1

Office Roberts handed the phone enclosed in an evidence bag to Royce. He looked around Royce's office. He too looked stunned at how clean it was. 'You did this?'

'Yeah, why?' Royce said puzzled.

'Not like you.' Roberts said and he himself was surprised that those words came out of his mouth. 'Ok.' Royce dismissed that conversation and continued. 'Which Vic did this belong to?'

'Michael Bridges, Lived near the Allentown district.'

'Prints?' Erica asked.

'His and only his.' Roberts said.

'And the only call was made to Oliver Harris?'

'Yes, at around ten forty-five.'

'And it was estimated that the attack happened around that time.' Royce said. 'Did he get through to Harris?'

'Looks like it did not. Noticeably short connections. He may have left a voicemail.' Roberts said as he shook his head.

'The only way we are getting that information is from the source.' Erica said as she stood up.

Daniel looked at Royce, who looked at him.

'It looks like we're going to Patterson.' Royce said.

2

'Do you think she'll have sex with me?' Sampson asked Russo who walked onto the street from a Bagel store. He had two bags and two coffees on him and passed a bag and a cup to his partner who was busy and obviously ogling at a woman in tight leotard and sports vest covered by a hoodie walked into a gym across the street.

'You're married.' Russo said with a laugh.

'I still got a dick. Not like you ain't dipped your wick elsewhere Russo.'

'Yeah, but the difference between you and me is I'm attractive and my wife loves me.'

'And mine don't?' Sampon spat.

'Your wife lost a bet in high school and has been with you ever since.'

'That's love.'

Russo shook his head ae he entered their police cruiser. 'It's better fucking be because I don't know what else to call it.'

Sampson entered as well. 'Been together for fifteen years, you been with your since,'

'Long enough to know what I can get away with.'

'So not long then?' Sampson joked as he eats his bagel. He looked over that gym. 'Women in there are the promised land.'

'Trust me they are not. They are just women. There are no promises anywhere.' Russo said. 'Why do you think I cheat?'

Cause you look like you and you're a cop. Ladies love the badge.' Sampson said.

'You ain't wrong, but the real reason I don't give a fuck about them, and they try and want me to give a fuck. So, it is the sexual cycle that only benefits both parties because it always ends in sex.'

The police radio goes off. "Looking for available units for ten-twenty-six."

Russo picked up the receiver. 'This is nine –four-seven-two how can we help?'

'Ten-twenty-six at 4th and Jemson in Allentown. House number two-five-six-eight.'

'We are on it. Over.' Russo said.

'Thanks Russo. Over.'

Russo started the engine and flicked the switch to turn on the sirens.

'You're favourite part of town Russo.' Sampson smiled.

Russo smiled back at him and drove off in great speed.

3

Royce drove along the interstate. It was a forty-minute drive to Patterson from Preston. Erica was next to him as she looked at the cargo manifest records, her eyes taking in every detail. Daniel looked at the open road. The lack of houses. The many green fields, which looked endless in this part of the road.

Royce looked at him. 'Bridgewater.'

'Yeah.' Daniel kept his gaze on the outside.

'I just realised through all this, you confirmed that there's magic in our world and we just skipped past it. Like can you explain it, is like uttering a spell?'

'It is different for everyone. Some scream their spells. Other you could barely hear them. Really powerful wizards and witches and mages do not have to say a thing.' Daniel said. 'Being able to do magic makes you dangerous. It is like a metaphysical thing, beyond just matter, it must be inherent in the deepest part of your soul.' He paused. 'Spells can be conjured, written, but the real stuff comes from instruments bonded to your soul it could be a watch or bracelet or well anything, long as the part of your soul bonds with it. It will make the magic happen.'

'Can you do magic?' Erica asked as her attention moved from manifests to magic.

'I can, but not for a while.' Daniel said. 'Rusty is not even the word. I used to be able to sense it, but that is shaky.'

'When you did magic, you say, or did it just occur?'

'Occur. I had an instrument, a staff, and old school magic. Where I studied, we all had one.'

'Like wands?' Royce asked.

Daniel smiled. 'Like wands.'

'Where your cane?' Erica asked.

'Long gone.' Daniel said. He realised he got too comfortable and said too much again. This was becoming a worry. 'Before you ask, it was lost.'

'Isn't it drawn to you? Like if it bonded,'

'Someone stole it, Royce. Someone took it from me and I'm looking forward to seeing that man again.' Daniel said. Fuck. Too much again. Stop this shit.

'How powerful is magic in this world?' Erica asked.

'Very powerful. Could turn the entire world upside down, dark or into complete water with no land and we all die.'

'Is that why you can portal anywhere?' Royce asked.

'That is magic, and science bonded together. One of the few times it just works without sending the entire world into a fucking loop.' Daniel said.

'Can magic, hurt you?' Erica asked.

'Yes.' Daniel nodded.

'Can it kill you?' Erica asked with a little more concern. It was like she knew the answer before she asked.

'I don't know.' Daniel said. He had to be honest with her.

'So, if we were to face a mage?' Royce asked.

'Then we are fucked. That is the kind answer.' Daniel answered.

'What type of magic could you do?' Erica asked.

'Advanced stuff, old world was, is difficult, but binding spells, firelights, summoning spectres from time old, Angel,' he stopped himself. 'There were other people who were much better than me. I had the gifts. The things I was blessed with, born with, so I have been fine doing my job and not needing it for all these years. I can do my job without it.' Daniel continued. 'I have seen the danger of magic and I think you both will too.' He sighed. 'Br prepared to see some freaky shit.'

'Is our guy, this man in Black, a mage or Wizard?' Royce questioned.

