Disclaimer: The characters and concepts of The Sentinel do NOT belong to me. This is for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this.
Summary: When Blair comes into the possession of a computer disk. Its contents open a Pandora's box of trouble for the guys.
Comments welcome at: testhom@netzero.net
PANDORA'S BOX
by Michelle Furnas
Blair Sandburg scanned Cascade Airport for his roommate. It’s good to be home, he thought. Not that the four day symposium in Chicago hadn’t been rewarding, but the Windy City in the middle of December made Cascade seem like Malibu. He was looking forward to being out of the snow and sleeping in his own bed.
Blair felt a bump from behind and hands grasping his jacket as he was dragged down by the man who stumbled into him. He got a quick glimpse of a blonde mustache as both men landed on the ground tangled up with Blair on bottom.
“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. Are you all right?” The stranger extricated himself then offered the anthropologist a hand. “I didn’t see you.”
“I think I’ll live,” Blair said taking the hand getting to his feet, “are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m so embarrassed. I just plowed right into you. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. No harm done.”
“Here let me get your bag.” The stranger stepped over to where Blair’s backpack landed. He seemed to examine it carefully. After thoroughly dusting it off he handed it back to its owner. “Seems to be intact. Again, I am terribly sorry.”
“Accidents happen. Just try to be more careful.”
“I will.” The man grinned meekly. “Well, I gotta go. Sorry again.”
Blair waved off the last apology. He watched the stranger head toward the rest rooms. After slinging the backpack onto his shoulder, he headed for baggage claim. The incident already forgotten as he spotted Jim entering the airport. Keeping one eye out for his luggage he watched his partner make his way over. Blair had just pulled his suitcase off the carrel when Jim reached him.
“Hey Chief, sorry I’m late. How was Chicago?” Jim asked relieving him of the bag.
“Cold, man, but the symposium was worth it. How was Cascade without me?”
“Quiet,” Jim answered smiling, “calm and relaxing.”
“You’re funny, Jim. You sure know how to make a guy feel missed. You could have lied, you know.”
“Sorry. Ask me again.”
“Nope sorry, the moment has passed.”
“Aw come on, ask me again.”
Blair grinned. “So Jim, how was Cascade without me?”
“Oh Chief, I don’t know how I lasted four whole days without your company. I was a miserable, lonely wreck, bored out of my mind. There how was that? Feel better now?”
“Much thank you.”
“Sandburg, I can honestly say it wasn’t the same without you.”
Both men drifted into companionable silence as they made their way out to the truck. Jim put Blair’s suitcase in the back and covered it with a tarp to keep it out of the rain. Once on the road, it was Blair who broke the silence.
“You’ll never guess who I saw at the symposium,” Blair said excitedly.
“You’re right, Chief. I haven’t got the first clue.”
“Dr. Stoddard!”
“Dr. Stoddard as in Borneo?”
“Yep. His project is entering phase two. I mean the excavation’s not complete, but they’re starting to put together some of what they found. It’s…it’s…incredible! The project in Borneo turned out to be bigger than he originally thought.”
“Regrets, Chief?” Jim asked quietly.
“No man, no regrets. Besides it turns out I get to be part of it anyway. Dr. Stoddard wants to put some of the artifacts they found on display at the University. He asked me if I would handle the artifacts when they came in and organize the display.”
“That’s great. Sure you’re not a little disappointed at not being there to see it firsthand though?”
“I’m positive. I like where I’m at now…the Sentinel stuff and everything. Speaking of which I found a great book,” Blair said digging through his backpack. Along with the book came all his computer disks which scattered themselves on the floorboard. Giving Jim a sheepish grin he reached down and began gathering them up. “It’s by a man named Zuckermann. He spent about two years trying to follow up on Burton’s theories with no success. It’s filled with a lot of supposition about the idea of Sentinels, but he couldn’t prove anything so he finally gave it up. I figured it would be interesting to see based on what we’ve learned if any of his ideas turned out to be correct. Maybe it will even give me some new ideas for some experiments.”
“Great, something to look forward to,” Jim muttered. “I’m going to drop you at the loft and then head back to the station.”
“Something going on?”
“Paperwork. Simon let me take a break to pick you up but only if I promised to come back and finish up.”
“Do you want some help?”
“That’s okay. I’m sure you’re tired from the flight. Besides a little paperwork never hurt anyone-unless it bored them to death.”
