The HeartBreak Commission - Part 7

CHAPTER 22: EMPTY LIFE

I waited at the door for Kevin, I was wearing my special suit which had special thin armour that had electric shielding built in if I needed it and had a number of tools I may need. I took some high-tech weaponry with me also, my laser pistol, as well as my highly illegal laser blade. Kevin wasn't too long in arriving, he was driving a special X10934 police car which didn't look like one but I knew it had special systems built in to it. The car was a rough red and black, it was made to look old, I knew it was far from it. I stepped into the car and we were away before I sat down.

“John, I haven't heard from Luke since the last message and I can not detect his implant or anything, something is up big time!” said Kevin sounding worried. “Well lets just get there and see, am armed in case we have trouble.” “We will have trouble without any doubt, the report Luke sent to me had illegal implants mentioned, and that's a major crime.” I thought about my illegal implant and wondered how Kevin would react if I told him, I thought better of it.

It didn't take long for us to get there, the building was huge, it had a blue haze all around it. Surprisingly there were no guards here. We stepped out of the car and just walked up to the entrance. I pressed the green button on the door and it opened. Something was clearly wrong here. “Don't like look of things already John.” said Kevin. “No neither do I.” The entrance room had silver walls and there were seats and tables around it, there were flowers in pretty vases and four exits.

We spent a long time searching together but really could not find any sign of life, just nothing. We made it to the top of the building, there were a circular corridor that went round the perimeter and there were windows that gave a very good view of the surrounding city. “Kevin, this is so very odd, no one here, its a top research and manufacturing facility, there should be top security and it should be full of people.” “Yes its odd, its bloody weird, I don't like it one bit, where are you Luke, where on earth are you?”

We checked what looked to be Karina Devenports office and again found nothing, there was a fresh set of drinks laid out, not one had been sipped, they were all full. Kevin made an implant call to Luke's superiors and told them the news that no one was here. I checked my implants sensors and I picked up an above normal radiation count, but that could have been anything like an x-ray device or a faulty implant. We had a thorough search throughout the building but found nothing at all apart from a empty cup that had fingerprints from Luke on, Kevin had the special kit with him this time. We checked everything we could and spent most of the day and evening, while other government special workers were now on to the case as well. We found the fingerprints of Karina and Alexander Devenport, Luke Pernetti, Peter Dalesman who was Alexander and Karina's assistant and many other workers but no clues emerged as to where they may have gone. We did searches for everyone who worked here, there was no trace. We checked the names on the book I had found at Kelly's house, some were in protection and safe while the others that were missing, including Kelly and Carrie, my love, were still missing. We went home late on and I slept and slept and slept.

CHAPTER 23: TWO YEARS LATER.

Two full years had gone since I had been here. I was at the Royal Garden Park again, having time to think about things. My business as a special private detective was paying the bills, just about. I was in the old woods having a stroll, this time I was on the really long one, I had the time and it was a nice day. It felt like such a long time ago that I had been in these woods, it was. My life two years ago had been looking up but then it had all gone wrong. Mr Pernetti, who was paying me to work for him had visited LIFE, the Legal Implants For Everyone facility and was conducting a government check as well as checking for illegal implants, he had vanished while been there along with everyone who worked there. Alexander and Karina Devenport who owned LIFE were not found, no one was found. Mrs Pernetti who had given me a contract to get a divorce from Mr Pernetti, well she was never in touch again. Kate Newton gave me a contract, she had thought her husband had been cheating but he hadn't been, only posing for artwork, her husband had been killed when with Kelly who was the artist, she had been kidnapped. I never heard from Kate again and Kelly was never found. The book I had found with single people in, the ones who had been in protection were released and were fine, the others that were missing, they were never found, including Carrie, my Lady in the mirror, my love. I had been let go from government special operations shortly after Mr Pernetti's disappearance, they claimed he should never of hired me in the first place. It had taken me a while to come to terms with things, it was so very strange that people just disappeared and the government just covered it up, I was told that if I made a fuss I would be dealt with, that came from Kevin who lost my friendship as soon as the threat came from his mouth. I had conducted my own investigation's of course, but to no avail. I had visited Ruby on many occations and enjoyed her company in many ways but that had stopped now and there were no more attacks on me. About two months ago I had started dating Anne, my sisters business partner, illegally. I knew it was wrong but when the law tells you to get married or stay single what was I to do, maybe I would marry her but not yet, my heart still longed for Carrie, I wasn't giving up.

