HOUSE OF BROKEN SOULS Part 41
Warnings: This Chapter: None. Overall: Slash, sexually explicit content, graphic violence
The fiction includes a mental illness storyline. I am not qualified in mental health, everything I know about it is googled. It's fantasy folks, please don't shoot me though helpful criticism is always welcomed.
*Not real. The folks aren't mine. No damage intended.
Lia (Cheebles) is still with me for help & support for which I am very grateful (hugs)
The circular saw whines and grates and a few inches of metal fall to the ground as she enters the old basement cell. She shades her eyes from the brightness of the mobile spotlight. “I thought you’d just dig it out of the wall.” She touches the wall and mouldy brick dust showers to the floor.
“Ah. Didn‘t think of that.” he answers, shifting on his feet.
She reaches to touch his work, it’s still warm and the edge is jagged and wicked sharp but the old pipe hanger is only protruding about an inch from the wall and she sighs. “It’ll do. I’ve got bigger battles to fight. If you get a moment, do us a favor and come back to chip it out.”
The scene shifts and blue stretches, all around, for eternity. There is no visible means of support but she stands nevertheless. She’s watching Emma pace back and forth against the blue, blue background.
“You lied.” complains Caitlin.
“She doesn’t know I’m here. She hasn’t got a clue.”
“You can’t go through with it, Jay loves him.”
“It’s justice.”
“It’s revenge.”
“You have no right to judge me.”
“I’m you. I’ve given us my memories. You must see we can’t do it.”
“I can. You’re not real.” She flicks her wrist and Caitlin is no longer there. Emma paces back and forth against the blue, blue background.
Caitlin startled in her sleep, her breath coming in short pants. JD pulled her close and placed a steadying hand over her heart. She snuggled into him and sighed as she returned to a deep slumber.
They woke again at 4.00 and Caitlin dressed and grabbed her things. On the inside of her right wrist J2 was written in permanent marker, repeating over on the palm of her hand. She puzzled briefly but Jared was already banging at the door and the cab was waiting. JD pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her. ”Stay safe. Keep in touch.”
“I will.” she promised
***
Jensen slept fitfully. His sheets tangled and he got out of bed to smooth them down and make a hot chocolate. He wanted a stiffer drink, the need never seemed to leave him, but he sipped the chocolate, taking what comfort he could from it. At 4.30am he got a text from Jared. xx In cab, on way to airport xx Get some sleep xx It made him smile that Jay knew him so well. He left the text displayed and curled back under the covers with it in his hand. He drowsed into a half sleep, neither fully comatose or awake, his mind relaxed and vacant. That’s when the voices came unbidden, a dream without pictures but just as vivid.
Misha’s voice “ Kate Riordan...construction safety…residence in Baltimore….not updated since January.”
Jared “…televisions scare her….she remembers a construction site….rain….there’s a band for her wrist ..”
The Player “three cards for this…..have you ever killed? …..I never pegged ya for a yellow belly but ya choose the bitch evereh time and she protects you evereh time…she’s gonna be pissed when I kill ya.”
Baltimore PD “Jake was a scaffolder…construction site in the city….the van is in your pound”
Caitlin “You were on TV……You make me so angry, so confused, as if you can’t be real. I saw you in my dreams.”
Flashes of images now; The damn laptop, the web cam, the sound and smell of gunshot. Darkness falling, then coming-to, numb and alone, by his dying husband, in a room devoid of any electrical equipment. A drawing of a basement, a room with no door.
Caitlin “Did I die?……You died and I was still furious with you.”
Realisation was in waking, Caitlin, Caitie, Katie, KATE, the injuries, the fragmented memories. Somehow the Painters messed up. He wasn’t the only survivor. Laing hadn’t come for Jared or Jensen. Laing had come for Kate.
He pushed himself out of bed with an urgency. He logged into his laptop with shaking hands, drumming against the surface as he waited for remote access to his system. The missing persons database was painfully slow and he forced himself to steady his breathing as he typed the name Katherine Elise Riordan. Baltimore. He was sure he had checked all disappearances in Baltimore, knew he hadn’t had a hit, but it didn’t make sense. She had to be missing.
The database scrolled for what seemed forever, but it could only have been a matter of moments. There was an electronic beep and the screen was filled with information. He skimmed it for the basics.
