Chapter: 37

The Sixth Day Cometh

“Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground’."

Genesis 3:20-24

Nurse Stacy Billings silently walked into the room of her two patients. She noticed the young man sitting on the chair sleep. She had a note from his friends, but was hesitant about waking him. He looked so peaceful asleep in the chair. Stacy sighed and walked quietly over to him. She bent down and nudged him gently, hoping not to startle him.

Unfortunately, that was not to be so with JD Dunne. JD jumped up at the touch and Stacy backed away cautiously. “What…what’s wrong?” JD looked around tensing at the woman standing, almost staring at him.

“Nothing, Mr. Dunne. The patients are sleeping comfortably. I came to wake you because there was a message left for you by your friends. Here,” she said handing him a slip of paper.

JD opened the note and read it. It said, “Need you to meet us in the back parking lot in ten minutes.” It was not signed and JD did not recognize the handwriting.

“My friends left this note?”

“The man who dropped it off said he got a phone message from one of your friends that left here and was told to give it to his other friends who were still here. Mr. Jackson is still down in the lab and Mr. Sanchez just went to the cafeteria to get some coffee.”

JD assumed then that the message must have been from Buck and Ezra. They had only left an hour ago, so for them to have returned so soon meant something happened.

“You said that Mr. Sanchez went to the cafeteria?”

“Yes. He left a few minutes ago and told me to tell you he would be right back,” explained Stacy.

“Thanks,” replied JD, folding up the paper and putting it away in his pocket. “Listen…I shouldn’t be askin’ ya this…but could you keep an eye on them until we get back. We’re just goin’ to be in the parking lot out back.”

“Oh, of course. It’ll be no problem at all. It’s my job anyway. I can wait until you return.”

“Thanks!” exclaimed JD. “And if Mr. Jackson comes up, tell him we went to the parking lot out back to meet our other friends, okay?”

“Sure, Mr. Dunne,” replied Stacy happily.

“JD. Just call me JD.”

“Okay…JD. My name’s Stacy.”

“You’re new here, huh?” he asked the petite redhead nurse.

“Yes. I just started today. I’m taking over for Sheila on her day off. She forgot to leave the file on Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith, but I did talk to some of the other nurses on duty and they told me that Mr. Jones was having seizures so we’re keeping in restraints and Mr. Smith seems to have some broken ribs and a slight concussion.”

JD nodded. He did not think this woman should be privy to all the information concerning his friends’ conditions, so he said, “Yeah. They’ve been real sick. Especially him,” replied JD, pointing to the sleeping blond.

“I see. Well, JD, if you’ll excuse me, I have some things that I need to take care of for my patients,” she said smiling at the young man and walking over to Vin’s bed.

Stacy thought he was real cute and she noticed that there was no ring on his finger, but that did not mean anything. “Too bad,” she thought. “He had a real nice face.”

JD left the room as the nurse started taking Vin’s vitals. JD assured himself that they would be safe. It was only for a few minutes and then he and Josiah would be back with the others in no time.

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Jack Trell slipped back into the driver’s seat of the black sedan. He then smiled over to Frank Marino and said, “It’s done.”

“Now we wait,” said Frank, lighting up another cigarette.

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Chris awoke to the sounds of someone in the room. His eyes finally focused and saw a red haired nurse leaning over Vin with a stethoscope. His thoughts were foggy at best and he could not remember why he was in the hospital or why he was strapped down.

He moved his head a little to the side, blond hair falling into his eyes and almost obscuring his vision of the woman and man situated across from him. His eyes squinted to try and see his friend’s face, but the nurse was in the way.

“S’cuse me,” said Chris, his voice almost a croak from a long time of nonuse.

The nurse turned, startled to find the blond patient awake. She was told by the nurses on duty that Sheila had given a large amount of sedative an hour ago and that should have the man out like a light for the next three hours. But of course, Stacy did not know about Chris’ physiology and the fact that he had built up a tolerance for them.

“Mr. Jones, I’m surprise you’re awake,” said Stacy hesitantly. She finally moved into action and approached the ill man’s bed, taking a hold of his wrist to feel is pulse.

Chris watched as the nurse started to take his vitals. While she was busily marking down information on his chart, Chris could hear the start of someone whispering in his ear. He turned to the other side of the room, but saw no one there. He then looked back up at the nurse who just gave him a warm smile and continued onward with her tasks.

“Mr. Jones,” said the nurse, shaking Chris from his reverie. “You temperature is a little high today. I’m going to get you some Tylenol to help bring it down, okay?”

“Uh, Nurse…?”

“Nurse Billings. But you can call me Stacy.”

“Stacy, where are my friends?”

“Oh, they said they would be back in few minutes. Why? Is there something you need?”

“Well, this restraints are little too tight. They’re hurtin’ my wrists,” said Chris wincing in pain.

“Oh,” replied Stacy. She did not see anything that referred to the exact reason for the seizures; all she knew was that Mr. Jones was in restraints based on what the nurses had told her at the station. “I don’t understand why it was not marked down concerning the restraints and when they can be removed, but…”

“From what I understand the Doc was afraid I would hurt myself because of seizures,” Chris interjected quickly.

Stacy looked at the man again doubtfully. His reasoning sounded plausible, but it was not up to her to make that decision about releasing him.

“Well, I can’t release you since I don’t see anything here,” she started and then she saw the baleful look Chris gave her. “But at least I can loosen them up some so that they don’t hurt anymore.”

Chris smiled at that and watched as Stacy slackened the restraints on his wrists.

“Thank you, Stacy. I really appreciate it. Ah, that feels much better.”

She smiled gently at him. “Are you in any pain, besides your wrists?”

“No, ma’am.”

“It’s Miss. Alright, then. Now, I’m going to prepare you and Mr. Smith’s next medication. I’ll be back in awhile. If you need me, press this button.” And she placed the nursing station button in his hand.

“Thank you, Stacy.”

“You’re welcome, Mr. Jones.”

“Call me, Chris.”

“Okay…Chris.” She then walked out of the door.

Once she was gone, Chris smiled wickedly. The voices had told him that it would work and it did. Now he had his chance. He wiggled his wrists, ignoring the throbbing and pain that went with it as he did. Within in a minute his wrist was free and also free to remove the restraint from his other wrist.

After that, removing the ones from his ankles was easy. The IV bag that was hooked up to his right wrist, he methodically pulled out the needle and pushed the line away. He was free and it made him feel like he had accomplished a great feat.

He then lowered the metal railings to his sick bed and silently and cautiously got out and moved to the closet where he knew his clothes were. When he got to the closet he found clean clothes. Probably one of his friends had originally thought that his stay would be brief one. Of course, it had turned out longer than they had anticipated, but it was good for him. Now he had the means of making his escape complete.

He grabbed the black briefs, clean black jeans and black T-shirt, which was never worn, his sneakers and his Chicago Black Hawks fitted cap and quickly dressed.

When the last piece of the outfit was placed on his head, he took one last look around. His eyes stopped on the sleeping form of his best friend. The young Texan looked so peaceful and Chris felt a slight pang at leaving the man behind.

The voices were trying to convince him that he would be safe here, that he would have more freedom without him, but somewhere in the small space that was reserved for his heart there was doubt.

He wanted to go over and wake Vin, but he knew the voices would not let him do that. Right now, there were more in control of his will than he was. He said in a soft voice, “Goodbye, Vin.” With that, he walked speedily out of the door into the hospital corridor and freedom.

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Jack Trell and Frank Marino had watched as the two men left to guard the two sick men had come outside to the parking lot out back, standing near the rear entrance of the hospital.

“Okay. Let’s go,” said Jack to his partner, as they both exited their car quickly.

They ran towards the other entrance of the hospital, but once there slowed down as not to attract attention. They both went through the revolving doors and towards the information desk of the hospital.

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Vin had awoken slowly to pain in his ribs and a headache that would not quit. He sat up in the bed and groaned as he pulled his hand through his sweating head. He knew he had a slight fever because the chills were playing havoc with his body.

He looked to see if Chris had awakened and was shocked to see the bed empty. He also was amazed that none of his other friends were in the room.

He frantically pressed the button that lay on the nightstand next to his bed.

After what seemed like an eternity to him, but was really only a couple of minutes, a short redhead nurse came running into the room.

She saw Vin trying to get out of the bed and quickly walked over to him, grabbing his arms and pushing him back down.

“And where do you think you’re going?” she asked.

“My friend! Where is he?” exclaimed Vin, trying to get out of the bed again. The nurse immediately grabbed his shoulders and pushed him back down.

“You’re not going anywhere!”

“But Chris…”

“I can see that. You stay in bed and I’m going to go get the head nurse in here. Your friend was here a few minutes ago. Maybe he was taken for tests. I’m going to check, but I want you to promise not to get out of this bed. You have a fever and you need to stay off your feet, got it?”

Vin nodded although he would have liked to go search for his friends himself, he knew he did not have the strength to do it at this moment.

“Do ya know where my friends are?”

“Your friends? Oh, you mean the young man that was sitting here?”

Vin knew that she was talking about JD. Everyone had a habit of referring to him as “the young man”.

“Yeah. Ya know where they went?”

“Well, I brought a message to him that was from his other friends and he said that he would be going after Mr. Sanchez in the cafeteria and that they both would be going to the parking lot out back.”

“Do ya who the message was from?” questioned Vin suspiciously.

“No. He didn’t say. He did imply that they would be back within a few minutes.”

To Vin that meant they probably knew nothing of Larabee’s disappearance.

“Okay, can ya do me a favor?”

“If it is possible,” replied Stacy thoughtfully.

“I need someone to go get my friends and bring them here, now.”

“Well…”

“Please. It’s very important.”

Stacy saw the plea in the man’s blue eyes and said, “Alright, Mr. Smith. But you promise to stay in this bed until I get back, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Now hurry, please.”

“Okay,” she said as she started for the door. “I’m also going to check with the nurses’ station and see if there was any tests scheduled for Mr. Jones today. I’ll be right back.” She then exited the room and the door closed silently.

Vin breathed a sigh of relief as the door closed. He just hoped that the others would get back soon. He was afraid that Chris was on the run again and he did not think this time they would be lucky enough to find him.

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Jack and Frank had found out that the two gentlemen that they were seeking were placed on the 3^rd floor of the hospital. It was the floor that all affluent patients were kept. They were told that the two patients were not taking any visitors who were not first pre-approved by their men.

This did not dissuade Jack and Frank. They nodded to the security guard and then quickly made their way to the back of the hospital. At the back door, which also served as one of the fire exits for the hospital, Frank starting picking the lock to the door to the entrance, while Jack stood guard.

“Hurry it up!” whispered Jack, his head moving back and forth trying to make sure they were not spotted.

Frank turned around to glare at his partner. “Listen, asshole, if you think you can do better, than be my guest,” retorted Frank, turning from his task to look angrily at his partner.

“No, no. Just…” explained Jack hurriedly.

“Yeah,” was all that Frank answered as he continued with his task.

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Christopher Michael Larabee walked down the fire door exit as quickly as he could. He knew it led to the side fire exit entrance of the hospital. When he had reached the first floor, he decided not to exit there. Instead, he decided to go to the basement floor that held the indoor parking garage. He figured that he could borrow a car there to make his traveling plans easier.

