Whole truth and nothing but

[Indigo Spirit]

Will was enraged. Lie after lie was printed in the Herald, distorting the facts or completely forgetting them altogether. They had even dubbed him the Strangler in the last front page article. It had become obvious the paper was more interested in the circulation then the truth and was using his pain and effort to accomplish it. But that was soon to change Will had decided as he walked to a pay phone and dialed the Heralds reception desk.

"I want to speak to one of your misinformed reporters" He demanded impatiently "My name? You've dubbed me the Strangler. Now give me that reporter before I hang up and dial the Town Crier"

The shaky voice asked him to hold and he was lowering the phone when another cooler, more composed voice was heard.

"Jill DeVont here. I'm told you claim to be the Strangler. What can I do for you?"

Will laughed at the terse voice and her words. "No, you named me and then lied about the facts. What you can do is set the record straight"

The line went quiet and Will knew the woman on the other end was carefully considering if he was just another crank call.

"And how would I set the record straight?" Her voice was cool but curious.

"Two choices" Will answered anticipating the question and watching the clock. "Meet me where I name or wait for the next victim. If you choose to wait I'll call you with her location and leave you a personal message with her."

Will hung up less than three seconds under three minutes, her answer in his mind yet as he shoved his gloved hands into his jacket pockets and moved into the crowded sidewalk of people.

He had his answer, she would soon have her proof and the whole truth.

OOC: Looking for one to join me in a story of mixed pleasure and pain, PM me with interpetations and we can compare notes

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

I sat with my legs propped up on my desk, tapping my pencil on a yellow legal pad. Interesting. Very interesting. Surely the call was another hoax. I had handled dozens of them since the Strangler story had first broke. Somehow, this caller seemed different. Maybe it was his anger. I wrote the five letters on the legal pad and bit my lip. My gut told me I had just spoken to the Strangler and I prayed it would be wrong for once. If I were right, it meant that someone was going to die tonight.

Sticking the pencil behind my ear, I stood. I'm a tall woman and my fingers almost touched the low ceiling of the newsroom. "The Cave" we affectionately called it. I had been ten hours on the job and I was beat. Long hours and late nights were my thing. Sometimes my only thing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jim watching me. Yeah, I’ve got the kind of figure that men noticed even when I looked like I did now, like the job had rolled right over me. Five foot nine, with long legs, and like they used to say in my high school, I was stacked. My blonde hair was a mess, loosely piled atop my head and I knew my blue eyes were bloodshot. Too many hours staring at a computer screen. I settled back down and glanced at the clock. It was going to be a hellava long night.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Our eyes held each others as my body thrust against hers, driving the remaining breath from her body as the leather band tightened.

"Yes????" I hissed at her, holding her blue eyes with my green, concentrating on the answer I knew was coming and could not miss.

Her eyes began to roll, the blue centers replaced by pure white, her eyelids fluttering as with the final weak breath she could give she answered.


"yes"


The humanity inside myself twinged as the answer came, the animal howling at it with sheer adrenalin rage as it won and my body responded, pumping in and out of her as I tightened the thin, leather band.

"Live well on the other side, Allissa" I spoke gently, feeling her body quiver in ecstasy as the orgasm washed over her and left her empty, pushing the pain away and filling it with a final pleasure.

No response came from the woman, her eyes had gone completely white, her face nearly translucent as the rush left her and death came silently in.

It was over.

I stepped back ashamed, disgusted, sick as my still hard erection slid from her and she sagged, the bindings holding her wrists behind the pillar and her corpse upright.

"Forgive me?" I pled, closing her eyes with my fingers and then sliding a rolled peice of paper into her carefully done hair.

She wanted proof. It was hers, three single words written on the paper that she would soon come to understand. And then, if she were truly...human? She would repeat the truth as I told it to her.

"Lies or Truth"

 

[Indigo Spirit]

4:43 A.M.