The woods were fresh and the leaves on the trees were magic, shining in the sunlight. The flowers were beautiful and of all colours, there were birds singing. It was nice here, so very lovely. Eventually I made it back to the start, I was tired so once more I headed to the cafe and had a drink and a bite to eat. The cappuccino was a lot better this time. In the cafe were many couples again, I had thought about bringing Anne here but it would have been very open and if we were caught we would be in trouble. Anne was single now, her divorce had been sorted out a year ago. She loved me but I didn't love Anne, she was nice and a pleasant lady but there was no love in my heart for her, but I did care for her. I left the cafe and made my way to the Modern arts building once more, there was very few things new, I was a bit disappointed. The mirrors were still there, I remembered seeing Carrie, such beauty, love at first sight. I looked in that same mirror, I noticed a lady looking through it from behind me, just like the last time. Hell, she was ugly, big goofy teeth, spiked hair and I could smell something not very pleasant, I moved away and laughed to myself, not love this time. I went outside and sat on a bench. I was going to have to find more work, my balance was getting low again, I had done a few minor jobs which had kept me going but I needed one with a some serious credits. I had put up another advertisement with CrazyDaisy publishing, it was a good one as well, they did a really good job for me. Across the way, near the children's area was a lady selling candy, the board she was standing near said “Candylady's Candy Store.” I walked over and purchased some lemon sweets, they were one of my favourites. I left the park then and I returned home.

CHAPTER 24: THE JOBS COME IN

I had a pleasant evening with Anne at my apartment we watched a movie and cuddled up together, she left late and returned home as to try and not raise suspicion of our illegal partnership. It was the following morning now and I was dressed in my new style. I mean old style, well it was new. I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and trainers, they felt comfy enough. I was not good at fashion but Anne was helping me along or should I say enforcing my style.

ZAK reported. “Sir a Mrs Frost is here to see you, security fine, identity true” I had updated ZAK with the latest software last year, she was more talkative now and my apartment was more secure. “Accept.” I said, ZAK let Mrs Frost in. I saw her on the Screen, she looked about thirty years old, blonde shoulder length hair, she was wearing jeans too and a t-shirt and had trainers on. My holographic projector had greeted her, another one of my updates, it greeted and rescanned the visitor as it was showing them to me. I went to the office door and met her face to face. “Good morning Mrs Frost, what can I do for you?” she looked at me and laughed a soft laugh. “You copying me Mr Envers?” I was confused, I then realised we were in fact wearing exactly the same clothes. I laughed. “It appears you are copying me Mrs Frost, have a seat please.” she laughed and sat down. “Mr Envers, can I call you John?” she smiled. “Yes Mrs Frost, that's no problem.” I wondered if I could call her Betty, my implant had shown me her details, she was married with three children. “Oh call me Bet John, everyone else does.” She was reading my mind, I new it. “John, my children love there pets, we had two boxer dogs called Ant and Dec.” I laughed. “Why did you name them Ant and Dec? after them long dead rubbish television presenters?” I pictured them now as dogs, I had seen the old television shows which were re-run on classic ancient television. “It was my fathers idea, he helped pay for them, stupid man, he wanted to call them Brittany and Lady Gaga, after them old singers who did that funny duet for the Euorvision Song Contest years ago, what was it called?....” “I know, it was Poke Me One More Time and it came last.” she chuckled. “Yes that was it, I told my Father he can't call boy dogs by girl names, that was just not right, then he came up with Ant and Dec.” “How are your children and the dog's bet?” “Oh, now that was why I come to you, you see Dec has run away, we can't find him anywhere and my children are upset, and so is Ant, he is restless, I was wondering if you could try and locate him for me.” Oh my god, I was a detective, not a dog finder, but work was work. “OK bet, ill see what I can do. Have you any details as to Dec's last location, oh and when did this happen bet?” “It happened yesterday afternoon, little John, my son accidentally left the gate open and I let the dogs out for the last toilet stop before bed time and I got hold of Ant but Dec just disappeared, we looked everywhere but couldn't find him, oh little John was devastated.” “If I could take your details, I will get onto it straight away bet, I charge three hundred credits a week, is that OK bet” I smiled, she had made me laugh. “That's fine John and if you want you can have tea at ours tonight at five, only if you want though and have time.” That would be great bet.” “I'll see you then John, oh and John, if you have a lady friend, they would be welcome also.” bet said smiling as she got up and Left, my Hologram walked her out, ZAK let her out. Well another job to keep me going with.

