Tanner stared deadly still, making a slurping sound through her straw, specifically to be annoying, sustaining it far longer than anyone would assume possible. A voice broke the silence from across the table as a dark figure sat down on the park bench. The cold air outside made him shiver, as Tanner seemed eerily unaffected.
“Are you done?” The familiar voice asked.
“Are you annoyed yet, Porky?” she said, staring the cop down with psychotic calmness and slurping louder.
“Quite annoyed.” Detective Baker sighed.
“Good, then we’re on the same wavelength, because I find it very annoying when a cop pulls up beside me on my walk to get a beverage at 2AM.” She said, returning to her drink.
“Where’s he at?” he asked.
“Asleep. At least when I left.”
“So…what information do you have?”
“Not much. He’s pretty secretive.” she whispered.
“Damnit girl, you are facing a lot of time here if you don’t help us out. The Organization. How many people?”
“Apparently just us 2. There’s nobody else. He’s just that good.” She said darkly. “Don’t tell him I said that. He always knows I have a crush on him, I don’t need him getting a big head or anything. Maybe I do, actually. The confidence boost might get him horny.”
“He’s a 50-year-old former priest who actually believed he takes his orders from God? He supplies his own support and weapons and can take down a guy from a mile and a half, with no training or team? Not even a spotter or driver? Bullshit. Either you’re one dumb bitch for believing that, or you’re lying to me. So did I just hire the stupidest hooker on Earth as my informant on the inside, or are you just covering his ass and trying to get life in prison for 5 or more counts of murder?”
“Motherfucker, I stepped in front of a van for your little plan. Don’t look at me like I’m not committed and doing my part. He actually hit me!”
“The guy you killed last, Mayor’s Nephew…that’s ballsy.”
“Thank you, I wax mine if you wanna see them.” She snipped.
“Why risk your life for a nobody?” Damien asked.
“Because he’s onto something big. Do you not see the REAL organization here? They’re the bad guys he’s killing. Police are protecting them, they’re paid off. Women are dying, and the mayor is untouchable because of crooked police, and you’re worried about an imaginary group of hitmen who, if they did exist, are doing a great job of taking out the trash for you guys. But they don’t. It’s one guy, and he hasn’t told me how he does it.”
“Listen, if you keep covering for him, we’ll find another angle and just put you away.”
“I honestly think he’d just get me out, but I’m telling you he gets his orders from God. That’s not a code word for the guy he’s working for in some hitman squad, actual God. He believes the people he hunts are demons or something. The other day when we cut open Joe for information.”
“Jesus Christ, Tanner.”
“Excuse me, rude…wasn’t done. When we cut open a convicted pedophile working for a group of men killing women that you’re doing jack shit about, he saw Joe’s heart black and demonic before he died. Then he saw it turn human again.”
“This bullshit again, Honey, there are no demons, just bad people.”
“I know, I didn't see anything, but he believes it. He sees things in the thermal scopes, he saw a demon heart, he hears God’s voice. He’s probably insane but like, who am I to judge, I paint my face white and fillet rapists for fun. But he also tracked down 5 killers you guys didn’t even know about just looking for recruits, and if he hadn’t cleaned my evidence, you’d have caught me sooner. He’s good. Too good. But I’ve seen him work and he’s legit. So yea, I played into his fantasy, I’ve been trying to do that in another way, but he’s taken a vow of celibacy or something after the wife died. I dunno but if he’s not on this…” she said flaying her fingernails out to display herself dramatically “…after practically throwing it at him, then he’s either gay or shut down the party zone. He’s just an old man doing what he thinks is right after his family got killed and nobody did shit to help. He invented the help, and he’s stopped more serial killers and gangs than the fucking cops have. Let the man work, or God forbid, just go after the mayor yourself.”
“It doesn’t work like that, there’s a legal system-”
“It doesn’t work at all, we proved that. The fact that there’s a legal system in the way of justice shows you who your bosses are working for. Whoever pays better. Face it Babe, You work for the criminals he kills. You come to work and follow orders that go up a broken chain of command to rich criminals who own the police. And you know it. Who’s the good guys here exactly?” she accused.
“Look, I am trying to get to the bottom of this.”
