The Blood Eagle In The Big Easy Part 5

"What?" She replied angrily. "I'm not so sure that he didn't cause your seizure."

"It wasn't him! We'll discuss it later!" I growled. "He was simply delivering a message from an old friend." I said while trying to get my emotions back in check and turning to Gregory.

"As you all can see my daughter is just being overprotective. I a.s.sure you that I'm fine and the boy will recover from his injuries. Gregory if you could do us all a favor including Tony there can you do whatever needs to be done to take over the investigation?"

"Already done. It seems that Tony is more than willing to turn the whole investigation over to me without even the slightest of fights."

"Like I told you on the way in. When Viktor is involved s.h.i.t gets crazy, and I have enough crazy on my plate at the moment! He is all yours, Deputy Aaron. Good luck with that." Tony chuckled handing Gregory some paperwork. "h.e.l.l I'll finish all the paperwork for you if you get these guys out of here now."

"You seem to inspire interagency cooperation Viktor." Gregory laughed.

"I'm thrilled that I am the b.u.t.t of your jokes. Wait till Christmas and see who gets a lump of coal in their stocking."

Tony and Gregory left the room to finalize the paperwork needed to make this an official Marshals Service investigation while Kira reluctantly tended to Nicholas's injuries. Once I was confident that things were under control I headed after Gregory to see what needed to be done to have the boy released into my custody. Nicholas had entirely too much information that I needed to simply let him be taken into federal custody, the least of which was what Gullveig planned to do with Galvez. The greatest clue to who I was and where I came from lay in the mind of the boy being tended to in the bed behind me. I couldn't possibly leave this to the authorities.

Chapter 8.

November 29th It was a few minutes before midnight when Gregory and I completed all the necessary paperwork to release Nicholas into my custody. As I signed the last line of several lengthy doc.u.ments my company was officially designated as a safehouse for the US Marshals Service. Gregory, while not happy about the arrangement had reluctantly agreed that Nicholas would be safest under twenty four hour guard by someone that wasn't part of the normal chain of command. With the day officially wrapped up Gregory took a moment to step out of the office and address his staff thanking them for their support during this trying time. From what I could see they were taking it all in stride even if Gregory wasn't.

He sank back in his new office chair, still wrapped in plastic trying to relax as he made the last call of the day to his wife to let her know he would be home hopefully before dawn. From this side of the conversation it didn't seem that Mrs. Aaron was all that happy about the lateness of the hour in which her husband would return home.

"You sure you don't want to head on home Gregory?" Feeling slightly responsible for the situation, I looked over at Nicholas trying to rea.s.sure the both of them everything would be alright. "I can a.s.sure you we have the situation handled."

"I would feel better if I knew Nicholas was comfortable with the arrangement and not just secure." Gregory took a deep breath as he fidgeted with his phone, finally placing it on the desk as he looked over at Nicholas. "You are comfortable with this whole arrangement aren't you?" Something in Gregory's voice pleaded for some type of rea.s.surance. It was clear that whatever was going on at home was being compounded by the case.

"I can't think of a better option." Nicholas could barely keep his eyes open. I could hardly blame the guy. It had been a very long day for everyone, especially for him. "And from the sounds of things you two have some pretty d.a.m.n good reasons for not putting me into the standard protective detail."

"It's the same reason we let Viktor handle your relocation twenty years ago." Gregory answered as he tried to rub away the stinging redness in his eyes. "Every time we got close to the *Church of Fenrir' something would tip them off. Well more likely someone." As he stood the plastic on the chair crinkled and stuck to him in odd places. Brushing the wrapping away he stuffed himself into his jacket as he gave me a curt nod. "I can't, no I won't let anything happen to you especially after this mornings fiasco."

"Thanks." Nicholas stood and followed Gregory out the door as my troop and I followed in their wake. "Thank you both for going through all this trouble for me. I don't know how to repay either of you."

"After all this is over thrive." Putting my hand on the back of his shoulder in what I thought was a rea.s.suring gesture. "Don't just survive this or your mother's sacrifice will be for nothing." Nicholas was alone and scared without a place to call his own and that was something I was well versed in. The loneliness could change him in ways that weren't necessarily healthy unless someone were to offer him a safe haven. "After this is all over you're welcome to stay on with my firm if you would like."