He laughed silently to himself as he thought about acquiring something illegally. There was a time when Archangel Michael would not have even dreamed of taking something that was not his. But he was no longer Archangel Michael. He was Mickey Larabee, born and raised in slums of Brooklyn, New York, thief, drug-dealer and killer when needed.

As Chris passed the first floor exit and had finally hit the basement exit he heard the sound of a door opening. He knew someone had come in from the first floor door. Fearful that it was one of his friends or hospital staff looking for him, he quickly pushed his way through the basement door and fled to find his transportation.

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Jack and Frank had come through the first floor fire exit, hearing a door close on the staircase below them. They both turned to eye each other and then shrugged their shoulders as they continued to the 3^rd floor unaware that their prey had just left through the door below them.

*************************************************************************

Josiah and JD stood outside the back parking lot of the hospital, looking for their companions to arrive. It was approximately 20 minutes and Josiah started getting the feeling that something was not right. He turned to JD and said, “JD, did they say when they would get here?”

“The note said ten minutes. Ya want me to call ‘em?”

“Yeah, that might not be a bad idea,” answered Josiah impatiently.

JD took the cellular phone that was in his pocket and dialed the number to Ezra’s cellular phone.

After the second ring, JD heard Ezra say, “Ezra Standish.”

“Ezra, it’s JD. Where are you guys?”

“Where are we? Where we are is on our way to where we were directed to be. What is the issue, Mr. Dunne?”

“Well, I got a message that said to meet you guys in the parking lot out back at the hospital,” stated JD, concern tickling his thoughts.

“I do not know who imparted that information to you, Mr. Dunne. But Mr. Wilimington and myself are on our way over to the Sixth Day as instructed. I suggest that the message you received is an error.”

JD looked at Josiah who was standing next to him, closely listening into the conversation.

“They said they never sent any message,” said JD surprise and fear crawling into his heart.

“Damn! Damn! Tell Ezra and Buck to get back here now!” And Josiah started to run for the hospital entrance.

“Ezra, Josiah says for ya and Buck to get back to the hospital right away!” shouted JD into the phone as he ran to catch up with the big preacher, closing the phone without waiting for a response on the other end.

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Chris had just completed hot-wiring an old Dodge Charger that he assumed belonged to one of the nurses or orderlies of the hospital. He would only use it to get into Vegas. From there, he would contact Queen Bea and get her to take him home.

Once he had collected what he would need, then it was on to Nadia’s house for a reacquainting. He smiled wickedly as he thought about their last encounter. Nadia was so sure of herself, but she had never really met Mickey Larabee. She had met Christopher Michael and compared to Mickey, he was angel. She was going to be in for a big surprise.

He laughed hysterically to himself as he drove away and out of the garage towards the Vegas Strip.

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Vin was dozing, waiting for the nurse to find his friends, when he heard the door the room open. He opened his eyes slowly, thinking that the nurse had returned and found he was looking at two men dressed in black suits, glancing around the room.

Vin struggled to sit up in the bed and said to the two men, “What ya want? Are ya lost or somethin’?”

They ignored Vin, as he watched the Asian one go to the bathroom and look inside. The Asian returned immediately and turned to his Caucasian companion and said, “He’s not here.”

“Hey, I said what the hell do ya want?” exclaimed Vin, suspicion and anger both aimed at the two men.

“Where is he?” asked the redheaded man, walking closer to where Vin lay.

Vin knew this man was trouble and he had nothing in which he could defend himself with.

“Where’s who?” asked Vin, feigning ignorance.

“Larabee,” came the reply of the Asian man. Vin could tell that he was the leader of the two and probably the more deadly of them.

“Ain’t no Larabee here.”

“Don’t play with me, Mr. Tanner,” replied Frank.

Vin eyes looked up in shock for a second, but they quickly returned to their normal blue calm.

“So, ya know who I am.” It was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes, we do. And we want, Larabee,” interjected Jack.

“And just who might ya’ll be?”

“Who we are does not matter, Mr. Tanner,” explained Frank. “We are looking for your partner and the disk.”

“Disk? What disk?”

“Oh, don’t tell me that Archangel Michael did not tell you about the disk he stole from Mr. DeCorsia.”

“Nope. Won’t tell ya that. Will tell ya I don’t know what the hell ya talkin’ about though,” answered Vin smiling.

“He knows, Frank. Let’s just beat it out of ‘im,” said Jack, threatening and moving closer.

But he was held where he was by his partner.

“No,” ordered Frank. “I think we should just leave Mr. Tanner sometime to think on it. You need to tell Larabee that if he and the disk are not in Roberto DeCorsia’s hands by tonight that things will get unpleasant. Do you understand me, Mr. Tanner?”

“I get ya drift, Mr…”

“Just call me Black and he’s Blue,” replied Frank teasingly.

Vin eyed him knowing that this was not their real names but a reference to what they were going to do if things got unpleasant. “I get ya drift, Mr. Black. Now if ya don’t mind, I was tryin’ to get some sleep around here,” said Vin sarcastically, lying down and turning his back on the two men.

Frank smiled widely at this. He thought the boy had guts. Too bad they might have to remove some of them if they did not get what they wanted. He then motioned for Jack to follow him out of the room and towards the door that would lead them back to their vehicle.

As they walked down the stairs towards their original entry, Frank asked, “So we just gon’na wait?”

“I believe Mr. Tanner is telling us the truth, Jack. And I believe Mr. Larabee has absconded from the hospital.”

“But where? His friends are here.”

“But the disk is not.”

“So?”

“So, I say we go find Mr. Larabee.”

“But how? We don’t know where he went.”

Jack had stated an obvious truth, but Frank had read Larabee’s profile and knew the man would head back to the one place he felt safe, the one place that might hold the answer to the whereabouts of the disk.

“Tell me, Jack, where would you go to feel safe?”

“Where would I go to feel safe? Well, probably the safest place for me is ho… Oh, I get it now. He went home.”

“Yes, my dear partner. Home. Home is where the heart is and probably where the disk is.”

Jack smiled and patted Frank on the back. “Ya know, Frank, that’s reason why I like partnering with you. You are really smart.”

“And if you touch me again, Jack, you will be really dead,” said Frank, walking out of the door towards their car.

Jack stopped in his tracks, wondering if Frank was joking. But then again…

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Chapter: 38

Adam and Eve

“Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.

Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

The man said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man.’

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.”

Genesis 2:19-25

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Josiah and JD were half way to the elevators when JD saw the nurse that was suppose to be with Vin and Chris coming towards them.

“Stacy?” called JD.

“Stacy?” questioned Josiah.

“JD, I’m glad I found you. Something has happened and I came to look for you,” explained Stacy hurriedly.

“What happened?” asked Josiah, his stomach churning at the thoughts that were rapidly running through his head.

“Mr. Jones is missing and…”

“Missing? How?” asked JD, his worries confirmed.

“I don’t know, JD. I went to get his medication and when Mr. Smith buzzed I came running in to find Mr. Jones gone and Mr. Smith trying to get out of bed.”

“Sounds like something Vin would do,” stated Josiah, as the elevator doors opened. He then motioned for JD and the nurse to get on and followed closely behind them. “Let’s get upstairs and found out what’s going on.”

“I’ve called Mr. Jackson and he said he was on his way from the lab to the room,” offered Stacy.

“Thank you, Stacy,” said JD as he pushed the button for the 3^rd floor.

As they rode the elevator in silence, neither of them wanted to think what had happened to their friends.

**********************************************************************

Erza and Buck had just pulled up into the parking lot, having basically gone through every traffic violation there was in the city of Las Vegas.

They both jumped out the car and ran for the hospital entrance, almost knocking down the people who were coming out.

The security guard watched as the two men ran through the corridor to the elevators. At first he was about to leave his post and stop them, but he had second thoughts. He remembered these men as not someone you wanted to try and push, so he just ignored them.

When the elevator door opened, Ezra and Buck ran into it. Buck pushed the 3^rd floor button frantically and started pacing the elevator as it made it slow ride to their destination.

Ezra eyed Buck with annoyance. Ever since they had got the call from JD the man was a bundle of nerves. “Mr. Wilmington, would you please refrain from your stalking the premises.”

“What?” asked Buck, thrown out of his thoughts.

“You are roaming this elevator like a lion who smells his prey,” stated Ezra rolling his eyes towards the ceiling of the elevator.

“I can’t help it, Ezra. I’m…”

Ezra eyes softened. He knew how the man felt about his friends. In fact, he felt the same way. “I know, Buck. Just tone it down some.”

Buck glanced at Ezra in shock. “Just tone it down some? Have you been taking lessons from Chris?” asked Buck jokingly.

“Mr. Wilmington, I would prefer that you do not insult me with such accusations,” answered Ezra stiffly.

Buck still smiled. He knew the red jacket man had a sense of humor. It was just not like anybody else’s.

At that moment, the elevator door opened to the 3^rd floor and Buck and Ezra quickly exited it, walking fast towards the room that housed their friends.

When they got there they heard shouting and knew it to be the voice of Vin Tanner. They both entered at the same time and found a room full of turmoil.

Nathan, Josiah and a redheaded nurse were trying to force Vin Tanner back onto his sick bed. JD stood by the door anxiously waiting. Vin, well, Vin was screaming at the top of his lungs and fighting with the strength that Ezra and Buck did not think he had being ill with fever. Chris Larabee was nowhere in sight.

“What the hell is goin’ on here?” yelled Buck, walking over to the fray near Tanner’s bed.

“Vin wants to go looking for Chris,” said Nathan, again trying to help Josiah gently push the young man towards the bed. “He’s too sick to be leaving that bed!” The last part was directed at the man they were busily fighting.

“I ain’t goin’! Buck! Tell them to get away from me!”

“Vin, you need to calm down, son. We’ll find him,” said Josiah trying to make the young Texan see reason.

“I ain’t ya son and ya ain’t my father! Let go, Josiah!”

Buck shook his head at this predicament. He knew how much the young curly haired man was concerned for Chris. Shit. He had been there himself at one time or another. But he knew their young friend was not well enough to go out on his own looking for Chris. Chris would never forgive him if he had let anything happen to Vin. He trusted him to watch the young man’s back, even though he had not said so in so many words.

“Vin, they right,” said Buck approaching the distraught man. “We gotta think this out. If we go rushing into this we could put Chris in danger.”

Vin stopped struggling and looked at the tall ex-con with worry in his blue eyes. Buck had said something that finally cut through the anxiety that was eating at him at Chris’ disappearance. He sighed heavily, his head bowing in exhaustion and sat down on the bed that the others were trying to get him into.

Nathan, Josiah and the nurse also sighed in relief at the fact that the sick man was not fighting them anymore. But Vin caught their relief and said, “I ain’t layin’ down so don’t get ya hopes up.”

Nathan smirked at Josiah as he took the arm of the young nurse. He needed to speak with her away from her emotional patient.

Ezra decided that they needed to know what happened. He said, “Josiah, what happened?”

Josiah turned guilt-ridden eyes to Ezra, feeling in his heart that he had failed his friends.

“Well, from what I understand from Vin and Nurse Billings there…,” he said pointing towards the redheaded nurse talking to Nathan. “…she got some note from some stranger for us saying that you guys would be out in the back parking lot in ten minutes. JD came looking for me while she agreed to watch Chris and Vin, but came in running when Vin called and found Chris missing. After she left to find us to tell us what happened, it seems Vin had some visitors. Two real bad asses. Vin says he’s never met or seen them before now. They claim to work for Roberto DeCorsia.”