'I don't think so.' Daniel pondered. 'I think that fucker is man-made.'

'Born with it, like you.' Erica said.

'And you, but him, no I think something nefarious happened to him.' Daniel said. 'I think someone made him that fucking way.'

The car became silent.

Daniel certainly became quiet and did not want to disclose anything else. These two got him too comfortable. He got his nature of taking and got him to bypass his aversion of commentary of his own life.

I almost said her name, he thought. That was too close. I do not want to open that door. There is no coming back from that.

They drove past a sign that said

ENTERING PATTERSON

HOME OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST MILKSHAKE FOUNTAIN AND WOMEN WHO WILL ACTUALLY CALL YOU BACK AFTER MEETING THEM IN A BAR

Daniel was quite sure that the last the last section of the sign was a prank, but Patterson did have a six percent increase in its population over the last two years, so maybe it was true.

On the right they could see a large business park and the sign noted ENGRAVE CORP.

I will be looking forward to talking to you Mr Harris Daniel thought and smiled.

4

Allentown was home to most of the black population in Preston. Some houses looked empty, and others looked resplendent and full of life.

The roads went from being well kept to the further you got down, the potholes got deeper. There were wired fencing instead of picket. Under-growth in some of the pavements.

The local government clearly did not give any checks to this part of town, but as Russo and Sampson sped along the streets. No one seemed unmoved by this. A little look here and there, but most went on with their day.

There were schools with football fields and athletic tracks, Basketball courts dotted around the area. There were kids playing hockey and made makeshift goals out of their jackets and broken football posts left by the former school in that area. Other kids played baseball and knocked fast knuckleball past their version of the diamond.

Churches of varied sizes in every corner of this part of the world and not one gun store in sight. But there were a few liquor stores and one big grocery store near the centre.

Russo and Sampson pulled up to 4th and Jemson and outside house number two-five-six-eight. As they came out, they could hear the yelling coming from inside the house. There was a lot of profanity mixed with digs about manhood and a woman's weight.

'Happy couple.' Sampson said.

'Let's go.' Russo said as he noticed that several residents had looked at the pair from the windows. They kept their eyes on them. Russo kept his peripheral vision on them too.

They walked up the four steps into the veranda.

Russo knocked the door. No answer. Still the loud voice of the argument dominated. He knocked again, harder, and louder. 'Police.' Russo said.

'Fuck.' said the male voice from behind the door which opened. It was a black man who opened, and he wore a white vest and black cargo shorts, long in length just going past his knees. He also wore white tennis socks and flip flops. He was well built and looked to be in his early thirties. 'You fucking called the cops?' He said but looked to his right.

'No.' came a female voice yet to be seen by the two officers. 'How can I when I've been arguing with you, you dumbass.'

'Bitch, you call me that again, and I swear.'

'Calm down.' Sampson said. 'One of your neighbours made the call. They were concerned with the language being used and the noise. They said they heard some glass, a plate break.'

'Oh yeah? My neighbour?' The man said and his stuck his head out of his door. 'ONE OF YOU REALLY? WELL FUCK OF ALL Y'ALL!'

'You could bring down the profanity.'

'And you can suck my dick. How the fuck about that?'

'You're not my type.' Russo responded with a cold detachment that chilled his partner.

'You cops. What the fuck do you want?' The man said,.

'May we come in? Just need to check on, I guess your wife or girlfriend. The place.'

'How about you fuck off and leave my house and let me handle my fucking business.' The man said. 'How the fuck about that?'

'I am sorry sir. What was that? I did not catch that. You said what?'

'How about you fuck off and leave my house and let me handle,'

Russo slammed a punch into the man's chest, and he hit the spot because the man buckled to his knees and wheezed heavily. 'What was that? What did you say? I mean after you reached for my gun, I had to protect myself, right?'

'That how I saw it.' Sampson said with a smile.

A woman ran to the door, black, small in stature, wearing a blue top and white tracksuit bottom. Her hair was tied back. Her cheeks were dried, full of past streaks of tears. 'Victor!! What did you fucking do?' she said as she saw Victor on the ground.

Sampson pulled his gun out and pointed at her startled. 'GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND NOW! NOW!'

The woman did what she was told with quickness.

'Put your hands behind your back. Now.'

'What the fuck did you do to him?' The woman cried as Sampson pointed at her with his gun and was just above her.

She put her hands behind her back.

Russo picked up Victor, who looked winded. His eyes were red with tears of pain. 'You shouldn't have reached for my weapon, Victor.'

'F... Fuck you. I didn't reach for your weapon, you fucking,'

Russo slammed another punch and Victor dropped to the veranda floor again. He spat out some blood. The punch was harder and more vicious the second time around. 'Again, he tried it.' Russo said, 'Again, he went for my weapon. I mean, county court is going to love this.'

'They do love them easy cases.' Sampson said.

'By the time you paid bail, Victor, this house of yours will be lost. Bail's expensive these days.'

'What do you want?' The woman screamed.

'I know your name,' Russo said to Victor, 'what is your name?' He asked the woman.

'If I tell you, will you let us be.'

'There isn't any bargaining here, Sweetheart. My partner asked you a question and you would do well to answer it and answer with respect.' Sampson snarled.

'Shaniqua.' she said as she had to swallow the tears.

'What a terribly predictable name. I expected something more...special.' Russo said.

'What have we done? We were just arguing, couples argue. We'll stop officers. We'll stop.' Shaniqua pleaded with the officers.

Russo kneeled. 'What if I didn't?' he smiled. 'What if I wanted to punish both of you? What would you say to that?'

