He's Not a Man Anymore, 8/9
Title: He's Not a Man Anymore (a.k.a., The Lycanthropy Case), chapter eight
Fandom: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Rating: T/PG-13
Word Count: 6,634
Main Characters: Fictional Rockapella
Supporting Characters: Greg
Summary: The climax.
Will be posted to 10_hurt_comfort.
Chapter Eight
Sean left the interrogation room and leaned against the wall, rubbing at his eyes. It had been an absolutely exhausting two hours. Vivalene was smooth. She had put on an act of being innocent, insisting that she knew nothing about the wolf's identity or Elliott being hypnotized in her hotel room.
ACME was inclined to side with Rockapella, but there was little that could be done without tangible proof. Vivalene was likely to walk unless they could drag her to court and prove that Elliott had really been hypnotized by Scott's impostor and that she had been a part of the scheme.
What were they going to do?
What was he going to do? He had to think of something. The others were counting on him.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out the ring with the engraving of a wolf. He had gone to pick it up before the interrogation, hoping that Vivalene would recognize it. But she had given no indication of ever having seen it before. He slipped it back into his pocket in frustration.
"Sean?"
He looked up as Elliott came out. The brunet was weary, the circles under his eyes more pronounced now than ever. His dark red fedora was sitting askew on his head, but he was too tired to notice or care.
"Well?" Sean asked.
Elliott shook his head. "It's no good," he said. "Vivalene's not changing her story."
Sean ran a hand over his face. ". . . Then there's only one other thing to do," he said. An idea had just occurred to him.
Elliott blinked in surprise. "What's that?" he asked. Behind him, the door opened and Scott and Barry came out as well.
Sean caught all of their gazes before continuing. "We have to find your double," he said to Scott. "He likes bragging. Maybe he'll tell us who taught him hypnosis."
Scott was stunned. "But . . . he could be anywhere!" he said. "He could even be right here, watching us!"
"Well, we're just going to have to hope he'll make himself visible to us," Sean said, pushing himself away from the wall. The more he thought about it, the more enthused he became. This could work. It had to work!
"Will we need to go out to his grave at Charlestown?" Barry frowned.
"I don't think so," Sean said. "No, he'll be sticking a lot closer than that. He probably can't get in here; Agnes Acme will keep him out." He smirked, then sobered. "But he might be around town . . . or back at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery."
Scott slapped his forehead. "The plastic sword is still there!" he groaned. "I didn't even think to take it away, since he's a ghost and wouldn't leave fingerprints."
Sean nodded. "Then maybe he'll go pick it up," he said.
"Maybe he'll even wait for us so he can torture us some more," Scott muttered, sickened that it was his impostor who had been responsible for hypnotizing poor, unsuspecting Elliott.
"Then let's go," Sean said. "And we'd better get out of here now, before Aaron Gordon and Jeff come out of there. No sense in letting them know we're ghost-chasers." He smirked again before hurrying down the hallway.
Elliott chuckled to himself as he and the others followed. That would definitely not go over well with either Mr. Gordon or Jeff.
"They'll probably be mad that we ditched them," Barry grunted as they turned the corner and went through the door into the parking garage.
"Probably," Sean said with an unconcerned shrug.
But all of them stopped and stared when they arrived at their car. Jeff was leaning against the side of it, his arms crossed. He raised his eyes to meet their shocked gazes, a triumphant smirk gracing his features.
"The car seats five, remember?" he said.
Sean slowly shook his head, at a loss for words. Finally he said, "You sneaky . . ."
"I went out the other way," Jeff said. "So did my uncle. He's disgusted with the whole mess and offered to escort Vivalene back to the hotel. I said I'd see what you guys were up to."
". . . But how did you know we were going somewhere?" Scott asked.
Jeff shrugged. "Anyone could figure that out," he said. "What I don't know is where you're headed."
Sean sighed, unlocking the car and stepping closer to open the driver's door. Jeff moved out of the way to give him room. As Sean sank into the plush seat, he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. What should they do now? He would prefer to not let Jeff come with them to the cemetery. But he had tried to help them back at the agency. Maybe he deserved a bit of trust in return, just on this case that they shared. . . .
Sean looked to the others. They looked back, just as uncertain. Barry's expression said, It's your call.
At last Sean glanced to Jeff, gesturing with a backwards jerk of his thumb. "Get in."
The kid brightened, pulling open the back door and sliding in to the far window. Scott and Elliott climbed in after him, while Barry went around to the front passenger seat.
Jeff leaned forward, crossing his arms on the top of the passenger seat. "So," he said, "where are we going?"
Sean revved the engine, backing out of the parking space and heading for the exit. "Sleepy Hollow Cemetery," he said.
Jeff blinked. "Why?"
"We're hoping to meet an old 'friend,'" Sean replied.
"And that's using the term loosely," Barry deadpanned.
"Are you going to tell the rest?" Jeff frowned. "Why would someone be hanging out in a cemetery?"
"Maybe he's not," Sean said.
Scott gave the boy a sidelong glance. "Do you believe in ghosts, Jeff?" he wanted to know.
Jeff gawked. "What do ghosts have to do with it?!" he exclaimed.
"Just answer the question," Sean said.
"Then no." Jeff leaned back. "What is this? Are you going to tell me some funny story because you don't want to share the truth?"
"Actually, the 'funny story' is the truth," Scott said.
Jeff just looked at him, shaking his head. "You want me to believe that you're going to a cemetery to meet a ghost," he said.
"We don't 'want' you to believe anything," Sean said, his voice light. "But it would be nice."
Jeff sighed, crossing his arms. This was so much to take in. First the detectives had not trusted him and he had not trusted them. He had accused Elliott of being the werewolf. Then they had tried to help each other. Now they were telling him some story about ghosts. He had never met detectives like these before.
"Do you think we're cuckoo?" Sean asked.
Jeff shook his head. "If it was just one of you, then maybe," he said. "But when it's all of you, well . . . I don't know what to think."
"You don't have to sort it out right now," Elliott spoke, determining that things were moving too fast for Jeff to keep up, "but you could get a bad surprise at the cemetery. So . . . we're just warning you."
"Well, thanks." Jeff looked out the window. "I think."
"You're welcome," Sean smirked. "I think."
****
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was quiet and dark when they arrived. Sean parked in the lot, as close to the entrance as he could get, before cutting the engine and getting out of the car. The others quickly followed, Jeff casting an uncertain glance around the area.
"I don't see any sign of anyone," he said.
"If he's here, he'll be further in," Sean said, sauntering into the cemetery. "Over near where we left something."
"Maybe he's even come and gone, if he was here at all," Elliott said. Apparently they had unanimously taken a silent vote to stay together, as they were all walking in a close-knit group. Not even Jeff made a motion to walk ahead.
"If he came, he probably has been waiting for us," Scott said. "I bet he's here."
". . . Or something else is." Sean stiffened, turning to look towards the trees. The others froze, following his gaze. Leaves crackled as something shifted position. If the guys strained hard enough, it looked like a pair of eyes staring at their small party.
". . . I'm guessing that isn't what you came to see," Jeff hissed.
"Nope," Sean said. "But it isn't giving us much choice. We're seeing it anyway."
"I think it's the wolf!" Elliott gasped.
"Then take a picture of it when it comes out," Sean directed, not missing a beat. "And take one of us to prove that you're right here with us, El!"
Scott's eyes widened. "The pictures will be timestamped," he realized.
Sean nodded. "It'll be more evidence to prove our case."
Elliott barely had time to set the timer and place the camera on a headstone before the creature lunged. The picture snapped just in time, capturing the five of them in the shot. Then Elliott grabbed the camera back, snapping a picture of the wolf. It yelped, momentarily blinded by the light.
The detectives scattered. Jeff stared at the beast, his eyes widening in shock. "It's dressed just like you!" he exclaimed.
Elliott gave a grim nod. "The clothes are just a couple of sizes larger," he said. "Sean ripped the tag off its shirt the last time it showed up."
"Clever!" Jeff called as the wolf lunged again. He leaped out of the way, almost tripping over a low headstone.
"Yes it was, but you can praise me later!" Sean gasped as a strong, clawed paw swung at him.
"That's our Sean, always modest!" Scott called, dodging another claw.
"I think he's trying to see how soon he can get a rise out of Jeff," Elliott answered. Sean had become quite fond of teasing the kid during their brief acquaintance.
