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David Blake

Senior Special Agent.

0 · 462 views · located in Cartwright Falls

a character in “Cartwright Falls A Psychological Horror Story”, as played by Bosch

Groups

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is a national law enforcement agency that operates across the USA.

Description

Age- 40

Appearance- He’s a tall man with dark skin and serious eyes. He keeps his hair close cropped but normally has a stubbly goatee. His suits are not particularly fashionable and his style would be best described as non-existent.

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Skills- He has an excellent grasp of Criminal Law and Psychology. He ran track at university and boxed at the FBI training centre, a hobby he has rediscovered as a means of anger management.

Personality

Blake has anger management problems and is prone to going off the handle when stressed. His education however makes him more aware of this and he takes steps to reduce his anger. He feels a lot of guilt over the death of Michelle Halpert and the breakup of his marriage.

Image

He is very dedicated and intelligent.

History

Bio- David Blake was born in San Francisco in 1951. While he never knew his Father his mother was very supportive and worked as a maid. David was a gifted student and found his intellect was the best response to the racial climate of the 1960’s. By the 1970’s David had earned a scholarship and attended UCLA to study Criminal Law. After completing his studies he joined the FBI were he found his race was an advantage as the FBI was widely seen as a bunch of white guys in suits and was frequently put to use during sting operations.

By attending night school David earned further degrees in Criminology and Criminal Psychology. It was no surprise when during the 1980’s he became a member of an FBI task force specialising in high profile serial murders. During this time David married and became a father.

The fall came when David’s team was sent to Maine to investigate The Grave Digger Murders. The case had been sensationalised as the killer sent taunting letters to police and reporters. The letters would contain the locations of victims that had been buried alive. David’s team successfully identified a suspect called Brian Miller but when a university student called Michelle Halpert was reported missing and another letter arrived the FBI was forced to take action.

Unfortunately a botched surveillance job led to Miller taking a hostage. Fearing that if the FBI’s hostage rescue team was sent in Miller would be killed and the only lead to Halpert would be lost, Blake went in himself stating that he had a duty to intervene if he believed it could save lives. He found a deranged Miller holding a gun to an eight year old’s head.

Faced with an impossible situation Blake shot Miller and saved the child but unfortunately the bullet ricocheted off bone and pierced Miller’s heart. Blake spent the last moments of the killer’s Life begging for the location of Michelle Halpert. Miller just smiled.

His failure resulted in an investigation which he got through on a technicality but his career was in tatters. Much like the Waco siege the Grave digger murders and the outcome are viewed as one of the darker days in FBI history.

Blake was demoted and sent to Seattle, the effects of the case and his fall from grace had an impact on his family life which led to his divorce two years ago.

Now he battles the remorse he feels over his failure as an agent, Husband and Father. He does this through drinking and throwing himself into his work.

Image

So begins...

David Blake's Story

Characters Present

Character Portrait: David Blake
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#, as written by Bosch
Justine was alone in the Sheriff’s Department as every available deputy was responding to the shooting of Eli Carter, who was still in surgery, and the explosion at the Bishop House. Justine had spent the day coordinating the response and communications traffic. The truth was she was feeling pretty beat. She almost didn’t lift her head when the bell over the front door rang but was glad she did when she saw Hank Phillips entering the station. Hank was one of the volunteers who had spent the morning searching the woods. He was wearing a flannel shirt, filthy jeans and a scruffy Members only Jacket. He held a grey Trucker hat in one hand a folded piece of paper in the other.

“Hiya Justine I just heard about the Sheriff, is he ok?”

“Still in surgery.”

“Shit... excuse the language.”

Justine shrugged.

“With all that’s been going on I forgot to drop off the list of names the Sheriff asked for.”

“Names?”

“Eli wanted a list of anyone we ran into while out looking. You know Campers, Hunters and such.”

“How many did you meet?”

“Just one. Guy called Kyle Renford or Renwood, Ren something anyway. Seemed pretty normal. He was from Los Angeles.”

“Ok Hank can you set it on the Sheriff’s Desk? I’m swamped, the FBI are sending out someone to help now that Eli is out of action.” Justine eyes dropped as she thought about Eli.

“He’ll be alright. That boy’s a tough one.”

“I hope you’re right Hank.” Justine said as Hank went back to the Sheriff’s office to deliver his list to an empty desk.

#

“Are you shitting me!? What do you mean fucking exploded!”

David Blake was off loading into a payphone at Seattle airport. Other travellers were staring at him with wide eyes, a six foot two black man in suit swearing into a telephone was not normal for the departures lounge of any airport. A security guard glanced nervously at David and hoped nobody would ask him to do something.

“The Local Sheriff got drilled when a house belonging to one of the victims got blown up.” The creaky voice on the other end of the line said.

“Jesus Christ. They get the shooter?”

“He’s in the wind.”

“Motherfucker.” Blake said absentmindedly.

“Look I need you to get out there ASAP. The locals were in over their head to begin with and now with the sheriff down they need someone the coordinate the investigation.”

“What about Deacon and Barton?”

“They’re in the field, they’ll need you to be on the end of the phone, putting this thing together.”

“Sounds like a total clusterfuck.”

“It is.”

“Ok Frankie I’ll check in once I get to this shithole.”

“Hey Buddy watch the language.”

Blake turned to see an overweight man staring angrily at him.

“Good to hear, just get on that helicopter.” Francis Reynard, Regional Director of the FBI Washington Division, said as he ended the call.

Blake hung up the phone and stared at the fat man.

“Excuse me?” Blake said as put his hands on his hips ensuring his suit jacket was pushed back to expose not only the pistol on his belt but the Gold FBI Badge next to it. The words Senior Special Agent flashed under the florescent lights.

The Fat man’s eyes dropped the badge and gun then slowly came up to meet Blake’s furious gaze. Blake slowly hooked his finger towards the large man who leaned in.

“Fuck off.” Blake said in a barely audible whisper before picking up his briefcase and a large suit carrier and stalking away from the phone toward the concourse.

A Helicopter emblazoned with the National Parks Logo was just setting down. This was the best transportation that could be mustered on short notice. He clambered in, sat behind the pilot and pulled on a headset after some adjustments he could talk to the pilot.

“What are you waiting for? Get up there Goddamn it!”

The Pilot nodded and soon Blake was flying high above the Seattle skyline bound for Cartwright Falls.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Juliet D. Bishop Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple Character Portrait: Nathaniel Alexander
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#, as written by Bosch
Hayden looked Agent Temple and thought the man looked tired, the case was having that effect on everyone. She could only imagine how it must have felt for the FBI agents tasked with clearing up the mess.

“Deputy Montgomery, anything else you’d like to add?”

Hayden looked at the two battered kids and tried a half smile.

“Guess you two must be pretty tired? The other deputies are trying to organise some accommodation for you and your Mom, Juliet. It looks like she’s going to be tied up here for some time though.”

“Yeah and wherever you end up we’re going to post two deputies in a Bronco out front. Just until we understand what’s going on here.” Temple thought it looked like the girl was about to protest. “This is non-negotiable, at the moment your safety is paramount.”

Hayden produced a large brown paper bag. “I figured you’d want a change of clothes so here’s some stuff we were able to scrounge from around the station. It’s all Sheriff’s Department stuff so don’t expect it to be terribly flattering but I suppose you’ll want to get changed.”

“Alexander, best for you to go home and when you do move bring someone along with you.”
Temple produced two business cards from his wallet. “This has my pager number. Feel free to page anytime day or night. If it’s trouble add 911 to the page and I’ll get to you as soon as possible. Obviously call the Sheriff’s Department first.”

Hayden patted her uniform and found a pen she scribbled the Sheriff Department’s number on the back of Temple’s business cards before handing them over to the kids.

