Book 3: Pointillist 2
Introduction
An Update: Currently, I'm engaged in editing this Book, P2, to improve its readability and correct grammar and other technical problems. The story remains the same, but the edits will hopefully increase the pleasure of reading the story. Please bear with me as I move Part by Part through the story. I'm also cross-publishing this Book on AO3, as well.
New stories for Person of Interest are in the planning stages now. I look forward to sharing more of the action with Reese, Harold, Shaw, Root and the rest of the Team in the coming months.
Thanks for your patience, and thanks for reading. Let's keep going...
Doc
July 1, 2023
Final Chapter - 54: Major threads come together in this final chapter of Pointillist 2 (P2). Finch, Reese, Shaw, Root, Greer, Kara Stanton and Leon Tao wind their way through the chapter.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for the next part of the story in The O Chronicles.
February 10, 2023
Author's preface:
Just a bit of orientation for those who might want it. This is the third book of a series that began with Saving the Saviors. Think of that one as bookends around Pointillist and this new one, Pointillist 2 (P2).
It jumped back and forth in time between the years 2014 and late 2016. That first book was a way to save the characters from the ending in the TV series, because we loved them too much to let them go like that.
Book 1 imagined a different ending and it showed, instead, what it would take to bring them back from all the losses they'd suffered. Book 1 didn't let them sacrifice themselves in the end. The characters and the show's themes have far more life left in them; there's so much more story we can explore with them. Toward that end, it introduced a few new characters, and brought back some familiar ones from the show – but bent them a bit to the needs of the story.
And then if we backtrack to the beginning of Book 2, we recall that Harold's Team had just returned from Washington D.C. after a foiled attempt to capture Greer. But they returned with a prize for their hard work: they had found and rescued Grace. She'd been a prisoner, held by Greer and his Team in Washington for months. At the start of Pointillist, Harold had brought her back to safety, in New York.
But as the Team began to debrief her, they realized that she had been systematically re-programmed by Greer – to turn her away from Harold.
Greer had made her believe that Harold was the enemy, the one psychologically torturing her each day during her captivity, the one taking her memories away from her.
In Pointillist, Grace was lost to Harold all over again. So much loss in Harold's life. For a man trying to help save others, he had ended up sacrificing the safety of those closest to him.
Greer began a campaign to crush Harold's Team, one by one. He had recruited a person who knew Reese better than anyone else; his ex-partner from the CIA, Kara Stanton. With her knowledge of Reese, and all of her black ops skills, she was the perfect one to pursue him. Finding Reese would lead Greer to the rest of the Team, and ultimately, to Harold and his Machine.
Greer recruited the Zheng, too, members of a violent Chinese street gang who willingly switched their allegiance to him. And Greer had secretly imported a skilled assassin through his contacts in China, a threat that Harold's Machine didn't see coming. In fact, the Machine had certain blind-spots that put the Team at risk again and again, until Harold relented and gave the Machine new powers.
Meanwhile, the Machine had assigned Shaw a new POI, Marco Bruzzese, a researcher in the energy field. He was an American living abroad in Italy when he learned of the chance discovery of a clean, cheap energy source that would quickly replace oil, coal, and nuclear energy all over the world. By publishing the theory of how its chemistry worked, he had stunned scientists everywhere – and made himself a target for those whose wealth and power were threatened by this new discovery. Shaw saved Marco from two attempts on his life in Pointillist. And, of course, there were consequences for Shaw – and for Root.
Reese and his Team had succeeded in planting a spy, Leon Tao, into Greer's organization. But Leon was perhaps just a coin-operated opportunist at best. Which side would have his loyalty? Or none? How far could they really trust him?
And Reese was struggling with his own demons, too, in Book 2. Still reeling from the loss of Joss Carter, and suffering flashbacks from the time he'd spent in Afghanistan and in black ops for the CIA, Reese was not at his best. His life was beginning to unravel.
He and his mayhem twin, Shaw, were captured by the Zheng in Book 2, and this experience would change the relationships among all of the members of the Team. For Reese, though, even in the midst of all the trauma, he found an unexpected moment of relief, of peace. Was there hope for something more?
Finch had finally launched his counter-attack at Samaritan. Using secret information shared with him by his dying friend, Arthur Claypool, creator of Samaritan, Harold had attacked the machine with a sophisticated computer game. It had brought Samaritan to its knees, and crippled Greer's Team.
