Part 4: True Intentions
Ace and Vega waited patiently in Amarillo National Airport for the special
plane to arrive from Washington to pick them up.
The two had arrived about three hours earlier in the Magic Racer in the
hopes they would find Angie. Unfortunately, the kidnappers, identified
as professional hit men Joey Ferrio and Larry Jameson, managed to escape
with her in a private plane provided by their boss.
Ace looked outside the window for the plane. "I wish Daria could
help us right now," he said to himself, as he recalled the brave effort
Lt. Weinke and a Texas Ranger used in almost rescuing Angie.
\No,
Ace. If too many of us get involved in this, Angie's life could be
placed in even greater danger. Besides, I'm still recovering from
my own scars. I hope you're not upset with me.\
Of course not, Daria. It's important for you to get yourself to full
strength both physically and emotionally. Perhaps the conference
will do you some good in both aspects.
\Thanks, Ace. Please, find Angie safely…and help her deal with her
darkness.\
I will, Daria. I understand her situation very well. You take
care of yourself.
Vega walked up from behind the Magician. "Ace…you okay?"
"Not really. I'm just…worried to death about Angie right now.
I still can't sense anything out of her. The drug they're using on
her won't let her basically do anything." He then put his face down
with anxiety.
Patting Ace's shoulder, Vega said, "We'll find Angie. Just don't
give up on her. As long as you care enough, she knows you're looking
for her. Whoever sent Ferrio and Jameson to kidnap her probably told
them to keep her drugged to prevent her from doing any kind of movement,
least of all be able to use her powers. We know it's not Faceless.
She couldn't be anywhere near Washington, DC. Most people there would
recognize Carlita Brighton in a hurry."
"True. I hope that plane won't be too much longer, though."
In the control tower, the air traffic controller received a call.
"Um, control, this is private plane 23-FBI. I've been sent here to
pick up two people for Daniel Simons."
"Yes, sir. You're clear to land at runway four. Head to hangar
17 for refueling."
"Roger that, control."
Minutes later the plane had landed safely and made its way to the hangar
for refueling.
Ace and Vega went to the hangar to meet up with the pilot of the plane.
After shaking hands with them, the pilot said, "Gentlemen, I was sent to
pick you up by Mr. Simons. I'm sorry that refueling is only going
to slow things down in terms of locating your missing friend."
"I understand," said Ace with concern. It does slow things down seriously.
Angie,
I hope you're all right…wherever you are.
In their special private jet, Ferrio and Jameson were in the cockpit while
their prisoner lay sleeping in the passenger cabin.
"Finally," said Jameson in relief. "We're on our way to Washington…and
to the boss. I know he's been very anxious about getting her there
safely."
Ferrio let out a large breath. "Yeah, man. Just think of the
big reward waiting for us when we get there!"
"No kidding there, Joey. We're gonna be very wealthy after delivering
her to the boss."
In the passenger cabin Angie was asleep, the result of still being affected
by the constant drugging she had to endure.
She slowly began to awaken from her long sleep once more yet had no idea
where she was. "Wh-where am I?" she whispered groggily. She
got up from her seat and looked out the window. "What the—?
What am I doing in the air? This must be…an airplane. Where
are they taking me?"
Angie tried to look around as best she could, but her vision grew blurry
in the process. "I don't know what they're planning to do with me,
but I'm going to get out of here now!"
Doing her best to summon her inner strength, she tried so hard to summon
her Magic Force. Must concentrate…must feel it from within.
Don't
even think about that, my dear Angela, spoke the darker voice from
within. You're so drugged you can't even concentrate.
Shut up! Angie thought angrily. I have to get out of here!
My friends need me!
The darker voice chided with a chuckle. Why do you bother?
These guys were obviously hired by someone who knows that any drugs will
keep you from using magic. You've been drugged for well over 24 hours
now. Even if they stop administering the drug to you, you will still
be too weak to use your magic.
Just knock it off! I refuse to give in!
You're still completely blinded by the light. You won't understand
that I am a part of you.
Just stop it! I will find a way out of here and get back!
Her light blue aura started to glow but not as brightly as it normally
would when she needed her powers. "Must focus…I can do this.
I must overcome this!"
In the cockpit, Ferrio and Jameson were calmly relaxing when they both
suddenly heard screaming from the cabin.