The wolf stopped upon seeing Elliott, looking confused. But then it growled, swiping at him. Elliott leaped away, and the claws scraped the back of an old granite tombstone.
Sean watched, a plan forming in his mind. "Let's all attack it at once!" he called. "Maybe we can bring it down."
Jeff blinked in surprise. "Works for me!" he said then.
"Then on the count of three . . ." Sean trailed off as the creature snarled and lunged at Barry, who lunged back and grabbed for its wrists. "Nevermind the count! Just attack!" Sean directed then.
And he, Scott, Elliott, and Jeff surrounded the beast from all sides, pulling it back as Barry pushed. Then they were dragging it to the ground. It growled and struggled, fighting against the quintet, but to no avail.
"Find how to tear off the mask!" Sean called.
"I'm not sure there is a way!" Elliott exclaimed. He had still not found the elusive zipper, either---but of course that was hard to accomplish while the creature was moving to and fro and trying to claw and bite him and the others.
Sean gritted his teeth. "Well, it's a good thing I didn't return this yet," he said, pulling the Latin ring out of his pocket. "Barry, spread out its fingers!"
Barry looked at their leader in surprise. But, grabbing the left wrist, he forced the furry hand to the grass. Before it could rip it away, Sean forced the ring onto the smallest finger. The wolf howled in rage.
"Sean, what are you doing?!" Elliott said in disbelief.
"Making it mad? I have no idea." Sean continued fighting to hold it down. It wanted to pull the ring off, which could be important. On the other hand, maybe it was just too tight.
"It's distracted!" Sean called. "Let's try again!"
"I think I've got something!" Scott announced. Taking hold of the edges of the fur around the neck, he pulled, lifting a highly detailed, animatronic mask. Even as he removed it, it snapped at him. He winced, keeping his hands away from the jaws as he looked down. Underneath the mask was a young college-age man none of them had ever seen before, still growling and trying to claw at them.
"Hey, you're not a wolf anymore," Sean said. "So cut it out."
The stranger stiffened, fixing Sean with a dark look. Then he looked around at the others. He had blond hair in a crewcut, as well as brown eyes that appeared somewhat stupefied.
"We're detectives from ACME," Scott said, "including the one you've been hurting with this charade." He indicated Elliott.
"And I'm a P.I., working on the same case," Jeff said. "You owe us some answers!"
"I didn't do anything," the wolfman retorted defensively. "Just what I was paid to do."
"Oh, you've done plenty," Sean said, "and we'll be bringing charges against you. But first you're going to tell us some things, including how this ring works." He pointed at it. "It's not really cursed, is it?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," was the muttered reply.
"That's why I asked," Sean said.
"I don't know what it does. I've never even seen it before." Their enemy tore it off, throwing it to the ground. Sean retrieved it, replacing it in his pocket.
"Well, we know you're not a werewolf," he said. "Otherwise you wouldn't need all the fancy doohickeys!"
"That mask is pretty cool, isn't it?" the fake wolf smirked. "And these claws." He held up a hand. "They're real wolf's claws sewn into the material. This is real wolf fur, too."
Elliott was not impressed. "Who hired you?" he demanded now.
He received another smirk in reply. "I'm not talkin'."
"You might get a lighter sentence if you help us," Barry said, crossing his arms.
"True," the wolfman mused, "but who's to say you'll be able to keep hold of me at all? I really don't have any intention of going to jail."
"Maybe you should've thought of that before you started ruining El's life," Scott said in disgust.
"'El,'" the creep repeated in derisive tones. "El should be capable of speaking for himself, don't you think?"
"We're all upset about what you've been doing," Barry said.
"And we have a right to speak up about what's happening to our friend," Scott said.
"I want to know who's been doing this," Elliott said with a frown.
"How about we say he's closer than you might think," smiled the captive.
"Not good enough," Sean said.
"Is he connected with the crook who stole that ring?" Elliott wondered.
"Yep," was the reply.
"We don't have time to play games!" Scott snapped.
"Wait a minute," Elliott said. "Closer than we might think suggests he's someone we wouldn't suspect. Maybe . . . maybe someone who even works with ACME."
"Bingo," purred a voice like Scott's, only darker.
The detectives whirled to see the cruel spirit standing several feet away, giving them all a dark smirk. A headstone with a cross shone through his transparent form.
Jeff gasped. "What's . . ."
"We tried to warn you," Sean said.
Jeff kept staring. "Ghost . . . ?"
"Traitor," Scott spat. "Haven't you done enough?"
"It will never be enough, until I have what I desire," replied his double. "But take heart; I'm not going to try kicking you out of your body tonight. What I desire now is his misery." He indicated poor Elliott, who glowered.
"But you desire that because you know it'll hurt Scott," Elliott said. "You wouldn't care one way or another otherwise."
"True," mused the spirit. He grinned, a cold mirror of Scott.
With the new distraction to keep them occupied, the man with the crewcut started attempting to get up. Instantly Barry and Sean stiffened, pushing him back into the grass.
"You're under arrest in the name of ACME Crimenet," Sean declared, snapping on the handcuffs before he could try to escape again. "This is the last time you'll ever impersonate El as a wolf."
"And it's the last time you will make an arrest, darling."
They whirled again at the new, familiar voice. Vivalene was walking towards them, her gait calm, her voice leaving no room for arguments. In her hand she held a leash. A wolf trotted on the other end of it, snarling at the group of detectives. The costumed man froze. In spite of playing a wolf, he was intimidated by the sight of a real one---at least, certainly by the sight of an unfriendly one.
"What are you doing here?!" Jeff cried in disbelief. "And where's my uncle?!"
"Safe," Vivalene smiled. "There's no reason why he wouldn't be. Isn't that right, Reginald darling?"
Reginald! Everyone stiffened. Now out of the shadows came ACME's hypnotherapist, looking stiff and uncomfortable.
"That's right," he said. "Though he will probably awaken with a bad headache. . . ."
"You hurt my uncle?!" Jeff yelled.
"Well, he was staying a little too long and we needed to get going," Vivalene said. "I think he was actually starting to catch on." She winked at Jeff, who recoiled.
"I knew it was weird that you didn't tell El not to listen to the post-hypnotic suggestions," Scott said to Dr. Hoffman, bitterness slipping into his voice. "But I didn't actually think you'd be helping these twerps."
"Correction, my dear Dying Informant---they're helping us." Dr. Hoffman stopped next to Vivalene. She promptly passed him the leash, which he accepted with some hesitance.
"Oh, not to worry," she smiled. "He won't attack unless I tell him to."
"H-hey, let me get out of here if you're gonna sic it on them," the crewcut man begged, again struggling without success to get away.
"There is nothing to worry about," the hypnotherapist replied, trying to regain his composure. "Vivalene knows what she's doing. I hope," he muttered.
"Are you going to tell us why you're doing this?" Scott demanded. Slowly he and the others rose, dragging their captive to his feet as well. They wanted to be prepared for any sudden moves.
"We trusted you," Elliott said, his voice increasing in volume. "I trusted you! I let you hypnotize me!"
"And if you're the whole reason this happened to El, why did you agree to see us?" Sean frowned.
"I wanted to find out how much you actually knew about what had happened," was the reply. "Pretending to be on your side was the best way to go about it." He smirked. "I didn't actually record our little conversation. The tape deck was empty."
Elliott looked at him in disgust. "I should've known."
"And why aren't you on our side?!" Scott's voice was rising now. He got to his feet, clenching a fist. The wolf gave a warning growl, but Scott ignored it. "Do you know what Elliott's been through because of what you've done?! His reputation's already being dragged through the mud. He's had to wonder if he's been hurting his friends. That . . . that femme fatale with you made him think he'd been making inappropriate advances on her!"
"Oh, you crush me," Vivalene moaned, placing a hand to her chest. Now Elliott looked at her, repulsed.
"You don't know how much you meddled with, boy," Dr. Hoffman said, looking to Elliott.
"What are you talking about?" Elliott said in disbelief.
"I was concerned when you were assigned to the con artist case," Dr. Hoffman said. "But I didn't think there was actually anything to worry about. Surely you couldn't shut down the operation."
"And why couldn't he?" Sean frowned. "He's a good detective."
Dr. Hoffman gave a cruel smirk. "He's rather clumsy."
Elliott glowered. "I did just fine."
