The Web

Chapter Four- Little Fly upon the Wall

"Flies are so mighty that they win battles, paralyse our minds, eat up our bodies." - Blaise Pascal

"This is officer Melrose, Unit 4793.... I've got a 10-54 at 70 Rowes Wharf. That's a 10-54 at the Harbour Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf. This is a code 8, requesting ambulance assistance and immediate backup...."

" Copy that 4793, stand-by".

I enter the open door of the penthouse suite, and after a quick scan of the room approach the woman lying prostrate across the marbled floor. Her position is unnatural, her head twisted to the left in a grotesque fashion. I quickly check for breathing or a pulse, and as my hand touches her skin, I almost reflexively recoil it back. Cold. She's gone.

"Clear!" My partner, Diaz calls from the lounge area off to the side.

"Melrose, update the 10-54, get backup, I'll keep sweeping." I just nod at her, hand already reaching down to call in the code I've been dreading since I was first sworn in.

"This is Unit 4793, 70 Rowes is a 10-45D. Repeat, that's a 10-45D at Harbour Hotel. Over."

"Copy that 4793. Secure the scene, all 10-98 in radius are en-route. Over and out."

"Clear!" Diaz' voice echoes from down the hall.

"I'll take upstairs, Diaz." I manage to call out, surveying the scene around me as I move towards the oak staircase.

The hairs on the back of my neck are on end, every nerve ending tingling. I can sense it. Something isn't right, I know we are not alone in here.

I clear the first two bedrooms and the adjoining ensuite bathroom. As I approach the main, my heart begins to race. My instincts are not just good, they are exceptional, and I know what they are screaming to me right now. Someone is in here. I can almost feel them.

I cautiously creak open the door, adrenaline washing over me in waves, muscles coiled and ready to spring. I slowly scan the room, taking note of all the possible weak spots that could be an ambush point . Keeping my back to the entrance, I move slowly and deliberately through the room, clearing the points one by one.

Suddenly, I freeze.

My ears strain as I focus my attention to the closet area off the ensuite. I remain like a statue as my hearing hones into the faint, but definite sound of muffled breathing.

I edge closer, and I can hear my own heartbeat. I draw my gun with my right, and fight to stop my left shaking as it reaches out to draw back the coats.

The scream that rips from the girls chest is guttural, almost animalistic, and as she falls to the ground sobbing I hear Diaz yell out and start running up the stairs.

"Hey!! There's another girl up here, she's alive! Get in here!" My voice is urgent, almost desperate and sounds completely foreign to me, as if someone else was shouting.

"Please, please, don't hurt me, I just want to go home.." the girl sobs, and her words somehow reach into my stomach and twist it in a way that hurts to my bones.

I quickly holster my weapon and drop to my knees in front of her.

"Hey, hey, its okay. I'm Rhys, and I'm a police officer. I got you, it's ok, I got you. It's over". As I pull her shaking body into my arms she slips out of consciousness and my heart lurches. "It's ok, it's ok...." I whisper to her again and again, still holding her to my chest as Diaz and two paramedics burst into the room.

As they throw the aluminium shock blankets over her, I relinquish my hold and allow them to tend to her.

Why do my arms feel so empty? Why do I feel so useless? What is wrong with me?

"Ok Melrose. Let's secure this scene and clear the hallways. The coroner and homicide are en-route, we can question the girl after she's been med cleared."

Diaz' voice snaps me out of it, and I head downstairs close behind her to start the process.

'It's just the adrenaline', I think to myself as I swallow down the odd feelings swelling in my chest. 'It's your first homicide, normal to feel weird. Yeah, that's it.'

I even almost convince myself.

****************************************

As I complete the last leg of my journey along Moosehead Lake Road, I can't help but to admire the scenery. Although it's the middle of winter, the picturesque beauty and natural appeal is not lost on me.

A far cry from Boston, indeed Rhys, you city dwelling jerk.

I smile wryly to myself, my earlier horror upon learning that they had 'doomed' the courageous and enigmatic Wednesday Gray to a dreary life in the middle of nowhere now replaced with a sheepish acknowledgement of my own ignorance.

Pulling into town and turning towards the the tavern only serves to further prove my idiocy. Moosehead Lake stretches out before me painting a beautiful backdrop for the undeniably charming town of Greenville.

I clamber stiffly out the car, grateful for the chance to stretch after the long drive. I survey the Dockside Inn and Tavern, which is to be my home away from home for the next few weeks and decide that it will do just nicely.

The receptionist introduces herself as Maeve and she is a warm and welcoming contrast to the cold outdoors, the twinkle in her eyes belying her age.

I make my way up to my spacious and comfortable suite, and after a long hot shower I am startled to find the evening has rolled around.

A hot meal and a cold beer is in order after today's drive, I think to myself and, well, I was brought up to know that a good idea is a good one and shouldn't be argued with. I'll be straight into my assignment tomorrow morning, might as well relax a little this evening before things take a very serious turn.

I order and take my seat at a small table off to the side of the bar, already deep in thought about what the coming weeks could potentially bring.

When the news of Harlow's release set in,

we knew that Wednesday would be under direct threat. Liam Harlow was the vengeful type, cold and single-minded as they come. There was no way he would not attempt to come after her, and there was no way I was going to allow Hodges to assign anyone but myself to the job of keeping her safe.

Of course Hodges tried to protest, tried to talk me out of putting myself right in Harlow's path, but ultimately he knew it was a losing battle. I was the best man for the job, and even Hodges had to admit that. Besides being a very capable officer, I also was not a complete stranger to Wednesday. After everything she has been through, she at least deserves to not have to put her trust in a total stranger. And after some of the things I have seen on the force, I'm not entirely sure I could trust anyone but me to protect her identity and keep her safe.

I frown at this last thought. Over recent years, there have been several incidents of people in witness protection disappearing, and not in the way they were supposed to.

We do everything we can to protect our witnesses, but it is a dangerous thing to give testimony or information against the worst of the worst. Sometimes despite our best efforts, it is impossible to prevent the loss of certain witnesses.

The rate it has been happening lately, though...... Well, it can only mean one thing. Someone on the inside is working with the outside. And if I ever find out who, God help the son-of-a-b***h because he WILL need it.

My thoughts are interrupted by a commotion on the other side of the room, at the pool table. I look up just in time to see a dark haired woman slap the face of a man twice her size, sending him stumbling several steps backwards, and his companions off into fits of pealing laughter.

"Jesus' Christ Elliot!! What is wrong with you!!" The unfortunate lad cries out.

"Keep your damn hands to yourself Drake, you f*****g pervert! I warned you!" She retorts, and I can't help but be impressed. She might be small, but there's a whole lot of fierce packed in there.

I grin as the aggrieved Drake heads out the back door to nurse his pride, but as she turns around my grin drops. She marches towards the bar, green eyes flashing, her dark waves tumbling around her shoulders, and my heart stalls. There is no mistaking her, even after nearly a decade. It's Wednesday. It's Wednesday f*****g Gray.

And God help me, she looks like she just stepped out of a dream.