“Remember call me day or night if you remember anything.” Temple said with a forced smile. Witnesses weren’t really his thing.

“Deputy, lets go.”

#

Hayden and Temple approached the Reception just as Adams was finishing up his plan.

“
what do you say we grab you're partner, Hayden and a few other volunteers, gear up at the station and head out on a man-hunt?".

“Man hunt? You have a lead? Those kids didn’t see much, guess they were too busy trying to survive.”

Hayden returned to the group as she had been speaking to Justine to organise the Deputies to look after Juliet.

“They’re pretty shook up. That poor girl.”

Temple nodded. “So what’s the story Bart?”

Before Barton could answer Doctor Lawson emerged from behind a pair of double doors.

“Ok folks it’s starting to look like an NRA meeting in here. Can you take it outside? We need some room.”

#

The city was a dot in the distance now and all Blake could see was miles of wilderness below.

“Pretty big eh?” The pilot crackled in his headset.

“Yeah lots of places to hide.”

“Telling me. I work with the Volunteer Mountain Rescue team that works the woods. Lost hikers are like a needle in a hay stack.” He was complaining but he
sounded cheery.

“Mountain Rescue eh? What’s your name?”

“Bradley Vickers pleased to meet you.”

“Yeah likewise. Bradley do you know what a secondment is?”

“Uh not really.”

“It means you work for me now, Brad. How long ‘till we arrive at Cartwright Falls?”

“About Twenty Minutes.” Bradley said the cheeriness gone from his voice.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple Character Portrait: David Blake
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Barton nodded slowly at the idea. "Ordinarily I would not recommend a full-on manhunt, not in this weather and at this time, but-"

"Okay folks, it’s starting to look like an NRA meeting in here. Can you take it outside? We need some room.”

Barton shrugged as he turned to Temple. "Let's get outside, then I'll fill everyone in." He quickly removed his rifle, donned his coat and hat, and re-slung the rifle before heading out into the rain. He stayed under the awning as he spoke to the others. "In short, Deputy Adams and I found the wallet of a Mr. Kyle Renner right near one of the windows. Presumably he dropped it at some point. It had receipts stuffed in it for outdoor supplies and ammunition, Parabellum and .22 LR. I did some talking with the LAPD Commissioner, and it turns out Renner's wanted down there now for double homicide, killing his wife and her secret boyfriend. As far as his friends knew he was just coming up here to hunt, which he's done before. He's driving a Toyota Hi-Lux, gray, and has a .22 LR caliber rifle and a pistol. He is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Deputy Adams here says you have thirty-aught-six rifles at the station. I move we pair off, one Agent one Deputy, to have a balance of armaments. I can get us all over to the Station to get the Deputies armed, then two take the FBI car and two take a Deputy's car, and we start combing the town. I don't know this town as well as you two," he said, gesturing to the Deputies, "So I'll leave the routes to you for the time being, so long as we get the town covered."

He breathed for a few seconds. Two long monologues in as little time. "Right, let's get going, then." He led them to the FBI car, and they piled in. He drove as quickly as seemed safe, his eyes darting around, watching as much for a Toyota Hi-Lux as for where he was going. As they arrived at the station, he quickly established a shooting position of sorts near the front of the Station, watching for any unwanted visitors. He saw one only a few minutes after he settled in. However, this was not a car, but a helicopter. He quickly left the station, standing under the awning as the chopper's passenger disembarked and approached the station. He recognized the fairly infamous face immediately, one that he connected to the Michelle Halpert case and the FBI, much the same way one connected Richard Nixon to Watergate. Professional infamy aside, Barton had no love lost for the man he now addressed stiffly. "Good evening, David. Hell of a way to make an entrance."

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Kyle Renner Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Nathaniel Alexander Character Portrait: David Blake
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#, as written by Bosch
David Blake glanced out the window at the small town below him.

“Jesus it’s tiny.”

“Yeah, real small town America.”

Blake didn’t comment, he’d seen places like this before. They all seem like nice communities but scratch a little deeper and you soon find it’s full of dark secrets. Just like everywhere else.

“Put me down near the Sheriff’s department and then find somewhere to land this thing, you’re sticking with me.”

“The only place near the Sheriff’s Department is the street.”

“Then put it there.”

“Uh....”

“I’m the FBI and you’re helping me in a murder investigation. Put it down in the street and then find somewhere to land permanently.”

Brad nodded and started his descent.

#

The radio was playing loudly in white van.

“Jesus Christ, can’t you turn this rubbish off?” The woman said as she reached across and flicked the radio over to a talk radio station.

“Hey! I was listening to that.”

The man with the goatee flicked the radio back and continued listening to Bing.

The woman groaned and returned to the headphones she was listening to. There was no point having the commercialisation of Christmas discussion again.

“Once he is back on his feet I can return it to him.” A tinny voice said in her headphones.

The bug she had hidden inside the blister pack of Pain medication she had given Nathaniel was working perfectly.

“He’s back at his place, sounds like there’s at least one other person there, not the Bishop girl.”

“Good let’s go pick up the little shit then.”

“Patience, grasshopper. First we need the OK from the old man.”

The goatee man sighed.

“Whatever...” He brightened when Christmas Wrapping by the waitresses followed Bing.

“Score!”

“It’s only friggin November!”

“I love Christmas.”

The women shook her head and turned up the volume on her headphones.

#

Blake recognised Barton immediately and gruffly shook the man’s hand. Blake knew Barton and although he was technically the man’s senior their career paths were the inverse of each other, they were simply passing as Barton made his way up and Blake went down.

"Good evening, David. Hell of a way to make an entrance." Barton said.

“I guess they needed to get someone competent out here quickly.” Blake deadpanned. “I’ve been briefed but why are you tooled up? Do you have a lead?”

Blake didn’t break his stride as he made his way towards the Sheriff’s office.

#

Renner was cold and alone somewhere in the dark.

“Kyle?”

The snow was billowing outside but that’s not what was making him cold.

“Kyle, don’t be like this we had fun today...”

Renner dropped his head and thought of his dead wife and the Sherriff he’d shot. He thought about the homicidal rage that consumed him in those moments. He thought of the voice which he knew wasn’t of his own invention, he knew that now.

“Kyle, don’t ignore me. You know what happens when you do that, I’ll send you back.”

“No please! Not that, not that!” Kyle begged while snuffling.

“Only a few more hours more Kyle, then I promise I’ll leave you.”

Kyle pulled his knees close to his chest and began to gently rock.

#

The radio in the Woman’s pocket bleeped which told her someone was on the line. She turned off the radio and answered.

“Go.”

“Boss says take the Biscuit outta the Barn.”

“Understood, we’ll be in touch. Over and Out.”

She put the Radio away and turned to the Man with the Goatee.

“How long to get to the Alexander kid’s place?”

“In this town about everything is less than five minutes away.”

“Good, we’re taking him.”

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Eli Carter Character Portrait: Juliet D. Bishop Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple
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#, as written by Bosch
“Why so glum Partner?”

Eli turned on the stool to see a tall man wearing what to Eli looked like a brown Stetson or other type of cowboy hat and a long black duster. The hat obscured the man’s face with shadow. His dirty, naked feet were resting on the table in front of him, muck seemed to ooze from the man’s pores and land with thick splats on the table. He produced a cigarette along with a lighter seemingly from thin air and while he lit the smoke his face was illumined showing a craggy face with dark eyes that seemed to suck in surrounding light.

“I’m having a strange night.” The man’s bizarre appearance put Eli on edge so he turned back to the bar.

“I suppose you are, Eli.”

Eli spun in his stool and faced the man.

“How’d you know
”

“Eli please, let’s not ask stupid questions.”

Eli didn’t know what to say it was like the cogs in his brain were barley turning.

