The New Adventures of Richard Knight Page 9

  Richard ran up the street, dodging between cover. The firing gradually diminished and grew silent. He turned the corner. The jail lay across the street.

  Five bodies lay in a wide semi-circle around the door. The coppery scent of fresh blood filled the air. Larry ran into the office behind him.

  “Wowee, look at that.” The ex-marine whispered. “That old coot really put up a scuffle.”

  “We need to get inside, see if anyone’s alive.” Richard pursed his lips.

  “Okay.” Larry shrugged. “Have you figured out who we’re fighting? I mean, I’d just like to know in case I cash in my chips today.”

  Richard nodded. “I don’t have a clue. But we have to check on the survivors, there has to be a reason why the town was attacked.”

  Larry shrugged. “Let’s get this over with.” He pushed himself away from the wall and dashed across the street.

  Movement in the distance caught Richard’s eyes. White clad figures, their ivory uniforms blended with the snow drifts, advanced on their position. Winter camouflage? These men came prepared. He ran across the street, following Larry as he entered the sheriff’s office.

  Five bodies lay in a heap in the center of the floor. Gus Smith sat at the sheriff’s desk. His face drawn and pale, a red splotch at his shoulder, the room amplified the sound of his raspy labored breathing.

  “About time you boys showed up,” he croaked. “The Bapet returned and she’s angry. The Germans have orders to catch her.”

  “What’s a Bapet?” Larry asked. “And how do you know those are Germans out there?”

  “I know that guttural language when I hear it. I spent a year on the front line during 1918.” Froth bubbled from the old man’s lips. “They’re planning on using her in their war.”

  “Lay back and rest, Gus.” Richard patted the old man’s hand. “We’ll get out of this mess and get some help for you.”

  “Don’t lie to an old man, son.” Gus flashed a crooked smile. “My time’s nearly done. But I managed to introduce a few of those beggars to Saint Peter. Hopefully, he’ll keep them out of heaven.” A hacking cough shook his body. “You two need to get out of here. The back door’s open. Give me a gat and I’ll nail a couple when they come inside. You’ve got to stop them and the Bapet.”

  Larry placed the .45 in the old mans hand. “Give them hell, Gus.” He ran to the back door.

  Richard took a second to flash a salute to the old soldier. He found Larry standing in an alley behind the jail, his hands in the air. Six white clad troopers stood before him, their bolt action rifles centered on his chest.

  “Knight, Richard Knight. The chase is over. Come out unless you want us to kill your associate,” A sultry female voice shouted. “You have two minutes to make your decision. After that my soldiers will shoot him like a dog.”

  “Stay where you are, Dick. Don’t let these rats take you.” Larry shouted.

  The troops inched closer, fingers poised on the rifle triggers. “Nein, not yet,” the woman yelled. “You have one minute to make up your mind.”

  “Don’t shoot. I’m coming out.” Richard held the rifle away from his body, his hand wrapped around the stock, the barrel pointed toward the ground.

  “Step carefully, Mr. Knight. My men would like nothing better than to kill you and your crooked nosed friend.” A heavy bosomed blonde female stepped into view. A Luger gripped in her fist. “Where is the Bapet?”

  “Bapet?” Richard feigned ignorance. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  An ivory clad soldier snatched the rifle from his hands. Dropping it to the snow covered ground, he patted him down, searching for a weapon. “He has a shoulder holster,” he said, in guttural English, “but no other weapons.”

  “Where is your pistol?” She moved the Luger, pointing it toward Larry. “If you don’t tell me the truth, your friend will die.”

  “I lost it at Caruthers’ farm, when the barn exploded.” Richard eyed the young beauty. “I’ve seen you somewhere before.”

  “That’s Irene Stein, the girl I was dating in Arizona last year,” Larry answered. “It’s a pity. You seemed like such a sweet girl.”

  Irene walked up to Larry. She stared in his eyes briefly and backhanded him across the face. “You’re a pig, Mr. Doyle. I detested that assignment. Your very touch sickened me.”