Jameson shouted, "Jacobs must be waking up again! Tranq her, quick!"
Ferrio grabbed the tranquilizer gun and stormed into the passenger cabin.
There, he saw Angie trying desperately to use her powers. "Come on,
little girl, you don't wanna do anything you'll regret."
Angie's eyes began to glow in blue out of sheer anger. "Me…regret?
You're
the one who's gonna regret doing this to me!" As she focused to get
her powers to come to light, her hands began to glow. "I want to
go home…now!"
Ferrio aimed very carefully for her right shoulder. Gotta be careful,
he thought to himself. If I miss her, the whole plane could go down
on decompression alone by the dart cracking the window. I've got
to aim this just right. The boss needs her alive…and we need the
money. Getting her shoulder into his sights, he was ready to
fire.
Angie, though, let out a wild blast of magic from her right hand.
"I don't think so!" she said in delirium, a serious effect caused by the
injected drug. "You will…not take me…alive!" Soon enough, another
wild blast came from her left hand, which made a direct hit on the window
instead of its intended target.
Ferrio nearly jumped in panic because of the shot at the window.
He sighed in relief, though, when the glass failed to crack. "It
must be shatter-resistant glass," he whispered. "The boss took every
precaution possible. Now, if I can just keep her from hitting me."
He aimed the tranquilizer gun again for her shoulder. "Nap time,
my friend."
The female magician pushed herself harder in trying to use her powers.
Her head had a split of pure pain, though, and she soon fell to her knees,
clutched her head, and let out a bellowing scream of agony.
The hit man saw his chance. This is it, Joey, don't lose it now.
He made a direct aim and shot the tranquilizer dart directly into Angie's
right shoulder. Gotcha, sweetheart. Time to go to bed.
She pulled the dart from her shoulder seconds before she slumped forward
and fell to the ground, rendering her unconscious again.
Ferrio took a deep breath and calmed himself. He quickly returned
to the cockpit to join his partner. "She's asleep again…but she put
up a hell of a fight back there."
"The boss said to expect that from her," Jameson noted. "When's she's
on emotions, watch out. We still got about two hours before we get
to Washington. Stealth device still working?"
"Yeah, it'll work all the way through. We just have to land at the
specified location. Where was it again?"
Jameson took out a map of the general area. "We land here, at this
old airstrip about 15 miles west of the city. The boss said he'd
meet us there about an hour after we arrived. The way everything's
going now, we'll make it…and make it big!"
"Right, Larry. We're gonna be millionaires!"
"Yeah…I can see it now…we'll retire in the lap of luxury, thanks to this
dame here."
The two gentlemen laughed in a celebratory manner while Angie lay motionless
in the passenger cabin, hope waning quickly for her as her shadow self
whispered, It's almost time, Angela. It's almost time. I
will make you recognize my existence within you, and there will be nothing
you can do about it. I am getting ever so closer to the surface,
and my time will come very soon. You will see.
No…I…I will not let you take over! I'll continue this fight, no matter
what it takes!
You'll never learn, will you? At one point you'll become so weak
you have no other choice.
I won't weaken myself!
Ha, the drugs are doing the job for me. You're growing weaker by
the second. Soon, the darkness will emerge! The darker
self laughed wickedly as it knew how much closer it was to taking control
of her inner self.
Ace,
Angie thought weakly. I can't let my dark side appear. If
it does, I lose everything…I'll be alone again. I have to keep from
allowing it to happen…no matter what.
Back at the hangar in Amarillo, the plane was finally done refueling.
The pilot informed Ace and Vega. "Gentlemen, the plane's ready.
Shall we get going?"
"Yes, please," said a worried Ace. "Every second counts to rescue
Angie
before it's too late."
The pilot got into the cockpit while the two others took their seats in
the luxury cabin, which contained a complete home theater system, a closed-circuit
communication system, and even a bar.
Ace, never seeing a plane like this before, was in awe. "This is
what they fly in?" he asked curiously.
"Yeah. Dan uses planes like these to escort family members of prisoners
and witnesses in high-profile cases to make the trip not so…nerve-racking.
Unfortunately, I don't think any of these luxuries are going to help you
calm down any."
