TAYLOR


One of the perks of being in the FBI is access to nifty toys. While not 'toys' by definition, they are fun to play with. Gaia understood that Ana could be skittish, all things considered, and let me direct the investigation the way I wanted. Giving her the heads up on where to find Elena's remains helped get me a special operation of my own, which includes access to gadgets for investigative purposes, without having to get a forensic team involved, something an average agent wasn't allowed.

Gaia knew the way things work in Washington DC, and knew that what we were sitting on likely wouldn't see light of day by traditional means. Attorney General could choose not to press charges on those involved in the pedophile ring despite what the FBI recommends; with his friend Myra Fallard rumored to run for president in the upcoming election, enforcing the law of the land would fall to the wayside so life could carry on as usual. Have to admit, it galls me to know that any Joe on the street found to have diddled kids is publicly nailed to the cross. Unless, of course, the presiding judge enjoys the same atrocities… predators released after months instead of years. To think those fuck heads get out and enjoy their freedom in a fraction of the time it takes their victims to heal from the mental and emotional traumas. Bruises of the flesh heal more readily than those of the soul.

Elena Lincoln's death now deprived those in the ring's higher echelon a fall guy; it's obvious now. With her as the working face of the ring, those actually funding it get to hide away. It's supposed like Marc Dutroux all over again— he got arrested three times, and it was only the third time did they find some missing girls who had been raped and used to make pornography. Dutroux claimed he was part of a ring, filled with high ranking members of the Belgian government. It got spun as lies, and the focus pivoted to how the police fucked up their investigation. Classic deflection technique. Dutroux is still in prison… meanwhile, those who funded him so he could buy multiple homes, those who paid for the porn he made, those sacks of shit in human form will never see justice. Can't have a supply and demand situation without those making the demand for that kind of product. Those are the dregs of humanity that tend to avoid justice. Usually because their position gives them some cover or power they can wield, if they can't buy their way of it.

Grey was a cog in a lower rung of that ring, whether he knew it or not. And to be clear, that pedophile ring doesn't just specialize in the abuse of children, but abuse in general. Torture was a close second in preference for those partaking of the ring. Still not sure whether the torture had any ties to the CIA or was a separate fetish. Couldn't rule out either possibility at this point.

With Gaia's help, I got the paperwork going to get Ana deputized. It's a short term thing; once the case closes, she'll go back to being a regular citizen. And with the US Marshal's help, she'll have the ability to arrest and carry a concealed weapon. She'll have to do some book training regarding laws and whatnot, but that shouldn't be a problem. She's smart. After that, the paperwork has to go through a couple vetting processes, but with friends on the inside, that can get expedited. She'll be an agent for me in my rogue operation. She's got the funding power to make things happen, the ability to rub elbows with those in the higher tiers of the ring; those funding it. That's an incredible boon Gaia hasn't thought of, wouldn't approve of. Thus the appeal.

Fergus didn't seem to notice me approaching as he was lost in thought. We all were outside, deep in the gardens behind the house. Ana was playing fetch with the dogs, using a long neon green plastic wand to pick up the soggy tennis ball and chuck it far onto the lawn.

The kind of money Ana has access to buys things beyond tangible items. It buys quick delivery and set up. Stood next to Fergie. "How's your gut feeling about this?"

"Well, it's a damn big yurt. And if the manky Scots get wheedles his way into the lass' heart, it'll mean the yurt will give me total privacy. No more medium pimping for me. No sir, onto big pimpin' officially. Saw the greenhouse she has for me. Going to put a ram's skull over the door. Make it feel more like home, but without the berry brambles."

"That's not what I meant." He knew damn well what I meant.

"I know that's not what you meant. You weren't being specific, so you got some shit. Don't give me the opportunity to do it and you won't have to hear it."

Sigh. "How's your gut feeling about this assignment?"

"Not sure yet. I know you're planning something. I want in."

"You're here. You're already in. Want to know what's going on? I mean, beyond keeping an eye on Ana?"

"You know I do. Half-truths never sit well with me."

My heart pounded. He was the first to actually hear my plan. "I want to use Ana to destroy a world-wide pedophile ring from the inside. She can go where we can't. She has the ability to fund things, meaning less resistance from my supervisors about 'resources not being available'… because, between you and me, not much is going to happen. The director of the FBI was once a CEO of a bank that regularly launders money for drug cartels. Attorney General and some prime candidates are buddies. Besides that, one of the big fish is a friend of the president, and as such, could be pardoned before the next election. Can't go the regular channels if we want to buck the system. I work in that system and even I am sick of what this country has been doing."

