Vegas Blues: I See a Darkness7

"Don't worry. Everything's under control."

"Hey, Shep! Heard you been lookin' for me!"

John had been rifling through a file in his office when the familiar voice assailed him. He whirled, stared. Aiden was peering round the doorframe. John didn't react. He stepped to his desk. Sat, setting a file on the table. "What's with the eyepatch?" he asked, tone neutral. Hand sliding to a drawer where he kept a 9mm, just in case.

Aiden smiled, entered. Closed the door behind him. He was a mess. Clothes dirty, torn. He was wearing an eyepatch over one eye. But it couldn't hide the scarring on that side of his face. He appeared gaunt, as if he hadn't been eating properly. He plopped down in the chair in front of the desk. "Cool, huh? Check it out!" He lifted it to reveal a solid black eye. Dropped it back into place. "Don't worry, I can see out of it fine. Better, even. Even at night! I've never felt better, Shep! I mean at first I thought I was going to die. What was that thing, anyway? Until you shot it. Then something surged into me and I ran. Now I feel incredible! I'm stronger, faster, smarter! I'll be the perfect partner now!"

John finally spoke. "Where have you been?"

"All over! Scored some jackpots! You wouldn't believe how easy it is now to fool the machine into a win! You should try it. I'll show you! I ran into a group of people. Weirdos who thought I was some sort of, of, acolyte, yes, that's what they said! They are looking for that, that monster, or another like it. Said they could help me, but I wanted to talk to you first. I wasn't sure about them. So I was doing that. And laying low." His expression darkened. "You've been lookin' for me. You all have."

"I was concerned," John said. Fingers easing the drawer open silently. "Can't have my new partner AWOL on the first job, now can I?"

"Your new...seriously?" Aiden beamed. But he scowled again. "You said you didn't want a partner."

"That was before you got all these new abilities, buddy. Tell me about it." John's fingers touched cool metal. The gun.

Aiden brightened again. "It's amazing! An energy surge. Except I can feel it getting weaker. I need something, but I don't know what. You know? I'm not on drugs or anything! This is, this is better than drugs! I proved myself, didn't I?"

"You certainly did. But you need to do something first. That group of people you ran into, remember? You need to get word to them that their god is going to be at Vincent's. You know the place?"

"That abandoned apartment complex on the other side of town. Yeah, I've squatted there. So I do this for you and then I'm your partner? I don't have to take the exam, do I?"

"No, you do this and you are in, buddy. Oh, you'll have to take the medical, though. I can't get round that, I'm afraid." The gun was loaded. John flicked off the safety with the barest of touches.

"Really? I don't like doctors," Aiden complained.

"Neither do I, but I know a guy and he's real good. Will look the other way, if you know what I mean. Maybe even find you some more of whatever you need."

"Really? You'd do that for me? What do you think's gonna happen to me? Am I going to be attacked by some monster, left for dead, discovered, mutated, replaced by some bigger guy and then left in some limbo out there without a proper ending to the story?" He paused, shaking his head. "You'd help me?"

"Of course, partner. You–"

Aiden stood. Scowling. "You think I'm stupid, don't you? Don't you? Just some punk kid, some wannabe cop? You're lying to me! You want to bring me in!"

"I want to help you, Ford. Calm down. Don't force my hand."

"No! I'll prove to you I can do this, Sheppard! I'll deliver your message and then you'll see! You'll all see!"

John stood, drawing the weapon. "Don't make me shoot you, Aiden!"

"Go ahead! It won't hurt me! Nothing can hurt me now!"

"Ford!" John shouted, but Aiden whirled and flung open the door. Ran out of the office in a blur of speed that astounded John. Alarmed him. "Ford! Stop him!" John shouted, but he didn't mean it. He needed to use the young man to set the trap, as much as he might dislike it. As much as he wanted to help the kid he needed him more as a snitch to plant the bait.

Men were scrambling to grab Aiden. But incredibly he eluded them. Hurling men twice his size as if they were no more than dolls. Crashing them into desks and walls. He leapt over chairs, whirling and fighting. Guns were fired but the bullets bounced off him, harmless. With a dramatic dive he flew towards the door, through the glass, knocking two policemen to either side of him. Leaving utter chaos in his wake.

John ran after him, glass crunching under his shoes. "Ford!" he bellowed. The heat of the day hit him like a slap. Stifling. Aiden was nowhere in sight. John looked up and down the street. There was no sign of him. "Shit!" he said forcefully. Ignored the commotion behind him.

Hendricks joined him. "Did it work?"

"Yes. He bought it. I think. He's not quite stable, but I think he bought it."

"Good. I'll mobilize a search to make it look good. This had better work, John. That kid is most definitely on something, and he needs help."

"I know. I know."

The art gallery was cool. Cold as the air conditioner was an almost solid wall of sound. John glanced at the various paintings and sculptures. Most were abstracts. Splashes of color and weird shapes. Some more interesting pieces contained the bodies of insects set in curious but fascinating patterns. Butterflies. Bees. John wanted to pause to eye a few, but he stepped to the counter. Rang the bell and waited. Rang it again. The song You're No Good was playing softly in the background, but was abruptly silenced.

Evan stepped out of the back room. "What do you want?" he asked. "Wait, don't tell me. You wanna buy a painting?"

"No. I want you to design something for me," John stated, ignoring the sarcasm.

"A commission? From you? I don't work on commission, buddy."

"You do now." He flashed his badge. "Police business. I need a 3-D rendering of that...that thing you made. From the skull, remember? I know you kept all the schematics. I need a 3-D model of it. Life size."

Evan stared. "Why?"

"It's my Halloween costume," John quipped. "Just do it."

"Why?" Evan repeated. Scowling. "Why do you want it?"

"Some perp is killing people and this is the only way to stop him. Unless you want me to involve Moira in this you'll make the piece for me. I need it by five."

"An hour? I can't do that in an hour! And If I do it will cost you extra! Sheppard? Shep!" he called, but John had turned and left the shop. Confident Evan could do it, and on time as well.

John strolled to his car. Got in and grabbed his phone. Input the number. Waited. Waited. "McKay, it's a go. At five. Vincent's. Our people are handling it so don't call in your goons. But you better be there just the same. You've got a spy in your midst, and I'm betting that spy will be there to head them off." Before Rodney could reply John ended the connection.

It was the only thing that made sense. Who else would know about the creatures but someone in the organization itself? Rodney had suspected, but John was certain. Not only was Todd somehow directing people, but the spy was as well. The spy who had revealed Zelenka and gotten him killed. Who had somehow made it easier for Todd to communicate with his worshipers. Who was cleaning up as effectively as Caldwell had, but for different reasons. Reasons that were unclear but soon would be.

He sighed. Wondering if Aiden would get the word out, would contact them with the message. The plan didn't hinge on it but it would surely help lay the trap. And if Aiden was grabbed along with the rest so much the better. He owed the kid that much, at least. To get him off the street and the medical help he needed.

If any was to be given.