Wrestling the Kraken

Mahone

Mahone

Mahone and Stavo watched as Vito had a discussion with the woman. "You taking pictures?" Mahone asked.

"Yeah, I got it. Can't get a clear shot of her face." Stavo answered.

"Here we go. She's leaving."

Stavo kept taking pictures, trying to get a better shot.

"That's Parker behind her. Atta boy. You stay here and watch Vito." Mahone got out of the car all excited.

"Where are you going?" Stavo asked, confused.

"To talk to this redhead." Mahone called back.

"What happened to rule number one?" Stavo called out, but Mahone was already gone, in pursuit of a lead.

♦

Mahone could see Parker up ahead, turning into an alley. He quickened his pace, trying to catch up. As he was about to round the corner into the alley, he slowed, checking first if it was clear to move. There was no one, but in the back he noticed a door being closed. He knew the building. It was the side door leading to the grocery mart. He'd been called out a few times there for robbery.

He moved into the alley, walking fast, eyes on the door, hand on his holster, ready just in case. He paused. There was shuffling somewhere off to the side. Mahone looked, trying to find the source.

It better not be a rat.

He heard groaning. Approaching a pile of discarded boxes and crates, Mahone pulled out his revolver. He kicked a box out of the way and saw a foot on the ground. Still aiming his gun, in a swift motion, he turned to face the body.

"Parker, you alright?" Mahone holstered his weapon and bent down over him. Parker was cradled on the ground, holding a sensitive organ of the male anatomy.

"Hey, come on. What happened? Where is she?" Mahone helped him sit up. The pain had begun to subside and Parker relaxed a bit, though still feeling the echo of the wound.

Mahone caught a look at his face. Claw marks ran just above and below his eyes and inside, his eyes were red. Parker coughed, then leaned over and spit on the ground beside him. "Good God man, she do this to you?" He was unable to hide the expression on his face. A mixture of shock and disgust. Parker nodded.

"She freaked out... when... I touched her." He said, breathless. "Went... that way." He nodded toward the grocery mart.

"Alright. Stay right here. I'm going after her." Mahone said, drawing out his revolver. Parker waved a hand at him, then tried to shift his weight. Squinting at the pain from his rib, he stopped moving, holding his side.

Mahone jogged toward the door. Standing off to the side of it, he threw it open. Checking first that it was clear, he headed inside. Gun ready, he cautiously checked all the openings along the way. He made his way through a tight hallway at the back end of the mart. To his side, a bathroom door was closed. He checked the handle. Locked. Knocking loudly first, he waited to hear anyone inside.

"Police, I'm coming in." Mahone announced, before pushing the door in with his shoulder. The door didn't open. I'm getting too old for this. He tried again, harder. This time it worked. The door flew open, crashing against the bathroom wall. No one was inside.

"What's all this? What are you doing?" The owner of the mart was standing at the end of the hall, arms spread out. Mahone looked at him, disappointed, and holstered his weapon.

"You pay for that door, you break it." The owner began to squall, pointing at it.

Mahone looked back at the bathroom. A red wig was sitting in the trash bin. He lost her.