The Awakening Read online

  “Oh, my God,” Katarina whispered.

  “Jimmy,” Liam said calmly, waiting until he turned to look at him. “Can you pull down a copy, but leave that footage exactly where it is? And erase all traces that you were there?”

  “Done and done,” he said as he turned back to the keyboard. “This is consumer grade stuff. Jimmy can get into the NSA and they don’t know he’s been there. Some Silicon Valley retards don’t stand a chance of knowing Jimmy snuck in and stuck his finger up their ass.”

  “Jimmy,” Liam said, letting some irritation creep into his voice.

  “Sorry, bro.” He spun and handed Liam a small thumb drive. “There’s your footage and it’s still intact on the server, more pristine than a nun on Sunday.”

  Thirty-Six

  Katarina was effusive on the drive back from Jimmy’s.

  “You know what this means? It’s proof I didn’t kill my husband! It’s over, Liam! It’s over.”

  Instead of excited, he was contemplative, focusing on the road ahead. The smile faded from her face as she watched him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” he said. “But you’re not out of the woods, yet.”

  “What?” she exclaimed. “Are you kidding? There’s video proof that I wasn’t at the house and someone else was when Matt was murdered!”

  Liam took a breath to order his thoughts.

  “Katarina, look at this through the eyes of an FBI agent. Okay, sure this proves that you didn’t physically commit the murder. But just what does it show?”

  “It shows I’m not guilty!”

  “It backs up your alibi for the night,” he said calmly. “But it doesn’t answer the question of how this man got possession of your service weapon. The prosecutor can easily pivot and say you hired a hitman.”

  She stared at him, eyes flashing, then slowly deflated as she recognized he was right.

  “But, I didn’t,” she said in a small voice.

  “I know that! But will it matter to the US Attorney? As far as you can prove, there’s no one he could have gotten the gun from, other than you.”

  “You really think they’d try to prosecute me with the theory that I gave my service weapon to a killer, who then hid it in my house to implicate me?”

  “Maybe they say you got cold feet and called it off and refused to pay the killer, so he decided to get even. It all depends on the evidence they present at trial. How they spin it and how effective your attorney is at picking their case apart.”

  Katarina thought about his point for several minutes, then slumped in her seat.

  “So, what the hell do I do?” she finally asked helplessly.

  Liam reached across and took her hand, gently squeezing it.

  “Call Harry. Tell him we need to see him.”

  Nodding her head in agreement, Katarina dialed and had a brief conversation.

  “He’s out of town with Mister Vance, on another case. Said they’ll be back in the office after five.”

  Liam didn’t acknowledge her.

  “Liam?”

  “Sorry,” he said. “Lost in thought.”

  “About what? Please tell me you’re not already planning conjugal visits.”

  Katarina tried a smile that didn’t work. In a matter of minutes, she’d gone from elated at the prospect of exoneration to depression.

  “I keep going back to something I asked earlier. About whether or not the person is still there in a possessed body. Does the demon destroy them when they enter, or is their - consciousness? – locked away? Are the people who’ve been possessed watching in terror as they do horrible things, powerless to stop themselves?”

  “Okay. I get it. And I still don’t know. What does it matter, anyway? The demon is in control.”

  “I get that, Katarina. That’s not my point. Okay, fine. Up until a few hours ago, I didn’t believe there was such a thing as demons and possession. Sure, there are plenty of evil people in the world, but that’s what I always thought they were. People. Now, maybe, I’m not so sure.”

  “You’re losing me,” she said. “Are you saying you don’t believe what you saw?”

  “No,” he said quickly. “Trust me. Last night made me a believer.”

  “Then what the hell are you trying to say?”

  “Look. The Catholic Church believes in demonic possession. There are even priests who specialize in exorcism. Their position is that a demon can be cast out of the body and the soul of the person will regain control.”

  “I know all of that.”

  Liam was quiet for a few moments, absently chewing the inside of his cheek.

  “So, what are you proposing?” she prompted when he didn’t continue.

  “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

  “After what we’ve been through, there’s nothing you can say that will make me think you’re crazy.”

  “We find the right priest. Get him set up and ready to perform an exorcism. Then we grab Pettigrew and take him there.”

  “Grab? As in kidnap the FBI Special Agent in Charge? Are you out of your fucking mind?”

  “Told you you’d think I was crazy.”

  “Liam. Do you realize the absolute shit-storm that will descend when the Bureau finds out one of their SACs is missing? It’ll be like... hell, I don’t know what it would be like. Nothing like that’s ever happened.”

  “If Pettigrew is the stand-up guy you said he is, and we can get the demon expelled, he’ll tell the truth. Right?”

  “Maybe. If the real Pettigrew is even alive and aware of what the demon has done. But what if there’s nothing left in there except the demon? Or what if the exorcism doesn’t work? We do this, we’re committed. We can’t just apologize and ask for a do-over.”

  “I’m aware of that, Katarina. But if this will bring out the truth and definitively remove any doubts that are hanging over your head, it’s a risk we have to take.”