'We have done nothing wrong. WE HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG! WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?' Victor screamed after he gained a little bit of strength.

'I want to hurt you, Victor. I want to hurt you really bad. I did not wake up wanting to hurt you, but you got me in the mood for hurting and just not protecting and serving. Now I am going to open this,' Russo unclips the clasp over his handgun, 'you're going to reach for it, reach for my gun and my partner is going to shoot you.'

'What? What the fuck?' Victor said and he was slapped by Russo.

'No, you are not listening, you really are not listening, and you need to follow instruction. Did you need me to repeat? Because if you did, I will slap you repeatedly, and I will slap you like a cheap whore from the broadside of town.'

'That's degrading.' Sampson said.

'It is.' Russo said with menace. 'Now grab the gun.'

'No, don't do it.' Shaniqua said.

'I ain't planning to, baby. I ain't planning to.' Victor said to Shaniqua. He looked at Russo. 'I ain't doing it and you ain't gonna shoot me here.'

'I know I won't.' Russo said. 'He will.' He pointed at Sampson.

'I ain't grabbing your gun, OFFICER.'

Russo looked surprised. He gave a mocking gaze of disrespect. 'Look at that, some respect. Though I did not like the tone of when he said officer.'

'Plus, he needs to say sir.' Sampson said.

'You are right. He does need to say sir.' Russo stood up. 'Say sir.'

'Sir.' Victor replied defeated.

'Say you are sorry sir.' Russo said.

Victor looked at Shaniqua and shook his head. 'I am sorry. SIR.'

'Sorry for?'

'For my disrespect and use of profanity.'

Russo looked confused and ushered him to say one more word.

'Sir.' Victor said.

'And do you plan to fight again?'

'No sir.'

Russo looked at Shanquia.

'No officer.' She spoke.

Russo shook his head and said, 'You know what to say Sweetheart.'

'No sir.' She said and she swallowed more tears.

Russo kneeled again and lifted Victor's head. 'You learned a life lesson here you fuck. It does not matter if it is in front of your house or tv, you will speak to me with fucking respect, do you understand me? I do not give a flying fuck who you are or what you do. You will talk to me with respect, and I know you will cause I could set a change of real fucking shitty events for you. I could take this all away. You know that right? I can bleed you dry before you actually bleed and you wanna know why? Cause I am better than you. I have always been better than you. I woke up better than you. I fucking did a piss that was better than you are earlier. Hell, I think I can handle your girl better than you.'

Victor scowled.

'I can break you and not break a sweat and still be given a key to this city.' Russo smiled. 'I hope you learned today and take heart. Do not fuck up and you will not see me again. But if you do, oh we are going to have some fun. None of this soft day time shit. We are talking dark. Please commit another crime, Victor. Please.'

Russo got up and looked at Sampson as clipped his gun back.

'We done?' Sampson said.

'Yeah, we are done.'

Sampson holstered back his weapon and moved away from Shaniqua. 'You have a good day now.' Sampson said in a kind of sing-song way that even made Russo confused.

Sampson walked back the car. Russo just watched the couple.

'You have a good day. Do not forget my words cause within them is a promise to be back here Victor. Shaniqua. Be good and do not be bad or I really will be back.' Russo tipped his hat, turned, and walked away top the cruiser.

Victor and Shaniqua looked at police cruiser as it started its engine, it moved forward, then reversed and drove off on the way they came.

Once the car was gone. They held each other. Tears fell from both their eyes.

5

Royce parked at the large car park. One the second row, the first had all spaces taken. They got of the car and walked towards the headquarters of Engrave Corporation. Their insignia was right by the front entrance at the middle of a fountain. The letters E, N, G and C were fit onto a cube at a forty-degree angle. It moved like a Rubik's cube, so a person could see all the letters. They got to the front door which was made of thick glass.

Royce went to open the door. As they got to the door, Daniel stumbled a little. He felt a little woozy. Erica held him up.

'You, okay?' She asked Daniel.

'Yeah, just got a little light-headed. I'm good.' Daniel regained his composure and stood firm.

Erica nodded but kept her eye on him. Royce tugged at the door, but it was locked. He locked at the button near the door handle. He pressed it. They heard a buzz and the door opened.

They entered the reception area which was expansive with lift doors on the far side of the room. There were several chairs and tables spread out in threes in the right side of the room. The fire exits to left of the seating area. The reception was close to the fire exits and the receptionist, a young brunette whose hair was tied back and wore thin rimmed glasses looked up at them as she typed and smiled.

'Good day. Welcome to Engrave. How can I help you?'

'Yes, hi,' Flashed the grin of Royce, 'I'm detective Royce Drysdale, that is Special Agent Erica Chandler and Special Agent Daniel Bridgewater and we are here to speak to Oliver Harris.'

'Mr Harris is extremely busy.' The receptionist said. 'Perhaps tomorrow, I can fit you in?'

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

'No, we would like to see Mr Harris, tell him to cancel his plans for the next hour or maybe less. That we need to see him as soon as possible and if we won't I'll have to get a subpoena.'

The receptionist looked confused. 'For what?'

'None of you damn business, unless you want to be interviewed?'

The receptionist looked even more confused and a little startled. 'For what?' She said a whole lot louder due to that fear.

'Nothing,' Royce realised he went a little too far there, 'nothing, you have done nothing as far as we know, but you need to call up to Oliver Harris now and tell him we are here to see him. Now.'

'Okay.' The receptionist said and Royce smiled again. She picked up the phone and pressed two buttons. 'Yes Mr Harris, yes I know you are in a meeting, but uh, the police are here? Yes. Yes. To see you.'

'Tell him now.' Royce said with a quiet volume.