Blair raised his eyebrows. “Death by paperwork? No, never heard of it. I think you’ll be okay.”
****************************************************
An hour later, Blair had unpacked, showered and changed into a pair of sweats and a tee shirt, made himself a cup of tea and positioned himself on his bed beginning to read Zuckermann’s book. Two hours after that he found himself drifting off. Yawning, he closed the book and picked up his empty tea cup, glancing at the clock-8:30 p.m. He pulled open his bedroom door and entered the kitchen. Without bothering to turn on the light, he washed the cup and put it away.
Turning from the sink, Blair froze. Light spilling from his open doorway illuminated a figure standing just at the entrance of the kitchen wearing all black including a black ski mask and gloves.
Ok, don’t panic. Yeah right, Sandburg. What would Jim do? Probably pull out his gun and yell, ‘Freeze, Police!’ Ok stupid question. I’m not Jim, and I don’t have a gun. So, what am I going to do? I can’t get to the front door or the phone. I don’t think he’s going to stand there and let me try for the back door. I don’t think I’d make it anyway. The fire escape! On three. One…two…
Blair pushed away from the sink and made a mad dash for his room thanking Jim silently the whole way for putting actual doors up. He had a second’s thought the he was going to make it when he felt resistance. He pushed harder trying to get the doors to close, but the most he could do was keep the intruder from pushing his way in. He looked around for a weapon, but cursed when he realized that even if he found something suitable, he have to relinquish his hold on the doors.
Shit, Plan A just went down the tubes. I’ve trapped myself in my own bedroom. Think Blair! There are only three ways out of this loft-the front door, the back door and the fire escape. The fire escape is out of the question now. That leaves the front door and the back door. I just have to find a way around the possibly homicidal maniac who broke in-or at least I have to try.
His attention turned back to the subject of his thoughts when he realized he was losing the battle with the doors. In a last desperate attempt, not stopping to think about the pitfalls of Plan B, he pulled hard on the doors and stepped to the side. Mr. Maniac, carried by the momentum of his own assault on the doors, flew by.
Blair didn’t even wait to see where he landed. He slammed the doors shut and darted to the front door. He pulled it open, grabbed the phone and punched in 911, prepared to flee at the first sign of movement or sound from his room. Hearing the operator pick up, he said, “There’s an intruder, send the police!” He dropped the phone and ran not stopping until he was safely across the street hidden by a dumpster waiting in the rain for the cops to show up.
******************************************************
Simon Banks sat in his office going through reports. He hated reading them as much as the officers hated writing them, but it was a necessary evil of the job. The ringing of his phone was a welcome distraction.
“Banks.”
“Captain, this is Officer Williams in dispatch. We have a 911 call originating from one of your officer’s homes reporting an intruder. A unit is already en route.”
“Which officer?” asked Simon trying to remain calm.
“Detective James Ellison, sir.”
“Can you confirm who made the call?”
“No sir. The caller only reported the intruder and requested the police. The call wasn’t disconnected, but he didn’t stay on the line.”
“Inform the officers to keep an eye out for Detective Ellison’s roommate, Blair Sandburg. He’s in his 20’s, long curly brown hair. Detective Ellison and I are on our way.”
“Yes sir.”
Sandburg! I should have known. He hasn’t even been home one day and already he’s in trouble.
Simon pulled open his door and strode to Jim’s desk.
“Grab your coat, Jim. I’m driving.”
“Driving where? I have paperwork to finish remember?”
“911 just got a call from the loft reporting an intruder.”
“Blair called 911?”
“I’m assuming it was him. The caller didn’t identify himself.”
Jim pulled out his cell phone in the elevator.
“You’re not going to get through. The phone’s off the hook. Whoever called didn’t hang up, but he didn’t stay on the line either.” Simon sighed when he saw Jim’s jaw clench. “Take it easy, Jim. I’m sure the kid is fine. There’s no sense in getting yourself all worked up until you know what’s going on.”
Too late, Jim thought. He slammed the phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket.
*****************************************************
Blair heard the siren and emerged from the safety of his hiding place when he saw the squad car pull up.
“Blair Sandburg?”
“Yeah, how did you know?”
“Captain Banks and Detective Ellison are on their way. Were you the one who made the call?”
“Yeah, the guy’s dressed in black with a ski mask. I didn’t see him come out.”
“Okay Mr. Sandburg, you wait here. If you see anything suspicious get in the car and lock the doors.”
