The Corin Chronicles Volume I: The Light and the Dark (24 page)

Karl stopped and glanced back at the rubble. “Not at all,” he said. “If that was the force field, mom and daughter would be dead.” He continued walking toward the staircase. “No,” he continued. “What you saw was Siroco using his powers. That white glow surrounds his whole body anytime he does.” He noticed Andrew’s face tensing. “Don’t worry,” Karl went on. “The white light only shakes you up. It won’t kill you.”

Andrew ruffled his hair and exchanged glances with both Karl and William. “This just keeps getting better and better,” he said. “Now he can do magic?”

With a deep breath, Karl answered, “All I can say is that if you’ve never believed in magic, you will after today.”

3.7

N
O
M
ISTAKES

T
he staircases remained mostly empty. One of the tasks Karl gave to the continually arriving police officers included clearing all the common areas of the entire building, by urging everyone to return to their apartments until the danger had been neutralized. The tension within the complex slowly soared to unparalleled heights, and a number of people peeked out of their doors, on every floor the men searched. Karl worried that the frenzy could help Siroco, making it easier to blend in with the mass of people who had begun to pour into the halls to see what was happening.

On the first floor, the apartment lobby also seemed to erupt, with a number of onlookers situated both inside and outside, eager to know what had caused the massive explosion. Karl saw Inspector Donovan briefing his men on the best way to control the increasing number of curious civilians, rather than communicating with the officers who were searching the building for Siroco.

“Inspector,” said Karl, as he approached the front desk.

Inspector Donovan did not respond immediately, instead talking to three elderly men who looked especially irritated. “I promise you,” Donovan said. “It’s nothing we can’t handle.”

“But is there a fugitive in our building?” one of the elderly men asked with a frown.

Donovan wiped the sweat that dripped from his face. “We believe there is, but we are close to capturing him.”

“That’s nonsense,” shouted another one of the elderly men. “If you were that close, you wouldn’t stop all these people from getting in, and there certainly wouldn’t be all these officers in the building.”

“I’m sorry, Inspector,” interrupted Karl.

Inspector Donovan looked at Agent Hobbs and sighed, almost as if grateful for the timely interruption.

“Can I have a word please?” Karl continued.

Donovan motioned toward one of his officers. “Can you please assist these gentlemen?” he said. “Agent Hobbs, please, over here.”

Filtering through the crowded lobby, the three agents and Inspector Donovan went to the most secluded place they could find, just underneath the staircase.

“It’s not great news,” Donovan started. “The explosion was heard miles away, and it’s getting harder to control all these people. The press are on their way, too.”

“I know,” said William. “This is bad.”

“You and your men are doing a great job so far,” said Karl. “I need you to continue doing what you’re doing. We’ll catch this scumbag.”

“But to what end?” Donovan raised his voice. “There are innocent people all over this building. It won’t be hard for him to find another hostage. He might already have one now.” He continued wiping the sweat from his head before continuing. “What happened up there anyway? My men tell me that the damage from the explosion was huge. What’s he packing up there?”

The three agents fixed their eyes on the floor, and Donovan shrugged. “I can’t help you unless you give me something,” he said.

Karl looked at Donovan, then toward the floor. “I don’t know what to tell you,” he said. “This whole thing—“

“Sir, something is happening on the fifth floor,” interrupted a panic-filled voice from the radio. “I think he’s by the elevators.”

Karl spared a look at Inspector Donovan and immediately lifted his radio to his mouth. “Who’s that?” he asked.

“Sergeant Monroe, sir,” replied the voice. “I’m on the way there now.”

“Be careful, Sergeant,” Andrew added. “Don’t do anything foolish. We’re on our way up.” He looked at Karl and William. “Well, what are we waiting for?”

“Do it.” Karl drew his gun and watched both William and Andrew charge up the stairs. “Keep me informed on any progress,” he said to Donovan.

The inspector nodded and rushed back toward the lobby.

It did not take long for Karl to catch up with his partners. They breathed heavily as they charged up the stairs. When they arrived on the fifth floor, it seemed completely empty, but they took no chances. Slowly edging through the door that led them to the corridor, they initially sensed nothing out of the ordinary.

Looking in the direction of the elevators, however, their jaws dropped. Four officers lay motionless on the floor. Without hesitating, they ran straight toward the elevator and crouched over the bodies. Karl checked them for pulses, but he felt nothing. Still kneeling, he studied each of their badges.

“Monroe?” asked William.

Karl nodded before slamming his fist into the wall. “This can’t be happening,” he said. “How is he eluding us? We’ve covered the entire staircase.” He growled, then he took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.

“Unless he’s hiding out inside these apartments,” said William after a lengthy delay. “But then, why would he come out to kill four officers?”

“And why haven’t any of the other officers seen him on the other floors?” Andrew said, with his brow furrowed.

“Unless he’s somewhere we haven’t covered?” said Karl. He stared at the elevators before pressing the button that called it. “He must be using the elevator shafts!” shouted Karl. “How else has he managed to stay invisible?”

At that moment, one of four elevators on that floor arrived. “Andrew,” Karl continued. “Hold the doors. William, spot me. I want to take a look up there.”

Within a few moments, Karl’s feet rested on William’s broad shoulders, as he peered into what seemed like endless darkness. He turned on a flashlight and shined it up the shaft.

“Can you see anything?” asked Andrew. His legs continued to keep the elevator doors open.

“He must be inside one of these,” said Karl. “He could be anywhere. We need to trap him.”

“What do you mean?” asked William.

Karl jumped to the floor and looked at his partners. “He’s using the shafts to his advantage, and at the moment, we’ve stopped people from using them, so he can roam about, free as he likes. We need to synchronize them. Flush him out.” He put the radio to his mouth. “Inspector Donovan,” he said.

