Once Shadows Fall (22 page)

T
he water appeared to be increasing. The flow, coming from somewhere behind them, was now up to her calves. What progress they made was laborious and exhausting. Thankfully, her son seemed to be managing well, still clutching his sailboat in one hand and her arm in the other. They stumbled along, hoping to find a door that would lead to their freedom.

After two hours in the semidarkness, Pam’s sense of direction became hopelessly muddled. For all she knew, they were retracing their steps. The single access panel they found shortly after starting out gave them momentary hope, but it was also locked. So on they went, down one corridor after another with the water trailing behind them. The tunnel had finally widened, allowing them to walk side by side.

The brave little man next to her remained stoic, but she could see his strength was waning. Every so often, Pam stopped to give him a rest. Aaron’s eyes had assumed a vacant, hollow look. A hundred-yard stare, her husband called it.

My little boy.

The thought of getting him to safety became all consuming. No matter the cost, she would see it done. Even if that meant her own life in the process. The next door couldn’t be that far. Despite the bravado, doubts began to take over. She was a weak, overweight housewife, frightened of everything for as long as she could remember. Well, not anymore. She snuck a glance at Aaron again.

My baby.

Her son would live. She swore a silent oath on that.

*

Nearly a mile away, Beth and Jack continued along the tunnel to the next point on their map. The farther they went, the worse the reception was becoming on their hand communicators. After an hour of walking and feeling their way along portions of the tunnel where maintenance lights had burned out, Beth suddenly stepped in water that covered the tops of her boots. Despite the heavy rubber, she could feel its chill.

Electricity and water don’t mix
.

Right. I’ll remember that when I light up like a Christmas tree
, Beth thought.

Somewhere, air was moving. As the breeze passed over Beth’s skin, she realized she’d broken out in a cold sweat. Annoyingly, Jack seemed fine. His face was grim, but his eyes were very much alive, taking in the details of their surroundings. He finally realized she was looking at him and smiled at her.

After several minutes, he came to a halt and studied the map. They were at a junction of some sort where the tunnel split in opposite directions.

“You know where we are?” Beth asked.

“In a tunnel,” Jack muttered, without looking up.

“You’re just irritated because you have to look at a map. Admit it.”

He seemed to find that funny. “It’s that way,” he said, pointing.

“Good. Do we still have a signal?”

Jack took the hand communicator from his belt and checked it. “Two bars.”

“Better let Dan know where we are,” Beth said.

Jack keyed the unit and said, “This is Team One. We just encountered water. It seems to be coming from up ahead of us in the direction of our next stop. Can you check with the utility company and see if they’re reporting any leaks?”

“Will do,” Pappas said. “Hang on.”

Jack waited while a conversation took place in the background. He couldn’t make out any of the words. Pappas returned to the call.

“Sorry. That was Childers checking in. They cleared the first four doors. No sign of the woman or the kid. Anything on your end?”

“Nothing,” Jack said.

“I’ll make the call and get back to you.”

“What about Stafford and Mundas?”

“Same. You sure about this search?” Pappas said.

“Best guess,” Jack said. “It’s the only game in town.”

“Yeah. Good luck,” Pappas said and disconnected.

“How long ’til the next door?” Beth asked.

“Thirty, maybe forty minutes,” Jack said. “Basically, we’re following Spring Street now. According to the map, the tunnel intersects with a feeder line up ahead at Tenth Street.”

“What’s with all this water?” Beth said. “This can’t be right.”

“No,” Jack said. “It can’t.”

On they walked. Thankfully, the water level remained constant, perhaps even receding in some areas as it drained into the side tunnels.

Dan Pappas called back five minutes later.

“The water company says they have no indication of any leaks, but that’s not unusual. Until there’s a major drop in pressure along a specific line, they have no way of knowing.”

“Wonderful,” Beth said. “We could drown down here and they won’t have a clue until someone’s faucet runs dry.”

The detective added, “Team Two’s coming in. That’s Childers and Spruell, in case you were wondering. All four of their locations are clear. Stafford and Mundas have two more to check. You want them to hook up with you when they’re done?”

“No,” Beth said.

“What about the water company? They’re asking if you want them to send a repair crew down and start tracing the problem.”

“Negative,” Beth said. “Let’s keep the civilian risk to a minimum until we locate that woman and her child.”

