Twisted - part two of Energy _
Summary: In the on-going effort to track down and eliminate the threat against their previous number, Reese and Carter must deal with the machine's latest, disturbing and connected, one. One that soon, has them both struggling to survive unimaginable adversities that may lead to the ultimate sacrifice in order to protect all they hold dear. Takes place directly after "Energy" (reading that first is recommended)
Previously, in 'Energy.' We left Mr. Reese and Detective Carter, having thwarted the threat against their latest victim...or so they thought.
Reese was honestly relieved to slide down into the passenger seat of Carter's cruiser. It had been a physically grueling couple of days, to say the least. "Carter. Can I barrow your phone?" he asked as she handed it to him. "Finch? I think I'm ready for that vacation now."
"Well you're in luck then, Mr. Reese. How do you feel about New Orleans?"
John hesitated for a moment, doubting the true intent of Finch's question. He placed Carter's phone on speaker and tentatively responded. "New Orleans? Been there a few times... Nice place. But why do I get the feeling you don't actually mean for R&R?"
"My apologies Mr. Reese, you are correct. Just before Devlin Steal invested in the Miller's company stock, he received a rather large deposit into his off shore account. I managed to trace it to a New Orleans based, private energy company - Elite Power. Alone, that didn't stand out, since after all, Mr. Steal was an investor, but my trace program also linked our unknown username, (Mambo666,) to an IP address within that same company."
"So you're saying, whoever's behind Dr. Miller's elaborate murder attempt, also hired Steal, and is based in New Orleans."
"I am, yes. I believe the company, Elite Power, is nothing more than a front for an extremely dangerous and elusive, underground crime organization. An organization that seems to be as untouchable as they are feared. I'm still looking into the details, but local authorities have been unable to gain so much as a foothold against them. And what I've found so far, is highly unsettling. Their distinguishing style of terror, is to cloak their barbaric atrocities in the feared superstitions and myths of dark, ritualistic voodoo magic. And so... dubbed, the 'Voodoo Syndicate.'
After getting passed all the company's security protocols, I indeed, found numerous links to a private investor by the name of Vic Mambo. And, the suspected leader of the Syndicate. If you feel up to it Mr. Reese, I believe we've found our puppet master."
"Or zombie master." Carter spouted, garnering a smile and raised eyebrow from John.
John's smile quickly turned to a look of realization. "Actually, you might not be wrong. That would explain the odd phrasing Steal used, in our last confrontation. He said, 'we'd unleashed the Devil itself,' guess he meant, Voodoo Devil." Reese sighed heavily, closing his eyes for just a moment against the sudden wave of overwhelming fatigue. "Ok Harold. No rest for the wicked. I'll pack my gun."
"I'm going with you." Reese turned his head with a protesting look, but Carter continued before he could say anything. "You're in no shape to take on more heavy hitters by yourself and I spent a lot of time in New Orleans. Think that could come handy."
Reese gave her an inquisitive look, Carter in New Orleans? He'd have fun finding out more about that bit of intriguing information...
"I'll approve the time off with your captain." Finch offered, pleased that the Detective didn't question how intended to accomplish this.
Trumped twice? John was surprised that Finch, so easily, accepted Carter's involvement...he was usually, so reserved, when it came to involving their assets. "Alright, Carter. But you better throw in a talisman or two, with the usual guns and ammo."
Joss just rolled her eyes, contemplating the increasingly odd, twists of this case. Life was never dull when it came to John Reese.
**************************' Twisted ' -Part Two of Energy******************************
For a full thirteen hours, Reese dozed in and out, vaguely aware of the hundreds of miles of dormant farmlands and rolling, patch-worked, hills as they made their way to New Orleans. It was rare for him to fully relax around others, but it was different with Carter. The level of trust he felt around her surprised and frankly... unsettled him.
Carter had been extremely persistent about joining him on this mission and honestly, he was grateful. She had truly come through for him these past few days. Her tactical and marksmanship skills, impressed the hell out of him and he appreciated the natural way they seemed to work together. Not to mention she'd saved his ass after being in a car crash, beaten up and shot, all in the span of a few days; so her being here gave him the rare opportunity to rest and recuperate - if only for a shot while.
John fully woke to the buzzing in his ear, so much for rest, he thought. "Mr. Reese, I'm afraid we have a new situation related to our current case. The Machine has just given us the number of Victory Miller, Dr. Miller's wife. I've sent you the address of the safe house in Tennessee."
"Has it compromised?"
"I'm not entirely sure as to its status, except to say the Machine wouldn't have given us her number if she was not in danger. The particulars of the safe house met everyone one of my specifications, but I've yet to make contact with her bodyguard, Mr. Olson. All the more reason to be concerned, I'm afraid."
"What do you know about the bodyguard?"
"He was well vetted, as always, and has worked for me for many years. Though I imagine, anything's possible."
"Finch, they could be trying to use her to get to her husband."
"Undoubtedly, but either way, she's in trouble Mr. Reese. And there's more. I just learned that the Millers' house was the location of another recent attack. The house was destroyed, leaving three dead intruders and one wounded. Apparently, the hit order has been reinstated to full force, resuming with a more far more competitive nature. So our charade of pretending Dr. Miller's death, did little to deter them or has been discoved."
Carter broke in. "How could they know he isn't dead?"
Reese frowned, "What a minute... his wife. If her location has been compromised and she's been talking to her husband. Then..."
"Then they could know where he is too." Carter sharply interjected with concern.
Finch shook his head, despite the fact that neither could see him. "I don't believe so. Thankfully, neither knows their location to share it. They've only had limited contact over an untraceable line."
"Just to be sure, you and the Doctor should move. What about his reactor plans? Where are they?"
"They are secure...," Finch hesitated. "with Fusco."
"Finch..., I'm sorry, we must have a bad connection. I thought I just heard you say Fusco." Reese calmed his voice to a lower whisper, which only intensified his words. "'Fusco' and the word 'secure,' don't exactly play well together, Harold. You do realize you've left the fate of the world in the hands of a, debatably, morally reformed cop."
Carter took her eyes from the road, turning to John with a questioning frown at hearing his description of Fusco.
"Yes, well no... Technically, no... not really." Finch stammered.
"Well, which is it Harold?" John could feel his frustration welling.
"Detective Fusco isn't exactly aware he has it. In fact he doesn't, Bear does. I hid it in Bear's collar and left Bear with Fusco."
Reese took a second to contemplate what Finch had just told him, then shrugged. "Ok, I can see that. Bear - plain site - dangerous as hell... Ok." As insanely far fetched as it sounded to him, no one else would ever think of it either.
"John, we're getting close. Twenty five miles out."
"Finch we're almost there. We'll talk once we have eyes on Mrs. Miller and know more." He tapped his earwig.
Carter scrunched her face. "Did I just hear all that right? What the hell is Finch thinking?"
Reese exhaled in surrendering acceptance. "I don't know Carter. What can I say... We leave and the world goes to the dogs..."
