The Zodiac of PRA IV: The Return

Chapter 13

On the ride to the shooting range, Jenna was especially giddy. Giggling every so often causing her teammates to exchanged weird glances. When the van came to a halt, she sprung from her seat and charged outside while Ryan and Leah laughed at her excitement. But when they stepped foot on the ground, their faces turned to confusion.

“This isn’t a shooting range!” Jenna whined.

Chuck leaned against a tree wearing an army camouflage uniform and a helmet made of the same material. He pushed himself from the tree as he greeted his young team “Hi guys!” he greeted, waving them over.

“Uncle Chuck.” Ryan greeted respectfully “I thought we were training on shooting?”

“We are.” He raised his brows as he held out a long barrel metal gun with a large cylinder container with paint balls inside “How fun is this!!” he laughed excitedly.

Jenna groaned, “They tricked us again!! I thought we were using real guns?”

“You thought wrong.” Chuck replied as he motioned for them to stand up straight “We’re going to separate in teams of two. We have a perfect amount too. The paint balls come in three colors, red, blue and yellow. My team is red, so who wants to be on my team?” he asked with a wide grin. The five turned their heads, not wanting to acknowledge Chuck and muttered incoherent words. Chuck crossed his arms with the gun pointing to his chin as he used the end to scratch an itch he had “Okay…I see how this works.”

“Sorry Chucky, but it’s not exciting if we don’t get something out of it.” Jenna said honestly “You guys did trick us, what do you expect us to do? Jump up for joy?”

“I agree with Jenna.” Mark added.

Chuck began pacing as he tapped his chin carefully “Hmm, in that case…I know! Which ever team wins, I will personally take them to a shooting range. With real guns and targets. Sounds good?”

“Now you’re talking!!” Jenna excluded “I pick Ryan!!” she raised her hand first.

“No fair!” Leah complained, “You pick the best one.” Ryan smiled feeling special that they thought so highly of him.

Riley patted Leah on the shoulder “I’ll be your partner if you don’t mind.”

She shrugged her shoulders “Okay.”

Chuck tilted his head at Mark who sighed, “I guess I’m stuck with you.”

He laughed at the remark “Just to let you guys know, back in my early days I use to compete in shooting competitions and won first place for 5 years straight.” Jenna’s smile faded and her jaw gaped open “But I’ll take it easy on you.” He winked at her playfully and turned to the ready box and passed out the helmets and body shields as well as the guns.

The team separated in the large field filled with boxes, trees and obstacles. It was a maze like environment where there were four entrances and only one exit. Whichever team made it there first would win. Chuck stood his ground with Mark next to him as he raised his gun in the air “On three! One, two, three!!” he let out a shot as the paintball flew into the air marking their beginning. The group twisted and turned as they dodged flying painballs aimed at them from all directions.

Ryan and Jenna were in the lead after five minutes, both were not shot “I’ll cover you.” Ryan whispered as he pointed her to the right, a few yards away was a box where they could hide behind.

“Okay!” She nodded and sprinted while Ryan covered her with shots to his opponents.

“They’re getting away!” Leah cried while she shot at Ryan unsuccessfully.

Chuck narrowed his eyes “I’ll get her.” He aimed it carefully and shot when he had a clear view of Jenna. He let go of the trigger and shot hit her heart.

“Wooh!!” Mark jumped up and down happily.

Chuck quickly pulled him into the cover “What the hell are you doing? Giving them an easy target?”

“Sorry…I got excited.” He smiled apologetically.

“Come on.” He pointed to the left.

Jenna fell to the ground, grabbing her heart “I’m shot…” she said huskily while reaching for Ryan, who was laughing and playing along as he took her in his arms “Darling…I’m sorry, I cannot give you the child you always wanted. Take care…and don’t forget me.”

“I won’t.” he said with fake teary eyed.

“I love you…” it was a whisper as she fell limply back with her head. He was laughing to hard to hold up her relaxed head, his arm slipped and her head toppled to the ground painfully “Ow!” she rubbed her head.