The street-fight that ensued at the end of Book 2 left both Teams wounded and hurting. Greer and his Team barely escaped; Harold's Team held its ground in the surprise attack but paid a price.
As in the first two books, familiar characters from the show have been brought back in their new roles. New characters introduced in Books 1 and 2 re-appear in Book 3 – as this new story erupts from the confines of Manhattan, to go globe-trotting.
The Machine's true power has been unleashed a little more by Harold – and now Greer won't be able to hide from it, anywhere in the world, for very long. Samaritan is gravely wounded, but not dead. And Greer, the master villain, always seems to have another card up his sleeve to play...
In continuing deep love and appreciation for the ground-breaking work of the original show, and all of those who made it so unique. Let's keep going.
July, 2018
Table of Contents
Part 1: Away
Chapter 1: Introduction, Table of Contents and Works cited
Chapter 2: "What do you want me to do?" (rated T); this is what he'd signed up for (rated T); 9-1-1 (rated T)
Chapter 3: "we've done this dance before." (rated T)
Chapter 4: an army of followers (rated T); never so many on one person (rated T)
Chapter 5: mission; favorite place on earth
Part 2: Set-up
Chapter 6: find Finch; "Get used to it"
Chapter 7: find Reese; To her shore
Chapter 8: But not Grace
Chapter 9: didn't fix it (rated T for adult themes)
Chapter 10: high places; I Know I Dream
Chapter 11: They needed this (rated T); poverty
Part 3: Snagged
Chapter 12: Four-eyes
Chapter 13: "I have to go."
Chapter 14: For Reese instead; Greer in the middle
Chapter 15: Conflicted?; designated driver; no more
Chapter 16: better sleep; for a price; Location confirmed
Chapter 17: "Mercenaries, mostly" (rated T)
Part 4: Root's Road
Chapter 18: move on (rated T for adult themes); forty-four; Inside.
Chapter 19: and your enemies closer; Olawale
Chapter 20: Like her (rated T for adult themes); another who could; fire-breathing (rated T for adult themes)
Chapter 21: she still slept (rated T for adult themes)
Chapter 22: hellcat (rated T); legend (rated T); Asset intercepted
Chapter 23: bait (rated T); "take a look at this" (rated T)
Part 5: Trouble with Others
Chapter 24: in the middle of it all; "I have something to tell you."
Chapter 25: shock-and-awe; Open!; marked man
Chapter 26: Root shivered (rated T); Gotta have a knife (rated T); out of her seat (rated T)
Chapter 27: Untraceable; misery (rated T for adult themes)
Chapter 28: "Can we play something else?"(rated T); bend to his will; "On my way."; Time ceased to matter
Part 6: Intertwine
Chapter 29: "I can handle this, Finch."; Couldn't sleep; "Shots fired,"; mystery guest
Chapter 30: some wounds you couldn't fix (rated T);
Chapter 31: "We know how to make bodies disappear"; "We need a place to work"; Blue blue
Chapter 32: She wasn't.
Chapter 33: "Rechts"; "Working on it"; one step ahead; "Stay"
Part 7: Exceeding your limitations
Chapter 34: smooth air; Solitary; "Sleep well, Mr. Reese?" ; "I hope you're wrong."
Chapter 35: rockfall; not amused; found them
Chapter 36: Note to self; one of those times; "What happened to me?"; any landing you can walk away from
Chapter 37: "Climbing accident, Zuma Rock."
Chapter 38: she'd triggered something; buttons...more buttons; where you stood in youth
Chapter 39: not very brave; powers of persuasion; gone cold; fine blue suture (rated T for adult themes)
Part 8:
Chapter 40: like a magnet to steel; a charm offensive; He'd slept through worse;
Chapter 41: that's right...Sameen (rated T for violence. May be triggering for some); "And you are one of us."
Chapter 42: un-indexed; "... one too many"; "Do you remember - me?"; (this one's for you, Coreenm - thanks so much!)
