Jack In The Box

Riley

“You’re an FBI agent?” I gave him an incredulous look.

“Yes, ma’am.” Ezra said.

I looked at Flint and Scott, trying to see if there was any hidden joke in this but they appeared to be serious.

“Maybe you’re lying to me.” I said.

Ezra reached for the back pocket of his jeans and produced a badge. He let me inspect it for a minute. “Maybe the badge is fake too.”

He chuckled. “Agent Flint and Scott would vouch for me. If that’s not enough, I can try to get in touch with the Bureau head in Virginia which may take some time.”

I stared at him for a good few seconds deciding that my rage had overpowered the relief of being alive and not having to die at the hands of a psychotic murderer. “I would have died of heart-attack; did that possibility ever cross you, Agent Wolfe?”

“I apologize about that.” Ezra said giving me a smile, not having even a twinge of remorse.

“I need answers starting with why you are in WoodVille’s impersonating as Jack?” I asked.

Ezra sighed and touched his gun. He noticed me looking and said. “It’s a service weapon. Don’t worry.”

I didn’t say anything. He pointed towards a vacant chair. “Sit down, Miss. Frazer”

“I said I need answers!”

“I said sit down!” Ezra ground out. The mask of control was slowly slipping.

I sat down despite myself, not because he’d practically ordered me to, but mostly due to exhaustion. The two other Agents, Flint and Scott settled down a few chairs behind me. Ezra hoisted himself up on the table.

“Let me start from the beginning.” He said. “I know Jack didn’t kill our mother, but he’d been accused of it and the murders that followed after. I know my brother is quite capable of killing but he wouldn’t take innocent lives. His methods are wrong; he took the law into his hands.” Ezra said in obvious frustration.

“I was in Quantico when I first heard about a series of murders; almost similar to the three people Jack had killed.”

He continued. “I couldn’t believe at first but it was all being pointed at him as if Jack had finally gone completely mad and went on a killing spree. Agent Flint and his partner were handed the case and I couldn’t help myself. I kept hounding them for answers they didn’t have. Agent Flint believed from the start that it’s Jack who’ was behind everything.”

“Agent Flint is wrong.” I said turning in my chair and saying it loud enough for the two of them to hear it.

“Well, unfortunately he doesn’t share your sentiment or even mine” Ezra retorted, an indirect hit at Flint. “So when I started meddling in the case, there was a meeting at the bureau and the Chief wasn’t happy with what I was doing. He thought I was going to try and hide the evidence in favor of my brother.”

“Would you?”

Ezra shook his head. “I wouldn’t dream of doing it. Let’s be clear on this, Miss. Frazer—”

“Call me Riley.” I said.

“Riley, I’m not on Jack’s side. I’m with the law and if Jack happens to the person behind this debacle, I’d be the first person to shoot him dead.” He said it with such conviction that I believed he was telling the truth.

A giggle escaped my lips. “I’m sorry.”

“Something amusing?”

“Nothing, it’s just that Jack said the same thing about you. He phrased it differently.”

“I do not harbor any misconception that Jack might not be behind all of this, and neither should you.” He said. “After mother died, I was in Quantico under training. I had to take up an operation and stage my own death which I did. The operation was involved with a mafia syndicate. Drug lords, human trafficking’s, you know that type of stuff. If they found out I was with the FBI, it would’ve blown my cover. Lives of children and women were at stake. I couldn’t take a risk.”

brother assume

seep into his expressions. “Yes, that’s the price I paid, and I

their lives. The brothers were two sides of the same coin. One twin was a powerful man

those people, I came back to find that the damage was done. Jack was accused of murders. I put in a request at the head office and the chief told me I could help them in the Wolfe murder investigation since I was a key element. They knew that I knew my brother more than anyone else and that made things easier for

you

his head. “Unfortunately,

like that? I really thought you were going

start spilling. I thought if I gave you a bit of a scare, you’d tell me Jack’s

you

what I’m going to tell you to. You will get in touch with Jack and we’re going to pretend you’re in

why would

what’s best for

to a scream now. “Don’t you see? The killer wants to frame Jack! If we bring

his arms over his chest, “how do you

previous killings are linked to the ones that took place in WoodVille’s but the murders

about the surveillance cameras there?” Ezra was quick

areas are

Dr. Aaron Shaw.” Ezra appeared to be thinking for a minute and then he

we failed to find any

again. I’ll prepare the questionnaire this time.” He

“Roger that.”

me which kept reminding me of Jack and how jarringly obvious the similarities between them were. “So, Riley, do

have

“Actually, you

torture the number out of me.” I made a snide

methods on you; we’ve already acquired a

give him that much but he’s also a human being like any one of us and humans are bound to get exhausted when they reach their limits. In Jack’s case, there was a minor slip up. He contacted Bowen in an emergency and

a number. “Let’s test Jack’s devotion for you,

us and put it on speakers. It continued to ring. It hit voice mail and

don’t call this number back in one hour, I’ll send you a picture of what little remains

come here!”

eyes were menacing. “If you blow this, Riley, understand

have just told him the truth! I’m sure

his head. “He won’t trust me and he definitely won’t show up. My only chance

don’t understand what’s the

possible that you’re scared?” Flint asked from the seat behind me. I’d almost forgotten he was

“Scared of what?”

had dirty magazines hidden in their bags. “Are you scared that Jack may not show up? The possibility that Jack may put himself

matter what you people say.” I was pretty

started ringing. Ezra chuckled, his gaze snapping to the wall clock.

think he

I’ll

depends on how fast you make it

fucking dare call me that, you imposter! I’m not your brother!” I could hear Jack’s

moment, tearing up as he listened to the other twin’s voice on the phone, but this

“If I get a single clue

me a location and

Ezra as he told me

questions for someone who is taken as a hostage.” Ezra commented as he raised his hand towards mine,

realizing at first, I placed my hand on his. He grabbed my other wrist and clicked a pair of