Fury Rising (24 page)

              Jordan rolled down the window and opened the door. He jumped out and took cover. “No problem. I can start now if you want. Which one should I go for first?”

              “Better wait. Hopefully we won’t need it.”

              Mason stepped away from the SUV, raising his hands high so that the Baggers could see he was unarmed. He’d left his own rifle with Jordan. The kid might need the extra shots, and he’d make them count.

              “No,” Aries said. “They’ll kill you.”

              “They won’t,” Daniel said.

              “Mason!” Casey grabbed for him, but he gently pushed her away.

“They can’t hurt me, sweetie,” he said. “Not anymore.”

              He sure hoped he was right about that. He stepped around to the front of the SUV and waited for Daniel to join them. With the headlights shining into his back, Mason felt very much in the spotlight as the Baggers turned their weapons on him.

              “Looks like the party has come to us,” Daniel said.

              “Guess we’d better go have ourselves a talk,” Mason agreed.

              “Not sure we can talk our way out of this one. We’re good, but not that good.”

              “Only one way to find out.”

              They’d talked their way out of death before. Of course, Mason knew that Leon hadn’t wanted them dead the last time they were captured. He’d been more interested in information and had been more than happy to torture Mason and Daniel to get it. What sort of stuff could they offer up that might buy some more time? Leon was arrogant enough to think he’d already won. There was always the chance they could use that to their advantage. But as Mason and Daniel stepped forward, closing the gap between the Baggers, he couldn’t think of a single thing.

              There were ten in total, including Leon and three hostages. Betsy and two men Mason didn’t recognize.

              “Mr. Dowell. What a surprise,” Leon said when they were about five feet away. “I must admit this has put me off guard. I wasn’t aware that you’d flown the coup. And you’ve been reunited with your friend. Even more interesting.” He looked between Daniel and Mason, lips pressed tightly together to try and hide his emotions. “This is almost like a Christmas miracle. I certainly didn’t see this coming. I would have brought cake.”

              “I guess it’s just being one of those days,” Mason said. He wondered if Leon recognized the children too. A triple whammy.

              “Tell your little watch pup to lower his gun,” Leon said. “I’d like to continue this conversation without incident.”

              “Not until you tell yours to do the same,” Daniel said.

              “I’m not sure you’re in a position to negotiate,” Leon said. “But I’d like you to feel secure, so yes, I will call mine off too.” He nodded at the men beside him and most of them backed away a few steps. But they didn’t let go of the hostages.

              Daniel turned back towards the SUV and motioned for Jordan to lower his gun. The kid nodded and did as requested. He kept his position, ready and waiting. They still weren’t exactly on even grounds now, but at least no one might accidently shoot anyone in the next few minutes.

              One of the Baggers spoke into a two-way radio. He approached Leon and murmured into his ear. Probably checking to see if anyone else had escaped the Plaza of Nations compound. For a moment, Mason wished they’d broken everyone out. Now that would wipe the haughty look off Leon’s face.

                “Tell me, Mr. Dowell,” Leon said. “I’m curious to know why you are here. I thought we had come to an arrangement.”

              “I no longer liked the terms,” Mason said.

              “I see.” Leon looked Daniel up and down. “And you, Daniel, I never did get your last name so I apologize for the informalities. I didn’t realize you were still in the city. I would have thought you’d be long gone, since you lost favor with all your so-called friends. They are aware of your anomalies. Your peculiar nature.”

              “We’re still cool,” Daniel said.

              “Still, you’ve been very difficult to trace,” Leon said. “Downright challenging. Off the radar for months. Many of my people believed you were dead. I’m a little curious to know why you’ve made this so easy tonight. I believe that is Aries sitting in the car, is it not? And her other little slippery friends too.” Leon shook his head dramatically. “Nothing comes without a price.”

              “Or maybe you just hit the jackpot,” Daniel said.