Chapter 43: A standoff, then; like a tomb; There it was again;
Chapter 44: A long shiny sash; targets of opportunity; No takers, yet;
Part 9:
Chapter 45: with all good speed; Any minute now; "I'd rather take my chances" (rated T for violence);
Chapter 46: same distance between them; The one-eyed cop; according to plan; Got another one;
Chapter 47: Success of a kind; off it went; a smart man would have walked away;
Chapter 48: "Two of a feather"; Shaw didn't fight it; "Don't you want to know why?";
Chapter 49: brash and bold; "Take good care of her, Detective"; a little detour in his head (rated T for violence); other ways to get to yes; tag-team with Finch;
Part 10:
Chapter 50: "try the Earl Grey"; "Sorry about the dog"; "How long?";
Chapter 51: hit it just right; quite a bit more; there wouldn't be a next time;
Chapter 52: push the river; "I'll be rich!"; "Hold for decision.";
Chapter 53: caught again; Precious little; to the fourth; calm, dark pools; a sound of anguish (rated T, may be triggering); helping angels (rated T, may be triggering);
Chapter 54: Not like this; a little surprise; then he knew; "...a loose end I need to handle"; a dead man; lament;
Works Cited
Music and other works important in this story will be cited here, for your own journey. Enjoy.
Chapter 3: in "we've done this dance before": Reese arrives at Gelila's door for Bear. But she needs to figure this out and finds that he's gone through more since she's seen him last. Trauma and trust, coming in from the cold. You can almost feel it in this piece:
Iver, Bon. "Blindsided." For Emma, Forever Ago, Jagiaguwar, 2008.
Chapter 7: In To her shore: Reese is faced with a decision. It should be so easy. Listen to this beautiful song, from, of course:
Cook, Jesse."To Your Shore," One World, eOne Music Canada, 2015.
Chapter 8: in But not Grace: Harold has to face his loss, and the choices he's made. Try listening to this singer - wonderful. Especially if you learn her own story.
Gardot, Melody. "Some Lessons," Worrisome Heart, UCJ, 2008.
Chapter 9: in didn't fix it: Root tries to make her stand with Sameen. Listen to this incredible voice, singing the song of Root's heart. If you can listen to this rendition, I think you'll be blown away, too, by the emotion in Gardot's voice. Nobody does it like her.
Gardot, Melody. "So We Meet Again My Heartache," The Absence, Decca, 2012
Chapter 10: in I Know I Dream: Harold delivers a special message to Grace. And his fondest wish for Christmas is held in this lovely song, from Jazz singer:
Kent, Stacey. "I Know I Dream," I Know I Dream, Sony Music, 2017.
Chapter 11: in They needed this: Reese makes his decision. Join him with this beautiful rendition.
Gardot, Melody. "Love Me Like A River Does," Worrisome Heart, UCJ, 2008.
Chapter 11: in poverty: Harold must face the consequences of decisions made. This beautiful, haunting piece captures the feeling of that moment.
Cook, Jesse."Three Days," One World, eOne Music Canada, 2015.
Chapter 15: in no more: Greer and Kara Stanton head East from Senegal to a meeting in Nigeria. Listen to the sounds of Senegal in this heartfelt song from Youssou N'Dour.
N'Dour, Youssou. "No More," 7 Seconds: The Best of Youssou N'Dour, Columbia, Legacy, 2004.
Chapter 20: in Like her: Root is lost and struggling, and this piece from Sarah McLachlan reaches that place:
McLachlan, Sarah."Do What You Have To Do," Surfacing, Arista, 1997.
And, in fire-breathing: Root meets an exotic woman, and finds her own moment of peace. Listen to this beautiful song, also from Sarah McLachlan:
McLachlan, Sarah."Angel," Surfacing, Arista, 1997.
Chapter 21: in she still slept: Root doesn't realize that she's in trouble.
Smith, Sam. "Drowning Shadows," In the Lonely Hour (Drowning Shadows Edition) (Disc 2), Sony/ATV Music, 2014.
Chapter 27: in untraceable, Olawale returns to Zuma Rock now that his world has tipped again. He knows Samaritan is coming for him and he thinks about what he must do to avoid its global gaze. I love the work of Sona Jobarteh, the first woman allowed to play the Kora for public consumption like this. Watch her play on YouTube and you will see her beautiful soul shining through. Hope you become a fan, too. This short piece is a treat and captures the feeling Olawale has in this moment:
Jobarteh, Sona. "Reflections." Putumayo Presents: World Yoga, Putumayo World Music, 2012.
and, in misery, Root is suffering - there on the floor, cold, wet, alone. It may be too late for her. She thinks of how she came to be there this night, how her choices have brought her here. Enjoy this gorgeous piece by alternative singer/songwriter:
Joan as Police Woman. "Kiss," Cover Two, Sweet Police, 2020.
