Twenty-six
"Well, this must be the place, 227 Speedway Circle," Superman said, noting the address he had copied from the Watchtower's computer files."
"Speedway Circle," Wonder Woman giggled. "How appropriate. Which apartment is it?"
Superman smiled and looked at her with a funny expression on his face. "Want to venture a guess?"
"1A? … no wait! 2B! " Wonder Woman guessed.
"Hah! Good try, but a fan of Shakespeare, he isn't," Superman laughed.
"What then?" she asked, giving up.
"3D" he answered, smirking.
"Third Dimension, cute," she answered, following Superman across the street.
As they passed through the main entrance of the apartment building, Superman whispered into Wonder Woman's ear, "Don't turn around. We're being watched."
"It's a good thing we're not in costume," Wonder Woman replied quietly.
He followed her to the elevator. You want to come with me to 3D or check out the girlfriend's place?" Superman asked, pressing the elevator button.
"I thought it'd be better if we stay together, looks less suspicious. I mean, we look more like a married couple returning home from a late evening," she suggested.
He nodded. "Good thinking."
"Can you hear anything?" she asked.
"Wait a minute," Superman said, focusing his sense of hearing on the two men sitting in the black SUV across the street.
The elevator doors opened.
"Okay, let's go," Superman said, stepping aside for Wonder Woman to pass.
"Get the make, model, and plate of the SUV?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Got it."
"Good," she said, pressing the button for the 3rd floor.
Superman x-rayed the elevator for hidden camera equipment and listening devices and found none.
"The elevator is clean," he commented. "There are two guys in the SUV. One guy's name is Carter, don't know if it's a first or last name. They're both waiting on a call from someone named 'Monocello'. They've been watching this apartment for the past two hours and haven't seen anything yet."
"They say anything else?" she asked.
"Not much. Carter was complaining about an early meeting at some place called 'Wilkinson's'.
Wonder Woman nodded. "That could be anything a restaurant, hardware store, beauty parlor, or market. We can check that out easily enough though. Did you catch the time of the meeting?"
"No. He just said he wasn't going to get any sleep tonight."
The elevator doors opened to the third floor.
"Let's go," Superman said, taking the lead.
The hall way was empty and quiet. Wonder Woman waited, while Superman x-rayed the apartment for any sign of life.
"It's clear," he said, turning the doorknob.
"It's not locked?" Wonder Woman asked surprised.
"This may not mean anything of itself. Let's go in, but be careful. Don't turn on any lights," he instructed.
She nodded in agreement and followed him into the apartment, quickly closing the door behind her.
The telephone began to ring.
"Who would call at this hour?" Wonder Woman headed straight to the telephone with Superman right beside her.
"No caller ID," she observed. "Do we pick it up?"
"No," he answered quickly. "If they think Flash is here, then they don't know anything more than us."
Superman quickly walked over to the window; he stayed hidden in the shadows of the room, avoiding the prying eyes watching from below. "They're still out there," he said. "Wait a minute… there's only one out there now!"
"Can you hear him?" she asked.
"I hear the elevator moving," he said. "If he enters the apartment, let's take him at the door."
"I'll use my lasso," she said, spinning herself around, changing into her super-hero costume.
Looking up, she noticed, Superman had also donned his super-hero suit as well.
Wonder Woman quickly popped a stick of gum into her mouth. She chewed it hurriedly and slapped it on the light switch beside the door.
Superman looking at her with a puzzled expression and took his place behind the door.
She smiled knowingly and took her place beside him.
They both listened as they heard footsteps approaching.
The door slowly opened and one of the men, who had been in the car outside, stepped into the apartment. He had a gun in one hand and reached for the light switch with the other.
"Ugh! What is this!" he said angrily, as he pulled his hand back, trying to shake the sticky gum off his hand.
The door slammed shut behind him, darkening the unlit room. With the only source of light coming from the distant streetlight outside, the intruder didn't detect the presence of the two superheroes, lurking behind him in the shadows.
Wonder Woman leapt forward, pulled out her lasso and roped the man in, pulling him off his feet and binding his arms down to his sides.
Superman yanked the cord out of a table lamp nearby and used it to tie the man's legs together.