“Exactly, the bottom. You’re too chicken shit to go for the top because they own you, so you bust the kids selling weed to survive, the prostitutes renting the pussy that God gave them, and when the Diddy party starts in, you just look away and file paperwork, because the God you listen to writes your checks, and they wanna party. So you blackmail me to take down a priest who’s doing the job you’re claiming to be doing, serving the people, taking down the evil in this state.” She said, crossing her legs and rattling her ice. "Can I get a refill?"
“What do you want me to do? Lose case files, let the preacher do his thing, and let whoever he works for just play God?"
“I think who he works for just IS God. I’m playing dressup, you’re playing a good cop, and we’re the ones pretending here. He believes it, he lives it. You think I dress up in makeup because I actually think I’m a ghost of a Japanese high class prostitute resurrected as a vengeance spirit? No. I do it because it’s fun and I look really hot in creepy costumes. Don’t hate me for that. I gave you the truth and you don’t like it. So what lie would you like me to make up? He’s God himself, and he’s magical. He’s actually 5 KGB assassins who got plastic surgery to look like twinzies who live in a complex under the cabin. He’s the devil himself and here just to fuck with you doing your wonderful deeds, and your faith is just not strong enough. Feel free to throw your own bullshit in the mix. The truth is, he’s one guy, he’s doing great things, he’s amazing at it, and you’re jealous because he either IS blessed, or just better at your job."
“Why the hell would I be jealous?” Damien scoffed.
“Maybe because you went to cop school thinking you’d do actual good and put away the bad people, and you’re jealous that he’s doing your dream job while you file papers for politicians and crooked devils. Maybe you can’t shoot for shit and any marksman on that level just pisses you off. Maybe you’re the one black dude in this town with a tiny dick, and you’re just livid at how much big PP energy he’s rockin for an old white dude. I bet it’s huge.” She whispered.
“You fell for him, didn’t you? Older man doing what you do but better, thought he’d be a monster, but he’s nice to you and a spoiled bratty-ass like you doesn’t get treated nice very often because you got a chip on your shoulder. You fell for his Holyman act. You really think God talks to him?”
“Maybe, I dunno. I think either God or his good conscience talks to him, and tells him what’s right in this world, like you when you joined the force, except he obeys it and fucks the rules, and you silenced your inner voice because the rich rule-makers told you to sit, stay, roll over buddy. Good boy. I did what you asked, I let myself get caught, I let myself get close, I played into his game and he’s the real deal. I’m not gonna stab him in the back, I can’t give up his team and his organization if there isn’t any, and I can't get him to turn himself in, the honey pot didn’t work, he believes in something higher than you, and he’ll die for it, and won't give in to any temptations and get caught. If you go after him, he’ll evade you. If you pose a threat, he’ll kill you, and if I’m with him, I’ll help him kill you. So arrest me. Find another cute young serial killer as bait, and find another angle into this hit squad that doesn’t exist.”
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“I could arrest you, but you’re not worth it yet. I’m trying to take down his boss.” Damien said.
“You can’t take down his boss because his boss is God. His boss is a good heart and reason, in a world where punishment and justice depends on your income and who you know or who you blow. You either have to accept one of two things. That he’s just that good, and you’re the problem, and when you move to take him down, you’ll glow in the thermal scope and then die like a bitch. Or you can stick to your theory that you’re the good guy and there are a bunch of hitmen out there organized, and I’m just a lying bitch, and I can’t give you something I don’t have to flip a man who believes he’s right. I can’t help you take down God or imaginary MI-6 hiding in fucking Illinois. I have nothing to give you. There’s nothing to give, except a warning, maybe. Don’t fuck with the priest. So… Arrest me.” she shrugged.
“We both know you’re not going in quietly.”
“Oh fuck no, I’m not.” she grinned.
“You got a gun under the table pointed at my nuts and if I tell you we’re going into custody right now you’ll shoot me and get away. You’ll just get arrested tomorrow by someone else, but I don’t wanna get shot.”
“Oh, so we’re not gonna go to the police station and throw me in a cell? That’s a shame. You better call backup and tell them your big conspiracy that would get you suspended or committed or fired, and then tell them that you’re bending the rules working with a serial killer to take down a whole group of imaginary ones. They’ll love that. He’ll break me out, and you’ll lose your job. THEN he'll kill you.” Tanner smiled serenely.
