Chapter 10: The Three Doors (Part 1)

Agent Saunders is down in the long hallway again, the hidden prison under their secret operation base. He opens the door and sees Roberto, the man he knows as Bobby back when he was a friend.

Bobby

Jesus, Saunders, what happened to you? 

Saunders

I was in a fight. 

Bobby

You look terrible. 

Saunders

This probably isn’t the day to get on my nerves. 

Bobby

So I guess you’re not here to let me out.

Saunders steps aside, gesturing that Bobby can walk past him.

Bobby

Really? 

Saunders

How would you like to help us out? 

Bobby

You have an entire team that was specifically assembled to focus on one thing. Oh, and you also have Bennett. What could I do? 

Saunders

You got under our radar easily enough. We’re FBI. We’re not around the same people as you, and we don’t know exactly who to talk to when we want answers. We need someone who knows how to think like this person. 

Bobby

Who?

---

3 Days ago

Gabriel drives down Lisa’s old street in the last car at his disposal. He doesn’t park in the driveway, but nearby the house because if the police are on the lookout for this car, he cannot get another one - at least not for a long while. He looks around and the street seems empty. Gabriel assumes that everyone is at work or is inside their houses. Not too many people want to be out and about in the neighbourhood on a Monday morning. He walks up to Lisa’s house and notices the front door has yellow ribbons all around it as a sign that it’s under investigation. Lisa told Gabriel that there’s a key under a rock by the door but he instead uses the side door to get in. Gabriel walks around until he finds Ryan’s room. He sees a big black case near his computer. Gabriel snickers.

Gabriel

All this trouble for a guitar.

Gabriel takes the guitar that’s inside a soft carrying case with straps so he can wear it on his back. He takes out a list and locates a few other items Lisa asked him to grab since he’s there. When he’s done he leaves through the side door again. He starts to walk down the driveway when he hears a voice that startles him.

Neighbour

Excuse me, sir.

Gabriel turns around and notices a man was just about ready to get into his car, probably headed to work, and noticed Gabriel leaving Lisa’s house. The man looks at Gabriel for a second.

Neighbour

Oh my God! It’s you!

Gabriel takes out his tranquilizer gun and shoots the guy. Suddenly there’s a sound of a woman screaming somewhere nearby. Gabriel looks across the street and sees a woman running inside her house.

Gabriel

Damn!

Gabriel runs to his car and drives away.

---

Saunders

Thompson! 

Thompson

Yes, sir? 

Saunders

We just got a call from the police. One of Lisa Fields’ old neighbours called in saying she saw a man walking out of her house, shoot a neighbour who stopped to ask him something, and then drive off in a white minivan. She was able to look out of the window and quickly write down the license plate number before he got away. 

Thompson

Thank God for honest, responsible citizens. 

Saunders

I know; I wanted to cry. Make your team bigger, tell the NSA. It looks like we finally have a lead on Mr. Fields. 

Thompson

What makes you so sure it’s Daniel Fields? 

Saunders

Who else would it be? 

Thompson

Anything else? 

Saunders

What? 

Thompson

Well, if it was Daniel Fields, he probably would have gone to Lisa Fields’ house for something. Did the witness say anything else? 

Saunders

Yeah, actually. She said he was carrying a bag in his hand – she thought he was just a burglar – and a guitar case on his back. 

Thompson

What if it was just a burglar? Why would Mr. Fields need a guitar?

Saunders

A burglar in broad daylight while neighbours are out watching? No, this is Daniel Fields. He either screwed up big time or is sending us a message so be careful. 

Thompson

I know this is a stretch, but since we are considering he may have helped Lisa Fields escape, could he possibly be living with her and her son? 

Saunders

Wait, did the son play guitar? 

Thompson

I don’t know. 

Saunders

That would make sense. Alright, if he leads the NSA to her then it defeats the purpose. Don’t tell them anything. We’re going to catch them both.

---

Tom (on the phone)

Everything is set up and ready for you, sir. We’ll be at Bloopers with Lisa and Ryan around four o’clock.

Mary walks in the room.

Tom

I have to go.

Tom hangs up the phone.

Mary

Who was it, hun? 

Tom

Just work stuff. 

Mary

Just wanted to let you know the kids decided on getting a digital book reader for Ryan. I remember Lisa telling me he likes to read. They just want to put some books loaded onto it for him before they wrap it up. 

Tom

Sure thing.

---

Ryan

Just tell me. I already know you got me a guitar. 

Lisa

Not until tonight. And I could have gotten you something else. I believe you told me you want to pick out the guitar. 

Ryan

Well at least tell me where we’re going. 

Lisa

I can’t, I promised I would keep it a surprise.

The phone rings. The two of them look at it.

Lisa

Go clean your room. 

Ryan

It’s clean. 

Lisa

Then go lay on your bed.

Ryan goes to walk to his room, but sees the basement door open and becomes curious. Lisa answers the phone.

Lisa

Hello? 

Principal

Is this Melissa Green? 

Lisa

Speaking. 

Principal

This is the principal of Notre Dame Elementary calling. We’re wondering if you could come in tomorrow if at all possible to discuss about your son’s enrolment in our school. 

Lisa

So he’s accepted, then? 

Principal

Well, we just need to fill out some paperwork, but yes, we’ll be very happy to have Ryan be a part of our school. 

Lisa

That’s great. Tomorrow is great. I’ll let him know.

Ryan walks down to Gabriel’s room where he sees dumbbells on the ground, a foldout bed, lots of bags lying around, and a wall with a curtain. Lisa walks up to Ryan’s room.

Lisa

Ryan, I have good news!

The room is empty.

Lisa

Ryan?

Ryan moves the curtain to reveal guns, other weapons, technology (such as the camera scrambler), masks, and more that Gabriel uses in combat. A lot of stuff is missing because of what he brought with him to Lisa’s old house. Lisa walks down the stairs and looks all around the house for Ryan. She’s getting worried and calling for him. She finally walks down in the basement and sees him staring at the wall. All of the guns and equipment are not what’s shocking about the wall. It has a giant conspiracy web on it; strings connecting people, photos, notes on each person or event, and more.

Lisa

Ryan, go to your room. 

Ryan

What is all this? 

Lisa

Ryan, just go to your room!

Ryan does what he’s told and actually goes to his room this time. Lisa stays in the basement, staring at the wall and learning for herself the conspiracy that Gabriel is trying to unravel. Finally, after some time has passed, she takes out her phone and starts taking pictures of the wall.

To be continue...