The phone rang four, five and then six times and finally a groggy voice answered. Her voice.

"Jill Devont, talk to me" The tone came thru as sleepy but not unaware, almost afraid of what she was to hear.

"Your proof rests at 1023 Madison, room 406. Take care you treat her with the respect she deserves for I will know"

I let the words hang, listening to the sharp intake of her breath as she heard and then composed herself quickly.

"What is more important to you, Jill" I questioned softly "Your future in telling lies that sell, or the truth?"

I set the receiver down carefully, letting it dangle at the end of the cord and walked away. I would be in contact, the question remaining was as friend, or enemy?

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

What is more important to you, Jill? Your future in telling lies that sell, or the truth?

I slowly set down the phone and stared at it, unable to breathe. The Strangler. It was as if he had his hands around my throat. I would go, of course. A reporter dreamed of a chance like this. Getting a jump on a story, before even the police had a chance to arrive. Still that didn't keep me from being terrified. I scanned the room. At this late hour, I was alone. I opened my desk drawer and pulled out a stainless-steel, hammerless snub-nosed revolver I kept in a small leather holster. Concealed weapon's permits were a wonderful thing. After strapping the gun to my ankle, I stood. Better get a move on. Madison was all the way across town.

1023 Madison turned out to be the cheesy kind of motel you would frequent only if you weren't going to stay longer than an hour or two. The sky had not even thought about getting light and the red neon of the motel sign blinked garishing into the night. Trail's End. How appropriate.

Room 406 was around the back. I parked my car in front of the dented door, which I noticed was ajar. Reaching down, I slipped the .38 out of its holster and got out of the car. Time seemed to move in slow motion. I opened the door and flicked on the light with my elbow. Fighting the urge to scream, I covered my mouth. A beautiful blonde lay sprawled on the bed. She was nude and clearly not moving. Sweeping past her, I checked the bathroom, breathing a little when I saw no one there. I returned to the main room and forced myself to look at the woman.

For the first time, the realization hit me. I could have prevented this. Guilt slugged me in the gut and I fought back sobs. Through eyes clouded with tears, I noticed something white in the woman's hair. I reached for it, trying to be careful not to disturb the body.

Lies or Truth

The paper fluttered to the floor, forgotten. The phone had begun to ring. Only my professional instincts kept me from fleeing the nightmare. I picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

"Before you leave, take a good look at her. Her name was Allissa Mordeau and she would have died alone in this world except for me. She was tied, but didn't struggle and you can tell by her face she welcomed her release. Take a good look Miss Devont so you won't be doubting me when we meet. There's a car outside waiting to take you to me and a blinfold on the seat for you to wear when you get in. Don't worry you have my word you'll be safely home once we've talked. And Miss Devont? Leave the gun behind in the car, I hate the sight of them"

I closed the connection and returned to my desk, opening the folder that had her file in it and looking at her picture and her eyes. Perhaps she was the one to tell the truth, if she was capable of understanding it.

I donned a heavy overcoat and gloves then moved to my car. It would take her 15 minutes to arrive, I could be there in ten, including the time it took to conceal my car and walk the remaining distance. I smirked as I drove, thinking.

"Who was taking the greater chance, the lady reporter or the "strangler"

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

I shivered, but not from cold. It was from his voice - So soft and gentle, not unlike the voice of a lover.

Stop it, Jill!

Christ, he must have been watching me. I looked at the .38 in my hand. Suddenly the weapon seemed useless. A sick feeling in the pit of my stomach told me I would do exactly as he asked. There was no way in hell I wasn’t. I simply couldn’t live with another corpse on my conscious. Not if there was a chance I could prevent it. I turned my attention back to the body. Allissa, I mentally corrected. She was exactly as he had described, bound and victimized. No matter how the Strangler worked it out in his sick mind, no woman would welcome this. Even as I looked at his handiwork, the objective part of my mind wondered what made him tick. My fingers were practically itching to write this story. Setting down my revolver, I fished a small notebook out of my pocket and scribbled down the salient details of the scene with the stub of a pencil. After I had drawn a small sketch, I retrieved my weapon and left the room as quickly as I’d come.