Wonder Woman walked over to the light switch and removed the residue of the sticky gum before flicking on the light. She walked over and began to search the intruder's pockets for identification. "George Rowe" she announced aloud, reading the name on the man's driver's license. She tossed the ID to Superman to check out.
She continued searching through his wallet for other information and found an expired membership ID card for the Policeman's Local Union #359. There were also two credit cards to local stores, a dentist appointment card, and a business card to Wilkinson's Mortuary and Funeral Home. The name on the card was 'Vernon R. Monocello' Mortuary Technician/Director. Written in blue ink, on the back of the card was the address to Flash's apartment. She handed the business card it to Superman. "Recognize the names on this card?" she asked.
Superman took one look at the card and smiled at Wonder Woman.
"What are you doing here!" demanded Rowe.
"Never mind that," Superman replied, calmly. "I'll ask the questions here, Mr. … What was it? ... 'Rowe'?"
"I don't have to answer any of your questions!" Rowe shot back.
"Perhaps you'd prefer to talk to your lawyer?" Superman added.
"I know my rights and I don't have to tell you anything," Rowe retorted.
"You sound very sure of yourself," Superman said, strolling over to the window to see if the other man was still in the vehicle. One look out the window confirmed that he was there and was busy talking into his cell phone. From what Superman could see, the man was engaged in a heated argument with whoever was at the other end. He tuned-in to the conversation with his super-hearing.
"Carter, I'm not a very patient person. I want you to bring me Wally West. No excuses or it's your hide," the voice in the cell phone grumbled.
"Listen Monocello, don't threaten me, you have just as much to lose in this as I do. If we play this right, we'll all be back on the force before the month is out. But we've got to keep our cool," Carter said, firmly.
"Did you check out the apartment? Are you sure West isn't in there asleep or something?" Monocello barked.
"Of course we did. That's the first thing we did. Come-on Monocello, give me a break, we're not idiots!" Carter replied angrily. "Look, we've been sitting here for hours now and there's been no sign of him. Maybe he went out of town on vacation."
"No, absolutely not, Rowe checked the mechanic's duty schedule at the Station. West is due in tomorrow morning. He'll be there; he's never missed a day yet. Wherever he is, he has to come home eventually. I don't want you and Rowe to leave that spot without him. You hear me!"
"What about the 9 AM meeting at Wilkinson's?"
"Forget about it, we'll just concentrate on Flash for now and deal with the rest of the League, later. Flash is the one we really want, anyway."
"Did you get anything out of him yet?" Carter asked.
"No, I was hoping to use West as leverage for Flash's cooperation. We've got Flash on hold for now. You might say he's finally getting a chance to 'slow down' and 'relax', if you know what I mean. But, we don't have much time; Wilkinson is due back in five days. Just concentrate on getting West down here. And Carter?"
"Yes?" Carter asked curiously.
"You might want to camp-out inside the apartment so as not to arouse any suspicion. I trust you haven't attracted any attention," Monocello said sarcastically.
"Haven't seen a soul all night, that is, up until a few minutes ago," Carter answered, looking out the car window in the direction of the apartment house. "Nothing to worry about though, just some married couple, Rowe went to check it out just to be sure." Carter yawned.
"Make sure that's all it is. We can't take any chances. Contact me when you've got West ready for delivery. You'll have to bring him around to the back entrance, like before. Are you sure you've got enough ether?"
"I've still got ¾'s of a bottle left. No problem," Carter said reassuringly.
"Fine. Just don't do anything stupid."
"Listen, I've had just enough of this attitude Monocello. I'll get him. Period."
Superman heard the connection cut-off and saw Carter step out of the car.
"We've got more company," he said, stepping away from the window and walking over toward Rowe.
Twenty-seven
Flash knew the dial was set on '2'. According to Vern, if Sarah turns the dial down one more notch he'd had full use of his arms and legs. He knew he didn't have much time before Vern would return, so whatever he was going to do, he had to do quickly.
He could feel the warmth slowly returning to his legs as the cold numbness began to wash away. His fingers and arms felt like they were on pins and needles and his feet began tingling. He knew that he would have full use of his arms and legs very soon. At least now he felt like he had a body. He was dying to test his arms and legs, but he dared not move, lest Sarah panic and turn the knob back up again. His back was growing sore and he wanted very much to shift into a more comfortable position.