"No…they won't. Angie's emotional well-being—and her life—are at
stake right now, and those hit men have a good three hour jump on us.
I wouldn't be surprised if they're almost in Washington now."
The pilot then walked in. "Gentlemen, we're about to leave now.
I suggest you get buckled up. Take-off's usually the most uncomfortable
part."
Ace and Vega did so with no hesitation as the pilot returned to the cockpit.
"Control, this is 23-FBI. Refueling complete and ready for take-off."
In the control tower, the air traffic controller responded, "You are clear
for take-off, 2-3. Use runway four, and good luck on your journey."
"Thank you, tower."
The plane needed very little time to be up in the air, and soon Ace and
Vega were on their way to Washington in the hopes of finding Angie before
her shadow self exploded from within.
As soon as they were at a safe cruising altitude, Ace unbuckled from his
seat and turned on the television.
On it, there was the top news story and Kendra Rayler. "The whereabouts
of female magician Angela Jacobs are narrowing down, according to the FBI.
As you know, yesterday afternoon she was abducted from the mall part of
the DNA Club by professional hit men Larry Jameson and Joey Ferrio.
They have lead federal authorities on a chase that has gone nearly cross-country.
However, thanks to efforts by the FBI and local authorities, we now know
where Jacobs is going.
"After being taken to Amarillo, Texas, she was taken by Jameson and Ferrio
to a private plane. Despite their using some device to shield themselves
from radar, authorities, with assistance from Ace Cooper's special computer
system in his Magic Express home, have determined her final destination:
Washington, DC. Authorities there have been notified to check all
vehicles coming in and going out of the city. We don't know exactly
where Jacobs or the two hit men are at this moment, but all law enforcement
officials, including the Electro City PD, are watching everything going
on right now."
The news was reassuring, yet Ace knew there was far more to this situation
than what most people really knew. Yes…watching everything except
the delicate situation taking place within Angie herself.
It's better if only her closest friends know about this part. If
too many people knew about her emotional struggle, she could accidentally
attack someone approaching to help. We have to find her before she
ends up harming someone or worse…herself, especially if her magic becomes
that uncontrollable.
Vega approached Ace with a glass of water. "Here, maybe this'll help
some."
Ace took the glass of water and used his magic to turn the water into milk.
"Milk has the better soothing quality to me at this point."
The lieutenant could understand Ace's concern all too well. "We'll
find her, Ace. We know she's still alive because someone needs her
for something. The kidnappers never gave a ransom demand or an ultimatum.
Someone wants her for a particular purpose, and we need to know what that
purpose is."
"I guess so. Say, could I contact home from here on the plane?"
"You should be able to without a problem."
Ace activated the closed-circuit TV system to talk with Cosmo and Mona
in the Magic Express. "We're on our way to Washington now, but Ferrio
and Jameson have a huge start on us. It wouldn't surprise me if they're
nearing Washington at this point."
Mona sighed and responded, "With that stealth device on their plane, they're
harder to track. How will you be able to find Angie, since she's
out of range and continuously drugged?"
"I have to keep trying, Mona. No matter what, I will not give up
on finding her. Besides, she's also a walking time bomb with her
shadowed self approaching from within her soul."
"Well, hopefully Mr. Simons will be of help to you when you get there."
"We're lucky Vega's good friends with him. Otherwise, we would never
stand a chance of getting even this far in the search."
In Washington Mr. Simons continued working hard on the case when he had
a knock on the door. "Come in."
Entering the office was none other than President Donovan. "Hello,
Dan. How's the Angela Jacobs case going?"
"Madam President, shouldn't you have your Secret Service agents with you?"
"Dan, you worry too much. I know how to defend myself, too.
Besides, the agents bring nothing but extra attention when it isn't needed."
"I'm sorry. Anyway, we know she's coming here to Washington."
"How did you determine that?"
"Ace Cooper's special computer system Angel calculated the closest location
on the plane's flight trajectory. This was the one."
"Then, someone here is directly responsible for this, right?"
"Yes, ma'am, I'm afraid so. This could be one within the government
itself. My question is, why would someone want her alive all this
time?"
"There are numbers of possibilities, but ransom is not one of them.
I think someone wanted to kidnap her because of her magical powers."
"President Donovan, you actually believe in magic?"