MISSING. Katherine Elise Riordan. Date and place of disappearance unknown. No known contact since January 2010. Missing person report formally filed 20th November 2010 after a short investigation following a fire at her residence.
It had taken almost 10 months for anyone to notice she was gone. He wondered sadly how that could happen to anyone.
There was a photograph of her, presumably rescued following the fire, Caitlin, unscarred and smiling at the camera, a dead ringer for Emma Painter. He took the case number and programmed contact details for the officer in charge into his mobile. He printed both photographs and slipped them into his battered document bag. He flipped his mobile open and called Jared. “C’mon, c’mon.” It clicked to ansaphone. He tried the pay-as-you-go. Same deal. He checked the time. 6.10. They were in the air. Phones switched off. He texted. xx*urgent* Ring as soon as you’re landed xx
He had a really bad instinct about this. He changed tabs on the laptop and fumbled through his wallet for a credit card. It took him seconds to make a decision and act on it. He threw clothes on. His socks were mismatched and inside out but he didn’t correct it. Jeans, a v-neck, a hoodie, boots, teeth brushed, hair scraped with his hand, id, case file, his mobile, mace, gun and clip. He dialed Misha’s number then halted. Misha would talk him out of this. Chad he similarly dismissed. He’d ring when he got into Baltimore.
The cab driver got an extra hundred for breaking the speed limit after Jensen produced his police badge. Airport staff co-operated in stowing his weapons safely for the flight and he thanked his stars for booking first class and having proof of his affiliation with FBI. The stewards were extra attentive to him and several gave him admiring glances. For once he didn’t have the heart to flirt with them. He allowed himself a slightly smug moment as he noted there were no lines for first class. He may have the wealth to travel that way but he never considered it worthwhile. Standard got you there and back adequately and if you were going to crash you all went down together. This time first class was all they had and he wasn’t prepared to wait on a standard seat being available.
If Laing or Painter were trying to cover evidence they weren’t going to bother with the intricacies of kidnap and wouldn’t hesitate to go through Jared to dispose of Kate. The trip to Baltimore could be seen as a signal that she was getting her memory back. They didn’t need to get close up to kill.
He boarded his flight and was in the air at half past seven. It only occurred to him then that he would be in the air when Jared got his text. He worried at his lip hoping Jared would have the sense to ring Misha. If he hadn’t already found the email with the missing persons data, he was going to see it very soon, likely guess why Jensen wasn't in his office and then he was going to bombard him with extremely pissed off texts about irresponsible behavior. Chad’s own angry calls would follow soon after. He flipped his seat back and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep whilst stewards poured alcohol for the passengers around him. He needed to be sharp.
***
Caitlin cleared the airport lines and security checks with consummate ease. She was quiet but walked with an air of confidence and answered necessary questions. Jensen was right, thought Jared, she was a changed person. He wondered if the journey would answer any of the questions they had about her. He offered a short prayer and touched the cabin ceiling for luck just before take off.
“Jay, are you OK?” Caitlin asked.
Great! It was him that supposed to be looking after her. “Not keen on flying.” he said through gritted teeth. She patted his hand “It’s just a giant bus, except generally buses have a poorer safety record. How about you tell me about your proposal, distract yourself and get a run-through?”
She was sweet and attentive and the flight passed quickly with several elderly ladies clucking over what a nice couple they made. They didn’t correct them but giggled quietly and played up to the parts, calling each other darling. When Jared went to use the bathroom, Caitlin followed and hid in first class for a few minutes so that they came back to their seats together. The old ladies nudged each other and gossiped between themselves. Jared leaned to speak in her ear “You shameless hussy.” he joked.
The landing was uneventful and Jared switched on his mobile phone as they strode through BWI airport. xx*urgent* Ring as soon as you’ve landed.xx He stopped by a pillar and Caitlin came to a halt, watching him anxiously. “Something’s wrong.” he said. Her eyes widened and he regretted the statement immediately. It was easy to forget how fragile she could still be. “I’m sure it’s just something minor, Jensen’s going to be paranoid all day.” He started to move through the terminal toward the gates, mobile to his ear.
“I’ll go on and hail a cab.”
“No. Stay close.”
She rolled her eyes “It’s an airport, there’s security everywhere.” He reluctantly agreed. “Stay in sight of me.”
“Would you like to get me toddler reins too?” She scowled.
When he got no answer he rang Jensen’s extension at the Precinct. No answer. He rang Misha’s mobile and left a message.