  A thread of crimson ran from Larry’s lips, dripping onto his coat. “Funny, you didn’t act that way in Arizona.” He spit blood onto her white uniform and smiled showing scarlet stained teeth.

  She drew back her hand for a second blow, a deep flush creeping up her face. Her left hand fell to her side. “I promise you will die before this day is through. But I have other matters to deal with before I can afford myself that small pleasure.”

  Irene turned to Richard. “Now, no more games. Where is the Bapet?”

  “I don’t know.” Richard met her steely gaze. “I was sent here to investigate the explosion.”

  “Someone tell me, what is a Bapet?” Larry shouted.

  “Fraulein Stein, we know this creature is loose, running through the town killing at random.” The soldier stepped away from Richard, keeping the rifle centered on his head. “Perhaps we should leave these Americans to their fate.”

  She nodded. “You may be right. We have awakened an angry demon that we can’t control. The Bapet has slaughtered enough troops.” Irene glanced to the soldiers. “Kill them now and burn this town to the ground. Make sure nothing remains but ash.”

  “Hold it,” Jenkins screamed. “Make another move and I’ll put a bullet through your pretty head.”

  Irene lowered the weapon. “Do as he says.”

  Larry lowered his arms to his side. “I’m glad you showed up, kid. I thought they nailed you.”

  Richard snatched the pistol from Irene’s hands. Larry circled behind and quickly collected the weapons from the soldiers. He turned to the private. “Jenkins, put these rats against the wall and keep an eye on them.”

  The private nodded. “Okay, you bums. Kiss the bricks.” He pointed the rifle barrel at the rear wall.

  “You’re part of the Sicherheitsdienst, I know the German’s have agents in South America and are ferreting them into the United States. What were your orders?” Richard demanded.

  “I’ll tell you everything, since none of us will escape this place alive. Your leaders will never know the true events that transpired here.” Irene covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. “Lon Caruthers was a disgraced scientist. He escaped from the Fatherland before the Fuhrer assumed power. Here he became a…” She struggled with the word.

  “A bootlegger.” Larry said.

  “Yes, a bootlegger.” Irene nodded her head slightly. “Himmler assigned an agent to keep watch over him. Caruthers was of very little interest to us until he discovered the Bapet in the mountains. The old fool was searching for gold when he found the creature in a cave. Once our agent became aware of his discovery he radioed the head of the South America SD, who in turn contacted the Fatherland. We were sent to retrieve this creature. Roemer was bringing the monster to us when the accident occurred.”

  “So Himmler sent the SD out to hunt monsters,” Richard interrupted.

  “Wait a minute. You said none of us would get out of here alive.” Larry rushed forward, his hand circled her elbow. “What did you mean by that?”

  “You foolish dolt.” Irene pulled away from his grasp. Her blonde locks fanned out around her face. “My troops are placing bombs all over this village. Within minutes Wright City will be a heap of flaming rubble.”

  “What are you saying?” Richard grabbed her arms and spun Irene around to face him.

  “If we can’t have the creature, no one will. We won’t risk your government finding the secret of the Bapet and using it against us.” Irene smiled. “It is better for us to die for the glory of Germany than to allow you pathetic Americans to discover our plans.”

  “You’re willing to die for Hitler, to des
troy an entire town?” Richard shouted.

  “Of course they are.” A strained weak voice came from the rear door of the sheriff’s office. “I can tell you a few more details. Marvin Cox is the sleeper agent. He befriended Caruthers, gained the man’s trust, and murdered him when he returned to the farm.” Gus Smith staggered from the doorway. “The car accident was simply that, but it set the Bapet free.”

  “The old fool is correct.” Irene ran her fingers through her hair. “Marvin Cox is an agent for the SD.”

  “You knew about Caruthers’ murder?” Larry shook his head. “I knew you had a cold streak, but I never imagined how cold.”

  A German soldier slipped his hand inside his uniform, his hand circled the pistol concealed in his waistband. He spun, the movement sudden and unexpected. The pistol bucked in his hands before Jenkins had a chance to move the rifle. The young man fell to the cold ground, the bolt-action slid from his hands.