Sure enough, a dark sedan waited not twenty yards away. I turned to my own car and made a show of locking my gun in the glove compartment. When I straightened, the waiting car had its lights turned on and it was in their blinding glare that I walked toward it. When I got closer, I saw that it was one of those cheap airport limos. A nondescript driver got out and opened my door. With a deep breath that was less than soothing, I got in. The dark partition was up, of course, so I settled back and waited, trying not to let my mind wander. My finger touched something on the seat. The blindfold! I bit my lip, trying to work up the courage. The ruined image of Allissa Mordeau flickered through my mind and I sighed. I really didn’t have any choice. Only when I had slipped on the blindfold, did the car finally begin to move.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

I watched as the limo pulled up th the drive and stopped, the driver stepping out and moving to open the rear passengers door and offer a hand. He had followed my instructions carefully, cautioning her to keep the blindfold on as he guided her out of the interior and onto the concrete walk.

He "doffed" his hat to her and I smiled at the instinctive action, knowing it was wasted on the blindfolded women as he moved back to the car.


"Good luck" The words were clearly heard by both of us before the driver closed the door and sped away.

I made no effort to be quiet, my feet turning and crunching the gravel underneath as I approached, taking in the woman reporter. She was everything her file from the Herald said she was, tall for a woman, blond and in excellent shape. Her figure more than enough to make a man take a second look and bring the memory of her home with him, I reflected as I stopped in front of her.

"If you're wondering how you'll get home, don't worry" I began, raising my arms to the dark scarf and untying it, letting it float to the ground. "You'll get there in one piece and alive"

I stepped back and looked at her again as she blinked in the light cast by the single bulb behind me.

"I'd like an answer from you before we go any further though, Miss Devont and in return for your honesty I'll give a bit of information that will relieve your burden before the night is over"

Turning I moved towards the cottage at the end of the gravel drive and then slowed, looking over my shoulder at her.

"Coming?" I waited until she moved beside me then began walking again, enjoying the smell of the damp leaves in the crisp air. It was autumn in the seasons, a time for reflection and looking back at the past occurrences and perhaps that was what I was doing as well. I held the door and ushered her into the cottage, the red tiled floor and the heavy oak table announcing we were in the kitchen, the large mugs and the pot of brewing coffee waiting for us.

Waiting patiently I slid the light jacket off and offered a chair, sliding it under her as she accepted my offer.

"Your answer, Miss Devont?" I prompted again as I took my own chair and reversed it, leaning across the backrest of it, enjoying the sight of her in the rooms light.

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

I couldn’t believe my eyes! After spending half the night chasing a nightmare, I had found the guy next door. From his average height to his brown hair, everything about this man screamed average. Only his eyes were worthy of note, green and intense.

“My answer?” I snapped. “To what question?”

Sure, I sounded angry. I had spent the last fifteen minutes scaring myself silly on the ride over here. My nerves felt like they had been stretched to the breaking point. That coupled with the fact that sleep was a distant memory made me sound pissed. Which I was. Pissed and scared shitless. And when I got scared, the claws came out.

“I am beyond tired. I’ve just spent half the night on your wild goose chase. Yes, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. Shouldn’t this be obvious.”

Sitting back in the proffered chair, I waited for this enigma to speak.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

The woman in front of me was rattled, scared and angry. It was obvious by her stance, her shoulders pulled back and the defiant look on her face. It was more obvious by the garbled words she spoke.

"I do not want answers from you, Miss Devont" I replied softly, knowing like all others she was looking at me and finding my physical appearance lacking. I was used to that reaction. If you were truly an average person in appearance you blended easily and quickly into the background. If you wished to be noticed?