“The father?” asked JD. He had read the file that Chris had on the man. He was dangerous and powerful and those two words together spelled big trouble.

“That’s him,” answered Josiah.

“Why were they here?” questioned Buck. He did not like where this was leading. It was enough they had the son as a headache. Now the father was joining the party.

“From what they said…” interrupted Vin holding on to his aching head. “…they were looking for Chris.”

“Mr. Larabee? Whatever for, Mr. Tanner?” queried Ezra.

“Somethin’ about a disk Chris has that DeCorsia wants.”

“What disk? Why would have a disk that DeCorsia would want?” asked Buck confused.

“Buck, remember. Chris was workin’ on somethin’ for Travis,” Vin suggested.

“Yeah. And maybe Travis knows what’s on that disk,” added Josiah nodding thoughtfully.

“I’ll go put a call into Travis and see what he knows,” said Josiah walking out of the room to use the phone in the spare room next door.

Just then Nathan and the nurse had finished their conversation and Nurse Billings quickly walked out of the room.

“Hey, Nate, what was you talkin’ to that pretty little filly about?” Buck had noticed that Nathan had spent a long time talking to the young nurse.

“I asked her to be very discreet about our conversation and also to page Dr. Cohen,” replied Nathan, walking over to Vin. He then looked the young man up and down in annoyance, knowing that the man needed to rest in order to get better. “Vin, I want you to rest. You can’t keep this up. You and I both know Chris isn’t going to like having being the one responsible for your condition getting worst.”

“Nathan, Chris ain’t Chris right now. Those voices were tellin’ ‘im to do things Chris wouldn’a done. If don’t go now and start lookin’ we ain’t never gon’na find ‘im. I just know it!” Vin answered, grabbing his head again.

“Vin, you are aggravating your condition. It’s not getting better, it’s getting worst,” said Nathan, grabbing onto the young man shoulders. “Look at yourself. I don’t think you could make it out of the door, let alone find Chris.”

“But Nathan…”

“No but Nathan me. Alright!” exclaimed Nathan, throwing his hands into the air. “Go on. Kill yourself! But I’m telling you now, once you hit the floor, you’re going to end up right back here and this time it will be longer stay.”

Vin looked at Nathan with defeated eyes. He knew what the brown-skinned healer said was true. The headaches were getting worst and the dizziness he had barely staved off the first couple of times.

“You promise to call me once ya found ‘im?”

“Do we want to get our asses kicked?” retorted Buck. “Of course we will. Me and Ezra gon’na go over to that…that…”

“Gay bar, Buck,” piped in JD seeing as how it was difficult for Buck to say.

“Yeah, gay bar. Thanks, JD. And see if we can find this Eve person. Maybe she knows something about all this.”

“That’s a great idea, Buck,” said Nathan. “Just an update, we think we know basically what one of the other chemicals that was in the drug.”

“Basically?” asked JD.

“Well, from what we determined it’s muscimol and botenic acid. It’s something that’s found in Hallucinogenic mushrooms. We’ve narrowed it down based on Chris’ symptoms to the possibility of three. The Amanita virosa, Amanita verna and the Amanita phalloides.”

“Well, that’s good news, ain’t it?” asked Vin hopefully.

“Yes and no. First of all the drug we found in Chris has been mutated so we don’t really know how to handle it. The second thing is that if it is one of these three then there is more to worry about than just Chris’ mental condition. These affect a person physically as well.”

“How?”

“Well the symptoms are feelings of euphoria, hallucinations, muscle jerks, drowsiness, sweating, pupil dilatation, and increased body temperature. The worst part of it is that if it is one of these three then it also causes kidney and liver damage.”

“Kidney and liver damage?” exclaimed JD, now frightened for their leader.

“Yes. And with Chris being on the drinking binge he has been for the past couple of years, well, that puts him in a greater risk category.”

“Nathan, are you sure about the chemical?”

Nathan paused for a moment and then said, “No. We’re not. That’s the problem. The chemical is unlike anything we've seen before. Like I said, it’s been mutated. It could have the same long use risks as the Amanita family, but then again it might not. We just can’t be sure.”

“But either way, we have to find Mr. Larabee,” said Ezra stating the obvious.

“Yes. I need some of his blood for more tests. Without it…”

The thought hung in the air. They all knew what Nathan was going to say. Without it, Chris was a dead man and none of the other six wanted that to happen.

“So, what do we do?” asked Buck, just as Josiah walked into door.

Josiah saw them all eyeing him patiently, waiting for him to say something. The tall reverend man knew what they were waiting for. They wanted his update from Travis.

“I spoke to Travis and he says that Chris was working on the inside to get some information on DeCorsia’s Inner Circle. They needed a list of the names of the people who were backing him.”

“I thought DeCorsia had enough backing himself,” said Nathan, turning to look at the others for confirmation of this.

“Not true, Mr. Jackson. Crime and drug cartels are no longer backed with the money of their leader. These organizations are very modern nowadays and tend to be more like any other business or corporation. Usually they do not have the funding to develop the business very quickly at first. So they usually invite Third World governments and businesses on to their boards. These people are usually in desperate need of capital and have no qualms about investing in something illegal. They also usually have quite a wealthy supply the interment of products and goods that is needed to get as you say, things going, i.e., drugs, men, weapons, etc.” put in Ezra.

“So, Chris was suppose to get the list of these people?” questioned JD.

“Seems so, JD. Chief Travis said that Chris had reported to him that he was getting close about a month ago and then things seemed to go downhill since then. After that, he said, Chris kept a close-mouthed attitude when it came to DeCorsia and his meetings with him,” explained Josiah.

“So this disk must be the list!” exclaimed JD.

“That’s my thinkin’ too, JD. I think Chris found the list and put it away for safekeepin’ until he needed it,” added Vin.

“But why would he do that, Mr. Tanner. He could have easily given the information to Travis and the whole cartel would have been eviscerated.”

“I know, Ez. But I also think Chris had other motives for wantin’ to wait.”

“And what would that be, Vin?” asked Buck now also curious as to what Chris was thinking.

“I don’t rightly know, Buck. But I think it’s become somethin’ personal with Chris. Ya know how he is about gettin’ even.”

“Yeah, Chris can be a might ornery bastard when he wants to,” inputted Buck.

“Yeah, and I’m thinkin’ he’s got more to gain by waitin’ then by handin’ the information over to Travis.”

“So, if that’s the case, Vin, what do we do?” asked Josiah. He knew the young Texan was worried about Chris and what his other motives were for holding back the evidence. Vin, like Josiah, knew Chris would not risk his current freedom unless it was something important.

“First we find Chris and ask him, if we find ‘im in the right state of mind. Don’t tell Chief Travis anythin’ yet about the disk or the Sixth Day or even Eve Laurente. We keep it to ourselves for a little while longer.”

“Okay. Let’s say we find Chris and we ask him. Or let’s say we find Chris and the disk. Then what?”

“Don’t know, Buck. I guess it all depends on what Chris…tells…us,” answered Vin, lying down upon the bed.

Nathan and Josiah ran to the young man’s side, knowing that something was wrong. “Vin, you alright?” asked Nathan, taking his wrist to take his pulse.

Vin snatched his hand gently out of the physician’s grasp. “I’m fine, Nate!”

“Yeah, sure you are, brother. But I think you need some lookin’ after right now.”

Vin looked at Josiah, his blue eyes showing the pain he was feeling from the oncoming headache and dizziness. The room had become unbearably hot all of a sudden. “Yeah. I guess I can rest for a little while,” he answered slowly closing his eyes. But then they popped open and stared hard at the tall ex-con. “Buck?”

“Yeah, Vin?”

“Remember one thing. If ya find ‘im, he may not be the Chris we once knew.”

“No, he won’t, Vin. He’ll be the Chris that I once knew,” and that statement Buck felt shivers run down his spine. He knew that Chris, that one, Mickey Larabee was not someone you wanted to piss off. But Buck knew, out of everyone, he was the only who would be able to handle him. “Don’t worry, Vin. I’ll take care of it.”

The others looked at the two men confused. But Buck and Vin had understanding and both knew that Buck would have to deal with Mickey Larabee on his own terms.

************************************************************************

Lucien had patrolled the room he was situated in at least four times. As far as he could see, there were bars on the windows and only one way out, which were heavily guarded by two of Nadia’s men.

He sighed and lay upon the bed awaiting. He knew Nadia was a grandstander and it would not be long before she would make her entrance and her purpose clear of what she planned to do with him.

Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, he heard the door unlock. He stood up quickly from his lying position and poised ready just in case an opportunity presented itself.

Unfortunately for him, Nadia was not that stupid. The two goons came in first, their automatic weapons trained on Lucien, daring him to make a sudden move. Nadia then proceeded in right behind them. She had changed clothes was now dressed in long slinky evening gown. Her eyes roved up and down over Lucien as she walked to the other side of the room. Her back was turned looking out the window and the evening sun that was slowly fading into the night.

“Well, Luc. What am I going to do with you?” she said sighing as she turned to face him.

“Right now, Nay, not a damn thing. You see Berto will be looking for me. I am more valuable to him than even you.”

Nadia knew this was true. This man was Roberto DeCorsia’s regulator. She would not be able to hold him long without Father Berto knowing. She also knew that if she killed him, Berto would take exception to his death and would hunt down the ones responsible. She was in a dilemma and her head was spinning with scenarios.

Lucien noticed that Nadia did not response to his statement. She stood there, absorbed into something that was plaguing her. Lucien smirked at the woman’s predicament. Good. He was glad she was worried. That meant he was safe from her crazy and deadly plans for the moment.

Nadia, not having a retort to Lucien’s remark, said, “I guess I have to ponder that for awhile. But don’t think I won’t come up with the perfect plan, my dear Luc. Remember. I was the brain of our little group.”

“I could have sworn that was my brother,” retorted Lucien.

Nadia was taken off guard by that remark. Lucien smiled that he had found a hole in Nadia’s so-called tough armor. Nadia frowned in anger, but quickly put back on her calm face. She said to one of the men at who stood near the door, “Get Mr. Caymen some dinner, Richard. He’ll need to build his strength for what I have planned.”

She then walked pass him and out into the hall. The men backed up behind her and Lucien heard the door lock again.

Lucien knew he should not have bruised Nadia’s ego, but he could not help himself. If he was to die, then he would die fighting and he would do as much damage as he could to Nadia’s state of mind, although he doubted she had any left after what he heard earlier.

He walked back to the bed and layed down, waiting for his dinner and wondering how his brother was fairing.

*************************************************************************

Ezra and Buck had arrived at the Sixth Day Bar and Club on the Vegas Strip just as it was about to be open for it’s nighttime patrons.

At the moment that they had arrived there was little in the way of customers. There was a bartender behind the bar, which Buck swore up and down to Ezra that the man had to be gay.

Ezra, of course, disagreed with Buck stating that just because a man worked in a gay bar did not mean he had to prefer men to woman and that Buck was stereotyping the young man.

Some of the waiters and waitresses who were preparing for the partying crowds, while a couple of others were busily sitting at an empty table having their dinner break.

Ezra approached the man and woman that sat at the table and requested to speak with the manager.

