G.I. Joe: Agent Blue Jaye and the Beasts of Lakeside

Chapter 16

Flint sat in the passenger seat of Ben's blue minivan as they parked in front of Emerson Cemetery. The clouds in the sky had cleared as night set in, and the moonbeams began to cast dark shadows through the trees. The entrance to the cemetery was adorned by a metal arch with two policemen standing guard.

Flint turned to the backseat and zipped open his duffle bag. After retrieving a pair of flashlights, he handed one to Ben and they both got out of the car. Flint raised his hand to his ear and clicked on his earpiece to talk to Breaker. After a few moments, he heard her voice come through the soft static.

"The second victim was named Courtney Thompson, female, age twenty-one, another student at Lakeside. Her family lives in the area and I also found a connection to Dr. Mindbender. James Billings was her grandfather on her mother's side and joined the army in 1984. He was dishonorably discharged in 1987 and was recruited by Cobra in 1988. Mission logs indicate he took on a role as a Techno Viper and was assigned to Mindbender's unit. He was killed in the line of duty in 1995." Breaker stated.

Flint approached the officers standing in the entryway of the cemetery. One of the policemen held up his hand and stepped in front of the Flint. Flint gave his credentials to the officer.

"My name is Flint, this is my associate Ben Hart. We have been given access to this crime scene. I believe our office called a little while ago." Flint watched as the officer opened his credentials and looked them both over. After taking a short breath, the officer nodded and gestured them to enter.

"Let us know if you need anything." The officer called out as they started down the cement path into the graveyard. Flint turned and raised his hand in acknowledgement.

Flint and Ben walked the full length of the path to the top of the stairs where the victim's body was found. The police had already taken the body to the morgue. From the contact lens in his eye, Breaker displayed a series of crime scene photos, and based on what Flint saw, it seemed like the same M.O. as the first murder.

Flint walked back into the graveyard. The rising moonlight had begun to illuminate the large statue of Sam Allen, the founder of Lakeside in the night sky. Ben remained at the top of the stairs, still staring where the student was killed.

"You said the second victim's grandfather was a Techno Viper who joined Cobra in 1988, right?" Flint asked Breaker quietly.

"That's correct." Breaker replied.

"Being a Techno Viper assigned to Mindbender in 1988 would have meant he would have been working on the B.A.T. project." Flint stated nearing the gravestones.

"Yes, that is correct. Sir, Jacqueline Binder's grave should be coming up on the right." Breaker said.

Flint moved down the row of gravestones and paused when he got to Jacqueline Binder's grave. Moonlight illuminated the front of the gravestone clearly as Flint read the inscription.

Jacqueline Binder
Beloved Mother
1862 – 1948
"From the earth to the sea, now the circle of life includes me."

In addition to the inscription, there were also two killer whales engraved on each side of the headstone. Both of the whales were diving downward. Flint looked curiously at the grave. As he walked around the stone, the contact lens in his eye activated and displayed a grid that began analyzing the grave.

"Give me a second to run a scan." Breaker said, and she began running diagnostics through the contact lens in Flint's eye. Ben started to walk over to meet Flint. Breaker's scan highlighted each letter of the engraving as well as the entire stone marker. After scanning the base, Flint saw an error message appear as the scan paused.