Ryan couldn’t help but laugh louder “I’m sorry.” At the corner of his eyes, he saw Mark and Chuck catching up “Crap, they’re gaining on us. Come on!” pulling her to her knees, the two looked for an open spot.

Time flew by when they were having fun. The first competition was won by Ryan and Jenna. But Leah and Riley disagreed and soon a fight began and it was Chuck who suggested a two out of three win order to get the prize. Hours later, the winners still came out as Ryan and Jenna. She was smiling smugly at Leah who in turn was pouting, “Don’t be a sore loser. Even if you guys claimed that we were cheating, we still win.”

“Oh shut up!” Leah snapped.

Chuck smiled at the group “Okay, no cat fights. Leah, they did win fair and square. I don’t thing you had a chance.” He pointed to her paint filled shield “Tomorrow, I’ll take you two to the shooting range.”

“Yeah! We-” Jenna stopped herself “Wait a minute. Why tomorrow, why can’t we go now?”

“Because I’m late for class.” Chuck replied as he peeled off his body suit and helmet “I have to go home and shower too. Hey Ryan, can you clean up for me? It’s all paid for just bring all the stuff back to that trailer office.” He pointed in the distance and quickly rushed away “Bye gang!”

Jenna stared after him strangely “Where is he going that he needs to shower?” she wondered to herself.

Leah wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder “Maybe because he stinks. And you do too…we should all get cleaned up.”

“No, just you.” Riley quipped. He only managed to get three shots on his chest and arm.

“Ha ha.” She said sarcastically.

Jenna shook her head as she nudged Ryan “No…there’s something fishy about the way his stomach jiggled. Chuck doesn’t get excited for class and what kind of class is this?”

Ryan smiled at the carefully analyzed clues she took in “I’m not sure. But I heard from Ga Jei that he’s been after this girl who teaches a night class. I think she mentioned it was an English class or something.”

“That’s it!!” Jenna exclaimed “Oh, if he thinks he can just ditch us for another woman. Come on team, let’s give our lieutenant a little skit.”

Leah grimaced “What did you have in mind.”

“Whatever it is, count me in.” Mark smiled at the sly girl.

“You in or out?” she asked Riley.

“I don’t have a choice. Teamwork.” He nodded with a grin.

“Okay, let’s go!” Jenna pointed as they raced to the trailer and signed in the equipment.

***********

Chuck rushed up the stairs as he muttered to himself “Stupid elevator…broken, why today?” he was losing his breath quick by the time he got to the third floor “One more…” he huffed and pulled his back straight when he opened the door and walked inside with an air of confidence.

Her class had long begun but she stopped speaking when Chuck strolled in “Nice of you to join us.” Eve smiled, but there were daggers behind the eyes.

“Sorry, I had some important things to do.” He said coolly.

Eve nodded for him to take a seat in the back “The next time that comes up, I would rather you not come in. Do you know it distracts everyone in this classroom when a late student comes in? I don’t mind that you’re wasting my time, but you’re wasting everyone else’s time in here.” She lectured with reason.

The classmates threw him unapproved looks while Chuck smiled apologetically “It won’t happen again Miss Fong.”

“Good. Now, where were we?” She returned behind her desk and began the lecture. But within five minutes, she was once again disrupted. In walked in five people dressed in black suits and black sunglasses “Are you looking for someone?” she asked suspiciously.

Ryan raised a hand calmly “Yes.” He waved for his team to follow as they marched over to Chuck, who was beet red and his eyes have never been so round and wide.

“Sir!!” the group saluted.

Jenna spoke up next “We are here to report for duty, Sir!”

Eve crossed her arms “Mr. Lam, what is the meaning of this?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know these people.” He replied through gritted teeth while whipping his head towards the door at the five stooges.

The frustrated teacher stepped closer as she instructed for the group to move out “Please, I am trying to teach a class.” Gesturing her hand out, it was quickly gripped by Jenna as she pushed the girl’s arm to her back “Ow!! Help!!” Eve began to panic.

“You are not allowed to come near Mr. Lam within three feet.” Jenna replied in a monotone and firmly pinning her arm down.

Chuck moved out of the chair as he hit Jenna’s hand and helped Eve to her feet “I’m sorry Eve. They mean no harm really.” He turned to the group “Apologize.”