“You’re dying, what does that feel like?” The man was talking to Eli but also thinking aloud.

“I’m not I’m
”

“Ticket sir.”

The man with the “Staff” badage was standing beside Eli with his hole punch at the read. “It’s time to punch your ticket.”

Eli handed over his ticket and with a quick click the bald man punched a hole in Eli’s Ticket.

“If you’ll follow me sir your party is waiting.”

“My party?”

“Yes Miss Elizabeth Button.”

“Lizzie?”

The car crash and the girl with the flame red hair came flooding back to him.

“Little lizzie? She finally got invited to the big party. I had fun with her.”

Eli looked at the man in confusion.

“You were there when I came for her. How she screamed your name.”

“Sir please.” The bald man said as he gently took Eli by the elbow. “Just follow me.”

Eli stood and followed the man toward the Dining room. The large imposing doors swung open and Eli found himself engulfed in a white light.

#

Lawson was moving as soon as the siren started to beep and the voice over the PA system announced a code blue in room 142.
Eli’s room.

“Jesus I need a crash cart. 142! 142!”

Lawson took the elevator as he knew his old bones would be much slower on the stairs. By the time he made it to Eli the nurses were already starting in intubate
and Lawson immediately took over. Eli was asphyxiating on his own vomit which was pouring out of the Sheriff’s mouth. Lawson needed to get past that open and airway or else the Sheriff would surely die. Time was critical as the longer Lawson took the less of Eli’ mind there would be left to save.

Suddenly Eli’s body was wracked with spasms and Lawson felt the tube tube slip from his grasp. The vomit turned red telling Lawson that the tube had damaged something. The nurses tried to secure Eli while Lawson prepared a muscle relaxant. The spasms were costing seconds that should be spent getting oxygen to Eli’s brain in addition to wasting whatever oxygen was left in Eli’s body.

Lawson cursed softly.

#

She was in a red dress and sitting alone stirring the ice in her drink with a muddler. The blad man showed Eli to his seat which he collapsed into.

“Lizzie?” He croaked as his throat felt scratchy.

“I wasn’t expecting you so soon but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Where is here?”

“Don’t be dense. Whats the last thing you remember before arriving?”

“Getting shot.”

“And now you’re talking to your dead high school sweetheart.”

“So I’m dead?”

“Oh yeah.”

Eli didn’t have any strong feelings about that which scared him.

“It alright though Eli you still have a job to do.”

“I thought heaven was supposed to be a relaxing place.”

“This look like heaven to you?”

She had always given him a hard time, in fact it was something he loved about her.

“So where are we?”

“Let’s call it Limbo. You met the cowboy out there?”

“Yeah he said he knew you.”

“That’s
 We’re not talking about that. We’re talking about getting out of here.”

“Ok how do we do it?”

“Him, the Cowboy he’s keeping us here, we keep him alive but not well fed.”

“Fed?”

“Fear, he needs fear, but the dead provide much at least not here in Limbo.”

“So what’s he doing?”

“We have a lot to talk about before we can get into that.”

#

“Time of death 2015 hours.” Lawson said with a shake of his head.

Finally Eli was at rest. The spasms hadn’t stopped until the Sheriff’s heart had finally given out. Only a nurse remained scribbling some final pieces of paperwork
while Lawson cleaned up Eli. He closed the Sheriff’s eyes and wiped the blood and vomit from the man’s chin.

“Are you alright Doctor Lawson?”

It was Nurse Oldman, a young man with sandy blonde hair.

“I’m fine Tim. I knew his father, he was a good man like his son.”

Lawson turned and Tim noticed the red rims around the Doctor’s eyes. He knew Lawson found it hard to remain detached from his patients but he’d never seen the man so open with grief. For a brief instant Tim saw Lawson as an elderly man and not the brilliant Doctor with unlimited energy he usually saw.

“Doctor I’m going to call the on call. I think you shoul take a few hours it’s been a really long day.”

He thought Lawson would argue but the Doctor just clapped Tim on the shoulder and walked off toward his office.

Tim made his way to reception and after filing the paperwork related to Eli’s death he picked up the phone and punched in the on call Doctor’s Phone Number.

“Hello, I’m looking for Doctor Saunders.”

#

Adams was explaining how he had arrived at the decision to start a man hunt to Hayden and Temple when Blake and Barton entered.

“So Hank Phillips ran into a hunter out in the woods took his name and gave the list to the Sherriff. With
 everything that’s happened the Sherriff never got to see the list. Agent Barton and I only discovered it when we got back here.”

The phone rang and Justine answered as Blake and Barton joined the conversation while Deputy Adams continued his brief.

“Ok so with the weather the way it is Renner will need shelter and there are a few places the Guy could have gone. There’s the mine not far from where he was found and the Saw mill is pretty close too. He’ll be wanting to keep off the roads because of the police presence so I reckon he’ll be hiding somewhere till the storm lets him make a move.”

“Yes he’s shot a cop there’s no way he’ll use the Hi-Lux again every badge in the state has that description.”

“Oh my God
 Yes thank you, of course
” It was Justine. She hung up the phone and glanced over her desk and the assembled group.

“Sheriff Carter just died in Hospital.”

A stunned silence fell on the group and Blake recognised now was the time to introduce himself. He cleared his throat and addressed the room.

“The death of Sheriff Carter is a tragedy and we will avenge him but the way he would have wanted. I didn’t know the man but he died saving two kids and from what I’ve heard he was fine Lawman, he’d want this motherfucker brought to justice and that’s exactly what we are going to do. Renner will be taken alive and will face his crimes, there will be no reprisals against this man because it will fuck the case we clear here?” He let his words settle before continuing. “Remember we have a missing girl still out there.”

He nodded at Deputy Adams who continued speaking.

“So I think we should hit the mine first then try the Saw mill.”

Blake looked at the map Adams was using as a visual aid. “Ok make it happen. Barton and Temple liaise with the locals and go get this bastard.”

#

Cassandra Bishop watched her child stir in her sleep before she drifted off. Confusion was wracking her, she was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to sleep but she knew it wouldn’t come. For months her dreams had been invaded with dreams of Benson and the dark man, then Julian disappeared. She knew he was dead before they found the body Benson told her in a dream, he taunted her with the knowledge for how her child had died, in agony surrounded by dark figures.

Benson let her hear his screams.

Now all she had left was Juliet and nobody was going to hurt her.

#

The woman approached Nathaniel’s door and gave the door a quick rap. A short house keeper answered the door.

“FBI. I’m Agent Burrows and this Agent Martin. We need to speak to Mr Alexander.”

She flashed the bogus FBI ID and barged into the house. The housekeeper said something about the boy being asleep.

“Well go wake him.” Agent Martin said his goatee twitching with annoyance.

The pair remained in the hallway waiting for Nathaniel to show up. It was unfortunate the housekeeper had seen their faces.

It meant she would be the first to die.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Eli Carter Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple Character Portrait: David Blake
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Hayden listened intently as Adams explained what they were to do once they started the hunt for the crazed man on the loose. Hunters in the woods weren't exactly rare, especially at this time of the year but the name was unfamiliar to the young deputy. Obviously he wasn't a native of Cartwright.

"Sheriff Carter just died in the Hospital." Justine's sad voice drifted to her ears. Hayden's heart almost stopped in shock as she looked over at the older woman with wide eyes. It seemed like just moments ago that she was at the hospital, Hayden had never expected Eli wouldn't make it through everything.

“The death of Sheriff Carter is a tragedy and we will avenge him but the way he would have wanted. I didn’t know the man but he died saving two kids and from what I’ve heard he was fine Lawman, he’d want this motherfucker brought to justice and that’s exactly what we are going to do. Renner will be taken alive and will face his crimes, there will be no reprisals against this man because it will fuck the case we clear here?” He let his words settle before continuing. “Remember we have a missing girl still out there.”