Gutsy gal
, Pappas thought to himself, then remembered Jack’s comment about it being politically incorrect to call women “gals.” His daughters were always getting on him for being a dinosaur. He figured it was okay as long as you didn’t mean anything bad by it. Steve Jamison interrupted his thoughts with a question, which he relayed to Beth.

“Jamison wants to know how much water you’re in right now.”

“It’s backed off some, but it’s over the soles of my boots,” Beth said.

“And where exactly are you?”

“According to Jack, somewhere under Spring Street approaching the Tenth Street cutoff.”

Jamison came on the phone.

“The map doesn’t show it, but that line runs straight down and crosses I-75/85. Eventually, you’ll come to the fifth relay station at Northside Drive.”

“Isn’t that near the reservoir?” Jack asked.

“Close. The reservoir’s on Howell Mill Road, one street up,” Jamison said.

“Maybe it’s leaking,” Pappas said.

“I don’t think so,” Jamison said. “Those holding tanks are pretty solid. Still, you can’t underestimate the danger. I’ve seen an arc flash travel over two hundred yards.”

I wish he’d stop saying that
, Beth thought.

“I’ll call Water just in case and have them check the levels. Let us know immediately if you see any increase.”

“Oh, you’ll hear from us,” Jack said.

“Once you reach Northside Drive, the electric and water lines split in different directions. Our conduit routes toward your school.”

“That’s fine,” Jack said.

“Your sixth stop will be at Moore’s Mill Road, where they meet again.”

“Acknowledged. We’ll let you know what we find.”

With the water slowing their progress, it took nearly an hour to make their way to the Tenth Street intersection. There, they found a ladder that descended into a hole. Water spilled over the edge like a miniature waterfall. On the wall next to the ladder, someone had spray-painted, “Welcome to Disney World.”

“Oh, this just gets better and better,” Beth said, zipping her rubber jacket closed. “These damned pants have a leak.”

Jack seemed to bite back a smile and said, “I’ll go down first. Give me as much light as possible. If it’s safe at the bottom, I’ll call up to you.”

“Wait, what? Why wouldn’t it be safe?”

“Let’s see how much water’s down there.”

Twenty seconds later, he yelled up, “We’re good.”

Beth started down, muttering to herself about tunnels and water and suits. Two rungs from the bottom her foot slipped. Jack grabbed for her waist to stop her from falling, then eased her down the rest of the way. When she turned to thank him, their bodies were close and their faces inches apart.

Great, I finally get him to touch me and I’m dressed like a lobster fisherman
.

“Thank you,” she said.

Jack held her a moment longer than strictly necessary then asked, “Ready?”

“Ready.”

He nodded and turned back to the tunnel, not seeing the swipe she took at the back of his head.

P
am and Aaron Dorsey were cold, wet, and completely lost. Every tunnel they turned down looked exactly like the one they’d just come from. Getting out seemed hopeless. Pam knew they had to keep moving. The timer was still ticking. Whatever that lunatic was up to, it was going to happen soon. She willed her feet forward.

Keep following the pipes. Sooner or later, they’ll lead the way to another door
.

Her son was nearing the end of his strength. When they paused to catch their breath, he leaned against her, resting his head on her hip. It wasn’t fair. His life was just beginning, and no madman was going to rob him of it.

“Look, Mom,” Aaron said.

Pam followed where he was pointing.

Above their heads, a line of mice and rats were scurrying along the highest of the pipes.

Pam fought down a wave of revulsion and said, “Guess they know something we don’t.”

“Where are they going?”

“They’re getting out of here. And so are we.”

They had only taken a few steps before Aaron froze. He tugged on his mother’s arm.

“Honey, I’ve seen the rats. They won’t hurt us. We have to keep walking.”

“No, look!” Aaron whispered.

Pam turned and gazed into the darkness behind them. A light was moving against the wall. A moment later, the shadow of a man appeared. Panic seized her. The policeman was coming for them. Desperately, she
tore at the restraints binding her wrists. There was just a little play. If she could just get her hands free, she could fight him. Claw his eyes. Hurt him. Give Aaron a chance to escape.

“What do we do?” he whispered.

“Stay very still,” Pam said. “He’s going down a different tunnel.”

“He’s getting closer.”

Pam Dorsey made her decision. She could now make out a shape behind the light. An ominous malignant shadow.

“Run,” she hissed. “Keep following the pipes.”

Aaron stayed where he was.

“Do as I say.”