I mentally shrugged. Once noticed you were often interpetted the way the people wished to see you as. And that brought me back to the woman in front of me.

"The cloak and dagger was as much for your benefit as mine, Miss Devont. Though I gave you my word on a safe return I have no guarntees from you that you won't turn my description over to the authorities the first chance you have."

I let her digest the words then spoke again, my face sober, bland, without emotion.

"As for your lack of sleep? I asked you to come here in hopes you would place a greater value on the truth behind my actions then the lies that glamorize the story. Perhaps I've found the wrong person and for that I apologize. I've wasted your time and my own and will recall the limo that brought you here. You can return to your cozy little world and write your own lies when you are rested."

It was of no consequence. I rose from the chair and moved to the counter behind us, feeling her eyes on me as I walked. Lifting a single mug I poured it full and then turned, leaning against the counter to sip at it as I watched her in return.

"Trust is a two way street Miss Devont. I have shown you that although I am branded a murderer of women you are safe with me. I requested you come here to tell my side of the story, at great risk to myself and with no promises made from you. Perhaps you are just another glory hunter and have come with the intent to turn me into the authorities and make a name for yourself? Perhaps even now they are coming because of a homing device you wear?"

The suggestions were made as gently as my earlier statements, all plausible and quite reasonable in my mind.

"Then I would be forced to leave you here, alive and well, but without the truth I hoped to prove to you. Is that how it is?"

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

I paused to consider his words, cringing at how they echoed my own qualms about the biz.

“Journalism is the pursuit of truth...”

The words produced a harsh little laugh.

“Or rather that’s what they tell you in school when you’re still idealistic. A stupid student with dreams of a Pulitzer dancing in your head. The reality is you have to write what sells. Stretching the truth, sensationalizing, even downright lying happens all the time. I’ve prostituted myself more times than I’d care to admit.”

I paused to get myself a cup of coffee without asking. It put me in closer proximity to the Strangler then I had intended. My hands shook as I poured myself a mug, yet I stood my ground, refusing to let him see my fear. He exuded a power that I found strangely unnerving.

“That doesn’t mean I don’t still hold out hope for that one story. The chance to do exactly as you propose. To reveal the truth, regardless of the consequences.”

I forced myself to look into his green eyes. He exuded a power that I found disquieting. Damn him for being so calm!

“Look, I’m not wearing any homing device or wire. I left my revolver back at the motel. You can frisk me if you like.”

I set the mug on the counter and raised my arms.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

"Your gun is safely locked in the glovebox of your car" I corrected and watched her eyes widen.

I took the opportunity to look her over, letting my eyes slowly travel up her long legs, mature hips and trim waist, past her full breasts and long neck to hover over her full lips and then to her eyes.

"You're a lovely woman Miss Devont. And hopefully an honest one as well. I won't disgust you by touching you and will settle for your word"

She was indeed quite erotic and knew it I judged, but I was interested in her writing abilities and her promise, for now.

"You can sit with me and we'll drink our coffee, then I want to hear of how the facts regarding the "murders" were gathered and by whom"

The word murder was pronounced with distaste and I watched her face closely as she lowered her arms and took her mug with her to the table.

"Then you can begin your questions and I will tell you a small tale of my own, afterwards we will move to the proof behind it." I spoke pleasantly, as if of the weather and not matters of life and death.

We sat at opposite sides of the table, her moving to the far side not going unnoticed by myself. Miss Devont was still untrusting, though calmer and of a mind to hold a discussion with her "Strangler".

How long we would be strangers on opposite sides was up to her.

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

“The facts?”

I blanched, knowing the Strangler wouldn’t like my answer. But I knew I had to tell him if I were ever going to earn his trust.

“Detective Sterling is the primary on this case. After the third victim was found, he contacted me. Apparently the feds had been called in and they advised him to use the press. He’s been feeding me my stories ever since. Giving them a slant that would hopefully draw you out. To tell you the truth, I never thought it would work in a million years.”