I went to the kitchen and the Harolina console came up, I of course chose cappuccino. I took my mug to the living room, sat down and put my feat up, my back resting against the arm of the sofa. “Sir, a Mr Brown is at the door, security fine and identity true.” Oh another visitor, more work I hoped. “Accept.” Again my holographic projector had greeted him after ZAK had let him in. I looked up at the screen, he was a fat man. He Looked all sweaty, he was wearing a pink shirt and black trousers, black shoes, his hair was blonde and thin and stringy and all over the place. He looked about fort five to fifty. I walked to the door and greeted him, I shook his hand, then wiped my hand on my jeans. “Hello Mr Brown, have a seat please.” I smiled, I didn't want to but it was something you had to do to keep the work coming in, reputation was everything. “Thanks Mr Envers.” his voice was, well he sounded like true gay man. People were legally permitted now to marry same sex partners, it was accepted and all the same laws applied to them as other married couples. “What can I do for you Mr Brown?” I asked. “My partner by marriage has gone missing Mr Envers, I don't know where he has gone.” He sounded down, I suppose he would. “That's not good Mr Brown. How long has he been missing for?” “A week Mr Envers, I told the police but they told me they couldn't do anything unless people were missing for two whole months.” That seemed a long time for the police not to do anything, the police were under funded I knew, but two months. “I can try and find your partner Mr Brown, I charge three hundred credits a week, and any danger that I would encounter I would increase the charge.” “That sounds reasonable sir, that will be fine, I have a document to send you with all the details on.” “Good, good, I will need everything you can tell me Mr Brown.” He was down In the dumps, unhappy. “I will send it when I return home Mr Envers, and thank you kind sir.” He stood up and made to leave. “Goodbye Mr Brown, and don't worry, I am sure everything will be fine.” I smiled as he left, again the hologram saw him out.

I once more went into the kitchen, I made another drink and again put my feet up and relaxed. I knew I needed to get on with work but I hadn't been up that long. Implant message. “Jooohnn heelpp.” I sat up in alarm, It was an implant message from Mr Pernetti, I made it out, it said John Help but really slow and slurry. It was just under two years ago, he disappeared.

CHAPTER 25: SEARCHING

I decided to ring the police and report my implant message that I received from Mr Pernetti, I had sent one back, but no reply. They said they would send someone round, I explained that I would be out for a lot of today, they said they would find me. I thought about ringing Kevin but he had turned on me just like that, so I thought better of it. If Luke was still alive, it would be hard to imagine and yet that was his voice on the message, I was sure of it.

I called for a TCSA car and intended to make a trip to the local dogs shelter, I was searching for Dec, Mrs Frost's dog. The car arrived in no time, as it always did. The shelter was in the lower cities. I passed what was Kelly's house, I had no doubt that it would be owned by someone else by now. It didn't take long to arrive, I asked the car to return in an hour. The shelter was just like a normal house with big kennels that had been built on the land next to the house. The house was in bad shape, it was old style and wood and brickwork was crumbling away. I opened the small gate and banged on the door, there was no security, the lock was an old key one. A women opened the door, she was about forty with long black hair and a sweet smile, she wore rough clothes, trainers and a brownish long coat. It wasn't that cold was it, I was still in my jeans and t-shirt. “Hello sir, how may I help you?” her voice was sweet as well. “Hello, I am private detective John Envers, I am looking for a boxer dog called Dec.” she looked at me funny, suppose it was no surprise, why would a detective be wasting time looking for a dog. “Oh come in Mr Envers, what can you tell me about Dec?” She walked back into the house, I followed. “Oh, I am Mrs Webb, you can call me Linda.” she said as she was walking up the corridor that lead from the front door. “Call me John if you like Linda, I have a picture of Dec if that will help?” “That would be a big help, although we do have a lot of dogs in our kennels at the moment.”

Linda made me a drink which was OK if you like your coffee instant. She didn't recognise the picture but to me a dog was a dog. We made out way out of a side door which led into the land next to the house. The Kennels were all made of old brick and there were two long rows of them. They looked like old style farm houses, maybe they were. It was so smelly in the Kennels, I tried to rush Linda along. Dogs of all types and sizes were in small wooden enclosures, they were along the sides of the building on both sides of me. They made such a noise, they barked in so many different tones and styles, it was like an opera, it was a joy to hear and yet was well on its way to giving me a headache. I had stroked many of the dogs and they had licked me on my ears, nose and lips. My favourite was a Golden Retriever called Rosie, it was cute and had white fluffy fur. We searched and searched for a boxer dog that looked like Dec, I couldn't tell the difference from one boxer to another. After we were done with no Dec found Linda made me another drink and chatted to me about how we could find Dec, she took my number and said that if Dec came in she would give me a call. “John, would you like a dog of your own?” I didn't. “No it wouldn't be fair on the dog, am too busy with work.” “That's a shame, they all seemed to take a shine to you John.” I laughed. “They did didn't they.” “Rosie loved you John.” There it was again that word love, I was never meant to find true love, it was just never going to be.