  Gus fired from the doorway. Three Nazi soldiers fell before the old man’s fury before a hail of bullets from the surviving trooper dropped him to the snow covered alley.

  Death spat from the Luger in Richards’s fist. The bullets riddled the white uniform, bright crimson spots stained the pristine color. The SD trooper fell to his knees. His glazed eyes fastened on Irene as he fell on his face, the heavy metal helmet slid along the icy surface.

  “I should kill you right now.” Richard turned the pistol on the female operative.

  Larry ran to Jenkins’ side. He cradled the private’s head on his lap. “Fritz got me good.” A hacking cough rumbled deep in the private’s chest. A film of blood covered his lips. “I managed to take a few of these rats with me though…” His eyes turned skyward. He quivered and died.

  “Check on Gus, I’ll keep our friend here covered.” He motioned with the pistol. “Get over by the door. If you try anything, I’ll kill you.”

  Irene moved slowly, her fingers interlocked atop her head. “You can’t win here, Mr. Knight, in thirty minutes Wright City will cease to exist.”

  Larry rose from Gus’ body, he shook his head slowly. “He’s still breathing. But he’s in a bad way.”

  “How are you going to detonate the bombs?” Richard waved the pistol under her nose. “I won’t ask you again.”

  “My plane, Mr. Knight, the bombs will be detonated from my plane.” A tall gray haired man stepped from behind the corner, his right leg wrapped in bandages from the knee to ankle. Two white clad soldiers flanked him on either side. “Unfortunately that will not happen. I can kill Mr. Doyle if I desire, but I wish to talk. The choice is yours.”

  “I’ll kill Irene if you try anything.” Richard warned.

  “She is of little consequence; her job is to die for the glory of the Fatherland.” He straightened his arm, centering Larry’s head in the sights. “Your time is running out.”

  Richard tossed the Luger to a large mound of powder. “Let’s talk, Marvin.”

  “I am Karl Schmidt. In the last war, I was called Herr Giest. I adopted the Marvin Cox name to keep Caruthers under observation.” He moved forward slowly, dragging the injured limb behind him. He nodded to the two men following him. They fanned out to the side, weapons pointed at Richard and Larry.

  “I purpose a truce.” He grimaced in pain. Pink fluid seeped through the white bandages. “The Bapet injured me after I climbed from my plane, I can’t work the foot pedals. She is too powerful, too unpredictable. Unless we work together she will kill us all. If any of us are to survive, we must destroy her.”

  “We cannot bargain with Americans.” Irene shook her head violently. “I will fly the plane. I will destroy this village and the beast.”

  “Nein,” Schmidt shook his head. “The creature has nested near the planes. She waits in concealment for someone to cross her path. Anyone attempting to use the planes will be killed.”

  “You tried to kill us a few minutes ago.” Knight turned to face Schmidt. “You speak very good English, by the way. I know you didn’t learn that in Deutschland.”

  An evil smile creased Irene’s face. “All covert agents serving the Fatherland are trained and educated. We blend in with the native population. I attended Harvard; I have a degree in economics. Top of my graduating class, my instructors told me I have a great future in business.”

  “Rest assured, Mr. Doyle, if I wanted to kill you I wouldn’t have missed. But enough of this banter,” Schmidt ordered. “My patience is wearing thin. Do we have an agreement?”

  “I don’t believe this.” Larry turned to face Richard. “He wants us to fight a monster his people let escape.”

  “These Americans cannot be trusted.” Irene protested. “The bombs will stop it and we can rid ourselves of Mr. Knight and his assistant.” A soldier’s dying scream echoed from the street, interrupting her protest.

  “Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?” Richard stared at the injured ace. “You’re in my country, you’ve killed Americans and now you expect us to help you.”

  “Mr. Knight, your time runs short. You can join with us or die now.” Schmidt aimed the pistol at Larry. “I will kill your simian friend in one minute.”

  “All right,” Richard agreed. “We’ll help you stop this thing.” His blue eyes locked with Schmidt’s. “But when this is over, I’m going to kill you.”

  “After I mend it will be an honor to meet you in the sky. I have knowledge of your skill as a pilot.” The German bowed slightly. “I haven’t killed an American ace in years.”