The tall blond woman that was seated asked, “He’s in the back. I can get him for you.” The woman stood up and Buck was surprised at her height. She was tall and wore a very skimpy outfit that showed her tall legs, which Buck thought went right up to the sky. As she walked away in a sultry walk, Buck looked at the woman with roving eye that went up and down her lithe body.

“Damn!” Buck swore softly.

“What was that, Mr. Wilimington?”

“Oh, nothing, Ezra,” replied Buck, sidestepping the question.

“What you want to see Frank for?” asked the young man seated at the table. He was a dark-haired youth and wore black leather tight pants that even Larabee would envy. He also wore a lace shirt that was opened down the front that showed a clean-shaven chest.

“Do you know of a woman by the name of Eve Laurente that works here?”

The man eyed them suspiciously. They could tell that he knew the name.

“What do you want her for?” asked the young man.

“We just want to a conversation with her concerning a mutual friend of ours,” replied Ezra.

“And just who is this friend?”

Buck at this point was becoming agitated at the way the man was being evasive.

“Listen. Do ya know her or not?”

Ezra quickly stepped in front of Buck, trying to bring calm to the situation. He did not want to loose this lead that might help them determine what type of trouble Chris might be in.

“My dear sir, we only want information and I can assure you that Miss Laurente will be well compensated for any inconvenience,” said Ezra trying to reassure the man.

Just then, the woman and another man who was dressed in a lace shirt and dark blue jean came walking out of the back area.

“Carlos,” said the woman. “These are the men that were asking to speak to you.”

Buck eyed the man. He was balding and Buck could guess that he was around middle age, although it looked like he worked out a lot. Buck could see the muscles bulging under the tight shirt. The man’s hazel eyes were appraising them, probably trying to determine if they were going to be friend or foe.

“What can I do for you?”

“Ah, Carlos…?” queried Ezra.

“Carlos Mendoza.”

“Mr. Mendoza, we are looking for a young lady who works here by the name of Eve Laurente.”

The man looked at the woman and the woman looked at the young man at the table.

“That’s what they said, Carlos,” interjected the young man at the table. “They said they looking for Eve Laurente and that they needed some information concerning a friend of theirs.”

“What’s your friend’s name?” asked Carlos also now becoming suspicious.

“His name is Chris Larabee.”

“Archangel Michael?” exclaimed the woman.

Both Ezra and Buck nodded in confirmation.

“Well, she…” started Carlos. But the woman held her hand up, silencing him.

“I’m Eve Laurente,” said the woman.

“You’re…?” said Buck in shock.

“Yes. You’re friends of Archangel Michael?”

“Yes, ma’am, we are.”

“It’s Miss. Carlos, can you and Tom come back later?”

Carlos glared at the two men. They could tell he was hesitant to leave.

“Please, Carlos. I can handle them,” she said almost in a purr.

Carlos nodded and motioned for the other man to join him in the back.

Once they were gone, Eve Laurente sat down at the table the other man had vacated. She held out her hand, signaling Ezra and Buck to have a seat opposite her.

As soon as they were seated, she said, “Now, what do you want to know about Michael?” She was all business and Buck seemed to be in awe of her.

“Well, Miss Laurente, we think our friend Michael might have given you something for safekeeping. A disk, maybe?” explained Ezra.

“How do I know that you are really who you say you are?”

“Quid me nutrit,” said Ezra confidently.

“Me destruit. What nourishes me,” said Eve.

“Also destroys me,” finished Ezra.

“So you are the real thing,” answered Eve relieved.

“Yes, we are. Can you help us? We believe Mr. Larabee to be in grave danger.”

Eve had helped Archangel Michael because he had helped her out of a big jam a month ago. In fact, if he had not Eve would not be alive today. She could not, would not refuse these men.

“I met Michael here about four months ago when he was trying to track down an informant of his. He…Michael had stopped a man from beating me into a pulp behind the club. It was some creep that was mad at me because I wouldn’t give him the time of day. Michael came to my rescue. Then about two months ago, I saw Michael again. He said some really bad men were following him. He asked me if I could hold a package for him until he could come back for it.”

“And you did this without regard to your own welfare?”

“Well, Mr.…”

“Standish. Ezra Standish. And this Buck Wilmington.”

“Well, Mr. Standish, Michael saved my life. I would have done anything he asked. Then about a month ago, he came back and said he needed a safe place for the disk just in case something happened to him.”

“Why did he not come to us? We’re his friends,” said Buck now angry with his friend. He felt betrayed. If he was here, Buck knew he would have punched his lights out.

“It is not that he didn’t trust you. He told me he was afraid that it would put you all in great danger. The only reason he asked me was that I had it for over two months and no one seemed to know. He wanted to keep it that. He told me the best thing for me was that as few people knew about it as possible.”

“And he never came back for the disk?” queried Buck curiously.

“Nope. Still have it.” And with that, Eve bent under the table. They did not know what she was doing, but when she sat up, she had the disk in her hand. “Here it is.”

She handed the disk over to Ezra. Ezra clasped the item as if it was a lifeline. He placed it into his inside pocket and padded it to assure himself it was there. “Thank you, Miss Laurente. I don’t know how…”

“Don’t worry about it, handsome. Just tell Michael when you see him that I still owe him that drink we talked about last time he was here,” she replied winking at the men.

Ezra smiled gently, but he could tell that Buck was blushing from the top down.

“We will inform him, Miss Laurente, and thank you,” said Ezra standing up.

“No problem, Mr. Standish.”

Buck then reached over and gently grabbed the woman’s hand that was on the table. He bent over and kissed it softly. Eve smiled and nodded to him. “Such a gentleman,” she said purring again.

If Buck could turn any redder he would have. “Why thank you, Miss Laurente. I hope I get to see you again.”

“Buck!” called Ezra. He had not seen Ezra walking towards the exit and the gambler was standing by the door waiting for the rogue to finish his goodbyes.

As Buck walked to where Ezra was, he said, “Nice meetin’ ya, Miss Laurente.”

The woman still sitting at the table called as they walked out the door, “My pleasure, Mr. Wilmington. Anytime.”

Ezra and Buck got into their car and drove away from the Sixth Day and Eve Laurente. Ezra could see the wide smile that graced Buck’s face and he laughed.

“What’s so funny, Ezra?” asked Buck coming out of his reverie.

“You, Mr. Wilmington.”

“And why’s that?”

“You making a fool of yourself over that man.”

Buck stared at Ezra, as he continued driving towards the hospital where their friends were waiting.

“What the hell are you talkin’ about?” yelled Buck as his brain just caught up with what Ezra said.

“That was a man, Buck. What you would call a transvestite.”

“What? Ezra, ya know, just cause I got a way with the ladies…”

“Buck. That was not a woman. It was a man.”

“Yeah, right. And my name is Chris Larabee. Get real, Ezra.”

“Very well, Buck. When we find Chris why don’t you ask him, hmmm?”

“I’ll do that. You can’t tell me that was a man. I can tell the difference between a man and a woman even if I was blind, deaf and dumb,” countered Buck.

“Do you want to wager on it, Mr. Wilmington?”

“Ya out of ya mind, Ezra.”

“Why? Afraid I am correct in my deduction?”

“I ain’t afraid of any of ya deducin’, Ez. How much?” said Buck his anger getting higher every minute.

“I win, you have to take over my assignments for a week.”

“And if I win?”

“I will take over yours.”

“Ya on, Ezra! And ya know, ya gon’na eat those words when I get to take that pretty little filly out after Chris proves she’s all woman,” said Buck smiling and lying back into the seat.

“We will see, Mr. Wilmington. We will see,” replied Ezra softly as they continued on out of town. He just hoped he did not bite off more than he could chew.

***************************************************************************

Chapter: 39

The Devil’s Advocate

Chris Mickey Larabee had reached his ranch in no time, thanks to finding Queen Bea so fast. In fact, the woman had seen him before he saw her and asked him if he needed help.

Chris put on his most beaming smile and told her that it was appreciated and if she could give him a lift home.

Of course, Queen Bea being enamored with Archangel Michael, jumped at the opportunity of giving the older blond a ride home.

Once she had dropped him off at the ranch, she asked him if he wanted company. Chris kissed her gently on the cheek and told her he would rather busy entertaining some business associates, but that he would definitely call her for a range check some next week.

Queen Bea, excited and ecstatic at the fact that had made the suggestion, smiled gently at him with the lust of every fiber of her being and blew him a kiss as she drove away content.

Once she was gone, Chris smiled turned change. The smile that graced his face was one of deviousness and evil. He quickly entered his domain and went in search of the things he would need before his meeting with Nadia.

*************************************************************************

Ezra and Buck had arrived back at the hospital to find the others waiting at Vin’s beside. The young Texan was asleep, but they could tell from where they stood it was not a restful one.

“We have returned,” announced Ezra. He watched as the others turned towards him and Buck.

“And what did you find out?” asked JD.

“Well, we found Eve, that’s for sure,” answered Buck.

“And?” queried Nathan of Ezra. He knew Buck would take too long in his explanation and Nathan was anxious to hear their findings.

“It seems that the lovely,” stared Ezra, stressing the word lovely. “Miss Laurente was acting as a courier for our distinguished Mr. Larabee. In fact, she gave me this.” Ezra pulled the disk out of his pocket and handed it over to JD.

“The disk!” exclaimed JD, taking the disk as if it was a prize he had won.

“Yes, my dear, Mr. Dunne. It seems Mr. Larabee believed that it was safe on his person.”

“So Vin was right,” interjected Josiah. “Chris was trying to tell him something.”

“As it would seem, Mr. Sanchez. It would also seem that the Latin phrase was a code for Chris and Eve. I utilized it to verify our identities to her.”

“Yeah, Ezra, I meant to ask ya. How did ya know it was a code that the sweet little filly would know about?”

Ezra smiled as Buck called Eve a sweet little filly. “Mr. Wilmington, it was logical that Chris was trying to impart some important information with the quote. Also, I am objectionable to the fact that you refer to the individual in question as a sweet little filly.”

Buck rolled his eyes at him in exasperation. “Now, Ez, let’s not…”

“What’s the problem?” questioned Nathan, wondering if he really wanted to hear this. He knew, knowing Buck and Ezra that it was something he was probably not going to like.

“Our esteem Mr. Wilmington here has been flirting with what I would call a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” explained Ezra.

“A what?” JD queried.

“Ezra’s tryin’ to tell me that cute lady we met today was a man,” stated Buck.

“Really?”

“No, not really, Josiah. Ezra doesn’t know what he’s talkin’ about! She was all woman. Ezra wouldn’t know a good woman if she bit ‘im.”

“I doubt that any woman with breeding would try to do so, Mr. Wilmington,” said Ezra curtly.

“That’s neither here nor there,” interrupted Nathan. “We need to decipher what’s on this disk, try to find Chris and get Nadia to tell us the antidote. Those are our priorities right now.”

“And I totally agree with you, Mr. Jackson,” stated Ezra. “Is Mr. Tanner any better, if I so may ask?”

“Some, Ezra,” replied Nathan. “We got his fever down some, but he’s still nauseous and dizzy from the knock on the head he took. Dr. Cohen wanted to do some more X-rays and an MRI just to be sure what’s in that tough Texan’s head. Right now, we were just waiting for the technicians to set it up and then come get ‘im.”