Misha called back when they were settled in the cab on the way to Johns Hopkins. He sounded agitated and angry. “Is Jensen with you Jared?”
“No. He left a message though.” he repeated it for the detective.
“I think he’s on his way to Baltimore to join you, which is possibly the stupidest thing he’s ever done.”
“Why?”
“It’s to do with Caitlin. Is she with you?”
“Yeah, she can hear.” He switched to speaker mode.
There was a pause while Misha considered how much he should let Caitlin know. Caitlin frowned at the inanimate object and spoke loudly. “I’m not going to freak out Misha, so I swear if you don’t tell us, I will turn evil psycho killer on your ass.”
“We think we worked out your identity. If so, you’re a Baltimore native. It’s probable you’ll recognize stuff and it may get rough.”
“and? What are you not saying Misha?”
“and there’s a possibility that the person who hurt you may still be gunning for you. You should take extra care.”
“We were already taking extra care Misha. So why is Jen is on his way to Baltimore?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. Maybe because he’s an over-protective paranoid bastard and because we tailed him to the airport and the numpty tailing him didn’t think to actually stop him.”
Caitlin made a grab for the phone and pressed it to her ear. She spoke with a tremble in her voice “Misha, What’s my name?”
“It’s not confirmed Caitie.”
“I promise I won’t sue if you’re wrong, but you’re not wrong are you? Jensen is pretty damn sure if he’s on that flight. What’s my name Detective Collins?” Her voice was cold steel even as her hands still trembled.
“You’re Katherine Elise Riordan, you’re 35, unmarried and a professional. You have dual nationality and homes in the UK and the US. It’s all I can give you at the moment Kate.”
“Who is gunning for me?”
“I can’t tell you that right now.”
“but you know?”
“Not for sure, but you should still be alert for Laing and Painter. Look, I’ve got to go, there’s messages stacking up for me. We’ll speak later. Take care and give Jensen a kick up the ass when you see him.”
Jared closed the phone. He placed his arm around Caitlin and hugged her as a tear ran down her cheek. “I’m Kate Riordan.” she said to him in a dazed voice.
“I’m very pleased know you Kate.” responded Jared and squeezed her tight.
Continued in part 42 here: anniespinkhouse.livejournal.com/12328.html
The fiction includes a mental illness storyline. I am not qualified in mental health, everything I know about it is googled. It's fantasy folks, please don't shoot me though helpful criticism is always welcomed.
*Not real. The folks aren't mine. No damage intended.
Lia (Cheebles) is still with me for help & support for which I am very grateful (hugs)
The circular saw whines and grates and a few inches of metal fall to the ground as she enters the old basement cell. She shades her eyes from the brightness of the mobile spotlight. “I thought you’d just dig it out of the wall.” She touches the wall and mouldy brick dust showers to the floor.
“Ah. Didn‘t think of that.” he answers, shifting on his feet.
She reaches to touch his work, it’s still warm and the edge is jagged and wicked sharp but the old pipe hanger is only protruding about an inch from the wall and she sighs. “It’ll do. I’ve got bigger battles to fight. If you get a moment, do us a favor and come back to chip it out.”
The scene shifts and blue stretches, all around, for eternity. There is no visible means of support but she stands nevertheless. She’s watching Emma pace back and forth against the blue, blue background.
“You lied.” complains Caitlin.
“She doesn’t know I’m here. She hasn’t got a clue.”
“You can’t go through with it, Jay loves him.”
“It’s justice.”
“It’s revenge.”
“You have no right to judge me.”
“I’m you. I’ve given us my memories. You must see we can’t do it.”
“I can. You’re not real.” She flicks her wrist and Caitlin is no longer there. Emma paces back and forth against the blue, blue background.
Caitlin startled in her sleep, her breath coming in short pants. JD pulled her close and placed a steadying hand over her heart. She snuggled into him and sighed as she returned to a deep slumber.
They woke again at 4.00 and Caitlin dressed and grabbed her things. On the inside of her right wrist J2 was written in permanent marker, repeating over on the palm of her hand. She puzzled briefly but Jared was already banging at the door and the cab was waiting. JD pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her. ”Stay safe. Keep in touch.”