He glanced in Sarah's direction and saw that she had stepped away from the dosage knob and was now checking the tubing connections to the I.V. drip attached to the patches on his back.
With Sarah's attention focused elsewhere, Flash took this opportunity to wiggle his fingers. It worked! He had full use of his hands! Relieved, he unconsciously sighed aloud.
Sarah's head perked up. She had obviously heard him. Suspicious, she moved around the table to get closer to Flash.
"You're smiling," she said sounding relieved. "I always did like your smile," she commented. She moved closer and felt his face. "You're much warmer now," she added, sounding pleased.
"Thank you," Flash said.
"I don't know if I ever mentioned it, but my waitressing job is actually my second job. During my off hours at the restaurant, I work here as a cosmetician. It isn't bad really. Most people are repulsed at the thought of working in a mortuary, but it's actually somewhat peaceful and I feel that doing my job is like giving a farewell gift to the departed. I used to do hair and nails for the women at the beauty parlor, but this feels more personal. Don't you agree? The only thing I can't seem to get used to is the coldness. Dead people are so cold. I can't even touch their hair without wearing gloves. Does that creep you out?"
Flash shuddered. I am in a mortuary? he thought. Oh no! "Uh… I'd have to say I think I'd have a problem with that too," he replied, becoming nauseated at the thought.
He suddenly realized that even when he got full use of his arms and legs, he would still need help disconnecting the patches and tubing attached to his back; and with his arms and legs strapped down, he couldn't even undo the bindings himself. He was going to need Sarah's help. She seemed to be softening, maybe… just maybe, she'd come around.
"It must be lonely working here like this," Flash commented. "Sometimes I get lonely too," he added.
Sarah moved closer to him and placed her hand on his. "I can see how that would be. Is that why you come to the pizza place?"
"I really do care about people. It's not just rhetoric," Flash explained. "I mean, it's what life is all about. We were meant to help one and other. None of us can make it on our own." Flash could tell by her expression that she was softening.
"You know, you're right. I was wrong about you. You don't want glory. You really do care about people. Vern used to feel that way too, before he lost his job. That was what I most admired about him, his desire to help others." Sarah looked sad.
"I'm sorry to hear that," Flash said. "It's natural to get discouraged when things get rough.
"Yes, that's true. But it doesn't change things," Sarah responded, looking away.
Flash felt badly for Sarah. "Let me let tell you something a good friend once told me," he began.
"The secret to happiness is in the sharing of yourself. There is a satisfaction that comes, from being needed, appreciated and loved. Share yourself with others that are in need and by doing so, you will give these to them too. It begins a chain reaction that knows no end.
What happens is this: when you give what's in your heart to give, what you give will never diminish; instead the seed beds of your heart grow joy flowers that blossom and spread the infectious desire within yourself to give more. You will see no limits and will accept no boundaries, for the journey has only begun. Through it all, your joy becomes full and overflowing, spilling onto those around you, nourishing them like the rainfall that nourishes a thirsty flower garden wilting under the noonday sun.
But when the winds of the disgruntled and the storms of adversity overtake those who give of themselves and force them down; desire is smothered and joy and happiness fade away. Resentment, bitterness, and anger spring up like weeds that choke out the beautiful flowers in a garden. That, which was once vibrant and flourishing, dries out and disappears, leaving a garden of hatred in its place.
It is meant as a reflection of the joy and reward one receives in serving others and what can happen when adversity sets in if support and encouragement are not given," Flash explained.
Flash saw a tear slip down Sarah's cheek.
"Tough times are the times when people need each other the most, but instead they often pull away and isolate themselves, which only makes the problem worse. Isolation in a time of trouble makes people bitter. They can turn their bitterness inward, become depressed or outward, and grow angry. I wonder if that is what Vern has been going through."
"Yes, that's what happened. He is angry and bitter. I thought that doing what he wants would help, but he's growing angrier and more difficult each day. I don't know what to do to help him." She covered her face with her hands and began to cry.
"Listen Sarah, I want to help," Flash pleaded. "Really I do. But I can't do anything while I'm medicated and strapped down to this table. Please, help me and I promise I'll see what I can do to help you and Vern."
Sarah wiped her face. "I don't know what he'll do if I let you go," she said nervously.
"You don't know what he'll do if you don't let me go," Flash corrected.
Without a word, she walked back to the machine and turned the dial to the last notch. The machine's pump slowed down and stopped.
