Flow (4)

Day 23:

Mike was about to hit send when the elevator opened and Kay was there, an expectant look on her face. "Thank God," he said. "I was about to ask when you were getting here. Have you seen Cameron?"

"Good morning," Kay said, checking her watch. "No I haven't...but it's pretty early. What's going on?"

"I'm not even sure," Mike replied. "But whatever it is, it's got me creeped out." The elevator doors opened again behind Kay, and personnel stepped around her. Mike jerked his head in the direction of their desks. "We need to talk."

….

He hadn't left it behind. Cameron glanced out the diner window again. It was sitting there just down the block, shaded by elms, a malevolent blue-and-silver presence. Chrome and metal and whatever sinister intentions the driver had.

"Reheat that for you?"

Forcing himself to return the waitress' smile, Cameron shook his head. "No, I'm good. Thanks."

Alone again, he took a deep breath. He felt nauseous, shaky after a night of no sleep and too much coffee, and he was no longer sure why he'd chosen this place to hole up in, why he hadn't just called Kay, called Mike.

Maybe because this was a threat. Stein was trying to lead them away from the truth, to lure them into some kind of trap just as he'd surely lured the hapless Harold Cantor. Kay and Mike were skilled investigators and could take care of themselves, but they didn't know Stein's shadowy world, which crept alongside and interwove with his world. They didn't know misdirection like the Master of Deception did; they didn't live with it in their bones. He wouldn't let that twisted man lead them off the trail and into danger. He sure as hell wouldn't let Stein hurt them.

Or Johnny. He felt himself scowling, remembering yesterday's drive. He'd spotted the blatant tail, leaned on the gas until the car had disappeared, and in relief had turned his thoughts toward seeing his brother. But of course Stein wasn't gone; he wasn't gone. Around a bend in the road and there the silent behemoth of a car had been again, stalking him. In desperation he'd driven past the turn-off for the prison, circled back around to the highway and returned to the city. No way was he taking Stein anywhere near Jonathan. No way.

His cell phone vibrated and he dug it out of his pocket. Partner. Probably time to at least check in and let them know what was up.

He picked up, attention back on the car. "Kay," he greeted. "You have perfect timing. Guess who's been following me again?"

She didn't answer.

"Kay?" he prodded. "You there?"

I'm here.

He took a moment. "You aren't Kay," he said.

Nothing escapes you, I see.

"What are you doing?" Cameron hissed. "What do you want?" He sensed eyes on him and glanced around the small eatery, registering alarmed looks from a few customers. Fumbling with his wallet, he dropped several bills on the table and walked out, gripping the phone so hard it hurt. By the time the metal door had rattled shut behind him he could hear that the line was dead. In the narrow parking lot he stopped, ended the call and peered down the road. The car was gone.

….

"We're sure about this."

"Whatever 'this' is, yes."

Kay brought up the image, a stock photo. "This is what Jacobus Stein drives."

"Yeah," Mike nodded. "A 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale, midnight blue. We'd already run his vehicle registration after figuring out he made the 'haunting machine.' When Cameron told you he'd been followed here, I checked that first."

"Dark blue and old, just like Cameron said."

"Yeah."

"This makes no sense, Mike."

"I know."

"Nothing on the footage. Nothing at all?"

Mike sighed. "I went through it. Then I went through it again." He settled on the edge of his desk. "Then I ran Cameron's cell phone records, and after I got those back yesterday afternoon, I paid a visit to Jonathan."

….

The buzz of his cell was loud in the quiet apartment. Partner again. He sent the call to voicemail, breathing hard. It buzzed again; he rejected the call again. Eighteen missed calls from her…no, from him. He rubbed his temples, trying to ease the headache. It was useless – Stein had done something to him and now he was caught in this…web of dark happenings. Think, Cameron, he hissed to himself. He had to get in front of Stein, get a step ahead of him. Their investigation had been cold from the start, Kay and Mike's speculation the only thing connecting the dots between a smuggling ring and Cantor's murder. Johnny couldn't help – the danger was there too. The master haunter had thought of everything.

Grabbing his keys, he strode for the door. If this was going to be a showdown he would be there; he would be ready. The warehouse was where it had all started. He would end it there. Yanking the door open, he caught the movement too late and hands were on him, voices loud in his ears. He fought, and then there was nothing.

….

To be continued…very soon!

Note: I've actually written most of the next part of this story so I believe I'll be able to update in the next day or 2. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Second note: still fighting the good, save Deception fight! That petition is still attracting new signatures, and Amazon studios staff seem pretty responsive when emailed. I got a very nice reply, and a few, I've heard, have stated they've actually seen Deception as well. Interesting.