“I will.” she promised
***
Jensen slept fitfully. His sheets tangled and he got out of bed to smooth them down and make a hot chocolate. He wanted a stiffer drink, the need never seemed to leave him, but he sipped the chocolate, taking what comfort he could from it. At 4.30am he got a text from Jared. xx In cab, on way to airport xx Get some sleep xx It made him smile that Jay knew him so well. He left the text displayed and curled back under the covers with it in his hand. He drowsed into a half sleep, neither fully comatose or awake, his mind relaxed and vacant. That’s when the voices came unbidden, a dream without pictures but just as vivid.
Misha’s voice “ Kate Riordan...construction safety…residence in Baltimore….not updated since January.”
Jared “…televisions scare her….she remembers a construction site….rain….there’s a band for her wrist ..”
The Player “three cards for this…..have you ever killed? …..I never pegged ya for a yellow belly but ya choose the bitch evereh time and she protects you evereh time…she’s gonna be pissed when I kill ya.”
Baltimore PD “Jake was a scaffolder…construction site in the city….the van is in your pound”
Caitlin “You were on TV……You make me so angry, so confused, as if you can’t be real. I saw you in my dreams.”
Flashes of images now; The damn laptop, the web cam, the sound and smell of gunshot. Darkness falling, then coming-to, numb and alone, by his dying husband, in a room devoid of any electrical equipment. A drawing of a basement, a room with no door.
Caitlin “Did I die?……You died and I was still furious with you.”
Realisation was in waking, Caitlin, Caitie, Katie, KATE, the injuries, the fragmented memories. Somehow the Painters messed up. He wasn’t the only survivor. Laing hadn’t come for Jared or Jensen. Laing had come for Kate.
He pushed himself out of bed with an urgency. He logged into his laptop with shaking hands, drumming against the surface as he waited for remote access to his system. The missing persons database was painfully slow and he forced himself to steady his breathing as he typed the name Katherine Elise Riordan. Baltimore. He was sure he had checked all disappearances in Baltimore, knew he hadn’t had a hit, but it didn’t make sense. She had to be missing.
The database scrolled for what seemed forever, but it could only have been a matter of moments. There was an electronic beep and the screen was filled with information. He skimmed it for the basics.
MISSING. Katherine Elise Riordan. Date and place of disappearance unknown. No known contact since January 2010. Missing person report formally filed 20th November 2010 after a short investigation following a fire at her residence.
It had taken almost 10 months for anyone to notice she was gone. He wondered sadly how that could happen to anyone.
There was a photograph of her, presumably rescued following the fire, Caitlin, unscarred and smiling at the camera, a dead ringer for Emma Painter. He took the case number and programmed contact details for the officer in charge into his mobile. He printed both photographs and slipped them into his battered document bag. He flipped his mobile open and called Jared. “C’mon, c’mon.” It clicked to ansaphone. He tried the pay-as-you-go. Same deal. He checked the time. 6.10. They were in the air. Phones switched off. He texted. xx*urgent* Ring as soon as you’re landed xx
He had a really bad instinct about this. He changed tabs on the laptop and fumbled through his wallet for a credit card. It took him seconds to make a decision and act on it. He threw clothes on. His socks were mismatched and inside out but he didn’t correct it. Jeans, a v-neck, a hoodie, boots, teeth brushed, hair scraped with his hand, id, case file, his mobile, mace, gun and clip. He dialed Misha’s number then halted. Misha would talk him out of this. Chad he similarly dismissed. He’d ring when he got into Baltimore.
The cab driver got an extra hundred for breaking the speed limit after Jensen produced his police badge. Airport staff co-operated in stowing his weapons safely for the flight and he thanked his stars for booking first class and having proof of his affiliation with FBI. The stewards were extra attentive to him and several gave him admiring glances. For once he didn’t have the heart to flirt with them. He allowed himself a slightly smug moment as he noted there were no lines for first class. He may have the wealth to travel that way but he never considered it worthwhile. Standard got you there and back adequately and if you were going to crash you all went down together. This time first class was all they had and he wasn’t prepared to wait on a standard seat being available.
If Laing or Painter were trying to cover evidence they weren’t going to bother with the intricacies of kidnap and wouldn’t hesitate to go through Jared to dispose of Kate. The trip to Baltimore could be seen as a signal that she was getting her memory back. They didn’t need to get close up to kill.