"Yes, you did," the hypnotherapist agreed, "but unfortunately you halted a large-scale criminal operation. It was not only what it appeared to be on the surface, a fraudulent mail-order business. Most of the goods were being smuggled. I only gave a small number of them to my son for his con artist ventures. He received payment for the false sales and passed the items back to me."
". . . Your son?!" everyone exclaimed at once.
Dr. Hoffman nodded. "That's right. You arrested my son that night, and though he was obviously not being as smart as he should have been, I am still not very pleased about the matter."
"So you wanted to get back at El," Scott said, bitterness slipping into his voice.
"Something like that," Vivalene purred. "I was only along for the ride, since I was involved with the smuggling racket."
"And he paid you to help him out," Scott supplied.
"Yes," Vivalene said. "But I also just thought it would be fun." She winked at Elliott, who stared at her.
"My uncle won't help you anymore," Jeff said in disgust.
"Unfortunately, I doubt you'll live to tell him anything," Vivalene said, glancing to the wolf. It growled, agitated by the intense emotions it could sense in the air.
Dr. Hoffman gripped the leash, not looking very pleased himself. "Vivalene, it's your beast," he said. "Shouldn't you take it back?"
"Oh, that's alright," she smiled. "Just keep a firm hold on the leash. There, you're doing fine."
"And how did you two get mixed up with him?" Scott shot another withering look at his double. The Bunker Hill traitor was still standing to the side, his arms crossed as a smirk graced his features. He seemed to have some idea of what was going to happen, which did not help Scott's mood in the least.
"Well, we needed someone Elliott trusted to hypnotize him," Vivalene said in a flippant tone. "And he showed up interested because of our plan. Apparently he keeps tabs on you boys."
"More's the pity," Sean frowned.
"And since he does such a wonderful impersonation of Scott, we were more than happy to accept his services," Vivalene said. "The only payment he wanted was your suffering."
"Which is still true," the impostor mused. "And I do believe there's going to be a lot of suffering tonight."
The wolf snarled, straining at the leash. Vivalene bent down to undo it. The men stared, alarmed.
"You see, the plan is that all of you will die--except Elliott dear, of course," Vivalene said, her thick red curls falling around her face. "The wolf will be gone and Elliott will be held responsible. No one will believe his wild rantings about a real wolf being turned loose."
"Nor will they believe that ACME's top hypnotist is actually a criminal mastermind," Dr. Hoffman said, beginning to back up. "But I am about to close up shop in this area anyway."
"Reginald darling and I will escape to parts unknown." The leash clip snapped and Vivalene straightened as the wolf lunged. "I'm so sorry we can't stick around, but I don't have much of a stomach for gruesome death scenes." She blew them a kiss, even as they yelped and climbed over monuments and struggled to escape the gnashing teeth and sharp claws. "Tootleloo, darlings!"
"Wait!" screamed the wolf impostor as Barry pulled him behind a headstone. "You're leaving me to die too?!"
But Vivalene only turned and waved at him before continuing her escape.
Jeff glowered at her retreating back. "When I think of how my uncle actually accepted her money . . ."
"How about right now we think about staying alive?" Sean exclaimed. At the moment he and Jeff had shimmied to the top of an angel statue, but they were not going to be able to stay there for very long. Already the weight of two people was causing the foundation to shift.
"And how do we do that?" Scott demanded. He and Elliott had struggled to get into a tree, but it was small and the branches were not going to be able to hold them. The wolf leaped, grabbing the edge of Scott's trenchcoat in its powerful jaws. The blond gasped, wrapping his arms and legs around the thin branch as he tried to remain in one piece.
"Leave him alone!" Elliott cried. He broke off a twig, poking the wolf and trying to force it to back away from his best friend. As it turned to him, the twig entered its eye socket. It cried out, letting go of Scott and leaping away.
"We're carrying guns, but I'd rather not have to use them," Elliott frowned now, still tense as he watched the animal fleeing behind a nearby mausoleum.
"I don't know if not using them is even an option," Barry said, narrowing his eyes. He had been going to sneak behind the wolf and pull it away from his friends, despite the danger to himself, but it had run before he had gotten the chance.
Sean nodded. "I don't know if Vivalene actually had it trained to come after us, but it's definitely dangerous. If it gets out of the cemetery, it could attack any innocent citizen it finds." With caution he lowered himself down from the monument, pulling out his phone. "I'm going to get Animal Control up here. Maybe they can tranquilize it."
Jeff jumped down next to him. "And we have to just let those crooks get away while we're messing around here?" he said in frustration.
"We'll catch them," Scott said as he and Elliott began to climb out of the tree, "but we have to think of the greater good."
"And right now, that's keeping the wolf here while we wait for backup," Elliott said. "I bet Vivalene was counting on that, too."
Barry pondered. Would it really be necessary for all five of them to stay here? Maybe two or three of their group should try to catch Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman before they could get out of the cemetery.
"Sean and I can contain the wolf," he said. "The rest of you should try to apprehend Vivalene and the 'good' doctor."
Jeff's eyes immediately lit up. "Yes!" he said. "Come on, before they get too far ahead!"
But Scott and Elliott were uncertain. They exchanged looks, then turned to Sean, who was hanging up with Animal Control. "Did you hear that, Sean?" Scott asked.
Their leader nodded. "Yeah. And I agree with Barry. All five of us don't need to be here. Go on." He gestured back the way Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman had gone. "Animal Control will be here in ten minutes. We can last that long."
Elliott took a deep breath. "Okay." He took off running, with Scott right on his heels.
Jeff moved to follow them, but a rustling behind him made him stop in his tracks. The wolf, even more furious now, was emerging from its place of refuge. Its eyes were wild as it looked to Scott and Elliott, flying over the grass and autumn leaves. Then it was barreling after them.
Barry and Sean lunged at once, Barry from the front and Sean from the side. They had to keep the beast here. They could not let it go after the others! They could not!
Jeff stood stock still, horrified as he watched the vicious creature struggle in their grasp. It turned its head from one side to another, desperate to bite its captors. Barry and Sean wrestled with it, barely able to hold it back. Scott and Elliott paused, looking at the scene with wide eyes.
"Keep going!" Sean called through gritted teeth. "We can hold it. Don't let them get away!"
At last Elliott gave a slow nod. Sean and Barry were doing all in their power to keep the wolf from hurting the others. Elliott and Scott could not let it be in vain.
He looked to Scott, who responded with a shaking, pain-filled nod. Then they were running again, vanishing around a bend.
"Go with them," Barry said to Jeff, who was still observing, undecided.
"What are you waiting for?" Sean demanded. The wolf was fighting harder, thrashing in their arms. By now Sean's position had slipped. The beast could easily sink its teeth into his shoulder, and that was exactly what it planned to do. It turned to him, its teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
Jeff snapped to, his mind made up. He grabbed a fallen tree branch, charging forward as he shoved the wood into the wolf's gaping jaws. It bit down, snarling as it shook its head from side to side and sent the branch flying. But while it was distracted, Sean managed to get into a bit of a less-deadly position. He looked to Jeff, stunned.
The boy shrugged. "Scott and Elliott can handle the rest," he said. "I'm needed here."
Sean broke into a grin. "You're alright," he said.
Barry nodded agreement.
****
Scott and Elliott were still running.
"Did we make the right decision?" Scott berated, his breathing quickening as they dashed past old tombstones and mausoleums. "Sean and Barry are in trouble because of us!"
"We made the right decision," Elliott said, hoping he was speaking the truth. "Jeff stayed behind. He'll help Sean and Barry if they need it."
Scott blinked. He had not even realized that Jeff was not with them. But Elliott was right---the apprentice P.I. was nowhere to be seen, unless he had just fallen behind. And speaking of people not being in sight . . .
He gasped. "El!" He looked to the surprised brunet. "My double!"
Elliott's eyes widened. "I haven't seen him at all since the wolf came at us," he realized.
"How right you are," an all-too-familiar voice purred. The impostor appeared in front of them, bringing them both to a halt. "Now, I have no loyalty to my companions. I could easily enough allow you to chase them, and even to catch them, without it weighing on my conscience. But I'd much rather deliver pain and agony to you both by refusing to let you go further."
Scott glowered. "Nothing weighs on your conscience," he said. "I wonder if you ever listened to it when you were alive!" He moved to go past the spectre. Technically they could even go through him, but Scott would not dare. He might take the opportunity to possess either of their bodies.
