Abomination by E. E. Borton

first
sentence before he slams the door on me. Actually, on any of us.”
    “He’s been acting odd since the first day he told us to
pack our bags,” added Michelle. “On every other manhunt, he’s inundated us with
the smallest details of the targets. He pushes us to find answers, and if we
can’t, he pushes harder until we do. I mean, think of the countless hours of
all four of us sitting around a table full of files, photos, and reports,
bouncing questions and ideas off of each other.”
    “We’ve never come across anything like this in our
careers, Michelle,” said Dallas. “Maybe he’s just at a loss right now. Maybe he
needs us to give him a little space while he figures out what the hell is going
on instead of bombarding him with theories.”
    “Why change what’s worked for years?” asked Michelle.
“You can’t just simply dismiss our combined experience and tell us to think
outside of the box. I’m sorry, Dallas. But none of this, including his
behavior, makes sense to me. And figuring out behavior is what I do.”
    “So, what do you want to do?” asked Dallas, becoming
frustrated with the mutiny. “Put him in the corner and demand he pay attention
to us? Tell him whatever he’s thinking is wrong and we’re right? He’s earned
more from us than that.”
    “Christ, Dallas, that’s not what I mean,” said Michelle.
    “I have to say I agree with Michelle,” added Tom.
    “Thank you, Tom.”
    “Not with everything,” said Tom, bursting her bubble.
“Mainly with the part about none of this making sense.”
    “My turn to say thanks, Tom,” sneered Dallas, sticking
his tongue out at Michelle.
    “Seriously,” responded Michelle. “You just stuck your
tongue out at me?”
    “It could’ve been worse,” laughed Tom. “Kidding aside, I
also agree we’ve always worked as a close team on all our assignments. On this
one, he’s keeping us at arm’s length. It’s as if he doesn’t want us to get too
involved, which is ridiculous. He cuts all of us off before we can say a word
and –”
    “Fuck me,” interrupted Dallas. “That’s it.”
    “This should be good,” said Michelle.
    Dallas put his finger up to his mouth as he grabbed a
napkin from the table. He scribbled one word and showed Tom and Michelle.
    Bugs .
     
    *****
     
    The sheriff stared at Ryan in disbelief at the
revelation that four UA Marines simultaneously turned into serial killers. He
was taking a risk telling the story, but Ryan was confident the listening
devices were embedded in the team’s cell phones and gear. Both Ryan and Dallas
had extensive training in surveillance and, more importantly, counter-surveillance.
Training they received courtesy of the FBI and the military.
    “We have a lead on the whereabouts of one of the other
Marines. We have a plane waiting for us at the airfield,” continued Ryan. “I’m
not sure when I’ll be back. I’m afraid the families are going to have to wait a
little longer for their answers. But I promise you I will come back.”
    “I appreciate you trusting me with this, Ryan. That took
guts. It stays with me until I hear from you,” said the sheriff, as Ryan rose
to his feet.
    “Thank you, Sheriff. I need to go now.”
    “Of course. Good luck, Agent Pearson.”
    “I believe I’ll need it,” said Ryan, as he turned to
leave.
    “One more thing, if you don’t mind?” asked the sheriff.
“What were the names of the two agents that were killed?”
    “Patrick Barron and Frank Hansen.”
    “Patrick and Frank,” repeated the sheriff, committing
their names to memory. “I’m sure they were fine men. Their souls and families
will be in my prayers, too.”
    “You’re a good man, Sheriff. I owe you an apology for
throwing my weight around during the briefing. I’m not normally so impatient.
When I figure this mess out, I’d consider it an honor to sit around, drink
moonshine, and spit tobacco with you and your boys.”
    “Wouldn’t that be something?” chuckled