Dark Days Read online

  13:49:04

  Lilly turned left, glanced across the road, saw the gathered crowd, the police, the barricades, the hatchback. She looked away, walked faster, parallel to the lake’s edge. She needed a vantage point that was secure. She looked ahead; an apartment complex three blocks away caught her attention.

  She glanced back again. She couldn’t see the van. Police were looking into the lake…must have gone in. Oh Adam! She scanned the crowd quickly. He wouldn’t be there, she knew, but she had to look.

  Two blocks ahead, a taxi pulled off the curb. She hadn’t seen who had entered it. But she found herself hoping it was Adam. It turned adjacent, to the left; she watched it curiously, hoping. It was a woman, in the back seat. It was… could it be? It was Shirin Reyes.

  Lilly broke into a run. The heavy bag whacked against her back with each stride. She couldn’t catch it. The cab turned another corner, and then it was gone.

  Puffing, she tossed the bag into the alcove of a shop’s front entrance, unzipped the large compartment in the middle, and pulled out a modified laptop. She squatted on the pavement, flipped the lid, punched in the access codes, pulled up the taxi company portal, and watched the agency hacker software breakdown the firewalls. The screen flickered, and then, she was in. She tapped in the registration plates of the taxi, activated the GPS tracking.

  A map filled the screen, zoomed in to focus, and she saw the triangle, the taxi, travelling north. The images cleared more as caches of data were unpacked.

  “Got you!”

  A horn blared behind her in a short burst. She turned; a gray Camry stood at the curb. Her hand moved toward one of the guns in the Go-Bag. She heard her name being called; it was Adam.

  13:52:17

  Adam leaned over to the passenger side, released the door lever, and pushed the door open. “Lilly. Come on. Let’s go.”

  He saw her gather the bag from the pavement, glance up and down the road, and rush to the car. He checked his mirrors, swiveled to see all angles, noticed her puffing as she dragged the bag inside with her.

  He watched as she pulled the seatbelt awkwardly between her and the bag, clicked it in, and looked up at him. “Nice car.”

  He smiled. “It’s a loaner.” It was good to see her.

  “You’re wet.”

  “Didn’t notice.” He shifted the gear stick; his clothes squelched with every movement. He nodded to the laptop. “Know where we’re going?”

  “Take the next right. She’s four blocks ahead. In a cab.”

  13:53:44

  Walter Crisp sat stiffly in the high back dining chair. The man across the table took an over-size fork from the neatly adorned setting. He skewered a small portion of braised pheasant, inspected it, then carefully placed in his mouth. He chewed the tender meat slowly.

  “You asked to see me. I was of the understanding we wouldn’t be meeting face to face.”

  The man made a show of swallowing, then took a delicate sip of white wine. “Yes. Indeed, Walter. That was the plan.” He took a napkin, unfolded it, dabbed at the edges of his mouth, inspected the serviette, wiped his lips, refolded the napkin, and placed it by the side of the plate. “That was indeed the plan, before latest events have caused some…deliberation. Frankly, we have reason for concern.”

  Walter pushed away the offered plate of food. “With due respect, none of the recent events falls within my portfolio of responsibilities, nor am I your counselor. So, why am I here?”

  The man showed no sign of offense. “Our newest junior member has raised a few questions in the mind of the group.”

  “You’re referring to Zelig.”

  “Indeed.”

  “And you want me to action a removal?”

  “No. He is too valuable. For now. A consensus was reached. The group would like you to watch him. Covertly.”

  “You have people in the Agency.”

  “We do. They have been unable to get close to him.”

  Walter pulled the discarded wine closer. He held the glass, swirled it, brought it to his lips, paused, then placed it gently back to the table without drinking from it. “Suppose I were able to do this. How would it be viewed within the group?”

  “It would be looked on favorably.”

  “Favorably enough to warrant endorsement of an elevation to senior member?”

