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NOTE: These stories are
intended for a mature audience.

Too Little, Too Late
A "Kendrick" Story
By
Jennifer Brozek
Start from the beginning of the Kendrick Series

Sixteen hours ago...

"Has Detective Hauberk had any contact with Karen Wilson?" Dr. Mercer asked as he leafed through Sergeant Mueller's surveillance report.

"Yes, sir. A phone call." The sergeant squirmed in his chair. He hated this part of his job. He was supposed to be catching bad guys, not spying on one of their own.

Dr. Mercer gave him a sharp look. "What? Who called whom?"

He buried his emotions at the doctor's reaction. "Karen Wilson called him. He hung up on her. The transcript starts on page, um, eighteen."

"Why is only his half of the conversation recorded?"

Sergeant Mueller was sweating now. "There was line interference. I couldn't hear anything she said. I think it's because of..." he paused, then continued, "... what she is. Who she's working with."

"Aberration." The doctor muttered. He nodded to himself. "Keep up the good work. I'll see you in two days. However, if the detective has any more contact with Karen Wilson, I want to know about it immediately."

"Yes, sir."

The doctor waved a hand at him in dismissal. Sergeant Mueller did not need to be told twice. He got up and left. He left the office building and got into his car. He drove in silence for about five minutes before he said, "OK, it's clear."

David sat up from his prone position in the backseat. "Thanks, John."

"Dave, man, I don't really know what the hell is happening but that doctor is out for your blood."

"No. He's testing my loyalty... or something. I appreciate what you're doing for me."

The sergeant shrugged. "You've saved my life many times. It's the least I can do. Besides, that man gives me the willies!"

"Me, too. Did you get what I asked?"

John nodded. "I've got it here in the front seat." He drove the car into a distant park parking lot and stopped next to David's car. "You're just lucky that I'm on both cases."

After David got back into John's car he asked, "Both cases?"

"Yeah, you and the case of the missing monk."

"Great, I'm a case now."

John Mueller shrugged. "You have a case file."

"I'll have to see that some time." He started looking through the official case file for the kidnapped Brother Peter.

"I'll get you a copy when the surveillance is done. What you're probably looking for is on page twelve." He leaned over and pulled a couple of pages out for David to read.

After a moment of silence, David nodded. "Are they sure?"

"Flip to the back, there's pictures."

David did and nodded. "Are they sending in a team?"

"Yeah, tomorrow night."

"That might be too late."

Sergeant Mueller nodded. "I know. Dr. Mercer insisted that that is when everyone will be there."

"Most bang for the buck?" David scowled. "An old man's life is in danger."

"I know."

"Something is seriously wrong here."

"I know." John did not like admitting that but something was very wrong and he did not know what, except it seemed to start and end with Doctor Mercer.

David nodded. "Anything you don't know?"

"Yeah. The future." The sergeant did not smile.

Neither did David. "Thanks for these." He got out of the car.

"Keep your head down, Detective."

"You, too, Sergeant." He responded and closed the door.

"Always." Sergeant Mueller breathed out and started up the car.

***

Twelve hours ago...

"John?" Karen called as she walked into the Teller's Fortune, looking for its proprietor. "You here?"

"In back." He called.

She walked through the metaphysical store to the back office and poked her head in the doorway. "You called?"

John Corso finished folding the silken cloth about one of his Todari Cards. "Yeah. I -"

Karen's phone rang, interrupting him. She looked down at the cell phone's window and saw a number she recognized. "I'm sorry. I need to take this." She opened the phone. "Hello?"

"Karen?" It was David.

"Yes. Did you find out anything?" She tried to keep the hope out of her voice.

"Yeah. I did. The Special Unit believes that the Children of Anu are planning something big tomorrow night at an abandoned dock. Dock 14. Actually, beneath it. They've got photos of people going into and out of what looks like a cave underneath the dock."

"That's great. Have they seen Brother Peter? Are they going in to get him?"

"No. Not that I know of and they're waiting until tomorrow night when they believe most of the Children will be there."

"David... that could be too late for the Abbot. They need to save him. They shouldn't wait."

"I know." He sighed. "Something stinks about this but they're waiting. If you guys are going to do something, do it soon and don't be there tomorrow night. The SU might not be so clear on who's friend and who's foe."

"Great. Thank you."

"Karen, you be careful."

"I will. You, too."  They both paused awkwardly before saying good-bye.

"David?" John asked, his eyebrow raised.

"Yeah. That David. I had to go to him for help. Corelli completely fucked me." She scowled at the memory of it.

"I know. That's why I called you. She told me about what she had to do and why and asked me to help." John held up a hand. "Don't get angry, hon. She did what she had to do. So, I did what I had to do."