He looked relieved for the first time since I'd seen him as small boy. "Thanks, I might just do that." He hung his head as his voice dropped and his tone softened. "Anyway it isn't as if I have anywhere else to go." He pushed his shoulders back and held his head up. "I suppose there are worse places to call home."

It was the first time in a long time that I felt like I'd truly made a difference in someone's life and for that I was exceptionally grateful. "We'll see how you feel after its all over with. You might not feel the same."

We took the elevators to the first floor of the Federal Building and out the side entrance where security officers were waiting to escort us to our final destination. Catching a ride with Gregory and Nicholas I was able to avoid a further outing in the Elsie Mobile. It would seem that Justine had pulled out all the stops for our imminent arrival after my earlier call letting them know that Nicholas would be under our protection for the duration of the case.

The glow in the night sky we'd seen earlier wasn't an event at Armstrong Park as I had a.s.sumed earlier but instead was my office building. Even at this distance we could see the area was aglow with enough lighting to give the impression that the sun had risen early just above the roofline. Plainclothes guards patrolled the area ao not to attract too much attention but failing miserably. The armed guards who were stationed at every entrance to Warden Industries kind of defeats the purpose of their less obvious brethren. These men and women were in full black kevlar body armor, armed with submachine guns to boot. The usual crowd of drunks and vagrants the street normally attracted at this time of night were nowhere to be found.

The church doors directly across the street from my office stood open in invitation to anyone wanting to find solace in a house of G.o.d. They had been in the neighborhood long enough to know that when I demonstrate this much force something bad was bound to happen. They had taken to opening the doors to both my people and the general public to help find their way inside to confess their sins or hear midnight ma.s.s. The local clergy did their best to comfort the souls of those who entered their hallowed walls during these trying times.

Entering through the bra.s.s doors of Warden Industries, I could feel that the office was alive with tension. We made our way through the lobby and down the stairs into one of the few true bas.e.m.e.nts in the New Orleans area. This was here where our private medical facilities were housed, which happens to be right next door to the morgue. What? I told you before I bought the place from a funeral home!

"Nicholas if you'll follow me please, I need to examine you." Kira motioned to Nicholas to follow her. "We will need to do a general physical and treat your wounds. I want to make sure that those *clinic doctors' didn't do more harm than good."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Nicholas was trying desperately to avoid being poked and prodded any further. "I heal very quickly! Like I said I'll be just fine." He protested.

"The sooner you follow her instructions, the sooner it will be over." I advised. Reluctantly Nicholas left with Kira, closing behind them and leaving Gregory and I alone for the first time since breakfast. "So you still think you have a leak somewhere in the system?" I inquired "I don't know!" He leaned forward cupping his face with his hands in exasperation. "I would like to believe it was all some big coincidence, but I can't take that chance with Nicholas' life in the balance." He looked up at me tired and weary. "His mother was murdered and he was tortured. I just don't think its worth the risk."

"I agree." I stopped pacing the room as I leaned against the wall opposite him. "You should head home for the night. We really do have this under control." Giving him my best it's all going to be fine smile as I jerked my thumb at the door. "He'll be safe here."

Gregory stood slowly as the days events were catching up with him. "I suppose you're right. I need to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be busy." Putting his arms above his head he stretched before heading toward the exit. "That and my wife is going to kill me if she doesn't see me soon." He sighed as he took a step towards the stairs. "Hard to believe I have been here less than a week and everything has gone to s.h.i.t."

"Welcome to New Orleans!" I laughed. "Great food, interesting people and the playground for all sorts of sick s.h.i.ts."

Gregory chuckled as he went up the stairs. "Not exactly comforting!"

Sitting outside the examination room, I had just as I dozed off the door opened and I snapped back into the land of the living to see Kira standing there. "Gregory went home?"

"Yeah, he needed to get some sleep and make up with the wife." I stood, stretching as I did. "How is Nicholas?"

"He'll live." Kira stepped aside. "I'm sure you two have some things to talk about while I fill out these reports."

