Morgan sputters awake as cold water is splashed over him. He shakes his head to clear the water from his face and the cobwebs from his mind. The first thing he sees is the shirtless man tied to a chair in front of him.
"No. No. No. NO!" Morgan pleads silently.
"Good evening, Derek. So nice of you to join us for Raul's trial and execution," Reese says sweetly, his voice belying the horror that is to come.
"Madre de Dios! Por favor, let me go!" Raul begs, English and Spanish mixing due to his fear.
Reese smiles at Morgan. "What do you think, Derek? Should we let him go?"
"YES!" Morgan tries to scream around his gag but it's barely a grunt due to how dry his mouth is.
Reese shrugs. "Oh, dear, I have no idea what you're saying. You really must learn to enunciate. Since you can't speak clearly, we'll just have to go back to our original plans."
Morgan closes his eyes and shakes his head, not wanting to witness what will happen next. He is slapped across the face. When he opens his eyes Reese is right in his face.
"You will WATCH, Derek. You will bear witness to his trial. Or I will fetch that bitch Emily and she will go on trial next. Is that understood?" he asks viciously.
Morgan nods, his eyes burning holes in Reese. The killer just smiles. "Good boy. Might have to figure out a reward for you."
As Reese steps back Morgan sees Gloria walking towards the man named Raul. She is holding the board and once again muttering under her breath. Reese smiles at her from behind Morgan, laying his hand on the agent's shoulders like a father might a son.
"Your prayers are once again heard, Gloria. The goddess has spoken and you can proceed."
Gloria nods. "Thank you, Master." She turns to the man. "Confess your sin, Raul. Confess and be saved. Deny your sins and feel the hand of the goddess punish you for your transgressions."
Raul is crying uncontrollably. "I…I don't know. I swear I don't know."
Gloria swings, slamming the specially made club across the tops of both of the man's kneecaps. The man's scream makes Morgan shiver and Reese chuckle.
Gloria slightly changes her stance. "Confess, Raul. The goddess is ready to hear you."
"No se! No se!" he whimpers in Spanish, telling her he doesn't know.
Gloria swings again, bringing the club down 5 times in rapid succession on the man's thighs. Every hit is accompanied by a howl of pain. His screams echo throughout the building, telling Morgan they must be far from anywhere someone could hear them. Not good.
"Raul Hernandez, you know your guilt. Just admit it," Gloria encourages him.
"Dios, me ahorro. God, save me. Please. Please," he moans. "I am innocent. Inocente!"
Gloria shakes her head. "You are far from innocent, Raul."
She brings the club across his shins 5 times but still the man cannot admit his guilt. Reese is studying his captive and can see the signs that show he will pass out soon. Raul is not as strong as Stevens but is doing better than Dales. Still, Reese doesn't want the fun to end too soon. The longer it lasts, the more it hurts Morgan.
"Gloria," he says simply.
The woman nods and takes three steps away from the man she is beating. She bows her head and starts to mumble prayers. Reese starts to massage Morgan's shoulders.
"He's a weak man, isn't he, Derek. How long until he just gives up on life? Maybe an hour? Two at the most?" He next addresses the crying man. "How long do you think, Raul? How long can you stand the pain? If you just admit your guilt you die quicker. Your choice really."
"I…I don't know…what you want…from me," Raul sobs.
"Yes, you do. We want you to admit your guilt. Is that so hard to understand?"
Raul just sobs. Reese shakes his head sadly.
"Gloria. Continue."
Raul lets out a wail as Gloria steps forward again. "Admit your guilt."
"No…se. I don't…know."
She slams the club across his kneecaps twice. The man tenses so much Morgan is sure a wooden chair would have splintered. The metal chair he is in just scoots along the floor. It is then Morgan notices the deep gouges in the floor. Obviously the first 2 victims had also tried to push away from the woman wielding the club.
"Admit your GUILT!" Gloria screams.
Raul can only shake his head, his body wracked with pain. The board comes down 10 times across his thighs. Morgan guesses the pattern. Each time the hits would probably be doubled. No wonder the autopsy showed such severe beating on the legs and stress on the body. The two killers were monsters.
"Please, God, have the team close. Have them here soon. Please, God," Morgan prays. He wants to close his eyes but is worried it would bring down additional torture on Raul.
"ADMIT YOUR GUILT!" Gloria yells again.
Raul's head has dropped but he still howls when his shins are beaten 10 times. Once again, Reese stops Gloria to give Raul time to recover.
After 2 hours it is obvious they are not going to get any admission of guilt out of Raul. He hangs limply in the chair. Reese pats Morgan on the shoulder.
"Pity. If only you had helped him, Derek. But no, you just sat here and did nothing. Pathetic really."
Morgan struggles against the ropes holding him, wanting to pound the man into the ground. Reese just chuckles.
"Gloria, send him to the goddess."
Gloria nods. "Yes, Master."
She walks back to the table, praying over her club. She then picks up a clear plastic bag. Saying more prayers she approaches the unconscious man and places it over his head, pulling it tightly around his neck. It doesn't take long until Morgan sees Raul's weakened body shudder. There are two panicked gasps and then the man goes completely slack. Gloria places her fingers at the carotid artery.
"He is gone, Master."
Reese smiles. "Well done, Gloria. Get the van."
Gloria removes the bag from Raul's head and puts it over on the table. As soon as she leaves, Reese walks over and lifts up the club. He smiles as he walks back to Morgan. Without a word he beats Morgan's legs, alternating between knees, thighs and shins in no particular pattern. By the time he is done, Morgan just hangs in the chair.
"Three down, 4 to go before my true target. I'm not sure you'll still be with me, Derek. Which of your friends will find your body? And which will take your place in that chair? Flagstaff is quickly becoming my favorite city ever."
He has just put the board back on the table when Gloria drives the old panel van into the warehouse. They load up Raul and drive towards Thorpe Park to get rid of the body.
When Morgan comes to he can only sit in the chair crying. He knows he's going to die here. And he knows more men like Raul will die unless his team gets lucky this time. Twice before The Puppet Master had beaten them. Will this be the third time?