Arachna

Chapter 9: More than Just a Migraine

"We came here to ask if you could keep an eye on Landreau Corp," Kaela said.

The chief's eyes flashed, and she shifted her weight. Kaela didn't seem to notice, but she seemed more focused on keeping her own act up.

Lance recognized that look. The first man that mugged him in his early years in the slums had that same look—one of guilt, then resolve. It disappeared from the chief's face as quickly as it appeared.

Maybe he was just seeing things.

Lance kept his eyes on Rotoya, completely still, afraid that any small movement would draw her attention. Kaela was the chief's primary focus. It was for the best if it stayed that way.

"You're asking me to assist in your information racket?" Rotoya asked, incredulous. "Don't I already do enough?"

"I know it's not the usual deal, but I'm sure Eric would be willing to pull some strings and help you find the culprit of your officers' murders."

"Which you seem to think is Landreau Corp. I still find it odd that Eric would send you and this new guy over here to make me an offer. In my experience, Eric has always handled those things himself." She leaned forward. "If I find out that Eric was responsible for murdering my officers, I will have the entirety of my police force cracking down on you." Her voice rose, and she pointed a finger at Kaela. "So you'd better hope—argh!"

The chief grasped her head with one hand, leaning on her desk with the other.

Lance exchanged a look with Kaela, and she stood.

"Rotoya?" Kaela said.

Kaela gasped when the chief looked at them. Her eyes were glowing purple, and so were her veins, throbbing and pulsing beneath her skin.

"Kaela..." Lance said, his stomach twisting and his body yelling at him to run. "Please tell me this is normal for her."

"Don't know how to break it to you, Lance," she responded, backing toward the door. Lance did the same. "This is anything but normal."

The chief screamed, her voice suddenly deeper.

"Derek!" Kaela screamed as they ran out of the office, only to stop at the door. Every officer in the precinct stared at them, their eyes and veins glowing purple. "DEREK!"

A fire extinguisher flew from the balcony and landed on an officer's head. He crumpled to the ground. Two shots were fired from the balcony, and the extinguisher exploded in a cloud of thick gas. Gunshots rang out from within it.

Lance grabbed Kaela's hand. "Hold your breath."

They sprinted through the cloud of smoke. Lance flinched with every gunshot. His eyes stung and watered, and he could barely see where he was going. An energy electrified the room, and the hair on the back of his neck stood straight. The silhouette of an officer appeared, his gun raised toward the second floor. Lance shoved him aside, and as he fell, a bullet found the cop's chest.

They reached the edge of the cloud as Derek rained down gunfire from the balcony. He leapt down and landed next to Lance.

"What happened in there?" Derek asked.

"We do not have time to answer questions right now, Derek!" Kaela yelled.

They reached the exit. Reggie stood in front of the doors, a pistol in his hand. He raised the gun, but Derek fired first, three shots into the chest.

Lance tackled him through the door.

Over the sound of shattering glass, Kaela yelled, "Sorry, Reggie!"