“No, Sir!” the five replied in unison.

“Fine, get out!” he pointed to the door, his nose flaring “This is an order!!” his voice commanded.

Leah leaned into Jenna “I think he’s mad.” She whispered.

Jenna knew they had taken it too far “Come on.” She muttered and walked them out of the classroom with Chuck following close behind.

“I’m sorry…I really am.” He said sincerely to Eve, who still looked like a frightened rabbit. He closed the door behind him and glared at the five who looked ready to sprint from the scene “Is this some kind of freak show?!” he yelled.

“Shhh…” Jenna hushed “There’s a class in session.”

Chuck tilted his head at her sternly “This is not the time. I guess it’s safe to assume that this is your idea?” he scowled at Ryan “I’m surprised at you. I thought you would be more mature than this. I’ll be sure Matt hears about this.”

“Please Chuck, don’t…we’ll get kicked out.” Leah begged, looking ready to sob.

His nose was still flaring but his voice was calmer “I’ll think about it.” He looked from one person to the next, their outfits were familiar looking “And who let you guys use the teams’ uniform? You are not allowed to take their uniforms for personal uses.”

Ryan felt guilty as he raised a slow hand “Sorry Uncle Chuck, but when we got to headquarters, no one was there. My tag allowed me to enter the Uniform Room, so we…” he faded away knowing that they did the wrong thing.

“So where is the team? And where is Matt? He’s usually in the office.” Jenna said with sly eyes.

Chuck pointed his chin up “That’s not important. I want you guys to return the uniforms and go home. I’ll deal with you tomorrow.”

“You still have face to go back inside?” Jenna asked in shock.

He stopped and turned to them with a pressed smile “No matter the outcome, I have to do the right thing.” He entered the classroom quietly and took in the stares and stern expression from Eve.

“He’s brave.” Ryan sighed.

“Hell, I wouldn’t go back.” Riley commented.

“I would.” Mark nodded with a smile.

Leah rolled her eyes “You don’t have to kiss up, Chuck’s not even here.”

He gave her a strange look “It’s sincerity. Maybe you should take a few lessons from me.”

Jenna arched her neck back as she followed the group to the stairs “Feisty tonight aren’t we? Didn’t like losing to a girl did you?”

Mark shrugged nonchalantly “I don’t mind if it’s you.”

“Give me a break!” Leah cried with disgust.

Chapter 14

The team set up their positions around the harbor dock. Giant shipping boats announced their arrivals through horns “Team, secure your positions.” Matt instructed from the hidden van in the parking lot.

They stood around in the sandy cemented field where large rigs were placed “Tell me again why we’re here?” Ah Bat asked curiously.

“I got a call that maybe the thieves would show up here. We need you to point them out and we’ll spring on them.” Ted said convincingly.

He looked relieved “Okay, as long as you guys don’t leave me alone.” Suddenly, he grabbed onto his bladder “Damn…I have to pee. Really bad. Is there a bathroom around here?”

Becca smiled under the dimly lit surroundings “Sure, I’ll take you to the portipotty.” She turned to her team and gave them an ‘ok’ sign.

Ted nodded to his group “Split up!” everyone scattered to different parts as they hid behind the rigs.

Ah Bat was relieving himself and gave the perfect chance for Becca to desert him. It was part of her plan to give him plenty of liquids before they left, knowing that they would have a long ride where he won’t be able to go anywhere to pee. By the time he finished and stepped out of the worker’s stall, he suddenly grew alert “Hey…where did you go? Becca?” he called in a shaky voice. Heart beating, he ran around the place to search for her “This is not funny!!” he called but still there was no answer.

“Taurus, what do you see?” Ted asked from his position, he knew Darren would have a perfect view of the docking boat.

Darren raised his tiny binoculars as he searched the dark waters until he caught sight of the giant shipment being hauled down to the lower deck “They’re here.”

“How long? We have to make sure the bait doesn’t leave.” Becca warned, her eye still on Ah Bat as she followed him yards away “I repeat, the bait is looking for an exit.”