“Well, I suggest that JD, you get immediately to deciphering what’s on that disk. Nathan, Josiah, you both guard over our sleeping friend there. I am afraid that our earlier two precarious undesirables might return uninvited. Buck and I will go in search of our vanished seraph.”

“Our what?” asked JD jumping into the conversation.

“Mr. Larabee,” elaborated Ezra.

“And where do you think he might have gone, brother?”

“If I were in Mr. Larabee’s predicament, Mr. Sanchez, I would assume that I would go to the place I deemed most safe.”

“His ranch,” interjected Buck.

“Correct, Mr. Wilmington. Buck and I will proceed to investigate Mr. Larabee’s premises. If he is not there, then we will try all the safe houses we have established in the area.”

“I think we should all keep in constant contact, Ezra,” said Nathan. “Just in case one of us finds something.”

“I agree, Mr. Jackson. Come along, Mr. Wilmington,” said Ezra turning for the door. He then threw the car keys at Buck. “You will be driving.” Ezra then walked out of the door.

Buck followed, disappointed at the prospect of having to chauffeur Ezra around town.

************************************************************************

Chris had just finished packing what he needed, fed Ariel and was about to go his garage to get his truck. He figured the Cobra was too well known around town and he needed something less conspicuous in order to complete his mission.

He was glad that the others had asked his neighbor down the way to check up on the poor damned mutt to feed him and walk him. Ariel was about the only thing close to his heart besides the boys and his brother.

He thought about them and knew he had to push those feelings deep down inside or Nadia and those like her would be able to use it against him. He had to be strong; stronger than he ever was before if he was to succeed.

As he walked into the garage and was getting ready to enter the truck, he noticed that a car was barreling down the dirt road towards his home. He did not know who it was, but knew whoever it was spelled trouble for him.

He quickly entered the truck and ducked down so that he could not be seen in the vehicle. From his position, he could see via the rearview mirror, as a dark sedan pulled up to stop only a few feet away from the house. He did not recognize the two men who exited the vehicle. One had red hair was tall. All muscle Chris noted and probably just a deadly. The other was shorter, Asian and he walked in front of the redhead, taking over as leader.

He watched as the two men walked over to his front door and kicked it in without any trouble. “Damn! They gon’na pay for that,” thought Chris. He then heard Ariel barking and then loud noises that sounded like someone was throwing things around in the house.

Chris sat there fuming and thinking of all the things he would do to the two men once he saw them again. He figured Ariel would have taken a chunk out of the men, but Ariel was chained up as the others had left him and Chris decided it was best since the neighbor would have to feed the dog without being attacked. But now, Chris wished he were unchained and able to take care of the two intruders.

They were in the house for 30 minutes, with Ariel still barking up a storm, before Chris saw them exit his home and jump into their car. They drove away, burning rubber as they sped down the dirt road.

Once Chris decided that they were really gone, he sat up in the truck. “They must have been working for DeCorsia,” thought Chris ruefully. But he did not know which one. It could have been the father or the son. But he knew they were the kind of men that they would both use. Chris knew he needed to be wary. This definitely meant that they were looking for him.

He started up the engine of the truck and backed it out of the garage. He then turned the truck back in the direction of the Vegas Strip. He needed to find Nadia. She had met Chris Larabee, but it was time for her to meet Mickey Larabee. He smiled at the thought of her surprise when he finally would meet her.

*************************************************************************

Nadia had arrived at the Twenty-One Club early. It was her plan to talk to Marco alone before his meeting with his business associates. The long evening gown that she wore had slits on the side that let her long legs peek out every so often as she walked.

She spied Marco at his usual table in the back of the club and with her bodyguards leading the way, Nadia made her path over to him. He seemed preoccupied and did not see Nadia as she stepped up to the platform where the table sat.

“Hello, Marco,” she said enticingly.

Marco looked up from his drink, his mouth hanging open at the vision that stood in front of him. “Nadia,” he said rising from his chair to approach the young black woman. “Have a seat, my dear. I wasn’t expecting you this early.” He led her to a seat directly across from him and moved the chair under her as she sat down. He then walked back to his own seat, while at the same time motioning for a waitress to come and take his order.

The waitress, a tall thin blond who looked to be too young to be working the club, came quickly over to his table. “Yes, sir. What I can bring you?”

Marco looked at Nadia for her response.

Nadia said, “The usual.”

Marco nodded and said to the waitress, “Bring a Tequila Sunrise with a twist of lime.”

The waitress nodded and walked away. Once Marco was sure that she was gone, he returned his attention to Nadia.

“Well, my dear. You are looking lovely.”

“Always, Marco, always. Now, let’s get down to our business. I do not have the disk yet, but I am getting close.”

“Wait,” said Marco holding up his hand. “Before you go any further there is something that you need to know. My father has sent his good squad here to Vegas. They are here to retrieve Larabee and the disk. My father is tired of waiting for me to produce, so he has sent these men to insure that the packages are returned forthwith.”

Nadia eyed him surprised. This was not something she had foreseen happening. “Who are they?”

“Jack Trell and Frank Marino. They are dangerous men, Nadia. And they ultimately get what they came for. If you still have Archangel Michael, then you need to turn him over to me now.”

Nadia looked at him pensively. She did not have Archangel Michael. She had lost him. She had only Lucien Caymen. But maybe there was a way to turn things around. “Listen, Marco. Let me worry about the death squad from Father Berto. Just continue to be your usual persuasive self to the others.”

The others that Nadia spoke about where the others on the committee who wanted Roberto DeCorsia out as head of the cartel.

“They will want some type of proof soon, Nadia. They will not wait long. If we do not have the proof that Roberto has lost his edge then they will side with me when I put my proposal on the table,” said Marco in low tones.

“Have faith in me, Marco. Have I ever failed you before?” asked Nadia, smiling seductively.

Marco thought about it. Nadia had always made good on her word, when she gave it. Marco saw nothing deceptive with her request and decided to trust her. If she were wrong, then he would make sure that she took the fall and not him.

“Very well, my dear,” he said reaching over the table to grasp her hands.

Nadia was turning inside with disgust, but held a calm and relax exterior, never showing her true emotions.

“So I will be in contact with you tomorrow,” replied Nadia getting up from the table, ready to leave her host.

Marco nodded and watched as the young woman walked graciously towards the exit with her bodyguards.

Once he was sure she was gone, he reached for cell phone and dialed a number. He heard the sound of someone picking up the phone and said, “Devon? Listen. I have something for you to take care…”

*************************************************************************

Buck and Ezra had arrived at Chris ranch about two hours after he had left in Buck’s truck.

They pulled up to the driveway and noticed that Chris’ truck was missing from where they had left it.

Ezra looked at Buck knowingly. “It seems our rebellious archangel was here and now has fled the scene.”

“Yeah. I wonder why he took the truck and not the Cobra,” replied Buck.

“I can only assume because how recognizable the Asmodeus is.”

“Asmodeus?”

“Is it Mr. Larabee’s designation for the Cobra,” answered Ezra smiling.

“And he told you that?”

“Let’s say it was after he had more than his fair share of libation with me,” said Ezra remembering.

“Oh. He was drunk, huh?”

“Yes, he was, very.”

“Well, that would explain it. I can’t see Chris tellin’ ya something like that. So, what do we do now?”

“Maybe we can ascertain his reasons for returning here. There must be something that was of value for Mr. Larabee to risk discovery.”

“Okay,” said Buck, exiting the truck. Ezra followed his example and the two of them approached the house.

As they got to the door, they found that it had been forced. Buck and Ezra both pulled out the weapons and crept into the house, Buck first followed by Ezra.

They found broken vases on the floor, furniture flipped over, and Ariel barking loudly in the room next to the kitchen.

“Someone was here,” suggested Buck.

“That is obvious, Mr. Wilmington,” said Ezra as he peered into the kitchen to see if anyone was there. “But it looks like they have absconded from the premises.”

“All except for Ariel here,” said Buck, walking up besides Ezra and pointing to the still barking dog. “I wish he shut up.”

“Only Mr. Larabee and Mr. Tanner seem to be able to silence his insufferable sound and at this point and time, neither is available.”

“Thanks for the FYI, Ez. But I had that one already figured out.”

Ezra turned mischievous green eyes toward him and said, “You are most welcomed, Mr. Wilmington. But I think we need to investigate the premises further to determine if the personage who have inflicted this damage is still here.”

“Huh?”

“Let us check the rest of the house,” said Ezra motioning his gun towards the bedrooms.

Ezra and Buck had searched the whole house, but found the perpetrators had left a couple of hours ago.

“So, looks like Chris’ house has been trashed, but I still can’t tell if anything was taken by the gorilla squad that was here or Chris,” came Buck’s statement.

“I think our intruders were the two Neanderthals which invaded Chris and Vin’s hospital room.”

“Ya think they were looking for the disk?”

“Most definitely, Mr. Wilmington.”

“But we have the disk, Ezra.”

“But our intruders do not know that. Let us check the other safe houses for Mr. Larabee. In the meantime, since you will be driving, I will contact the others and let me know of our current development and hypothesis.”

“Whatever,” said Buck moving towards the door and putting his gun back into his side holster. “Better get the neighbor out here and get a locksmith to fix the door also, Ez.” Buck then opened the broken-locked door and walked out.

Ezra followed closely behind, also putting away his gun and closed the door as best as he could before walking towards the vehicle.

************************************************************************

Chapter: 40

The Devil’s Return

Vin awoke to light and pain. He heard someone moan and realized it came from his own mouth. His blue eyes slowly scanned the room and found that Josiah was asleep in the chair by the door. He also noticed that Chris’ bed was still empty and this made his heart sigh in anguish. The others still had not found Chris and he knew the later it got, the worst it would be for Chris.

Josiah had heard the low moan come from the young Texan and quickly walked over to where his friend was struggling to sit up.

“Wait a minute, Vin. Let me raise your bed a little.”

Vin nodded as Josiah pushed the button that would raise the top of his hospital bed to more comfortable position.

“Where…cough…where is everyone?” asked Vin, his voice raspy from unused.

“Nathan is still with the lab guys trying to determine if they can develop a cure for Nadia’s poison. JD is in the other room. By the way, we found the package Chris was talking about. It’s a disk. JD’s working on deciphering it now. As for Buck and Ezra…Well, they’re out looking for Chris,” explained Josiah.

Vin eyed him suspiciously. He could tell there was something that Josiah was not telling him. “And…?”

“And, Buck and Ezra found Chris’ house trashed. It seems your two attackers went there also looking for the disk.”

“And Chris?”

“No sign of him. We don’t think the goon squad got him since his truck was missing.”

“Damn! I knew I shoulda went lookin’ for ‘im myself. Chris is real tricky right now. He’s the same man before he came out of prison, Josiah. Dangerous.”

“I know, Vin, I know. Remember when I came over that day to Chris’ house and you asked me how did I know that he had murder someone?”

Vin nodded, a look of questioning appeared on his face. He wanted to know and yet he did not.

“Yeah?”

“Well, when I was first assigned to work with the Archangels, I had heard about one of the agents having committed a murder but was never tried for it because of not enough evidence to pursue. It was rumor at first, something that I did not take too much stock in. Then one day, I met this guy. He used to work in New York as a Police Detective. He and I were teamed on a couple of assignments here in Vegas and soon we became friends. He told me about a case he had against a known felon in New York who had committed murder but got off. He said the guy got off because no one would testify against him. I asked him where was this guy and he said he was here in Vegas.”

