Chapter 01: Person of Interest

Three weeks had passed and Alexa and Kasper had finally found some semblance of normalcy in their daily routine. While they were no longer being hunted down like dogs, they knew better than to think any of it was actually over. Frank Delacroix’s death left a gap in the hierarchy of WET that needed to be filled, and today was the day she and Kasper learned his—or her identity.

Before he died, Frank alluded to the fact that there was more than one head on the snake; a fact Alexa had already suspected. And while the conversation with him provided few leads, she and Kasper had a good idea where to start: WET’s Board of Directors. They had already successful put one in the ground but, there was still work to be done. The board held more than forty members. They needed to somehow thin the herd, starting with…

“Jennifer Barnes,” Kasper said through Alexa’s earbud as she continued her surveillance of another of WET’s headquarters in Fairhaven. “Married with two kids to Greg Barnes. He’s an engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency and she’s a savvy businesswoman for a murderous, elitist military contractor. She clawed her way to the top of a company mostly run by men with what can best be described as blackmail. Housing secrets of her colleagues’ bad deeds, they bowed to her every whim with the threat of exposure.”

“A woman after my own heart.”

“A, she must have some really powerful ammo in that cache of hers. Some of the things she’s been able to pull off—I don’t think it would have been possible without something heavy on these heads of enterprise.”

“Sounds like a box I’d love to take a peek into,” Alexa thought, watching her target collect her items from her office. “She’s moving.”

“According to her schedule, her youngest has a field trip to the Fairhaven City Zoo. She’s signed up to chaperone.”

“Public and crowded place in the middle of the day? Hmm.”

“What are you thinking?”

“That I can make a pass on her. Grab something you may find useful; security badge, key, anything.”

“Of course. That would give us an idea of where this cache might be.”

“Well if she’s smart, and everything you’ve said about her proves that she is, she will keep it somewhere easily accessible in case she needs a quick solution. On that same note, it’ll be someplace secure, hard to get to without a significant amount of locks.”

“So you should be looking for a key to a safe deposit box?”

“Or storage locker.”

“Wait, what? You said secure. What storage locker is secure?”

“One where you can store family heirlooms and other crap. She could be smart enough to know it’s simple to hide anything important in plain sight if the person doesn’t know what they’re looking for, which means, we should go a more direct route.”

“Which is?”

“I’m heading back to the car. I think I know a better way to get to that information. If I’m right, Jennifer will go home to change before heading to the zoo. What’s say you and I make a house call instead?”

The picturesque two-story home stood in the middle of a well-manicured subdivision, the kind you see on made-for-TV Hallmark movies. Kasper navigated the lookalike streets in the bowels of the suburban hell, coming to rest just beside a small park in the middle of the community.

“I’d say keep the engine running but, that’ll make you look suspicious. So, take this,” she said, handing him a book from the items in the backseat. “And enjoy the park for a bit. This, hopefully, won’t take long.”

The inside of the home was quieter than Alexa had expected; that is until she slowly made her way through the hall. The smell of sex was in the air and the closer she got to the master bedroom, the louder the sounds of passion could be heard. Jennifer hadn’t made it home yet, which could only mean one thing. Opening the door slightly, she turned on the camera of her burner phone and began filming.

“A, is that what I think it is?”

She didn’t respond, instead she waited for Greg to finish with his mistress. Disappearing around a corner, she heard the couple say their goodbyes. When the front door closed, she tracked Greg through the house to the bathroom where the shower came on. “For someone with eyes on every guy in her company, the one right under her nose seems to have evaded suspicion.”

The sound of a key in the lock made Alexa pause, and she looked up to see Jennifer’s shadow standing just outside the front door. Moving quickly, she again ducked out of sight just as the door opened and the busy executive stepped inside. “Greg?” she yelled. From the tone of her voice, Alexa concluded she was surprised to find him home in the middle of the day.

She started through the house, dropping her purse on the dining table and sliding out of her pumps just beside the bedroom door. The shower turned off as she entered inside the room and Alexa waited until she heard the husband greet his wife. Wrapped in a towel and still dripping water from his shower, he gave his wife a hug and simple kiss on the cheek. “How was work?”

“Not done…”

Alexa took a deep breath as she heard them begin their small talk. It would provide a much needed distraction for her to get in and do what needed to be done. Covering her face she stepped inside the room after Jennifer and held the two Barnes at gunpoint. “Don’t!” she said to Greg who met her eyes and tried for his cell phone sitting on the table beside the bed. “With me, NOW!”

The couple, led by Alexa’s commands, exited the room, moving into a less confined area of the house. “We’re very wealthy people; anything you want, just name it and it’s yours. Just—don’t hurt us.”

“Shut up, Greg. She’s not here for you,” Jennifer said, keeping her eyes on Alexa. 

