night sky is majestic in its crisp, starlit display. The faint smell of fish rising off the water, the view of the wooded area and the rhythmic sound of the waves splashing against the rocks have a way of putting one in a state of meditation.
One of the reasons I enjoy biking in this area right now is the array of beautiful colors in the autumn leaves.
Vincent Alexandria
25
I remember sometimes when I rode my bike in the wooded area around the lake I saw black snakes cross-ing the bike path; one in particular had to be at least four feet in length. I stopped my bike to let it pass. The thing was huge and I marveled at its quickness.
Another time I heard what sounded like a stampede and about nine deer came running up a hill just in front of me and majestically jumped into the air over the bike path. It looked as if they were flying and they gave no care that I was there. They were running for their life from something. Caught in the moment of the view, I finally came to my senses and realized that whatever was chasing them could just as well decide to start chasing me. I knew it was most likely a pack of feral dogs, but I had left my off-duty revolver in the car that was parked at the entrance of the park. I pedaled as fast as I could and got clear of the area. Sometimes knowing when to run can literally save your life.
Time melts like the ice cream in my cup at home.
Agent James eventually pulls up in his new, navy blue 944 Porsche. We get out and exchange greetings. James is a stout, bald man. Taller than me at six feet, two inches, weighing about 190 pounds, his brown skin is clean-shaven and he appears neat and pristine like a federal agent about to go into the office. Even his hooded sweat suit has ironed creases in it.
We walk over to the dew-covered boat dock and have a seat on a bench facing the lake. Agent James’s dark eyes dart back and fourth as if he expects something to jump out at us. He frowns as he wipes the sweat from his brow. I’ve never seen him look like this before.
“Joe, what I’m about to tell you is top-secret shit, and 26
Black Rain
once I tell you, you’re involved. So, if you really don’t want to get into this, walk away now.” Agent James struggles with shaking hands to light a cigarette.
We stare at each other for a minute. My first thought is to walk away. Life is good and I really don’t need any problems, but the loyalty to Chase leaps up.
“I’ve never known you to smoke, Royal.”
He takes a long drag from the cancer stick and exhales a big cloud of smoke. “I haven’t smoked since college. I’ve always kept it together, but this case that Chase is on is one of the biggest cases I’ve ever handled in the midwest region, and I don’t know how high up this thing goes. It’s a great possibility my phone is tapped and I’ve been followed on several occasions. This case is getting really ugly. Agent Purvis Smelley is missing.
We have a burned body at the morgue that matches his body dimensions, but we can’t make a positive ID until we get his dental records.”
This is the first time that I’ve ever seen Agent James spooked. Chase has to be in grave danger and there’s the possibility that Agent Smelley is dead. This can’t be good.
Agent James lets out a long belch and holds his stomach. “I hate burn victims because it can take so much time to identify them. It can set cases back weeks.
Neither Chase nor Smelley has reported in for the last six weeks. They were on this assignment together.”
My heart rate increases at the implications of Agent James’s last sentence sinks into my mind. If Smelley is assumed dead, Chase could be, too. If the bad guy got to Smelley he can just as easily blow Chase’s cover.
I look at Agent James and his demeanor and can’t help wondering how far his neck is out on the line with Vincent Alexandria
27
this case. He seems almost desperate, like he might be in over his head on this one, but I trust him and I owe
One of the reasons I enjoy biking in this area right now is the array of beautiful colors in the autumn leaves.
Vincent Alexandria
25
I remember sometimes when I rode my bike in the wooded area around the lake I saw black snakes cross-ing the bike path; one in particular had to be at least four feet in length. I stopped my bike to let it pass. The thing was huge and I marveled at its quickness.
Another time I heard what sounded like a stampede and about nine deer came running up a hill just in front of me and majestically jumped into the air over the bike path. It looked as if they were flying and they gave no care that I was there. They were running for their life from something. Caught in the moment of the view, I finally came to my senses and realized that whatever was chasing them could just as well decide to start chasing me. I knew it was most likely a pack of feral dogs, but I had left my off-duty revolver in the car that was parked at the entrance of the park. I pedaled as fast as I could and got clear of the area. Sometimes knowing when to run can literally save your life.
Time melts like the ice cream in my cup at home.
Agent James eventually pulls up in his new, navy blue 944 Porsche. We get out and exchange greetings. James is a stout, bald man. Taller than me at six feet, two inches, weighing about 190 pounds, his brown skin is clean-shaven and he appears neat and pristine like a federal agent about to go into the office. Even his hooded sweat suit has ironed creases in it.
We walk over to the dew-covered boat dock and have a seat on a bench facing the lake. Agent James’s dark eyes dart back and fourth as if he expects something to jump out at us. He frowns as he wipes the sweat from his brow. I’ve never seen him look like this before.
“Joe, what I’m about to tell you is top-secret shit, and 26
Black Rain
once I tell you, you’re involved. So, if you really don’t want to get into this, walk away now.” Agent James struggles with shaking hands to light a cigarette.
We stare at each other for a minute. My first thought is to walk away. Life is good and I really don’t need any problems, but the loyalty to Chase leaps up.
“I’ve never known you to smoke, Royal.”
He takes a long drag from the cancer stick and exhales a big cloud of smoke. “I haven’t smoked since college. I’ve always kept it together, but this case that Chase is on is one of the biggest cases I’ve ever handled in the midwest region, and I don’t know how high up this thing goes. It’s a great possibility my phone is tapped and I’ve been followed on several occasions. This case is getting really ugly. Agent Purvis Smelley is missing.
We have a burned body at the morgue that matches his body dimensions, but we can’t make a positive ID until we get his dental records.”
This is the first time that I’ve ever seen Agent James spooked. Chase has to be in grave danger and there’s the possibility that Agent Smelley is dead. This can’t be good.
Agent James lets out a long belch and holds his stomach. “I hate burn victims because it can take so much time to identify them. It can set cases back weeks.
Neither Chase nor Smelley has reported in for the last six weeks. They were on this assignment together.”
My heart rate increases at the implications of Agent James’s last sentence sinks into my mind. If Smelley is assumed dead, Chase could be, too. If the bad guy got to Smelley he can just as easily blow Chase’s cover.
I look at Agent James and his demeanor and can’t help wondering how far his neck is out on the line with Vincent Alexandria
27
this case. He seems almost desperate, like he might be in over his head on this one, but I trust him and I owe
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