"Uh uh uh." The double wagged his finger at Scott. "Don't think it will be that easy to get away."
"We'll get away even if you start throwing tombstones at us again," Elliott retorted, going to follow Scott.
"Somehow your leader survived that assault. I'd still like to know how." But the traitor shrugged. "It's not keeping me awake at night, but it would be nice to have an answer."
"You don't even sleep!" Scott called back. He gripped Elliott's wrist. "Come on, we have to run."
Elliott nodded, worried. The wind was starting to pick up, and it was blowing against them. He held tightly to Scott as they tried to advance. The gust fought back as if it was an invisible giant, slowly but surely pushing the naughty escapees back into place. Over the eerie howling, the impostor laughed.
"What now?" Elliott said in dismay. They were being forced back, whether they liked it or not. To keep attempting to go forward was futile.
Scott whirled. "Let's let the wind push us where it will," he decided.
Elliott stared at him. "But that will take us away from . . . !"
"Trust me." Scott continued to clutch Elliott's wrist as they were pushed back several feet. Then, before the double had a chance to fully process what was going on, Scott broke into a run towards the right, Elliott right beside him.
Now Elliott realized what Scott was doing. He let go, leaping over the wrought-iron fence as they reached it. Scott jumped over as well, running into the road. Elliott caught up just as the roar of an engine approached their location. "Is that . . . ?"
"We can hope!" Scott said.
An expensive car, likely Vivalene's, thundered into view. Scott ran into its path, his eyes filled with determination. They would not get away, not after what they had been doing to his friends! Somehow he had to stop it. . . . If he could just get her to slow down. . . .
"Scott!" Elliott screamed, darting forward to pull him away. "She's not going to stop!"
Scott's eyes widened in horror. Elliott was right; if anything, Vivalene was gathering speed, preparing to run him down instead of trying to avoid an accident. And if she did not stop, both of them would be hit. Elliott would not leave his side.
He leaped back with Elliott just in time. As they fell back to the side of the road, he chanced a glance over his shoulder at the vehicle. It almost looked like Dr. Hoffman was leaning over Vivalene, fighting with her for control of the wheel. Even if he did not care about Elliott's and Scott's lives, he cared about the possibility of him and Vivalene being charged with a hit-and-run.
Elliott let out a shaking breath. "Don't do that again," he pleaded, looking up at Scott, who had landed on top of him. "It's not worth dying for, Scott."
Scott exhaled too. "I hadn't been planning on it," he tried to explain. "I thought she'd slow down . . . if nothing else, because of her car. . . ."
Elliott hugged him close as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "I'd never forgive myself if you died because of this mess. . . ."
Scott returned the hug, guilt sweeping over him at the added pain he could have put Elliott through. He had not been thinking. He had been so angry. . . .
Up ahead, the car screeched. The detectives looked up with a start, then pushed themselves to their feet and ran towards it. Had it crashed because of the battle for the steering wheel? No . . . it was sitting in the middle of the road. Elliott tensed, getting out a pair of handcuffs. This could be a trap.
"Get out of the car," he called as he and Scott drew closer. "Put your hands on your head and come out!"
The driver's door started to open. But instead of Vivalene's shapely form, the black barrel of a revolver appeared in the night.
"Look out!" Scott exclaimed.
It fired at the same moment he and Elliott dropped to the road. Then the door slammed. Vivalene was preparing to start the engine again!
But Elliott drew his own gun. As Vivalene turned the key in the ignition, he fired twice, hitting the front tires. Air exploded, sending the front of the car downward. Scott jumped to his feet, shooting the left rear tire. Elliott blew out the final tire as he got up.
"There's nowhere left to go," he said, his voice cold. "Come out of the car. You're both under arrest."
At last the passenger door opened. Dr. Hoffman emerged in defeat, his hands raised. But as Elliott snapped on the handcuffs, the man gave a cruel smirk.
"It's not over," he vowed.
"What do you mean?" Elliott frowned.
"Just that, boy---it's not over." Dr. Hoffman grinned. "You are still our pawn. Remember that."
"Quit trying to psych him out," Scott retorted. He wrenched open the driver's door. "Come out," he ordered the sullen Vivalene.
At last she looked at him, her painted lips accentuating her sultry smirk.
"Oh darling, you crush me."
****
Sean stood by, his hands on his hips, as he observed the tranquilized wolf being carried into the Animal Control van. They would find out what they could about it and release it back into the wild, if possible. But they had a suspicion that it was an exotic pet Vivalene had purchased. Its new home might be in a zoo or on a wolf preserve.
He looked to Jeff, who was also watching, his expression unreadable. Did he regret that he had stayed behind? Sean had just received a call from Elliott. He and Scott had successfully arrested Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman, in spite of Scott's impostor trying to stop them. They were coming back now, their prisoners in tow.
"Hey," Sean said now, "I'd probably be missing an arm if it wasn't for you."
"That was quick thinking," Barry agreed.
Jeff looked embarrassed. "I just did what had to be done," he said.
Sean nodded. "Listen, any time you feel ready to join ACME, we'll be happy to have you," he said.
Jeff brightened. "Really?"
"Really," Sean grinned.
But then Jeff sobered. "Thanks," he said. "I really mean that. And I will join ACME someday. But . . ." He looked off to the side. "I don't think I'm ready yet. For now . . . I think maybe I'll stick it out with my uncle a while longer. He's been trying to teach me some things. I should learn to listen."
Barry nodded. That was a good decision. Jeff was smart; once he listened, he would likely learn fast. And he agreed with Sean---they would welcome him to ACME when the time was right.
"Whatever suits you," Sean said, but then he blinked at the sound of another car pulling up. "Uh oh. . . ."
Aaron Gordon stalked out of the passenger side of Greg's car, slamming the door behind him as he held an ice pack to the side of his head. Greg hurried out the driver's side, doing a mental count of his friends. A worried look passed over his features when he saw Scott and Elliott missing.
"Greg!" Sean exclaimed.
"Uncle!" Jeff cried.
"Jeff!" Mr. Gordon burst out before his nephew could ask if he was okay. "What have you been getting into this time? You were just supposed to find out what the detectives were up to, and now . . ."
"Now, your nephew is a hero," Sean interrupted, stepping forward and gesturing to the Animal Control van as it pulled away. "He helped us contain a very dangerous creature."
Mr. Gordon stopped, stunned. ". . . Is that true?" he asked, looking to Jeff.
"Well . . ." The youth rubbed the back of his neck. "I did help a little. . . ." He grinned.
"A little! Let me tell you, this brave young man saved my life," Sean said. "You should be proud of him, sir."
Mr. Gordon blinked. "I . . . I am," he said, getting his bearings. "I am! Of course I am!" He looked to Jeff. "Good work."
Jeff beamed. "Thanks, Unc!"
"And I expect you to keep it up."
"I will," Jeff said. "I'll work hard."
Mr. Gordon nodded, satisfied. "And I would like a detailed account of what happened here," he said.
"And you'll get it," Sean said. "As soon the other involved parties arrive."
"Are they okay?!" Greg finally managed to interject. "I came out looking for you guys, but I didn't know where to go. And I ended up going to Vivalene's hotel room and finding him laying on the floor!" He indicated Mr. Gordon.
"They're okay," Barry reassured him.
"Here we are!" Scott called as he and Elliott approached with Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman. They herded their prisoners into a waiting ACME car, right next to the shaken kid who had been paid to play wolf, before joining their friends.
"Great!" Sean grinned. "You two don't look too bad off."
Elliott grinned back. They had made it through without too much injury. And now Sean was starting to tell Mr. Gordon and Greg what had happened after they had left to come to Sleepy Hollow. The others listened, interjecting points now and then.
But Elliott's mind was wandering. Dr. Hoffman's words still chilled him. What did he mean, it wasn't over? What was left?
"El?"
He started, looking to Scott. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Scott gave him a worried look.
Elliott managed a smile. "I'm good," he said. "We're all here, safe. . . . I couldn't ask for more."
"You're worried about what he said, aren't you?" Scott said, not fooled.
Elliott sighed. ". . . I guess I have to wonder," he said.
"He was just trying to get you worried," Scott said. "We've tied up all the loose ends. There's nothing left."
Of course Scott was right. Elliott nodded, smiling again. Everything was just fine.
. . . But then, why did he keep having that nagging feeling?