"Dan, I've been a believer of magic since I was a child. I have admired
the talents of Ace Cooper for years, along with the growing skills of Angela
Jacobs. However, the kidnappers went after someone who isn't as skilled
with magic as Mr. Cooper. He's undoubtedly the most powerful magician
in the world, so why didn't they abduct him instead?"
Simons made note of the President's point. "That's true. However,
I don't believe in magic. I've never really seen what was so special
about it."
"Did you ever see magic when you were growing up?"
"Nope. My family never did like watching magic, and I've always tried
to debunk magic. I just don't believe there is such a thing as 'real
magic.'"
"You have no idea what you're missing. The whole idea behind magic
is to make us all believe we're children again. As adults, we always
forget what fun times we had as kids. We're only young once, and
we should have some time as adults to have fun or spend time with family.
Of course, it hasn't been easy for me since my husband died."
"I'm sorry, Madam President. I guess for some, magic is what's needed
to escape the doldrums and anxieties of the world. I just wish I
had as strong a belief."
"I shouldn't have brought up my husband again. I keep making myself
sad when I think about Richard. I need to be trying to help in any
way to find the female magician."
"It's okay," said a reassured Simons. "Everyone in the country is
worried about her right now. Just thinking about her safety is helpful.
Besides, we've set up checkpoints all over the city. Anyone driving
in will be subjected to vehicular searches by police. Both major
airports are ready as well with heightened security measures in place."
"That is some good news. And, how is reaction coming from the public
here in Washington?"
"Response has been pretty positive. Most people don't mind the extra
security measures being taken. We've only had a few complaints from
some visiting tourists, but now even they understand the importance of
this situation. Believe me, we're ready for the kidnappers now."
"Very well. Continue with your efforts, Dan. The whole country
is going to be watching us."
"I understand, Madam President. We're going to be under one incredible
microscope."
At District University in the early evening hours, a gentleman with brown
hair and brown eyes was conducting an experiment in a laboratory.
A group of college students watched him very closely.
"As you can see, class," he said as he looked at his Bunsen burner with
boiling beaker, "the viscosity of the oil can make a huge difference in
the performance of an automobile. It's always been a problem when
people push their cars to the limit."
One of his students said, "Very interesting, Dr. Collins. Perhaps
that's the reason why my younger brother has trouble with his car.
He always likes to push it too hard."
"Ah, then maybe you need to tell him you need to stop revving the engines
so much."
Everyone giggled with that comment.
He then looked at his watch. "Well, class, that's all for today.
Now, remember to look over your notes carefully because the midterm exam
is next week. I don't want you to forget anything. I'll see
you on Thursday for our next session, okay?"
As the students left the room, Dr. Gregory Collins took off his lab coat
and put on his trench coat. "Whew, it's chilly out this evening.
Now, I have a little business to tend to."
He walked out of the lab and towards his car in the parking lot.
A couple of his colleagues waved at him, as he was going home for the day.
"Hey, I'll treat you to lunch tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure," said one of his co-workers. "Besides, you get that Science
World Award this weekend. Guess you're treating us early, huh?"
"Okay, I admit I shouldn't be celebrating too early, but I can't help it.
I'll see you guys in the morning."
He then took off in his car for his destination. "Okay, I've got
to run an errand before I get home, so I'd better get a move on, since
security measures have tightened up here in town."
On the plane, Jameson noticed the airstrip. "We're gonna arrive there
shortly. Joey, notify the boss that we're about to land."
"Sure thing, Larry." He picked up the special phone and dialed the
specific number.
The voice on the other end spoke. "Hello?"
"Boss, we're about to land at the airstrip you requested."
"Very well, Mr. Ferrio. You and Jameson wait at the airstrip.
I may have a slight delay in getting out there because of the increased
security."
"Increased security? You mean…they know we're coming to Washington?"
"Yes. However, this time it's not your fault. The Magician's
blasted computer system was able to figure out a trajectory from the Amarillo
airport just after you activated the stealth device. Now everybody
knows you're heading here. That's also the reason I chose that particular
airfield. No one's used it in so long, and nobody would even think
about looking for the plane there, outside the city limits. In fact,
no one knows you're still in the air thanks to my stealth device.
When you land, put the plane into the old hangar and leave it."
"And, what'll we do with the girl?"