Erin locked the gate, the only exit and entrance into the rigging area “He won’t get out now. I just closed out the escape.”

“Nice work, Scorpio.” Matt commented “Now lead the bait back to the dock.”

“My turn.” Mia was smiling. Picking up a large pebble, she turned the corner where Becca informed was Ah Bat. She threw it at his direction and watched him squealed and jump away, startled by a tiny rock.

“I think we all heard that.” Doug snickered with a laugh.

When Ah Bat turned to run the opposite way, Mia quickly threw another pebble to block him “Who is that? This is not funny!! You guys are suppose to protect me, not scare me!!” there was no answer and it scared him even more as he turned the opposite direction and walked towards a light which was coming from the boat. Hiding behind a rig, he watched as the men unloaded the giant boxes marked ‘property of R.K.’ He flinched “Not again.”

“Bullseye!” Darren announced to the team.

“Dangle the bait.” Matt instructed.

Ted turned to another corner as he felt himself coming closer to the dock “Scorpio, Pisces you’re up.”

Mia and Erin eventually found each other as the nodded and sprinted quietly around rigs after rigs until they could see Ah Bat. Erin snapped Mia back when she saw him turning around to watch his back. Raising her hands to her lips, she motioned for Mia to climb on the rig. Mia nodded and used the metal pipes and locks to yank herself on top of the rig, Erin quickly followed just in time before Ah Bat walked back there “I thought I heard something.” He mumbled to himself.

Suddenly a gunshot rang out causing him to crouch down and cover his ears. Just as they suspected, the thieves were at it again, trying to steal yet another shipment of diamonds. Cries were heard when the delivery men were shot and thrown into the ocean. Ah Bat crawled behind a rig as he heard the voices coming closer. Boxes were opened with a crowbar and inside was a black velvet bag with millions worth of diamonds inside. The men laughed at how easy the job was as they took a short cut through the rigs.

Ah Bat was shaking as he tried to get away but instead, he rounded a corner just to run into the thieves. The men stopped and pointed a flashlight and gun at him “Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“I…I was just…peeing…I…work here in the morning.” The guys turned to each other and Ah Bat quickly went on his knees “Please, I promise! I won’t tell anyone, don’t kill me!!” he was practically groveling at their feet.

“Wait.” The guy with the flashlight told his partner as he inched closer to Ah Bat to have a better look “I remember you. You’re that sneak that caught us the first time.” He turned back to the other guy “We have to kill him, he saw everything!”

Ah Bat found his only chance to get away as he pushed the guy roughly into his partner when he had his back turned. He rounded a corner and heard a gun shot chasing him. Covering his ears as he slipped on the sand and got up to keep moving. The shot missed him by a hair as it hit the rig where he dove behind “Help!!” he cried “Team, help!!!”

Becca was leaning against a rig with her nails raised to her face “Not yet.” She said calmly.

“He sounds like a cat in heat.” Doug commented with a laugh.

“I think they’re gaining on Ah Bat.” Matt warned.

Erin and Mia had the perfect view of the maze as the noticed Ah Bat running back towards them “He looks like a chicken who just got his head chopped off. What an idiot, he was so close to the exit but now he's moving in circles.” Mia shook her head sadly.

“Scorpio, do you have a clear shot?” Ted asked.

“Negative.” Erin replied “He’s leading them too fast.”

Darren turned his head around a corner and quickly whipped it back “Crap, they almost saw me! I think they’re splitting up.”

His guess was right as they quickly cornered Ah Bat, who was near hysterics “Let’s see you get away now.” The guy said as he pointed the gun at Ah Bat. Pulling back the notch, he was ready to pull the trigger when a gunshot rang out and his gun was thrown from his hand.

“Nice shot!” Doug praised.

“Thank you.” Mia smiled smugly as she stood up on the rig.

Erin laughed, “She acts like she fired that.”

“I can be proud for a friend.” Mia replied with a laugh.

The thieves turned in different directions trying to find who had attacked them “Show your face!!” one man yelled.

Erin and Mia jumped from their positions as the rest of the group walked to the center “Not bad.” Darren nodded at Erin.

