First Activation

“No, not really, but we’ve learned a few things about the killers in the last couple of days. The more information we can get on them, the better. I’ll explain it all downstairs,” I said.

At least, we’d explain most things.

I turned to Bernie. “Come on, let’s get back to your apartment and get those candles out before its pitch black and we can’t see what we are lighting.”

Chapter 6 – Both sides

Now that there was no electricity, any building with bright lighting would be easy for killers to spot. The candles suited our needs.

“Would anybody like half a can of cold chili, a glass of vodka, and a cigarette?” Jack said.

A few days ago, Jack’s offer would have seemed laughable and a bit odd, considering he was a guest here too. Now it sounded welcoming and nobody refused.

I went to help Jack in the kitchen area and left Bernie and Lea sitting opposite each other on the two couches. They weren’t saying anything to each other but did exchange the odd, awkward glance and false smile. I had been hoping they’d strike up a conversation so I could talk to Jack about what had happened during the day.

We took the food and drinks over to the couches. Jack sat next to Lea, and I sat with Bernie as we tucked into our cold dinner. All that could be heard for the next two minutes was the noise of spoons clinking on porcelain bowls. After we finished, Jack passed around the cigarettes and I poured the vodka. It was time to share our stories, and learn a little bit more about Lea. She looked about 25 years old, brown haired, had a pretty but sensible face, and her body shape was hidden beneath combat trousers and a wool sweater.

“So, tell us about your experiences since landing… if it’s not too painful,” I said.

“You don’t have to tread on egg shells around me because I am a woman,” she replied. “I’m sure you’ve seen some pretty nasty things as well.”

“Okay, we won’t then,” Jack said.

It was hard to tell whether Lea’s smile was because she enjoyed the comeback, or because she thought we were a trio of clowns.

“You tell me what happened from JFK first,” she said.

We told Lea what had happened from our arrival on the tarmac to just before we set the trap in the parking lot, which of course we left out. She seemed unsurprised by what had happened with the steward and then with Maureen, but the man in the cell was different. Lea hadn’t had the chance to speak to a killer the way we had, and what we said probably helped her piece a few things together.

Bernie spoke with emotion about Linda’s death, and I could see genuine concern on Lea’s face. I then continued with what happened when we returned to the plane, how the captain had been shot at and how we managed to convince a killer to shoot himself. Then, reluctantly, we told of the girl and the recycling bin.

Jack talked coldly about our experience at the Queensboro Bridge and the shootout afterwards with the same girl. I knew he was probably hiding his real feelings, but then the other two probably noticed that as well. Nobody changes from a gardener or plumber to a cold-hearted killer in forty-eight hours, whatever the circumstances.

Jack had been attached to the Parachute Regiment and deployed to Afghanistan. He had never really discussed in public any experiences of active service, other than throwaway jokes about women and drinking. It was a defence mechanism I also used to avoid awkward conversations. We talked privately about incidents we had been involved in; some things were best kept behind closed doors. At least, the Jack and Harry doors anyway.

Finally, I told Lea about our shopping trip, and then poured us all another drink.

Lea had listened intently throughout and appeared much more relaxed, “Did you learn anything else from the killers besides their aims and that under certain circumstances, they can be fooled?”

Bernie answered before I could speak. “They don’t seem to acknowledge that the world around them is in chaos and slowly being destroyed. We—”

“Did you get any strange messages on Twitter?” I interrupted. “Jack had invites to parties and an offer of free football tickets. We worked out that these must have been killers trying to lure their prey. I mean, who could realistically believe that the Giants would still be playing on Sunday after seeing any of the stuff we have seen?”

“I received some weird messages along similar lines. Have you seen anything else online?”

Jack, Bernie, and I, all looked at each other but said nothing. I shook my head.

“So, what’s your story then?” Bernie said.

“I’m from Michigan. I boarded a flight from Detroit to JFK to meet up with an old college friend in Manhattan on Friday. I hadn’t seen him for years, but really needed his advice, as I had fallen out with my partner.”

Lea paused and raised her eyebrows. I wasn’t sure what she was expecting us to say.

“Did you notice anything on the plane?” I asked.