The Night Gods II- Chapter XXXII: A New Conundrum

Artwork by @marty-art on Steemit... With many thanks!

All the rage and frustration that had been welling up inside Denning he took out on the girl. She lay spread-eagle on a sheet spread out over the expensive carpet... Her lower torso covered in her own blood and there was a gash in her head where she had been struck to prevent her from screaming. Denning's tastes were beginning to change- there was something different about a corpse that intrigued him... Something serene and tranquil- something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

At first the thrill had come from watching them struggle- the terror in their eyes and then the final realization that it was over. But now the docility of death brought him more pleasure. He didn't understand the new appeal, but ultimately, it didn't matter- things were what they were and as long as he was able to get his release, how it came was if little concern to him. He called Price asking him to come at once...

"There's been a terrible accident," Denning told him. "We were wrestling, just kind of playing around when she tripped and fell, striking her head."

Price's face was inscrutable, his expression unchanging. He was a combat veteran and no stranger to death. Denning watched him carefully as he bent down to cover the dead girl. He folded the sheet over her, first the bottom half and then the top, careful to cover her face last. Before lifting her to carry her away, he stood upright.

"Don't worry, Mr. President," he said. "I'll dispose of the remains discretely."

"I'm counting on your discretion in this matter, Price," Denning replied. "A terrible tragic accident, Art, terrible."

"Of course, Mr. President," Price said feigning sympathy. "It must have been horrible for you Sir." With that he lifted the girl and carried her away. After placing her on the back seat of his Suburban, he drove out of the White House complex, stopping to show his credentials at the gate, and then off into the night.

In Georgetown, early the next morning, Dick's phone rang- it was Przybysz.

"I didn't wake you did I?" He asked.

"Nope, you know me- up at five," Dick replied, "once military, always military."

"I had an idea last night, late," Przybysz went on, "I didn't want to wake you so I waited until now."

"What is it?" Dick asked.

"Yuri," Przybysz said, "what do you think about bringing him in on this?"

"I get it," Dick said. "Let him leak the video- that avoids any legal entanglements."

"Yeah, sort of," Przybysz replied, "but it'll take more than just the video... by itself, it proves nothing."

"He's already given the photos to his president," Dick went on, with the video- he can. But how does he get it out?"

"RT," Przybysz said confidently, "the perfect outlet- they've got a sizable American audience and way more credibility than the mainstream news."

"What do you say we invite our old buddy out for a beer?" Dick suggested.

"My thoughts exactly," Przybysz agreed.

Dick gave Yuri a call and made arrangements for the three of them to meet at the local tavern that evening. When they arrived, they found Yuri already there waiting.

"I was wondering when I was going to hear form you guys again," he said. "What's up?"

Dick took a seat and slid the disc across the table of the back booth Yuri had selected. "You need to take a look at this," he said. Before going on he explained the circumstances of Maureen Denning's murder and how Eddie Phillips was their primary suspect, next of course, to her husband.

Yuri listened intently before replying. "I always suspected something like this... You know I'll do whatever I can to help- I hate that fucking vyperdysch. The last thing we want is another fiasco like with N. Korea... What;s the plan?"

"Watch the video," Przybysz began, "send a copy to your people in Moscow. What we figure is to maybe start releasing some of it through RT."

"Ok," Yuri agreed. "I'll watch and get back in touch. Now let's get another round. My lisichka is out with friends and I've got a couple of hours... Might spend it with you guys."

"How's that working out?" Dick asked with a wink.

"She has very strong libido," Yuri replied, "like you Americans say- she like her swerve on."

"Can't hang?" Przybysz asked with a grin.

"I am Russian man," Yuri thumped his chest, "not American goluboi."

Przybysz cell rand and after looking at the caller ID, excused himself: "I've got to take this guys."

"What do you think that's all about?" Yuri asked with a puzzled look.

"Must be important," Dick replied. "He's a pretty mysterious guy." Dick went on to tell Yuri about how it was that he and Przybysz were reunited after all these years- careful to omit any details.

When Przybysz returned he had a concerned look: "I have to fly up to New York in the morning. I should be back by early afternoon if I'm lucky- if not by early evening at the latest. Hold off on doing anything until I get back."

They ordered another round of beers and spent the next hour reminiscing about Central America and the years since.

Przybysz arrived at his mid-town destination by 10:00 the next morning. The Doctor was waiting along with several other men- all scions of business.

"Good to see you Prz," he began, I wish it were under different circumstances. You recognize these gentlemen, I'm sure."

"This must be really important," Przybysz said, "to call me all the way up here in person- a phone call or email wouldn't do? Also, this is a pretty august body of men..."