Fandom: Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Rating: T/PG-13
Word Count: 6,634
Main Characters: Fictional Rockapella
Supporting Characters: Greg
Summary: The climax.
Will be posted to 10_hurt_comfort.
Chapter Eight
Sean left the interrogation room and leaned against the wall, rubbing at his eyes. It had been an absolutely exhausting two hours. Vivalene was smooth. She had put on an act of being innocent, insisting that she knew nothing about the wolf's identity or Elliott being hypnotized in her hotel room.
ACME was inclined to side with Rockapella, but there was little that could be done without tangible proof. Vivalene was likely to walk unless they could drag her to court and prove that Elliott had really been hypnotized by Scott's impostor and that she had been a part of the scheme.
What were they going to do?
What was he going to do? He had to think of something. The others were counting on him.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out the ring with the engraving of a wolf. He had gone to pick it up before the interrogation, hoping that Vivalene would recognize it. But she had given no indication of ever having seen it before. He slipped it back into his pocket in frustration.
"Sean?"
He looked up as Elliott came out. The brunet was weary, the circles under his eyes more pronounced now than ever. His dark red fedora was sitting askew on his head, but he was too tired to notice or care.
"Well?" Sean asked.
Elliott shook his head. "It's no good," he said. "Vivalene's not changing her story."
Sean ran a hand over his face. ". . . Then there's only one other thing to do," he said. An idea had just occurred to him.
Elliott blinked in surprise. "What's that?" he asked. Behind him, the door opened and Scott and Barry came out as well.
Sean caught all of their gazes before continuing. "We have to find your double," he said to Scott. "He likes bragging. Maybe he'll tell us who taught him hypnosis."
Scott was stunned. "But . . . he could be anywhere!" he said. "He could even be right here, watching us!"
"Well, we're just going to have to hope he'll make himself visible to us," Sean said, pushing himself away from the wall. The more he thought about it, the more enthused he became. This could work. It had to work!
"Will we need to go out to his grave at Charlestown?" Barry frowned.
"I don't think so," Sean said. "No, he'll be sticking a lot closer than that. He probably can't get in here; Agnes Acme will keep him out." He smirked, then sobered. "But he might be around town . . . or back at the Sleepy Hollow cemetery."
Scott slapped his forehead. "The plastic sword is still there!" he groaned. "I didn't even think to take it away, since he's a ghost and wouldn't leave fingerprints."
Sean nodded. "Then maybe he'll go pick it up," he said.
"Maybe he'll even wait for us so he can torture us some more," Scott muttered, sickened that it was his impostor who had been responsible for hypnotizing poor, unsuspecting Elliott.
"Then let's go," Sean said. "And we'd better get out of here now, before Aaron Gordon and Jeff come out of there. No sense in letting them know we're ghost-chasers." He smirked again before hurrying down the hallway.
Elliott chuckled to himself as he and the others followed. That would definitely not go over well with either Mr. Gordon or Jeff.
"They'll probably be mad that we ditched them," Barry grunted as they turned the corner and went through the door into the parking garage.
"Probably," Sean said with an unconcerned shrug.
But all of them stopped and stared when they arrived at their car. Jeff was leaning against the side of it, his arms crossed. He raised his eyes to meet their shocked gazes, a triumphant smirk gracing his features.
"The car seats five, remember?" he said.
Sean slowly shook his head, at a loss for words. Finally he said, "You sneaky . . ."
"I went out the other way," Jeff said. "So did my uncle. He's disgusted with the whole mess and offered to escort Vivalene back to the hotel. I said I'd see what you guys were up to."
". . . But how did you know we were going somewhere?" Scott asked.
Jeff shrugged. "Anyone could figure that out," he said. "What I don't know is where you're headed."
Sean sighed, unlocking the car and stepping closer to open the driver's door. Jeff moved out of the way to give him room. As Sean sank into the plush seat, he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. What should they do now? He would prefer to not let Jeff come with them to the cemetery. But he had tried to help them back at the agency. Maybe he deserved a bit of trust in return, just on this case that they shared. . . .
Sean looked to the others. They looked back, just as uncertain. Barry's expression said, It's your call.
At last Sean glanced to Jeff, gesturing with a backwards jerk of his thumb. "Get in."
The kid brightened, pulling open the back door and sliding in to the far window. Scott and Elliott climbed in after him, while Barry went around to the front passenger seat.
Jeff leaned forward, crossing his arms on the top of the passenger seat. "So," he said, "where are we going?"
Sean revved the engine, backing out of the parking space and heading for the exit. "Sleepy Hollow Cemetery," he said.
Jeff blinked. "Why?"
"We're hoping to meet an old 'friend,'" Sean replied.
"And that's using the term loosely," Barry deadpanned.
"Are you going to tell the rest?" Jeff frowned. "Why would someone be hanging out in a cemetery?"
"Maybe he's not," Sean said.
Scott gave the boy a sidelong glance. "Do you believe in ghosts, Jeff?" he wanted to know.
Jeff gawked. "What do ghosts have to do with it?!" he exclaimed.
"Just answer the question," Sean said.
"Then no." Jeff leaned back. "What is this? Are you going to tell me some funny story because you don't want to share the truth?"
"Actually, the 'funny story' is the truth," Scott said.
Jeff just looked at him, shaking his head. "You want me to believe that you're going to a cemetery to meet a ghost," he said.
"We don't 'want' you to believe anything," Sean said, his voice light. "But it would be nice."
Jeff sighed, crossing his arms. This was so much to take in. First the detectives had not trusted him and he had not trusted them. He had accused Elliott of being the werewolf. Then they had tried to help each other. Now they were telling him some story about ghosts. He had never met detectives like these before.
"Do you think we're cuckoo?" Sean asked.
Jeff shook his head. "If it was just one of you, then maybe," he said. "But when it's all of you, well . . . I don't know what to think."
"You don't have to sort it out right now," Elliott spoke, determining that things were moving too fast for Jeff to keep up, "but you could get a bad surprise at the cemetery. So . . . we're just warning you."
"Well, thanks." Jeff looked out the window. "I think."
"You're welcome," Sean smirked. "I think."
****
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery was quiet and dark when they arrived. Sean parked in the lot, as close to the entrance as he could get, before cutting the engine and getting out of the car. The others quickly followed, Jeff casting an uncertain glance around the area.
"I don't see any sign of anyone," he said.
"If he's here, he'll be further in," Sean said, sauntering into the cemetery. "Over near where we left something."
"Maybe he's even come and gone, if he was here at all," Elliott said. Apparently they had unanimously taken a silent vote to stay together, as they were all walking in a close-knit group. Not even Jeff made a motion to walk ahead.
"If he came, he probably has been waiting for us," Scott said. "I bet he's here."
". . . Or something else is." Sean stiffened, turning to look towards the trees. The others froze, following his gaze. Leaves crackled as something shifted position. If the guys strained hard enough, it looked like a pair of eyes staring at their small party.
". . . I'm guessing that isn't what you came to see," Jeff hissed.
"Nope," Sean said. "But it isn't giving us much choice. We're seeing it anyway."
"I think it's the wolf!" Elliott gasped.
"Then take a picture of it when it comes out," Sean directed, not missing a beat. "And take one of us to prove that you're right here with us, El!"
Scott's eyes widened. "The pictures will be timestamped," he realized.
Sean nodded. "It'll be more evidence to prove our case."
Elliott barely had time to set the timer and place the camera on a headstone before the creature lunged. The picture snapped just in time, capturing the five of them in the shot. Then Elliott grabbed the camera back, snapping a picture of the wolf. It yelped, momentarily blinded by the light.
The detectives scattered. Jeff stared at the beast, his eyes widening in shock. "It's dressed just like you!" he exclaimed.
Elliott gave a grim nod. "The clothes are just a couple of sizes larger," he said. "Sean ripped the tag off its shirt the last time it showed up."
"Clever!" Jeff called as the wolf lunged again. He leaped out of the way, almost tripping over a low headstone.
"Yes it was, but you can praise me later!" Sean gasped as a strong, clawed paw swung at him.
"That's our Sean, always modest!" Scott called, dodging another claw.
"I think he's trying to see how soon he can get a rise out of Jeff," Elliott answered. Sean had become quite fond of teasing the kid during their brief acquaintance.
The wolf stopped upon seeing Elliott, looking confused. But then it growled, swiping at him. Elliott leaped away, and the claws scraped the back of an old granite tombstone.
