticed a rotary phone on a small table beside a plush leather chair that matched the couch.
“I’m going to call my best friend who works for the ANC. It will just look like you called the ANC in Splendor, Earth, should anyone ever want to know.”
“I’m not worried,” Gabe said with a smile.
I stood up and approached the phone, knowing that Sam wouldn’t be at work at this hour but I couldn’t call her at home. It would look too suspicious for Gabe in case they ever pulled his phone records. I picked up the phone and dialed the number for the ANC, then her extension when it asked me for one.
“Hi, this is Samantha White with the Association of Netherworld Creatures. I can’t take your call at the moment but please leave me a message after the beep and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thanks and have a great day,” the chipper recording of her voice rang out.
I suddenly felt something cold and dark inside of me as I thought that I might never see Sam again. She was the closest person to family I had.
The beep sounded, prodding me to speak. I started to say something but my throat suddenly constricted around my larynx and cut it off. I made some sort of coughing sound and cleared my throat.
“Sam, it’s me… I---I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye properly but I didn’t have time. Anyway, things are looking bad for Knight and… for me. I just wanted to tell you that whatever happens, I will always love you and you are like a… sister to me.” I took a deep breath. “I’m not sure when I’m going to be back or if I’m going to be back. And if I do come back, I’m not sure I can contact you without risk… for both of us.” I sighed deeply. “As you can probably tell, I haven’t exactly thought all of this through. I just couldn’t let Knight die for my mistake and that’s my only motivation.” I paused for a second or two. “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that I love you and I hope I can see you again really soon. Bye…er, bye for now.”
I didn’t know what else to say and when the tears refilled my eyes again, I hung up.
Sixteen
Twenty minutes later, I found myself at the rear entrance of the ANC Headquarters of the Netherworld. Of course, I couldn’t just walk in through the front doors, not when there was, undoubtedly, video surveillance. Instead, Gabe dropped me off in the parking lot opposite the Headquarters lot and told me to find the back entrance which had an open door because the janitorial staff was on night duty and used it to come and go.
I borrowed a black-hooded sweatshirt from Gabe which fit me like a dress, ending at my shins; but at least the hood covered my head and the sweatshirt was roomy enough for my wings which seemed to be in hibernation for the last six hours or so—something that was totally fine by me.
I said a quick goodbye to Gabe and thanked him for all his help. I felt especially good because I doubted he would be considered a suspect in any way, if it ever came up. He was a genuinely great guy and there seemed to be something brewing between Alex and him so the last thing I wanted to do was get in the way of that. Now, more
than ever before, I had new respect and admiration for love. Even though I sounded completely lame and corny, I was happy with the change. It actually felt good to be able to find hope inside yourself, to cultivate and encourage it.
What the hell had happened to me? It was like I’d been possessed by Tony Robbins.
Tony Robbins’ possession aside, I had lots to do and not a lot of time to do it. Gabe pointed out the head of the Netherworld’s car in the parking lot, which was, incidentally, a brand new, sapphire blue Jaguar XKR. Gabe said they started at $100,000. So, I guess luxury items from Earth could be transported to the Netherworld—as long as you were the head honcho, that is. That nuisance aside, the important point to note was that the head of the Netherworld was still in the building, exactly where I wanted him to be.
Pulling the black hood closer around my face, I patted my chest just to remind myself that the Op 7 was where it should be—nestled in its holster and strapped across my chest. I took a deep breath and started for the back door where I’d already witnessed a janitor coming and going. There was an industrial-sized vacuum standing unattended outside as well as four huge trash cans and a box of bin liners sitting just beside them.
I started forward, from my position in the bushes at the far end of the parking lot. I stayed in the shadows as I neared the door, silently appreciative of the fact that the Netherworld seemed to be very densely wooded—it was easy to hide when you could take advantage of the shadows.
I reached the side of the building and tucked myself around the corner, lost in darkness. The moon was eclipsed—completely obscured by dark clouds that threatened to rain. If I hadn’t known better, I’d say the gods of the Netherworld had been assisting me, shrouding me in darkness, offering me cover and masking the moonlight.
The janitor suddenly appeared in the doorway and started whistling something that sounded like “Hound Dog” by Elvis. He happened to be a Minotaur which was a creature that was a bull on the bottom and human on the top. Taurean horns sprung from the center of his head, twisting out left and right. Minotaurs were known for their savagery which is probably why this one was on duty at night and alone—the chances of anything threatening it were pretty slim.