  The man smiled back at him. “Yes. It would.”

  Walter lifted the wine glass, held it out, clinked it together with the man across the table, and drank from it.

  13:59:31

  Lilly glanced at Adam while he drove. “So what’s the plan?”

  “Shoot her before she can shoot me.”

  “Didn’t work out so well for you last time.”

  His facial expression told her he understood. “You have a better idea?”

  “No…” She looked away from him, “We could skip this one…let another team take it…”

  The sat-phone in the bag buzzed, signaling an incoming call. She looked at Adam. “I called the office after you dropped me off. Could be the backup team?”

  “Find out.”

  Lilly picked up the phone, hit the Accept button, and listened. She covered the mouthpiece and mouthed to Adam, Zelig.

  “Putting you on speaker, sir. Agent Dark is here with me.”

  “Agent Dark. That was a close call.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You have both done well, considering. We monitored your remote log-on. We have satellite coverage of the taxi, a team en route. Hold position, but do not engage. Teams are geared for public assault.”

  “Disguised?” Adam frowned.

  “Affirmative. A local street gang. Do not engage. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir.” They both looked at each other. Shit!

  Lilly made sure the sat-phone was off. “What does that mean?”

  “It means they’ll come in hard, it won’t be a precision strike. Think Uzis, chaos, collateral. The police, the press, will just think it was a gang war.”

  “He’s expecting a mess?”

  “Or he’s looking to make one.”

  14:02:14

  Zelig crossed the room, opened the door, and ushered his press officer into the room.

  “Caitlin, thanks for coming so quickly, I need you to start work on a press conference package immediately.”

  “Of course, sir, what’s happened?”

  “It’s what is about to happen." Zelig shuffled several papers into his briefcase. "A large-scale gang assault in the city. Sadly, a number of dedicated agents will lose their lives in the conflict. The gang will remain unidentified, but their purpose of domestic terror and fear should be clearly stated.”

  “Understood, sir. To what end would you like the statement to lead?”

  “Greater powers to intelligence agencies to fight this new and growing danger to our way of life…blah blah. And draft a similar, less eloquent statement for our chief of police to read from.”

  “Yes, sir. How long have I got?”

  Zelig collected his coat. “It’s happening now. Leak it to the press, and set up the conference to be on site. I want the cameras to catch the cleanup, flashing lights, smoke… You know the drill. I’m headed there now.”

  “You’ll have it. And if the Director asks?”

  “Leave him to me.”

  14:02:49

  Shirin checked her phone. Marcus had sent the information she needed to her secure email. Albert Trickle; gun for hire, bagman, go-to-guy for those who could afford him. Dead man! He was at home, a renovated factory. She scanned the blueprints and satellite photos. Easily defendable, well designed. It wouldn’t stop her.

  Was he one of the gunmen who killed Harry? She would find out.

  The taxi slowed at the approaching intersection; she saw the lights ahead change to amber, then red. Two blocks from the train station. She tapped the Plexiglas separation screen between the back seat and the driver.


  “This is far enough.” She stuffed a folded note through the slot. “Keep the change.” She pulled on the rear door handle.

  A dark mass rushed from behind her. Fast. The impact pushed the taxi violently forward. Shirin was thrown back against the seat. She rolled down low and reached for her gun.

  The roar of a large engine revved to its limit. It came from the front: another vehicle. She felt the impact at the front of the taxi and was tossed forward as the taxi’s rear flew up.

  She crashed against the Plexiglas and fell to the foot space. A hail of bullets smashed through the glass, through the front seats, blood from the driver splattered across her face and hair.

  The taxi bounced back to the ground. Her door swung loosely open. Shattered glass scraped against her skin. She dived forward toward the open door, extended her gun, twisted and aimed at the large 4x4 in front. Its side doors opened; two men jumped out. She fired instantly, scrambled out of the crippled taxi, felt bullets whack into the open door behind her, and rushed in a crouch toward the SUV at the rear.

