FIRE ON HIGH
“Fire On High” is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental. All characters and settings © Tigermark 2003-2018 unless otherwise noted. Request permission before using them, please.
The characters of Anatol Altaisokova and Melinda Altaisokova are my names for characters © Max Blackrabbit. They appear in this story with his permission. The characters of Brandy, Maxwell, Tonya and Zig Zag are also © Max Blackrabbit and appear here with his permission. Events and information relating to Tonya, Anatol, and their family are presented here, but are not to be considered canon to those characters or any other story but this one. ZZ Studios, and all characters associated with ZZ Studios, James Sheppard, and Marvin Badger © James Bruner and appear here with his permission. Although characters from and events referring to Zig Zag the Story appear here, this story is not canon to that one, and the author will disavow any knowledge of this story. Wanda Vixen © Chris Yost and appears here with his permission. Sabrina Mustidalae © Eric W. Schwartz and appears here with his permission. This story is not canon to Sabrina Online the comic, or Sabrina Online the Story, either. Matt Barstock, Angie Rockwell, Intermountain Charter, The Bitch, and her crew, and Jerry Kitt © Silver Coyote. See their story HERE. Gail Rutherford © me and is not canon to any other story involving ZZ Studios. Gabrielle Ryder and Jean LeBrun © Aslaug, from her Transitions stories. See them at her site, The Axe Shed, available from the links page. Aramis Dagaz is© his player and appears here with his permission.
Author’s Note: Lewiston, Maine’s airport, identifier KLEW, is actually uncontrolled. That is, it has no control tower. Poetic license was used for this story, so Alex and company talk with a control tower whilst aviating there.
Chapter 127
“It’s a Beautiful Morning!”
As she walked along a dirt trail, Corrie suddenly realized where she was. This was Australia, and the horror of where she was came upon her in a rush. This was the dream again. The damnable nightmare that had plagued her ever since the event she was about to relive happened. She couldn’t stop herself as she slowly, dizzily walked the trail which led to a small clearing beside a billabong. Try as she might, she had no more success in stopping it now than she’d had in the past.
When she reached the center of the clearing, she stopped. She was dizzy and everything was weirdly changing size and distance. It was all too clear, but everything kept moving. She was unable to move. Suddenly, from behind her, came a low laugh. She tried to turn and face what was coming, but it wasn’t time for that yet, so she just stood, waiting for the nightmare to take its usual course.
The voice spoke, going quiet to loud and back, sounding like several voices at once.
“So, you’re back for more, ay. I must be awfully good for you to keep coming back here to me.”
Usually here, Corrie just snarled, but this time she found her voice.
“Leave me alone! I’m a married gal now, leave me in peace!”
“Hah! Married?” the voice thundered derisively. “You? You’ll never go through with it. You can’t be with any other fur! I won’t leave you alone, and you can’t stop coming back here to me!”
“Alex will help me. We’ll get rid of you!” the lioness managed through gritted teeth.
“Oh he will, will he? I don’t think so, Puss. You won’t let him in, so I get you all to meself!” The dualistic voice sneered.
Corrie flinched as paws grabbed her shoulders from behind, even though she knew it was coming. She was turned slowly around as the voice continued.
“Now, turn around, pussycat. I want to see your face as I do you. I want to see the hate and fear and pain I’m causing.”
Now facing her one-time attacker, Corrie shuddered. When it had happened, she’d been so disoriented from the drug he’d slipped in her milkshake that she hadn’t realized what was happening until it was in the midst of happening. The wallaby she now faced had been named Jerry Hogan. He’d been a nice-enough looking fur, and she’d gone out on a date to get a burger and a shake two days before her family was to leave for the United States. He’d slipped a drug into her drink and brought her, dizzy, sick, unable to move, to this clearing. The nightmare was a surreal replay of that event that she’d gone through hundreds of times in the twenty plus years since it had happened.
As he saw the fear and hatred on her face, the phantom began to change. Swelling and growing, his eyes became huge and his teeth rows of sharp, dripping fangs. His fingers turned to huge, gripping claws, pulling her into a loathsome embrace.