"Thanks." I kissed her on the cheek as she walked by before heading into the exam room to speak with our boy. "You're the best!" I called after her. "Before you ask for some sort of reward, it was rhetorical alright!"

Kira just rolled her eyes as she made her way into a small private office at the end of the hall closing the door behind her swiftly but quietly. She learned a long time ago slamming doors was inappropriate. She had once slammed the door to her room when she was about thirteen after she and mother got into an argument. I promptly removed the door and put it in the garage for the next two weeks. Something about a teenage girl with no bedroom door tends to scar a young woman. Or so she says whenever she wants try and make me feel guilty over something.

"Good evening Nicholas." I said as I walked into the room. I found one of the stools and took a seat so I'd be at least semi-comfortable while we talked. "Are you feeling alright?"

"As I said earlier I heal very quickly." Nicholas waved dismissively. "I'll be fine. Well, as fine as a person can be after watching someone butcher their mother." Fury contorted his face and anger caused his voice to shake as he spoke. "That witch, Gullveig, whatever you want to call her is a monster. I can't believe she's even human after I what I've seen!"

"I'm sorry." My words seemed so inadequate given the situation. "I know it's not much but its all I have."

"She only let me live to give you that message..." He stood and paced the room running his fingers through his hair nervously. "It would seem that she is obsessed with her hatred of you." He stopped and looked at me as anger and confusion swam through his being. "She says you two were once allies but you lost your way..."

His words. .h.i.t me like a sledgehammer. "I don't know her..." I hesitated because that wasn't exactly the truth. "More accurately I should say I don't remember her. Many years ago I sustained a head injury that affected my memory. So who knows? What she says could be true. It's doubtful but I've learned that one shouldn't speak in absolutes unless you can be very sure about the situation." Taking a seat on the stool, I lost myself to the fragmented memories. "All I can say for certain is for as long as I can remember my life has been dedicated to doing the right thing and trying to help others whenever possible." Nicholas stood there, taking in my every word. "The way I have lead my life and the the way Gullveig has chosen to live her's seems to mutually exclude one another from us being friends or even allies but I suppose stranger things have happened."

He slumped back onto the table, his anger subsiding before he started to speak. "That's kind of the way I saw it as well, but you're right who can be sure if you can't actually remember what's true and what isn't." The man's large frame draped over the sides of the table as he lay back. "That's why I'm here and not somewhere else. I believe what you have told me." His eyes were heavy as he fought back the weariness that threatened to overtake him.

Grabbing my arm as I got up he looked tired and weary. "Viktor... When you find this crazy b.i.t.c.h, don't give her any chances, just kill her fast." He swallowed hard. "She hates you and she is vicious as h.e.l.l. If you make the smallest mistake she will kill you!"

"Don't worry." I put my hand on his arm. "I only seem like a nice guy! She will go down hard, I promise. I don't tend to ask a lot of questions when it comes to murderous monsters. I just shoot first and pretend to ask questions later so it looks good on paper."

"She made me watch as they ripped her apart..." He croaked.

"I know." I put my hand on his shoulder. "She'll pay for that."

"I'm glad she took that b.a.s.t.a.r.d Galvez though." He said as I walked to the door causing me to stop and turn. "He was at the compound. The last few weeks that mom and I were there he and another man with a scar on his face came in and tied me to a desk while they raped and beat my mother. They were as sick as Gullveig and I won't be sad when they also die!"

I began to feel nauseated as the news. .h.i.t me hard. I thought about a child being exposed to that type of brutality and it was a wonder that he hadn't become a monster himself. "I didn't know." Swallowing hard I found it impossible not to feel the pain he had been subjected to throughout his life. "I can't blame you for being angry but for now try and get some rest."

"And Viktor there was one thing she said to Galvez before she took him." He shook from the memory. "She said something about a Congo Square. I don't know if that helps or not."

"Yes...Yes it helps a great deal. I got to go. Please try to get some rest." Pushing the door open as I pulled my cell from my pocket I realized we might have a chance to take the b.i.t.c.h tonight if we got lucky enough.