"There's an old farmhouse about 200 feet north of that airstrip.
Both of you and the girl wait there until I arrive. We will discuss
the matter of money once I get there. Understood?"
Ferrio smiled wickedly. "Yes, sir. We'll land in less than
three minutes."
"Good. I will be there to pick all of you up in less than an hour."
"Okay, we'll be ready here." He then hung up the phone. "Larry,
he's talking about the dough already."
Jameson chuckled. "Just imagine, Joey, one little girl here is going
to give us the biggest pay day we could have ever hoped for!"
"Yeah, man! I can't wait to start buying all the stuff I've always
wanted, like that Porsche, or maybe a Ferrari—no, a Lamborghini!"
"With what we'll get paid, Joey, we may as well buy all three and a whole
lot more!"
As the gentlemen laughed, Angie still lay motionless in the passenger cabin.
Within her soul, though, was another story.
In there, Angie struggled desperately to hold herself together. "I've
got…to find a way out of this. My friends…I know they're worried
to death about me right now. I can't…stay a prisoner like this.
I have to…escape."
"There is no escape, Angela," said the darker voice, seemingly from
everywhere around her. "The more you struggle, the more control you're
giving me. It won't be much longer, my dear, sweet Angela."
Angie gasped in fear. "What do you want from me!?" she yelled.
"I want recognition from you! Despite all the warnings, all the troubles,
you still prefer to hide behind the light! Why do you always
steer clear of the darkness? This is why you left Iowa altogether
when you graduated from college, just so you can get away from me!"
The female magician's face was filled with dread. "No! I just
wanted to find a place to start life anew, that's all I wanted!"
"You keep lying to yourself, Angela. After you were done with college
at Iowa State, you just left the whole area behind because—"
"No! Please, I don't want to hear it! Just stop it! I'm
begging you! Don't do this to me!"
"You're losing control, Angela. I can feel it inside of you.
You're getting more frightened with each passing second, which adds more
power to me, your shadow."
"You're lying! You can't be that powerful!"
"On the contrary, my dear. All the denial and fear you have of me
gives me more power. As you continue losing control of yourself,
I grow stronger."
Angie focused on her inner energy to get her magic to come to light.
"I will not give in! The light will always prevail!"
The shadow laughed wickedly. "How foolish you are, Angela!
Don't you understand what's happening to you?"
Angie wanted to use her magic very desperately, but her head started splitting
in pain all over again, forcing her to clutch her head once more.
"What's wrong with me!?"
"What else, my friend, you're still drugged. As long as that's the
case, you're not going to be able to use the Magic Force at all.
Boy, this is worse than what Faceless did to you before. Then again,
she didn't drug you on a regular basis for a long period of time.
Whoever wants you knows something even you don't."
"That…may be the case, but…I must keep fighting. That's what…Ace
would want me to do."
"'That's what Ace would want me to do,'" mocked the shadow's voice.
"Just knock it off, Angela! Ace isn't even here to help you!
You're all alone this time! Ace can't help you, Mom and Dad can't
help you, no one can help you!"
"STOP!" Angie screamed in pain. "I will not give up! I
am a fighter to the very end!"
"You won't be able to fight me away much longer, Angela. My time
is quickly approaching, and soon I will take control and make you
recognize me as a part of your being! You've run away from me for
the last time, Angela Jacobs! You will acknowledge my existence one
way or another!"
"I…said…I would keep fighting you, even if it meant…my own death…and I
damn well meant it!"
"Very well, Angela. If a war is what you want, you've got yourself
one now. You can bet, though, this is one you will lose because your
light is slowly…burning…out."
"Never," Angie responded angrily. "You'll say anything to make me
believe something so preposterous. My light will never go
out, not as long as I have love in my heart!"
"That's your biggest problem, Angela. You may have love in your heart,
but you don't love me. You have run away from me for so long,
but your running will come to an abrupt halt soon enough!"
"If you think you're going to have an easy time with me, you'll find out
just how wrong you are, jerk!"
"I will not be treated in that manner, Angela! You will respect me
and acknowledge that I am a part of your being!"
The shadowed self was determined to win, but she had one strange thought.