"I know the Saw mill is easier to get to than the mines, it's a faster trip from the town to there. With the weather the mine could be dangerous, lots of mud and there are sometimes pockets of water that are deeper than they seem. Some places flood when it rains a lot." Hayden spoke up as Blake gave them orders of who should go where.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple Character Portrait: David Blake
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Barton shook his head quickly. "We have a bulk of identifying information, but the rifle's for defense. The shooter has a rifle too," he muttered off-handedly before they entered the police station. Barton remained quiet thereafter, listening carefully as Adams finished outlining his plan. He'd have to request a brief repetition for himself and Blake. A moment later, that was forgotten as the bombshell came.

"Sheriff Carter just died in the hospital."

Barton's eyes widened briefly before he clenched them shut tightly. He had only met the Sheriff briefly, but had carried him from the burning Bishop household. Somehow he felt useless, as though his efforts were now wasted. He bowed his head slowly, now unwilling to break the stunned silence. Make that minute a memorial for the dead Sheriff, for they might not have time for a proper memorial later. Unfortunately, Blake broke the silence with a sudden, impromptu speech. Barton never was much for that kind of monologuing, but he had to agree with Blake's sentiment. They could not let a desire for revenge override their duty as law enforcement. Renner would have to answer here for what now racked up to murder, double attempted murder, and arson, and then back home for double murder.

Though Barton hadn't noticed his leaving, Adams suddenly returned after Blake's speech, with a Remington shotgun and a lever-action rifle. Barton raised an eyebrow at the shotgun, but said nothing. It could have slugs loaded...no, a quick glance at the shells as he loaded them revealed all red shells, all buckshot. Odd.

Barton glanced with a small twinge of alarm at Adams' tone, cold and emotionless. This was a sudden change from his previous demeanor, and he didn't like what it boded at all. He silently hoped that Temple and Montgomery would be the duo to find Renner. Regardless, he realized one base that was uncovered, and that could now be covered. "Almost done, just one last thing. We have one more lawman with us now, though we have lost one as well. Blake, we've got two teenagers who survived Renner's attack; Juliet Bishop and Nathaniel Alexander. Alexander's at his house; Juliet's in the hospital. Can you get them both to the same place and keep them safe? We cannot yet rule out the possibility that Renner was targeting them. With that taken care of, though, we are done here. Let's get to stakeouts. I'll drive myself and Adams."

After that abrupt conclusion, Barton then left the station, putting his hat back on as he remembered the rain. It seemed to be getting lighter, though. Hopefully it wouldn't be as bad by the time they reached the mine: trying to see on a rainy night was difficult.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Eli Carter Character Portrait: Juliet D. Bishop Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Simon "Deacon" Temple Character Portrait: Nathaniel Alexander
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#, as written by Bosch
"Almost done, just one last thing. We have one more lawman with us now, though we have lost one as well. Blake, we've got two teenagers who survived Renner's attack; Juliet Bishop and Nathaniel Alexander. Alexander's at his house; Juliet's in the hospital. Can you get them both to the same place and keep them safe? We cannot yet rule out the possibility that Renner was targeting them. With that taken care of, though, we are done here. Let's get to stakeouts. I'll drive myself and Adams."

Blake felt anger rise in his chest. He had been sent to oversee not to take orders but he swallowed his anger and let out a single controlled breath.

“Sure Barton, I’ll go check it out but then I’ll come back here to coordinate, make sure we don’t end up with another bloodbath on our hands.”

Blake too noted the change in Adams demeanour but was unsure if Barton had.

“Agent Barton can I have a word before you leave.”

Out of ear shot of the others Blake expressed his concern.

“Keep an eye on Deputy Adams, He’s seething. We need this done right, no Rodney King bullshit. Keep him on a short leash.”
Blake waited to see if the Agent had any other input, while he may not have liked Barton on a personal level he understood that personal feelings had no place in an investigation. The man could get a job done and that was all that mattered.

#

Temple reviewed his weaponry, he had a Grey six shot revolver on his hip, a Glock 17 in a concealed carry holster and the AR-15. After his years of military service the weapons felt extensions of his own body. He checked the sights on the AR-15 and could feel adrenaline trickle through his body. They all would be feeling it, hunting a cop killer in the hills during the dead of night, it would be impossible not to.

He glanced outside at the snow lazily drifting down and realised his suit wouldn’t provide enough protection from the elements. He went out to his car and from the boot produced a Black Jacket with the letters FBI on the back in large white letters. Before he put it on he stopped and pulled out his Second Chance Body Armour, again with FBI printed on it bust this time on the chest. He had a wife and kid and there was no way he was ending up like Carter.

Back inside he approached Hayden while he pulled on the Armour and his jacket.

“Ok Deputy looks like we’re hitting the Saw Mill. This is your neck of the woods so you’re driving.”

He tossed her the Keys.

“You got everything you need here? I think we have a spare set of body armour in the car.”

#

The kid was still twitching a bit as the woman injected him in the neck with a clear liquid. It was a simple drug that would keep him down for the drive to the base, she produced a pair of Flexi cuffs and snapped them shut on the youngster’s wrists. When she was done she sighed.

“Fuck, that escalated quickly.”

She would have to work fast as she didn’t know if the gun fire would attract interest. First she dragged Nathaniel’s unconscious body out and into the van. Next she did the same with the Man with the Goatee who Nathaniel had killed. His name was Keith and he’d been something or other in the Canadian Military. Now he was dead.

She dragged Keith’s body out to the waiting van and dumped him beside Nathaniel. The kid would get a little blood on him but that’s what you get when you start shoot shooting people in the head.

She was panting now from the physical exertion of the lifting and dragging. Despite being in good physical condition she was still much shorter than the two men. That’s why she left the tiny maid till last.

Once she’d the bodies and Nathaniel in the van she returned to the house and collected the shell casings before wiping down everything she could remember touching. Satisfied the place was clean. She went outside and insured the door was locked before smashing the living room window that was on the front of the house.

The clues would suggest a home invasion gone wrong and maybe the story would hold up or maybe not but it would cause enough confusion to make sure nobody came looking for Nathaniel in the right place.

She got into the van and started driving.

#

Eli had no idea where he was. He was still getting used to the power he now had.

Suddenly he was looking at a girl with blonde hair.

Juliet Bishop.

He felt like he was walking through treacle but Lizzie said it would be difficult for him at first.

“Juliet?”

He was unsure if the girl could hear him as she gave no reaction but he continued regardless.

“You need to be careful
 looking for you
 Mother
 nobody never trust
”

Then he was back in the hotel sitting at the table with Lizzie.

“Did you speak to her.”

“Not really, more at her. I told her though. I don’t know what she got.”

“In time she’ll become more open. At least you tried to warn her.”

Eli sat glumly.

#

Cassandra jolted awake from another bad dream and looked down at her daughter. Benson was gone from her dreams now the Dark Man was the focus of all her dreams. His dirty coat and grubby hands stuck in her memory while she was sure she could still smell his breath, taste it in her mouth.

It was the smell of Decay, the taste of pestilence.

She stood and went to get a glass of water and splash some water on her face. For a brief instant she could see him watching her from the end of the corridor but then he was gone. She shook her head and tried to get a grip.

