Chapter 11 -Double-O Mikey-

"Jonah has a desk-job. He doesn't like to work in the tunnels like I do," explained Jackie, leading Mikey to the door.

I suppose Jonah'd get along better with Dad if he wanted to be a sewer-rat like me, Jackie mused. But Jonah's just not wired for it. He prefers books and computers to slogging through damp sewer tunnels and pipes. I'm glad Dad got him this job. It suits him, and the schedule works with the classes he's taking at the college. I just wish Dad could see how hard he's trying to straighten himself out, and be as proud of him as I am.

"Oh! Hi, Jonah," she said, stepping into the small room. Michelangelo clung to Jackie's pant-leg, and peered fearfully around her at the tall, dark-haired man sitting at the desk. "I didn't think you were working today," said Jackie.

"Hiya Sis. I'm not, actually. I was on my way out to a meeting. You know, I have to go because of being stupid and getting drunk."

Jackie shook her head. "Well, you have to admit, getting arrested wasn't your most shining moment."

"That's for sure."

"Don't you have class this afternoon?" asked Jackie.

"No. Not until Thursday. I'm starting late this semester because of the court dates and all that. Hey, look at this little toy I picked up." Jonah showed her a little black box. Mikey peeked out from behind Jackie, curious.

"It's a voice-activated recorder. I can use it to tape lectures," explained Jonah. He pushed a couple of buttons. "Darn it! I can't get the voice-activated part to work."

Jackie sighed. "And you're the one going to college. Let me see it."

Jonah stood up and handed his sister the recorder. He glanced down, and Mikey shrank back, ducking behind Jackie again.

"Well, you know, there are other jobs besides working in the sewers. College will give me a chance to do something different. Hey, who's the Velcro?" asked Jonah, smiling.

"This is my friend, Mikey." Jackie reached down and put a reassuring hand on Michelangelo's shoulder. She could feel him trembling. "He's a little shy. He's staying with me for a few days."

"Hey there, buddy," said Jonah, smiling.

"H…h… hi," whispered Mikey, hiding his face in Jackie's side.

Jonah looked at his sister. She shrugged. I'll tell you later, she mouthed. Jonah nodded. With one more curious glance at the little figure clinging to his sister for dear life, he stood up.

"Well, I've got to get going," he said cheerfully.

"Hey, would you mind if Mike hangs out in your office while I fix Dad's computer?" Jackie leaned closer to her brother and lowered her voice. "Dad kind of scared him," she explained softly.

"Oh, sure, Jackie, no problem," said Jonah. "He can play with the tape recorder."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I was going to ask you to take it home and figure out how it works for me, anyway." He flashed her a winning grin.

Jackie rolled her eyes. Typical.

"Ok, I'll see what I can do," she said.

"Thanks, Jackie, you're the best. See you."

"Take care, Jonah."

"Always do." With a grin and a wave, he was gone.

"Here, Mikey, you can sit in Jonah's chair, ok?"

"…Ok."

"Hey, it'll be all right. I'll be right down the hall, ok?"

"Ok. Can we still get ice-cream?"

"Of course, Mikey, as soon as I'm done, ok?"

"Ok."

Jackie patted his shoulder, and went out, closing the door with a soft click behind her.

***

Michelangelo settled himself into the chair. He looked around, but there wasn't much to look at in the little office. His eyes fell on the recorder. Jonah had said he could play with it. The little gadget did look interesting, with so many buttons! Donnie would be so jealous.

I wonder what this button does. Re-co-rd. Hmm… He pushed it, but there was a disappointing lack of results. Michelangelo heard the doorknob rattle, and he looked up, frozen. He half-expected Jackie to enter the room, but she had just left. Something wasn't right. Instinctively, he stuffed the tape-recorder into the pocket of the hoodie, and dove under the desk, concealing himself. He leaned down, looking under the desk.

Someone walked into the room, but the shoes Michelangelo saw weren't Jackie's faded blue sneakers. Shiny black high heels made funny, muffled taps on the thin carpet. The feet stopped just inches from Mikey's face. He drew back, trembling, and closed his eyes. He curled up, trying to be as small as possible under the desk.

Think invisible thoughts… be still and silent as the shadows…

He was certain whomever was standing next to the desk would hear his heart trying to beat its way out of his chest. He heard a click, and a series of beeps.