"Not this time Prz," the Doctor went on. "You know all about the split in the Council. These gentlemen represent the more moderate faction... Beck and his associates want Armageddon- an all out war. We believe that those we serve are not well benefited by total annihilation."

"Go on," Przybysz said, perplexed about his role. Perhaps he would get to take Denning out after all- but that didn't make sense in the context of what the Doctor was saying.

One of the other men stepped forward- Lloyd Denton, president and CEO of one of the big Wall St. investment banks: "Mr. Przybysz," he began, "I'm the one that sent you the email. I know that at this juncture this may not make sense, but we don't want to take Denning down- we need him."

"Need him?" Przybysz was really confused now. "But he's..."

"He's a very sick sadistic individual," the Doctor said grimly. "But compared to Beck..."

Denton went on: "We need to control Denning, that's why I sent you the email. We may be able to use what you've found to mitigate his behavior."

"But he won't stop," Przybysz said. "He's already got somebody else to supply girls- another of Wade's people. And he's more determined than ever to kill Bret Shoemaker and his fiancee, Sen. Ashby's aide."

"We know," the Doctor told him. "We're in the process of placing someone close to him. You're in and out of the White House all the time now and we want someone there most of the time to watch. Just don't move against him right now... Leave this to us for now."

"You don't want to go public with the video?" Przybysz asked. "Along with the pictures it's pretty damning stuff."

"Not at the moment, Prz," the Doctor said. "Give this a chance to work- a week at the most. Then, if it doesn't work- we'll go that route. It'll be our ace in the hole."

"Sounds right," Przybysz said. "We're working with someone in Russian Intelligence on my end- we can use RT to push it if push comes to shove."

"Just bear in mind," the Doctor said, "that our ultimate goal is to stop Beck and that band of maniacs." The Doctor's phone rang: "Excuse me please gentlemen."

"It's important to remember, Mr. Przybysz," Denton said, "that this earth is the realm of the Ancient Ones- it always has been- the last thing they want is to see it destroyed."

"I haven't forgotten, Mr. Denton," Przybysz said. "I'm as concerned as any of you are... I'll await instructions."

The Doctor returned to the gathering: "That was our friend in Washington... Prz, you can expect a phone call soon. We'll be in touch."

Przybysz returned to Washington making it by mid afternoon. Dick wouldn't be happy with the delay, but he would have to understand- this was much bigger than just Denning and their own personal animosity. Just before dinnertime, his phone rang.

The voice was muffled but sounded vaguely familiar- it instructed him to meet at a coffee shop in NW Washington in one hour. Przybysz asked how he would recognize the other man- "I'll recognize you," was the reply. The voice promised information on Denning, but before Przybysz could inquire further the other party hung up. Maybe it was the Doctor's DC connection, but just to be sure he called Dick for backup.

Przybysz got there 15 minutes early to find Dick already seated sipping coffee. He ordered and took a seat in the corner where he could observe all comings and goings. About 10 minutes later a waitress approached: "This is for you sir," she said handing him a note. It read, 'walk to the black Lexus around the corner'. Nodding at Dick to follow, he got up and left.

When he approached the Lexus he saw it had tinted windows- the one on the driver's side slid down to reveal Arthur Price: "Hop in." he said. Przybysz got in the passenger side door surprised keeping a watchful eye on every move Price made. "Relax," Price told him- "the Doctor sent me."

"You're..." Przybysz began.

"Yeah," Price continued. "Take this." He handed Przybysz an envelope containing a video disc. "I was wearing a button-cam. I've got it all recorded... Me bringing Denning the girl and then- afterward," he said looking down.

"It's rough, I know," Przybysz said placing his hand on Price's shoulder, but this is important- really important."

"This is evidence of murder," Price said. "This should give the Doctor the leverage he needs. He told me to contact you from now on."

"Yes, call me tomorrow," Przybysz told the younger man. "Hopefully you won't have to do much more of this," he said holding up the disc. "I'll give you a secure phone you can use to call me."

They shook hands and Przybysz left to meet Dick.

(For links to previous chapters- go to Chapter XV)

https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xv-the-boogeyman
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xvi-wars-and-rumors-of-wars
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xvii-blood-of-the-innocent
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xviii-connecting-the-dots
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xix-the-night-the-lights-went-out-in-georgia
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xx-a-dangerous-man-part-1
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xx-a-dangerous-man-part-2
https://steemit.com/writing/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxii-a-new-revelation
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxiii-clouds-of-warhttps://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxiv-yuri
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxvi-the-desperate-hours
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxvii-countdown-to-disaster
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxviii-plan-b
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxix-my-fellow-americans
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxx-the-missing-link
https://steemit.com/fiction/@richq11/the-night-gods-ii-chapter-xxxi-the-price-is-right

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