'Now. They want to see you see now. Yes. Yes.' She put down the phone. 'Yes, he will see you now. I will take you to his office.'

6

After being led by the receptionist up the lift to the top floor, then through a few tight and long hallways with light brown carpet and plain white walls. Doors that were painted green were kept closed and had little to no noise coming out of them. It felt like there was nobody here.

As they closer to Oliver Harris's office, the hallways grew in width. Walls were now glass and there was a little bit life with hustle and bustle as the three actually saw other people, sat on desks, on the phone, typing or gossiping. Typical office behaviour.

Oliver's office had thick glass walls that could not be seen from the outside. The receptionist opened the door to his office.

'Mr Harris will be along shortly. Did you need a drink? Some water?'

'We are good.' Royce said as he spoke for all of them.

Daniel looked a little shaky again all of a sudden. Erica again caught him.

'You are sure you're alright Bridgewater?' Erica said with a lot more concern than before.

Daniel nodded. 'Yeah, I am good. Just feel a little bit light-headed. Let's get something to eat when we leave yeah?'

'Okay.' The receptionist left and shut the door.

Daniel and Erica sat down, but Royce stayed up and looked at the office. Looked at the view outside. The view of hills and the teeming forests and farms around them.

'So this is what success is like?' Royce said. 'All this quiet.'

'That you Royce?' Erica said. 'You'd want this?'

'Me couped up in a room and hearing the money roll in?' Royce said as he kept his gaze as birds flew high above the ground. 'Not me. I need to be out, moving, doing something. I am not a stationary kinda guy. Shit like this would be boring to me.'

'That's why you are you and I am I.'

They all turned around and saw Oliver Harris enter the room. He wore a thin cut grey suit with a blue tie and brown, polished shoes. His hair looked even more slicked back and that smile expanded its wattage. Oliver was shaved clean to the skin.

'Royce, not like you to just show up like that. I thought a phone call would be you know respectful.' Oliver said as he walked past the three and went behind his desk to sit down.

'That is the thing about police work, it doesn't have a schedule. Your leads dictate what you are going to do that day.'

'Leads huh? What leads?' Oliver asked.

'Don't jump the gun. We've only just got started. Plus, I wouldn't just show up here to be a nuisance.' Royce said as he sat down in between Daniel and Erica.

'Did my receptionist offer you all a drink?'

'Yes, we're good.' Erica said.

'You sure about that?' Oliver looked at Daniel whose face was full of sweat. 'Agent Bridgewater, you really sweaty. I can turn the AC down if you are feeling hot?'

'I'm fine.' Daniel said unconvincingly.

'You got a call from Michael Bridges the night of his death. Did you get those calls?' Royce asked.

'My phone was on silent. I was out.'

'Where?' Erica asked.

'At a charity function in North Harbour. I mean there's witnesses.'

'Did, Bridges, leave you a voicemail?' Daniel asked.

'No just two missed calls.' Oliver said calmly.

'You never thought to call him back?' Royce asked.

'By the time, I thought to do so I heard he had, passed.' Oliver asked.

'What was his association to you?' Erica asked.

'He was a friend.'

'You friends with people from near Allentown, I thought that was a little too east for you?' Royce asked.

'I'm friends with everyone in this district. Preston, Englewood, Allentown, North Harbour, everyone.'

'Oh, that felt like a politician's answer.' Daniel said.

'Everyone has a future Agent Bridgewater. You sure you don't need a Beveridge or something?'

'I'm fine.'

'Whose Elgin Marine?' Erica asked.

'It's one of our partner companies. We exclusively ship with them. Why is that pertinent information Agent?'

'They had a delivery due that night that was collected at the port, but never met it to the warehouse. That night.' Erica said.

Daniel smiled. You get him Erica he thought.

'Just thinking that would be something that would be flagged, as missing.' Erica said.

'Well, you can check the logs of our warehouse, east Glendon. They arrived there and were then taken here.'

'Why not come straight here.' Daniel asked. 'Why take it to that warehouse?'

'This line of questioning is quite intrusive. Have you come down here to imply that I'm linked to the murder of those twelve men?' Oliver said with a little of that confidence weaker than before.

'It's just that things aren't right in my eyes and my friends' eyes here. Your behaviour with the loss of friends all these twelve men at the time were friends of yours I presume?' Royce ushered him to answer.

'Most were, they all were. Some are work colleagues.'

'So why where they and especially Taylor Lambert, the fucking prince of Preston in a warehouse waiting for a delivery that according to you was never going to come and before you say you need to call your rich law firm in Philly, make no fucking mistake, that won't look good for you, it means you're looking to hide something from us when you can answer right now and clear it all up. Why were they there that night?' Royce said as he sat forward.

Oliver in turn sat back and smiled. 'Jesus. I ain't seen that Royce in many a fucking year.' He looked at Daniel and Erica. 'That Royce, the one you saw there, well he's been in hibernation for so many fucking years ain't ya Royce? That man there was the all pro, all state Quarterback Royce Drysdale, the man who could throw the ball for five hundred yards a game, a man who had his fucking ticket written to the NFL and fucked it up because he married some girl, focused all his shit and her and cause she looked so fucking pretty in one game in college, the man got hammed by an edge rusher, but all his two-hundred and twenty pounds on your left knee and that was all she wrote.' Oliver paused as he moved a little forward as Royce moved a little back. 'Dream ended there and then didn't it Royce?'

'Answer the question?' Royce said a little hurt.

'You married her as well? Why? She's showed you little remorse ever since. Her career has gone into the stratosphere and well you are here. Don't she out earn you?' Oliver said.

