Monday, September 27th, 1965
After Soda went to work, Darry sat down in the armchair and tried to watch some T.V while he waited for Agent Carlos's phonecall.
"…still no new update on Ponyboy Cur-…"
"…and Jonathan Cade haven't been seen since…"
'Yes, I know it's been a week since this damn thing started. You don't have to rub it in my face,' Darry thought to himself and kept flipping.
"…Scott Gregory remains in critical condition today after firefighters pulled him out of a fire last week before Ponyboy Curtis and Jonathan Cade were taken last Thursday. This once again confirms the theory that Harrison Lynch sets the house he takes his victims to on fire, leaving them to burn alive. Gregory is the only one of Lynch's victims to survive and also has the shortest amount out of all of Lynch's victims to be kidnapped before the inevitable fire. Doctors aren't sure if he'll ever awake from his coma, but our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family…."
Finally, Darry settled on an old black-and-white T.V series from the 50s. That's when the phone rang. He jumped up and immediately ran over to pick it up.
"Hello?"
"Darrel? It's Agent Carlos. Did your brother leave yet?" he asked.
"Yeah, he left a few minutes ago," Darry responded.
"Okay good. I'm at the crime-lab that we've had to move closer towards the police station as Tulsa High's goin' back to school today. I should be wrapping up in about twenty or so minutes, so I'll come and pick you up in about forty-five minutes from now. I'm gonna take you shooting today just in case something comes up where you need to defend yourself. Don't worry; I'll take care of the finances for you. Be ready and fully dressed in your suit. Oh, and I talked to Special Agent Helms, and he's allowing you to carry one of ours. I'll have to take it back when I drop you back off, but you'll have full control over it when you're with us. Be warned though one little slip-up, and I take it away from you. Understood?"
'Does this guy think I'm five?' Darry thought.
"Understood,"
"Very well. I'll see you soon, Darrel," he said and hung up without a proper goodbye. Darry rolled his eyes and hung up the phone himself. Then he walked over to the living room again and peeked out the window. He saw a few kids walking to school, but there wasn't a reporter in sight. That's when he saw the mailman walk up to the mailbox and put a few things in there before moving on. Darry's stomach dropped at this. Slowly, he opened the front door and took forced himself to walk over to the mailbox. He stared at it for a few minutes before opening the box. Inside were mostly bills and a large manila envelope with his name on it, but no return address. Quickly he gathered up all the mail and took it inside, and dumped it all on the table; save for the manila envelope. Darry turned the envelope over and opened it without thinking. Inside was a handwritten letter.
Dear Key Player #3,
I must admit to you that I've never had any of my former or current Key Players attempt to personally send me a letter the very same way I do before. I'm touched that you're the first and even happier that I chose to have Ponyboy in my care.
I'm well aware of Johnny-boy's parents and their unwillingness to participate. I've spent many hours after some fun with my guests thinking about your request. As I'm sure Agent Helms has already told you, I do not tolerate any bending of my rules or the game won't be played at all. I hate to do that with you though because I'm growing rather fond of my current guests. I tell you what Darrell. I really like you, so I'll allow your request to be Key Players 3 & 4 together, but I will not allow any more bending of the rules.
Since you are so committed to the game and have actually made me route for you, I've enclosed some 'encouragement' for you in the envelope.
After your little training session with Agent Carlos is through today, return to the crime lab at precisely noon where further instructions will be given. Any attempt to go there earlier will result in an instant game-over as will any other disobeyed instructions. I look forward to playing with you and wish you the best of luck in your Secret Agent duties.
Sincerely,
H. L
Darry tossed the letter aside and allowed the other items in the envelope to fall out. This included some photos of Pony and Johnny chained up with blood everywhere. The photos weren't really that great due to the lighting wherever they were, but Darry could still see their miserable faces pleaded at him. Darry sighed and held both photos to his chest while falling to his knees.
"I'll win his game guys. I promise," he whispered to himself, letting a few stray tears roll down his face. Darry took a deep breath before setting everything down to go jump in the shower real fast.
Forty-five minutes later, true to his word, Agent Carlos pulled up to the house to pick up Darry.
"Ready Curtis?" he asked as soon as Darry shut the passenger door. Darry nodded.
"I got a package today; from Lynch," he said, handing over the envelope before Carlos drove away.
"You did?! Dammit! What was in it?" Carlos asked, and Darry explained the letter, photos, and instructions for later. "Alright. Let me contact Agent Helms and fill him in while you can put start getting an evidence bag and description together. I got some in the trunk you can use."
"Why? Didn't one of you two say that he never leaves any prints on his letters?" Darry asked.
"Yeah, but we still have to treat it as evidence. After I'm done, I'll get my camera out to take some photographs. Remember, what's the most important thing in a crime scene?"
"Um…Documentation?"
"Well, yes…but what's the other one?"
"Evidence," Darry responded.
"Right. Now get movin'! Don't forget to put the gloves on." he ordered, and Darry got out, while Carlos popped the trunk and used the car-radio to report to the lab.