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Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: David Blake
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Barton nodded solemnly. "I noticed that. I'll watch him carefully. I really don't need this case getting any more disturbing," he muttered in return. Which was true; the Gerhart case had chilled him deeply, and the last thing he wanted to deal with was bloodlust, especially after the abject cruelty he recognized in Julian's and Carter's murders. He licked his lips briefly, then spoke again to Blake, a bit sheepish. "Sorry about going over your head there, I'm getting a bad feeling about things right now. Sir." He added the last almost as an afterthought. He remembered the details of Blake's last case in a flurry, and realized that his personal regard for Blake was...well, out-of-date. He didn't seem nearly as abrasive as Barton remembered, a change probably related to his fall from grace. A fall that, in Barton's eyes, had always seemed off. He knew his next words were probably stupid sentiment, but he did want to smooth some ground, the better to facilitate their working relationship now. "For what it's worth, David, I think the Bureau threw you under the bus. I would've done the same thing in your shoes."

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Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: David Blake
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Thinking of Agent Barton in any kind of relationship took the fearful edge off that nights events and made Connor smile.
"Yeah, long night. I doubt I'll make the night without some sleep. Check the walkie again,", Barton said, snapping the Deputy back into reality.
Connor pressed down on the talk-button and raised to to his lips.
"Deputy Montgomery, this is Deputy Adams, come in.", He said before taking his thumb off of the button.
No answer.
"Deputy Montgomery, this is Deputy Adams, come in!", he said again, desperation starting to edge his voice.
We found Renner, what the hell could've happened to them? Does he have an accomplice?
"Damn it. We should check in with Agent Blake", he said to Barton as he got out of the car. "Somethings not right here".
Ha, seems to be the phrase of the night, he thought to himself wryly as he got out of the car.
Barton got out of his side of the car and both of them walked to the front entrance of the building.
"First we'll report in to Blake, try to get some food and caffeine in us, then figure out what the fuck we do about Montgomery and Temple's radio silence.", the Deputy knew Hayden could handle herself in a pinch, and paired with the FBI agent they would be a force to be reckoned with, but he still couldn't shake the uneasy feeling building up in his stomach.

"Agent Blake." Barton said as they entered the Squad Room.
"We found Renner, but he committed suicide before we could apprehend him". The Agent continued. " He exhibited strange behavior, such as speaking in third person before killing himself, acting like one with split-personality disorder, and uh..."
"Sickin' wolves after us and knowing about Bartons past", The Deputy finished where Barton left off.
"Also, we can't raise Temple or Montgomery on the Radio we need to look into that", Connor said, looking between the two agents.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: [NPC] Bartender Character Portrait: Eli Carter Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: David Blake
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#, as written by Bosch
Blake stood in the doorway of the communications room and asked Tina for an update.

“Nothing yet Agent Blake. With the weather coming in so bad it’ll be hard to get a signal.”
Blake nodded but didn’t like the cold feeling creeping into his stomach.

“Agent Blake."

Blake turned to see Barton and Adams enter the squad room.

"We found Renner, but he committed suicide before we could apprehend him". The Agent continued. " He exhibited strange behaviour, such as speaking in third person before killing himself, acting like one with split-personality disorder, and uh..."

"Sickin' wolves after us and knowing about Barton’s past", The Deputy finished where Barton left off.

"Also, we can't raise Temple or Montgomery on the Radio we need to look into that", Connor said, looking between the two agents.

“Whoa slow down. Tell me from the top.” Blake said as he held his hands up in mock surrender.
The two men launched into the story and Blake just listened. When they finished Blake nodded slowly while he thought for a minute.

“Ok if both you can swear that’s what went down and autopsy can back it up I don’t think internal affairs will look at this too closely. They will have to look at this though could be seen as a little too much like vengeance.”

He then thought about the rest of what the men said.

“Alright. This guy was probably nuts. It will end up being like the bell tower sniper Charles Whitman. They’ll cut him open and find a tumour on his brain. As for him knowing about Barton, that case was pretty big and sounds like he got a couple of lucky guesses. You guys never heard of cold reading? I’m sure when you sit down and think about it the whole thing won’t seem that miraculous.”

Blake looked at the two men standing in front of him.

“Don’t take this the wrong way but you both look like shit. You’re both done for the day, go get some shut eye. I’ll have Renner’s body collected and go look for Deputy Montgomery and Agent Temple they’re probably still checking out the Saw Mill. I want you two at the funeral tomorrow see if you can’t scare up some leads.”

Blake’s tone didn’t invite debate.

#

“You’re Karen Fellows!” Hayden cried with surprise as she slowly walked toward the girl. “My name is Deputy Hayden Montgomery and I’m here too...”.

Hayden stopped halfway before checking herself.

“... i’m sure someone will be along to save us.”
She looked at the girl who seemed to be unharmed save a few scratches and bruises. Although the bouts of cackling laughter where a cause for concern.

Hayden sat down on the bed beside Karen and was sure to keep her hands where the girl could see them. She seemed a little unhinged.

“Did they hurt you? Do you know anything that might help us get out of here?”

The girl was about to respond when her eyes went wide with terror.

Hayden looked over her shoulder and saw the door to her room had swung open and two men were standing in it. One holding a shotgun, the other a pair of cuffs.

Hayden’s hands instinctively dropped to her empty holster which caused one of the men to laugh. He tossed a pair of cuffs onto the bed beside Hayden.

“Put em on Deputy you’re coming with us.”

Hayden took a look back at Karen who seemed to be frozen with fear.

“You guys must be real tough to scare a little kid like this.”

“Put the cuffs on or I’ll put them on you. You can guess what I’d prefer.” The man said with a dirty smile.
Hayden stood and slipped the cuffs on her wrists before the man walked towards her and placed a hood over her head. Then she felt strong arms guiding her out of the room.

#

Blake was standing outside the old Mill with his flashlight drawn and his hand on his pistol. It was easy to be rational in the well lit Sherriff’s department but out here alone in the woods with the stormy weather it was another story. He noticed the only set of tracks where his own but figured the harsh weather may have filled in Montgomery’s and Temple’s.

He crept inside the old building and had a look around.

The place was dilapidated and falling apart but it seemed structurally sound enough for Blake to have a look around. The first floor was a bust, all he found was some empty beer bottles, probably kids.

The mill floor was large with only old rusted equipment to hold Blake’s attention. He quickly moved onto the second floor which was a mezzanine overlooking the Mill floor. It was a collection of offices which provided him with little information apart from a map of the complex. He noticed there was a basement he still hadn’t checked.

“Typical.” He moaned before trudging towards the basement with only his flashlight as a guide.

#

The cuffs where removed and Hayden was pushed through a doorway. She landed in a heap as a heavy door slammed behind her. She got to her feet and pulled the hood off. Her hands were slightly cut from where she’d stopped her fall.

“Deputy?” A loud booming voice asked her.

“What?” Hayden asked aggressively.

“Sorry about all this but I’m sure you’ll find it all necessary in time.”

“I’ll find you in time.” Hayden whispered.

“No need for threats.” The voice answered and Hayden grew stiff. She looked at her clothes in the dim light but was still able to make out the small microphone than had been placed on her lapel.

She looked around the room which was actually a cave. There were five flood lights arranged in a circle around the centre of the room which left the recesses of the room in darkness.

“Please step into the light Deputy.”

“First some answers. Who are you?”

“Blair Lamont. Please step into the light.”

“What do you want with me?”

“Right now I want you step into the light.”

“What is this place?”

“Deputy. Trust me it’s about to get incredibly cold in that cave and if you wish to survive you’ll need to be in the centre of the room.

Hayden had noticed a chill in the air. So she slowly walked towards the light. Each step though became increasingly difficult as she became colder.

“Saying you’re so inquisitive I’ll let you know all about the cave. It has some bizarre qualities. For example we’ve recorded the temperature reaching absolute zero and the force of gravity changing. The walls contain trace amounts of elements like Seaborgium, Hassium and Fermium which as you know are all man-made. In addition to a few that are totally new to us. We also conducted analysis on the material the walls are made out of and found it to be at least 15 billion years old. That’s older than our galaxy. We also noticed any attempts to measure the size of the room are utterly impossible as appears to be constantly contracting and expanding...”