'And what the fuck is wrong with that?' Erica said.

'You wouldn't understand Agent Chandler. You see you need to have a penis to understand that right. These two understand. Don't you? The shame. The utter shame of it all. We as men are meant to be providers. Pay for our woman. Look after your woman and not to ever, ever allow that open, because if you did, you would be able to look in the mirror. How many times, have you looked in the mirror old friend and felt like a true man…You ain't felt like a man for a while Royce, plus the amount of times Alyssa has fucking hurt you brother, why the fuck are you still with her? I don't get you man. I really fucking don't.'

Daniel noticed that Royce had been affected by what was said. That he barely held it together as Oliver Harris had broken him down. 'Why was Taylor Lamber at the warehouse Harris?' Daniel said. 'Hey, fucker, focus on me, why the fuck where those twelve men there that night?'

Oliver rubbed his right arm and Daniel sweated some more. 'They did that as a favour. Taylor as you are aware has a vested interest in Engrave. There had been some miscalculations. That numbers were inconsistent from port to warehouse and some staff couldn't be trusted.'

'Why?' Erica said.

'We are the most successful company of its size in this part of the world. The number of jobs, the work we do for science and for protection of our nation is second to none. This brings jealousy and are competitors would like to see us fail. So, we thought they were trying to fuck us over from the inside.' Oliver said.

'So Taylor took it upon himself to keep an out and see if there was any wrongdoing?' Daniel asked.

'As I said he had a vested interest in Engrave.'

'You hear of the Greycloaks?' Daniel asked.

'No.'

'Well it seems that of the twelve who were killed, they were part of some right wing group called the Greycloaks. Taylor included. If he wasn't part of that group, why was he hanging with them?'

'Taylor, much like me, much like you or anyone else Agent, didn't control who he had relationships with. What those people did was up to them. I'm sure the people that are closet to you have secrets or opinions that you don't agree with.' Oliver said to Daniel.

Fucker. They are all gone and none of them would have kept secrets from me. He thought through gritted teeth. He tried to hide the simmered rage that boiled underneath.

'Or are you one of those loner types? You have no one so you throw yourself into your work?'

Ah you're fucking pushing it pal Daniel's fist started to shake.

'Nothing wrong with that. It's a way to live.' Oliver sat forward some more. 'I didn't know what they did, but they came to help us just in case.'

'Why would you think the killer, came there that night and then stuck around?' Erica asked.

Oliver sighed and sat back. 'I've been wondering that myself.' He paused. 'I wish I knew, but I don't Agent Chandler. What do you know about it?'

'That for us to know.'

'Meaning you know not a goddamn thing. I mean you could have just said that.' Oliver said.

'Watch your tone.' Royce said.

'You are in my office. You watch your tone with me.' Oliver said.

'You think you're slick. You think you have it all together.' Daniel said.

'Agent Bridgewater. Is that admiration I hear?' Oliver said with a mocking tone. 'I'm educated. I lived a life as have all of you. I mourn the loss of my friends and all the other innocent people who had been killed by this awful freak of a man.'

'You mourn the Grisco gang? Men who were going to kill to an actual innocent person, just living their life and working?' Erica spat out with incredulity.

'Every death is a misery. One life lost is one life missed.' Oliver said, 'someone cared about them Grisco's and now they mourn them.' He looked at Daniel, 'not everyone is a shutout or a loner who actually wants to be alone.' Oliver smiled as Daniel was about to talk. 'It's all over your face, hell it's all over you right now. Even the way you are sitting, closed off and not close to your two colleagues here. Written as clear as a completed page Agent Bridgewater.'

Erica was about to talk.

'Did you want me to analyse you?' Oliver said.

'There's nothing to analyse.' Erica said.

'That's the point.' Oliver said. 'There is nothing to analyse. Yet.' He smiled. 'Hope our guy doesn't catch up to you first and end that story.'

'That a threat?' Royce stood up.

'No you imbecile, that was a warning to all of us, you better find him before he finds you and all of us.' Oliver laughed to himself. 'Wait I heard he found you Agent Bridgewater. Last night. You are the lucky one.' Oliver said. 'I have another meeting planned. Did this fishing expedition go the way as planned? Are you gonna bring me in? I'm a still a person of interest or can I fucking do my fucking job?'

'You are talking to a police officer watch your,'

'I am talking to Royce Drysdale. I know him. You got that I know you. I know why you're doing what you're doing. A man with a lost future. Unknown. You may have the power of the law, but the power I have has far greater reach. Now this is a threat.'

Daniel got up on a little bit of shaken legs, but they stood firm when he needed to talk. 'I have power. I love to show you, what I can do.'

'I bet Agent. Alas, unless you can provide me with compelling evidence for me to not continue with my day, I am going to do just that. So I will get someone to escort you out.' Oliver said and now they were all stood up and were about to leave. 'Royce.'

Royce stopped and turned.

'Don't ever show up to my workplace again and grandstand like that again without anything concrete. That was fucking conjecture all day. Get a fucking warrant and don't waste my fucking time.' Oliver said as he sat back on his chair.

Royce's fist shook with rage. The whole top of his body shook, but he kept calm and it did not show. 'Sage advice as always Oliver. I think I'm going to take you up on that.' He looked at Daniel and Erica. 'Let's go.'

Royce and Erica left the room, but Daniel stayed and then walked up to the glass desk.

'Yes Agent Bridgewater. Aren't you tired of this verbal jousting?' Oliver sighed.

Daniel stuck his hand out.

Oliver looked confused. 'I thought I had to earn your respect to your handshake?'

'You did.'

'I don't need it.' Oliver said dismissively. 'Leave.'