Sometimes at this point in the nightmare Corrie would wake up screaming. Those were the better ones, where she woke up before having to endure the creatures embrace. At other times, she had to go through it all before it ended, leaving her sobbing weakly into her pillow. In the worst version, she freed herself from the nightmare creature and, shrieking like a madfemme, proceeded to use tooth and claw to shred the apparition. The first time she’d done it, she’d roared in triumph, thinking she’d won and the nightmares would end.
To her absolute despair, the shreds of the creature reassembled themselves, larger and more hideous than before. She definitely didn’t want that now, as she’d shredded several sets of sheets while thrashing around in the throes of that part of the nightmare. She was afraid she might hurt Alex by accident.
The thought of her husband brought a measure of calm to her as the nightmare creature began to pull her closer, giggling and laughing maniacally as those hideous teeth and lips prepared for the first kiss of the assault.
“Dear Lord,” she thought. “I’ve got to stop this, help me!”
Suddenly something seemed to click deep in her heart and mind. The sick dizziness, the disorientation went away. A still, small voice whispered, “Corrie my kitten, you know what to do.”
Then she heard, loud and clear, sounding like it was coming from above and behind her. Alex’s strong, clear baritone, saying what he’d said at supper.
“The only way you’ll get past it, is with forgiveness…for the one who hurt you, and for yourself.”
The sound of Alex’s voice strengthened Corrie even more. She looked at her nightmare attacker and saw fear in his huge eyes.
“But you can’t! You hate me! You fear me! You want to rip me apart! Go ahead, I’ll let you try,” the creature hissed, releasing his hold on her.
Corrie now stood tall, looking her nightmare straight in the eyes. A slight smile played across her muzzle as she replied.
“No. Not this time. I’ve hated and feared you for ovah twenty years. It’s time I let go of you. You died by your own paw, and I pity you for that. You weren’t a bad looking fur, yet you felt you had to do what you did. I’ll nevah understand it, but I pity you that you felt that’s what you wanted.”
With her words, the nightmare creature began to shrink and change. Now Jerry as he had looked back then stood before her. There was a pleading note in his voice as he said, “No! You must hate me. I did what I did to you, and I enjoyed every minute of it!”
Corrie replied evenly. “Then I really pity you, that you had to do that to enjoy y’self. I felt only pain, and sickness, and loathing. I forgive you for causing all that. I forgive you for what you did. I release you from blame, and I release meself from blaming you.”
The apparition of Jerry recoiled from her as though struck by a blow. Before he could do or say anything, Corrie continued.
“I also forgive meself. For being weak in judgment and allowing meself to get into that situation, and for not being able to fight you off. For letting what happened fill me with hatred and fear for so long. I have let it all go, and now I release you. Go, and don’t come back. You have no more power here.”
The nightmare Jerry seemed to shrink in upon himself and slowly fade out without another sound. Corrie searched within herself and felt that what had been crippling her ability to love and trust for the past twenty years was gone. The memories remained, but they no longer produced the awful feelings they had before.
The clearing began to fade into a suffused glow. Corrie felt free, and loved, and blessed. A brighter light was coming from behind her, so bright she couldn’t turn to look at it.
“Well done, Kitten, well done,” the still, small voice from earlier said.
The clearing disappeared completely, and then Corrie opened her eyes. The room was still dark, but a rosy glow on the curtains told her it was near dawn. She eased up on one arm to look at the bedside clock and nearly fell out of bed. In her nightmare she had moved away from Alex and was teetering on the edge of the mattress.
She looked at her husband as she eased away from the edge. Alex still lay on his back, an occasional soft snore letting her know he was still asleep.
“Good,” she thought. “I’m glad I didn’t disturb him.”
She carefully got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Upon returning, she paused to watch the tiger as he slept. Standing there, she realized two things. One, Alex really was a very handsome tiger, and two, she suddenly felt very warm all over. Ideas and thoughts of what she’d like to be doing with him came unbidden. Her first urge was to wake him up and just pounce on him, but that would be rather crass. She wanted their first time to be very special and memorable, not something done in a rush.