Hayden collapsed. She wasn’t listening any more to Lamont’s ramblings, it was too cold and rumbling growl filled her mind. All she knew was that the stone in the centre of the room was hot. It took all she had to reach out and touch it.

#

Blake was in the basement but had turned up nothing apart from some strange carvings that looked like eyes. He snapped a couple of pictures when his radio crackled to life.

“... Explosion... dead...”

“Repeat last Tina.” Blake said he made his way up the stairs and back to the Mill floor.”

“...Bronco... one body...”

He decided it was useless until he got outside.

“Tina repeat, I got none of that.”

“Agent Blake they’ve found one of the Broncos. Its blown up and they also found a body. It’s Temple.”

“Rodger, give me the details.”

#

Hayden woke up in the mansion bedroom with a man standing over her.

“Eli?”

“Yep. How you feeling kiddo?” Eli responded with a grin.

“You’re dead.”

“Yeah... You’re not though don’t worry.” Eli said remembering Nathaniel being worried.

“Great so I’m just insane.”


“Don’t think so. You’ve been the cold cave with the stone in the middle?”

“Yes.”

“Then no, you’re not crazy. The stone gives people abilities...”

“Who are you talking to?” Karen asked from the far side of the room interrupting Eli.

“Eli. You can’t see him?” Hayden asked.

Karen slowly shook her head.

“Well this just got interesting.” Eli said.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Eli Carter Character Portrait: Juliet D. Bishop Character Portrait: Hayden Montgomery Character Portrait: David Blake Character Portrait: Cassandra K. Bishop
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#, as written by Bosch
A large monitor hummed quietly while a slightly pale young woman clacked on a keyboard. Behind her a squat man observed a bank of monitors. On one of them he could see CCTV footage of Hayden Montgomery and Karen Fellows on another he could see Nathaniel Alexander. Others showed recordings of Karen, Nathaniel and Hayden in the cave with the stone.

“Strange isn’t it, Sophie? They all reacted the same way when encountering the artefact but only Fellows brain waves were unaltered.”

“Maybe it rejected her?” Sophie offered.

“Don’t tell me you’re buying into Lamont’s supernatural nonsense. It’s just a stone, there’s no such thing as ghosts. There’s nothing special about that thing. Stones can’t reject people because stones don’t think.”

“It’s only supernatural until we can explain it Karl. We could be standing at beginning of the greatest scientific discovery of all time here.”

“We’re looking at rocks in a cave, not curing AIDS.” Karl said shaking his head.

“Explain the results then. Why are none of our instruments accurate?”

“It’s...” Karl began.

“It’s because this place is special Doctor Adams.”

Both turned to see Blair Lamont standing behind them.

“Any change on our subjects?” Blair continued as he strode into the observation room.

“Fellows is talking more which is good. The inclusion of a second subject was a good idea.” Karl explained.

“I’m glad you think so.” Lamont deadpanned.

“Alexander has recovered is back on his feet.”

“Any other suggestions he’s been affected.”

“Apart from the brain activity none yet.”

“Amazing what they can do these days miniature electronics.” Lamont said commenting on the electrodes attached to the base of the subjects skulls. It would only be a matter of time before they discovered them but until then they where providing fascinating data.

“Uh... come look at this.” Karl said from the monitor bank.

Lamont and Sophie Adams approached the bank of monitors.

“Who’s she talking to?” Karl asked.

“Fellows looks like she’s about to freak out.”

“Audio now.” Lamont said.

Karl fiddled with some knobs on the monitor and brought the sound up.

“Her brain activity is going loco over here.” Sophie said from her monitor.

Hayden’s voice filled the small room from the speakers dotted around the room.

“You’re dead.”

She waited a beat before continuing.

“Great so I’m just insane.”

“Yes.”

“She’s providing gaps for someone to respond.” Sophie said.

“Who are you talking to?” Karen Fellows asked on the monitor.

“Eli. You can’t see him?” Hayden asked.

“Eli Carter? The Sheriff?” Karl asked.

“Continue monitoring them. I think we might have something here.” Lamont said.

#


“Car bomb. Had to be. Look at the pattern, explosion emanated from over here, the tank going up was an unnecessary secondary. It just went up with the car. Whoever blew this thing up used more than enough to get the job done.”

Blake was standing beside the charred hulk of the Van that Kyra Gosling had detonated. The snow was starting to ease but Blake didn’t care he was standing over the body of a Fed, a G-man, one of his guys. This made it personal, while the death of Carter had been annoying this was a direct affront to the FBI and him by extension.

He was talking to a confused looking fire fighter but he wasn’t really. He was thinking out loud.

“If you say so. I just don’t know who’d be up to this kind of thing in Cartwright Falls.” The fire-fighter explained.

“That’s sort of the point. That’s why it’s a mystery.” Blake said like he was trying to educate a slow child.

“I saw them Irish fellas on the news doing car bombs maybe they had something to do with it...?” The fire-fighter offered.

“You think Irish Republicans decided to plant a car bomb with the view of killing an American, an FBI agent no less who has no links to Ireland? You basing this on a comprehensive academic knowledge of the History of Ireland?”

“I uh, just thought...”

“Leave the thinking to me. Don’t you have a cat in a tree to save or something?”

The fire fighter left with his jaw still swinging.

Blake gathered the Deputies around him and began to delegate tasks. The murder made no sense to Blake because he couldn’t understand why Temple had been in this area, why Montgomery and her vehicle were missing and why Temple had been targeted in the first place. it felt like an ambush.

Once he’d finished an older deputy at the back of the group raised his hand.

“What about Hayden? Why aren’t we out looking for her? She’s obviously been taken. You Feeb’s don’t care about that.” He used the derogatory nickname for FBI agents that implied they were feeble in some way. The jab annoyed Blake more than it should have but with an agent under a sheet less than twenty feet away he felt justified.

“Deputy I suggest you check your attitude. If you are implying I’m not assigning the correct resources to the search for Deputy Montgomery I invite you make a complaint to our regional HQ. For the moment I’d ask you consider that your force has been unable to locate Karen Fellows despite the incredibly successful ‘lets go out looking plan’. This time we’re going to focus our resources and have an investigation not a fucking scavenger hunt where first prize is finding a corpse.”

He looked at the group as if challenging anyone to interrupt. Eyes where suddenly not meeting his.

“Secondly your well honed instinct for detection has identified that Deputy Montgomery is missing as is her vehicle. You think this means she has been taken, I think this means we just need to find her as there is nothing here to suggest she wasn’t involved.”

“Hey if you’re saying what I think...” The older Deputy began.

“I’m saying be a fucking cop. Follow the evidence not what you feel. Lastly if you’re going to call into question the dedication of the FBI why don’t you go over there and take a long look at Agent Temple. Then go tell his wife what you think about...”

Blake stopped dead.

Wife.

“Fuck!” He roared. “I don’t have time for this anymore, do your jobs and your jobs are to make me happy. Now off you fuck.”

He ran to his car and grabbed the radio.

“Tina it’s Blake.”

“Oh Hiya Agent what can do for you?” She said cheerily.

“I need you connect me to FBI Regional HQ.”

“Right away.”

Electric air passed through the speaker while she connected him. Blake said the magic words that got the Regional Director Francis Reynard on the radio.

“Frankie, it’s Blake.”

“David I just heard about Agent Temple. I can’t express...”

“Yeah, yeah it’s a tragedy, we don’t have time for that. Has anyone gone to see the family yet?”

“A unit has been deployed but there’s nobody home. We’re trying to find them now.”

“Ok tell them to be cautious, there’s something going on here.”

“Speak your mind David. You think the wife had something to do with it?”