Sean watched, a plan forming in his mind. "Let's all attack it at once!" he called. "Maybe we can bring it down."
Jeff blinked in surprise. "Works for me!" he said then.
"Then on the count of three . . ." Sean trailed off as the creature snarled and lunged at Barry, who lunged back and grabbed for its wrists. "Nevermind the count! Just attack!" Sean directed then.
And he, Scott, Elliott, and Jeff surrounded the beast from all sides, pulling it back as Barry pushed. Then they were dragging it to the ground. It growled and struggled, fighting against the quintet, but to no avail.
"Find how to tear off the mask!" Sean called.
"I'm not sure there is a way!" Elliott exclaimed. He had still not found the elusive zipper, either---but of course that was hard to accomplish while the creature was moving to and fro and trying to claw and bite him and the others.
Sean gritted his teeth. "Well, it's a good thing I didn't return this yet," he said, pulling the Latin ring out of his pocket. "Barry, spread out its fingers!"
Barry looked at their leader in surprise. But, grabbing the left wrist, he forced the furry hand to the grass. Before it could rip it away, Sean forced the ring onto the smallest finger. The wolf howled in rage.
"Sean, what are you doing?!" Elliott said in disbelief.
"Making it mad? I have no idea." Sean continued fighting to hold it down. It wanted to pull the ring off, which could be important. On the other hand, maybe it was just too tight.
"It's distracted!" Sean called. "Let's try again!"
"I think I've got something!" Scott announced. Taking hold of the edges of the fur around the neck, he pulled, lifting a highly detailed, animatronic mask. Even as he removed it, it snapped at him. He winced, keeping his hands away from the jaws as he looked down. Underneath the mask was a young college-age man none of them had ever seen before, still growling and trying to claw at them.
"Hey, you're not a wolf anymore," Sean said. "So cut it out."
The stranger stiffened, fixing Sean with a dark look. Then he looked around at the others. He had blond hair in a crewcut, as well as brown eyes that appeared somewhat stupefied.
"We're detectives from ACME," Scott said, "including the one you've been hurting with this charade." He indicated Elliott.
"And I'm a P.I., working on the same case," Jeff said. "You owe us some answers!"
"I didn't do anything," the wolfman retorted defensively. "Just what I was paid to do."
"Oh, you've done plenty," Sean said, "and we'll be bringing charges against you. But first you're going to tell us some things, including how this ring works." He pointed at it. "It's not really cursed, is it?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," was the muttered reply.
"That's why I asked," Sean said.
"I don't know what it does. I've never even seen it before." Their enemy tore it off, throwing it to the ground. Sean retrieved it, replacing it in his pocket.
"Well, we know you're not a werewolf," he said. "Otherwise you wouldn't need all the fancy doohickeys!"
"That mask is pretty cool, isn't it?" the fake wolf smirked. "And these claws." He held up a hand. "They're real wolf's claws sewn into the material. This is real wolf fur, too."
Elliott was not impressed. "Who hired you?" he demanded now.
He received another smirk in reply. "I'm not talkin'."
"You might get a lighter sentence if you help us," Barry said, crossing his arms.
"True," the wolfman mused, "but who's to say you'll be able to keep hold of me at all? I really don't have any intention of going to jail."
"Maybe you should've thought of that before you started ruining El's life," Scott said in disgust.
"'El,'" the creep repeated in derisive tones. "El should be capable of speaking for himself, don't you think?"
"We're all upset about what you've been doing," Barry said.
"And we have a right to speak up about what's happening to our friend," Scott said.
"I want to know who's been doing this," Elliott said with a frown.
"How about we say he's closer than you might think," smiled the captive.
"Not good enough," Sean said.
"Is he connected with the crook who stole that ring?" Elliott wondered.
"Yep," was the reply.
"We don't have time to play games!" Scott snapped.
"Wait a minute," Elliott said. "Closer than we might think suggests he's someone we wouldn't suspect. Maybe . . . maybe someone who even works with ACME."
"Bingo," purred a voice like Scott's, only darker.
The detectives whirled to see the cruel spirit standing several feet away, giving them all a dark smirk. A headstone with a cross shone through his transparent form.
Jeff gasped. "What's . . ."
"We tried to warn you," Sean said.
Jeff kept staring. "Ghost . . . ?"
"Traitor," Scott spat. "Haven't you done enough?"
"It will never be enough, until I have what I desire," replied his double. "But take heart; I'm not going to try kicking you out of your body tonight. What I desire now is his misery." He indicated poor Elliott, who glowered.
"But you desire that because you know it'll hurt Scott," Elliott said. "You wouldn't care one way or another otherwise."
"True," mused the spirit. He grinned, a cold mirror of Scott.
With the new distraction to keep them occupied, the man with the crewcut started attempting to get up. Instantly Barry and Sean stiffened, pushing him back into the grass.
"You're under arrest in the name of ACME Crimenet," Sean declared, snapping on the handcuffs before he could try to escape again. "This is the last time you'll ever impersonate El as a wolf."
"And it's the last time you will make an arrest, darling."
They whirled again at the new, familiar voice. Vivalene was walking towards them, her gait calm, her voice leaving no room for arguments. In her hand she held a leash. A wolf trotted on the other end of it, snarling at the group of detectives. The costumed man froze. In spite of playing a wolf, he was intimidated by the sight of a real one---at least, certainly by the sight of an unfriendly one.
"What are you doing here?!" Jeff cried in disbelief. "And where's my uncle?!"
"Safe," Vivalene smiled. "There's no reason why he wouldn't be. Isn't that right, Reginald darling?"
Reginald! Everyone stiffened. Now out of the shadows came ACME's hypnotherapist, looking stiff and uncomfortable.
"That's right," he said. "Though he will probably awaken with a bad headache. . . ."
"You hurt my uncle?!" Jeff yelled.
"Well, he was staying a little too long and we needed to get going," Vivalene said. "I think he was actually starting to catch on." She winked at Jeff, who recoiled.
"I knew it was weird that you didn't tell El not to listen to the post-hypnotic suggestions," Scott said to Dr. Hoffman, bitterness slipping into his voice. "But I didn't actually think you'd be helping these twerps."
"Correction, my dear Dying Informant---they're helping us." Dr. Hoffman stopped next to Vivalene. She promptly passed him the leash, which he accepted with some hesitance.
"Oh, not to worry," she smiled. "He won't attack unless I tell him to."
"H-hey, let me get out of here if you're gonna sic it on them," the crewcut man begged, again struggling without success to get away.
"There is nothing to worry about," the hypnotherapist replied, trying to regain his composure. "Vivalene knows what she's doing. I hope," he muttered.
"Are you going to tell us why you're doing this?" Scott demanded. Slowly he and the others rose, dragging their captive to his feet as well. They wanted to be prepared for any sudden moves.
"We trusted you," Elliott said, his voice increasing in volume. "I trusted you! I let you hypnotize me!"
"And if you're the whole reason this happened to El, why did you agree to see us?" Sean frowned.
"I wanted to find out how much you actually knew about what had happened," was the reply. "Pretending to be on your side was the best way to go about it." He smirked. "I didn't actually record our little conversation. The tape deck was empty."
Elliott looked at him in disgust. "I should've known."
"And why aren't you on our side?!" Scott's voice was rising now. He got to his feet, clenching a fist. The wolf gave a warning growl, but Scott ignored it. "Do you know what Elliott's been through because of what you've done?! His reputation's already being dragged through the mud. He's had to wonder if he's been hurting his friends. That . . . that femme fatale with you made him think he'd been making inappropriate advances on her!"
"Oh, you crush me," Vivalene moaned, placing a hand to her chest. Now Elliott looked at her, repulsed.
"You don't know how much you meddled with, boy," Dr. Hoffman said, looking to Elliott.
"What are you talking about?" Elliott said in disbelief.
"I was concerned when you were assigned to the con artist case," Dr. Hoffman said. "But I didn't think there was actually anything to worry about. Surely you couldn't shut down the operation."
"And why couldn't he?" Sean frowned. "He's a good detective."
Dr. Hoffman gave a cruel smirk. "He's rather clumsy."
Elliott glowered. "I did just fine."