Angela, I want to help you, but I'm afraid you've left me no choice
but to fight you for control. I don't want you to die in this
struggle. I just want you to understand your darkness. In the
meantime, I still don't know who has kidnapped you from your friends.
If push comes to shove, I will take control…and this could be your only
hope…to live.
Jameson carefully set the plane down on the old airfield and quickly drove
it towards the abandoned hangar. Parking it perfectly inside the
hangar, he and Ferrio grabbed Angie and took her off the plane. They
ran as fast as they could to the battered farmhouse and took a rest there,
waiting for the person behind it all to pick them up.
In the special FBI plane, Ace and Vega were still a good couple of hours
away from Washington. The bond between Ace and Angie was still not
working as they were still a good 500 miles from the nation's capital.
Ace looked out the window of the plane and saw nothing but the beautiful
earth below. His mind, though, was not focused on the scenery. Angie,
I know you're not giving up. You're not a quitter. I just wish
our bond could be stronger, though, so I can find you.
Vega sat next to him. "Nice, isn't it?"
"I guess so." Ace closed his eyes and tried to reach out to Angie
again. Angie, please respond to my thoughts. I know you're
out there somewhere, and you're more than likely scared. Please,
let me find you so I can help you with your emotional situation.
He started breathing hard again and gritted his teeth once more.
"Ace, what are you doing?" Vega asked in concern. "You'll strain
yourself out trying to reach her again."
"If that's what it takes," he struggled to say, "I'll risk it!"
Vega then took Ace by the arms and started shaking him violently.
"Ace, snap out of it!"
Suddenly awakening in a gasp, Ace breathed heavily. "I have to find
her…I have to find Angie before it's too late!"
"Take it easy, Ace!" Vega commanded sternly. "Good Lord, you're just
like what you were the night you saved my life in that explosion…and the
morning after that."
Ace recalled that night as a teenager when he unleashed something very
powerful from within himself to save Vega from an exploding bomb in a museum,
along with the circumstances and consequences of not being able to control
the gift he possessed. "I remember that all too well," he whispered.
"Listen, Ace, I know you're very worried about the same thing happening
to Angie as it happened to you that night. It's just that you shouldn't—"
"Will you stop it, Vega?" the Magician snapped. "I already got the
third degree from Mona back in Electro City."
"Because Angie's the one that needs help right now. We don't need
two
people getting seriously hurt, okay?"
After a long sigh, Ace rubbed his head and stated, "You're right.
Sorry, Vega. I didn't mean to get angry."
"Hey, we've put up with each other for years. Law and magic don't
always get along, you know."
Ace had a light laugh with that comment. "True. I'm just…worrying
myself sick because of Angie's potentially explosive situation."
"I understand. It's like how I was with you the morning after you
saved my life with your magic. You were so scared you created all
those bubbles and accidentally shocked me."
"Yeah, I remember that. Angie's in the same boat right now as I was
all those years ago."
"Hopefully we'll get close enough you can start tracking Angie telepathically.
The clock is seriously ticking, though."
"Right. How much longer to Washington?"
"At the present speed about two more hours."
"Let's just hope we can find Angie in time."
At the farmhouse, Ferrio and Jameson waited patiently with their victim
for the brains behind the operation to arrive.
Ferrio sighed. "Man, she's so quiet."
"Yeah. Good thing we picked up the trick about how to keep her from
using her magic. Man, I can't believe he wants to capture a magician
for an experiment."
"Who would've thought he would want to use someone's magic for such a purpose?"
"Only I would have, Mr. Ferrio," said a gentleman who stood at the door
of the farmhouse. "Do you have Miss Jacobs?"
"Right here, boss," replied Jameson. "Safe and sound, despite everything."
"Yes, agreed. You two did get her here safely, so I will pay both
of you nicely. How does…$10 million…each…sound to the two
of you?"
Jameson gasped in disbelief while Ferrio's eyes widened and jaw dropped
in complete shock. "Ten…million?" they said in unison.
"Yes, you heard me correctly. Ten million. All those
grants I have will certainly be of help in paying you. Now, shall
we take her to the hideout?"
Jameson became slightly concerned. "What about the security measures?"
"Don't worry about them, Mr. Jameson. I have a stealth device on
my car, and there's a dirt road that turns into a paved road just outside
the city limits. No one will see us coming into town. It'll
be fine, I promise. Now, shall we get going?"
