Chapter 2
9am – all 120 officers present in this building today plus 30 cadets are sat in the briefing hall before the senior officials are asked to enter. At the doorway, O'Neil greets Adam with some more paperwork. "So you've heard the news I take it?"
Adam: "Yes DC. I know what I need to do but I'd like to see the files first before they arrive tomorrow".
O'Neil: "Sure, here you go. They're actually arriving from 5pm today. I expect you and Stone to be here to meet them when they do".
5pm? Really, just when Adam thought he would finish early today before training and checking in on Sammy. Looks like it's going to be another late one, Axel better not desert him later.
They enter the hall, sitting by the podium where the chief delivers his 15 minute briefing including today's headline as well as the on-going cases they are working on involving their syndicate task force. As he delivers his speech, Adam takes the opportunity to glance through the six files in his hand each labelled with Wood Oak City Red District Official – CLASSIFED INFORMATION.
One of our moles has to be either:
Sam Davidson- young 25 year old with little fighting experience but a great hacker.
David Arnold- close to retirement, more out of the field now but experienced in prosecution. His motive could be that he was next in line for the role of Deputy Chief.
Stuart Auberry-Mason- Adam has met this prick before- white supreme fascist, pervert, but a savage fighter- it's probably him based on Adam's judgement.
Nadine Bilson- Very good references, not a good fighter but she has dealt with major cases as a detective in the past. Also a successful prosecutor.
Bernice Wayne- Again he has good references, grew up as a cage fighter in France. He also trains cadets but Adam has never met him before.
Blaze Fielding- No shit? Adam was partnered with Blaze when they were cadets- an amazing fighter and officer but it can't be the same Blaze. She went back home to London years ago to work there for MI6… he takes a good look at the mugshot and realises it is her, wondering why she is on this hit list.
"Briefing Adjourned, any officers off duty on the team need to be back here at 5pm sharp today. That's an order" O'Neil finished there.
"How's the list looking?" Axel asks as they walk out.
Adam: "This is going to be a challenge. Half of these 'senior' officers can't fight for shit, the last thing I need is more admin motherfuckers. You can train them by the way".
Axel: "That's cool, that means you can stay up and research their asses"
Adam: "Deal. Time to start duty then".
Its early afternoon and the pair are driving around in plain clothes and an unmarked car patrolling for anything suspicious. So far today it's been relatively quiet, busted three drug dealers and arrested two men fighting in the street. You never know what the day will throw at you with this job. Suddenly a call comes through on the radio, its Jess who is with her partner Brian:
Jess: "Central Agent Hart 404 over"
Axel: "Central Agent Stone over, the line isn't clear I need you to speak up"
Jess: "Brian and I had a call out for block 85, Mercer Street, we need urgent back up right away!"
Adam progresses to speed ahead through the traffic and within three minutes they arrive at what appears to be a derelict building site.
As they arrive, they see Jess and Brian have broken into the building but they are nowhere to be seen. Immediately they hear a loud shot on their windscreen- fortunately this car is bullet proof.
Axel: "Snipers- that came from the building"
Adam: "I can see a basement with a window at the bottom of the building on my side, if I drive with speed close enough can you jump out and break in? I'll cover you"
Axel: "Yeah lets go" enthusiastic that finally something interesting has come up today. He grabs his gun ready and as the car aggressively speeds toward the building, he opens the door and rolls out, firing a shot at one of the snipers on the basement before kicking the door open. Adam quickly rolls out and takes cover behind the car, looking out for anymore gunmen around before following the same path as his partner.
At this point the basement is clear and the pair make their way to the ground floor cautiously. They can see Jess and Brian taking cover behind one of the walls leading to a kitchen. Adam spots another man with a gun walking towards them and swiftly shoots him in the head. Brian sees him and gives him a nod. The team start making their way up the flights of stairs when thugs start to attack them. One man tries to jump on Axel but within a second he grabs and breaks the man's arm before knocking him out cold to the head with the gun. The fighting and gun fire becomes more and more intense.
Unfortunately Jess and Brian only have basic training in combat so this is a real challenge for them. Just when it seems like these men are either dead or knocked out cold and handcuffed to the stairwell, one grabs Brian by the leg and pulls him down, shooting him in the abdomen after grabbing his gun. Axel quickly reacts, shooting the man in the head and removing his navy blue jumper to stop the bleeding. Adam is already near the top floor of the 8 story building.
"Wait here" Axel whispers to Jess. "And make sure you put compression on the wound, use anything you can to stop the bleeding. More backup is on the way". They then hear a very loud screech, strange and pain like at the top of the building. Jess replies worriedly: "Where are you going?" Before she finishes her sentence, he is quickly and quietly making his way up the stairs towards Adam. Someone or something is definitely waiting for them on the top floor.