Swallowing hard, I continued.

“I should have contacted Sterling as soon as you called me, but I didn’t. Somehow Allissa’s death became my responsibility.”

I felt my eyes fill with tears and the woman’s name came out in a choked whisper. I had to ask him.

“Would she have died if I had agreed to meet you immediately?”

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

Her words confirmed my beliefs, her face showing the effort it cost her in sharing the sources. My own face stayed impassive as she replied, then I felt a quiver in my lips as her own question came to me.

“Would she have died if I had agreed to meet you immediately?”

How to answer that? Callously as the killer she believed me to be and perhaps I was? Ignore it and prove her guilt as she felt it to be? Or give her the truth or as much of it as she could handle?

"Allissa's death was decided long before we met, Jill"

The use of her first name was intentional, to somehow let her know I knew of humanity and too was part of it.

"Neither of us could have stopped it, only modified it's conclusion"

The words were little comfort and riddling in intended nature, but they were all I could do for the moment. Still? I could ease her own grief somewhat.

"She knew you would see her as she was, Jill. Knew and approved of it, knowing what was at stake. You did not change or force what was to happen"

It made me seem more the monster. But then I knew what I would be viewed as before I began.

"Do you have more questions for me, Miss Devont?"

 

[Vassagos_babydoll]

Just wanted to peek in and tell you both, you play off of each other so very well. You are both quite talented and I am enjoying your story very much. I just wish there was MORE of it to read....grins. I will most definitely check back later to see more updates. Keep up the good work.

vassagos_babydoll

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Thank You "VB"

With fates smile we will continue this to a wonderful conclusion, weaving our words and emotions into its theme as we go. It is easy for a moderate writer like myself to write when I have an excellent writer such as HoneyB to write with.

Please read on and enjoy!

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

You are too kind, Babydoll. And you are too humble, Indigo Spirit. Moderate writer, my ass!

More than you know.

“I won’t bother asking whether I can record this conversation, but I hope you won’t mind if I take notes.”

I retrieved my pad and the stub of a pencil from my jacket. This wasn’t going to be easy. I wanted to plunge right in and ask him what he meant by his cryptic remarks, but I didn’t want to push. At least not yet. Experience told me a subject would tell their story only when they were good and ready.

“Well, let’s start with your name?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the question.

“Or at least what you would like me to call you. Then maybe you can begin telling me your story. What is it that you want me to write about, that’s important enough to take this kind of risk?”

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

"My name is William Randt. I was the lead medical doctor for Clavier General up to a year ago" I began. It was to be the first step in many that could lead to my own death. "You can easily confirm it and will no doubt"

I turned the heavy mug within my hands, thinking of the DAY I discovered the truth and made my own decision, a decision that changed my life forever.

"I was in charge of determining the cause of illnesses in a string of unexplained cases. Each young, each healthy until suddenly they became ill and faced a painful death. I treated each and began to know them as a human being, not just a case number"

And it was my failing as well as the beginning of the end for me, I silently reflected.

"I found the reason for their illnesses, a link of sorts and also broke the news that there was no cure for it to each"

How could I describe the young faces as the news was broken to her? Each showing a different emotion on the skin, some sober, some flushed with shame, others determination to continue as long as they could.

"You will never understand the look of defeat, Miss Devont, until you look into the eyes of a dozen women and see it when they know they will die"

The memories were fresh, the pain too real for me and I rose turning to the coffeepot and standing above it.

"Seven women have died at my hands, Miss Devont" I spoke to the wall in front of me "Five more will die before this is over"

I had gathered myself and lifted the pot turning to our cups and pouring the steaming liquid into each.

"My friends call me Will, Miss Devont" I offered and turned, returning the pot to the low flame "And seeing as I have entrusted my life to you and put yours in danger I would hope someday, you call me that as well"

She was scribbling furiously, her strong hand a flash of tanned skin as she jotted word after word and then slowed at my last words, looking up to me.