He boarded his flight and was in the air at half past seven. It only occurred to him then that he would be in the air when Jared got his text. He worried at his lip hoping Jared would have the sense to ring Misha. If he hadn’t already found the email with the missing persons data, he was going to see it very soon, likely guess why Jensen wasn't in his office and then he was going to bombard him with extremely pissed off texts about irresponsible behavior. Chad’s own angry calls would follow soon after. He flipped his seat back and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep whilst stewards poured alcohol for the passengers around him. He needed to be sharp.
***
Caitlin cleared the airport lines and security checks with consummate ease. She was quiet but walked with an air of confidence and answered necessary questions. Jensen was right, thought Jared, she was a changed person. He wondered if the journey would answer any of the questions they had about her. He offered a short prayer and touched the cabin ceiling for luck just before take off.
“Jay, are you OK?” Caitlin asked.
Great! It was him that supposed to be looking after her. “Not keen on flying.” he said through gritted teeth. She patted his hand “It’s just a giant bus, except generally buses have a poorer safety record. How about you tell me about your proposal, distract yourself and get a run-through?”
She was sweet and attentive and the flight passed quickly with several elderly ladies clucking over what a nice couple they made. They didn’t correct them but giggled quietly and played up to the parts, calling each other darling. When Jared went to use the bathroom, Caitlin followed and hid in first class for a few minutes so that they came back to their seats together. The old ladies nudged each other and gossiped between themselves. Jared leaned to speak in her ear “You shameless hussy.” he joked.
The landing was uneventful and Jared switched on his mobile phone as they strode through BWI airport. xx*urgent* Ring as soon as you’ve landed.xx He stopped by a pillar and Caitlin came to a halt, watching him anxiously. “Something’s wrong.” he said. Her eyes widened and he regretted the statement immediately. It was easy to forget how fragile she could still be. “I’m sure it’s just something minor, Jensen’s going to be paranoid all day.” He started to move through the terminal toward the gates, mobile to his ear.
“I’ll go on and hail a cab.”
“No. Stay close.”
She rolled her eyes “It’s an airport, there’s security everywhere.” He reluctantly agreed. “Stay in sight of me.”
“Would you like to get me toddler reins too?” She scowled.
When he got no answer he rang Jensen’s extension at the Precinct. No answer. He rang Misha’s mobile and left a message.
Misha called back when they were settled in the cab on the way to Johns Hopkins. He sounded agitated and angry. “Is Jensen with you Jared?”
“No. He left a message though.” he repeated it for the detective.
“I think he’s on his way to Baltimore to join you, which is possibly the stupidest thing he’s ever done.”
“Why?”
“It’s to do with Caitlin. Is she with you?”
“Yeah, she can hear.” He switched to speaker mode.
There was a pause while Misha considered how much he should let Caitlin know. Caitlin frowned at the inanimate object and spoke loudly. “I’m not going to freak out Misha, so I swear if you don’t tell us, I will turn evil psycho killer on your ass.”
“We think we worked out your identity. If so, you’re a Baltimore native. It’s probable you’ll recognize stuff and it may get rough.”
“and? What are you not saying Misha?”
“and there’s a possibility that the person who hurt you may still be gunning for you. You should take extra care.”
“We were already taking extra care Misha. So why is Jen is on his way to Baltimore?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. Maybe because he’s an over-protective paranoid bastard and because we tailed him to the airport and the numpty tailing him didn’t think to actually stop him.”
Caitlin made a grab for the phone and pressed it to her ear. She spoke with a tremble in her voice “Misha, What’s my name?”
“It’s not confirmed Caitie.”
“I promise I won’t sue if you’re wrong, but you’re not wrong are you? Jensen is pretty damn sure if he’s on that flight. What’s my name Detective Collins?” Her voice was cold steel even as her hands still trembled.
“You’re Katherine Elise Riordan, you’re 35, unmarried and a professional. You have dual nationality and homes in the UK and the US. It’s all I can give you at the moment Kate.”
“Who is gunning for me?”
“I can’t tell you that right now.”
“but you know?”
“Not for sure, but you should still be alert for Laing and Painter. Look, I’ve got to go, there’s messages stacking up for me. We’ll speak later. Take care and give Jensen a kick up the ass when you see him.”
Jared closed the phone. He placed his arm around Caitlin and hugged her as a tear ran down her cheek. “I’m Kate Riordan.” she said to him in a dazed voice.
“I’m very pleased know you Kate.” responded Jared and squeezed her tight.
Continued in part 42 here: anniespinkhouse.livejournal.com/12328.html