  14:03:27

  Adam stomped on the accelerator, navigated around a car in front. “How far ahead?” The sound of gunfire was unmistakable. “Lilly. How far?”

  “Next block. To the right. Adam, we have orders not to engage.”

  Adam glanced at the Go-Bag on Lilly’s lap. “The G60 assault rifle. Check the mag, there’s a scope in there, attach it.”

  He pulled the steering wheel hard to the left, ducked up the side of another car, pushed the engine to its limit.

  14:03:34

  Shirin feinted left, then dived to the right, extended her gun, fired. She rolled under the front end of the large SUV, aimed at the foot of another man rushing from inside the vehicle and saw the ankle disintegrate under her bullet. She rolled toward the body, fired again as his torso bounced on the road.

  Under the far side, she extended her gun from under the SUV, up through the open back door, and fired into the cabin. She climbed up, sheltered by the heavy door, fired through the back of the front seat, ejected her magazine, dived into the back seat, slammed another magazine home, assessed the scene. Five men down.

  She looked over the front window. Four men approached fast from either side of the taxi. Bullets whacked into the front windscreen: bulletproof. She climbed into the front seat, leaned over the dead driver, released his door and pushed him out. She fired blindly through the gap between the door and the frame while she engaged the gear and kicked at the accelerator.

  The large SUV lurched backward. She slammed the door shut, changed the gear and stomped on the gas pedal. She veered sharply around the back end of the taxi, scraped up its side, and aimed for the two gunmen ahead of her.

  She paid no attention to the bullets whacking against the side of SUV from the gunmen on the far side of the taxi, or the bullets from the men directly in front of her. She pushed harder down on the accelerator.

  She felt the thud against the front of the SUV as it mowed down the first gunman, then the second. It rocked up and down as she ran over their bodies. She veered out, then sharply back toward the second SUV at the front end of the taxi.

  She rammed into the side of the 4x4, pushing it sideways. Her wheels spun, the screech of the tires against the road deafening. The engine screamed as it strained to push the other SUV sideways. Both cars slowly moved in a locked embrace.

  Smoke choked the air. She reached for the assault rifle at the side of the passenger seat, jammed it between the accelerator pedal and the cushion of the driver’ seat.

  She opened the door, slipped out the side, landed on the road in a walk and kept pace with the SUV as it moved forward. She looked through the crushed door and side window, saw the driver search for his dropped gun. She fired a double tap through the opening.

  She kept low. The two gunmen to the side covered each other with automatic gunfire while the other reloaded. Bullets ricocheted off the road and dug into the bodies of both SUVs.

  At the edge of the crumpled front end of the taxi, Shirin took aim from under the chassis, behind the rear tire. A double tap. The first gunmen fell. She saw the second man reach for a new magazine. She jumped up, and ran straight toward him.

  14:04:39

  Adam slammed on the brakes, flung the door open and stood. He balanced the G60 barrel support against the roof of the car and took aim. He saw Shirin running fast. His finger tightened on the trigger; he saw her collide with a man, then disappear from view behind the wreck of a crumpled and bullet-riddled taxi. Dammit!

  He turned back to Lilly. “Stay there.” He pulled the assault rifle close to his chest, turned and ran toward the battleground

  14:04:58

  Shirin dragged the man backward. She kept her body closely behind him and guided him toward the cover of an office building. Her mouth touched the edge of his ear as she spoke. “You’re well trained. But not well enough.” She dug the barrel of her gun into the back of the man's neck. He screamed as the hot barrel singed his skin. “Who sent you?”

  To her right, she saw movement. She adjusted her grip, twisted the man in front of her to the side. Movement. She saw him. A man approaching fast. Fifty yards out. Between cars.