"Unless you have anymore questions?" I hated to end what had just begun, but knew she needed TIME to confirm my claims and to start to trust me. "I will escort you safely home as I have promised"

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

“Unless you have anymore questions…”

Anymore questions! I had a million of them. What “condition” had he identified in these women? What kind of doctor killed his patients? Was he some kind of Kevorkian? Most importantly, was this all some elaborate story conceived by a delusional mind. My instincts told me no, but it would be sloppy not to check out the facts. He was right. I needed time.

Still as I looked at him, over the mug of coffee, I knew my perceptions of him had changed. The Strangler had become Dr. William Randt. Will. I prayed my instincts were correct.

“All right, then. We’ll leave it at that. Of course, I have more questions I still want to ask you, but I’m afraid they must wait until I can do some research. Doctor, I really want to thank you for trusting me as you have.”

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

The use of the title I was no longer entitled to made me wince and as we stood and moved to the garage where my car was stored I confessed.

"I'm no longer a Doctor, Miss Devont. When I refused to write the deaths of as natural causes and spoke to the board of directors about needing more equipment to investigate the causes I was fired and brought up on charges. You'd find that out tomorrow morning when you begin to verify what I've claimed"

My last words brought an expression of guilt to her face and it amused me as I assured her.

"I would do nothing less in your position, Miss Devont. You are in a difficult position and I've put you there. The minute you attempt to print any of what I've said you will come under fire. You need to be absolutely sure of yourself and the reasons you are doing this or regardless of the stand you take it will end in failure for you"

I had opened her door and she leaned against it as I spoke, listening to the words carefully her eyes somehow making me aware that I was at the very least, a man.

Jill nodded and then slid into the car gracefully, pulling her long legs in behind her and tucking them into the car and for the first time I felt the stirrings of being near this woman. I closed her door and waked around the late model coupe,, leaning against my own as I mentally questioned myself if I was making the right decisions. I could face the penalties for what I had done, but to involve others as well? Again I had to remind myself I had no choice if we were to succeed.

I slid into the car, starting the engine and backing it out of the garage, then slowing to a stop in the drive.

"I want you to wear this" I offered her, holding a mate to the black scarf she had donned in the limo. At least until we are to the highway and near the city"

Even in the dim glow of the dashboard lights I could see her concern and feel the hurt at my words and tried to soften them.

"Jill, If questioned by your superiors or the authorities you can honestly tell them you had no idea where you were taken to."

I watched her decision then pulled out of the drive and onto the road, talking as we moved back towards the city.

"Once you've had time to check your resources I'll contact you and we can meet at the hospital"

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

I drove home in a daze. Sting’s I’ll Be Watching You came over the radio and I had to turn it off when I started to shake uncontrollably. No doubt about it, I needed sleep. Put away this extraordinary night for a few hours and deal with its ramifications later.

I don’t even remember going into my house, but I was instantly asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. When I woke just before noon, I called in sick. For the research I was going to do, I didn’t want anyone looking over my shoulder, least of all, Detective Sterling. I told myself that I wanted to pursue the story unhindered, but I knew I really wanted to protect Dr. Randt. Will, I mentally corrected.

After showering and putting on a fresh change of clothes, I sat down at my desk, phone in hand.

“Yes, may I please speak with personnel…”

And so it went for nearly an hour. Parts of William Randt’s story checked out. Others didn’t. He had been the staff at Clavier General and had been terminated about a year ago. I hit a stone wall when I tried to find out the reason. Nor did I have any luck trying to find someone who actually knew him. The mysterious illness remained a mystery, as well. Patient records were, of course, unavailable to the press.

I sat back in my chair, tapping my pencil. I’d have to get more information from Randt if I were going to go any further. Damn, I wished he would call. The phone rang in answer to my thoughts.