Silence for a long awkward moment. "You want to use Ana?"

"Yes!"

"Does she want to be used?"

What the hell kind of question is that? "I brought up the idea of getting her deputized. She was okay with it."

"Oh, going all official with you using her."

"Don't say it like it's a bad thing."

"Sorry, mate. Can't help that I think it's shitty to use her as a credit card so you can advance your career."

Deep breath. He was trying to provoke me. Put me on the defensive. But I knew I am right in this matter, being the possessor of more facts than he has. "You know it's nothing like that. Let me ask you, are you okay with children kidnapped? Raped? Made to watch the torture and murder of other kids because it's an amusement of the elite? All of it documented, and watched. Copied and sold. And watched some more while those sick fucks get their rocks off? You really okay with that? Or would you do anything in your power to put a stop to it? Because I know where I stand on that spectrum, and it's not the sit-on-my-ass-and-let-this-shit-keep-happening-because-official-channels-won't-work end. And in all honesty, taking down this ring will probably end my career, if not life. I'll make enemies of people with a lot of money and little scruples. But to me, it's worth it. I've known Ana longer than you, and I mean no offense. But I'm damn positive she'd be okay with my idea."

Arms crossed over his chest, the Viking turned his head and looked at me. "Then ask her. Lay it all out and ask her. If you want to use her or her money, you tell her everything. I don't give a damn if it's classified information or not. You put her at risk, she deserves to know the whole truth of the situation. I've been thinking since you called me. If she needs me, needs personal protection dogs, needs to be guarded like she's fucking Fort Knox, then something big is almost guaranteed to happen. You're not paranoid enough to waste time or effort. I may not know her as long as you have, but I know her well enough. If she's got any risk levied at her, she deserves to know what she's up against. She's like a tolerable little sister. I want nothing bad happening to her, hence why I'm here. I'll protect her, even from you if needs be."

I nodded, expecting nothing less from him. "She'll be informed before dinner. You have my word. I leave the choice in her hands. She is under no obligation whatsoever… but I'll tell you this: she hated the woman who warped her husband. That woman had Ana tortured under her direction, which is why I got her out and under your care. Ana has a grudge. Best channel it where it can do the most damage, and for that, I need your help."

"Best keep stash of joints rolled to keep her de-motivated from going into Valkyrie mode, then. If she's okay with your plan, then aye, I'll help you both however I can. Plus, once I get the tenant situation settled at the homestead, Alistair will come up here too. Might do him some good to spend more time with Ana. He's been writing her poetry, you know."

"Poetry?" Oh god help him.

"Aye. Poor lad has it something bad for her. Will be good to channel his energy into healthy directions, like following the object of his affection around. He'll be as protective as those dogs and twice as fierce. Been teaching him Krav Maga."

"What's with you and Israeli special forces?"

"Dated a soldier. He taught me all sorts of interesting things. His brother trained the dogs."

I smiled at Fergus. "Is there nothing you don't know?"

He didn't return the grin. "Aye. There's plenty I don't know. I don't know if your plan will work. I don't know if Ana and Alistair are good for each other. I don't know if I'm going to blood eagle a fucking pedophile. Because that's the kind of mood I'm in at the moment." He reached into his pocket and got his joint out and lit. Two huge puffs and he slowly exhaled, "If I didn't know better, I'd start to think the world as we know it is fucked."

Decided to change the subject because I didn't want to acknowledge the truth of that statement. Out of all the stats the FBI keeps, kidnappings isn't one of them. For numbers, we cite a third-party. That just doesn't sit well with me, being that Investigation is in the damn name of my agency. "Ever want to play with FBI goodies? Came out here because a delivery has been made. And you'll love it."

Between puffs he coughed out, "I fucking doubt it."


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I can admit freely that this election has inspired me to get this story cranked out (as you can see with the more frequent updates) posthaste. Ever want to hear a funny tale about how my political leanings (aka both mainstream candidates sucked for vastly different reasons) got the attention of a stranger accusing me of producing counter-intelligence (which is information not commonly known; misinformation and disinformation are techniques used as an attempt to discredit the information) because YouTube, feel free to PM me. Got screenshots, too :)

At this time, I'd like to thank all y'all for reading this far (OMG, 50k is official-novel length and there's still a lot of things for Ana to do, while she can) into my angsty tale of deception, terror, and vengeance. I plan on keeping this tale rolling out at semi-regular intervals until completed. Love hearing what you think of it so far!

Thank you for giving this story a chance to blossom into something awesome.

-M