“Got it.” Blair pushed his wet hair off his face and watched the officers disappear into the building. The adrenaline was starting to wear off. He shivered noticing for the first time that he was soaked, and he wasn’t wearing a jacket or shoes. Well, at least I’m alive.
Blair could hear the faint sound of another siren gaining in volume as it approached. Must be Simon and Jim. As if on cue Simon’s car turned the corner and stopped behind the police cruiser. Both men jumped out.
“Hey guys, did you decide to join the party?”
“You okay, Chief?” Jim asked.
“I’m fine, man,” Blair answered rubbing his arms against the cold.
Jim looked his partner over carefully noticing his lack of attire. Pulling off his jacket and draping across the young man’s shoulders, Jim finally allowed himself to completely relax.
“What happened?” Simon asked.
“I decided to go to bed. I took my tea cup into the kitchen. I turned around and there he was standing at the entrance to the kitchen between me and the door. I didn’t think I’d make it to the back door so I headed for the fire escape. I made it to my room, but we ended up in a tug of war over the doors. Finally I just pulled the doors open and he sort of flew by. I headed for the front door and dialed 911 on my way out. That’s it.”
“Did you get a good look at him?”
Blair shook his head. “He was wearing a mask. He’s about Jim’s height, brown eyes. I don’t think you’re going to find any prints either. He was also wearing gloves.”
“Was he armed?” Jim asked.
“I don’t know. I never saw a gun or knife.”
The two officers appeared then.
“He’s gone, sir. He made quite a mess though. There’s no sign of forced entry. The stereo and television are still there. We’ll need you to go through everything and see if anything is missing. It looks like a vandalism.”
“Let’s go take a look then and get you out of the rain, Chief.”
The five men went up to the loft to survey the damage. The front door was standing open. Books had been pulled from the shelves. Couch cushions lay scattered on the floor. The kitchen cabinets were ajar as were the drawers.
Jim pushed Blair toward his room. “Why don’t you get some dry clothes, but try not to touch anything else.”
Blair nodded, handing Jim his jacket and headed for his room stopping dead at the threshold. His gaze locked on the destruction just beyond the doors. The dresser drawers had been pulled out and their contents dumped onto the floor mingling with papers and books that used to sit on his desk. The drawers from his desk had also been overturned. His container of computer disks lay open and the diskettes lay in disarray across the surface of the desk and floor. His mattresses had been pulled off the bed. There wasn’t an inch of floor space not covered by some sort of debris. So entranced by the devastation he didn’t notice Jim walk up beside him until he laid a hand on his shoulder.
“Come on Blair you need to change before you catch pneumonia.”
“Yeah, right,” answered Blair mentally shaking himself. He walked into the room carefully. Digging through the mess he pulled out a clean pair of sweats, a sweatshirt, and socks. He went into the bathroom which hadn’t been spared either. The medicine cabinet door stood open, bottles and containers knocked over. Towels and washcloths lay in the floor as well as the contents of the hamper. Sighing Blair quickly changed clothes and used one of the towels to squeeze some of the water from his hair. Returning to the living room he took a seat in one of the kitchen chairs. Only Simon and Jim remained.
“So Jim, does your room look as bad as mine?”
“Actually, Chief, it doesn’t look like he made it up to my room.”
“Well he hit the bathroom. So what’s the plan?”
“I’m going to get a forensics team over here,” Simon said.
“Don’t bother, sir. Blair’s right, there aren’t any prints. Tomorrow I’m going to go through back files and see if there’s anyone who might be holding a grudge, but I think there’s something else going on here.”
“Like what?” asked Simon.
“I’m not sure yet, but nothing was really damaged or broken. It also bothers me that my room was untouched.”
“Come on, Jim, he might not have known that I called the cops before I got out of the loft, but surely he knew that would be the first thing I did after I was gone. He probably just didn’t have time.”
“Maybe…but if we’re working on the assumption that it’s somebody that I arrested, then I would think that my bedroom would have been the first to be torn apart or at least he would have found time to get to it before the kitchen or the bathroom. If I was the target…” Both men looked at the anthropologist.
“What?” Blair rolled his eyes. “Don’t even look at me like that. I’ve been out of town for four days. You,” he said pointing at his partner, “picked me up at the airport and drove me straight home Who could I possibly have pissed off.”
“He’s got a point, Simon.”