“Did he tell ya who this guy was?”

“Yeah. He did. He said his name was Mickey Larabee.”

“Mickey Larabee? That ain’t Chris though. What? He got another brother?”

“Vin. Mickey is a nickname for Michael. Christopher Michael Larabee,” replied Josiah emphatically.

“So Chris is Mickey? And he did kill that man?”

“Don’t know if he did or not, Vin. It still has yet to be determined. But my friend did believe he did. Whether he did or not, only Chris really knows. Even what Buck says is only guessing. He wasn’t there when it happened. We don’t know for sure, Vin,” Josiah said trying to reassure the young man.

“I knowed it, Josiah. But it still don’t change a thing. We still need to find Chris. He was different here. He wasn’t that man back in New York. We gotta find ‘im.”

“We will, Vin. We will.”

Just then Nathan came walking into the room.

“And how’s our boy?” he asked Josiah.

“Seems he’s doing pretty well,” answered Josiah.

“Seems he’s right in front of ya and I wish ya stop talkin’ about me like I ain’t here,” said Vin miffed.

“Well, we had to for the past several hours. You’ve been out of it.”

Vin looked at him bewildered. The last thing he remembered was how tired he was.

“You don’t remember, do you?” asked Josiah.

“Nope. Only knowed I was tired.”

“Dr. Cohen scheduled another X-ray and MRI to take a look at that hard head of yours. Luckily it seemed that everything was fine, except you got a bad concussion. You need to take it easy and me and Josiah are here to make sure of that,” clarified Nathan.

“’Nough about me. What about Chris? Did ya find an antidote yet?”

“We getting close, but there still one chemical we haven’t been able to identify. We sent it to the USDA laboratory to see if they could. They should be getting back to us soon.”

“But in the meantime, Nathan, Chris is still out there and we don’t know how much longer he got.”

“Unless he gets another shot of the drug.”

“Ya mean if he goes back to bein’ here slave,” said Vin defiantly. There was no way in hell he was going to let Larabee get back into that bitch’s clutches. “We gotta find him, Nathan and soon.”

Nathan and Josiah could only agreed. They also knew how detrimental it was for the blond agent to be out there under the influence of the drug.

“Nathan I need to get out of here. What did Dr. Cohen say about that?”

“He says you need to stay here at least one more day for observation. Then you should go home and rest.”

“Nathan, I ain’t gon’na rest with Chris out there. I feel fine.”

“Yeah. You all do until you fall flat on your face once you get out of here. If you don’t take care of yourself Vin, you could damage yourself more. One more knock on the head and I can’t say what will happen,”

“It don’t matter if somethin’ happens to Chris, Nate. I need to get out of here today. I promise. I won’t do nothin’ stupid,” pleaded Vin.

“And I heard that one before too. You’re pissing me off right now, Vin. I try to keep you men healthy and you all just screw up my work! Now, I am not saying this again. You are not leaving until the doctor says you can.”

Vin glared at him. He knew in his heart that Nathan was just concerned for him, but his concern for Chris weighed more to him. He knew sooner or later Nathan and Josiah would get lax and then he would have his chance to save his friend.

*************************************************************************

Chris had drove into Vegas and passed it. Nadia’s home was on the outskirts of the town. She revered her privacy. Especially since it kept eyewitnesses away.

Chris reached her home in no time and parked the truck down the street from the main entrance. He sat there for about an hour planning on how to get inside. He had checked his gun, Blue Lightening, several times to make sure it was loaded. He had extra ammunition into his pocket and had placed each of his favorite knives into each of his boots that he had changed into at his home.

He pulled out a bottle from his side pocket and poured two pills into his hand. The prescription pain medication dulled the ache in his stomach and head. He had taken two earlier, but it seemed that they did not last as long as they should. He knew he was running out of time and running out of options.

He stepped out of the car and pulled on his black duster and black Stetson hat. He checked everything again and started walking towards the main entrance. He figured at last that the best approach was a direct one.

************************************************************************

The guard at the gate watched as the man came walking up the path. His black duster flowed in the wind behind him as he came and his black hat was almost pulled way down in front of his eyes.

He knew the person was not someone Miss Diaz was expecting tonight. She had left strict instructions that no one would enter the estate after dark except her or one of the other men.

“Identify yourself,” yelled the guard.

The man ignored him and continued walking towards the gate.

“I said identify yourself immediately.”

Again the man ignored him. By this time, the man was only a few of feet away from.

The guard pulled his gun and aimed it directly at the man. “You’re trespassing. If you come any closer I will shoot.”

The man suddenly stopped in front of the gate, only a couple of feet away.

“I want to see Nadia Diaz,” rasped the man in black. The guard still could not make out the face under the hat.

“She’s not accepting any visitors tonight. Go back to where you came from!”

“Hell I’ve been to. I want to see Nadia Diaz.”

“You must can’t hear,” said the guard, opening the gate and walking over to the man. He did not see any weapons and figured the man was just some weirdo from the Strip who did not know whose property he was on.

The man in black stood stock still as the guard approached, but his eyes held something that the man could not put his finger on.

When the guard was close enough, he tried to peer underneath the hat, but before he knew it, the man had grabbed the gun out of his hand and had him in a chokehold. The man was fast, so fast that the guard had not even seen him move. The guard found that although the man looked unarmed, he was not. A gun was poking into his neck as the man held him.

“I said I want to see Nadia Diaz and you’re going to help me or you’re going to be swallowing some lead. Do you read me?” said the man in the guard’s ear.

The guard swallowed hard and reluctantly nodded. He knew this man had him at a disadvantage. He only concern was what would Nadia do to him when she found out how careless he had been.

The man let him go and shoved him forward towards the gate entrance and the grounds leading to the house, making sure the gun he held was still where the guard could feel it.

“Damn!” thought the guard. “He was in trouble now”.

*************************************************************************

Lucien paced the room, frantically trying to find a way out of his prison, but it was to no avail.

He had finally given up and lay upon the bed, trying to figure out a plan when he could hear a key turning in the door. He quickly jumped up and moved to the side of the door, thinking that maybe he could get escape by attacking whomever was coming. He stood quietly flushed against wall as the door slowly crept open.

Suddenly, a man came flying into the room, landing quiet hard on his face and hands. Lucien was about to move, but decided to see who had pushed the man into the room. He watched as a gun and a man’s hand came slowly walking passed the door, quickly followed by the body that held it. Lucien then determined now was the time to move decided he best bet was to push the door into the oncoming body. But unfortunately, it did not work.

The man must have been wary, because as soon as Lucien tried to push the door, it met no resistance, only air and slammed closed back into its frame. He found himself looking into the barrel of a gun and the man was positioned to the side of the door, but in front of him.

Lucien looked up into the face and gasped in surprise. “Mickey! What the hell are you doing here?” he exclaimed.

Christopher Mickey Larabee stood facing his brother, grimacing at him angrily.

“Why do everyone associate me with hell?” Chris questioned thoughtfully, taking off his hat and pulling a hand through his hair.

Lucien had not really taken a good look at his brother, but now he knew why the word was so in use with this man. His hair, from what Lucien saw was in disarray, his face looked haggard as if he had not slept a long while and drops of sweat were slowly creating rivets down his face. “I guess cause you look like it, brother,” answered Lucien fretfully.

Chris’ green eyes came up and meet Lucien’s blue ones intrigued at this statement.

“Really? I just thought because I’m a bad-ass,” replied Chris smiling.

“You don’t know how glad I am to see you, Mickey.”

“Yeah, I guess you would be. How did you get in this mess anyway?”

“Well…I…Well…” faltered Lucien.

“Yeah, yeah. You thought you could save your handsome brother from a fate worst than death,” said Chris sarcastically.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that since I am the handsomer of us both,” said Lucien smiling now.

“Well, you won’t be for long if you stay here. I’m sure ya know how Nadia has a way of making her playthings dead.”

“I kind of figured that one out.”

Just then the guard on the floor moved and Chris caught the action out of the corner of his eye. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Ya see,” he said turning his face towards the guard. “I ain’t in a good mood right now and it would give me a heap of pleasure to but a bullet through your skull.”

The guard looked from Chris to Lucien and then sat back down on the floor.

“So, what do we do about him?” asked Lucien, hoping his brother had a plan.

Chris grinned devilishly at his brother. “We could kill him,” suggested Chris.

The guard heard this and his eyes grew wide in fear.

Lucien stared at his brother and tried to figure out what he was doing. Chris would never think of killing an unarmed man. To Lucien, he had to be joking, so he played along.

“But the noise would bring more guards.”

“Yeah, ya right. Too noisy. We could drown him in the bathtub,” replied Chris.

“Too messy.”

“Suffocate him with a pillow?”

“Too long.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?” asked Chris getting really annoyed now, although Lucien did not notice it.

“How about we just tie him up and gag him and leave him here under lock and key. Nadia’s not here right now anyway and won’t be back probably for a while.”

“She ain’t here?”

“No. She went out earlier.”

“Do you know where?” asked Chris desperately.

“Why? We can tie him up and get out of here and go get the boys.”

At this comment, Chris started laughing hysterically.

“What’s so funny?”

“You are. Now why would I want to do that?”

“Chris…”

“My name ain’t Chris! It’s Mickey!” exclaimed Chris angrily.

Lucien jumped back in surprise. There was definitely something wrong with his brother.

“Okay…Mickey. But we can’t handle all these men by ourselves. We need help.”

Chris calmed down some, but he still looked as if he was ready to jump out his skin. “I said no. We get rid of this piece of garbage and then we find Nadia.”

“But, Chris…”

At that, Chris grabbed Lucien and threw him up against the wall. Lucien’s head hit the wall with a bang. His blue eyes focused on the rage he saw in his brother’s face.

“I told ya how it’s gon’na be and if you don’t like it, you can stay here, got me?” said Chris growling in his ear.

“Uh…yes. Anything you say…Mickey,” answered Lucien, now afraid. He knew this man was not his brother Chris, but some other dark piece of what was once Christopher Mickey Larabee.

“Good,” replied Chris, slowly releasing Lucien. Chris then backed off and turned to look down at the guard still on the floor. He used the barrel of the gun to scratch under his chin as he stood there in thought. “Now, what are we going to do with you?”

With that, Chris pulled out one of the knives from his boot with his other hand and started to walk over to the guard. The guard steadily backed up until he was against the far side of the room. He only halted when he came up against the wall.

Chris seeing that his prey had nowhere to go, cautiously knelt down in front of the guard, his knife glistening from the light in the room and reflected in his eyes. He then shot out a hand so quickly, that the man had no time to react and grabbed him by the throat, squeezing so hard that the guard could barely breathe, let alone speak.

“Have ya ever heard of a Columbian necktie?” asked Chris, his voice low and threatening.

The guard started to shiver. He knew this man was totally insane and there was nothing that would not do. This man had no conscience.

“Mickey!” called Lucien from behind him. “We have to leave and we don’t have time. Lock him in the bathroom and let’s get out here.”

Chris ignored his brother’s suggestion and moved the knife even closer to the guard’s throat.

“Mickey, now! I think the other guards are coming!” hissed Lucien.

Chris turned to see that Lucien had opened the door and was peering into the hall.

“Damn!” whispered Chris. He then said aloud to Lucien, “You’re always spoiling my fun.” Chris then released the guard’s throat and stepped back. “Get up and get in there.”