Ferrio grabbed Angie and put her over his shoulder. "Yes, sir.
Let's get out of here."
"Right. Let's go."
The three men and the still unconscious Angie went to the mastermind's
car and quickly took off for his hideout.
Quickly activating the stealth device, the mastermind of the operation
made his car invisible to detection by radar or any means of identification.
While driving across the dirt road, he said, "Gentlemen, despite the few
failures that were involved, I have to hand it to both of you. You
were able to get the young lady from Electro City to here in less than
three days. She'll need some time to herself, though, when we reach
our destination. Fortunately, I have just the place for her to feel
comfortable."
"But, boss," said Jameson, "She fought Joey pretty well, despite being
drugged and all."
"I know. She won't struggle with me, though. She hasn't eaten
any food in the last 2 ½ days, so I have a good idea she'll be desperately
hungry…hungry enough to cooperate with me and my experiment. I've
waited a long time for this chance."
Ferrio and Jameson looked at each other in confusion but decided not to
question their boss's motives, considering they were about to become very
wealthy.
The organizer of the scheme then said, "We're about to enter the city now.
We'll get to the hideout in less than 30 minutes."
Soon enough, they made it to the gentleman's hideout, a surprisingly cozy
home in the suburbs of Washington. Parking the car in the carport,
he turned off his stealth device.
"We're here, boys. Now, take Miss Jacobs and follow me."
The three gentlemen entered the home of the man who planned it all, with
Angie still lying unconscious while being carried by Ferrio.
In the special FBI plane, Ace just sat and twiddled his thumbs, his mind
in constant concern for Angie's safety and emotional state. Fortunately,
his psychic bond with Angie began to come alive when they started coming
within the necessary 300-mile range. "Vega, how far are we now?"
"We're about 290 miles from DC. Why, are you starting to sense Angie?"
"Yes, I am." Closing his eyes to concentrate, he still could not
see anything but swirls in her mind. "I can't see her yet…and the
feeling is…very weak right now. It will get stronger as we get closer
to Washington. I just hope we can find her before her shadow completely
takes over."
Vega used the communication system to make contact with his old academy
friend. "Dan?"
"Derek, we've got every security measure in Washington going right now,
including at both airports. I'm going to meet you at Dulles International
in the special hangar when the plane lands. I'll be waiting for you
and Mr. Cooper."
"Dan, are you sure it's all right for us to get involved in this?"
"Let me put it this way: Has Angie ever been in Washington before?"
"I don't think so. She said she's never been anywhere east of Chicago."
"Then, she doesn't know anyone here. She's completely alone
right now. It'll be better for you both to come so she'll have friends
to recognize."
"You're right. We'll be there in the next hour."
"Fine, Derek. However, someone else insisted on getting involved
in this case."
"Captain Friedrichs!?"
"Nope. I'll tell you who it is when you get here."
"I understand, Dan. I'll see you at Dulles."
As the plane quickly approached Washington, Ace's telepathic bond increased
in strength. I'm getting closer, Angie. Just hang on.
I know you need emotional help right now, and I'll find you so you won't
have to deal with it alone.
Inside the mastermind's home, he told Ferrio and Jameson to lay her gently
on a small but seemingly comfortable bed and leave her there.
As soon as the pair walked away, the mastermind himself closed and locked
the cell door. Then, he joined the two hit men in the living room.
He then grabbed two suitcases from the closet and gave each one to the
two men. "Open the suitcases, gentlemen."
They did as told and became very shocked.
"Oh, my…God," said Jameson with widened eyes.
Ferrio whispered, "Damn!"
"As I promised…$10 million for each of you. Unfortunately, you can't
spend it right now because you're being hunted by authorities everywhere.
I suggest you both stay here for a while and get acquainted. Meanwhile,
I'm going to get myself acquainted with Miss Angela Jacobs. I'll
see you both later."
He then stood up and walked in the direction of his library again.
As for Ferrio and Jameson, they took some of their money out of the suitcases
and started counting the money.
"Hey, Larry, how long do you think it'll take for us to count the whole
ten million?"
"About a year or so, but who cares? We're rich!"
"Then, how come we can't spend the money now?"
"You goofball! If we're seen in public, the authorities could catch
us, and then it would lead to the boss! We gotta lay low right now."