  She pulled the gunman closer to her.“ How many more in your team?” The man didn’t answer. She twisted his head sharply, heard him grunt. “How many?” He didn’t answer. She saw the earpiece. She spoke into it. “Your men are down. You may think you’re safe, but wherever you are, I’ll find you. You are not safe. The more men you send, the more men I’ll kill before I find you.”

  14:05:25

  Adam leaned into the bulk of the sedan’s bonnet. He looked through the scope and adjusted the focus. He could see her clearly. Her face was hidden by the man’s head. He could see her lips move. She was talking. He caught a glimpse of an earwig in the man’s ear. An agent!

  He adjusted his finger over the trigger. From this distance, with this gun, he knew he couldn’t guarantee a secure shot. Not without collateral damage.

  He watched her face peek out from behind the agent’s head. She looked at him. Did she just smile at him?

  Lilly’s voice came over his earpiece. “Adam, you have to take the shot! She’ll get away.”

  He adjusted his aim, saw them moving farther away.

  “Adam. Take it.”

  “It’s an agent, Lilly. I don’t have the shot.”

  “The Office is on line, they’re ordering us to take the shot.”

  Adam focused his eye on target, his trigger finger readied. He held.

  “Adam…”

  14:05:56

  Shirin glared at the gunman. She recognized him. The same man from the elevator. He had found her, again.

  She pulled the agent’s head back sharply, stared at the man in the distance, and spoke into the earwig. “I’m coming for you.”

  She ducked, turned, and sprinted into the foyer of the large office building. Bullets ripped past her as she dived behind the concrete lip of an internal water feature.

  Glass shattered and fell in a rainbow of color and destruction. The agent she had used as a shield stumbled, then dropped. She stood, looked out into the street, but couldn’t see the man with the rifle.

  She turned and walked calmly to the emergency exit door. Above the door, she noticed a security camera. She looked up, glared into it, and left.

  14:06:29

  Adam reached the fallen agent. Searched the interior of the foyer. Cursed himself for shooting, for missing. He looked down at the agent. He was dead.

  The crunch of shattered glass beneath his feet brought the world of chaos left in the wake of Shirin Reyes back into focus. He’d lost his team, he and Lilly had survived more from luck than skill, and now, two more teams were down.

  Could she be stopped? How many more would die in trying?

  14:07:08

  Shirin waited for the call to be answered. “Marcus. The building on the corner of
Ramsay and Link.”

  “The one in front of the gang massacre plastering all security channels?”

  “Yes. The security camera in the foyer, can you get the footage?” She closed the toilet stall door and wriggled out of the torn shirt.

  “If it’s on a digital network… I suppose so.”

  “Do it. After I leave the frame, a man will come in. I want to know who he is.” She used her free hand to wipe the dirt and blood from her face with a wad of toilet paper.

  “I’ll see what I can do. What are you going to do now?”

  “Albert Trickle.”

  “Are you shitting me? They just sent a hit squad after you!”

  “That man, it’s the second time he’s come after me today. Find out who he is. I’ll call you when I’m done with Trickle”

  CHAPTER 3

  “A person without fear is a person without limitation.”

  THE BOOK OF SEEKAY

  14:07:54

  Adam knelt beside the fallen agent. His earpiece crackled. Lilly’s voice puffed, “Adam. Office is ordering us to bug out.”

  He looked out over the chaos; he saw her running toward him ,adjusting the heavy Go-Bag over her shoulder. He moved to the next fallen agent. Dead.

  “Adam. They were clear. They want us to drop everything and go. Like now.”

  “I’m almost done.” He plucked the earwig from the agent’s right ear and patted the dead man's pockets. Nothing. “You go. I’ll be right behind you.”

  “They’re all dead, Adam. What are you doing?”

  He moved to the next agent. Dead. Removed his earwig. Patted him down. “Gangbangers generally don’t wear military grade concealed earwigs.” He moved to the next man.

  He heard her before he saw her; she ran from behind the bulk of the flaming taxi. “Adam, we have to go!”