“Thanks.” She smiled as the six walked towards the thieves.

Mia raised a hand as she provoked their anger “Hi there!” she greeted brightly.

“Who are you people?” the guy backed away but the other one reacted quicker as he got a hold of Ah Bat and held him hostage with a pocket knife.

“Don’t come close or I’ll kill him!” he threatened.

Becca lifted her hands and gave an applause “Great! You can go to jail. Because personally, I wanted to do it myself but I didn’t want to do the time. Go ahead, stab him. I’ll even show you where to stab him where the blood will drain from his body. It’s kinda cool.” She took her finger and pointed to the large vessel in the neck where emergency technicians used to find a pulse.

“You psychotic bitch!” Ah Bat growled “How dare you guys use me as bait!”

“Put the weapon down.” Ted instructed. When they made no move to drop the knife, he pulled out his gun and aimed it at their heads “Fine, we’ll see whose hand is quicker.” He dared.

Mia laughed “I’d give up if I were you, he’s got an eye like an owl at night.”

The guy slowly dropped his knife and allowed Doug and Darren to pull their hands back as they searched them for other weapons “You guys have got balls. Stealing diamonds with just one hand gun? Is that what you did the first time?” Doug asked.

“We have a right not to answer that.” The guy replied coldly.

Becca snorted “We’re not cops, you can pass the legal crap.”

The guys frowned in confusion “Then who the hell are you people?”

“We have the right not to answer your question.” Becca quipped.

Their hands were tied together by wires and they were led back to the police station where Ted placed them in the questioning room. Ah Bat signed a few forms indicating that he will go out to court if asked. Mia checked over the forms and nodded to Ted “It’s good.”

“You can go now.” Ted said to Ah Bat.

“What? That’s it?” he asked in shock “What about my life? I could still be in danger.”

Becca arched a brow at him “It’s out of our hands now. You did what we asked, we caught the thieves. You’re useless to us now.”

“I feel so used…” Ah Bat whispered, a policeman escorted him out.

Ted was the only person allowed to do the questioning since the others were not cops. He was able to get them to admit to the crime of stealing but they refused to say who advised them to do it. An hour passed and he was still unsuccessful, he eventually gave up in two hours. He found the team still seated in the waiting area “You guys are still here?”

“How is it?” Erin stood up.

“They admit to the burglary but denied that anyone hired them to do it.” Ted sighed, “I know their lying yet I can’t get them to fess up.”

“Whoever it is probably gave them a pretty penny for keeping their mouths shut.” Mia commented.

Darren nodded “They’re going to be inside for a long time for the people they killed.”

“Did anyone see Matt?” Ted asked, he had to take off his headset when in the police station.

“I told him where we were going. He said to meet back at headquarters tomorrow morning.” Doug informed “Come on, let’s go home babe.” He wrapped an arm around Mia and quickly let go of her “Sorry, I’m too tired.” He waved for Becca to step closer as he draped his head on her shoulder leaving the other four laughing after him.

Erin and Ted returned to their home, each washed up in their individual bathrooms. She was the first to finish as she headed down the stairs to the kitchen. On her way back, she found a manila envelope on the coffee table. Curiosity taking over, she reached for it and opened it carefully. It was marked personal and confidential. Luke’s identity was inside, she recognized the Spy’s name that she hired.

She read the descriptions and the things he dug up from Luke’s past were incredible. It was scary to know there was a person out there that could find every intimate detail about another’s life within a week. He was indeed an orphan but it was his original surname that made her heartbeat quickened.

“Erin?” Ted called from the stairway.

She quickly replaced the papers and dropped the envelope, not wanting to cause any suspicion with Ted “Yes?” she answered and decided to meet him up the stairs.

“What are you looking at?” he asked casually.

“Nothing.” Her heart ached after saying yet another lie. She wanted nothing more than to tell him and maybe he would understand but she would still feel guilty.

“Sleep early, we have a long day ahead.” He patted her shoulder and leaned in for a kiss. She responded sheepishly and smiled “Night.”

“Good night.” She watched him return to his room before going back downstairs to retrieve the envelope. He would think too much if he found it on his own "Forgive me, Ted."