"But, you're part of my special resources. You can't..."

"I'm my own man and I can do whatever the hell I want. Besides..." He paused. "What did David want anyway?"

"I told him that Brother Peter was missing." She hedged. "He already knew about it. Already knew that the Special Unit was working on it. I asked him to pass on any information. He did."

"Do they know where Brother Peter is?"

"They think they do. He's in a cave under Pier 14. It's an abandoned pier. But the raid isn't set until tomorrow night. That could be too late. We need to move now."

John smiled. "Well, that was unexpected."

"What?"

"Outside confirmation. I just used a card to determine that the Abbot was under the earth, near water, sand, stone and wood. I had guessed a cave near a pier but that seems to confirm it."

She gave him a hug. "That's great. Now we need to gather the others. We need a plan."

***

Eight hours ago...

Karen arrived at Bacchanalia. She was not surprised to find an open parking spot in front of the private club. It was much too early for this crowd to be up. She was surprised when Susan suggested they meet here. She walked through the front door and realized that she was hesitant. She had not been in the club for a long time. She had drifted away from Bacchanalia ever since Heather's death and the ritual last December. No one ever blamed her for Heather's death but she felt they all had condemned her for it anyway.

"Come on in." Lamiel said from the other side of the entry way. "We don't bite unless you ask nicely."  She looked tired and almost normal in black jeans, black tank top and a grey hoodie sweatshirt instead of her usual Victorian finery.

"Thanks."  Karen said and followed the coven leader in. Susan and Juliet were sitting at one of the club tables. Both of them had coffee cups. Lamiel sat down behind a third cup.

"Hey." Juliet said by way of greeting.

"You want coffee?" Susan asked. She was the only one who looked wide awake.

"Yes. Thanks."

Susan poured Karen a cup of coffee. "We found it. Almost. There's a cave on the edge of the bay. It's hidden by a dock. We'll have it tonight. We're going to pour in power from the Order, too."

"You don't need to." Karen said. "You've just confirmed the information I received. Pier 14. It's an abandoned pier. The Children have been seen going in and out of a cave under it."

"Good." Lamiel said. "I'm ready to be done with this. We'll have them before All Hallow's Eve."

"That's the problem." Karen said and continued as she had their undivided attention. "My source says they are gathering for ritual tomorrow night."

"But, that's not right." Juliet said. "The ritual was supposed to be on All Hallow's Eve. Not before. It's still days away."

"I know. I know." She fidgeted, debating with telling them about the Special Unit.

Susan elbowed her. "Out with it. We agreed - no secrets."

"You're right." She nodded and looked around. "The police Special Unit is set to raid there tomorrow night during the ritual."

"Why are they waiting?" Susan asked.

"What's the Special Unit?" Lamiel asked.

"I don't know... and the Special Unit is a police task force that knows about supernaturals and tries to combat them as best they can. They are a little iffy on who is a white hat and who is a black one."

"Great." Susan and Juliet said at the same time.

"So, we have to move tonight." Lamiel said as if would be the easiest thing in the world.

"I know." Karen said. "We need to gather everyone, tell them what's up and attack tonight. That means the couriers need to go out. We'll meet at the same place we met last time." She looked at Susan. "Can you do that?"

"Yes. What do I have them say?"

Karen and Lamiel looked at each other. Karen answered while still looking at Lamiel. "Tell them that we meet tonight at midnight and after instructions, we move. We bring the Abbot home at all costs."

***

Four hours ago...

"John, tell me we have a better plan than 'Get 'em, Ray!' Please."

"I'm doing the best I can, Karen. The interior of a cave is not an easy place to assault and I don't want to turn this into Kendrick's version of the Battle at Thermopylae."

***

Now...

In the backroom of the Teller's Fortune, the heads of the supernatural groups once again met to deal with their own unique problems. For the moment, all ideological differences and all personal conflicts were put mostly to the side. Everyone was quiet, waiting for John or Karen to begin. Karen stood. Her eyes did not look at Corelli as she looked around the room.

"We've found the sacrificial site. However, we have almost no time to prepare. From outside sources, the Children of Anu will be gathering tomorrow night for their rite." She raised a hand at the questions. "I know tomorrow night is not Halloween. I know that's not the night we thought the ritual was going to take place. Be that as it may, something is happening. So, we have to act now. Tonight. We have no time to lose if we want to save Brother Peter from his fate.  We know what we must do. Now, John will outline how he believes we must do this."

