Somebody better talk to me. Garcias voice raised about half an octave.
Its no good, Detective, the woman finally answered. We thought we had him in Norwalk, but suddenly the signal jumped to Temple City, then to El Monte, now its showing the call is coming from Long Beach. Hes rerouting the signal every five seconds. Even if we keep him on the phone for an hour, we wouldnt be able to pinpoint him. She paused for a moment. The signal just moved to Hollywood. Sorry, Detective. This guy knows what hes doing.
Shit! Garcia tapped back into Hunters call and shook his head. Hes bouncing the signal, he whispered. We cant get his location.
Hunter squeezed his eyes tight. Why are you doing this? he asked the caller.
Because I want to, the caller came back. You have three seconds to make your choice, Detective Hunter. Fire or water? Flip a coin if you need to. Ask your partner. I know hes listening in.
Garcia said nothing.
Wait, Hunter said. How can I make a choice if I dont even know who he is, or why you have him in that tank? Cmon, talk to me. Tell me what this is all about.
The caller laughed again. Thats something you will have to find out for yourself, Detective. Two seconds.
Dont do this. We can help each other.
Garcias eyes had left his computer screen and were now locked
on Hunter.
One second, Detective.
Cmon, talk to me, Hunter said again. We can figure this out. We can come up with a better solution for whatever this is.
Garcia held his breath.
The solution is either fire or water, Detective. Anyway, times up. So what is it going to be?
Look, theres got to be another way we can . . .
TOC, TOC, TOC.
The sound exploded through Hunter and Garcias phone so loudly that their heads jerked back, as if they had been slapped across the face. It sounded like the caller had slammed his receiver against a wooden surface three times to get their attention.
You dont seem to be listening to me, Detective Hunter. We are through talking. The only word I want to hear from you right now is either fire or water. Nothing else.
Hunter said nothing.
Suit yourself. You dont want to pick, I will. And I pick fi
Water, Hunter said in a firm voice. I choose water.
The caller paused and let out an amused chuckle. You know what, Detective? I knew you would choose water.
Hunter stayed silent.
It was obvious, really. When you considered the options you had, death by drowning seemed less awful, more humane, less painful and quicker than being burned alive, right? But have you ever seen anyone drown, Detective?
Silence.
Have you ever seen the despairing look on a persons eyes as he holds his breath for as long as he can, knowing death is all around him and closing in fast?
Hunter ran a hand through his short hair.
Have you ever seen the way a drowning man frantically looks around himself, confused, searching for a miracle that is just not there? A miracle that will never come?
Still silence.
Have you seen the way the body convulses, as if it was being electrocuted, as the person finally lets go of hope and breathes his first mouthful of water? The way his eyes almost bulge out of his skull as water enters his lungs and he slowly starts to suffocate? The caller deliberately breathed out heavily. Did you know that its impossible to keep your eyes shut when youre drowning? Its an automatic motor reaction when a persons brain is starved of oxygen.
Garcias gaze returned to his screen.
The caller laughed one more time. This time a relaxed giggle. Keep on watching, Detective. This show is just about to get much better.
The line went dead.
Five
All of a sudden and with incredible speed, water started jetting out of the holes on both pipes inside the glass enclosure. The man tied to the chair was caught by surprise, and fear made his whole body jerk violently. His eyes widened in complete desperation as he realized what was happening. Despite the gag in his mouth, he started screaming, frantically, but on the other side of the screen Hunter and Garcia couldnt hear a sound.
Oh my God, Garcia said, bringing his closed right fist to his mouth. Hes not bullshitting. Hes going to do it. Hes going to drown the guy, goddammit.
The man kicked and wiggled ferociously inside the enclosure, but his restraints wouldnt give an inch. He couldnt break free no matter what he did. The chair was solidly bolted to the floor.
This is insane, Garcia said.
Hunter stood still, his eyes unblinking, staring at his computer screen. He knew that from their office there was absolutely nothing they could do except maybe collect evidence. Is there a way we can record this? he asked.
Garcia shrugged. I dont know. I dont think so.
Hunter reached for his phone again and got the LAPD switchboard.
Punch me through to the head of the Computer Crimes Unit, now. This is urgent.
Two seconds later he heard a ringing tone. Four seconds after that the phone was answered by a baritone voice.
Dennis Baxter, LAPD Computer Crimes Unit.
Dennis, this is Detective Hunter from Homicide Special.