'C'mon. Be a man about it. You're the man in this room. I'm impressed with how you handled yourself just now. I'm extending my hand to you. You are clearly a smart man with impressive education and poise under pressure. Like your feathers didn't ruffle once. I want to shake your hand.' Daniel said with a convincing smile. 'I won't leave till you do.'

'Then I'll call security.'

'Why do that when you can shake it and then I'll be on my merry fucking way. How about that. Why get people hurt Harris when it can all be avoided here? Shake my hand. Please.'

Oliver smiled. 'You said please. I appreciate it.'

'Manners go a long way.' Daniel said as Oliver Harris shook his hand, then Daniel squeezed in hard and everyone could hear some bones crack from the hand being squeezed.

'ARRGH, ARRRGGHHH.' Oliver squealed as he dropped to the floor and held his hand. His eyes was flushed with tears as Daniel slowly crushed his hand.

'You feel powerful now? Do you?'

'ARRGHHH.'

'I've seen power. You ain't powerful. You're just a rich kid whose spent their whole life getting what they want, but not knowing the consequences of crossing the wrong person cause you've been protected, but now you're here in front of me and there is no one who can protect you. Now if you ever, ever speak to Royce or Erica, Sorry detective Drysdale and Agent Chandler like that again. I will hurt you in way you won't be able to walk away from. Now that's a threat.'

Daniel let go of Oliver's hand and flung it away.

Oliver landed on the ground and scowled at Daniel.

'You're not powerful Harris. Not to me.' Daniel said and he turned, walked away. 'Now we can go.' Daniel said as he walked past Erica and Royce.

They all left the office.

Oliver felt his hand but smiled. 'You haven't seen my power, Bridgewater, but you will.' He got up, sat on his leather chair and picked up the phone. He pressed a number. 'Yes, they've gone. Get me the mayor of Preston. NOW.'

7

Daniel, Royce and Erica stayed silent as Royce reversed out of his space and left the car park. Daniel looked back at the building as it was left in the distance. 'We'll be back. I'm sure of it.'

'You didn't buy any of what he said as well?' Erica said.

'From the moment those words left his mouth.' Daniel mused. 'There's no tangible connection between Harris, Engrave and the man in Black and we have to find that. There is no doubt something is going on here, something not right, but our focus is the killer.'

'You did see how he reacted to the Greycloaks?' Erica said. 'He's one of them.'

'Gut feeling.'

'I know. I know, but you can just tell. Times you can read a person.' Erica said. 'It's a gut feeling.'

'Trust your gut. That's what I say. Most times, it never let's you down for all the big stuff.' Daniel said.

Both Daniel and Erica noticed that the usually verbose Royce stayed silent.

'Look, Royce, if you expected me to stay silent when that arsehole was chatting shit about you, then well I was not going that shit.' Daniel said.

Royce said nothing.

'Really man? You mad at me?' Daniel said in frustration.

'I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at me.' Royce said.

'Because you sat there and took it?' Erica said.

'Yeah. I should have said something.'

'That cause you have history with the fucker.' Erica said.

'We aim to tear that down.' Daniel said confidently.

'You know he's going to go the mayor, right?' Royce asked.

Both Daniel and Erica nodded.

'I'm going to get my ass chewed out and not in a good way.' Royce remarked.

'There's a good way of getting your ass chewed out?' Erica said and then she realised she did not want to a part of that conversation. 'Wait. Don't answer,'

'You ain't lived till you got your ass chewed out, Agent.' Royce laughed. 'You're missing out on the best of life.'

Erica shuddered. 'That, that right there, was my own fault. It was, it really was.'

'Well when you get your arse chewed out and not in a good way, arse-chewing, we'll be standing right next to you.' Daniel said.

'Can I not and say I was?' Erica asked.

'Nope we're going to take this arse-chewing together.'

'Stop saying ass-chewing please!' Erica could not hold her laughter and they all laughed.

'He's definitely called the mayor, who will call Larry.' Royce said.

'We're in this together, plus there's nothing that they can say to me or Erica. We were called in.' Daniel said. 'It's going to be okay.'

Royce nodded. It was silent.

'The way that man buckled. I ain't going to lie, I fucking loved it.' Erica said with a mischievous smile on her face.

'Me too.' Royce smiled.

'Me three. It just felt good you know?'

They laughed again as they past the sign that said

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME IN PATTERSON

8

Russo leaned on the police cruiser and checked out the posterior of a woman who walked by with her dog. She looked to be in her early twenties and wore, black hooded top and jogging bottoms with white tennis shoes.

She was a brunette. Russo had a particular affinity for brunettes, which is why is only dated blond-haired-females His logic was blondes felt like the ones who you would go home to, but brunettes were the ones you had fun with.

He blamed the Archie comics for this. The whole Betty vs Veronica conundrum. Betty being the girl next door and Veronica being the exciting girl.

Russo's father Don Senior drummed into him that you always ended up with the girl who made the home. The one who had your back in the end and because of Archie, it was usually the blonde Betty, but Russo was drawn to the Veronica every time.

He even found it hard to not notice a brunette in front of his own girlfriend. A girl, a nice girl who didn't have the oomph factor that some exes had.

Russo knew he was a piece of shit for this. His woman was a good woman, and he was the one who strayed, as his father told him "How much fucking fun can you have son before you have to realise it isn't all about that? It's hard, life my boy, it's really fucking hard and you need a fucking woman who's going to be able to roll with you through the hard times with ya son or what's the fucking point in existing for someone else? Find ya a good woman, love her, take care of her and make sure she makes you happy and you do the fucking same and I promise ya, you'll live a good life, full of shit, but that's the thing ya hold onto, like I did with your mother."