Blake remembered that Reynard had just been through a messy divorce, he wondered if that’s what caused him to immediately suspect the wife.

“Temple died in an area he shouldn’t have been in. He was supposed to be going to the other side of town.”

“So?”

“So someone drew him off course.”

“And what’s the wife got to do with this.”

“Apart from having a gun to his head the only thing that would have made Temple do this without checking in is a threat against loved ones.”

“You’re stretching here, David.”

“I know but just give them a heads up... and check hospitals see if there’s been any Jane Does.”

“Will do David but I think your spinning your wheels.”

“We’ll see.”

Blake replaced the radio and looked out of his car window. The Deputies had started on their tasks but a few where still performing tasks around the crime scene. He noticed a few taking sideways glances at him. He didn’t care if they hated him he just needed them to work.

#

Blair Lamont closed a tall thin door behind him and walked into his study. It was furnished in a manner befitting a man of his various niche interests. Books on psychology and the occult shared the overflowing shelves of the room while at his desk was top of the range NeXT Station desktop computer.

He cleared a space on the desk and lifted himself onto it where he assumed the full lotus position and took a deep breath. He tried to focus his mind and prepare himself for the meeting.

“Don’t know why you do that partner.”

Lamont’s eyes popped open.

Standing in the middle of the room was a tall man wearing a battered duster and a cowboy hat that obscured his face. His feet where bare a filthy and left a trail of black muck.

“Have I done well?” Lamont asked hopefully.

“You have done well. Only one more on the list to get then you can proceed with the rite.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Renner’s gone. His purpose is served though the others are too busy chasing their tails to detect you.”

“But with Renner gone?”

“I need another plaything. Maybe you Blair?”

Lamont’s face contorted into fear.

The dark man laughed a smoker’s laugh, husky and deep.

“It’s a joke Blair, there is another and I’ll be sated until you achieve your goals. The power Blair, The power will be unimaginable once the door is open.”

Blair nodded. “I’ll serve you.”

“I don’t doubt it Blair and you will be rewarded. What I have given you thus far is just a taste and flirtation of what is coming. You will be a God among men, and I a God among Gods.” He explained in his scratchy voice that sounded like it belonged to several people speaking at one time.

#

Cassandra looked at the sleeping Juliet and then at the large knife in her hand. She grasped it tightly and ran it along her arm, her eyes fluttering as she savoured the pain of the blade cutting into her skin.

“Still cutting Cassandra?” A scratchy voice that sounded like many people speaking in unison said.

She froze while the voice echoed inside the walls of her mind.

“That’s what they say about addicts Cassandra. They never really quit, when the chips are down they always come running back to their vices. Looks like your chips are down.”

“Stop it...” She muttered as she quickly walked to the bathroom of the Hotel room she was sharing with Juliet. She fumbled through her wash bag for a few seconds before laying her hands on a bottle of pills she’d taken from the hospital.

Antipsychotics.

“Those won’t help Cassandra.”

She downed the pills and went to the sink where she washed the blood from her fresh cuts before cleaning them up and dressing them.

“Bitch!” The familiar voice filled her head.

It belonged to Benson. Cassandra jumped as she looked around the bathroom for her ex-husband.

“Gotcha!” The voice cackled.

Cassandra dropped her head into her hands and started and silently weep.

“Now you get it Cassandra. I’m everything you fear and I’m going to be with you always. You’re going to start staying in public places because you think you can drown me out but I’m always here. Oh the things I’m going to show you. The dark places of yourself you boarded up, locked away. I’m going to free you Cassandra.”

“Why?” She whimpered.

“You’re broken Cassandra. I like broken things.”

Cassandra just continued weeping.

“Let’s get started.”

#

Blake looked at his digital watch which told him it was almost 10:30 am Wednesday 6th November 1991. It had been a gift from his wife that he thought was gimmicky at the time but since the divorce he’d found himself unable to take it off. He was in the men’s room in Cartwright Falls Sherriff’s Department trying to look fresher than he actually was. He tried to remember the last time he’d slept but remembering anything was difficult. He seemed too far passed into the stage of tiredness where cigarettes and coffee gave him an energy boost instead they just prevented him from collapsing into sleep.

He’d spent the night co-ordinating the efforts to learn more about the murder of Temple and disappearance of Montgomery. It was slow going but he’d made some progress. For example he knew Temple’s cuffs where missing, the Van was registered to a Mr Nemo Noone who of course did not exist.

He slapped some water around his face tried to look alive before stepping back out into the lobby.
“Call for you Agent.” Justine was back behind the desk taking the day shift.

“Thanks I’ll take it in Sherriff Carter’s office.”

Blake entered the office and thought about sitting in Eli’s comfortable looking chair but realised he’d last seconds before he was out cold.

“Blake.” He said once he’d lifter the receiver.

“David, it’s Frankie. We found Temple’s wife.”

“And?”

“Dead. Kid too. Bastards.”

“Where?”

“A field a couple of miles from they live, lived. Jogger found ‘em. What’s going on over there David?”

“I don’t know but we need answers. I’m going to check out Karen Fellow’s home today while Barton and Adams are going to the funeral of Julian Bishop.”

“Adams? Who’s that?”

“Oh he’s a Deputy here. Seems to work well with Barton.”

“That’d be a first.”

Blake let the comment go, he was warming to Barton. Blake sensed Barton just wanted results same as him sure they’d never go for beers together but that didn’t matter.

“I’ve left a message at the front desk of the hotel Barton’s at for him to get over here ASAP. He needed sleep though.”

“Yeah. He doesn’t sound like the only one. When’d you last take a break?”

“I went for a piss about five minutes ago. Does that count?”

“Get some sleep David I think you’re getting coarser.”

They ended the conversation and Blake got ready to brief Barton and Adams on the night’s events.

#

Eli had found the problem was concentration. He no longer had a body, at least a physical one, so if he wanted to achieve something he had focus his thoughts, for a Buddhist monk this would probably have been simple but Eli Carter was small town Sherriff not used to such mental gymnastics.

He’d been speaking to Hayden for the past few hours before he started phasing in and out. Then he decided to take a break before trying again. That’s when he learned his second ability. He could move, seemingly anywhere. Walls no longer presented and obstacle to him. He spent a few hours walking around the mansion but found a few rooms mysteriously blocked to him. For example he could not enter the elevator that led to the stone chamber. This frustrated him, it was like playing a card game without knowing the rules.

The mansion felt wrong, like it was an anachronism like it shouldn’t be yet it was. The sense of foreboding around the place was keenly felt by Eli although he couldn’t put his finger on why he felt this way. He found the room with Karl and Sophie in it though and realised that the captive’s where under surveillance.

He wandered back toward Hayden but decided to check the other rooms and see if he could see anyone. They were all empty apart from Nathaniel’s. Eli tried speaking, waving his hand in front of the boy’s face and screaming in his ear but clearly he couldn’t detect Eli. Increasingly frustrated he returned to Hayden’s room.

He focused his thoughts and began a conversation.

“Hayden pretend I’m not here. They’re watching you.”

He pointed to the locations of the cameras he remembered seeing on the monitors.

“Also Nathaniel Alexander is down the hall. I think you guys need to break out of here. I can help by telling you what’s round the next corner but aside from that you’re on your own. I guess I can do moral support aswell.” He smirked before turning serious.

“If you’re game you’ll need a weapon and I’ll tell you when someone’s coming maybe you can use surprise to overpower them. You want to play it fast and quiet though and make sure you take of the cameras before you do.”

He waited to see what Hayden decided, it was her call ultimately.

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Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: David Blake
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Even with the slight peace of mind gained from his conversation with Alex, Barton still felt a bit unrested when he awoke. In a flash he remembered what he was supposed to be doing today, and glanced over at the clock. Red glowing digits displayed the time clearly: 9:40 AM. What time was the funeral today? 11? 1?

