From the Deep (7 page)

CHAPTER 17

Russo walked down the corridor of another one of the governments many un-named, non-existent buildings, and regarded the file in his hands about the people he was about to interview. He looked at their photographs, and read the hand written notes alongside them.

Herbert and Maude Keller. Both early seventies & retired. The notes said the pair had been reluctant to give over much information, not knowing the little they had given, names and dates of birth had been enough. Russo had in front of him their entire lives on paper, pulled in seconds from the thousands of databases the world over to which he had access. He had everything about them from social security numbers, employment records, bank account information, even the details of the couple’s children and grandchildren. A lot of it he hoped he wouldn’t need, especially as long as the conversation remained pleasant. Russo always found if the questioning had to take a more interrogatory feel, throwing in a barely veiled threat using specific details of a close family member to those being questioned was invariably successful. Russo noted as he approached the holding room that the Man, Herbert, had a military record. He had served in Nam, and hopefully, would recognise the importance of maintaining national security. Russo closed the file and paused outside the holding room, fishing a roll of mints from his jacket pocket. His stomach quivered, and he opened the package quickly and popped a mint into his mouth. Taking a few seconds to compose himself, he entered the room.

The Keller’s were seated on one side of a stainless steel table. The room was windowless, and apart from the overhead strip light and air conditioning unit, was empty. They watched Russo as he closed the door, smiled, and sat opposite them.

“It’s about god-damn time,” Herb said, scowling at Russo. “We have been here for hours, and my damn joints are playing up and I—”

“I apologise, Mr Keller. I was unfortunately delayed. I’m special agent James Russo. I’m in charge here.”

He shook hands with Herb, while Maude only offered him an icy stare.

“I don’t know why you’re keeping us here.” She said, narrowing her eyes at Russo.

“Mrs Keller, I really do apologise for the way you have been treated. The men responsible have been reprimanded, however, as you may appreciate, this a highly sensitive situation.”

“See, Herb, I told you. It's aliens!”

“Shut up Maude, it’s not god-damn aliens.” Herb hissed, and then turned back to Russo.

“I’m ex-military, Mr Russo, so I certainly know the drill.”

Buddy, you don’t know shit.

Russo smiled. “Well, sir, I’m happy to converse with someone who provided such a great service to our country.”

Herb swelled with pride, straightened in his chair, and pushed his chest out.

“Now, Mr Keller—”

“Herb. You can call me Herb.”

“Well, Herb, as I’m sure you’re aware, this is a matter of national security. We have suspected the existence of this creature for some time, although we are yet to see it in the flesh.”

“We have video footage if you’d like to see it?”   “You have video?” Russo said, feigning surprise.

“Sure,” Herb said with a wide, proud grin. “Maude, give me the camera.”

“No Herb, you don’t know who this man is.” “God damn it woman will you give me the camera. This isn’t just some guy, he’s from the government.”

“Well, I don’t care if he’s Abraham Lincoln, he ain’t getting the camera.”

“Maude just give me the camera!”

Russo watched the exchange, the friendly smile still etched onto his lips as he thought about how to proceed if the old bag didn’t hand over the footage. He was debating between either dropping in one of those veiled threats to a close family member, or because time was of the essence, taking his government issued sidearm from the holster under his jacket and putting a bullet in-between the old crow’s eyes. He was spared from making either call when Maude handed the camera over to Herb, folded her arms, and scowled at both of them. Herb powered on the camera and handed it to Russo.

“There you go, just press the playback button on the side.”

Russo took the camera, and played the footage. The clip lasted less than half a minute. As Russo watched, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of adrenaline and excitement. He watched the footage again a second and third time.

“This is remarkable.”

“Ain’t it just?” Herb said with a grin. “It’s big huh?”

“I wonder if you would mind if my colleague made a copy of this footage? As I said, it’s a matter of national security.”

“I understand, sir,” Herb said, reverting to full military protocol.

“What do we get out of it?” Maude spat.

“Shut up, Maude.” Herb hissed, shaking his head and flashing an apologetic look at Russo

“No, Herb, we discovered the damn thing. Surely, we should get a reward, or get to name it or something?”

“Maude,” Herb said with a sigh, and looked about to resume their argument when Russo stepped in.

“Mrs Keller, I do appreciate your concern, however, this goes far beyond anything I’m able to tell you. I would appreciate your cooperation in this matter. As I said, it’s a matter of national security.”

“Don’t mind her, sir,” Herb said with a shrug “She’s been in a bad mood all day. You go ahead and make a copy if that’s what you need to do.”

“Thank you, sir, you have made a valuable discovery and assisted in a matter which concerns the safety and security of this country. You should be proud.”

“I might be retired, but I’ll always be a soldier, sir.”

“I can see that, “Russo said with a smile. “ I’m sure you were a real asset to the service. If you two would excuse me for a moment, I’ll have my colleague make a copy of this footage, then have one of my men drive you wherever you wish to go.”

“Thank you,” Herb said, giving Maude the look that said she should show some gratitude too. “We would really appreciate it. We are staying over at the Four Seasons in Kona.”