  “You can’t do this, Liam. This isn’t just risking your career, this is... this is it! Things go bad, you’ll wind up in prison, or worse.”

  “My risk to take,” he said firmly.

  “Why? Yes, we’ve said a lot of things and I’ll admit that what we have is something special and unique. I’m ready to run away with you, anywhere you want to go. But, this? You’re not talking about diving headlong into a relationship with someone you don’t really know. This is going down a path there’s no coming back from if things go sour. Why are you willing to do something like that for a woman you’ve only known for a few days?”

  “I don’t know.”

  Katarina stared at him, waiting for more, but all she got was a glance and a shrug.

  “I’m serious, damn it! What is it about me that you’re ready to roll the dice on your freedom, and possibly even your life?”

  “I don’t know. Seriously. It’s the same reason I knew...”

  “Knew what?” she challenged when he didn’t continue.

  Liam drew a slow breath.

  “Knew you were the one the moment I met you. I don’t know where it’s coming from or why I feel this way, but I do. So, let’s quit arguing the point. If you don’t like my idea, that’s fine. Let’s work on another. But enough of trying to get me to stop helping. Okay?”

  She watched him closely as he drove, her heart swelling with emotion at the thought of what he was willing to put on the line, all for her.

  “Okay,” she finally said, stretching across the seat and kissing the side of his face.

  Thirty-Seven

  “Fancy digs,” Liam said looking around as they walked into Vance’s lobby. “Don’t wanna know what this guy’s costing.”

  They had spent the afternoon keeping a low profile, taking the opportunity to get to know each other a little better. Now, it was after-hours and the reception desk was vacant. A woman in a severe skirt-suit strode towards them, then Katarina saw the demon behind the pinched face that carried an expression reminiscent of someone who’s just bit
ten into a lemon. Her step faltered, then she recovered and continued on.

  “Mister Vance is expecting us,” she said as the woman drew closer.

  “Don’t work here,” the woman said, breezing past without even glancing at them.

  “Now she looks like a husband killer,” Liam whispered when she was out of earshot.

  “There’s a demon in her,” Katarina said.

  Liam came to an abrupt stop and turned to look in the direction the woman had gone.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “No, I’m guessing,” she snapped, then shook her head and smiled an apology. “Sorry. I get tense when I see one.”

  He nodded and they moved past the reception area but didn’t see anyone.

  “Hello?” Liam called.

  “Back here.”

  They spotted Harry in an office door at the back of a large open space filled with cubicles and made their way to where he waited.

  “Who was that woman?” Katarina asked.

  “That was the US Attorney that’s handling your case, herself,” Harry said. “Why? She say somethin’ to ya?”

  “No. Just seemed familiar,” Katarina said, covering. “What was she doing here? Not more bad news, I hope.”

  “Come on in,” he said instead of answering, leading them into a private office.

  Vance was seated behind a massive, leather upholstered desk in his shirt sleeves and stood when they entered.

  “Agent Daniels,” he said, coming around to shake her hand then turning to face Liam. “And Agent Macleod of the DEA. What brings the two of you around this evening?”

  “What was the US Attorney doing here? Was it about my case?” Katarina asked.

  “In fact, it was,” Vance said, resuming his seat and waving them to a pair of chairs. “She just dropped off a new stack of discovery documents. Harry and I were about to start going through them.”

  “In person?” Liam asked in surprise. “The US Attorney personally delivers discovery docs? Isn’t that what assistants and messengers are for?”

  “She missed the messenger service’s deadline and her assistant had already left for the day. Unusual, but not unheard of. So, back to my question. What can I do for you?”

  Liam leaned forward and placed the thumb drive on the desk. Vance looked at it but made no move to pick it up.

  “What’s this?”

  “A video file that proves I didn’t kill my husband,” Katarina said.

  Vance’s eyebrows shot up as his attention was pulled back to the small piece of plastic on his desk.

  “And where did you get this?”

  “It’s footage from the neighbor’s doorbell camera,” Liam said. “The same one that recorded her threatening her husband.”

  “That’s what ya called me about yesterday,” Harry said.

  He was seated in the back of the office, heavy boots resting on the shiny surface of a coffee table.

  “How was this obtained?” Vance asked. “I believe Harry checked and the neighbors in question are in Europe and can’t be reached.”

  “This is a copy,” Liam explained quickly. “The original footage is still on the doorbell company’s server and has not been changed.”

  Vance stared at the thumb drive for a beat before looking at Katarina.

  “What does it show?”

  “Just watch it,” she said, confused by his reluctance to touch it.

  “Agent Daniels. I know you know this, but I’m going to remind you anyway. Illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible in court. Possessing illegally obtained evidence is a good way for an attorney to be censured at best, disbarred and imprisoned at worst. So, if you would, please just describe for me what I would see if I were to watch that video file.”

  Katarina took a breath, nodding in understanding. She spoke quickly, accurately relating what the camera had recorded.

  “That is indeed interesting,” Vance said when she was finished.

  “Is it enough?” Katarina asked, hope in her voice.