The pair cautiously wait by the entrance past the stairwell. Inside they can see a bright space, the sun is shining in. This floor could maybe hold two apartments at most but is empty with no fittings in place apart from huge windows with a nice view to the city outside. The screeching sound happens again and they move forward one by one covering each other. What they are about to see is a big shock. Inside a large metal cage is a baby kangaroo. Adam reacts: "What the fuck? How could these people import this here?" Even worse, at the back of the space is the mother, tied up with chains and full of blood. As an air of caution she will understandably try to defend herself if they get too close. Axel replies: "There are some fucking sick bastards in this place who would do this".
Adam: "Check the rest of the floor, when backup arrives they will inspect the whole building".
Adam reaches for his phone: "This is Central Agent Hunter, we need the animal authorities over right away… we have a baby kangaroo and the mother who is bleeding and tied up…..yes that's what I said two kangaroos!"
Within minutes the authorities arrive to do the rest and Brian is taken into an ambulance. Axel explains to the paramedic: "34 year old male, one shot to the abdomen we've applied pressure to stop the bleeding". She replies "Thank you" before turning to Brian in the stretcher "thanks to your team, you are going to be ok".
Adam: "Its 3pm already, I'm heading back to the station to start preparing the interviews with the three men we have in custody. I'll need your statement along with Jess and Brian as soon as possible for the attorney".
Axel: "Sure, once the forensics have started here on the four dead and when I've finished up here I will get a ride back to the station".
Adam: "Thanks and good work"
#Axel's cell phone rings#
"Central Agent Stone speaking….what? No!" Sadness appears on his face. "… and the joey?...ok that's good….. Give me 15 minutes"...
Axel: "Thanks for driving me here Jess, Adam has taken our car back to HQ"
Jess: "Anytime….. I'm glad to hear Brian is ok, thank you for your help back there"
Axel smiles back: "It's what we do, we all look out for each other. I really hope it stays like this even when the new team arrive".
Jess: "So err what time are we set to finish tonight when they've had their introduction?"
Axel: "Not sure, you and the rest of the team can probably go within half an hour, Adam and I will have to brief them afterwards"
Jess: "So I take it your busy then for the rest of the night?" she says with a smile placing her hand on his arm where one of the attackers earlier cut him, the blood still apparent on his white t-shirt. Her mid length red her and purposely figure hugging uniform every day is tempting but-
He responds: "Take the car back to the office, I will be ok from here. When you get back before the briefing ask Rob to take your statement on today. You can also explain why you weren't present at your post by the harbour".
A look of disappointment dawns on her face and she removes her hand- "Sure thing".
Axel enters the animal shelter where the kangaroos found were being treated. The veterinary surgeon who called approaches him straight away. "Thank you for coming at such short notice. Luckily the joey is ok but we did everything we could to save the mother".
Axel: "These sick bastards use them and breed them to fight for money, with enough evidence we can have them inside for six years, it should be more but that's the fucking law for you".
The vet responds: "I'm sure you will do everything you can Agent Stone to bring them to justice. There's something you need to see- you will have to wear this white apron first and the gloves".
He follows the vet into a room where the body is inside a bag. As he opens the bag, he is shown a circular mark with seven stars tattooed on the animal's neck. A look of horror comes across his face and he takes photographs of the evidence. "Yes, definitely this is an organisation working for the syndicate who are doing this".
The syndicate is an underground organisation who oversee various criminal organisations on the police radar including one of the city's major casinos, brothels, strip clubs, fight clubs, gyms, drug supplies and bars. It's expanded so much that it's difficult to tell where the businesses they control are and who is running them. It's evident in the bombing that at least one syndicate member is on the force, maybe even in the government. Corruption is a major issue today in the city. Even the identity of the boss who oversees the syndicate is not known and is hidden from many of his associates lower in the hierarchy. He could be anywhere right now, could be working in any legit profession. He is known to the authorities as Mr X but who is he really? That is the million dollar question.
"Adam, there's something I have to show you", Axel rushes into his colleagues' office.
Adam, feeling very stressed: "This needs to wait, our briefing is in ten minutes! O'Neil is going to lose it if we show up late- the two unprofessional senior bosses need to make an example! And…. Ax please change your t- shirt and clean up, you still have blood on you!"
Axel rushes over to Adam with the camera he used earlier. "Take a look at this, look closely at that mark".
Adam recognises it and observes the tattoo in the photo carefully. Axel continues, "That mark is a tattoo that the Yamato cult use. Their temple is secret, moves around making them impossible to locate."
Adam responds- "you know this is all fighting legend bullshit that you learnt about on your travels that doesn't exist anymore. Besides, what has this got to do with the syndicate?"