The guard breathed a sigh of relief and stood on shaky legs. He then proceeded quickly into the bathroom and closed the door. Chris then turned the key that was in the lock and then pulled it out, putting it in his pocket. He then moved to where Lucien was still waiting, standing guard.

“Ya know, you’re no fun,” said Chris disappointedly and walked passed him into the hall.

Lucien followed, closing the door behind him and locking it. He had a bad feeling about this, but he could not let Chris go against someone like Nadia alone. He just prayed that he would get the opportunity to alert the others. He did not think that he and Chris were going to survive the outcome.

*************************************************************************

Chapter: 41

The Devil’s and Mrs. DeCorsia

Created From Fire, The Fallen Angels Will Return to Fire

He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. In speaking of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire."

Psalms 104:4 & Hebrews 1:7

http://www.rjatropical.com/WEB2003/ang2.html

Lucien and Chris “Mickey” Larabee had found out that Nadia had just left the Twenty-One Club and was on her way over to the apartment she kept on the strip.

As Chris drove his truck up the strip to the apartment, Lucien kept looking for an opportunity to call the others. He noticed that Mickey was not doing so well. He was dripping wet and from where Lucien was sitting he could feel the heat emanating from the older blond. As if that was not bad enough, the man kept shivering ever so often, but Lucien noticed how he tried to keep him from seeing it.

“So we’re going straight at her. No plan.” Lucien said as a statement not a question.

“That’s the way I see it, Luc,” answered Chris without his eyes leaving the rode.

“You know there’s going to be problems, don’t you?”

“And…”

“And we could be walking into trouble, Mickey.”

“So?”

“Listen…Mickey, we need help with this.”

“I told ya before. No. Don’t ask me again or ya can’t hike back home, got it!” exclaimed Chris, trying to keep his eyes glued to the road.

“Yeah…Mickey. Yeah. I understand perfectly.”

“Good!”

Suddenly the car came to a screeching halt in front of a large apartment complex.

“This is it,” came Chris’ statement. He then turned off the engine to the truck and turned to look at his driving companion.

“You can either wait here or do what I tell ya. Make your decision now. I ain’t waiting.”

Faced with the ultimatum Lucien said, “I’m with you.”

“Good. This is what I want ya to do. I’m going through the front. You take the back. There’s a back entrance to the building. It should pose no problem for you to open the door, even with the current security devices. Nadia apartment is 10C.”

“And you’re just going to go through the front?”

“I will be the diversion. Nadia will be so happy to see me she won’t be looking for anyone else.”

“I hope you’re right. This plan sounds really lame to me.”

All of sudden Chris grabbed Lucien by his jacket and pulled his face closer to his. “I didn’t ask ya if ya liked it! Just do what I tell ya!”

“Okay, okay, Mickey. I got it.”

Chris slowly released Lucien and then methodically brushed Lucien’s jacket back in place. “Be there no later than fifteen minutes. Got it?”

“I got it,” answered Lucien reluctantly. He then watched as Chris exited the car and walked towards the front entrance of the building.

Lucien figured this was his chance. He pulled Chris’ cellular phone out of the front housing of the dashboard and dialed the number to Ezra’s cellular phone.

It rang twice before it was picked up. “Hello?” came Ezra’s voice.

“Ezra, it’s me Lucien.”

“Mr. Caymen! Where the hell are you? Do you know that your brother…”

“Ezra, shut up a minute! I know where Chris is.”

“You do?”

“Yes. I’m with him right now. He’s going to confront Nadia.”

“Oh, no.”

“Oh, yes. Listen, you need to get over here right away.”

“Where are you now?”

“We’re at 22 Royal Crest Circle, right near the Las Vegas Convention Center. There is an apartment complex there.”

“I know where it is. Mr. Wilmington and myself will be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Better make it ten.”

“Why is that, Mr. Caymen?”

“Because Chris said to give him fifteen before I was to come up to the apartment.”

“As you suggest, Mr. Caymen,” replied Ezra.

The phone disconnected and Lucien put Chris’ phone back from where he took it. He just hoped the others would arrive in time.

***********************************************************************

Chris walked through the tenth floor corridor towards 10C. He knew Nadia would not be alone. It was not her style. He knew that she would have at least two or three men with her. He had told Lucien that he would go in the front and he did, the front of the building. What he did not tell him that he was going to enter the apartment itself by another mean.

Chris stopped at 10B and knocked on the door. He waited, but there was no answer. He knocked again just to be sure and waited again. Still no one came to the door. He then quickly leaned down and pulled out the kit that Ezra had given him as a Christmas present. He took out the lock pick and started to unlock the mechanism. He heard a click and knew that the door was open. Swiftly he opened the door and moved inside, making sure that there was no one in the hall as he closed the door behind him.

************************************************************************

Nadia lay lounging on her couch within her apartment, sipping a glass of wine, while perusing through reports given to her by her men from her estate on the other side of town. She was informed about an hour ago of Lucien Caymen’s escape with the help of an unknown assailant. She had an idea of whom it was based on the description given by the guard who was found in the bathroom. She knew it was Christopher, who had rescued his brother.

The thought of him being at the estate and her losing him again all in one night brought such rage to Nadia that she could bite someone’s head off. She almost had them both and now she had lost them both. Lately, things were not working out as she had planned.

The two men who stood by the door looked at her as she lay on the couch contemplating what to do next. She looked up and noticed them and said, “You both can go back to the estate. Tell security, as soon as they have any evidence as to where the two men absconded to, they are to notify me as soon as possible. Got it?”

“But Miss Diaz…”

“Don’t question, me, Jake. Just do as I say.”

“Are you sure, Miss Diaz? You know it could be dangerous…”

Nadia got up quickly from her place on the couch and walked to stand in front of Jake. “I have nothing to fear, Jake. In fact, I am the one you need to worry about. Now go, before I decide to take my already frayed anger out on you instead,” she said glaring at him.

Jake shivered at the thought of this woman and what she could do to him. It was well known among her men that Nadia was no weakling and had the skills to kill a person in at least 50 different ways. He was not stupid enough to believe that he could take her.

“Yes, Miss Diaz,” answered Jake as he turned to walk out of the apartment. The other man followed closely behind. He was also not that stupid to challenge Nadia’s orders.

Once they were gone and Nadia had locked the door behind them, she went back to lying upon the couch. It was a few minutes later when she thought she heard something in the bedroom. She got up to go check it out, but not before she pulled out a gun that she kept in the desk that was situated in the living room.

As she cautiously walked towards the bedroom, she heard the sound again. It sounded like something thumping. When she finally reached the room, she saw that the door shutters that led to the balcony were opened and they were swinging with the gust of breeze that had settled over the desert. The nights were cold in Las Vegas and Nadia rarely left them opened at night. But she assumed the housekeeper that was usually there in the day probably opened them when airing out the room and forgot to close them.

Nadia placed her gun in her pants waist and moved to close the doors. She had just closed them and was starting to walk out when a rustling noise to the side raised her senses.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” said a voice before Nadia could pull out the gun from her waistband.

“Very well. Can I turn on the lights?”

“Sure. But just be easy about it.”

Nadia slowly walked over to the light switch, not wanting to alarm the intruder into doing something drastic. She flicked on the switch and her eyes grew wide at whom it was.

“Christopher? What luck!” she exclaimed starting to move towards him.

Chris held up his hand to stop her. He also held his glock pointed straight at her. “Stay right there, Nay. And my name is not Christopher. It’s Mickey. And we have something to settle.”

Nadia looked at him shocked. She noticed the cold glare in his eyes and the way he stood, holding the gun, lounging against the wall. She knew this was not her Christopher and it unnerved to realize that she was dealing with someone she really did not know.

“Well, you look like someone I know. His name is Christopher Michael Larabee. Also known as Archangel Michael.”

Chris moved from the wall and walked closer to where Nadia stood. He then carefully reached for the gun in her waistband and pulled it out. He then put the gun into his duster pocket. Once that was done he took his position back against the wall.

“Ya see, Chris, he ain’t got the guts that I have to do what is necessary.”

“And that would be?”

Chris moved closer. This time, Nadia could see the man was not well at all. He looked pale and she knew the only thing keeping him up was his anger.

“That would be to rid the world of a low-life bitch like you!” he spat.

Chris had said the comment with such vehemence that Nadia shuddered at the thought of what he had in mind for her.

“Listen, Chris…”

“Mickey!! My name is Mickey! Not Chris!” he shouted at her.

“Okay, Mickey, listen, you seem to be a strong guy and all,” said Nadia sarcastically. ”But I don’t think Chris is going to let you do this.”

Chris started laughing hysterically. “Ya don’t get it do ya?” he sneered grabbing her forcefully by the arm and pushing her towards the living room.

Once there, he pushed her down on to the couch, making her lay prone on it. He placed his gun directly over her heart, taking a position to lie on top of her. He sniffed her hair and her neck taking in her scent like an animal sizing up its prey.

Nadia could not make sense of his actions. She knew how to handle men and she knew how to protect herself, but this man no man. He was an animal. His eyes were cold and hard and he held an air of darkness about him that even scared Nadia to the bone. She was confronted with someone she never had to deal with before. Was it the drugs that had turned him into this thing? Or was it something deeper, something more part of his core being and the drugs were only a catalyst that had just brought it to the surface? She did not know. It confused her and Nadia was never confused. Her body trembled slightly at the thought of that she would not be able to manipulate him like she had Chris.

“Mickey. Listen. You don’t want to do this,” said Nadia, her mind whirling a mile a minute.

“Oh, yes, I do,” replied Chris, shoving the gun even harder into her chest.

“You’re not a murderer,” said Nadia trying to play on his conscience, hoping to reach the real Chris Larabee.

“Oh, but I am, my dear. In fact, I enjoy seeing your blood splattered all over this nice couch,” he answered, smiling wickedly and patting the couch with his other hand.

“Chris…I mean Mickey, look, you and I are alike.”

“I doubt that, my dear,” he said taking another sniff of her hair. “Ya know ya smell real nice for a snake. Too bad.”

“Th…thank you, I guess. But back to what I was saying. I think we can be a formable team together, you and I,” said Nadia enticingly.

Chris eyed her warily. He was not stupid and not gullible enough to believe that he could trust her. But he was realistic and knew Nadia had a lot of connections if he wanted to get back to where he had once been. He felt a twinge of pain in his side and gritted his teeth tight to make sure that he would not cry out. He knew this would show weakness to this woman and he could not chance it.

But it was too late. At such a close proximity Nadia could tell that he was in pain and she knew her drugs were the cause. She may not know anything about this Mickey, but she damn well knew about the drug that currently inhabited his body.

“You know I could help you to get rid of the pain you are in now,” she suggested.

“Ya could, huh? Well, who says I’m in any pain. It might be that I’m disgusted bein’ so close to garbage.”

At this comment, Nadia anger started to rise. She had never put up with this type of treatment for anybody before and she was not going to. “And who do the hell do you think you are?” she yelled.

“I’m your judge…your jury…and executioner,” Chris rasped as he touched her hair with his hand. “Something you’re not used to dealing with.”