“Oh, really? I hear it’s a beautiful resort.” Russo said with a smile, keeping up the game. He, of course, already knew where they were staying. A team of his men were already clearing out their room and proceeding to check the couple out. Erasing the tracks. Removing the evidence. He marvelled at just how good at his job he was. Herb was talking, telling them all about their holiday, and the resort. Russo nodded in the right places and smiled accordingly, he could only think of the footage on the Keller’s camcorder. To know of the creature’s existence was one thing. Actually to see it with his own eyes made things seem more real. He waited for a gap in Herb’s monologue, and then interjected.

“Well, Mr and Mrs Keller, I feel we have already taken too much of your time. If you will excuse me, I’ll have this footage copied, and we can get you back to the rest of your holiday.”

Russo stood and shook Herb’s hand.

“Thank you again, sir. Your cooperation will not go unrewarded.”

Herb bristled with pride as Russo left the room. He closed the door and approached the agent who was waiting a little way down the corridor, handing over the camera.

“Copy the footage. Send a copy to Andrews and bring the other one to me.”

“Yes sir.”

“Have the other passengers being questioned?”

“They have. Their stories all match. They all saw it.”

“Nobody else had footage of the creature?”

“No sir. We checked.”

“Good. Gather them together and dispose of them.”

“Dispose of them, sir?” The agent said, eying Russo carefully. “These people have families who will be looking for them.”

“I know that. Sometimes, we have to do things for the benefit of the greater good. Take the whaler out to sea and sink it. Make sure the bodies are on board the boat when it goes down, and then inform the news agencies of the accident. Remember Agent Sloane, this is what we are trained to do. Someone has to do the dirty work. The sacrifice of a few will greatly benefit the many. Remember that.”

“Yes sir.”

“Did you commandeer everyone’s phones and cameras?”

“All of them, sir.”

“Good. Start building the backstory. Send messages to family and friends to say they were going whale watching. Remember the drills, make it plausible, and make it believable.”

“Understood.” Sloane said as he started to branch off down a separate corridor.

“Oh, and Agent Sloane.”

“Yes sir?”

“No bullets. I don’t want anything traceable about their deaths. They are expected to be drowning victims. Make sure that’s how it happens.”

  “Don’t forget the Keller’s. I want them dealt with first.”

“Yes sir. I’ll take care of it.”

Russo nodded, and checked his watch. He would just have time to grab a bite to eat before he flew out to Alaska to meet Andrews. He walked down the corridor, whistling to himself as he tried to decide what to have for lunch.

CHAPTER 18

Lisa Marie,

Freeport,

Kodiak, Alaska

“God damn son of a bitch!” Ox said as the
Lisa Marie
spluttered to a halt just outside the harbour. He was covered in oil and hydraulic fluid and was working unsuccessfully at repairing the leak. Mackay headed to the engine room.

“I thought you said this thing was sea worthy?” “Screw you, Mackay, it’s not my fault. Damn hydraulic line is busted.”

“Better here than out there I suppose. Can you fix it?”

Ox nodded “I’ll only be able to patch it up. We need to turn around and head back to the dock so I can repair it properly. We don’t want this thing to break in the middle of a storm and have the ocean start tossing us.”

“I was hoping we wouldn’t have to turn back.” Mackay said, walking over to Ox, picking up a spanner and starting to loosen the bracket holding the hydraulic line to the hull of the ship.

“Why not?”

“Rainwater.”

Ox nodded as he tried to stem the flow of hydraulic fluid.

“I noticed. The kid looked scared. I didn’t think he was gonna get on the boat.”

“That makes two of us,” Mackay sighed. “How long to fix it?” he said, nodding to the cable gripped in Ox’s massive hands.

“Repair job here should only take a few minutes. Once we get back to the dock, it depends. If I can get all the stuff I need, just a couple of hours.”

“Okay,” Mackay said, setting the spanner on the floor and clapping Ox on the shoulder. “I’ll leave it with you and tell the others what the situation is. Let me know when we are good to go.”

Mackay walked towards steps that led to the upper deck, when Ox called to him.

“Hey, Mackay, you know this is all bullshit, don’t you? This trip I mean. I wonder why we are even bothering with it.”

“It’s his way, and it’s something the kid feels he has to do. Without his dad or his brother here, I feel like it’s down to me to help him.”

“Way I see it, Mac, you don’t owe that kid anything.”

“I was
there,
Ox. I was there when it happened, it’s hard to explain, I just have to do this, not just for him, but also for Sam, Joey, and Morales. Hell even for me.”

“You do know its all bullshit though, this sea monster talk?”

Mackay hesitated, then grinned, even though inside his stomach knotted. “Yeah, or at least I hope it is. Otherwise, we are getting in way out of our depth here.”

“Jesus, Mackay, some things never change do they?” Ox said with a wide grin.

“Not for us. Come on, let’s get this thing back to dock, and I’ll buy you a beer.”

“You can buy me two, asshole,” Ox replied, then turned back to his work.