Flash let out a big sigh of relief.
Sarah walked over to the connecting tubes and carefully began to disconnect them.
Suddenly, the door flew open and in stormed Vern. He angrily looked at the silent machine and back at Sarah.
Twenty-eight
Why isn't Wally back from his meeting yet? Kali wondered, as she hung up her cell phone. She glanced at the clock. It was 11:32 PM. Kali sighed.
Might as well get ready for bed, she thought, as she lifted her suitcase and placed it atop of the dresser. Opening the suitcase, her eyes fell on the framed wedding photo she had tossed into the suitcase earlier.
Oh yes, the wedding picture! Let me see…, she thought to herself, sitting down in a chair beside the dresser.
"My-oh-my, his hair was much longer then," she said, smiling. It nearly covers his whole face! I do so like his hair shorter, she thought to herself. There he was, standing right beside Marty, looking directly at the camera with a big silly grin. There was something about that grin that affected her. She couldn't help but smile right back at him, even though it was only a picture.
"Why aren't you home yet?" she asked the Wally in the photograph. Wally just smiled back at her, as if he were daring her to answer her own question. How strange, she thought. Why aren't you home yet? she wondered.
She studied the picture, staring into his sparkling green eyes, wishing the doorbell would ring and it would be him at the door.
The clock turned 11:33 PM.
A nagging feeling deep within the pit of her stomach told her something was wrong. Maybe he IS home and something IS wrong! she thought, beginning to worry. After all, he hasn't been well; maybe he had some kind of relapse or something. What if something was wrong?
She couldn't stand it any more. There was no way she was going to be able to get any sleep until she knew for sure that Wally was okay. She decided to go to the apartment to see if he was all right. If he wasn't there, then she'd wait until he arrived. Either way, she needed to know. Now, she was determined to find out!
She picked up the phone, dialed the number for a taxi, and was relieved to hear there was one already in her area. There's no time to explain all this to Margo and Marty, she thought. I'll just call them from Wally's place. Kali raced down the stairs and out the door, arriving at the front yard, just as the taxi pulled up.
As the taxi neared Wally's apartment house, Kali saw a man step out of a car parked on the street nearby. Was it Wally? she thought, getting excited.
"Thank you driver, you can just stop here," she said, handing the driver a $50 bill. "Keep the change," she said, rushing to catch up to Wally. "Wally! It's me, Kali!" she called, running toward him.
Wally appeared not to hear her as he bent down to reach for something in the back seat of the car.
She slowed down as she approached him. He seemed to be pouring something into a white cloth. "Wally?"
Twenty-Nine
Joe Carter made sure he had plenty of ether on the white cloth. He could hear Kali coming closer. One more step, he thought. Just take one more step closer.
When he knew she was standing beside him, he turned and grabbed her, forcing the damp ether-soaked cloth against her face. He held her tightly against him until he was sure she was completely knocked-out. He gently laid her limp body in the backseat of the car before dialing Rowe's cell phone number.
"Rowe, it's me, Carter," he said when he heard Rowe pick up. "Listen; there's been a slight change of plans. West's girlfriend showed looking for him. Since we haven't seen any sign of him, I grabbed her. Monocello is getting itchy for West; I figure she will do in the meantime. I'm gonna drop her off at Wilkinson's. You might as well sit tight, in case West shows up. I'll be back, unless Monocello has other plans."
Hanging up, Carter turned his attention back to Kali. She'll be out for a while, he thought to himself, starting the car.
Thirty
Superman hung up Rowe's cell phone and slipped it back into Rowe's suit pocket.
"Sorry Rowe, it looks like your buddy Carter is leaving without you. He says he'll be back, but it doesn't look like you'll be here to meet him, does it?" Superman said to Rowe.
"What next?" Wonder Woman asked.
"He's heading for the mortuary with Wally's girlfriend. He has her with him in the car. I'm gonna follow him just to make sure the girl doesn't get hurt or end up anywhere else. You want to take care of this one?" Superman asked, nodding toward Rowe.
"No problem," Wonder Woman replied. "I'll meet up with you there after I make this delivery."
Superman took off out the window, flying higher and higher into the sky as he picked up speed. He stayed low enough to keep an eye on Carter's car, but high enough to remain out of sight.