'Why do I have to wear gloves when it already has my prints on them from earlier?' Darry asked himself, opening the trunk and putting on some rubber gloves. Then he got out the personal evidence notebook and started writing down what he got, and when he received it. A few moments later, Carlos came back out.
"We're meeting Agent Helms at the lab at 11:45. What do you got so far?" he asked, peeking over Darry's shoulder. "No Curtis, you gotta be more specific than that. Just 'letter' and 'photos of Ponyboy and Johnny' are meaningless to us. We've gotten hundreds of letters from him and you'll be getting more; I promise you. Try to imagine when you're writing that you're going to read your notes to a blind person. How would you describe your evidence to them? Try again," Carlos continued. Afterward, he got out his camera and started taking pictures of the photos and the note. Darry, meanwhile, erased his work and started again with immense detail this time. When he had finished, he showed his work to Carlos.
"Much better. Keep that in mind when we're investigating and you'll do fine. Alright, let's head to the shooting range." Darry got into the car, and the two drove away to the shooting range.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
When the two arrived at the crime-lab, they walked in and saw Agent Helms standing in front of a map hanging on the wall with red and blue pins all over the U.S.
"What are you doing?" Darry asked.
"These red dots are every single murder that Lynch has committed. The red ones are the main ones he's kidnapped for the game, and the blue ones are either pawns or random murders he's committed to get our attention. I like to keep track of them in case we can spot a possible pattern to go off of," Helms explained.
"Has there been a pattern? Like he only goes after those kids whose parents are making minimum wage or somethin'?" Darry asked.
"Unfortunately not. He always loves to throw a curveball at me right when I'm onto something," he explained.
"Of course he does," Darry mumbled. "So do you know what's going to happen?"
"He's either gonna send us another letter, or he's gonna make the radio station say something," Helms explained.
"The radio station?"
"Yup. He'll send a message to the radio station and then make them broadcast his message."
"Okay, how has this guy not been caught yet if he writes letters to the families, the newspaper, and the radio station?" Darry asked, but nobody answered.
"I'm hoping to answer that question for you within the next couple weeks," Helms said. They then turned the radio on and waited.
"How do you know what station?" Darry asked.
"Depends on the kid's hometown. Ponyboy and Jonathan are from Tulsa, so that'll be…"
"KOCW; 97.5. The same one we listen to at home," Darry said, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"It's normally quick. Most won't even pick up on it until it gets leaked to the press somehow," Carlos said.
They all sat there and talking about the latest crime scene until it was just about to turn noon. A Beatles song just went off, and everyone tensed up.
'And that was The Beatles with 'When I Get Home,' reminding all of you that 'there's no place like sweet Oklahoma.' I'm Tyler G, and we'll be right back after these messages.' Then a commercial jingle came on.
"That's it?" Darry asked. "Why did that seem like a complete waste of our time?"
"It's a clue. The song was 'When I Get Home,' and the message was 'there's no place like Oklahoma. I think it means wherever they are, they're still in Oklahoma," Helms said.
"Big help. That's exactly where we've been looking!" Darry said.
"Well, we've been focusing mainly in Tulsa. Now, we can expand our search a little," Carlos said.
"Alright team. We've got a dead-ender here. Get back to your assignments," Helms ordered.
"We've got nothing else we can do here Curtis. Come on, we've got other things to do," Carlos said.
"Like what?" Darry asked.
"Remember that substitute that had those pictures and info about Ponyboy and Jonathan? I was at the coroner's office this morning, and we got his autopsy results back. It turns out he was using an alias in case he had to make a break for it. The house that he gave the school is no good, but after some digging, we found out his real house. We're headed there now to check it out. Could give us a lead on Lynch," he explained.
"Any lead is good at this point I suppose," Darry said, as the two walked out of the lab, and back to the car.
"Exactly," Carlos said. "Why don't you call for some backup just in case something comes up while we're there? Just pick up the microphone, and then state your name. Everyone assigned to this case knows who you are so you don't need to worry about stating a badge number. Then say 'requesting a 'Code 8' for assignment." Darry nodded his head and then picked up the microphone after taking a deep breath.
"Darrell Curtis, requesting a Code 8 for assignment," Darry said fast.
"Darrell Curtis, 10-9," the response said after a few seconds. Darry looked at Carlos with a raised eyebrow.
"Repeat the last transmission. Slow down when you're speaking," Carlos said. Darry nodded and then tried again.
"Darrell Curtis, requesting a Code 8 for assignment."
"10-4. What's your 20?" the voice asked, and Carlos handed Darry a piece of paper. On it were a few notes about Evan Glass, and an address crossed off with a new one written in pen.
"Address," Carlos whispered.
"Uh…716 Hickory Avenue, room 405," Darry said.
"10-4, sending them out now," the voice said, and Darry set the microphone down.
"Good job kid," Carlos said.
Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break*Break
The two got to the apartment complex in a sketchy area of town about a half-hour away from Tulsa. Two backup police cars and agents were already at the scene waiting. "Alright, gentlemen. Be ready for anything and load them up," Carlos said, taking the safety off his gun as did everyone else. The group walked up three flights of steps to the fourth floor and then walked over to room 413. "Stay out here Curtis and be on guard until we have the room secured," Carlos ordered. Darry nodded and got into position aiming the gun at the ceiling away from his body as they had practiced earlier. The cops knocked on the door a few times and yelled a warning about kicking the door down. When no answer came, one of the officers kicked down the door and they all ran inside yelling.
"FBI! Show yourself!" Darry heard Carlos yell. He also heard doors being opened and more shouting.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, what the hell was wrong with this guy?" an officer said. "How could the school have even hired this creep?" Not needing an invitation, Darry aimed his gun in front of him and walked inside. Inside was mostly trashed, save for an old T.V, couch with tears, and beer cans everywhere. But what caught Darry's eye was a desk stacked full of binders and various pieces of paper and receipts lying around. There were also various photographs of teens hung up on the wall in school or doing other activities like cheer or soccer.
"Get out of here Curtis!" Carlos said through clenched teeth.
"I heard enough from out there," Darry said, walking over towards the desk.
"Don't. Touch. A thing! We're not ready yet. You can't just barge into an investigation like that regardless of your role here!"
"This bast*** spied on my family all week, and then sold my brother and friend to a killer for a lousy three-hundred bucks!"
"Scene is secured, sir. There's no one here," an agent said.
"Good. Then start getting this place set up for an investigation. Curtis, gloves on, and don't do anything else that will make me take you off this team. I don't give a damn if Lynch has your brother or not. You will not jeopardize my assignment to locate and rescue Ponyboy and Jonathan," Carlos said.
"I see why Agent Helms took a liking to you. You talk to me just like he does," Darry said.
"You can dislike the way we do things around here all you want. But Special Agent Helms knows what he's doing and truly cares about putting an end to that son of a bi***."
"Yeah, and not about another important thing," Darry mumbled.
"Keep your mouth shut and just start marking up evidence," Carlos barked. Darry rolled his eyes and followed Carlos out to get gloved up. When they came back, two officers were guarding the doorway and taping up the sides to prevent anyone else from coming over. A few people were already watching from the hallway. "Move along. Nothing to see here," Carlos said, as they walked back inside the apartment.
"Try to find evidence that links this guy to Lynch," he told Darry, who nodded. Then they started to investigate. Darry's first stop was the desk with binders and papers on top while Carlos went into the bedroom.
"I know a couple of these guys from high school and my former football team," Darry mumbled. He quickly marked down the pictures in his notebook and got a yellow police marker from one of the cops. He placed it on the table and then went for the binders.
The first binder had a bunch of random names written down and then the name of a class and time-period. A handful of which were highlighted or stared.
'More names. Pony and Johnny are on this list too. All the classes have to do with Science, so I guess this is just a roaster list or something. But then why are some of the names highlighted? I guess it's those he was interested in selling to Lynch since Pony and Johnny are included, but why are their names crossed out?' Darry thought, and put the binder down, but left it open on the table. The next binder was filled with more names, but similar to the binder found in the car with addresses and family info.
"Are these the same names as the highlighted ones?" Darry mumbled to himself, before looking at the two binders to test his theory.
'There's a majority of the highlighted names here, but also a couple that aren't,' Darry thought. 'I guess that's what it is.'
"Agent Carlos?" Darry called.
"Yes, Curtis?" he said, coming out of the bedroom. Darry explained his findings to the agent.
"…but some of the names here don't match with the ones on the other binder. A majority matches with the highlighted names, but there's a few extra," he explained, as Carlos looked through the names.
"Did you see your brother and Jonathan's names crossed out? I assume the binder we found in his car with all the pictures was transferred from here, but we can look further into it later. Mark it down though. Keep searching the desk, while I finish up marking off and taking shots of the bedroom." Carlos ordered and walked back into the bedroom. Darry got two more evidence marker tents and placed them on each of the two binders. Afterward, Darry started shuffling through the drawers for more clues, but to no avail. Then, from the corner of his eye, he saw some things in the nearby trashcan. He looked inside and saw what looked to be a bent-up manila envelope discarded. Out of curiosity, Darry pulled it out and felt one side to be heavier than the rest. Darry opened it up and saw a tapped up key inside the empty, torn-up envelope. He then got the key, and immediately tried to open up the locked drawer. The key went in, and Darry heard something 'click', before part of the drawer opened. The older Curtis pulled the drawer out and found a dark-red mini-journal, and a folded up note.
Now I know this ended on a cliffy, but I wanted to get at least this part out for you all who have been waiting patiently. I've been going back and forth for days trying to make this chapter a good one and I think it a pretty decent one. What do you guys think?
As always, reviews, criticisms, or stuff you're really looking forward to are always welcome.
Until next time, stay safe and pray to whatever God or person you believe in that all this crap will end one day soon.
LaurenHardy13