Hitting the redial b.u.t.ton on my phone Gregory answered on the first ring. "Hey boss have you made it home yet?" Part of me felt guilty for asking but another part of me just didn't care. If there was a chance to catch Gullveig we had to take it.

"I haven't even made it out the front door of your office building. What's going on?" Gregory demanded.

"Call the SOG and anyone else you can think of. We might have a chance to take Gullveig tonight. Nicholas overheard her mention Congo Square." I spoke quickly to Gregory as I waved at Kira to join me. "That's only a couple of blocks away."

"s.h.i.t! My wife is going to kill me." Gregory protested. "Let me call you back. I have to make a few calls." The line went dead as he hung up.

Turning to Kira who waited patiently I started to formulate a plan. "We need to get both rapid response teams in position immediately to work in conjunction with the Marshals Service." She nodded as she took notes and waited for further instructions. "Also call Tony at the NOPD and let him know we will be out making a ruckus tonight in Armstrong Park." She immediately picked up her phone to make the appropriate calls.

Taking the stairs two at a time I wanted to catch up with Gregory to help set up a comprehensive response team. Opening the door to the lobby I caught sight of Gregory leaning against Justine's desk just as he slid his phone back in his pocket. "You get in touch with everyone?"

"Yeah, the SOG should be onsite in the next twenty minutes." Gregory pushed himself up and met me halfway. "You sure about this Congo Square?"

"No idea but its the best lead we have right now. We will be riding with one of my teams. You got any body armor in that tank of yours outside?"

"Yeah I got standard issue stuff" Gregory smiled at me as he said "Came with the truck."

"Well that would make it worth the price of admission wouldn't it." I clapped him on the back. "Meet you out front in five."

I made it out in four with body armor, weapons and a generally bad disposition. True to their word the SOG was on site within fifteen minutes. With the extra manpower I provided we were easily able to cover all the exits. Gregory, Kira and I took point with Kira to my right and Gregory to my left. We walked through the metal archway denoting Armstrong Park. Congo Square was just to the left between us and the Munic.i.p.al Auditorium. Off in the distance I saw the combined forces of the SOG and Warden Industries sweeping the park methodically, ensuring that if our prey were here they wouldn't get away.

As we walked in I was the first to see movement in the center of the square and ran forward. What I saw made me slightly ill, not because I hadn't ever seen a mutilated body before but because this was the second such gruesome scene I had witnessed in less than twenty four hours. What I could only a.s.sume was Dr. Galvez was laying on his back with his arms and legs spread wide as if being drawn and quartered. They were held in place by ropes running off into the darkness. What I had originally thought was movement was random light glistening off several feet of the poor souls disemboweled intestines. Every visible inch of skin appeared to have been sliced open by someone taking their time torturing him.

"Kira, see about cutting him loose." I growled.

"I'll help." Gregory called out.

Incredibly Galvez turned his head toward me as he grunted in pain, shocked that he was still breathing considering the brutality of his wounds. "Viktor?" He coughed blood. "Come quickly."

I probably should have hesitated, but I didn't, quickly kneeling beside the dying man. "It would seem that you've had a very bad day." I explained to him. It also bothered me that he would know me by sight. "And how is it you know who I am?"

He laughed, or tried to, as blood bubbled out his mouth. "You have the gift of understatement." One of the ropes holding him went slack, releasing the tension on his right arm. "She told us about you... made us memorize your face." He coughed as he choked on the blood filling his lungs. "But that was long ago. She wants us all to pay..." He choked again as frothy bubbles came up and we both knew he was close to death. "You must save Owen..." He begged as blood leaked from every orphus of the mans body. He gasped for air and held my arm tight. As he tried to speak a wild smile broke out across his face. "She is going to kill you! She will make you suffer..."

I shook him off my arm. "She isn't the first to try!" I growled. "Tell me who Owen is. Is he one of your creepy little friends?"

Galvez choked and laughed. "I hate you! You know that don't you?"

Who said that creepy dying guys ever make sense? "What of it?"

He grabbed and squeezed my arm once more as he wheezed. "I want you to understand what this costs me to ask you for help. I want you to die at her hands but I want my son to survive. No one knows he is my son. I have never told her about him but I think she knows. I gave up the others to her. You won't be able to save them but Owen, Owen you can save. Promise me you will do whatever it takes to save him and I will tell you what you need to know."