Axel: "you've seen the effects of their powers for yourself once. This animal must have had strong chi (energy force) around its aura for them to do this. Who knows what the syndicate has to do with this cult but keep an eye out for this mark, even with our colleagues here. If they bear the mark, it's likely to be hidden on their body. And don't share this with anyone, especially when they will ask how we know about this".
When Axel is serious and worried, it's no bullshit and shouldn't be ignored.
Adam: "Ok bro, I will keep an eye out. Now get yourself changed and ready and let's get this meeting over with."
5pm is finally here and they just make it in time to the briefing, a sigh of relief on Deputy O'Neil's face as he begins his talk in front of the ten closest lieutenants underneath Adam and Axel along with a handful of officers off duty.
"These five members will be joining your team and will be moving into your offices tomorrow. Agent Hunter has already allocated where they will be working and who they will be sharing an office with. During this time, you will all have to work collaboratively, giving the best advice you can to our new staff as they get use to this environment and continue with their training. We are all now one unit and although this is a temporary measure, I am sure you will get to know them individually in good time".
One of the new officers, Bernice felt quite patronised after that speech and you could see the disgust in his face. "I already have years of training" he muttered under his breath to Nadine sitting next to him, "What makes them think they are more qualified than us? I really wish I was not transferred here". She nodded in agreement.
O'Neil: "Briefing adjourned, I will inform those officers by email on the night shift tomorrow, and in the meantime you are free to go otherwise. Agent Stone and Hunter, I need you to interview the new senior team one by one, briefing them with the procedures and their schedules prepared".
"Yes chief", both officers replied. "Oh, and agent Hart, I need you to stay. Please can you show the group round the place while they are waiting to be interviewed?" Jess nods back asking "DC, weren't there supposed to be six on the cards?"
O'Neil: "Yes there were, so glad you know how to count! If the last one does ever bother to show her face, send her to my office immediately".
"This is going to be a long night", Axel complained to his closest colleague. Adam responded: "Yeah, and that fat motherfucker chief is going home now while we do the dirty work". They can see Jess hanging around outside with the group waiting for the interviews to start and showing anyone left around the office.
Adam: "That red head is sweet on you"
Axel: "Yeah and I took your advice. No chick is ever worth losing my hard work over, she can stay sweet in the meantime".
Adam: "If that day ever comes when you settle down, I'll be damned"
Axel: "And if you ever pop the question to Keri you can make me best man and I will throw you the biggest bachelor party you ever seen". If there is one person who can always lighten the mood on a boring evening its Axel.
Jess knocks abruptly while the pair are joking around- "shall I send the first officer in now?"
Adam gives the nod.
"Nadine Bilson, it's a pleasure to meet you my name is Captain Hunter and this is my colleague Captain Stone." She removes her hat with the red emblem, part of her district uniform and salutes her new superiors before they exchange handshakes.
"Please take a seat officer Bilson" Axel continues.
"Adam will now brief you on the departmental regulations where you will need to sign the following documents to confirm you have understood the procedures here. I will then talk you through your schedule as well as our additional combat and self-defence programme." She looks puzzled and replies "Well I do already have sufficient combat skills, I went through the cadet program and had further training when I became on officer".
Adam: "Yes but your profile is…."
Axel interrupts: "What my colleague is trying to say is that we run a regular combat program here for all of our officers taught by leading martial arts experts. Violent crimes in this district are on the rise as the syndicate employ many fighters to work for them. Sometimes guns aren't enough. I can assure you the extra training will make a huge difference, even if you decide to focus on attorney matters, I would encourage you to protect yourself by improving your abilities."
Adam hints a smile as he believes this has won the slightly pessimistic officer over.
Adam: "Lets continue then we will brief you on the cases you will be working on from tomorrow….."
One hour later and the first meeting is over. Next up is lieutenant David Arnold- lecturing this 56 year old with at least 20 more years of experience is a little embarrassing but is a necessary evil. Following his meeting is Lieutenant Bernice Wayne. Axel and Adam are tall and muscular at both 6ft2 but this guy is something else at 6ft5 with his frame, this man could contend for Mr Universe. He is also older at the age of 40 and has served more time on the force, however surprisingly he is the most enthusiastic so far about the combat training and agrees on how important it is.
The next person to be interviewed is Lieutenant Davidson, the young computer whizz. This was by far the easiest person to interview as he agreed with everything without question and he was the easiest to read. In addition to the administration and policy briefing, the pair were given strict orders to be observant of their new officers' characters and anything they say at all times.