“You ARE a smart woman. Do you know why I’m here?” Jennifer appeared a little shell-shocked as she glanced down towards Alexa’s weapon. “Oh this? This is just insurance,” Alexa said. “I’m looking for information; something you keep close and use when you want something, understand?” Jennifer nodded and Alexa tossed a pair of handcuffs at her. “Good. Lock him up.” Doing as instructed, Jennifer hooked one cuff around Greg’s hand until it clicked, fished it through the back of the chair before cuffing his other wrist. “Now. Sit.”

Alexa watched the woman take a seat a few feet away from her husband and she moved back to the middle of the room where she could keep them both in sight. “Now then. Since you’ve figured out who I am it all comes down to what you plan on doing about it. I have a suspicion you’re not going to tell me anything because you don’t believe I’d do anything to you.”

Alexa looked over at Greg. “Am I right?” Alexa turned towards Jennifer once again. “Threatening you or your husband; I mean you’re in a dangerous business, certainly you’ve thought of the chances of something like this happening down the road, especially when you blackmail powerful executives at your own company. Tsk, tsk.” 

Jennifer almost nodded. Alexa was getting at something. “So,” Alexa said, “what could I do to motivate you?” Jennifer sat silently and Alexa took a seat in a dining chair in front of her. Grabbing the woman’s purse, she rifled through it in search of leverage; her eyes landing on the white, leather wallet inside.

“Money’s not much of a motivator, not even $7.5 billion, right?” Alexa continued. “Nah. As Greg tells it, you both are rolling in dough. Torture? It’s too unreliable. You’d probably just tell me anything I wanna hear. Plus, I was hoping to not get my hands dirty today.”

Suddenly Alexa’s face brightened as she uncovered a plastic slip inside the wallet. “Ah, that’s right, you’re a PTA Mom aren’t you?” Jennifer remained still. “Gee,” Alexa said. “What are the odds? It turns out I gotta couple of friends on vacation here right now. Well, it’s more of a business trip,” Alexa winked at Jennifer. “If you know what I mean.” 

The way the words came out made Jennifer stiffen a bit. “They tell me they wanted to see the sights. Most people come for the Museum of Science and Energy but, I personally love the zoo. So I recommended they give it a go.”

“Don’t do this, please,” Greg protested but, Jennifer’s poker face was better. Alexa pulled a picture from Jennifer’s wallet. It was a photo of her children surrounded by a few of their classmates at a school event and she held it up for Jennifer to see. “One boy, one girl.” Alexa smiled a maternal smile. “You must be proud.” Even though they were not home at the time, Jennifer’s throat became dry and she licked her lips. 

This turned Alexa’s maternal smile into a sinister sneer. “Jennifer! For God’s sake, tell her what she wants to know,” Greg said, more forceful this time. Alexa grabbed her phone and made a call to Kasper as she casually leaned back into her chair. Jennifer felt her heart pound in her chest. As Alexa put the phone to her ear, Greg yelled, “JENNIFER, DAMN IT!”

Alexa ignored him as she spoke into the phone. “Tony, what’s up?” There was a pause, then Alexa said, “Hey, enjoying the zoo? You gotta stop by the monkey exhibit.” It was a smooth play. Her earlier search of the house revealed the daughter, Jennifer’s youngest, had a fondness for the hirsute primates.

Another pause. “Field trip?” Alexa looked over at her captives. “That wouldn’t happen to be Southland Academy? Oh really, that is a coincidence. Listen, is the Doctor there with you? Good, and he brought his tools? Oh, good.” Jennifer felt her heart drop to her stomach. She tried to swallow but, came up empty. “Hey, I have some good news for the Doctor.” Alexa stared at the picture of Jennifer’s two children as if it were the Mona Lisa. “Tell him I have some fresh meat for him.”

Alexa held her hand over the phone once again and addressed Jennifer. “The Doc doesn’t have a moral bone in his body; women, children, doesn’t matter to him. Takes real pride in his work too. His victims, barely recognizable by the time he’s done. A real sick bastard, but hey, he knows his way around a scalpel.” She returned to the phone. “Yeah, tell him it’s exactly the kind he likes.” She turned the picture around in her hand to read the names. Denise and Justin, ages eight and twelve. “Pretty Princess, eight, blonde, blue eyes responds to the name…”

“Wait!” Greg shouted, looking over at his wife with pleading eyes. “Are you really going to allow this?” He asked of her.

Alexa continued without hesitation. “Denise Bar—” 

“Stop!” Jennifer jumped from her seat. With the reflex of a cat, Alexa pointed her weapon at her chest.

“Sit down, bitch,” Alexa said. Jennifer sat. “Not you, Tony,” Alexa said into the phone. Jennifer struggled to gain a normal breath. Part of her wished this was all a big game they were playing but, she couldn’t afford to guess wrong.

Jennifer looked down. “I’ll give you what you want.” Alexa continued her conversation as if she didn’t hear her. “I said I’d give you what you want,” Jennifer repeated, louder this time.

Alexa paused and looked at Jennifer with dark eyes. “You’re interrupting my conversation. That’s right,” Alexa said to the phone. “B-A-R-N-E-S.” 

