Agent Alpha and the Angel maker

The second angel

*Astrid*

“Come on Pjuske, let’s get home”. It’s very early in the morning after the fireworks explosion. Like the sun is just rising and I am walking in the more area with my dog, before having to go into work and sort everything out.

He comes bouncing over, the ears flopping around his head, looking happy, almost like he is smiling. “Was it a good walk, boy ? Let's go over the fields home ... okay ?”

He yap, like he gets what i am saying, but I know he is just reacting to the tone of my voice and my facial expressions. I turn down a path, leading over a big grassy field, we always walk back this way, as it is a shortcut home.

Pjuske is running ahead, jumping through the long grass, chasing a butterfly and I can’t help smiling.

My phone vibrates and I pull it out ... It's a message from Zac. ‘You think we are in trouble with the boss ?’

I quickly run my finger over the letters. ‘Yeah ... but I think she’ll forgive us as we managed to save Natascha, and burst open a weapons smuggling ring’.

‘We did good ... you did good, even though you shot the truck and not the gas tank ... nooob’. His answer makes me giggle slightly.

I write a quick answer. ‘Shut up Lewis ... it worked’.

As I put away the phone I hear Pjuske whimper up ahead, but I can’t see him, as there is a small patch of trees in the way. “Pjuske ? Boy where are you ?”

I hurry after the sound, kinda jogging around the trees. Then I hear it, faintly, like it’s moving away, little bells ... and then that weird sound, like a bird call, sending chills down my spine. “Pjuske ?!”

A strangled sound leaves my throat as I stop in my tracks and mutter to myself. “No ... God no ... f**k”.

There is a big tree in the middle of the field and on the tree is an angel ... or what looks like an Angel. A blonde woman in a flowing white dress ... White outspread wings. She seems to have been pinned to the tree somehow.

Pjuske is standing in front of the tree whimpering. I slap my hand on my thigh. “Come here boy ... come here”.

He walks closer to me, but turn back to look at the body, whimpering again. He does that several times, before sitting down beside me. I have my phone out, calling for backup, then I call Zac.

“Yeah ... missing me already ?” He sounds tired and worn, but I guess that is expected after last night.

“I definitely need you”. I feel my heart hammering, looking around ... could the killer still be here ? Maybe watching me. “It’s another body ... it’s him again, I am sure ... she has wings”.

His voice is instantly clear and I can hear scrambling. “I am on my way, stay right where you are darling”.

“Just hurry, I think he is still near”. I am normally not easily scared, but now I can feel the fear creep up my spine like a clammy hand.

“I am already in the car and tracking you ... I’ll be there in less than ten minutes”. He answers, before hanging up.

To feel safe I pull out my gun, clicking off the safety. I try breathing deeply, willing away the roaring of blood in my ears. I need to be vigilant, just in case he is still around.

When I feel in control I slowly walk closer, looking over the body. I am sure it’s the local woman who disappeared some days ago. The wings, swan wings, tells me it has to be the same killer ... especially since we have kept that fact hidden from the public.

Seven minutes later Zac’s car comes speeding around the corner, not caring that cars are not allowed here at all and he is almost out before the car comes to a screeching halt. “Are you okay ?”

I nod, still looking at the body. “Yeah ... but she isn’t”.

“Damn”. His voice slightly breathless as he looks at her. “Someone likes making a show out of this”.

“He wants them found ... he wants to say something, but what ... why the wings ?” I shake my head. When he slips an arm around my waist I lean it on his shoulder, detecting a faint aroma of tequila. Has he been drinking again ?

He shakes his head. “I have seen some bad s**t at home ... but this, the wings, that’s new ... a statement I guess”.

We hear the sirens and soon after the area is swarming with police, agents and forensics. And I have to tell again and again what I have seen and heard, until Zac resolutely takes my hand and leads me to the car. “Come on, let's get you home and changed.. if they want to ask more you’ll be in the office in an hour or so”.

“Zac !” I place my hand on his arm, not sure how to put this. “Would it be okay if I drive ? I think that maybe you ... didn’t sleep enough”.

He looks about to argue. Then he nods. “Okay ... you might be right, I might be a bit ... sleepy”.

“It’s okay, I’ll drive. You can just relax and at my place we’ll get a cup of coffee to ... wake us up”. I give him a small smile and jump in behind the wheel of the pick-up.

Zac opens the passenger door and let Pjuske in to sit between us, before sliding in himself. “Coffee sounds fabulous”.