Chapter 8: Down But Not Out (Part 1)

An FBI funeral is being held for the members of Saunders’ team who had been killed during the warehouse incident. Fellow Agents and the families of the fallen agents make up the majority of those in attendance. Agent Saunders has made up a story about an unknown man who was being pursued who had killed the agents. Luckily, they were able to revive most of the dead agents so that only two agents were unable to be brought back. However, one of those agents had no head injuries, but to avoid having the families ask for him to be revived they had to shoot the man in the head themselves.

Saunders walks up to the stand to give his speech. He has an element of calm around him because he knows he can easily get through this without slipping up and giving away what really happened.

Saunders

It... it is a shame what had happened to agents Griffin and Holland. They were indeed good men and it is a shame to see them fall in the line of duty, even if it was a job they willingly dedicated their lives to. They died trying to pursue a suspect in a case which we are currently investigating.

Agent Saunders starts his speech, and so far the grieving audience had been taking it in a good manner, so he continues for a few minutes until he finally gives his closing lines.

Saunders

They were both great men who lived great lives. It is a shame to see them taken in the line of duty.

Saunders takes his seat soon after.

---

Saunders is walking down a long hallway with many secure doors; almost like a prison, but not as depressing. He stops at one door and opens it. Bobby is sitting in the room watching a TV.

Bobby

My God, Jason, will you just let me out already? Look, I realize I was involved with some things that made me betray your trust, but I’ve told you everything I know already and have been honest this whole time. I have not once denied helping you guys out because we’re supposed to be friends here so can I just go now?

Saunders

Where’s Mr. Tyler?

Bobby

...Is that a trick question or something?

Saunders

Wrong answer.

Bobby

I don’t know, attending some meeting? How the hell am I supposed to know?

Saunders

So you have no idea why Joe Tyler all of a sudden just started to drive out of the city, avoid two agents who were following him, and then just disappeared for several days?

Bobby

You’ve been keeping me locked up down here for days with no communication to anybody. How am I supposed to know? Try calling him.

Saunders

Do you think we’re stupid, Roberto? He doesn’t have his cell on him. You’re one of his closest friends, if anybody would know something it would be you.

Bobby

I could say the same thing about you.

Saunders

What about Harmony Spa? Do you know anything about that?

Bobby

Yeah, it’s a spa; any other questions?

Saunders

Why would Mr. Tyler go to this location?

Bobby

Because he’s rich and likes to get pampered and can do whatever the hell he wants and nobody will question him...

Saunders

Alright, well when you think you can give me something of value then maybe we’ll consider letting you out.

Bobby

Come on, Jason! You can’t just leave me here like...

Saunders slams the door shut, locks it and goes to the next room over.

Saunders

You ready to talk, Nico?

Nico

Screw you!

Saunders

Alright, then, enjoy our luxury suite; you have a nice day with no TV, food, or blankets.

Saunders slams the door and locks it. He walks over a couple of doors down and opens it.

Saunders

How about you? Are you ready to cooperate?

---

Joe Tyler is meeting with General Larken.

Larken

Mr. Tyler! To what do I owe this secret meeting you called me here for today?

Joe

I can imagine you have some idea about the types of questions I have for you.

Larken

Honestly, no. What’s going on?

Joe

You don’t?

Larken

No.

Both men look confused.

Joe

So you’re telling me you don’t keep track of the special FBI task team you created in San Francisco or even watch the news?

Larken

So I’m assuming this is about LifeSource or something related to that nature, then?

Joe

How can you be so blind to what’s going on?

Larken

Believe it or not, Mr. Tyler, there are things of more importance I’m dealing with than what Mr. Saunders’ team is doing right now. Now from what I gather, recently there was a theft at the LifeSource building; Also, that whole incident with Mr. Fields. That’s all I know.

Joe

This has more to do with the agents. I want to know what their current assignment is.

Larken

I believe they’re handling multiple assignments right now. I’m sure they would tell you if you asked them.

Joe

They told me about the theft, but they keep questioning me about my daughter even though I tell them time and time again I don’t know where she is.

Larken

If I remember correctly your daughter somehow escaped from LifeSource because she activated a Regeneration Pod without authorization, right?

Joe

The official story was never confirmed on that, but yes, she ran away and is in hiding now.

Larken

Well that seems like something that would be an obvious case for them to take.

Joe

Yes, but when I ask them they claim they have other assignments they’re on and that finding my daughter is of low priority and are not bothering because she would be long gone by now. Yet they keep coming back. They seem too persistent and I think they’re up to something.

Larken

I will look into it. Actually, if I’m not mistaken the NSA was assigned to take over their cases involving the thefts of the Regeneration Pods.

Joe

What?

Larken

Yes, it was decided that it was becoming a security threat.

Joe

Well that sort of helps clear up some information. I’m almost certain they’re up to something, then.

Larken

As unorthodox and, let’s face it, against the rules Agent Saunders and Agent Bennett may seem, they are one of the best teams I know and get the job done. It’s for all those reasons, good and bad, we’ve entrusted them to this team. While I appreciate your concern, Mr. Tyler, you need to understand that there are more important things going on with the U.S. government than to care much about your issues. We are on the brink of international conflict over this technology, as I’m sure you are well aware. May I remind you that the reason we keep you in this loop is because you provide a majority of the funding for LifeSource and advancements in our military and you benefit off that. As far as I’m concerned, you should just worry about doing your job and we’ll do the same.

Joe

Fine. I can see my trip was a waste. I must go now; I have another engagement to attend to.

Larken

Take care, Mr. Tyler.

Joe stops for a minute.