“Right here, Agent Hobbs.”

“I need you to call all four elevators in this building downstairs at the same time and hold them there.”

“I don’t understand,” Donovan said.

“Don’t think! Just do it!” Karl paused and scratched his head. “Also,” he continued, “I have some bad news. Four more of your officers are down.” The inspector was silent as he processed the news. “Once again, I’m so sorry,” Karl said.

“Just tell me how we stop this scumbag.” Donovan’s voice trembled.

“I want at least three officers by the elevators on every floor.” He focused his attention back on his partners. “I hate to do it, but we have to split up, guys,” he said. “One of us needs to be close by when he’s spotted.”

“I have all the elevators now,” said Inspector Donovan.

“And your men?” asked Karl.

“All in position.”

“Andrew, you go to the second floor. William, stay here. I’ll go to the eleventh.”

Without hesitation, Andrew walked toward the staircase.

“Rookie!” shouted Karl.

Andrew half turned around to face him. Karl patted William on the shoulder, signaling him to get into position. Then he approached Andrew. “You’ll do just fine,” he said. “I promised Nancy I’d bring you back, and that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

Andrew nodded. “Don’t worry, boss. I know what I need to do.” He continued toward the staircase, with his gun drawn.

Standing in that spot, Karl diverted his attention to the ceiling, trying to anticipate every possible outcome. By the time he looked down, Andrew was gone, and William was in place and pacing back and forth at the end of the hall, where he had been joined by three additional police officers. Without any further delay, Karl made his way toward the stairs and climbed to the eleventh floor, where he was greeted by four very young officers.

“Relax, guys,” he said. “This will be over soon.” He pulled out his radio once more. “Inspector, send them up.”

“On their way,” Donovan responded.

Karl waited, knowing that if his instincts were correct, there was no turning back.

As the lift continued to go up through the floors, a lead officer on each floor announced on the radio when his section had been cleared. By the time the elevators had cleared the sixth floor without incident, Karl started to worry that he had been wrong. By the ninth floor, anxiety crept on to his face, but it did not compare to the immense fear he saw on the young officers by his side. But he had no time to dwell on that, because a sudden scream emerged from his radio.

“He’s here! He’s here!” said the voice. “He came through—”

The communication abruptly ceased, and Karl charged down the stairs to the floor directly below him. His first glance at the elevators caused him to flinch momentarily, as the same bright light he had seen inside the Russells’ apartment had returned. Shielding his eyes, he continued to rush toward it, and as it dimmed, he saw the glowing frame of Siroco staring back at him. Although still slightly blinded by the white glow, Karl could see the part of Siroco’s face that was not covered by his long, blond locks. The scar running under his right eye was even more illuminated in the light, and a grin lingered on his lips.

The wall next to the elevators had a gaping hole, roughly the size of a human. Siroco must have burst straight through the wall. In front of the elevators lay the bodies of two police officers. Siroco held a third up against the wall.

Karl raised his weapon, but then hesitated, realizing that to fire would mean death to the officer Siroco held by the neck. He fired a shot at the floor, a few feet from his target, and Siroco dropped the hostage. Siroco steadily retreated, still facing Karl.

A few seconds passed before Karl fired his weapon again, this time directly at Siroco. A bright blue force field immediately surrounded Siroco, temporarily blinding Karl. Piercing through Siroco’s protective barrier, the bullet grazed him in the shoulder. Siroco howled in pain. He turned around and headed for the opposite staircase. Karl gave chase, firing his weapon as he shielded his eyes from the continuous bright blue light that surrounded Siroco’s body. As Karl ran, he noticed specks of blood on the floor, which told him he must have caused a fair amount of damage with his shooting.

“What’s happening up there?” rang the voice of Inspector Donovan over the radio.

Karl didn’t answer but focused on capturing Siroco, who had already reached the staircase and, with one kick, knocked the door off its hinges. Siroco fled down the stairs, limping, and Karl followed carefully, taking a moment to reload his gun. Sensing that Siroco was gaining distance, he called out to the others on the radio. “I’ve got him. He’s on the eastern staircase, on the ninth floor. All officers in close vicinity, converge at once. All other officers, stay where you are.”

Karl was sure he could still hear Siroco’s footsteps, rapidly descending the stairs. He glanced down the stairwell and, at first sight of the fleeing suspect, fired a few shots, unsure of whether or not he was causing any damage. A second wail, however, gave him hope. Rushing down the stairs, he found another dislodged door on the seventh floor and went through.

The corridor remained deserted. All of the officers there were probably on their way to assist him on the ninth floor. Karl cautiously advanced, constantly checking his rear and sides. By the time he reached the elevator, he could hear faint moans and heavy breathing coming from the western staircase. Entering with his gun leveled, he saw Siroco sprawled on the floor by the staircase. Karl noticed that the suspect clutched a deep wound in his stomach. Blood also poured from his right shoulder.

Upon noticing Karl standing over him, Siroco rolled his eyes and gazed at him. In the corridor, the sound of heavy footsteps was followed by five more officers arriving, led by William.

“You’ve got him,” said William. The officers all had their guns trained on Siroco, who crawled to a position where he could face all the eyes fixed on him.

“Yes, we have him now.” Karl’s stare never moved from Siroco.

“You have me, do you?” Siroco’s laugh did not sound as arrogant as it had earlier, but it still had an air of menace about it. “Don’t you get it yet, Karl?” he continued. “You can never
have
me. Not until I’ve fulfilled my destiny. There have been others before you, and they’ve all failed.”

Karl shuddered, unable to speak.

“Why don’t you just do it,” said Siroco. “DO IT! DO IT NOW!” Siroco started to scream at the top of his lungs. “Every bone in your body wants me dead.”