The car was waiting for me when I left. What next in the search for Dec. I decided to do some lower city exploration, it would cost a fortune in the TCSA car but I had a job to do. I had the car drive past Bet's house, it was old style but was painted a warm amber colour and the garden looked real pretty with a fresh looking lawn and I noticed a lot of pink begonias. So Dec left Bet's house, but where would he have gone from here? I carried on down the road, the car I had driving me slowly. We passed a small park, there were children laughing and playing, I thought about having my own children, I wondered about the joy it must bring to parents seeing there own flesh and blood growing up. We carried on, there was what looked to be an industrial estate coming up, there were lots of buildings and a few towers releasing smoke into the fresh blue sky. I heard barking, I looked around but I didn't know where it was coming from. I stopped the car and stepped out, I told the car to stay where it was and wait for me. To my right was a long driveway, it must have been an entrance for delivery vehicles. The building on my right was some kind of builders yard. There were large gates at the main entrance, they were open. I heard more barking, loud and frantic and it seemed to be coming from the builders yard. I supposed it could well have been a security dog perhaps. Suddenly I heard a screen, loud, high pitched and piercing. I was pretty sure it came from the builders yard, I went to investigate. I made my way through the gates.

CHAPTER 26: DARKANGEL

I was struggling, my finances were falling down far to quickly, the rent had gone up again as well. I had just received a job, well kind of. I was to find a missing dog. I was a private investigator, not a dog finder. My flat was poor, it was in the old lower town, only place I could afford. Work was just not coming in any more, it had when I had first started my business a year ago. I had moved from the Federation of Cornwall where I had been working for a nice man called Jeff Timmons, I had been doing a detective and secretary job for him but not much happened. My husband had divorced me so I packed my things and here I am now. Mr Timmons wasn't pleased to see me go but he helped me with contacts up here and wished me the best of luck. The contacts were very good if not illegal. I had found myself an illegal implant which was shielded and any check would pick up my legal one, a selection of weaponry to protect myself including a top of the range black laser pistol and a number of gadgets. I had been really exited when I started my business up, I had put the hurt caused my my x husband behind me. I made a good deal of credits initially doing missing persons jobs, special delivery jobs, information stealing and even an art theft inquiry. Things was looking great until the work dried up.

I stood in front of the mirror. I looked good, I had my own style, one I was happy with. I got my coat and jacket and made my way out to the run down lower city. The contract I had won to find the dog was only from a neighbour so I decided to walk around a bit and see if anything came up. I was after a rottweiler called pink. I had a picture, she looked like a really dangerous dog, I laughed at the name pink. I walked past a small park, children were laughing and playing. I had never had children, I longed for them, to be a mother. I carried on walking, I heard the faint sound of barking, perhaps this was pink maybe. I headed closer to be barking and I found myself near a builders yard, the gates were open. I looked In but I couldn't see the dog. I walked into the builders yard, there were pipes, big stone pipes lying on the floor and big coils of metal on the floor. The ground was dusty with sand and gravel mixed in, it made a crunching sound as I walked towards the sound.

There was a building in the yard, looked to be old brick painted white but looked grey now. There were two entrances, neither had doors attached to them. The barking seemed to come from within. I entered the building, there the dog was chained up to a metal ring that was built into the brickwork. His leash was not very long. It barked more as I neared it. It was a big dog, I looked at the picture I had, it certainly looked similar. I heard footsteps, I turned around. Too late, a man grabbed me, his arms held me so tight, I hurt. “Get off me!” I shouted. His grin showed black rotten teeth, his nose was huge, he was a very strong, big man. I tried to wriggle free from his grip, I couldn't. Panic rose in me, how was I going to get out of this. I could not move my arms and reach for my weapons, I tried kicking him, it didn't bother him. His smelly breath stank of whisky, he kissed me on the lips, hard, I gagged. He forced me onto an old metal desk. I heard more footsteps. “Well done.” a man's voice, he was clapping his hands. “He has done well this time hasn't he.” another man said. I screamed and screamed before they gagged me with a dirty rope. They put me flat on the metal desk, they tied my arms to the sides and split my legs wide and tied them too. I hurt. I couldn't scream, I couldn't do anything, I cried. They blindfolded me. My coat had been taken off. I felt my black top been ripped off me, I felt my velvet bra been taken off, they unclipped it, I felt a hand under my back. I felt my breasts swing loose. “If god is real, please help me now.” I thought, I prayed.