As she sat, John stood. He unrolled a map with a blow up of the Discovery Bay coastline. "This is not going to be easy. Also, before we begin, there's one other thing you should know. The Kendrick police are also planning a raid on this location. Only, they are waiting until the night of the ritual. So, we cannot pussyfoot around on this one. We've got to get in and get out. Our main objective is to rescue the Abbot. Nothing more. Nothing less. We have to go tonight because there should be less opposition. Also because the Kendrick police may have strange ideas about who is friend and who is not."

"Will we be watched?" Walks-the-Ocean asked.

"Probably," John answered. "That's why we're going to need two things: A small group of volunteers to go in and the rest to do what they can do to obfuscate us. I will be going in. I'm not neutral on this. I'm in it all the way."

"I'm in." Karen said.

"I'm in, too." Corelli said and ignored the looks from both V'ger and Karen.

"He is our leader. Two of the Brotherhood will go in." Brother Luke said. "We have people trained for this. Brother Jeffrey and Brother Robert will go."

"'We have people trained for this.'" Lamiel mimicked. "Look at the super-monk-ninjas go."

"Lamiel, please." John said and she nodded, silent but unrepentant. "Ok. That's five. We can go with five or we can take one more."

"I should go." Walks-the-Ocean said. "That is Makah land. I should see the desecration for myself."

"No offense, Chief Walks-the-Ocean," said V'ger, "But you're not exactly a young man."

"No." He agreed. "But I am strong in the ways of my people."

John nodded. "OK. That's six. That's good. We want this quiet. I'll need the six of us to meet after this meeting. The rest of you, I need two things... first, the obfuscation magic. Figure out how to hide seven people.  Second, we should have back up waiting for us on the beach. Three to five people per group. If we give the signal, your job will be to make as much noise as possible and charge to our rescue. If we can tell you what you're going to be facing, we will. I want all of us to meet in the parking lot at Pier 12 in about an hour and a half. From there, all magic can be cast and I'll be able to point out the staging spots for the back up. Anyone have any questions?"

They looked around the room at each other and waited, shaking their heads. John nodded. "All right. Thank you, every one of you. With luck, the Abbot will be back in the monastery tonight. See you all at the pier."

Karen and John watched everyone leave. "Do you think we'll do it?" Karen asked.

"I don't know. I know I'm going to try."

She nodded. "It's all we can do now."

***

Two hours too late...

The six of them were gathered halfway in-between Pier 13 and Pier 14. They could see each other but no one else should be able to detect them. With four different supernatural groups focused on them not being noticed, blending in with the surroundings and remaining unheard, it would take a lot for anyone to see them - mundane or otherwise. The only catch was that they had to remain within an eight foot radius of each other. That made for very tight quarters for that many people.

By agreement, if they had to go single file, John would go first, followed by Karen, Brother Jeffrey, Walks-the-Ocean, Corelli and Brother Robert. Until then, they walked in pairs. Also, no one was to speak unless it was all clear or they had made it back to the staging ground with Brother Peter. Walks-the-Ocean and Brother Jeffrey would carry the Abbot if necessary. All they had to do was get in, get the Abbot and get out.

Of course, no one knew exactly what that would entail so they prepared as best they could with weapons and tools.

John looked at each of them. Once he had their undivided attention, he gave them the 'Go' signal. They set off down the beach towards Pier 14. He slowed them a little as they reached their target. He gave the signal for everyone to look for the Children. Most likely they had lookouts. But no one saw anyone. They reached the cave entrance, no longer hidden by drapes of weeds and stopped to listen. After a few long moments of listening to each other breathe, John gave them the signal to start ahead.

Single file they entered the cave. Quickly, they were able to pair up again. The cave was completely silent but not empty. What was there was a smell and a feeling that made the hairs of their arms stand up.  The smell was of people in close quarters and something else. Something primal. Something unpleasant.

Karen and John looked at each other in the torch light and John mouthed a single word at her. "Blood."  She nodded and the two of them moved deeper into the cave tunnel until they reached the cave.  Karen gazed with disgusted wonder at the violent frescos on the walls. Vaguely, she was aware that all six of them had made it into the large cavern area.

"Oh, shit." John muttered.

"Oh, God." Corelli said. She turned away and covered her mouth. A moment later, she broke their agreed upon policy and bolted for outside. The sounds of her retching could still be heard within.

Karen turned to look at what they were looking at and saw the bloody mess at the center of the room. She had not even realized that it had once been people but now that her mind was recognizing body parts, she realized she was seeing at least two people literally torn apart.

Brother Jeffrey and Brother Robert rushed down into the pit, the steps of their sneakers making unpleasant squishing sounds. They hurried to Brother Peter's side in vain hope that their divine connection could have any chance in heaven of saving the man that had been their mentor.