“The keys are in my purse. It’s room 917 at the Jackson Municipal building. The air vent,” Jennifer blurted in desperation. “I can give you exact directions. I can take you there.”

Alexa looked over at Jennifer annoyed and kept talking. “That’s right, Tony, tell the Doc to take his time. Work close to the bones.”

“Please,” Greg said. “She’s talking to you.”

Alexa pulled the phone down to her chest momentarily. “What, you think she’s telling me the truth?” 

“I am,” Jennifer insisted. “I am. Please tell them to stop.”

Alexa frowned. Then she slowly raised the phone to her ear. “Listen, Tony, I’ll call you back. Wait about forty-five minutes and if you don’t hear back from me, tell the Doctor to go nuts.” Alexa slipped the phone to the table and sneered at Jennifer. “You better not be lying to me.” 

Alexa waited a moment and as expected, Kasper knocked once on the Barnes’ front door. She handed him the keys and told him to call when he found what they were looking for. “Now. While we wait on word from our friend, how about you tell me about your involvement in the assassination attempt in St. Claire?”

“I had nothing to do with that.”

“Oh, come on, Jennifer. And we were on such a roll. You sure you want to leave that as your final answer?”

“I swear. I may have fought for my seat at the table but, there are still decisions where they don’t allow my input. This was one. They held a secret, late night meeting when they knew I would not be able to attend and that’s when this plot to harm that man and his family came about. I only discovered it later when I was going over the books; the missing money but, there was nothing I could do to stop it,” Jennifer said, straightening herself more in her seat. “I thought—when I saw you I thought you were here for me. It would have been fitting that they added my name to the list too; get rid of their shared nuisance.”

“‘They’ who?”

“I don’t know; but I have recordings. You’ll find them. All of their voices and even some video of the men that were in that meeting. There were maybe 8, including Frank Delacroix,” she said with a sigh. “Did you kill him?”

“Now, Mrs. Barnes, murder is a crime. Why would I implicate myself in anything like that?”

“You’re holding us at gunpoint! That’s also a crime,” Greg quickly pointed out.

“Am I? Well I suppose, hypothetically if one were capable of committing a crime such as breaking and entering and holding a couple at gunpoint, that same person, hypothetically, could also be capable of murder. And if, hypothetically, this murderer came upon someone in need of being put down, I don’t see why that person would hesitate at the opportunity. Hypothetically speaking of course.”

“Good. That sanctimonious asshole needed to be put down.”

“JENNIFER!” Greg exclaimed.

“Now don’t go fussing at Jennifer, Greg. He was a sanctimonious asshole.” Alexa smirked as she thought for a moment. WET didn’t need her outside interference. They had someone within their ranks trying to take them down. If she were a gambling woman, she could sit back and watch as Jennifer systematically cleared the company of the vilest but, that wasn’t her style. She was more hands on and needed to know these people would not come looking for her and Kasper. It had to be her.

It took Kasper twenty minutes to get across town to the address Jennifer had given them and another ten to locate the blackmail box locked behind door 917. The phone rang and Alexa brought it to her ear. “It’s all there?”

“Everything.”

“Perfect. I’ll meet you in a few,” she said and disconnected the call. “Looks like you’ll both live to kiss your daughter. Between you and me, I was kinda hoping you were lying.” Alexa gathered her things and wiped down anything she may have touched before nodding to Jennifer. “There’s a storm coming, Mrs. Barnes. If I were you, I’d take cover.”

“Thank you,” Jennifer said, watching Alexa place the keys for the handcuffs beside her chair. She then went through her phone, erasing her last known calls before placing it beside the woman’s wallet.

“I’m leaving a little something for you on the dining table. If your husband ever gets any ideas, I’m sure you’ll find an appropriate use for my gift. You’re good at that,” Alexa said as she started for the door. 

“Wait! What about Denise? Don’t you need to call Tony?” Jennifer asked to Alexa’s back.

“Tony?” Alexa asked, turning to face the distraught mother. “Oh yeah, don’t worry about him. I made all that up. I don’t make it a practice of torturing and murdering kids. I’m an assassin, not a psycho. Pleasure doing business with you.” 

Alexa walked three blocks and waited. Kasper had her location and would meet her soon. It gave her time to think. If Jennifer was telling the truth about everything, she could very well become an asset within the company. An insider to help take WET out once and for all. Kasper pulled up to the curb and Alexa slid into the passenger seat beside him. “Wait until you take a look at the information inside that thing. Mounds of names, dates of assassinations; everything we needed and more. That theory I told you about the national tragedies, it’s all here.”

“Cool. We should have no problem finding our next person of interest.”

“Way ahead of you,” he said, dropping a business card into her lap.

“Jeremy Keller?”

“From what I understand, he may be able to shed some light on President Thompson’s visit and possibly their next target.”

“Great. Let’s go ring his doorbell.”

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*Author's note: The images of the two kiddies is a composite image created by Kewai-Dou and Skysims.*

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