I nodded and said. "I swear I will try to save your son but you don't have much time left to make these types of bargains."

He sighed. "Don't I know it. Very well I will entrust you with what I know and in doing so I will most likely save your life. Sort of ironic once you know the truth of things. Come closer Viktor and let me tell you what I know." As I leaned in Galvez lurched forward and placed his hands on either side of my temples.

It took a moment to understand what was going on but I soon realized that I was seeing Galvez's memories. I felt his knees ache from kneeling too long. He stole a glance to his left and smiled when he saw Helena's nude form. l.u.s.t nearly overtook him as he longed to ravage her. I felt his desire for her building as his mind raced through p.o.r.nographic images.

*Do I need to be subjected to your *home movies'? I thought.

*Patience, soon enough things will become clear. Sit back and enjoy the show. It's the last time they will ever be seen" Galvez replied.

Helena caught him leering at her and she smiled as she licked her lips. He was nearly satisfied until he looked to his right and caught sight of the other person kneeling beside him. A large muscular man in his early thirties knelt beside Galvez, with brown shoulder length hair, and a thick Grizzly Adams beard that did little to hide the three scars running from his temple to his throat. His dark eyes caught Galvez staring and he silently mouthed the words, *I'm going to f.u.c.k her till she bleeds. Then I'm going to f.u.c.k you!'

Anger welled up inside Galvez but before anything could be done about it the door opened. He sensed movement across the room well before he heard three sets of footsteps accompanied by the metal rap of the ancient silver cane the crone held in her right hand. The three made their way slowly across the barren warehouse.

*Viktor are you paying attention?' Galvez asked.

*To what exactly?' I demanded.

*The rap of the cane for one. Did you know that it's missing a few pieces?' He asked.

*What do I care if the cane is missing anything?' I wondered.

*The cane is the key to her power. When it is a.s.sembled completely it is a weapon of untold power. More than enough power to crack the sh.e.l.l of this rock we call home.' Galvez taunted. *Now be quiet or you will miss the fun stuff.' I turned my attention back to the memory that had been put on hold for my supposed lesson.

"You may lift your eyes and bask in my glory" I heard an aged woman command.

Galvez kept his eyes on the elderly woman before he glanced around to her right and left. She was gnarled with age and her body was failing. As the senior member of the three it was Galvez's duty to discover and fulfil the crone's needs. "You summoned us here my mistress. How may we serve you?"

The old woman sneered at him as she spoke. "The time has come for you to procreate! Helena is ripe and will bare me the vessel my spirit needs to complete my work. I have breed this b.i.t.c.h's family for nearly two millennia to acquire the traits needed for a total binding." The crone held out a finger pointing at Helena. "You have been made for this! You will produce the golem I will inhabit. You should be honored that you will incubate the host of new era! Go and prepare to be filled with the seed of life."

Helena bowed her head and said. "As you wish my mistress." The crone pointed at a pile of blankets on the floor, then sat close by and waited for them to provide her a show.

Thankfully that memory faded and a different one came into view. Helena was giving birth in a dank musty room. I watched and learned that Nicholas had a sister as well as a brother. Only Galvez bore witness to triplets being born. "I will hide these two and keep them safe but the girl will have to be given to our mistress."

Helena cried and screamed that she couldn't do it. "You will do it or we all die including both of our sons. We don't have a choice."

"I hate you so much." Helena seethed.

"I hate myself for this whole thing. Nothing you say or do will ever compare to the self loathing that I feel."

That memory faded and a third took its place. I watched as Galvez handed the baby girl to the crone who smiled. "You have done well today. What of the other two children?" She asked.

"Gullveig, my mistress, they were both stillborn as you said they would be." Galvez intoned lying through his teeth.

Gullveig smiled. "Good. Very good. It is time to make the change. Are the preparations complete?"

Galvez nodded. "All per your instructions. Nothing has been overlooked."

She eyed him closely. "You had better be right or I will make you suffer."

Galvez shook uncontrollably with fear. "I am but a servant my mistress. I live and die by your command."