"Yes, you did," the hypnotherapist agreed, "but unfortunately you halted a large-scale criminal operation. It was not only what it appeared to be on the surface, a fraudulent mail-order business. Most of the goods were being smuggled. I only gave a small number of them to my son for his con artist ventures. He received payment for the false sales and passed the items back to me."
". . . Your son?!" everyone exclaimed at once.
Dr. Hoffman nodded. "That's right. You arrested my son that night, and though he was obviously not being as smart as he should have been, I am still not very pleased about the matter."
"So you wanted to get back at El," Scott said, bitterness slipping into his voice.
"Something like that," Vivalene purred. "I was only along for the ride, since I was involved with the smuggling racket."
"And he paid you to help him out," Scott supplied.
"Yes," Vivalene said. "But I also just thought it would be fun." She winked at Elliott, who stared at her.
"My uncle won't help you anymore," Jeff said in disgust.
"Unfortunately, I doubt you'll live to tell him anything," Vivalene said, glancing to the wolf. It growled, agitated by the intense emotions it could sense in the air.
Dr. Hoffman gripped the leash, not looking very pleased himself. "Vivalene, it's your beast," he said. "Shouldn't you take it back?"
"Oh, that's alright," she smiled. "Just keep a firm hold on the leash. There, you're doing fine."
"And how did you two get mixed up with him?" Scott shot another withering look at his double. The Bunker Hill traitor was still standing to the side, his arms crossed as a smirk graced his features. He seemed to have some idea of what was going to happen, which did not help Scott's mood in the least.
"Well, we needed someone Elliott trusted to hypnotize him," Vivalene said in a flippant tone. "And he showed up interested because of our plan. Apparently he keeps tabs on you boys."
"More's the pity," Sean frowned.
"And since he does such a wonderful impersonation of Scott, we were more than happy to accept his services," Vivalene said. "The only payment he wanted was your suffering."
"Which is still true," the impostor mused. "And I do believe there's going to be a lot of suffering tonight."
The wolf snarled, straining at the leash. Vivalene bent down to undo it. The men stared, alarmed.
"You see, the plan is that all of you will die--except Elliott dear, of course," Vivalene said, her thick red curls falling around her face. "The wolf will be gone and Elliott will be held responsible. No one will believe his wild rantings about a real wolf being turned loose."
"Nor will they believe that ACME's top hypnotist is actually a criminal mastermind," Dr. Hoffman said, beginning to back up. "But I am about to close up shop in this area anyway."
"Reginald darling and I will escape to parts unknown." The leash clip snapped and Vivalene straightened as the wolf lunged. "I'm so sorry we can't stick around, but I don't have much of a stomach for gruesome death scenes." She blew them a kiss, even as they yelped and climbed over monuments and struggled to escape the gnashing teeth and sharp claws. "Tootleloo, darlings!"
"Wait!" screamed the wolf impostor as Barry pulled him behind a headstone. "You're leaving me to die too?!"
But Vivalene only turned and waved at him before continuing her escape.
Jeff glowered at her retreating back. "When I think of how my uncle actually accepted her money . . ."
"How about right now we think about staying alive?" Sean exclaimed. At the moment he and Jeff had shimmied to the top of an angel statue, but they were not going to be able to stay there for very long. Already the weight of two people was causing the foundation to shift.
"And how do we do that?" Scott demanded. He and Elliott had struggled to get into a tree, but it was small and the branches were not going to be able to hold them. The wolf leaped, grabbing the edge of Scott's trenchcoat in its powerful jaws. The blond gasped, wrapping his arms and legs around the thin branch as he tried to remain in one piece.
"Leave him alone!" Elliott cried. He broke off a twig, poking the wolf and trying to force it to back away from his best friend. As it turned to him, the twig entered its eye socket. It cried out, letting go of Scott and leaping away.
"We're carrying guns, but I'd rather not have to use them," Elliott frowned now, still tense as he watched the animal fleeing behind a nearby mausoleum.
"I don't know if not using them is even an option," Barry said, narrowing his eyes. He had been going to sneak behind the wolf and pull it away from his friends, despite the danger to himself, but it had run before he had gotten the chance.
Sean nodded. "I don't know if Vivalene actually had it trained to come after us, but it's definitely dangerous. If it gets out of the cemetery, it could attack any innocent citizen it finds." With caution he lowered himself down from the monument, pulling out his phone. "I'm going to get Animal Control up here. Maybe they can tranquilize it."
Jeff jumped down next to him. "And we have to just let those crooks get away while we're messing around here?" he said in frustration.
"We'll catch them," Scott said as he and Elliott began to climb out of the tree, "but we have to think of the greater good."
"And right now, that's keeping the wolf here while we wait for backup," Elliott said. "I bet Vivalene was counting on that, too."
Barry pondered. Would it really be necessary for all five of them to stay here? Maybe two or three of their group should try to catch Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman before they could get out of the cemetery.
"Sean and I can contain the wolf," he said. "The rest of you should try to apprehend Vivalene and the 'good' doctor."
Jeff's eyes immediately lit up. "Yes!" he said. "Come on, before they get too far ahead!"
But Scott and Elliott were uncertain. They exchanged looks, then turned to Sean, who was hanging up with Animal Control. "Did you hear that, Sean?" Scott asked.
Their leader nodded. "Yeah. And I agree with Barry. All five of us don't need to be here. Go on." He gestured back the way Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman had gone. "Animal Control will be here in ten minutes. We can last that long."
Elliott took a deep breath. "Okay." He took off running, with Scott right on his heels.
Jeff moved to follow them, but a rustling behind him made him stop in his tracks. The wolf, even more furious now, was emerging from its place of refuge. Its eyes were wild as it looked to Scott and Elliott, flying over the grass and autumn leaves. Then it was barreling after them.
Barry and Sean lunged at once, Barry from the front and Sean from the side. They had to keep the beast here. They could not let it go after the others! They could not!
Jeff stood stock still, horrified as he watched the vicious creature struggle in their grasp. It turned its head from one side to another, desperate to bite its captors. Barry and Sean wrestled with it, barely able to hold it back. Scott and Elliott paused, looking at the scene with wide eyes.
"Keep going!" Sean called through gritted teeth. "We can hold it. Don't let them get away!"
At last Elliott gave a slow nod. Sean and Barry were doing all in their power to keep the wolf from hurting the others. Elliott and Scott could not let it be in vain.
He looked to Scott, who responded with a shaking, pain-filled nod. Then they were running again, vanishing around a bend.
"Go with them," Barry said to Jeff, who was still observing, undecided.
"What are you waiting for?" Sean demanded. The wolf was fighting harder, thrashing in their arms. By now Sean's position had slipped. The beast could easily sink its teeth into his shoulder, and that was exactly what it planned to do. It turned to him, its teeth gleaming in the moonlight.
Jeff snapped to, his mind made up. He grabbed a fallen tree branch, charging forward as he shoved the wood into the wolf's gaping jaws. It bit down, snarling as it shook its head from side to side and sent the branch flying. But while it was distracted, Sean managed to get into a bit of a less-deadly position. He looked to Jeff, stunned.
The boy shrugged. "Scott and Elliott can handle the rest," he said. "I'm needed here."
Sean broke into a grin. "You're alright," he said.
Barry nodded agreement.
****
Scott and Elliott were still running.
"Did we make the right decision?" Scott berated, his breathing quickening as they dashed past old tombstones and mausoleums. "Sean and Barry are in trouble because of us!"
"We made the right decision," Elliott said, hoping he was speaking the truth. "Jeff stayed behind. He'll help Sean and Barry if they need it."
Scott blinked. He had not even realized that Jeff was not with them. But Elliott was right---the apprentice P.I. was nowhere to be seen, unless he had just fallen behind. And speaking of people not being in sight . . .
He gasped. "El!" He looked to the surprised brunet. "My double!"
Elliott's eyes widened. "I haven't seen him at all since the wolf came at us," he realized.
"How right you are," an all-too-familiar voice purred. The impostor appeared in front of them, bringing them both to a halt. "Now, I have no loyalty to my companions. I could easily enough allow you to chase them, and even to catch them, without it weighing on my conscience. But I'd much rather deliver pain and agony to you both by refusing to let you go further."
Scott glowered. "Nothing weighs on your conscience," he said. "I wonder if you ever listened to it when you were alive!" He moved to go past the spectre. Technically they could even go through him, but Scott would not dare. He might take the opportunity to possess either of their bodies.
"Uh uh uh." The double wagged his finger at Scott. "Don't think it will be that easy to get away."