That sounds like that thing Jackie has… a… telephone. When the woman spoke, he nearly jumped out of his shell.

"Daryl? Yes, this is Marie. Have you got the cyanide yet?" Mikey could hear a muffled voice replying. The woman swore. "I need it now, Daryl. I've waited seven years for this! I've decided to move up the dates. I have to deal with Jonah first. Then Jackie, then Roger. The brat can wait a few more years. No, I can't wait any longer."

What a meanie, thought Michelangelo. It doesn't sound like she likes Jackie at all! I wonder who she's calling a brat.

He wrinkled his nose as a sickly-sweet smell came wafting down. Michelangelo didn't know what perfume was, but he knew the woman stunk. Not like Jackie, he thought. She smells kinda nice. For a human.

"No, the original plan didn't work. Jackie bailed Jonah out before my friend in the Department could finish him. It was a perfect set-up, too. All he had to do was get him in a cell with one of their more violent convicts. Well, I'll take care of him. Yes, I've got it planned. He'll be the unfortunate victim in a drug-deal gone wrong. Friday night, when he's coming out of his classes. The parking lot's deserted then, it'll be perfect."

A rumble from the other voice.

"Jackie will be a little trickier, but I have a plan for her as well. She'll have an accident while working on a gas main. I need you to set that up. And poor, dear Roger. The grief of losing two of his children in such circumstances will result in his untimely demise as well. I'll be rich. He's got the life insurance policy of King Midas himself. I just have to get the brats out of the way."

Rumble.

"Oh, don't worry. Trevor's only seven. I've got eleven years to get rid of him. You just do your job, and set up Jackie's little 'accident' carefully. I'll call you tomorrow after I take care of Jonah. I'm not taking any chances this time."

Mikey heard a click, and the woman's heels tap-tap-tapped their way back out of the room. He sat very still and kept quiet.

I want to go home. I want to go home. I want to go home… The thought charged through his mind like a train. Oh Leo, I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. And Donnie, I'm sorry I busted your do-hickey. I guess you don't even know about that yet. And Raph… I'm sorry I made you spill milk on the table 'cause I made you so mad and you threw your pancake at me…

Soft footsteps approached the room, and Michelangelo cringed, covering his head with his hands. He heard the door open and close.

Oh no! She's coming back for me! Panic rose in his chest.

"Mikey?" Jackie's voice called softly. Michelangelo scrambled out from under the desk, hardly believing his friend had returned.

"Jackie!"

"Hey, Mikey, are you ready to go? How come you were hiding under the desk? Are you ok?"

Jackie knelt down, and Michelangelo threw himself into her arms.

"I'm just glad to see you," he said, his voice muffled against her jacket. He inhaled deeply. Jackie's coat smelled of the dank tunnels. It smelled like home.

"See, I told you nobody would hurt you," she said gently, disentangling Michelangelo's arms from their stranglehold around her neck.

"Can we get ice-cream now?"

"Sure. Come on, big guy, let's go."

He took her hand in his, and they walked out into the hall.

"Jackie, please reconsider."

Michelangelo looked toward the voice. A huge man stood, leaning on the doorframe of Jackie's dad's office. He looked at Michelangelo and his eyes narrowed. Mikey moved behind Jackie, using her shadow as cover.

I am invisible…

"Who's that?"

"I told you, Dad, I'm babysitting. This is Mikey. And I'm not coming over tonight, I'm sorry. I want to see Trevor, Dad, but I just can't come to the house."

"I wish you wouldn't be like this, Jackie."

"I wish Marie wouldn't be like this, Dad. You know why I can't. Please give Trevor my love."

"He misses you, Jackie."

"I miss him, too, Dad."

Jackie turned away, giving Michelangelo's hand a little tug. He followed her, glancing over his shoulder at her father. The man was scowling. Michelangelo moved closer to Jackie, until his shoulder brushed her hip. She glanced down at him.

"It's ok, Mikey," she said softly, giving his hand a little squeeze. Michelangelo was surprised to see tears on Jackie's cheeks.

"Hey, Jackie," he whispered. "How come you're crying?"

"I miss my brother," she answered softly.

"Oh. I miss my brothers, too."

"I know. I'm going to help you find them, ok?"

"Ok. But can we get ice-cream first?"

Jackie laughed. "We sure can, Mikey."