Those were the last words Russo senior said to his son as her laid on his death bed. He soon passed after that and Russo junior tried to live by that creed.

But he always wanted his Veronica.

Russo sighed as a part of him wanted to run over and talk to the lady, asked her where she was going, who she was with and if she were interested in meeting up sometime.

But what would that do? Nothing he thought. Nothing as he had an actual living breathing good woman at home, but why was he compelled to mess up the one good relationship in his life.

His mother and father were an old school marriage. He a cop on the force for forty-three years and she a teacher, but a teacher who came home and cooked for the family. He never knew his father to stray away and his older brothers also remained in good marriages that as far as he knew, lasted and they never cheated.

But why was he the anomaly?

Every family has one, Russo figured. The one who differed from the norm. The one who existed on a separate plain. The one whose thought process was different to the others. He had to be honest with himself. She was a good woman and he was a bad man, but being a bad man gave him the rationale to being a good cop and being a good cop meant being on the edge and being on the edge meant that goodness was always fraught with the reality that life and society was not that good, that if it was boring then it was not that good either.

He feared boring. Nothing chilled his heart more than boring. His other brothers looked at that kind of relationship and yearned for it and moulded themselves to become his father and live by those words. He never remembered his father giving his brothers that speech. He told them they were good men with good women and to keep on being a good man. But what was said to him as Russo interpreted was.

Don't be a fuck up and stop fucking around with these women who don't give a fuck about ya. What ya doin son? You ain't gonna be a young man for too long as your looks are only going to get ya so far so what the fuck are you doin? What ya getting out of this huh? What are you trying to prove? That you don't want love? Listen there's nothing wrong with the love of a good woman, she may be boring, but ya fucking know what son, boring is fucking good son. I spent forty-three years with ya mother. I knew I loved her when I dropped her fucking home and didn't wanna leave her side. That was fucking that, and it was beautiful. She ain't the most exciting person and I fucking don' need her to be. I need her to be a good woman, a good wife and a good mother. She fucking thinks for herself but put us first. Every fucking time son. What in the fuck is wrong with that son? I ain't tell ya you're fucked up cause you came from a good home, you saw love up close and I wanna understand why you don't want that for ya self? You ain't gonna find an angel in these clubs or bars you got to. You'll find a good fuck buddy. You'll find someone who will make your cock hard son, but life ain't just about making your cock hard and enjoying it. Here the fuck I am, on my death bed and I'm a happy fucking man cause I got to spend most my life with ya mother. My angel. I was blessed to find myself a fucking a good woman who actually loved me. She loved every fucking thing about me, even the stuff she disliked in me. It was total fucking love for her, and she was total fucking love for me. I loved every bit of her. Not many men find their angel and many men think they ain't worthy of having one, but you gotta believe Donnie, you have to believe you a worthy of one and not throw it the fuck away cause you think what's out there gonna be betta for ya. Let me save you the fucking suspense son. It ain't ya. Don't fuck it up when ya meet her. Grow your fucking roots with ya and embrace the boring. The boring keeps a man alive. Keeps us grounded. Fun can only last for so long son. Look at me and look at ya. I'm dyin' but am happy cause I'm gonna see your mother again. What are you gonna feel on ya bed of rest son? Who are you gonna see?

Russo wiped a tear from his cheek and coughed. That fucking guy he thought. He did miss the relatable and powerful profanity of his father. Hell, he just missed them both. He did see love up close. The question that dominated Russo's mind other than when will the Steelers win another Superbowl and become another dynasty again, was, why was he so scared of it, love?

The town itself was going about it's day. No one seemed bothered about this killer with telekinetic abilities going around town killing people. Maybe that was the best way to live, because it if it was alternative no one would be here. They would all be living in fear.

Russo figured that it was his job to think of those absolutes, this man had to be stopped. This man was not going to come willing and those two agents that have to come help, may have made things worse for Preston.

Sampson came from a local diner nearby with fried food in wrapped up in bags and grease at the bottom of those bags and cups of coffee and saw Russo who looked off into the distance. 'You, ok?' He said as he opened his door. 'You look like you're musing about shit. What did I tell you about musing?'

'Unless it's about a woman's ass musing ain't good for anybody.' Russo said as he snapped out of his thought and was back in the moment.

'I taught you well.' Sampson smiled and they both got into their police cruiser. 'What are we doing wait we're heading back. Fuckin' paperwork duty this week. I dunno about you Russo, but I get bone dry when I'm fucking swimming in that shit. Bone. Dry. Kathy sits next to me and I don't get hard or anything cause I'm in paperwork and you know Kathy is hot as fuck,'

'What do you think about those two agents?' Russo asked.

'I don't. That's the key.'

'Have they offered any fucking value at all? Like every place them and Royce go there's like a trail of bodies behind them.' Russo said. 'You don't think that's weird or fucking shifty in any way and we can't talk about it, to anyone?'

'We're dealing with a freak Don. A freak who kills people. There ain't any other kind, but they are here and they are with Royce on it, bodies follow them detectives in every cause, hence why it's an ongoing case. We leave them to it.'

'Did you use the word Hence, just now?' Russo asked confused.

'Yeah, I been readin' don't look so fucking shocked. I can read fucker.' Sampson spat.

'Never said you couldn't dickhead, just surprised you've been reading. What are ya reading?'

'Snow Falling on Cedars. It's a fucking good book. About some racial shit in the fifties up at the pacific northwest. It's compelling.'

'You are evolving.' Russo said and smiled.

'Fuck you I don't go that way motherfucker!' Sampson raged.