Thinking quickly, she grabbed her bag and slipped back into the bathroom. When she returned she carefully got back into bed and snuggled back up beside her husband. She lay there holding on to her thoughts and feelings, becoming more and more aroused. Before long, Alex began to show signs of stirring. He’d always been an early riser, mostly out of military necessity.
Corrie put her plan into motion as Alex began to wake up. She closed her eyes and concentrated on appearing to be asleep. His eyes flicked open and he looked around, confirming where he was. He looked over at his new bride. Corrie was breathing evenly, a small smile on her muzzle. Alex noted again how beautiful she was, and how blessed he was to be married to her. He eased himself out of bed so as not to wake her and padded over to go to the bathroom.
As soon as his tail disappeared through the door, Corrie sprang into action. She jumped out of bed and grabbed the perfume Zig had put a note on. It said, “To feel and smell sexy.” The skunk had left notes on most everything in her bag. The sleep shirt she had on had said, “For Sleeping.” The items she’d put on under it had said, “For when you’re ready.”
She pulled the sleep shirt of so quickly she nearly ripped it. She threw it in her bag with the perfume and put it on the floor. She then grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around herself. She walked over to the window and slid the curtain a slight bit open to peek outside. The sun was just coming up, bathing everything in a soft reddish glow.
She then heard Alex padding back out of the bathroom. As he stepped into the room she prepared to put the plan she’d thought out into action.
As Alex came back into the bedroom, he saw that Corrie was awake, standing looking out the window onto the street below. The sunrise suffused her blonde hair and tawny fur with glowing highlights. His pace slowed as he took in that beautiful sight.
“Good morning Sweethear—” the tiger started to say, but then stopped dead in his tracks. At his greeting Corrie had turned her back toward the window and began to slowly lower the blanket. She was taking slow, casual, one hip at a time steps toward the bed as she did so. As she reached the bed and the blanket hit the floor, she looked over her left shoulder and winked seductively. Some wiring in Alex’s brain temporarily cross-circuited as he stood there with his mouth open.
“That’s not what she was wearing last night!” buzzed through his mind as he began to process what he was seeing. What she now wore was straight from a dream. It must have come from Zig Zag’s lingerie line.
Corrie put one knee up on the bed, turning to look more directly at Alex. His stunned, mouth-open expression nearly made her break down in giggles, but she held the mood by curling her tail seductively back and forth around her shoulders. The negligee she wore was jade green, and her green eyes seem to glow in resonance with it. The top was made of fine mesh material that hid nothing. The rest of the ensemble left very little to the imagination, but it sent Alex’s heart into his throat. Corrie wrinkled her nose at him and spoke in a husky voice.
“Well Husband-o-mine, are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to join me?”
Snapping out of his daze, Alex walked up to the bed and took Corrie into his arms. She hungrily kissed him, and Alex was, in the part of his mind that hadn’t been overloaded, amazed at the difference the night had made.
As their lips parted the tiger asked, “Corrie love, are you certain you’re ready for this?”
In response Corrie shifted around and sat Alex down on the bed. She placed a paw on his chest and gently pushed him down until he lay with his head on the pillows, his tail curled out beside him. As she moved up onto the bed with him, she leaned in close to his ear and whispered.
“I’ve nevah been more ready for anything, Luv. I’ve let it all go, and I want you now with all my heart.”
She nipped playfully at his ear and continued.
“Question is, are you ready for this!”
As Corrie began to very passionately kiss him, Alex released the controls he’d had clamped down so tightly on his feelings and reactions. He reached up and ran his fingers through the lioness’ lovely blonde hair.
“Cleared to proceed, Love.”
Corrie giggled as their embrace became more and more passionate.
“It is definitely a beautiful morning,” she managed breathlessly.
“That it certainly is,” Alex agreed.
# # #
It was past lunchtime when Alex and Corrie boarded a Kentiger Citation for the short hop to Nashville. There they would board a connecting flight to Chicago, and from there fly non-stop overnight to Munich, Germany. After that it was a three-hour Mercedes Limo ride to a luxury chalet in the Alps. Zig’s itinerary had stops to make and things to do every day, but mostly there was just time to be with each other.