It was him and he instructed me to meet him at the hospital in thirty minutes. Second floor visitor’s lounge. I grabbed my purse and headed for the car.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

I rose from the corner chair where I had been hiding behind a newspaper and moved to Miss Devont.

"I'm glad you decided to come, Miss Devont" I told her warmly as I watched her walk towards me. It was becoming difficult to think of her as "Miss Devont" and the reporter that would help me tell the truth and not "Jill".

"I've got a few friends left here and was told a certain reporter made some calls here today. That's good but you won't get any proof that you need unless you come with me to the labs"

Nodding towards the prep room I followed her in then pointed out a fresh pair of scrubs and picked up my own.

"Put this ID on and then act upset when we pass the nurses station. The male nurse gets upset easily at a woman in authority and will forget to ask for our med sheets and pass us thru that way"

I grinned as she attached the ID to her scrubs, her eyes twinkling as she led the way thru the door and stormed down the hall like a woman on a mission. In a way we were, a mission for the truth and the proof of it.

Jill began to rip the red faced nurse a new ass and I stood back cringing, knowing he was innocent for all the atrocities she was accusing him of but trying to act as if he were indeed guilty. The young man cringed then nodded, pointing to the door as he hit the electric release and the door buzzed back.



"Well that was fun! What do we do for an encore?" Jill asked as the doors closed behind us.

"We open up my old lab and remove the hard drives" I replied with a grin. "Then when the fire alarm goes off we use the emergency exits when they open and hope we don't run into any security"

Jill stopped in the middle of the hall, her hand on my arm as she asked me incredulously.

"You call that a plan, breaking into a secured office and setting the hospital on fire?"

Pulling a ring of keys out of my pocket I grinned at her doubtful look and explained as we moved again.

"It isn't breaking in if I have the keys and the hospital won't be on fire, just think it is. I have a few good friends left here, remember?"

I turned the key and breathed a sigh of relief as it opened the lock and the door swung inward, then jumped as the bells began to ring in the hallways and inside the room as well.

"I told him FIFTEEN MINUTES, not FIVE,” I yelled over the din "We've got to move fast!"

A few minutes later we emerged from the offices, a rolling gurney propelled in front of us, several sheets tossed over the odd looking patient underneath.

The previously locked doors stood open and we pushed our way thru the clamoring bunch of people and towards the service elevator.

“I hope you drove a larger sedan and parked it in the south lots?” I suggested as the doors slid shut in front of us and I pressed the basement button…

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

As luck would have it...

I had parked very near the door. We sprinted across the fire lane, pushing the gurney in front of us. Will knew my midnight blue Ford Taurus as well as I did. I had the remote in my hand and the trunk was open before we even got to the car. Will lifted the hard drive into the trunk and I pushed the gurney out of the way. Staring, I watched it careen off a Grand Cherokee like an errant shopping cart, scratching the glossy surface. Shit!

"Jill! Get into the car!"

"Right!"

Snapping back to reality, I slid into the driver's seat. Adrenaline coursed through my bloodstream like a speedball. In less than a minute, I had us out of the hospital's parking lot, heading toward the expressway.

"Woo-Hoo! I can't believe I just did that!"

I glanced at Will. He smiled, genuine amusement lighting his features. Maybe it was facing danger together, but he suddenly seemed much more appealing. I returned his smile and in the quiet of the car, we share a moment.

Except we were quickly approaching the expressway.

"You're going to have to direct me, Will. There's no way in hell, I'm taking you to my place."

Moment or not, I wasn't insane.

 

[Indigo Spirit]

Will

"Route Twenty then turn left on County Eleven" I replied, then paused. "You know by driving yourself to my cottage you've gone completely over, don't you?"

My heart was pounding, the exhiliration from the "heist" we just pulled off still chasing the adrenalin rush it had given me. But what I had said to her was the truth, by going thru the past events with me she had become a minor criminal, although unknown and now that she was about to drive me to my house?

