Disclaimer: I do not own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement.
A garage somewhere in the Bay Area.
"You can't fool me. I'm not buying any of this. You're trying to scare me, that's all." Even though Guerrero was shackling him to a wall, the man was still shaking his head in denial.
… … …
The hills of California. Chance and Winston in a rented car.
"He's busy!", Winston exploded. "How can he be busy? Leaving Harry and Nelly alone with Ames!"
"We've let Ames on the team. It's been a rocky beginning, but she's done good work lately. Maybe it's time to show some confidence in her abilities."
Of course Winston immediately picked up the slight hesitation in Chance's voice. "You don't like this either!", he triumphed.
Chance sighed. No, he didn't like it. But Guerrero usually knew what he was doing. Besides that he had to concentrate on the task at hand: The community Nelly came from was pretty tight knit, getting in there wasn't going to be easy…
… … …
The garage.
"You goddamn freak, you're going to pay for this!", the man spat.
… … …
The warehouse.
Ames was on edge. "I've got the utmost confidence in you", Guerrero had said.
Great, but what if she messed up? This was her chance to wipe out her blunder in the back alley in Washington. She needed to make this work!
For the fifth time in about ten minutes, Ames checked the security cameras. That black SUV, hadn't it passed through the street behind the warehouse two minutes ago already?
… … …
The garage.
The man pulled at his chains. In vain, of course. He pulled again, with more force. They didn't give an inch. He groaned in frustration.
… … …
A farmhouse in the hills of California.
"I'm almost there", Chance told Winston via earpiece. "Communities like these are usually very distrusting towards strangers. If I don't get in it's your turn and we'll play the minority card." He knocked at the red painted farmhouse door.
The door flew open and the next thing Chance knew was that he was being tightly embraced by a middle-aged woman with long, graying hair. "I knew you were coming!", she cried.
She grabbed his left wrist, pulled him into the house and dragged him into a large kitchen with adjacent dining area. About twenty people were gathered there, busy with laying the oversize wooden table and preparing food.
"The visitor I said would come is here!", the woman exclaimed excitedly. "I was right! My prediction was correct!"
The others, in various grades of blatancy, rolled their eyes. "I hate to break this to you, Moira, but you said a pregnant teenager would seek refuge with us", a man in his late twenties with spectacles replied. "Two weeks ago."
Moira remained unfazed. "The art of clairvoyance isn't an exact science." She gave Chance a quick once-over and shrugged. "From my point of view it's close enough."
… … …
The garage.
The man spoke very slowly, apparently aiming at appearing determined. "I see that you're serious and I do understand that this will be painful. But you won't break me. I'm not going to tell you anything."
… … …
The warehouse.
"I'm telling you", Nelly insisted. "It's not a sect. The farm is not a smaller version of Jonestown. We don't even have a leader – leadership rotates. Deciding after which system was a nightmare: Some voted for the phases of the moon, others suggested every fifth of the month according to the French Revolutionary Calendar…"
"Brainwashed", Harry diagnosed. "You're definitely showing all characteristics of a person who's been thoroughly brainwashed."
Ames was only half-listening. There was a strange noise coming from the roof. Or was it? Damn, she was going crazy!
… … …
The farm.
"For this wonderful food we give thanks to God…" the young man with the spectacles began. Some people at the table nodded.
"…or the Gods…"
Some other people at the table nodded.
"…or the almighty forces of nature…"
Moira and another, red-haired woman, nodded.
"… or the force…"
A man in a long cloak nodded.
"… or nobody."
A young woman with very short hair nodded vehemently.
The people around the table briefly joined hands and bowed. Then everybody sat down.
Chance eyed his food conspicuously. Was this bread?
"Garcia was in charge of cooking today", the man in the cloak explained quietly. "He's hardcore vegan. Sorry, not the ideal welcome meal, but later we'll all gather in Nicole's room. She's an anarchist and strictly opposes any form of rules; among other things she cooks her own food on days the official dish is not to her liking. To - erm - punish her for this unsocial behavior we eat it all up. Don't worry, there's always enough for everyone…"
"No go tonight", the young woman with the very short hair chimed in. "It's the day of our monthly gathering, remember?"
The man in the cloak sighed resignedly.
… … …
The warehouse.
Nelly had fallen asleep about half an hour ago. Ames and Harry had tucked her in and at first she had slept peacefully, but now she was beginning to stir. "Her nightmares are setting in", Harry said.
Sure enough, a short time later her stirring turned into tossing and turning. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She was whimpering like a trapped cat.
Then suddenly her eyes flew open and she screamed. A long, wailing scream, that made Ames skin crawl.
Harry took Nelly in his arms. She was shivering all over.
… … …
The garage.
Speaking of screams…
The man recognized the instrument in Guerrero's hands and - well – screamed.
… … …
The farm.
"We're going to undress now? All of us?" Chance was usually pretty good at hiding his true emotions when undercover, but this was a bit much…
"Well, Garcia is not only hardcore vegan, he's also a fierce supporter of complete equality, so when he runs a gathering he insists on all of us being naked, to ensure an atmosphere of solidarity. And since he's got a crush on Chantrelle, the Wicca, we're also going to lit a fire and dance around it, as a lead-in to the evening."
Chance had stayed undercover in prisons, mental institutions, boot camps and monasteries to help a client, but this time he seriously considered running off before the job was finished.
Fast.
"Dude?" Guerrero's voice via earpiece. "Pack your bag and get back to the office. I've obtained some interesting information."
Chance quickly put his shirt back on, thanking God.
And the other stuff.
And nobody.
… … …
Emma's house.
Emma opened the door. For a moment neither of the women spoke. Then Emma asked Ilsa in.