Joe

There’s another name the FBI has mentioned to me: Daniel Fields.

The General looks shocked.

Larken

So Mr. Fields finally found his way back home, huh? Well that could turn out to be a problem. Thank you for that information, Mr. Tyler. I’ll be sure to look into your request.

Joe

Thank you.

---

Agent Bennett is at the hospital in Oakland, leaning against a wall while staring directly at the door where the patient is still being questioned by the local FBI. Saunders breaks his concentration as he holds out a coffee.

Saunders

Any luck?

Bennett

They’re still not budging. On the plus side, I don’t think he’s talking. Maybe if we’re lucky they’ll just shut him down.

Saunders

It doesn’t work that way. We can’t take the chance even if it did.

Bennett

Did you try calling for confirmation?

Saunders

I guess he was in a meeting or something. I’ll try again. Here come our friends.

Saunders nods in the direction of the local FBI walking out of the room towards the agents. He then pulls out his phone and starts walking away to make his call.

Miller

Agent Bennett, right? Come to try your hand at questioning the patient once more?

Bennett

Might as well.

Miller

It’s funny; when we mentioned you might come in for further questioning as we were leaving, the patient seemed to be extremely frightened. Do you have any idea why?

Bennett keeps a stone cold face and keeps his mouth shut. Meanwhile Agent Saunders is speaking on the phone to his superior about the patient transfer.

Saunders

Yes sir, we need clearance to transfer this patient...

General

Before you ask me for favours, Jason, maybe you can answer me a few things; like why this man is so important to any case you’re working on... or what those cases may be, exactly?

Saunders

Sir?

General

Let’s just say I have reason to believe you’re doing more than what’s being asked. Not that I’m surprised, but I’m trying to look out for what’s best for this operation and I hope you’re not keeping secrets from me.

Saunders

Umm... okay. Bennett and I believe this man, so close to San Francisco where the LifeSource headquarters is located, could possibly be involved somehow with the recent thefts of Regeneration Pods since this man came in completely bloody and burnt, filled with bullet wounds, and seemed to be stable enough to receive normal treatment which any other person would have died from. I thought this was all understood in my request.

General

Alright, Saunders, no need to be snarky. I’ll make a call to get you your request but we need to talk more later.

Saunders

Looking forward to it, sir.

Saunders hangs up the phone then walks back to Bennett.

Miller

Mr. Saunders! It’s Nice to see you again so soon in our beautiful city.

Saunders

Calm down, Miller. You obviously don’t get out of the city much if you call this place “beautiful.”

Miller’s phone rings.

Miller

Well, you are free to interrogate the patient. Excuse me for a minute.

Miller walks away to take the call.

Bennett

So are we good?

Saunders

We may have another problem. I think I know where Joe Tyler is. I believe he was in that meeting with the General and told him to keep a close eye on us or something.

Bennett

Well that’s just great.

Saunders

We’ll worry about that later. Let’s go.

They start walking to the room when agent Miller stops them.

Miller

Mr. Saunders! I just received word that you’re free to take the patient.

Saunders

Good.

Saunders continues walking.

Miller

But after 24 hours to let us finish questioning the patient, which is what I just begged for and was granted.

Saunders

Are you done, gloating? You’re cutting into our interrogation time.

Miller

My apologies. Please, go on.

Saunders and Bennett once again start heading towards the door when Saunders’ phone rings.

Saunders

Now what?

It’s an unknown number and had just sent an image to agent Saunders’ phone. Saunders stares at the picture with wide eyes and a dropped jaw.

Bennett

What is it?

Saunders

Damn it!

---

Gabriel and Lionel are standing in Carrie Walsh’s apartment. Gabriel had just finish sending Agent Saunders an image of the man he is about to interrogate in the Oakland incident.

Gabriel

It’s done. They have the picture.

Lionel

So what?

Gabriel

So now they know that I have leverage with proof of their secret assignment in Oakland. Maybe they were going to kill that man before but now they might hold off.

Lionel

So it’s blackmail, then?

Gabriel

Yes, but not for that reason. I also sent a text telling them to drop the search on Lisa. They probably won’t but there’s a chance they might. Besides, I have no problem taking this information public.

Lionel

So why are we in Carrie Walsh’s apartment, exactly?

Gabriel

It’s a message. This is where I last escaped from them.

Lionel

Ah, I see. So further taunting. Well that means Agent Saunders is going to trace the call here.

Gabriel

And I’ll leave the phone for him here. He’s not going call to trace it right away. He’ll look too suspicious in the hospital with the local FBI on his back. Right now he’s questioning the patient.

Lionel

How do you get a hold of so many phones?

Gabriel

I know a guy.

Lionel

Well that couldn’t be any more vague.

Gabriel

Maybe I’ll introduce you to him; that is if I ever find him again. He’s even more secretive than I am.

Lionel

Hard to imagine. So where do I fit in all this? There could be cameras around. It almost seems like you’re setting me up to be caught as the caller.

Gabriel

Cameras aren’t a problem for me. Carrie Walsh is significant. She was taken by the agents. I don’t know what she’s doing, if she’s being held against her will, or what the agents are planning but if we can find her maybe we can get some answers.

Lionel

If the FBI has her then how will we ‘find’ her? Isn’t she with them? We can’t exactly go walking into the FBI building and look around.

Gabriel

Sure we could, but I don’t think she’s being held in an FBI building. I thought about this and with all the employees at LifeSource disappearing I would assume there’s a secondary location they control to keep everyone.

Lionel

Like a prison?

Gabriel

Possibly. I have a plan that might help find her. It involves giving the agents more trouble. That’s why we’re in Carrie’s apartment.

To be continued...