He then sat back on his hunches on the couch and laughed. Nadia’s blood froze. She did not know what she was going to do. If she tried to make a move on him, she knew he could easily take her down. She knew Chris was dangerous, but this Mickey, this other personality of him was down right terrifying. She needed something to bargain with and a thought came to her. She felt a vial of the chemical still in her pocket as it poked her in the side.

“Mickey, can I reach into my pocket. I have something I want to show you,” requested Nadia, trying to keep calm.

Chris looked her up and down, but then reluctantly nodded. “Just don’t make any sudden moves. Do it real slow.”

Nadia reached into her pocket slowly and pulled out the vial she had. She waved it in front of Chris’ face and said, “See. This should show you that I’m being straight with you.” She placed the vial into Chris’ other hand, closing his hand around the object.

Chris moved off of Nadia and backed away a little from the couch. His eyes took in the vial and then turned back to Nadia in surprise. “What is this?”

“It’s the drug. If you take it, all the pain will go away and you’ll feel much better,” she purred.

“Where’s the antidote?”

“Antidote? What antidote?”

“I’m sure if you created this you must have created something to counteract it.”

“You’re a smart man, Mickey. And usually I would. But with this particular one, I did not.”

“And why’s that?” asked Mickey, listing to the side a little, he was hurting and his strength was waning. But he had to finish this.

“Because I did not want the person it was designed for cured.”

Chris eyes widened in realization. “You made this specifically for him, didn’t ya?”

“You mean for Christopher? Yes, of course I did. It was my plan all along. Once addicted to it, he would be mine forever, as long as I deemed him wanting.”

“But their was a flaw to your plan ya didn’t see, wasn’t it? Me.”

“I’m afraid so. Our test subjects were not the real thing and of course, I did not know of this outcome,” replied Nadia, her hand motioning towards him.

Chris stood there, silently. He bowed his head as if in defeat. But little by little, Nadia saw his body start to quiver. At first she thought that the pain was attacking him again, but then she saw him wiping his eyes as tears formed. Was he crying? She looked closer as Chris raised his eyes towards her. No. He was laughing and she did not know why.

“You find this amusing?”

“Yeah,” chuckled Chris. “I…I do.”

This bewildered Nadia even more. Considering his predicament, she could not understand what he found so funny.

“I don’t understand,” admitted Nadia.

“Yeah, ya wouldn’t.”

“So what are you going to do now?” asked Nadia curious.

“Well, Miss Diaz, as far as I see it, this has been a waste of my time. I do have to say that this has been a pleasure, although I didn’t think it would be, especially the way Chris feels about ya. Ya did give me a few laughs, though. But now…” he said raising his gun again towards her. “You have nothing to bargain with it seems. So let’s just say goodbye and leave it at that.” He then started to pull the trigger.

“Wait! Wait! I’m sure there’s something that I have that you need,” pleaded Nadia.

Chris slowly released his finger from the trigger. “Now what would that be? We’ve already discussed the fact that there is no antidote.”

“Yes. I know. But you will still need the drug. Look at yourself! You would not last a day without it.”

Chris was silent at this. He knew she was right, but he also knew if he became indebted to her, it would mean the end of his freedom. And Mickey Larabee cherished that more than life itself. He would rather die first than be a slave. It was the one thing he and Chris had in common.

Chris, coming immediately to a decision, said, “Nope! Don’t see it happenin’.” He then replaced his finger back onto the trigger. He was about to pull it, when he heard a noise coming from outside the hall. He was about to go over to the door and open it to take a look outside, when the door burst inward off it’s hinges.

Behind the fallen door, walked in Lucien, Ezra and Buck, all brandishing their guns. Chris in turn moved his gun towards the three men, shocked at their presence.

“Chris!” exclaimed Buck taking in the scene before him. “What are ya doin’, Pard?”

Chris glared at them angrily and then glared at Nadia. He then spied Lucien among them and said, “I knew I shouldn’a trusted ya!” he hissed.

“Chris…” started Lucien.

“I keep tellin’ ya, my name ain’t Chris! It’s Mickey! Mickey! Mickey! Mickey!” yelled Chris stomping his foot like a child.

Ezra glanced worriedly at Buck. He was trying to figure out what the hell was going on here. This man acted nothing like the Chris Larabee they knew. Lucien had explained to them when they arrived to expect the unexpected, but Ezra was not prepared for this child-like behavior.

“Sorry, Mickey,” said Lucien trying to pacify the irate older blond. He cautiously put his gun away, not wanting his brother to feel threatened that he would do something he would regret later. “I just thought we could use some help, you know?”

Chris eyes narrowed suspiciously at him. “Ya don’t listen very well, do ya boy. I told ya I can handle this and I was about to before you three came busting in here. Me and Nay here was just getting acquainted and I was about send her off real nice like. Now, I’m gon’na have to take care of all of you.”

Ezra, Buck and Lucien all stared at him in astonishment. They could not believe what they were hearing.

“Chris…Uh…I mean Mickey, listen, we’re here to help, Stud,” said Buck also slowly putting his gun away and trying to move in closer. He then motioned for Ezra to do the same.

“Stay right where ya are,” said Chris guardedly. “Ya know, ya must think I’m stupid.”

“We do not perceive you as ignorant, Mr. Larabee. We realize that you are currently not your former self and you have been very ill. We are only here to assist you,” interjected Ezra as he too started put his gun away and move towards his friend.

“Well, like I keep tellin’ Luc here, I don’t need no help and I ain’t interested in anything ya got to say. Now, if ya will just move away from the door, I will be taking my leave,” said Chris motioning with his gun for them to move to the side.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, Pard,” said Buck inching closer. “I know ya ain’t gon’na shoot me. Not Ole Buck.”

“Buck, don’t push it!” snarled Chris. “Friends or no, I’ll put a bullet in ya if ya take one more step.”

Buck could see that Chris was serious and that he had to remember that he was no longer talking to the Chris Larabee they once knew. This was Mickey, the person that Buck had known in Brooklyn and in prison and he would not hesitate to remove anyone who got in his way. But a part of Buck believed that the Chris they knew would not let Mickey complete his task.

Buck turned to Ezra and Lucien imploring them to help. Ezra, who understood the situation now, said determinedly, “Let him go, Mr. Wilmington.”

“What?” exclaimed Buck. “Are you nuts? We can’t just let him go…”

“Buck, Ezra’s right,” joined Lucien. “Let him go.” Lucien eyes glanced first to Buck and then to Chris. He had seen up close and personal what Mickey Larabee was like.

“No! I won’t! Me and Chris go way back. He ain’t gon’na do anything to me, are ya, Stud?” replied Buck confidently, taking another inch towards his old friend.

“Buck! That ain’t Chris!” yelled Lucien, trying to get through to the tall, mustached man.

Buck ignored them both and kept moving forward. He extended his hand out towards his friend. “Why don’t cha just give me the gun, Pard. Everything’s going to be alright, I promise.”

“Promises, promises. Ya just don’t get it do ya,” said Chris. He slowly started to squeeze on the trigger.

Lucien saw that Chris was about to shoot one of his oldest friends and he did not know what to do. He stood there wondering if Chris Larabee would let Mickey Larabee win.

The answer came instantly as Chris pulled the trigger and the bullet was released from its container. Just then three things happened. The gun went off with a loud bang that seemed to deafened them all, a blur ran between Buck and Chris and Buck eyes opened wide with surprise.

It took Buck a minute to comprehend that he was still standing. He took a quick glance down at his chest. There was no hole, no blood and no pain. He thought that Chris had missed him. But then he noticed down on the floor in front of him was Lucien rolling in pain, holding his arm while the blood from his body was slowly seeping on to the carpeted floor.

“Oh, my God! Lucien!” yelled Buck, moving quickly to the younger blond who lay on the floor writhing in agony.

Ezra also joined Buck, while still kept an eye on Chris and Nadia. Nadia could only look on in shock and amazement at what happened. She could not believe that Chris had it in him. But then she realized it was not Chris at all. It was the other.

Chris, on the other hand, was the only person who stood there calmly taking in all that happened with a look of unconcern gracing his face.

“Buck, here,” said Ezra handing him one of his handkerchiefs quickly. “Use this to wrap the wound.”

Buck nodded and did as Ezra suggested. Then Ezra returned his gaze to Chris.

Chris still stood deathly still, still holding the gun towards them, his face a grimace in annoyance. Chris said, “Luc, Luc, Luc. I didn’t think ya had it in ya, boy.” A wicked smile came across his face as he re-adjusted his weapon at Buck and Ezra. “Now, unless the rest of ya want to be eating a bullet, I suggest ya move out of the way.”

Chris then carefully sidestepped the three men and moved to the open doorway. “If ya will excuse me, I have a takeover to manage.” He gradually backed out of the doorway into the corridor.

“Chris! Where ya going? Don’t you care about your brother?” asked Buck angrily, his hands clenching in rage. He did not think his friend would go this far.

Chris laughed loudly. “Ya know Buck. Ya should keep thinking with the lower part of your body. Ya better at that,” answered Chris snidely as he continued out to the corridor and disappeared around the corner.

Buck stared at Ezra looking for input and reasoning. He wanted to run after his friend, but the man that had just left were not someone he knew.

Unfortunately, Ezra had nothing to give him. He was more concerned with Lucien. He was losing blood fast and of course, there still was Nadia to deal with.

“Mr. Wilmington, I suggest we get Lucien to the hospital as quickly as possible. We can also take Miss Diaz with us. She must have information on the antidote. I am sure that we can persuade her to tell us where it is.”

Nadia smirked at this. “I have news for you boys. There is no antidote. It’s the same thing I told Christopher.”

“I don’t believe you,” said Buck his rage having found a way for its release and started to rise from his kneeling position next to Lucien. Ezra motioned for him to stay where he was.

“Then don’t. But Christopher does,” replied Nadia defiantly.

“We…have to go…after him,” said Lucien as he rasped in pain. “He doesn’t know…what he’s…doing.”

“What we have to do, Mr. Caymen, is get you to medical assistance and Miss Diaz will accompany us. She may have no knowledge of an antidote, but she still has knowledge of the chemical mixture that created our Mr. Hyde. Nathan would deem this invaluable information,” said Ezra, taking his gun out and pointing it towards Nadia.

But Nadia did not seem worried overmuch. She knew her men would find her and she was less than vulnerable. She could take these men anytime she wanted. But she would go along with them for the moment. Her mind was turning and she had an idea on how she would get Christopher back. There was still Gabriel and these men would take her to him. He was the weakness she knew even Mickey Larabee could not resist. She smiled inwardly. She would bide her time and then…

“Yeah, you’re right, Ez,” came Buck’s voice startling Nadia out of her reverie. “But I am still have a bad feeling about what Chris said before he left.” Buck then proceeded to help Lucien off the floor.

“About managing a takeover?” asked Ezra as he motioned for Nadia to walk towards the doorway.

“Yeah. What did he mean about that? What is he planning to take over?” questioned Buck as he helped Lucien through the doorway.

Ezra shook his head. He also had no idea what Chris was talking about. He looked over to where Nadia still sat and she just shrugged her shoulders.

“Let us return to the hospital with Mr. Caymen here and then we can try to decipher Mickey Larabee’s cryptic statement,” suggested Ezra, as he then again motioned Nadia to follow the other two out of the door.

Nadia got up from her position on the couch and followed Buck and Lucien out of the door, smiling calmly.

Ezra turned to look around the apartment one last time and followed his companions to the car that waited outside.

TBC

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