"Yeah, I know. I can't stand being cooped up, though."
"You'd better get the hang of it, Joey. We've got to stay here until
the coast is clear…which could take months."
"Okay, whatever."
At about 10 p.m., the special plane finally landed at Dulles International
Airport and quickly went to its private hangar.
In a matter of minutes, Ace and Vega were off the plane.
Soon enough, the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigations met up with
them. "Lieutenant Vega, Mr. Cooper, welcome to Washington, DC…I'm
just sorry it's not under pleasant circumstances."
Vega shook his old friend's hand. "I know, Dan. We know Angie's
somewhere here in the city, but where is the question right now."
"Well, remember when I said we've got some extra help on this case?"
"Yeah. Who is it?"
A woman walked up to the gentlemen out of the shadows. "I'm going
to assist on this case, Lieutenant Vega."
Ace gasped, "Madam President?"
"Yes, Mr. Cooper."
The Magician graciously shook the hand of the President of the United States.
"I am very grateful that you wish to help us find Angie."
"I know what a special young woman she is. Believe me, whoever is
responsible for kidnapping Angela Jacobs will suffer consequences to the
fullest extent of the law."
Vega could not believe the other person willing to assist.
Simons said, "Derek, she insisted on helping us. She said she met
Angie in Electro City a couple of years ago."
"That's…that's great she's wanting to give us a hand. But, shouldn't
she have Secret Service agents around?"
Madam President heard Vega's words. "Lieutenant, I don't need them
with three men already here. The three of you." She then noticed
Ace standing alone. "Mr. Cooper, are you okay?"
"She's here," Ace whispered. "Angie is somewhere here in Washington…I
can feel it."
Simons looked at Vega in confusion. "There's no way Miss Jacobs could
get past any of the checkpoints."
"Unless," said Vega, "the brains behind this has enough scientific knowledge
to beat every security checkpoint in and around the area."
"Certainly possible. But, how can Cooper feel—"
"Dan, I know you don't believe in magic, but I've known Ace Cooper
nearly 18 years now. He's got real magic, and so does Angie.
Besides, there's more to this than a lot of people know."
"Wait, Derek. It's getting late."
"What about Angie? She may not have time."
"The person behind this whole operation wanted her for a reason, Derek.
She's needed alive. Otherwise, Ferrio and Jameson would have finished
her off already."
Soon, Simons and Vega both came up to Ace and President Donovan.
"It's late," said Simons, "and both of you have had a long and very tiring
journey. We'll start looking for Angie in the morning. The
kidnapper wants her alive, so she won't be harmed right away."
After a heavy sigh, Ace agreed. "True. Someone kidnapped her
for her powers, not for ransom. I just hope she's all right."
President Donovan tried to comfort him. "Mr. Cooper, have faith and
hope. We know Angie's somewhere in the area. We'll keep looking
non-stop if we have to, but you can't do it without some rest. You've
gone almost 48 hours without any sleep. It won't do you any good."
"Thanks, Madam President. You're right…I need some rest. I've
been putting too much pressure on myself lately. So, um, where do
we rest?"
Simons replied, "We'll rest at my place. It's just a few blocks from
here."
All four entered Simons' car and took off for a place to get some much-needed
sleep, as their strength was needed to start combing the entire city for
Angie.
In the car, Ace was already starting to fall asleep when he mysteriously
heard a different voice in his mind. Angie is here, Ace,>
said the male voice. However, you must find her quickly, for the
darkness is approaching. She will be too weak to fight it away much
longer.>
That's not my conscience, Ace thought. I—of course.
He's been here all this time. He's known about Angie's emotional
well-being…perhaps even longer than I have.
Meanwhile, Angie lay in her little bed, sleeping soundly.
The man in charge of the entire plan looked into the cell with pleasure.
"Ah, the female magician…Angela Jacobs. She's so beautiful, so charming,
yet…so powerful, so emotionally driven. She's just what I need…for
my greatest experiment ever. I've waited for a long time to test
my theories about the power of magic as a weapon. At last, I'll have
the chance to try it out, and Angela Jacobs will share a place in history
with me!"
The madman laughed wickedly as he was determined to understand Angie's
powers…and harness them into a powerful device which could possibly harm
others…