"We'll get away even if you start throwing tombstones at us again," Elliott retorted, going to follow Scott.
"Somehow your leader survived that assault. I'd still like to know how." But the traitor shrugged. "It's not keeping me awake at night, but it would be nice to have an answer."
"You don't even sleep!" Scott called back. He gripped Elliott's wrist. "Come on, we have to run."
Elliott nodded, worried. The wind was starting to pick up, and it was blowing against them. He held tightly to Scott as they tried to advance. The gust fought back as if it was an invisible giant, slowly but surely pushing the naughty escapees back into place. Over the eerie howling, the impostor laughed.
"What now?" Elliott said in dismay. They were being forced back, whether they liked it or not. To keep attempting to go forward was futile.
Scott whirled. "Let's let the wind push us where it will," he decided.
Elliott stared at him. "But that will take us away from . . . !"
"Trust me." Scott continued to clutch Elliott's wrist as they were pushed back several feet. Then, before the double had a chance to fully process what was going on, Scott broke into a run towards the right, Elliott right beside him.
Now Elliott realized what Scott was doing. He let go, leaping over the wrought-iron fence as they reached it. Scott jumped over as well, running into the road. Elliott caught up just as the roar of an engine approached their location. "Is that . . . ?"
"We can hope!" Scott said.
An expensive car, likely Vivalene's, thundered into view. Scott ran into its path, his eyes filled with determination. They would not get away, not after what they had been doing to his friends! Somehow he had to stop it. . . . If he could just get her to slow down. . . .
"Scott!" Elliott screamed, darting forward to pull him away. "She's not going to stop!"
Scott's eyes widened in horror. Elliott was right; if anything, Vivalene was gathering speed, preparing to run him down instead of trying to avoid an accident. And if she did not stop, both of them would be hit. Elliott would not leave his side.
He leaped back with Elliott just in time. As they fell back to the side of the road, he chanced a glance over his shoulder at the vehicle. It almost looked like Dr. Hoffman was leaning over Vivalene, fighting with her for control of the wheel. Even if he did not care about Elliott's and Scott's lives, he cared about the possibility of him and Vivalene being charged with a hit-and-run.
Elliott let out a shaking breath. "Don't do that again," he pleaded, looking up at Scott, who had landed on top of him. "It's not worth dying for, Scott."
Scott exhaled too. "I hadn't been planning on it," he tried to explain. "I thought she'd slow down . . . if nothing else, because of her car. . . ."
Elliott hugged him close as he pushed himself into a sitting position. "I'd never forgive myself if you died because of this mess. . . ."
Scott returned the hug, guilt sweeping over him at the added pain he could have put Elliott through. He had not been thinking. He had been so angry. . . .
Up ahead, the car screeched. The detectives looked up with a start, then pushed themselves to their feet and ran towards it. Had it crashed because of the battle for the steering wheel? No . . . it was sitting in the middle of the road. Elliott tensed, getting out a pair of handcuffs. This could be a trap.
"Get out of the car," he called as he and Scott drew closer. "Put your hands on your head and come out!"
The driver's door started to open. But instead of Vivalene's shapely form, the black barrel of a revolver appeared in the night.
"Look out!" Scott exclaimed.
It fired at the same moment he and Elliott dropped to the road. Then the door slammed. Vivalene was preparing to start the engine again!
But Elliott drew his own gun. As Vivalene turned the key in the ignition, he fired twice, hitting the front tires. Air exploded, sending the front of the car downward. Scott jumped to his feet, shooting the left rear tire. Elliott blew out the final tire as he got up.
"There's nowhere left to go," he said, his voice cold. "Come out of the car. You're both under arrest."
At last the passenger door opened. Dr. Hoffman emerged in defeat, his hands raised. But as Elliott snapped on the handcuffs, the man gave a cruel smirk.
"It's not over," he vowed.
"What do you mean?" Elliott frowned.
"Just that, boy---it's not over." Dr. Hoffman grinned. "You are still our pawn. Remember that."
"Quit trying to psych him out," Scott retorted. He wrenched open the driver's door. "Come out," he ordered the sullen Vivalene.
At last she looked at him, her painted lips accentuating her sultry smirk.
"Oh darling, you crush me."
****
Sean stood by, his hands on his hips, as he observed the tranquilized wolf being carried into the Animal Control van. They would find out what they could about it and release it back into the wild, if possible. But they had a suspicion that it was an exotic pet Vivalene had purchased. Its new home might be in a zoo or on a wolf preserve.
He looked to Jeff, who was also watching, his expression unreadable. Did he regret that he had stayed behind? Sean had just received a call from Elliott. He and Scott had successfully arrested Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman, in spite of Scott's impostor trying to stop them. They were coming back now, their prisoners in tow.
"Hey," Sean said now, "I'd probably be missing an arm if it wasn't for you."
"That was quick thinking," Barry agreed.
Jeff looked embarrassed. "I just did what had to be done," he said.
Sean nodded. "Listen, any time you feel ready to join ACME, we'll be happy to have you," he said.
Jeff brightened. "Really?"
"Really," Sean grinned.
But then Jeff sobered. "Thanks," he said. "I really mean that. And I will join ACME someday. But . . ." He looked off to the side. "I don't think I'm ready yet. For now . . . I think maybe I'll stick it out with my uncle a while longer. He's been trying to teach me some things. I should learn to listen."
Barry nodded. That was a good decision. Jeff was smart; once he listened, he would likely learn fast. And he agreed with Sean---they would welcome him to ACME when the time was right.
"Whatever suits you," Sean said, but then he blinked at the sound of another car pulling up. "Uh oh. . . ."
Aaron Gordon stalked out of the passenger side of Greg's car, slamming the door behind him as he held an ice pack to the side of his head. Greg hurried out the driver's side, doing a mental count of his friends. A worried look passed over his features when he saw Scott and Elliott missing.
"Greg!" Sean exclaimed.
"Uncle!" Jeff cried.
"Jeff!" Mr. Gordon burst out before his nephew could ask if he was okay. "What have you been getting into this time? You were just supposed to find out what the detectives were up to, and now . . ."
"Now, your nephew is a hero," Sean interrupted, stepping forward and gesturing to the Animal Control van as it pulled away. "He helped us contain a very dangerous creature."
Mr. Gordon stopped, stunned. ". . . Is that true?" he asked, looking to Jeff.
"Well . . ." The youth rubbed the back of his neck. "I did help a little. . . ." He grinned.
"A little! Let me tell you, this brave young man saved my life," Sean said. "You should be proud of him, sir."
Mr. Gordon blinked. "I . . . I am," he said, getting his bearings. "I am! Of course I am!" He looked to Jeff. "Good work."
Jeff beamed. "Thanks, Unc!"
"And I expect you to keep it up."
"I will," Jeff said. "I'll work hard."
Mr. Gordon nodded, satisfied. "And I would like a detailed account of what happened here," he said.
"And you'll get it," Sean said. "As soon the other involved parties arrive."
"Are they okay?!" Greg finally managed to interject. "I came out looking for you guys, but I didn't know where to go. And I ended up going to Vivalene's hotel room and finding him laying on the floor!" He indicated Mr. Gordon.
"They're okay," Barry reassured him.
"Here we are!" Scott called as he and Elliott approached with Vivalene and Dr. Hoffman. They herded their prisoners into a waiting ACME car, right next to the shaken kid who had been paid to play wolf, before joining their friends.
"Great!" Sean grinned. "You two don't look too bad off."
Elliott grinned back. They had made it through without too much injury. And now Sean was starting to tell Mr. Gordon and Greg what had happened after they had left to come to Sleepy Hollow. The others listened, interjecting points now and then.
But Elliott's mind was wandering. Dr. Hoffman's words still chilled him. What did he mean, it wasn't over? What was left?
"El?"
He started, looking to Scott. "Yeah?"
"Are you okay?" Scott gave him a worried look.
Elliott managed a smile. "I'm good," he said. "We're all here, safe. . . . I couldn't ask for more."
"You're worried about what he said, aren't you?" Scott said, not fooled.
Elliott sighed. ". . . I guess I have to wonder," he said.
"He was just trying to get you worried," Scott said. "We've tied up all the loose ends. There's nothing left."
Of course Scott was right. Elliott nodded, smiling again. Everything was just fine.
. . . But then, why did he keep having that nagging feeling?