“I know, Jim, but somehow that doesn’t make me feel any better. Do you want to go pick up your truck?”
“I can drop you off at the station before I go to the University in the morning,” Blair offered, adding, “That is of course, if you’re brave enough to ride with me.”
“All right then, Jim, I’ll see you in the morning.”
After Simon left, Blair and Jim straightened up the living room and kitchen.
“I’m going to let my room wait until tomorrow. I just don’t think I can face it again tonight. I’ll just crash on the couch. Oh by the way Jim, if I haven’t said it before, thanks for putting up the doors.”
Jim shot his partner a puzzled look.
“At one point, those doors were the only thing between me and him, and I’m really glad it was something solid instead of just a curtain. So thank you.”
“Your welcome, Chief. I’m going to turn in.”
“Goodnight man, I’ll see you in the morning.”
*****************************************************
Simon watched Jim exit the elevator.
“You made it here in one piece, I see.”
“And I’m sure he’s just crushed seeing as how it’s such a classic piece of machinery and all. Well, listen I’ve got Rafe and Brown pulling up old cases and tracking down the whereabouts of every person you’ve arrested in the last five years. You and I are going to go through every deadly force incident you’ve been involved in and check out next of kin. Let’s see where they are and if they’ve been involved in any breaking and entering lately.”
“Sounds like a good place to start although I still feel like there’s more going on here. I haven’t received any threats and the whole thing amounts to a simple case of vandalism. I mean all the guy did was make a mess.”
“Well, for now, this is all we’ve got. Besides, who knows what would have happened if Sandburg hadn’t been able to get out of the loft. As soon as the guy knew he’d been spotted, he didn’t try to just leave. He went after Blair. Right now I’m assuming that our intruder’s intentions were at the very least to cause serious bodily harm. Come on, let’s get started. We’ll put together a list of possibles and work from there. If we still come up empty, I’ll have Rafe and Brown go back further.”
Twenty minutes later, Jim had eliminated two people from his list. He was waiting on a phone call for number three when his cell phone rang.
“Ellison.”
“It’s Blair.”
“Hey, Chief, what’s up? Shouldn’t you be learning about some obscure ritual performed by some obscure tribe right now?”
“Yeah actually I should, but something came up. Remember when I told you that the break in at the loft couldn’t possibly have anything to do with me?”
“Yeah,” Jim answered slowly.
“I was apparently wrong.”
“Why? What happened?”
“I went to my office to drop off some of my books before class. Boy, I thought my room was a mess. You should see my office. It looks like a tornado passed through it.”
“That’s normal, Chief.”
“Not funny, man. Imagine how it normally looks and multiply that by ten. It’s a disaster area. Campus Security is here now, but surprise surprise, there aren’t any fingerprints and no trace of forced entry.”
“Alright, I’m on my way. I’ll fill Simon in. Don’t touch anything and don’t wait for me alone. Make sure someone from Campus Security stays until I get there.”
Jim shut the cell phone and caught Simon coming out of his office.
“So far, Jim, I haven’t come up with anything. How about you?”
“Me either, but I think we can stop looking. I just got a call from Blair at the University. Someone broke into his office and trashed the place-no prints and no forced entry. I’m on my way over there now.”
“This is making less and less sense, Jim. First the loft is broken into and vandalized. Then what? The guy takes off and pulls a repeat performance on Blair’s office. Why? He’s been in Chicago. If it was someone carrying a grudge against him then why do nothing until now and then strike twice in the same night?”
“I don’t understand it either, Captain. All I know is that it looks like Blair’s the target.”
Simon pulled his glasses off and pinched the bridge of his nose. Sighing, he returned his glasses and said, “Keep me informed. Anything happens and I mean anything, I want to know about it.”
“Understood, sir.”
Jim grabbed his cell phone, jacket and keys taking the elevator down to the parking garage. He gunned the engine and headed toward the University.
Simon’s right. This is making less sense by the minute. First the loft is broken into while Sandburg’s home. If the guy had wanted to hurt him, he had ample opportunity-coming out of his bedroom, standing at the sink. Yet instead of bolting when he knew he’d been seen, the guy had pursued Blair. Blair’s right. The guy had to have known that as soon as Blair got out of the loft, he’d call the police. Instead of just taking off then, the guy had stayed to trash the place. Why? Nothing was stolen or even damaged. Then the perp took off and went to Sandburg’s office and trashed it.