The repair work took longer than expected. The
Lisa Marie
had been back in dock for six hours, and its crew had ventured off the boat to kill a little time, leaving Ox working on replacing the hydraulic lines.

Mackay and Rainwater had gone to grab a drink and a bite to eat at Belgrave point. They had invited Morrison, but he had declined and had stayed on the ship to pour over his charts. They were about to order another round of drinks when Ox walked into the bar, his clothes and hands streaked with oil.

“Repairs are done, but we’re blocked in.”

“What? By who?”

“Some dick in a big ass boat. He won’t move it until he’s loaded up with supplies. Looks like we’re waitin.’”

“Like hell we’re waiting.” Mackay said. “Let’s go see who this guy thinks he is.”

The three walked to the dock, Mackay’s rage bubbling over as he saw the
Victorious
completely blocking their exit.

Without breaking stride, he began to walk up the loading ramp.

“Who the hell do you people think you are? Get this fuckin’ thing moved or—”

Men clad in army fatigues swarmed around the top of the ramp, pointing their weapons at Mackay and blocking his progress.

“Can I help you?” A voice said from behind the soldiers. They parted as Andrews approached the loading ramp.

“Yeah, you can help me by moving this oversized –” Mackay stopped and looked at Andrews, who was unreadable behind his sunglasses.

“Mackay, isn’t it?” Andrews said.

“Aye, that’s me.”

“You seem a little more coherent than last time we met.”

“Aye, well I was drunk and you weren’t blocking me in, neither of which I can say now.”

Andrews was about to answer when he looked beyond Mackay and saw Rainwater and Ox standing on the dock.

“Well, Mr Mackay, it seems you found the man that I could not.”

“Lucky me.”

Andrews waved away the soldiers around him, and then called down to the dock.

“Mr Rainwater, it seems you are a hard man to find. I wonder if I could have a word with you?”

Rainwater walked up the loading ramp, standing beside Mackay.

“What is this about?” He asked, as Andrews gave him a quick once over.

“It’s about the thing I suspect brought us both here.”

“Only thing that brought us here is the fishin,’ pal.”

“Indeed,” Andrews said with a humourless grin, “and what kind of fish, I wonder, are you looking for?”

“That depends on how long it takes for you to move this bloody boat and let us out of here.” Mackay shot back, glaring at Andrews, who for his part appeared unconcerned. He was now giving Rainwater his full attention.

“It seems we both have something in common, Mr Rainwater.”

“I can’t think what.”

Andrews smiled and took off his sunglasses.

“Because we have both seen this thing and know what we’re dealing with.”

Rainwater felt a chill run down his spine.

“Seen what?” he asked anyway, wishing Andrews would turn his penetrating gaze somewhere else.

“Our big, big, fish.”

“Is that why you wanted to find me?”

“It was. I thought we might both benefit from sharing information and working together.”

“We have our own boat, and our own business to attend to.” Mackay said, trying to interject.

Andrews looked at the
Lisa Marie
and chuckled.

“I appreciate your bravery, if nothing else.”

“What did you want to talk about?” Rainwater said.

Andrews looked at Mackay, then back at Rainwater with raised eyebrows.

“He knows all about it. Whatever you need to tell me, you can tell him.”

“As much as I wish that were the case, I’m afraid in the United States government, we don’t have the luxury of being so free with our information.”

“It looks like we have nothing to talk about.” Rainwater said, and turned to walk away.

“We know where to find it.” Andrews called after him, prompting Rainwater to stop mid stride and turn back.

“Go on,” Rainwater said cautiously.

“Not here, it’s not secure. Come aboard and we can talk in private. Your friends are welcome too, of course.”

Mackay and Rainwater exchanged glances.

“No thanks, we’ll take our chances.” Rainwater said before turning and heading back down the ramp.

“Crustecmosi Gigantis we’ve dubbed it. Three to four hundred feet in length, eight to ten tentacles, two flippers, and fluke similar to a whale. Twin rows of serrated backwards facing teeth, which measure anything from twenty-five to thirty inches. We know where it feeds, and we also know how to trace it.”

“You don’t need us then do ya?” Mackay said, wondering if the world had gone mad overnight.

“No, we don’t,” Andrews agreed, flashing his predatory smile. “Wouldn’t you prefer to know what you are dealing with rather than splash around and get in our way?”

“Just because you work for the government doesn’t mean you own the ocean. We can go where we please.”  Mackay said, glaring at Andrews.

“That’s true, however, I do have command of this boat. I’m also dealing with a matter of national security, and have the authority to do whatever is necessary to ensure the task is done without interference.”

“You fucking government stooges are all the same,” Mackay said shaking his head. “Why don’t you cut the ‘national security’ shit, and spit out whatever it is you are trying to say.”

“Well, Mr Mackay, in the interests of clarity. If I deem you to be compromising this mission, I will have no hesitation in putting your boat on the bottom of the ocean. Clear enough?”

“Crystal,” Mackay grumbled.

“So, under the circumstances, perhaps a chat would be the best solution all around?”

Rainwater nodded. “It seems so.”