Chapter 10
An Old Friend
The long, black Cadillac Deville drove slowly up the long driveway. It came to a stop in front of a two story, residential house. Agent Anderson and Agent Walker stepped out. Hall and King were monitoring Fang back at the base. Anderson glanced up at the cloudy sky. They were in for some rain. The two Erasers walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. Seconds later a friendly looking woman opened the door. A little blond girl stood right behind her.
" Doctor Martinez, I presume?" Anderson asked. She nodded. Anderson knelt down and gave the girl his sincerest smile. " And you must be Ella." She nodded yes. Anderson stood back up. " I hope you don't mind if we come in?" he asked the Doctor.
" Sure," she said. " Make yourself at home." Anderson and Walker stepped into the front hallway and quickly walked into the living room. Dr. Martinez and Ella were right on their heels. " You boys are...?" she asked suspiciously.
" We're with the CIA," answered Anderson, which was half true. He flashed her a badge and the two Erasers sat on a sofa. " I'm Agent Anderson, and this is my associate, Agent Walker." Walker gave her a friendly nod.
" Can I get you boys something to drink? Eat?" She didn't wait for an answer. A second later she was back with a tray of cookies and two mugs of coffee. She set the snacks on the table and sat in a chair opposite them. Anderson selected a mug of coffee. They both took their coffee black. Anderson took a sip.
" So, how can I help you?" she asked. Ella grabbed a cookie. Anderson reached into his suit and pulled out a photo of Maximum Ride. He slid it towards Doctor Martinez.
" This is a photo of Maximum Ride," Walker explained. " We think you may know her. She is a dangerous felon and is a fugitive from the law. Have you seen her lately?" She looked at the photo.
" I've never seen this girl in my life," she answered, placing the photo back on the table. Ella saw who it was. She pointed at it.
" Mom! Look! It's Max!" she exclaimed. Anderson gave a wolfish grin.
" Oh, so you do know her?" he said. In unison, Walker and Anderson both drew their Desert Eagles. The two Martinez's eyes widened.
" What do you want?" she gasped, staring down the gun barrel.
" What do I want, Dr.? I want the world. And everything in it. But Maximum Ride's a start, eh? Now, are you going to tell me where she is?" Martinez remained silent. Anderson sighed. " Well, you know what they say. If you can't beat us, join us." Anderson's syringe was already up. He jabbed it into Dr. Martinez's neck. The sludge flowed freely over her skin, enveloping her entire body. Then it was gone, and another Anderson stood in front of him. Ella whimpered.
" Your turn," hissed Anderson. He took another syringe and jabbed it into Ella. The sludge covered her, adding two feet and considerable muscle to her tiny body. There was now a total of three Anderson's in the room. Anderson smiled.
" Stay here. If Ride comes back, capture her and anyone with her. Understood?" Anderson asked. The new copies nodded in unison. Anderson suddenly tensed. He put two fingers to his ear, enhancing the sound of his earpiece.
" It's Fang. He's contacting us," Anderson said to Walker. He nodded and they both left the house and got into their Cadillac, driving back to base.