Not wanting to be late to anything, Barton showered and dressed quickly in his usual professional attire, finally feeling complete with a fresh, unbloodied tie, clipped to his shirt carefully. He thought about leaving his pistol, but given the events of yesterday alone he would probably be better served taking it. He had left his rifle in his car, where he would keep it for now, but the Glock stayed with him, he decided. He strapped on the underarm holster, checked to be sure the pistol was in Condition Three (loaded with a full magazine, firing chamber empty, hammer down, safety on), then pulled on the black blazer he used so often to conceal it. Thus ready and as fresh-faced as he was going to get, Barton took his key and left the hotel, nodding to the day-shift receptionist as he did.

At the Sheriff's office, he found Adams waiting in the main room. "Morning Deputy. Any word from Agent Blake?"

Adams looked at him slowly, then took a deep breath before answering, "The only word I got from Agent Blake was to wait for Agent Barton. Apparently he didn't want to repeat himself." His tone conveyed a touch of irritation, and Barton picked up on the likely series of earlier events. Most likely Adams had been on the receiving end of Blake's infamous "shut the ** up until everyone's here" routine.

No point in dwelling on it now, Barton decided. "Well, I'm here. Where is he?" Right to business.

"Agent Blake is in...um, in Sheriff Carter's office," the receptionist announced, having either heard Barton or deduced what he wanted without hearing him.

Barton nodded to her in thanks before crossing the room to the late Sheriff's office, knocking twice with his habitual heaviness, and opening the door slowly. "David? Thomas Barton here, reporting for day 2. Is Simon around?" The quick flurry was done before he stepped into the room. He blinked at the sight of Blake, who frankly looked like trash, worn out and run to the quick.

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Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: David Blake Character Portrait: Cassandra K. Bishop
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#, as written by Bosch
"David? Thomas Barton here, reporting for day 2. Is Simon around?"

Blake looked glumly at Barton and Adams.

“Take a seat guys. I got some bad news.”

The two men entered the office and sat down across the table from Blake who exhaled loudly while he pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Agent Temple is dead, car bomb. Deputy Montgomery is missing, we’re working on the presumption she’s been kidnapped. Temple’s family was murdered and we believe they were used to control the agent.”

Blake then launched into his description of the previous nights events.

Before dismissing the two he told them of their duties for the day.

“The funeral of Julian Fellows is today, I want both of you at it covering the sister and a mother as well as keeping your eyes open. If this fucker is a thrill killer I’d say he wouldn’t want to miss this. Apart from that I suggest you get a move on gentlemen.”

He watched as they stood to leave. “Tom I need a quick word.”

Adams didn’t seem to get the message.

“In private.” Blake clarified and Adams left without another word.

“Montgomery is the only person who was near Temple when he died. We need to consider she was involved in some way. If that’s true this whole town might be dirty. Keep an eye on Adams alright?” Blake said quietly.

“Also with a G-man down Regional Director Reynard is insisting a Hostage Rescue Team is deployed.” Anticipating Barton’s negative reaction Blake raised his hands.

“I know, I know last thing we need is a bunch of macho assholes trampling crime scenes but if you find yourself having to do a room clearance you call it in and we send out HRT. Last thing we need is one of this assholes not having your back and pulling a Serpico.”

He waited to see if Barton had anymore questions before returning to his work.

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Character Portrait: Thomas Barton Character Portrait: Connor Adams Character Portrait: David Blake Character Portrait: Cassandra K. Bishop
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"Take a seat, guys. I got some bad news."

Icy dread creeped into Barton's chest as he slowly sat down. He couldn't...Simon couldn't have...

“Agent Temple is dead, car bomb. Deputy Montgomery is missing, we’re working on the presumption she’s been kidnapped. Temple’s family was murdered and we believe they were used to control the agent.”

"Jesus," Barton exclaimed quietly, before continuing to listen to the recap and the instructions for the day. The funeral, naturally, was a good place to start. Considering the arson the previous day, someone might have a vendetta against the Bishop Family, and at the worst, they might be drawn into the open. At best, nothing would happen and the investigation would continue as it was...hopefully with fewer late-night manhunts, and no more sudden losses. He nodded slowly, and stood to leave.

"Tom, I need a quick word. Alone."

Barton looked back in surprise, then sat as Adams left. He then listened as Blake outlined his concern. He quirked his lips pensively, not sure whether Blake was being paranoid or if he had a legitimate cause for concern. If Adams had wanted to off him, couldn't he have done it up by the mine, or in the mine? Still, he nodded. Better to watch for the attack that never came than to miss the attack that came.

A moment later, his trust in the Bureau's judgement wavered and fell. Hostage rescue? "Oh for Chr-" Barton trailed off as Blake explained Reynard's rationale behind the decision. He nodded slowly, grudgingly, then spoke in response. "As long as they don't jump the gun, I can deal with it. I'll get going to the funeral." With that, he rose slowly and went to the door. As he reached it, something occurred to him, and he turned. "Oh, one more thing David. Did they do an autopsy on Sheriff Carter? He wasn't in that critical condition when I saw him last, and that was before surgery."

--------------------

Less than an hour later, Barton and Adams stood at the funeral. The entire service passed without event up until the burial. Barton stood impassive as final words were said over the casket, and watched as they slowly lowered it into the ground. He glanced over at Cassandra Bishop, who seemed oddly...calm, particularly for a woman who had to see her own child buried. He had spoken to her earlier, and she had seemed equally calm, even passive. Odd. Barton had filed it away for reference.

He glanced over at Deputy Adams. He seemed fidgety, glancing over at something beyond Barton's sight. Unwilling to to admit Blake might be right, he trusted Adams's judgement on whatever it was. A moment later, however, the ball came back to him as Adams crossed the crowd to him. "Tom, you need to see this. There's a man up on the hill, flashing a light at m-urgh!" Adams flinched, his hand going to his stomach. "Sorry, just a cramp. Little short of breath. Probably a remnant of last n-aagh!" He failed to reassure Barton, who quickly supported him with his shoulder and helped him back to his car. He could feel Adams growing weaker by the second. This was bad. Very bad.

He borderline sped through the empty streets to Decker Hospital, stopping quickly outside the emergency room entrance. He helped Adams out, and almost dragged him to the door. Nurses immediately whisked Adams away and began questioning Barton. He answered them quickly, and they left him after a brief explanation, to attend to Adams. Barton blinked, processing the new information, then remembered Adams's last words before he collapsed. A man on the nearby hill.

He sprinted out and into his car, dialing the Sheriff's office on the car phone as he left, steering with his left hand as he held the receiver in his right.

"Cartwright Falls Sheriff's Off-"

"This is Barton, I need to talk to Agent Blake."

"Agent Blake has gone to sleep. I can take a message for when he wakes up."

"Sure, sure. Tell him Adams just had what the doctors think is a heart attack, at the funeral, but I got him to the hospital, and they said he's going to be all right. Again, he's going to be okay. Listen, this part's important: Before he collapsed, Adams mentioned something about a man on the hill, with a light, nearby the funeral. I'm going back there to check right now. I'll report back from here when I get more info. Got that?" After a brief confirmation, Barton hung up without saying any more, and focussed on getting back to the funeral.

He arrived in record time, the funeral party now only partly dispersed. He exited the car quickly, not drawing his pistol but squeezing it briefly and slightly with his arm, just to make sure it was there. He skimmed the area, looking for a hill. Finding only one hill, in the direction he remembered facing away from, Barton immediately accelerated into a jog and reached the hill. He looked around slowly, and found some trace of disturbance. Someone had been here. Recently.

He crested the hill and looked out into the trees beyond, but saw nothing. "Dammit," he muttered.