              “No, I don’t believe so,” Leon said. “No one gets that lucky. So let’s get on with it. And when that’s over, you can try and convince me to keep you alive. Not that I want to kill you. At least not yet. I’m more interested in going back downtown and having a little chat. But I’m willing to accept there will be causalities. I don’t expect you’ll come peacefully.”

              A few of the Baggers stepped forward, but Leon pushed them back with a wave of his hand. Always the psychopath, Leon wanted to make the show last as long as possible.

              “You won’t kill us,” Daniel said. “In fact, you’re going to let us all walk away from here tonight.” He nodded towards the three adults quivering in the Baggers grasp. You’ll let them go too.”

              Mason studied Daniel from the corner of his eye, trying to decide if Daniel’s act was out of desperation or if he really did have something. The group of Baggers chuckled amongst themselves, but Leon’s smile grew harder. His face showed almost no emotion. Mason had spent enough time under Leon’s torturous care to know that Leon held back his punches. He wouldn’t jump to conclusions either. No, Leon was too smart for that.

              “I’m listening,” Leon said.

              “There are ferals in the city,” Daniel said. “Lots of them. Hundreds. They’re coming towards downtown. And you’re right in their way.”

              “There are no more ferals,” Leon said. “We got rid of them a long time ago. Too unpredictable.”

              Meaning even Leon wasn’t strong enough to keep them in check.

              “I’ve seen them,” Daniel said. “At least four hundred. Maybe more. This morning in Coquitlam.”

              “Not conceivable,” Leon said. “I’d have known if they were here.”

              “Yeah, you might want to look into that,” Daniel said. “You had a team out there. An old guy and a blonde girl. They haven’t checked back in. Can’t get them on the radio, can you?”

              Leon didn’t answer, but he nodded at the Bagger holding the two-way radio. The guy moved off about twenty feet and began speaking into the receiver. They waited. When the Bagger returned, Mason could tell that the news confirmed it.

              “They’re dead,” Daniel said. “Torn apart. Watched it with my own eyes.”

              “So I lost a few people,” Leon said. “I’ve got plenty more. Doesn’t mean it was ferals. I wouldn’t be surprised if you did it yourself. You’ve taken out more than your share. You and Mr. Dowell, both.”

              “Yep,” Daniel said. “But not this time. They’re coming and there’s a lot more than you can take. They’ll swarm the compound and kill everyone off. Can’t say that’s a bad thing, really.”

              “Thanks for the heads up,” Leon said. “But I fail to see how this information is going to save you.”

              “That’s the fun part,” Daniel said. “We’re willing to help you.”

              They were?

              A few of the Baggers chuckled, but Leon raised his hand and silenced them. “What makes you think I need your help? A group of useless teenagers and a few adults? Look around. I’ve ruined your camp. And I’ve got you all at gunpoint. All in a day’s work.”

              “You’ll never be able to win over a bunch of ferals,” Mason said. “How many Baggers do you have left? A hundred? One fifty? It’s not enough. But if we join together, we can better the odds.”

              “You’re hardly in that position,” Leon said. “I’ve killed most of you off.”

              “Here, maybe.” Aries slammed the SUV door and moved towards the group. “But there are others. Lots of them. Small groups all over the city. And I know where they are. I could probably get them to join if the price is right.”

              She joined the conversation so freely; Mason couldn’t help but wonder if the two of them had planned it beforehand. Aries gave away nothing, keeping her face perfectly expressionless.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,” Aries whispered quietly so that only Daniel and Mason could hear.

Nope.

              “Aries.” Leon stepped towards her and offered his hand. “I’m very pleased to finally meet you at last.”

              “You really want to shake my hand? You know strange things happen when I touch Baggers. And I’m not in the mood to wait for you to stop crying like a baby. We’ve got a deal to make first.”

              Leon chuckled and withdrew his handshake offer. “That’s true. You are an anomaly. That’s what everyone keeps saying. I’d love to see it in action, but not upfront. Maybe later you’d be willing to run a few friendly experiments.”

              “Send your men up to Rabbit Drive. Big large house at the top of the hill. There’s a woman there chained in the basement. Olive. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to fill you in on the details.”

