Couples

Chapter 55

When the alarm on Michael's cellphone goes off at 4 a.m., he checks the alerts for postings from his favorite sites. One immediately catches his notice. He rubs his eyes to make sure he's reading it right. "Barron lied!" appears in large letters. "Physical evidence confirms nonconsensual sex. Further evidence confirms Gaetz's sexual trafficking!"

Michael can't believe it. Everything he's seen on the site before fully backed what Victor Barron said. What he's reading now can't be right. Demons whisper lies in the ears of God's people to turn them to Satan's will. This must be the work of the devil. It's more important than ever for Michael to attack the dark one's servants. He springs out of bed.

After painstakingly cleansing himself for his holy duties, Michael dresses in garments that will keep him unseen under the cover of darkness. He grabs his first bomb, the one destined for the biggest purveyor of evil. His cell phone can start the timer from far enough away that his eyes can confirm the blast, but he'll avoid most of its impact. He reminds himself to drive slowly and carefully. The last thing he needs is to attract police attention.

"You noticing that vehicle ahead of us?" Training Officer Sandra Croneberg inquires of her rookie.

"It's not speeding, and the tags are up to date," George Maximino responds.

"No, it's not speeding," Sandra confirms. "It's moving too slowly. What New Yorker drives at a crawl this time of the morning? They're either on the way to work or trying to hit a Java Hut before starting their shifts."

"It could be a senior citizen," George suggests. "Some of them drive slowly in the dark, especially if they're losing night vision."

"You have a point," Sandra allows. "But something about that vehicle doesn't feel right. I'm going to hang back. You keep an eye on that car."

Michael's pulse raced as he caught a glimpse of a patrol car in his rearview mirror, but it didn't flash its lights or pull behind him. It could just be going in the same direction. He's not going to try anything to lose it. Maneuvers like that could attract attention the police aren't paying now. He only has another mile to go to get to the Ledger. He'll find a parking spot as close to his target as he can and pull over."

As usual, even in the early morning hours, the streets of Manhattan are solidly parked up, but there is a public lot with space within a block of Michael's goal. He has no choice but to take what's available. He takes a ticket from a machine, automatically raising the wooden barrier blocking his entrance, and pulls into the closest spot he can find. His bomb is on the floor of his back seat, cushioned by layers of bubble wrap. Pulling on gloves, he retrieves the device and begins his walk toward the Ledger's back alley.

"Where is he going?" George wonders out loud as the driver of the vehicle he and Croneberg were surveilling carries an unidentified burden down the sidewalk.

"And more to the point, why is he wearing gloves?" Sandra asks. "It's already 70 degrees. And The Ledger is on our list as a potential target for crazies. The package he's carrying is more than large enough to be an explosive device." Sandra pulls into a restricted parking zone. "We'll follow him on foot until we figure out what he's up to, but stay out of sight."

Rick groans as tinkly music from Lily's mobile pours through the monitor. "She's up early. We put that thing out of reach. Who would have thought she'd learn to activate it with her toes? She has her mother's legs – strong and powerful."

"Mine aren't that chubby," Kate protests.

"But they're every bit as cute. It's probably not worth it to try and go back to sleep. Sooner or later, she'll get bored, want company, and breakfast."

"You're probably right," Kate agrees. "I'm going to grab a quick shower and call the precinct to see if anything's developed during the night."

"I'll start the coffee. Any particular requests for a predawn repast?" Rick inquires.

"Go crazy," Kate instructs, "just no s'morelets."

"What's crazy about s'morelets?" Rick protests. "I find them one of my most delicious and innovative creations. However, I will endeavor to keep my campfire emulations in check."

Kate pulls open the bathroom door. "Good for you, Babe."

"He's heading into the alley behind the Ledger building," George notes.

"Keep your eyes on him," Sandra commands, "but find cover at the end of the drive. If that is a bomb, we don't want to spook him."

George conceals himself behind a concrete pillar. "He's acting as if he's looking for something. Croneberg, he left his package against the wall, it's got to be a …"

"Call for the bomb squad!" Sandra commands. "I'll take him down."

"What's wrong?" Rick asks as a white-faced Kate approaches the kitchen.

"Someone planted a bomb at the Ledger."

"Was anyone hurt?" Rick asks.

"No one at the precinct knows yet. The bomber was captured by a uniformed unit, Croneberg, and Maximino, while bomb disposal was on the way. But the bomb went off. That's all I can find out right now."

"Does anyone know who the bomber is?" Rick asks.

"So far, he hasn't said anything, and he didn't have any I.D. on him. But he's in a holding cell at the 12th right now. Montgomery wants me to come in."

"He needs his best interrogator," Rick surmises. "It sounds like Loretta Halsey may have to wait. I'll wrap up a breakfast burrito to go."

Michael gazes across the table at the temptress who identified herself as Detective Kate Beckett. That so beautiful a woman should be an instrument of the devil makes his attack even more insidious. It doesn't matter to Michael. He knows the enemy when he sees it – or her. "Get behind me, Satan!"

"Why do you think I'm Satan?" Kate asks gently.

Silently, Michael stares defiantly.

"Do you believe you're fighting for God?" Kate questions.

"You know I am," Michael responds.

"Why did God want you to blow up a newspaper?"

"Because it prints lies and lies are the weapons of the adversary."

"Lies about whom?" Kate prompts.

"Victor Barron and E.C. Burrell, God's hands on Earth."

"And how did God tell you to go after the Ledger?" Kate continues.

"You know that," Michael accuses.

"Then there's no harm in you reminding me," Kate responds.

"God speaks through his servants, on the internet, and on the radio, but most clearly through a human voice, Bucker Carlin, Victor Barron's apostle."

"Did God lead you to any targets besides the Ledger?"

"I'm not about to help your master discern that."

Kate rises from her chair. "I assure you, we're not the agents of Satan. We do our best to stop the forces of evil. And if you're not willing to help us, Bucker Carlin already has. We'll figure it out."

"What do you think?" Montgomery asks Kate outside Interrogation.

"That this guy needs an evaluation by Doc Halliday. He really believes he's doing God's work. But if he is going by the B.S. that Bucker Carlin and Victor Barron put out, we need to find out who he is and send the BDU to wherever he put together his bomb ASAP. He probably has more."

"His prints aren't on record. His DMV is outdated, but CSU is working on his DNA," Montgomery reports, "maybe we'll get lucky."

Kate slowly expels a stream of air. "I hope so. And God knows how many others like him are out there."