Chapter 15

The following morning, Ted woke up to an aroma of French toast frying and sausages. He cleaned up and walked downstairs to see the dining table set up for breakfast. Erin was taking off her apron “Morning.” She greeted with a smile.

He tilted his head strangely “And what did I do to deserve this special treatment?” he took a hold of her waist and pulled her closer.

“It’s been a while since I made breakfast. I’m actually just using you for a guinea pig.” Erin said convincingly. She pushed him gently to the table “Come on, we have to get moving. The meeting will start in half an hour.”

“Okay.” He groaned and took a seat “It looks perfect!” digging in, he savored each bite with a moaning sound.

Erin winced painfully “Sweetie, can you not do that?”

“Do what?” he asked innocently.

“You know what.” She eyed him carefully.

He laughed while taking another bite of the freshly made French toast “What’s the headlines this morning?” a habit he had that Erin had long ago gotten use to.

She dropped her fork and nodded “I’ll get it.” She had picked up the newspaper early that morning for him “Here you go.”

"Thanks" Ted drank his coffee and flipped the pages as he read the interesting articles. Suddenly, he frowned and his brows knitted together. He had stopped eating and was entwined with the newspaper. Erin noticed after a few minutes that he had not taken another bite “Erin.” He turned to her with a pale face “You have to read this.”

“What is it?” she asked as he handed the newspaper to her. She skimmed through the words “Oh my God…”

The meeting was bustling with the agents describing their rendezvous the night before to the new agents. Becca was exaggerating that there were twenty guys and they beat them all up without using their guns. Mia couldn’t help but laugh out loud “You are so full of it!”

“Come on, they’re not going to believe me if you laugh!” Becca scolded.

“Becca, I don’t think they’ll believe you even if Mia wasn’t laughing. How is it possible that we can beat up twenty armed men without using our guns?” Doug asked sarcastically.

She seemed to think about it while Jenna and Leah exchanged knowing grins “It can happen.” Was her final words.

Matt entered the room with the group laughing “Well I’m glad you guys are finding some things amusing.” There was tenseness to his voice.

“What’s up your butt?” Mia asked.

“Apparently, you guys don’t read the morning newspapers.” He threw a copy on the table “Darren, read it out loud.”

Ted and Erin turned to each other with a grim expression while Darren read the headlines and bits of the article “'Fireman died in the reign of fire' Twenty eight year old fireman of Sa Tin, Eric Leung died from a fire which has been determined this morning of an arson. The man was arrested and charged with arson, his sentence will be announced next Friday. Eric Leung managed to save five elders from a retirement home and a child who was supposedly locked on the third floor. Fellow firemen said they were not informed of a child but for some reason Erin Leung claimed there was a child locked in a room. No one has found out where he got the news. He was killed instantly when the forty two year old building collapsed. No other deaths were reported.”

“Crap…” Mia whispered as she covered her mouth “How could this have happened?”

“Arson.” Becca nodded with wide eyes “That’s what the article said.”

Ted shook his head “No, there’s more than that. Who gave him the clue that there was a child stuck on the third floor? How come his teammates did not get that news?”

“Also, why would an arson start in a retirement home with elders that probably have no enemies?” Erin added.

“This is creepy.” Leah shivered after listening to the article.

Darren placed the article down “You think this has to do with the team?” he asked Matt.

The young lieutenant nodded “We got an anonymous letter this morning. No return address, no stamp and it was typed out, not hand written. Clearly a sign that the sender doesn’t want us to find him.”

“Sneaky bastard…” Becca muttered “Or bitch.” She added.

“What does it say, Gor?” Ryan asked curiously.

He lowered his eyes “It’s a little disturbing, be prepared for everything.” Taking out the envelope, he handed it to Ryan who in turned opened it. His eyes skimmed the list and it widened with each name. He turned to Matt with teary eyes “It’s not actually a letter, it’s a list of names.” Matt nodded to his brother to read it.

“Number one Shelly Kam.” Ryan read out loud “Two, Eric Leung. Three, Mayor Chan. Reina Ng. Michael Wu and Julie Wu. Ah Bat. Ethan Chan. Evelyn Fong. Luke Yam. Last but not least, the cast and crew of the P.R.A.”