A disgruntled student maybe? No, I don’t think so. Blair looked genuinely surprised at even the implication that the break in at the loft had anything to do with him. If he had been having problems with a student, I would have heard about it by now especially if it were this serious. A pissed off boyfriend? It can’t be that. He’s not seeing anyone right now. Maybe something happened in Chicago. Surely Blair would have mentioned it. He was in a great mood when I picked him up so something tells me that that’s not it either. So that leaves us exactly where we started-with two break ins and no suspects.
Jim pulled into the University parking lot finding a space two cars down from the Corvair. He started to open the door when something flashed at him from the passenger side. Reaching down he pulled out the object from underneath the seat. Jim looked at it and smiled. I should put it back and see how long it takes Sandburg to notice he’s missing it. No, I can’t do that to him. He’s going through enough right now. He put it in his jacket pocket and headed for Blair’s office.
When he arrived, Blair and one of the Campus Security Guards were waiting in the hallway.
“Hi, I’m Detective Ellison, Cascade P.D. Did you guys find anything?” Jim asked offering his hand to the Security Guard.
“Officer Barnes. I’m afraid not. We couldn’t find any trace of fingerprints. The break in happened so late that no one was around so there aren’t any witnesses either. I made my rounds at three. When I came by, the office was dark and quiet. Everything seemed okay.”
“Well, thanks for your time and thanks for waiting.”
“Sure Detective, no problem.”
Jim stepped into Blair’s office. God, Blair hadn’t been exaggerating. If anything he hadn’t made it sound bad enough. Compared to how it looked now, it had been the picture of neatness before. “Have you checked to see if anything is missing yet, Chief?”
“Yeah, after Campus Security finished up, they asked me to take a look around, but I couldn’t find anything.”
“Have you been having any problems with any of your students?”
“No, the semester has been going pretty smoothly.”
“Are you seeing someone that I don’t know about?”
“You know I haven’t had a date in two weeks. Why?”
“Just trying to rule out jealous boyfriends. Did anything unusual happen in Chicago?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Did you run into anybody that made you uncomfortable? Did you get into any arguments with anyone? Anything.”
Blair cocked his head and considered the questions. Running quickly through the events in Chicago, he shook his head and looked at Jim. “Nothing.”
“Think harder, Blair. This isn’t random.”
“I’m trying, man,” Blair sighed running his fingers through his hair. “Don’t you think I want to help you catch whoever this is, but I just can’t think of anything that would cause someone to do this to me.”
“Okay, okay, just take it easy. I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated.”
“Join the club. Do you know how long it’s going to take me to go through this mess and reorganize and refile everything. Not to mention that I’m going to have to go through every disk to make sure none of them were damaged.”
“Speaking of disks, you missed this one when you spilled them in the truck,” Jim said pulling it from his pocket and handing it to Blair.
Blair took the disk turning it over in his hand a couple of times frowning up at Jim. “This isn’t one of mine.”
“What are you talking about? I found it under the passenger seat of the truck. It had to have fallen out of your backpack yesterday.”
“I don’t recognize it. I label all of my disks. It’s not even my brand.”
“Before your flight did anyone ask you to carry anything for them?”
“No and I do know better than to do something like that.”
“Did you have your backpack with you the whole time?”
“Yeah. I used it as my carry on.”
“What about the person sitting next to you on the plane?”
“There wasn’t one. I had the whole row all to myself.”
“What about in the airport? Did your backpack ever leave your sight even for an instant?”
“No. I had it with me when I got off the plane. I was waiting for you and…wait a minute.”
“What?”
“This guy bumped into me and we fell. He picked up my backpack for me.”
“When was this?”
“Right before you showed up before I went to get my suitcase.”
“That’s got to be it. He must have put that disk in your bag and then broke into the loft trying to get it back and then…”
“When he didn’t find it, he came looking for it here,” Blair finished.
“Maybe he followed us from the airport, but why wait three hours to break in? That seems risky. He couldn’t have known that I wouldn’t be coming back right away.”
“The luggage tag I put on my backpack is gone. I just assumed it had fallen off. It had our address on it.”
“I’m going to call Simon and let him know what’s going on. We’ll go to the station and you can give a description to the police artist. Then we need to find out what’s on that disk. That guy went to a lot of trouble to slip it to you, and he’s gone to a lot of trouble trying to get it back. Something tells me that he’s not going to give up so easily.”
CONCLUSION
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