"This is going to go a lot deeper than just a story, but then you know that don't you?"

It was a warning, but not one intended to scare her away, rather prepare her for what was coming.Judging by the way she handled herself in the hospital I had found a worthwhile ally.

"Jill there are lists of names on that harddrive that will involve several high ranking officials, and it doesn't stop there. The women that were infected thought they were taking a serum for a host of female maladies. In truth they were used as guinea pigs and left out in the cold to die."

It was as much as I could say without proof, after all she was a reporter first, wasn't she?

We pulled off the highway and onto the gravel road, Jill slowing as she waited for further directions.

"A mile ahead and to your left" I instructed, relaxing and turning in my seat to watch her drive. Her face was flushed yet, her eyes glistening and for a second I could see myself kissing her soft, full lips...

"You going to sit there all day, Will?" Her amused voice came to me and I realized I had been caught daydreaming.

"Lets get this stuff into my basement and I'll install it in mine" I forged on, trying to cover the lapse.

"Then you can ask ALL the questions you want and I can make copies of the data for both of us. It might be the only leverage and protection you have"

We lugged the articles from the trunk to the rear of the cottage and down the flight of steps.

"On the desk beside my computer, Jill" I instructed setting the second and final load down. "Unless you know a lot about the workings of a computer would you mind helping yourself to the freezer and coffee?"

I knew it would take half the night and wanted Jill to at least have a meal. She looked beat from the excitement.

 

[Honey_B]

Jill DeVont

"Unless you know a lot about the workings of a computer would you mind helping yourself to the freezer and coffee?"

Silently I stood and watched him for a moment, his elegant hands adroitly untangling the wires. Strange that I hadn't noticed his hands before. It was usually one of the first things I noticed. Stranger still, I had the oddest feeling that if circumstances had been different, I could actually like Will. Maybe I was already beginning to under these.

“You’re right, I don’t know squat about computers. And since this appears to be your area of expertise, I’ll leave you to it. Call me when you have something.”

I climbed the stairs, feeling tired and wrung out. The let-down from an adrenaline rush can be the worst and I felt a headache coming on. When I got to the kitchen, I opened the freezer and shook my head. Not a Lean Cuisine in sight. I poked at some frozen packages of meat. Not bloody likely that I could transform them into anything edible.

Closing the door, I looked around and felt my fatigue begin to dissipate almost immediately and I couldn't help but grin. This was simply too good an opportunity to pass up and I was a reporter after all.

My eyes fell on the countertop and the mail. I quickly sifted through the stack, but didn't find a thing. Next, I attacked the cabinets, but found only the expected dishes and staples. Growing a little impatient, I looked around the room again.

A corridor lead away from the kitchen and I was there in an instant. The short hallway opened onto a small sitting room, which unfortunately didn't look like it got much use. I flipped through a stack of magazines on the coffee table. They were mostly medical journals and not very interesting.

Damn!

Time to try the doors off the hallway. There were two of them.

Let's see what's behind door number one.

Nothing but a bathroom. Still I stepped inside, opening the medicine cabinet and cupboards. The bathroom didn't reveal anything other than the fact that Will knew how to clean and that he used tartar control toothpaste. Hardly front page stuff.

And behind door number 2?

I opened it and smiled.

Bingo!

I faced a narrow flight of stairs.

Attic converted into a bedroom, perhaps?

I couldn't wait to find out. The stairs squeaked a little as I climbed them, but I didn't think the noise would be loud enough for Will to hear.

It was a bedroom with a desk, chest of drawers, and a rather large bed. My eyes lingered on the latter for an instant. This was such an invasion of privacy. My moment of conscious ended quickly however, and I quickly sat down at the desk. I simply had to know more about Will although not entirely out of professional curiosity. My hand was on of its drawers when I heard the creak of the stairs.

"Fuck!"