“What a cocky son of bitch!” Riley spat harshly.

Matt crossed his harms with a stern expression “They are obviously playing a game with us. The people named are everyone that had something to do with us personally or our cases.”

“Wait, there are two names that I don’t recognize.” Mia raised her hand “Who are Eveyln and Luke?”

“Evelyn is Chuck’s girl. Or should I say his target?” Jenna corrected herself “I don’t know who Luke is.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Matt nodded to his group “They are all involved in our lives one way or another. We have to warn these people. Two names have been crossed off, I suspect there will only be more deaths.”

“Wait a minute.” Becca stopped him “Reina. She’s in jail, how are they going to kill her in an all woman institution?”

“They’ll find a way.” Mia replied darkly “We have to get her out.” She looked at Matt intensely.

He shook his head with a sigh “Unfortunately we cannot do it with just this threat letter. We have received these before in the past.”

“But nothing so deathly true.” Ryan pointed out “Two lives. Can we afford for a third life to be taken?”

“He’s right.” Mark agreed, “I say warn the people on this list or use one of them as bait to catch the killer.”

Erin shook her head in disagreement “That’s too risky. We don’t know who we’re dealing with.” She turned to Matt questioningly “Should we discuss with Joe?”

“He is back in Beijing and won’t return until another month. He left this in my hands.” Matt replied, “My only concern is that the Mayor is third on the list.”

Mia winced “We should warn him.”

“Ted, can you take care of that?” Matt nodded to the captain.

“Yes, sir.” He agreed.

Their meeting was interrupted by one of the IT who had signed for a package. He knocked on the door and pointed to Ted. Matt nodded “Let him in.” Doug was the closest to the door as he press the control that slid the glass doors open.

“What is this?” he handed it to Ted.

“Be careful.” Erin warned.

He looked at the sender’s address “It’s the blood report from Shelly’s case.” He turned to Matt who was suddenly alert.

“What does it say?” Riley pushed.

“What’s your rush? You act like it was your wife that—” Leah earned a stab in the ribs by Jenna “Sorry, Ryan.” She muttered.

He shook his head “Its okay.” He turned to Ted patiently waiting for the results.

“Unknown.” Ted concluded after skimming through the five page report.

“How could that be?” Erin asked in shock “The killer is human…isn’t he?”

Ryan nodded “He had a tattoo.” He was positive.

Leah turned to Riley who was itching his body “What’s wrong?”

“I break into hives when I get hot.” He replied “Is the air conditioning down today?” he asked Matt who nodded.

“Take off your jean jacket then. Shoot, I’d be hot too.” Leah retorted with a laugh.

Riley nodded as he peeled off the jacket. He turned to Ted, who had everyone’s attention. But at the corner of his eyes, he could see Ryan staring at his arm intently “Something wrong?”

“Where did you get that?” he nodded to the scratches on his arm.

“This?” Riley pointed, “I’m not sure. Could be from the paintball shooting.”

Ryan nodded, his eyes moved away but his mind was spinning. They wore long sleeves, how could he have scratches? Why would he lie? Questions running through his mind while Ted continued, “The blood type is declared but from whom is undetermined. My only guess is that he is not from Hong Kong. We have everyone’s records at the police station. Unless it’s a tourist.”

“Why would a tourist just drop by and kill someone?” Mia asked, “It just doesn’t make any sense. And that list…she was first.”

Darren agreed “Mia’s right. It’s not a coincidence. Who ever the leader is, he knows what he’s doing if he’s calling foreign killers to come and attack us. We have no way of finding out who is after us.”

“A mastermind, that’s all we need.” Becca threw up her hands in defeat.

“Don’t give up without a fight.” Matt warned.

“What should we do next?” Erin asked.

He sighed “Stay on your heels and don’t let any suspicious person get away. If you feel you are being followed, try to face your stalker. Lastly, warn those around you. Erin, you need to tell Chuck about this. He is not aware.”

“I will.” She nodded confirming.

SIUBINGLIBRARY 2004