Now they sat side by side, Corrie with a contented smile as she laid her head on Alex’s shoulder.
“Luv, are you…ah, sore anywhere?” she suddenly inquired.
Alex smiled, about halfway to a grin. “Twinges. I don’t think the real soreness will hit until tomorrow. You?”
“Yeah, a bit. I’ll definitely be remembering this morning latah in the week, and long aftah. Hard to believe it took me so long to get through what happened, but I’m so glad I did. I still feel kindof, I dunno, light? Free?”
The lioness had snuggled more into Alex’s shoulder as he replied.
“Free is a good word. That was some dream you told me about.”
Just then the intercom speaker gave a peremptory beep.
“We’re beginning our descent into Nashville. Please make sure all seats, tables, and passengers are in their upright position and your seatbelts are fastened,” Sarah Dunn’s voice came across the speaker.
Alex and Corrie both laughed. Dieter Katz and Sarah Dunn had drawn the lot of flying them today, and the teasing told Alex they wished them well.
The approach and landing went smoothly, and soon they were waving goodbye to Dieter and Sarah. A short shuttle ride later and they arrived at the United Airlines gate for their connecting flight to Chicago. They checked their bags and boarded the 737 for the hour and a half flight.
Once there they would board a Lufthansa Airbus A340 for the nonstop overnight flight. They’d eat dinner on the flight and try to get some sleep, as it would be 1300 the next day local time in Munich when they arrived. Then it would be another three hours by limo to their chalet. The driver and car would be at their disposal all week, but mostly that would take them around locally or to the Eurorail station.
For now, though, they relaxed in their seats in first class just back from the cockpit door. They would be in the air a long time, and not have that much privacy, but they were together, and on their way.
# # #
Sunday evening found Jefferson Mastifson working toward the dregs of his third bottle of scotch for the weekend. He knew the next morning would bring a hangover that would kill an elephant, but the drinking had gone with the scheming he’d been doing all weekend. The next weekend he’d dedicated to prep. O’Whitt and his bride would likely be back from their honeymoon by then, and he wanted to give them the week after to settle in at home. He’d worked out how to get to the house not by crossing a field, but by coming in from the North through the woods. He could put his gear and kit in backpack form and hike up to within sight of O’Whitt’s house from the woods behind it. He could change there and slip up to the house itself. From there, he could lay in wait until the tiger stepped outside, and then he’d have him!
At least, that’s what his alcohol-soaked brain told him. He could, even in his state of inebriation, tell that there were a lot of places where things could go awry. He could mis-step and hurt himself. The tiger might spot him and refuse to come out, calling the authorities instead. Even in the final confrontation there could be trouble. What if O’Whitt somehow avoided the knockout spray? Could he battle a martial arts expert long enough to get the needle in?
With a “humpf!” he dismissed all the doubts. He had become a deadly pro at his type of hunting. This would be no different. There was always an element of chance. Of reacting and taking advantage on the fly. This would be no different. If he placed himself in the proper location, he need only wait for opportunity.
With that last thought, he downed the last of the scotch and went to bed. Work and a severe hangover awaited him in the morning.
# # #
Aramis and Diana were once again eating takeout while sitting together discussing the case. This time, they felt comfortable enough with each other for it to be in her hotel room. The things they were discussing were not for curious idle ears.
“That was quite a break, Aramis. Thank you again for dumpster-diving and finding it,” the desert cat said, waving her chopsticks in his direction. They were both sitting at the small table by the window.
Aramis shrugged, deftly popping a piece of shrimp with rice into his mouth. During the trip to Pittsburg, the felid had taken the bold step of going into the hotel dumpster to see if perhaps Mastifson had thrown the trash bag he’d been carrying when he came out of the alley by the adult theater into it. The GPS tracker had shown the Rottweiler hadn’t stopped anywhere on his way back there. Being only an hour or so behind him after going to the scene of an overdose victim, the move had paid off. He’d found the bag on top. Good thing, too, because it all went to an incinerator every morning.