  Irene returned the Luger to his hand. “I’ll be keeping my eyes on you, Mr. Knight. Do not attempt to deceive us.”

  A smile creased Richard’s face. “Larry, take Gus into the sheriff’s office.” He turned to Schmidt. “Get your men inside the store across the street. I want all the guns on this creature.”

  Schmidt shook his head. “Bullets will do nothing against her. It shrugs them off like flea bites.”

  “If we hit it with enough firepower, it’ll go down.” He turned to Irene. “We’ll put this monster in a crossfire. Then we’ll see what it takes to kill her.” A grim light entered Richard’s eyes.

  Larry struggled under the old soldier’s limp weight. “I’ll put him in one of the back cells. He should be safe there.” His gaze met Richard’s. “I’d feel a lot better about this if we were in the Northrop.”

  “I know, me too.” Richard turned to the injured ace. “Come, Herr Giest. We have a monster to kill.”

  ***

  She moved slowly through the empty streets. The smell of blood and slaughter thick around her, a line of congealed blood circled her large mouth. Crimson stained her arms to the elbows, her feet to the knees. She lifted a dead body from the litter. Sharp dagger like teeth sank into the cold flesh. She filled her gaping mouth but spit the cold mass to the ground.

  She needed warm food to sustain her. A cold meal wouldn’t suffice when hot blood and firm flesh were available. She tilted her head skyward and sniffed the air. Her prey was near, very near. She would eat her fill before the night was through. Large feet pressed into the snow. Knife-like toenails clicked on the asphalt beneath. She followed the scent of food.

  The odors came at her from either side of the narrow street. The Bapet moved silently into the alley approaching the building from the rear. Massive claw tipped hands reached out and pushed on the door. The locked door resisted her efforts. She struck the door with her shoulder. A crack appeared in the wood near the upper hinge.

  The waiting German soldiers unleashed their fury. Bullets passed through the door, stinging her arms and chest. The creature threw back her shaggy head and roared in fury. Putting all her strength and weight behind it, her shoulder slammed the door.

  The crack widened.

  The firing within the store intensified. Large caliber bullets tore huge chunks from the solid wood. The Bapet struck a third time. The door broke in the center, half of it falling to the ground.

  She leaped inside. A thick, squatty man attacked
her, firing his pistol into her stomach at point blank range. The lead slugs did little more than aggravate the creature. She grabbed the man’s head and twisted savagely. The neck snapped like a dried stick. Her long sharp teeth sank into the tender flesh of his throat biting through to the spine. She swallowed the chunk whole.

  The soldiers panicked, they shattered the glass windows and jumped to the street. She threw the blood drained body from her. The scraps could be eaten later if she desired. Now she wanted to fill her belly with the blood and flesh of the living.

  ***

  “She outsmarted us,” Richard shouted. “The soldiers are under attack.” He swung the rifle to the shop front opposite the sheriff’s office. “Get ready she’ll be over here next.”

  An injured soldier crawled away from the carnage. He pulled a grenade from his coat and threw the explosive through the shattered window. The building shook violently, smoke and dust gushing from the openings. The interior of the shop burst into flames.

  The Bapet kicked the front door from the hinges and stepped from the inferno. Her large claw tipped hands shrank, loosing their rough scaly appearance, becoming more human. Her now slender hands reached up and plucked a jagged wood splinter from her shoulder. She licked her blood from the sharp edge and tossed the broken board into the street.

  “There she is.” Richard centered the Luger on her chest.

  “She doesn’t look like a monster.” Larry gazed through the windows. “I’ve dated girls that look worse than she does.” A comely naked woman stood before him. Her skin unblemished and flawless, dark hair shiny as a raven’s wing glinted in the twilight, collecting highlights from the flames behind her. A small pout formed on her perfect lips.

  “Don’t let her appearance fool you,” Schmidt lifted the bolt action rifle to his shoulder. “She changes after she feeds, the effect doesn’t last long.” The appearance of beauty began to fade. A large withered crone stood in the beauty’s place.