10pm and Adam is losing the will to live. "No no not this asshole next"- last but not least was Lieutenant Stuart Auberry-Mason. An old colleague Adam had worked with ten years ago who he had nothing but bad experiences with. "I'm telling you Ax, I know this guy and he must be the mole. He's a racist, just like the asshole cops you see in the South. He has been suspended in the past for inappropriate conduct on a female officer and he tries to undermine anyone who is superior to him."
Axel replies: "You know what, introduce yourself then go home, it's late and I can finish off the last interview. Don't worry I can handle this asshole, he will know his place in the next hour".
Adam: "You're a blessing from God man, what would I do without you?!"
It has been a long night, only a handful of senior officers on the night shift are left in the building plus the best secretary they have, Maureen who sees Axel as he leaves the interview room to head back to his office upstairs before going home. "That bad huh?" she asks him. "That has to be the most difficult interview I have ever done! Adam was right about this motherfucker we have been forced to work with and they saved the best until last".
She replies: "11pm and you need to be here again bright and early tomorrow morning. Go home and get some rest!"
Axel: "Thanks Mau, have a good night!"
He proceeds to take the lift upstairs to the 6th floor where his office is to get changed, grab his keys, file the paper work then go straight home. Too much has happened today, he hasn't eaten, is living off 4 hours sleep a night and now to make matters worse, the lights have been switched off on the top floor in the hall to save energy. Oddly, Adam's office light in the distance is still on, he should have left an hour ago. Has someone broken into his office? The blinds across the window are shut so it's impossible to see who is in there. Only Axel and O'Neil have access to this office but he is long gone….
Axel attaches his gun and knife to his jeans under his jacket along with Adam's spare key. As he approaches the office he can hear Adam's voice talking to someone. This is very strange, how long has he been waiting there? Is he in the middle of a phone call? Has something happened at home?
He opens the door to find Adam sitting at his desk in front of a brunette with long dark hair wearing a red jacket- certainly not a police officer in uniform. She turns around on her chair to see who has just walked in, looking surprised.
Axel: "Sorry I err didn't mean to interrupt your meeting". She pauses and stares at him in the eye with large green/blue grey eyes and slightly tanned but still fair skin. Definitely not American, could be European, Latin or even Middle Eastern with her dark hair.
Adam smiles: "Hey bro it's all good, I was just finishing the last interview. This is Lieutenant Blaze Fielding she will be joining the team tomorrow. Blaze, this is Captain Axel Stone, my partner who will be co-leading the team with me".
Axel extends his hand out. "Pleased to meet you" she replies with an English accent before exchanging the handshake. All of a sudden he feels a ping like a mini electric shock in his hand and quickly pulls his hand away feeling a little embarrassed. There is definitely something very weird about this woman.
Axel: "So you're British?" feeling curious whilst stating the obvious.
Blaze: "Yeah from London. I moved back here six months ago"
Axel: "So where is all the paperwork for the interview Adam?" Thinking of why she is not in uniform at least.
Adam: "Blaze and I were partners in the force when we were training as cadets, we go way back. She knows the regulations here and is a great fighter".
Axel slightly shocked: "Well that's good news as everyone here goes through the combat training program we teach"
Blaze: "Great!" with a forced smile, her charm is starting to ware off now as she is becoming impatient to leave. Why should she be treated any different from the other possible moles/ new staff?
Axel: "And what about DC O'Neil? Did you inform him of the late arrival?"
Adam: "Its fine, I will speak with him tomorrow".
Blaze: "Well it's been a long night, I had to come straight from training and if you both have everything you need I'm going to head home. Is it ok to call a taxi?"
Adam: "No I insist I will give you a ride back, it's late now"
Axel: "Adam I think its best if we call the taxi- I'm sure she means a cab- as we have to finish off the filing before we leave".
Her eyes have changed now from grey to a more prominent blue as she looks up at them, "Seriously I will be fine guys, there's a cab place up the road I will go to. See you tomorrow"
Axel, looking suspicious wave's good bye as this strange woman leaves the office, not very sure what lies ahead in the morning.
"Adam, how can you trust this girl? O'Neil is gonna flip tomorrow you can't treat her differently to the others".
Adam: "Its fine seriously, we go way back. She saved my ass a couple of times!"
Axel looking concerned: "Please tell me nothing has happened between you two?"
Adam: "What do you mean?"
Axel: "You're a lucky man with Keri by your side you know"
Adam laughs and responds: "Oh...no way man! The guys in the department have always thought she was hot be she's got a lot of issues and she's always been more of a sisterly friend, I never thought of her like that to be honest! Sammy always had a crush on her though…"
Axel: "She knows your family too?"
Adam: "Yep, she's even met Keri when we first hit it off and Keri likes her. So lighten up yeah?"
Axel unsure: "Ok. See you in the morning then".