“You’re an informant, INFORM me. What do you suggest I do here? Let both of you go, burn my case and play dumb, be the puppet you just accused me of?"
“You want the truth, the real truth of what I think you should do?”
“Try me.” He sighed.
“You’re already breaking the rules fucking with files and investigating your own theory, so investigate and fuck with files regarding the mayor. Find the truth there, and ask yourself if that’s who you wanna help or the preacher? Ask yourself some real questions and see if a voice talks to you and tells you to fuck the system. That’s either God or yourself because you know what’s the lesser evil here, and admitting that means you’re scared to lose your job to do the right thing, or you’re one of the bad guys yourself. You don’t have to abduct and kill women to be a monster, if you know one is out there, and you choose your career over their lives.”
“Trying to flip a cop?” He chuckled. “Seriously?”
“Trying to see if you’re still human in there. You know what Preacher Mikey does to humans? Nothing. But you keep choosing the side you’re on, and you’re gonna get warmer and warmer in that scope, and I actually hope you see the light and either get out of this or pick the right side of it. I’ve been around a lot of bad cops, sick fuckers who will do whatever they want and get away with it. You’re not like that, Detective. You’re just lost and scared. We’ve all been there.” She smiled. “Now Mister special detective man, I’ve killed 6 people and I plan to kill a few more, hopefully you don’t add yourself to that list, because I’m about to leave this gas station park bench and turn my back. We ARE going to kill the mayor, and a lot of people that throw themselves in the way. That’s called a confession. There’s nothing stopping you from shooting me in the back except exposing your own secret case, and if you want a new job that lets you sleep at night feeling like you made the world a better place and served society, you could follow me and talk to Preacher Mike, he might like the help. You can’t be a good cop and work for the bad cops. You can’t believe in the law and the system and sneak around it when it suits you, so pick a side, Agent Baker. Pick a lane and merge, stop riding the center because you’re scared to commit and get your hands TOO dirty.” Tanner Grinned as she got up, de-cocking her pistol and swinging her hips in her little skirt as she went, making her way back to the cabin, walking the long winding road up.
The door slowly closed as Tanner tiptoed her way back into the cabin, jumping at the flicker of a cigarette lighter.
“Hi…" she smiled.
“Go for a walk?” Mike asked casually, having a smoke.
“Yea.” She shrugged. “Why, were you like... worried about me?” she asked.
“Just didn’t expect to come out for breakfast and find an empty cabin, no note. You came back looking nervous and sneaking in. That’s the part that worries me.”
“Hey, I’m allowed to leave, am I your prisoner or apprentice? I needed some fresh air, I met up with some friends. People have friends.”
“The silencer is still on your gun. Forgot to remove it. You hoping for trouble?” Mike exhaled.
“You’re the one who made me a silencer for my gun and suggested I use the barrel thingy.”
“I designed the silencer to look like a flashlight, even work like a flashlight so you can carry it in case you needed it. So either you needed it or you thought you might. Tanner, I understand you’re young and full of energy but please tell me you didn’t kill someone without even letting me know. Hiding it.”
“Okay, look. I was just stalking a potential kill, I wasn’t acting on it. I’m planning, and being smart, just like you told me, but you taught me to be prepared, so I went hushy mode before I followed.”
“What’s his name?” Mike asked.
“Doesn’t matter. It’s my target, and I’m only practicing my stalking. If I actually intend to kill someone, I’ll let you know. You picked me up a killer, operating on my own, you can’t expect me to just switch brands without any little cheat days. Girl’s got needs, Mister. Someone has to take care of those, and I took care of it. Nobody died, nobody got hurt. I went for a walk, I window shopped, I window shopped with proper protection, and I didn’t think you’d understand because I just wanted to play alone.”
“Well, hopefully you’re still in the mood, because I have a job, and this one is a 2-person job. Can I count on you? Are you on my side?” he asked cryptically.
“Duh, why do you think I came back? Why do you think I came back without killing anyone? I’m on your side, Mike. Always have been. So who’s the target? And why do you look uncomfortable?”
“We’re going clubbing.” he sighed.
“Mike…” She blushed, grinning. “Am I your target? Are you taking me out... so to speak?”
“I hate to even suggest it, but you can get into places I can’t. There’s a bar downtown where I’d stand out. I need you to stand out in a good way, and get him to leave the club with you. I need you dressed up and getting him distracted.”
