When Evil Prevails

Section 22

Writer - Gabriel Shaytan

FX is a Rysher production in conjunction with Fireworks Entertainment Inc. and Winterset Productions Inc as well as Hallmark Entertainment.

Don’t own ‘em, aren’t bein’ paid.
   

         Frank smiled as Rollie grabbed the food and passed it to him, getting to the table early was a definite bonus.  He'd seen the large table had been set up in one of the empty areas and knew it would be the site of almost the entire cast as well as a large section of the crew, all eager to eat as soon as they were done.

         Usually they ended up grabbing something and sitting some place out of the way, in the van if the weather was bad.  Waiting while Rollie finished grabbing their lunches, Frank looked around the almost empty set, a few others were gathered around the table as well and yet he was getting an unusual feeling, like someone was taking aim between his shoulder blades.  Turning around casually he scanned behind him, unable to see anything unusual.

        ' Frank?' Rollie called for the third time, looking at his friend.
        ' Huh?  Sorry Rollie.  I thought I saw something' Frank finished, gesturing towards the side of the set ' Can't see anything now though'

         Rollie looked across, lifted the bag of lunch things and started off towards where Frank had pointed.
        ' Where are you going?' Frank asked, jogging to catch up.
        ' I thought I saw something earlier as well… I think it's time we took a look'
        ' Hey Rol, I'll go first… it's my job'
        ' Whatever you say' Rollie answered, grinning back.

         Stepping through, Frank slid his gun free of it's holster… he never left it behind, worried that someone might think it was a prop and end up shooting someone.  Finger on the safety, Frank scanned around, it was dark between the huge walls.  Starting along, Frank headed in the direction he thought most likely.
        ' Wait a moment Frank'

         A small light flickered on and Rollie knelt on the floor, looking at something.
        ' What is it?'
        ' Footprint, recent, not yours or mine.  I don't think anyone else would be using this passage, maybe someone was there'
        ' Are there more?'
        ' Yeah… they came from there and went back that way as well'

         Heading along, Rollie and Frank paused occasionally to make sure they didn't overrun the prints, it was tight between the walls and Rollie looked around nervously.
        ' Frank, the prints split up here.  Mostly they go that way' he said, pointing ' but others go that way… towards the bridge where I thought I saw something'
        ' You take the bridge Rol, watch your back'

         Rollie hurried along, eyes scanning the floor, footprints went both ways, indicating someone returning the way they'd gone, no one had a need to move along between the walls… except someone who shouldn't be there and didn't want to be seen.

         Coming out a little way from the bridge, Rollie looked around, noticing the ambler still sitting where he'd left it ready for the shoot.  This was the exact direction that he'd noticed the flash come from, maybe the mini-cams would have caught it.
 

         Frank looked around, the small area where the walls met was filled with trash.  Empty cans and food containers covered the floor, a thin mattress lay in one corner but what grabbed his attention most was the laptop computer sitting on the floor, humming with power.

         Leaning down he pressed a button and reactivated the screen, removing the screensaver.  The website that it was turned on to was the same that Rollie had mentioned earlier, from Spielberg's speech.  Reaching down he didn't hear the stealthy footsteps behind him.  Something caught him in the side of the head, knocking him away from the computer.  Rolling he tried to stand but was hit again, this time across the back of the head, sending him back to the floor and into darkness.
 

         Rollie checked the cameras, setting the food on the floor, knowing what time he'd seen the flash made it a lot easier.  Only one of the cameras would have been angled close enough to catch it and now he looked at the footage, stopping as the flash appeared.  Zooming and lightening the image he found only a partial face visible.
 
         Pushing another icon he sent the image to Angie with a message explaining what had happened, telling them that he was going back to find Frank now that they had something to go on.  Message sent he turned and headed back between the walls, backtracking until he found the turn off and heading down it, noticing that Frank's footsteps only went one way.

         Following as quickly as he could, Rollie moved on, stopping to listen and look behind him as he did.  Helping Leo had been good, putting the bad guys away was something he was happy to help doing… but there was always the danger and with it went fear, but fear kept you alive he thought, made you cautious.  He stopped, knowing that somewhere close would be a space where several walls met, it would be a good place for an attack.

         Pushing a button on the P.D.A he watched its screen start flashing and set it on the floor, skidded it along the corridor, the strobe effect lighting up the dark area.  Moving forward he continued, finally seeing the widening of the corridor he'd expected.

         Reaching down he startled when his P.D.A beeped, a message scrawling onto the screen, a message from Angie telling him that Frank's P.D.A wasn't responding and to be careful.

         The message told him one thing, that someone was down here and didn't want anyone to know.  He stepped in and saw Frank's body on the floor, a pile of mess nearby and nothing else.  Strobing the P.D.A around he found another exit and stooped over Frank… he was out cold.  Picking the unconscious detective up he headed back the way he'd come, noting that Frank's gun was on the floor he picked it up and continued out.

        ' Frank?' Angie said, seeing Rollie emerge, her voice startling him.
        ' Yeah, someone gave him a good crack on the head'
        ' Let's get him over to the van.  Mira, could you get the medic to take a look?'
        ' Sure, on my way'

        Angie helped Rollie carry Frank to the van, lying him down on a blanket Angie had pulled from a locker.  '      We got a name' she explained.
        ' Yeah?'
        ' Mira spotted him in the pictures you took.  He used to be a snitch, he would sell anything for money'
        ' That partial picture any good'
        ' Yep… in the act, besides, Frank had his P.D.A on, using the video to enhance so he could see, when he got hit, it caught the guys face'
        ' Now they just need to catch him, I don't want anything happening, we've got a wedding to go to'

         Angela smiled at that ' Well, actually we don't.  I made it up so we'd have an excuse'
        ' What about the mail?'
        ' There's plenty of ways to send mail to yourself using other peoples names Rol'
        ' You know… I don't think you were this sneaky before'
        ' You do what you have to.  What did you tell Frank?'
        ' That an old friend was in town, that we went for a meal and we didn't even talk'
        ' Anything else?'
        ' He asked why I'd see someone else now I knew how you felt'
        ' And?'
        ' I told him she was only a friend…' he finished, leaning over to give her a quick kiss, which continued a little too long.
        ' Rollie… Mira could come back any second'
        ' Sometimes we take risks… besides, I want to get used to doing that'
        ' This weekend we'll have plenty of time'
        ' Good'

        On the floor, unnoticed by Rollie and Angie standing above, Frank closed his eyes again, despite the pain in his head, he smiled.