After retrieving it, they’d sent it unopened straight to the FBI lab at Quantico. If it could tie into any of the cases, they’d let the local police know. That had been a week ago. It had gotten the judge to renew their surveillance warrant, too.
Aramis swallowed and replied, “You’re welcome. Nothing a shower and change of clothes didn’t fix. So, what’s the word on it?”
“Just got the preliminary this morning,” Diana answered. “The courier like to scared me to death, knocking on the door at six a.m. on a Sunday morning. Here, read it yourself.”
Aramis took the report and began to read.
Contents: One Tyvex-brand protective coverall suit, hooded, black, size Extra-Large. Two pair used nitrile gloves, size extra-large, black. One pair Tyvex-brand boot covers, black. One male’s black cotton button-front shirt, size 2XL. One pair male’s black denim jeans, size 36Wx34L. One atomizer spray tip. One hypodermic syringe w/ 1 ˝” long, 21guage needle, used.
The rest basically said that trace evidence was found and sent for further analysis.
“So when can we expect the report on the trace evidence?” the felid inquired.
“They gave it high priority, but it’ll be at least another week. The second page says they found some fur in the suit, but it’ll be at least week after this before they can complete the DNA analysis on it,” Diana answered.
Aramis gave a sigh. “Again, we wait.”
“At least this weekend he’s stayed put, so likely no bodies,” Diana mused.
Aramis nodded. “That makes me wonder, though. Is he getting ready to make his move on Colonel O’Whitt?”
“Could be. BAU said he could endgame at any time. We’ll have to watch closely and see that he doesn’t suddenly go driving out that way,” the desert cat replied.
The two continued their meal, resigned to waiting. Either for evidence to process or Mastifson to make a move.
# # #
“Here we are, home sweet home for the next several days,” Alex called as he used the keys he’d been given to open the door of the small chalet. They were halfway up a mountain, the green of a valley laid out below them. The mountainside was so steep it felt like they were looking down more than out. Nearby on a lower hill an actual fairytale castle stood. The tops of the nearby mountains were still snowcapped, and the deep green of nearly endless forests of fur trees draped the slopes, creating a wonderful counterpoint to the bright green valleys. The air was crisp and clean, full of the piney scent of the forest and the late Spring flowers in the valleys. Rain was forecast for later in the week, but for now the wedge of sky was clear blue with puffy masses of clouds.
“Oh Alex, this is Bonzah beautiful!” Corrie exclaimed. They carried their bags inside, having released the limo and driver until the next morning. For the rest of the evening, all the itinerary said was relax.
Inside they found the chalet’s interior quaint but well appointed. The living area had a couch by a fireplace, and Alex found a stock of firewood beside the building. The small kitchenette had pots, pans, plates, cups, and utensils. Like many European homes, there was no large refrigerator, only a small unit for soda or ice for drinks. They had brought some basic food items and planned to buy small quantities of fresh food each day.
Once their clothing and toiletries were put away, the pair sat down on the chalet’s deck overlooking the valley and nearby castle.
“Welcome to Germany, Mrs. O’Whitt,” Alex announced, smiling broadly. The sun was setting between two mountaintops on the opposite side of the valley, and deep shadows covered most of the valley floor now.
Corrie giggled. “Why thank you, Mr. O’Whitt. I can’t get ovah this view! Plus, it feels good to not be moving. That flight plus the drive was killah.”
“It was a long flight. You feeling okay?” Alex inquired.
“Yeah, just a bit tired. You?” she replied.
“A little tired, too. Enjoying this, though. A great view, a beautiful lady, and a week of nothing to do.”
Corrie smiled, and then winked mischievously at him. “Except make love like a couple of teenagahs.”
Alex grinned back. “Well, if it’s like that, we’re falling behind. Shall we?”
The tiger stood and held out a paw to his lady. Corrie grasped it and stood as well.
“Lead on, Luv. Cleared to proceed.”
They stepped into each other’s arms, sharing a long, passionate kiss before turning and going inside.
End of Chapter 127