  “It is certainly enough to raise doubts in a juror’s mind, but I’m afraid it’s likely not enough to convince the prosecutor to drop the charges. However,” he said when he saw her face fall, “it is certainly worth a try, once I have a legally obtained copy. Harry?”

  “Already on it,” Harry said, waggling his phone in the air.

  “We will subpoena the company that provides the doorbell camera service,” he explained. “Once that is in hand, we will be able to obtain a legally admissible piece of evidence and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Using the eraser end of a pencil, he gently slid the thumb drive to the edge of his desk. Liam picked it up and dropped it in a pocket.

  “Did the prosecutor send over anything new?” Katarina asked, accepting the fact that nothing was happening with the video file for the moment.

  Vance hesitated before leaning forward and looking intently at Katarina.

  “Agent Daniels, it’s not a good idea to discuss your case with a law enforcement officer in the room.”

  “I’ve told him everything and he was with me when Harry interviewed me. So, whatever you’ve got to say, you can say it in front of Liam.”

  “I strongly advise against that,” Vance said. “My reluctance has nothing to do with Agent Macleod, personally. It is the very fact that he is bound to act on any criminal activity he may become aware of, as well as testify to such if so called. Your insistence on him being present is placing you in jeopardy and, frankly, him in a potentially impossible situation.”

  “I’ll take my chances,” Katarina said without hesitation.

  After a long moment, Vance turned to look at Liam.

  “And you, Agent Macleod? Are you willing to risk your career and possibly even prosecution by keeping anything Agent Daniels says confidential?”

  “She and I have already had this discussion. My loyalty is to her.”

  “Very well,” Vance said with a sigh. “Please remember that I cautioned you both.”

  He turned to his computer and clicked the mouse a few times.

  “This is a disturbing part of what the US Attorney dropped off, especially in light of the evidence you obtained. This is time-stamped five hours after you threatened your husband with your weapon.”

  He clicked again and an audio file began playing over the computer’s speakers.

  Hello?

  I want it finished tonight, Katarina’s voice said.

  Don’t worry. I’ll get it done.

  Don’t fuck this up!

  Relax, lady. I know what I’m doing.

  Tonight!

  There was a loud click as the call ended.

  “That’s bullshit!” Katarina shouted. “I never had that conversation! That’s fake!”

  Her eyes were wide with horror after hearing the brief recording.

  “And I have experts who will begin working to authenticate it tomorrow morning.”

  “I’d like a copy,” Liam said before Katarina could continue to protest.

  “That’s a very bad idea,” Vance said, looking at his client.

  She turned to Liam.

  “Jimmy,” he said softly.

  “Yes,” she said immediately to Vance. “Give him a copy!”

  “Agent Dan---”

  “I said give him a copy, Mister Vance. I believe I have a right to the evidence that is being used against me, do I not?”

  “Very well,” he said after a long pause. “But be aware I am strongly advising you against this.”

  “I understand, and I appreciate that you’re only looking out for my best interests. But, sometimes Mister Vance, you need an ace up your sleeve and Liam is mine.”

  Thirty-Eight

  “This makes no sense,” Liam said.

  They were in his truck, sitting in Vance’s parking lot. He’d just emailed the audio file to Jimmy with a cryptic message asking for an analysis.

  “Of course it doesn’t!” Katarina exploded. “They’re fabricatin
g evidence, now!”

  “Yes, but what I meant was the reason.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Up until now, their case has been based on the theory that you killed your husband. Up close and in person. Right?”

  “Go on.”

  “So, now, this audio recording of you seemingly speaking to a hitman comes out. Pretty fucking convenient timing. That’s what Vance was alluding to just before he played it.”

  “Liam, I’m not following,” Katarina said in exasperation.

  “Okay. Sorry, but bear with me. You thought about the neighbor’s camera... what? Twenty-four hours ago?”

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “And you immediately called Harry and asked about it. Learned the FBI had tried but hadn’t gotten their hands on any footage from the night of the murder. Now, just as we have video proof that you didn’t return to the house and couldn’t have pulled the trigger, this surfaces.

  “By itself, the audio recording is meaningless. It’s nothing because nothing incriminating was said. Hell, it could have been a conversation with a landscaper or a plumber for as generic as it is. But. Used in tandem with the video we just found, it turns a piece of defense evidence into another nail in your coffin. The prosecutor can’t attack the video directly, because it shows what it shows without bias. So, instead, they gin up a phone call and suddenly the video proving your innocence is now another piece of evidence to prove your guilt. Get it?”

  Katarina stared at him as comprehension spread across her face. Anger and frustration warred within her and she struggled to tamp them down. His phone beeped for attention and he quickly read a text message.

  “Jimmy says it’s legit. This was an actual phone conversation. Did you recognize the man’s voice?” Liam asked.

  “No! What the hell, Liam?”

  “If this is a real phone call and all they had to do was change the date it took place, that’s difficult to impossible to counter. Unless you know who the man you were talking to is and he could testify to the date and topic of the call.”