CHAPTER 27: KILLING

I entered the builders yard, the ground was dusty with small stones mixed into the dirt, it crunched under me while I walked on it. There were large concrete pipes and coils of some wire material and the building looked very old. I heard a dog barking, louder and louder, I heard no more screams. There were two entrances to this old white painted building, I headed for the nearest one. As I approached the door I heard voices. “Who wants to go first?” it was the voice of an exited teenager, or so it seemed. “Well ye all can't go first!” I heard a muffled shout. This was trouble, I pulled out my laser pistol and slowly sneaked though the doorway. Five men, one women, the women had been tied onto an old metal desk, her breasts on full view, her black top looked to have been ripped off her, her bra lay on the floor to the side of the table. What was I to do, five against one, I would have to move fast. “Get her skirt off then, will ye!” A man said who looked fat, ugly and wore simple trousers and t-shirt, his belly hanging out. Two men quickly grabbed the women's skirt and yanked it off. She had no pants on, she was shaved to perfection, her beautiful slit had a tiny patch of hair above it and a tattoo of an angel with the name, “DarkAngel” across it.

The exited voice had come from the fat man. The fat man put his lips to the women's body and licked, all over. The men cheered as the women struggled. That was enough. I was crouched low, I aimed my pistol. I was going to shoot, then move back behind the doorway, circle to the other entrance then take them from the other side. I shot at the fat man, straight in the head, he fell slumped onto the table, onto the women. I ran full speed, the other men would be worrying now. I made it to the other entrance, there were cabinets to my left, I crouched low. I looked to the left, I could see two men looking all around, weapons drawn. They carried what looked to be low grade, shotguns, ancient weapons. The women was behind them on the table, trying in vein to break free. I guessed the other men were outside looking for me. I aimed once more, I fired, the man on the right fell. I looked left, there were stairs to some kind of office. I ran. I heard a loud bang as a shot come my way, it missed. I ran up to the office, the door was open. I hid behind the doorway. The other two men were coming in through the second doorway. Again I took aim, I fired at the man to the right, perfect shot, he fell, my heart was beating fast. I found myself trapped now, there was only one way in and out of the office. There were two men left. Shot after shot came my way, the woodwork of the door breaking off with every shot. I was crouched in the corner of the office. I looked around, there was a computer and a computer chair and some cabinets. I sneaked a look round the corner of the door. The two men were at the bottom of the stairs, there shotguns pointed straight at me. Many shotguns from ancient times needed to be reloaded after each shot, these did not. They resumed fire, I crouched, I could see this going on for some time.

I decided to take a risk, a huge one. I had noticed the cabinets had wheels, so I wheeled one to the doorway, I pushed it down. It just hit the ledge of the step then tumbled down and landed flat on the ground at the bottom of the stairs. I tried one of the others, this time it worked and it was flat on the stairs. I pushed another one down and again it worked. More shots rang in, one just missing me. I had two thin cabinets flat on the stairs, I threw a third down, I now had three cabinets flat on the stairs. I set my laser pistol to rapid fire, it wouldn't do as much damage, but I would have a better chance of hitting my targets. I picked up the forth cabinet and touched the wheels, they were strong enough. The cabinet doors were open, I used my lockgrip tool to lock them shut. The doors had handles on them, they seemed strong enough. It was either going to work or I was going to die, happy times ahead I thought to myself. “To old style cabinets and old style computer chairs.” I did a pretend toast. I picked up the computer chair, it was old and worn. I pushed it down the stairs, on top of the flat cabinets. I then held on to my last cabinet, I held it with my left hand, my right hand held my pistol and was sticking out to the right of the cabinet. I pushed the cabinet, and ran down with it as its wheels bumped on the flat cabinets. I fired on the way down, blind, shots came my way, bang, bang and I felt the cabinet shake. I shot and shot. The cabinet crashed to the bottom, I fell over and landed on my side at the bottom of the stairs, the cabinet banged right next to my head, lucky I thought. I looked for the men, one was flat on the ground. “Don't move” I felt the pressure of the gun pressing the back of my skull. I sighed, can't win them all I thought. A body fell on to me from behind, the pressure of the gun was gone. The men was flat across me, a dagger in his back, his shotgun fell harmlessly to the side. I pushed the man off and lay on my back. A women came into my view above me, her beautiful breasts swinging, her tattoo of the angel, so pretty, her face smiling, long black hair dangled down, touching her nipples. “Have you seen a boxer Dog called Dec Miss?” I smiled. “Have you seen a rottweiler called pink?” We laughed.