There was a wet cough to Karen's left and she looked, numb with horror, and saw a bloodied man lying partway in another cave entrance. She walked to his side and looked down at him. She could not force herself to do more.

"They killed him." Mike coughed at her. "They weren't supposed to do that."

John came between Mike and Karen. He knelt down. "We'll get you out of here."

"They weren't... They... killed..." Mike began and then stopped with blood dribbling out of his mouth. His dead eyes still looked up at Karen, accusing her of the murder. Accusing her of not acting fast enough. Accusing her of failing.

"Karen." John stepped in front of her but she could not see him clearly. She realized she was crying. "We've got to get out of here. We've got to go."

"We failed." She said.

"We tried." He turned her around to lead her out after the monks carried out the body of Brother Peter. He pulled her forward and grabbed Walks-the-Ocean's arm at the same time. "Time to go."

"This place will never be clean." He said and followed, tears following freely down his weatherworn face.

***

Elsewhere - too little, too late...

Mason Stewart, Mayor of Kendrick, member of the oldest and most respected family in Kendrick was drunk at six o'clock in the morning. It was not morning for him. He still had not gone to bed, yet. Ever since he felt his family's gift break, he had been trying to regain it. But the house and the city remained dead to him and every other blood member of his family. They had been cut off and it was driving them all insane.

He tried again to feel the city, the grounds, the house, this room and failed. He vented his frustration and fear on the glass in his hand. There was a brief moment of satisfaction as the lowball crystal glass shattered. It was the third one this evening. Then, his world came crashing down on him again. It was all gone.

"My, that was impressive."

The laughing female voice made him turn around. He took in the sight of the teal-haired teenage girl in a blood spattered corset and leather pants. She was wearing goggles on her head for some unknown reason.

"Are you the reason for this? Are you the thing that's come through?" He snarled at her and stumbled towards her with balled fists.

She waved a hand at him and he flew across the room to slam into the wall. "Temper, temper." She said as he crumpled to the ground. "You should treat us with a lot more respect." She walked over to him where he was rapidly becoming sober due to the adrenalin dumped into his system. She put a booted foot on his chest and leaned down. "I came to make you a deal. To be friendly with you. And this is what I get... a drunk man and insults." She reached out and straightened his tie for him before removing her foot. "But, if you don't want to, I'm sure others would be willing to play ball with me."

"Who are you?" He asked, straightening himself up as she sauntered around the room, pretending to look at the things on his wall.

"You can call me Vicki or Victoria but I am so much more now. I am His will, His body, His form on this plane."

"The Children succeeded."

"Yes."

"Why take my birthright?!"

"That's what I came to talk to you about. You can get it back... if you help me."

That stopped his growing tirade. He took his accustomed seat behind his desk. "I'm listening."

"I needed it. I needed the power. But, you can get it back if you help me deal with the others in this city. They need to be removed. Exiled or killed. I don't care which." She sat down on his desk next to him. "I'll tell you who and how and you execute the plan."

"What about your people?"

"They'll be busy."

"I can't help you without my birthright. I need it!"

She smiled. It was a beautiful and cold smile. "Only after you've earned it."

"No! Now!" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself. He was used to being obeyed and he hurt like a man suddenly gone blind.

Vicki had him by the throat before he saw her move. She slapped him twice, hard. "Never speak to me that way again!"

Mason cringed, gasping for air. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He spit out and breathed easier as her hold loosened. "You don't understand what its like. I'm blind. My whole family is insane with the loss of our birthright. My arm has been cut off and I'm bleeding to death." Her laughter stopped his babble.

"Of course I know what you're going through, Father. Why do you think I channeled all of the family's power into me?"

Mason was so surprised that he could not think of any words of denial. He just blinked at her in stupid confusion. Father? I'm not her father.

"Oh, yes, daddy dearest, you are." She let go of his throat and answered his thought. "You were just eighteen. A horny teen from Kendrick's most premiere family. My mother was older than you; that beautiful cougar in the bar that night just over sixteen years ago. She was your first and you were exactly who you needed to be to produce... me." She got up off the table and walked around it to stand opposite him. "I've known all my life who I was supposed to be and what I was supposed to do. Of course, there was little we could do about my gender but, in the end, that didn't matter. It was an asset. Only, to become who I am now, I had to give up my brother and now I have no one... but you."

"This isn't possible."

"It is, father-dearest. It's very possible." She leaned down over the massive desk, her fingertips supporting her weight. "Now, are you going to welcome me into the family or not?"

Story by Jennifer Brozek, Copyright 2007
Image by Rory Clark, Stopped Motion Photography, Copyright 2007