Chapter 28: in bend to his will, Olawale is resisting the efforts by foreigners to take away everything he believes in. How perfect is this song, then, one of the most popular played on the Kora, which sings of love of country, and strength in the face of destruction. Virtuoso Sona Jobarteh plays the Kora and sings here:
Jobarteh, Sona. "Jarabi," Fasiya, African Guild Records, 2011.
and, in Time ceased to matter, Root is shutting down, from her cold exposure. As she begins to drift away, she thinks of loss. I think this is my all-time favorite rendition of this song. Give it a try:
Joan as Police Woman. "I Keep Forgettin'," Cover Two, Sweet Police, 2020.
Chapter 29: in "Shots fired," the Team figures out where the Zheng are holding Root, and go in for a rescue. Root appears unresponsive and lifeless when they find her. Listen to this one with headphones - you don't want to miss any of the intensity and subtlety of this haunting sound:
Blake, James. "When We're Older," Covers - EP, Republic Records/Polydor Records, 2020.
and in mystery guest, Greer and Kara find their man. Listen to the sweet sadness in this song that sings of loss and endings. You don't need to speak the language to hear it in her voice. On acoustic guitar and vocals this time:
Jobarteh, Sona. "Saya," Fasiya, African Guild Records, 2011.
Chapter 33: in "Stay" Reese sits in a quiet place, waiting to leave for overseas again. His thoughts turn to Gelila. This is a beautiful piece that catches the mood so well. I hope you enjoy:
York, Andrew. "Into Dark," Into Dark, GSP Recordings, 2002.
Chapter 35: in found them, Reese finds his way into the hidden lair of the kidnapped Nigerian - high inside Zuma Rock. He's running out of time to locate him. There are clues cleverly left behind, and Reese's skill is on full display. But, the real prize remains elusive, until looking out from the vantage point of Zuma Rock, Reese sees something in the distance.
I've always loved the parallels between John Reese and John Luther. From the series soundtrack, and by Paul Englishby, here's a little piece to set the mood:
Englishby, Paul. "He's Behind You," Luther (Soundtrack from the Television Series), Silva Screen Records, 2013.
Chapter 38: in buttons...more buttons, Shaw decides to take matters into her own hands with Root. She needs to know. Enjoy this piece from tough-love Indie singer/songwriter:
Joan As Police Woman. "Tell Me," Damned Devotion, PIAS Recordings, 2018.
Chapter 42: in "Do you remember – me?" the Machine recalls it's own struggles to communicate with the humans in its reach. Having had the experience of gaining and then losing its own unique voice with Root, it knows the power of that form of closeness. The Machine reaches out to Root when she has lost her memories and her place on the Team. Thanks to reader, Coreenm, for the question this chapter answers – be well. If it could sing, I believe this would have been its song to Root. Enjoy:
Ruelle. "Find You," Rival – EP, Craft Recordings, 2017.
Chapter 48: in "Don't you want to know why?" Reese has a quiet moment with a dear one, one who appears at times like this, to offer words he needs to hear. Hope and peace, even for a man who's had so little of each.
IKO. "Architect of Love," Cold Water EP, My Hart Canyon Music Lt., 2018
Chapter 50: in "try the Earl Grey" Root has some encouraging changes happening, and that leads to an important choice offered by Finch. Try this one out. Catchy sound, if you like Electronica:
Tycho, featuring Saint Sinner. "No Stress," Weather, Mom+Pop/Ninja Tune, 2019.
Chapter 53: in helping angels, Finch, Reese and Shaw flee for their lives. Wait for the final line across the page before you queue this beautiful, haunting duet from k. d. lang and songwriter, Jane Siberry:
k. d. lang, with Jane Siberry. "Calling All Angels," Recollection, Nonesuch/Warner Records, 2010.
Found this other beautiful version you might like, too:
Wailin' Jennys, "Calling All Angels," Calling All Angels - Single, Wailin' Jennys, 2009.
And, as a fan of dogs, cats and horses, it tickled me silly to find some writing on the subject of bird-dogging. It was part of the research for this chapter, and I wanted to give a shout-out to the author of this piece, whose language I learned by reading his work. Thanks, George. Awesome!
"George DaCosta's Birddog Dictionary" at mnnavhda-dot-org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Georges-Birddog-Dictionary
Chapter 54: in the final segment of the final chapter of P2, lament: Finch, Reese and Shaw climb high to say goodbye to their first home. Listen to this beautiful piece, on classical guitar, from a favorite:
York, Andrew. "Lament," Yamour, Majian Music, 2012.