“No, ma’am.”

Pam’s heart nearly broke. She loved him for his loyalty. His courage. She loved him more than her life.

Yes, she’d never been brave. That was about to change. Her arms and face were bathed in perspiration as she pulled against the restraints with every ounce of strength she possessed. The pain was unbearable, so much so she started to become faint. Pam clenched her teeth. Pulled harder. Finally, her hand came free. The skin had been rubbed raw and was covered in blood, but she was free.

Pam Dorsey stepped in front of her son and turned to face the monster.

*

Immediately behind the first light came a second one. Both beams were sweeping back and forth, searching. Two shadow shapes moved past the tunnel they were in. For the first time in hours, hope blossomed in Pam’s heart. They were coming to rescue them.

“Here!” Pam shouted. “We’re here!”

The lights paused. Swung back.

“Mrs. Dorsey? It’s the Atlanta Police,” a woman called out. “We’re here to help you.”

The sound of feet sloshing through water followed as the lights turned around in the direction of her voice.

“Stay where you are, Pam,” the woman yelled. “We’re coming.”

The shapes behind the lights took form. A man and a woman. Both were tall and wearing rubber boots and jackets.

“Thank God,” Pam said, nearly collapsing with relief.

“Are you all right?” the woman asked.

Pam’s voice deserted her. She nodded.

“I’m Beth Sturgis. This is Lieutenant Kale. I’m so glad we found you.”

Aaron said, “If you’re the police, let me see your badges.”

Beth’s eyebrows rose, but she pushed the yellow coat aside to reveal the badge pinned to her belt. Jack had to dig around in his pockets to find his. She noticed he had started carrying his gun, which was a good thing given what they were dealing with. The badge seemed to satisfy the young man.

“My mom’s hands are hurt,” he said.

Beth trained her light on Pam Dorsey’s hands and winced when she saw they were covered in blood. Using a pocket knife, she forgot about fashion and cut off a piece of her blouse, creating two makeshift bandages, and tied them around Pam’s wrists.

“Why did you ask to see our badges?” Jack asked.

“Because the man who took us said he was a policeman,” Aaron said. “He put a cloth over my mouth.”

“That man lied to you, son,” Jack said. “He was no policeman. Are you all right?”

“I guess,” Aaron said.

Jack dropped down to the boy’s level and said, “Hey, that’s a neat-looking sailboat you’ve got there.”

“It’s my birthday present.”

“Awesome. What do say we get you out of here and you can show me how it works?”

“We’ve been trying to get out,” Aaron said. “We’re lost.”

“No worries,” Jack said. “I’ve got a secret map that’ll show us the way.” He took the map out of his pocket.

“Bull,” Aaron said.

“Aaron!” his mother said.

Jack held his right hand up in an oath gesture. “Honest. Want to help me read it?”

“Okay,” Aaron said, though he still didn’t sound convinced.

“We need to hurry,” Pam Dorsey said. “That man had us in a little room. There was a box on the wall with a timer. I think he’s going to blow it up.”

Beth reached for her hand communicator to relay the information. There was no way to tell which transformer box it was. Jamison would have to cut power to all of them. His words about arc flashes and molten metal surfaced in her mind. As quickly as her hopes soared, they came spiraling back to the tunnel. There was no signal.

“We’re too far underground,” Jack said, seeing her expression. “The next maintenance door isn’t far. Let’s move.”

Beth looked at the water. It had risen another inch.

“Do you know where this is coming from?” she asked Pam Dorsey.

“No. We were lying in it when we woke up.”

“Was a pipe leaking?” Beth asked.

“Not where he had us. I thought maybe one had broken farther up the tunnel.”

Apparently, the killer knew better than to mix electricity with water, at least when he wasn’t around. All at once, his plan became clear. Blow the transformer box and electrocute everyone in the tunnel. Great way to make sure no one was following you.

Aaron said, “He put a camera on one of the pipes before he left. I saw him do it.”

The news didn’t surprise Beth. Apparently, Jack was right about him wanting to watch his victims die. If there was enough time, they might be able to find it and trace the signal. Maybe find a fingerprint or a serial number that would lead to him. What she really wanted was to put the bastard down. Something else Jack said when he was talking about Howard Pell now made sense: “I perceived I was looking at an aberration that shouldn’t be allowed to exist in this world.”

You don’t rehabilitate cancer. You cut it out.