“So you want me fuckable and cute, so another guy will show interest. Starting to think you have a very specific Cuck-chair kink you’re leading up to, but I get it. Who’s the guy?”
“A cop.” He smiled. “Well, that’s a different look than I expected, I thought you’d be trilled to kill a cop.”
“Uh, not that I mind, but you want me to hook a cop?” she asked.
“Crooked cop. Worst kind. He’s been known to hang out with hookers, never brings any into the station, so either he has a power fetish for giving warnings, or he’s using them somehow. Bait, scapegoats, informants. Or he’s just getting free sex with a badge.”
“Aren’t... you kinda using me as bait?” she asked, nervously.
“No. You can say you don’t want to, and I’ll do it alone another way. You have choices, this is a team. You can quit your job if you don’t like your boss, that’s basic American freedom."
“So hypothetically, if I didn’t wanna kill a cop and I just decided to leave right now and never come back. Would you follow me, hunt me, let me go?”
“I’d ask you to reconsider and try to make you see the benefit of our work, but I’d never stalk or take a shot at you. We both have dirt on each other, that’s a mutual trust. You scared?” he asked. “Or ready to quit?”
“I’m not quitting, I just am a little nervous about killing a cop. Cops tend to travel in packs and armed, they all have guns and training, and they take it personal when you hit one of their own. But if you want to go hunting badges…I’m in.”
“Just one badge. This one travels alone. He doesn’t seem to like partners or backup. Probably hard to trust the other officers with his illegal ideas and dirty tactics would be my guess. Anyone you know?” he said, turning the laptop. She breathed a sigh of relief when it wasn’t Damien Baker, and it was nobody she recognized.
“Nope. Just looks like a cop.” You wanna do this tonight?”
“No time like the present. You want the plan first or breakfast?” he asked.
“Both.” She said, grabbing a bowl and heading to the fridge for some cereal as he laid out the sketches of the club.
“This is Harold Butler. Dirty as they get, been that way for 20 years or more. He happens to be one of the many cops who tampered with evidence to clear our Mayor buddy and some local kid took the fall. Got hard time for abducting a woman he never touched. Just some dumb kid running drugs and car stereos. Never killed anyone. Owns a very nice home for a cop salary, too. Right now he’s working on a case, trying to take down a local gang that’s been causing him trouble. The Crimson Kings.”
“Heard the name, nothing much else. I avoid large groups of criminals.”
“Well these boys have really slipped through his fingers, he’s got a vendetta and I have information the public doesn’t on their files. They like to shoot people in the back. They always use a 40 Smith and Wesson solid copper hollowpoint. That’s part of an open case they don’t talk about because their ammo supplier is apparently someone protected. The problem is that 40 hollowpoints don’t do well on body armor and our cop knows that, and Officer Butler wears soft armor on his off time if he thinks he’s somewhere unsavory. I’ll have copper 40’s in Rachel, and you’ll be unarmed when you go in because the club checks. You’ll make your way to the bathroom where a window vent will be unscrewed and a pocket knife will be passed along. In the alley is where he likes to park his unmarked car. There will be a dumpster near the exit with a locked briefcase on a chain, stuffed behind it, you’ll have the key and inside will be Joe’s suppressed Colt, 5.7mm armor piercings rounds and the barrel insert. You lure him out to his car and use the code words SOFT or HARD to let me know if he’s wearing body armor. If he’s not, I put one suppressed 40 in his back and you head home. If ANYONE follows you. There is a fuse taped to the case, light it and toss the case, keep walking. I’ll meet you home the long way, expect delays. If he’s wearing body armor, signal and distract him while I grab the Colt. It’s not gonna be as quiet, but still quiet enough next to a night club. I’ll burn the insert and the silencer, hand it to you. Wipe for prints and toss it at the first sign of anything wrong. Either way it should be quiet, and whatever gun was used is my burden, you’ll take whichever backup gun home, unless you think you’re being followed. Easy.
“Sounds simple enough. What about fingerprints?”
"I have gloves, some for you too, be waiting in the alley. Just be careful, This officer knows people and he may get grabby. You still in?” Mike asked.
“Does it matter, if we’re killing him anyway? Just makes killing him more fun. Let’s hunt this old crooked Boar.”