              This time Leon
did
look surprised and he didn’t try to hide it.

              “What? You think your kind are the only ones who know how to fight dirty?”

              An amused look crossed Leon’s face. “I’m impressed. And here I thought you were a useless frightened dove hiding in the mountains. I may have underestimated you.” He glanced at Mason and Daniel and then at the others waiting in the vehicle. “I think I’ve misjudged all of you. I’ll be careful from now on. Fool me once, shame on me.”

              “I can get you a few hundred people. People willing to fight for the cause,” Aries said. “But we want something in return.”

“Is this the part where you give me your demands?”

              “We want to be left in peace when it’s over,” Aries said. “A truce. No more bad blood. You stay to your side of the city and we’ll stay on ours. No more killing.”

              “Reasonable,” Leon said.

              “And you give us everyone at the Plaza of Nations,” Aries said. “That includes the people in the casino.”

              Daniel swore under his breath.

              “Now that’s not going to happen,” Leon said. “You can have the outside cattle. All they do is take up space. But the others are far too important. The only reason I’m considering your offer is because of them. Otherwise I’d just gather up my group and leave town until this blows over.”

              “Hold on a moment. Time out.” Daniel raised his arms up. “I’d like to speak to my clients. We might want to consider our negotiations before blurting them out.”

              “By all means,” Leon said. “Take five.”

              They moved over to the front of the van. Mason held up a few fingers to everyone waiting inside.

              “What the hell are you doing?” Daniel whispered to Aries. “It’s called a bluff for a reason. You know we can’t offer up any of that to them, right?”

              “You’re the one who started it,” she hissed.

              “I’m trying to buy us some time. Keep you all alive. You start asking for unrealistic things, it’s going to turn bad.”

              “Maybe it’s not a stupid idea,” Aries said. “There are people. Lots of them out there. They might consider fighting for a doctor.”

              “They won’t,” Daniel said.

              “Then I’ll offer up myself. It’s what Leon’s wanted all this time, right?”

Mason reached out and grabbed Aries by the arm. “No. I won’t let you. What do you think you can do? Give him a few days to run some tests? He has no intentions of just borrowing you. You’re a threat. Do you not understand that? He’s only interested in stopping you.”

              “You think I don’t know that?” Aries snapped. “But this is a negotiation. We have to offer something more.”

              “I’m not letting you give up your life.”

              “I have no intentions of dying.”

              “Mason’s right,” Daniel said. “You don’t know what you’re getting into. Don’t consider this, Aries.”

              She looked over at the SUV. Raj raised his eyebrows and gave a questionable shrug. Casey waved at Mason, blowing him a kiss. 

              “We can make this work. What Leon doesn’t know, won’t hurt him. Let’s just let him think he’s winning.”

              “You think you’re going to outsmart him? You have no idea what he’d like. If you make a deal with him tonight, he’ll collect. Any truce you try and offer, he’ll consider it useless. We have two choices. We can finish this on good terms and work together, or you’ll just end up being hunted for the rest of your life. And trust me, it might not be that long.”

              “Mason’s right,” Daniel said.

              “I can’t believe you,” Aries said. “Cowards. Both of you. At least I’m willing to put my life on the line for this group. And we need a doctor. Right now. Your friend is bleeding to death inside that van. Remember her? Clementine? Or are you both too far gone to care?”

              She didn’t wait for an answer.

“I can’t let them die,” she said. “You started this. I’m going to follow through.” Aries turned and walked straight towards Leon, stopping a few feet away. The head Bagger gave her a big smile, but as usual, there was no warmth behind the expression. Mason had looked into those eyes more times than he could count. Aries had no idea what she was getting into. Leon knew how to play the game. Aries was nothing but a toy for him to play with. He would see through any lies she tried to tell. Why? Because Aries was a lousy liar whereas Leon was pure evil.

              Mason knew it. Daniel knew it. But Aries wasn’t going to listen to either of them.

              “I think we can come to a deal,” Aries said.