'What the fuck are you doing? I said are growing as a person you fuck. What the fuck did you think I was saying?'

'Never mind and don't worry about it. What in the fuck brought all this on anyway?'

Russo shook his head. 'I don't think they are doing anything of fucking merit and I hear they been snooping around Engrave? For fucking what? To fuck over the one company who bought money to us and Patterson?'

'They ain't invested in those coal mines though. I heard they bought up some underground caverns in Patterson though.'

'I don't give a fuck about that. I give a fuck that they are going to fuck us over and try to run out Engrave from our town.'

'Okay and what are you saying?'

Russo started the engine. 'I think it's time we run these agents out of town and fucking take over this case ourselves.'

'Sounds like a bad idea, like grabbing Kathy's ass at Mardi-Gras that time, but if you believe in it Russo, I'm gonna back ya. How are you going to do that?'

'Do what I do best.'

'Get brunettes to sleep with ya?'

'No Sampson. Antagonise them. Antagonise the fuck out of them.'

'You do, do that well.' Sampson said.

'I do.' Russo smiled. 'Let's go.'

9

As Royce, Erica and Daniel walked into Royce's office, they saw Larry Anderson standing in front of the big window behind Royce's desk.

'Ah shit.' Royce said without any thought behind it.

'Shit indeed, Detective. Shit in-fucking-deed.' Larry said with his back still turned. 'I just had a very illuminating conversation with the mayor of this fair city. I mean, he was so gracious in chewing my fucking asshole, that I thought. Wait, let me spread the love to Royce Drysdale and his fucking agents brought in to help him solve this case!' Larry turned and looked at the three. He was in full uniform. Medals and all.

'Larry, if we can just explain,'

'I AM THE CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THIS CITY AND IT'S DISTRICTS ROYCE REMEMBER THAT.' Larry yelled.

'Mr Anderson, you don't have to yell.' Daniel said with a calming tone.

'Oh, wait your turn, Agent Bridgewater. I'll be coming to you in a few minutes.'

'Nah, I'm impatient. I got things to do, people to see and a case to solve, so just bring it to me now because time is crucial and I, Erica, really have no time for it, but if it is something you think you to do right now while we've just walked through the door and you really need to do it, then go ahead and get it off your chest.'

'Oh, you think you have it all figured it out Bridgewater. That you and your agency run everything and answer to no one. No dispel that fucking notion out of your fucking brain Bridgewater and get this notion in your head, you answer to me and I answer to the mayor and your fucking mouth ain't going to stop writing cheques you can't cash.' Larry said almost at the extremity of his rage.

'You lot your train of thought during that whole speech. Yet you didn't give it up. I respect that.' Daniel giving a whole new level of nonchalance.

'Here he is with the jokes.'

'I try.'

'Try less.' Larry said. 'You do not go to Oliver Harris and play some dumb good cop, stupid cop game with him. You had nothing.'

'We had a phone call from one of the vics to him the night he was murdered by our guy.' Erica said.

'You had nothing.' Larry said.

'We had cargo manifest to deliveries that were never meant to go that warehouse, but were there that night and the twelve vics where they and he couldn't give a logical reason why they were there.' Royce said.

'Ah, ya fucking had nothing, where is the bloody fucking glove?'

'What is your lot's obsession with a bloody glove? I don't get it?' Daniel said.

'Shut the fuck up Bridgewater.' Larry said.

'Don't play that game, Chief of Police. Not with me.' Daniel said with the joking tone abandoned for a more altogether serious one. 'I can understand the rage, but you will not talk to me like that or Erica or Royce. We are working fucking hard to connect the fucking doup,ts if the trail leads to golden boy Harris, then so be it, but we are finding things out and we hope and we feel that it will lead to us to our guy.'

'You hope. You feel. All words that's nice for the nice person's lexicon's but what I need is more of the vernacular of we have DNA, we have whereabouts, we have PROOF! HOPING AND FEELING AIN'T WHAT IS REQUIRED RIGHT NOW AGENT BRIDGEWATER!' Larry yelled at the top of his lungs again. 'You got that?'

'We will.'

'Ah another hopeful phrase. Your agency came in saying it's the best of the best. The last line of defence against things like this and you Mr. Bridgewater were the absolute best at what you do, but if you are the best then I hate to you see what your agency considers is the worst.' Larry said as he grabbed his hat and put it on his head. 'You three are in thin ice. Solve this goddamn thing, bring in this fucker and stay the fuck away from Oliver Harris and Engrave.'

'What if we don't?' Daniel asked.

'Excuse me?' Larry said.

Erica and Royce both looked at Daniel who stood resolute.

'You heard what I said. I don't intend to repeat.'

Larry laughed. 'If I was younger,'

'You'd be on the floor in pain. Don't play with me Police Chief Anderson. We will get this done. I answer to one man. He ain't here and he ain't you. So let us do what we need to do, or this killing spree will continue and will only stop if we stop it or and this is the worst option if our man in black decides to. Then it will be all on you and I don't think you want to that happen, being close to that fat pension and all.'

Larry walked right up to Daniel. 'I do like you Bridgewater, but that mouth of yours,'

'Is wonderful I know, I like to finish sentences for people.'

'You have a warped world view. It don't belong here. Solve it, get our guy and then please, please go about your business elsewhere.' Larry said.

'I intend to.'

Larry smiled at him and then walked out not acknowledging Royce or Erica.

It was all only then the three noticed it was dead silent on the main floor. People had listened into argument as chatter began again as Larry left the room.

Daniel turned and looked at Royce and Erica who both looked stunned, and said, 'I don't know about you, but I think that went well.'