Dreamwalking

It was a little after eight o'clock the night before the election and Stan Lake was no closer to finding the kidnapped Stone girl, and he was running out of time.  The mounting pressure was coming down on him like a hail storm. Apparently Benjamin Stone had very powerful friends.   President Johnson himself had called him on the tele-desk inquiring about the missing girls status, and was none to pleased to hear that Lake had no new information.  Johnson's next words still reverberated in Lakes mind: "I appointed you to that position, and if you don't find her by the election, I promise you I will personally see to it that appointment is terminated. Now if I were you, I would investigate those who can gain the most from her disappearance.  Have you even talked to Manning about it? "  Before Lake had the chance to tell the President he had met with Manning and had every resource available on the search, the line went dead.  He needed this case to break and soon.  Lake was still sitting at his desk squeezing a stress ball, his head was pounding from a combination of thinking too much, and not getting any sleep as he replayed the details over and over in his mind.  So far, Manning was still his number one suspect, as he had motive, but nothing Manning had ever done indicated his culpability.  So far there had been no ransom demands, and no other communication from the kidnappers, other than the note they found on the girls horse.  Trimble was the only other person on earth that had a clear motive, but he had an air tight alibi for the morning Jade had been abducted.  For that matter so did Manning.  Lake desperately needed to find her.
     Overwhelmed with frustration Lake spun in his chair and hurled the stress ball sending it crashing against the door to his office.  He was going to find her.  His lifetime of hard work and his entire future hung in the balance.  But his lack of sleep made his head throb and his eyes sore and swollen.  If he could just get an hour of sleep then he would be able to concentrate, just an hour and no more he said to himself and laid his head on his desk and fell asleep.
    This had to be a nightmare he told himself.  Stan Lake was a broken man.  The recently disgraced deputy director of the American Bureau of Investigation had been black listed by every law enforcement agency he had applied to since the Jade Stone fiasco had ended his career and left his once happy life in shambles.  Johnson had been merciless in carrying out his promise of having him fired.  And Stan now understood why ninety percent of Americans hated the man, he destroyed lives as easily as most people breathed.  He stared with contempt into the empty cardboard box on the verge of tears, before kicking it across the floor of the master bedroom he and his wife had once shared.  That was before she filed for divorce.  That loathsome box symbolized what his life had become; empty and dispensable.  
    It had been weeks since he had seen his two kids, Samantha and Brian, and days since the bank foreclosed on the house where he had watched them grow up for the last six years. Brian had learned to walk here, taking his first awkward steps from the couch to the coffee table downstairs in the living room.  Samantha had unexpectedly arrived a year later.  Helen his wife had delivered the wonderful news the same day he was promoted by Johnson to Deputy Director. Helen had asked her parents to come over and sit with Brian while he took his wife to a celebratory dinner, and later to the Belvedre Hotel in Baltimore, near the inner harbor.  They spent the night making love, and drinking wine.  That was one of the greatest days of his life.  How had he fallen so hard so fast he wondered?  
     Stan collapsed to his knees in the middle of the floor and wept for only the second time in his adult life.  The first time was when his parents were murdered, ultimately the reason he became a police officer and later an agent.  Stan had just turned eighteen that July, and left home to attend Georgetown University.  He had made it back to his dorm room from the library when the DC metro police arrived to tell him the news.  His father was a well known writer, and a professor of literature at New York City College.  
    The investigation into their deaths revealed they had been killed by a homeless woman after leaving a theater production in Manhattan where Stan had grown up and his parents still lived.  During her interrogation the woman who killed them confessed why she had done it. Her reply was "because they looked too happy, while she suffered the indignation of being raped by a man who was currently in the electoral pool and would be running for President in four years.  According to her he was never arrested or questioned because his family was rich and she was poor, and nobody believed a poor woman over a potential President.  That man's name was Caidan Johnson and four years later he did become President and now had destroyed Stan Lake's life also.   Gathering himself off the floor Stan walked back over to the box.  He mustered up the courage to start packing what was left of his former life when the door bell rang.
"Just a minute, Stan shouted, as he descended the stairs, making sure to wipe any remaining tears from his eyes on the sleeves of his sweatshirt.  
Jeremiah Manning was the last person in the world Stan had expected to see at his front door.  Manning was the newly elected candidate and would be facing Johnson in the death match in a couple of weeks.  
"What are you doing here?  Lake asked bewildered.  
"What am I doing at your home, or what am I doing in your dream? Jeremiah asked smiling?  
"Um, well both I guess?  What do you mean what are you doing in my dream? Stan asked totally confused now.  
"I am here to help you find Jade Stone, he said still smiling."
"I'm not worried about that now, its too late Manning.  I've already lost everything and if I ever hear that name again it will be too soon."
"Relax Deputy Director, I saw that for sale sign out front in your yard, and by the looks of this place, your wife and kids are gone, are you just going to sit and feel sorry for yourself?"  Jeremiah asked?
"Watch yourself Manning, I'm not in the mood for your antics today?  You have no idea what I've gone through since that dreadful election."
"Stan, I need you to sit down for a moment.  I have something to tell you that is going to make you feel much, much better," Jeremiah replied smiling.
"Oh yeah, are you going to be able to get my job back, or bring my wife and kids back home, or pay for this house for me."  
"Just indulge me for a moment.  And when I am finished you still want nothing to do with what I am telling you then you can throw me out."  Jeremiah said
"Okay you have five minutes, and Manning, this better be good or your next fight wont be for the Presidency, it will be for your right to keep breathing." Manning stated growing more frustrated.  
"Very well, I accept, the five minutes that is."  Stan this is just a dream.  The election hasn't happened yet and wont until tomorrow night."  You are dreaming, and so I am, and I came to find you to tell you I know how to find Jade."
" Okay that's it your five minutes is up Manning, time to go..."
"Lake, listen to what I am telling you.  I know this sounds crazy but hear me out. We are both in your dream right now."  The monks in Tibet where I studied call it dream walking, and its rare among even them, the Dalai Lama was the only living monk who could dream walk, and I am the only living non monk who can do it. What I have discovered that even they don't know yet, is that I can also travel through time.  I realized it when I was on the train to Kansas City and had a dream where I saw Jade being kidnapped.  I saw her kidnappers Lake.  I saw exactly what happened as if I was there myself.   And in a moment I am going to prove it to you.  But first I want to ask you what the last memory you remember having was?"  
"This is crazy Manning.  Are you on drugs?"
"Just tell me what is the last memory you had was."
"If I tell you will you go away?"
"No, not yet I wont we still have work to do."
Lake sighed, he didn't have the energy to play this game.
"Okay, Manning, the last thing I remember is getting a phone call from Johnson threatening my job if I didn't find the Stone girl before the election, naming you my number one suspect, and falling asleep at my desk."
"And did you suddenly find yourself here in this mess  and everything you feared could happen, already had?"
"Yeah that's exactly what happened."  Lake was beginning to think there was more to what Manning was saying than he thought.  
"That's because you are only dreaming about this.  None of it has happened, though it could if you don't start trusting what I am saying.  And, for my big finale, we are going to go find Jade."
"We are what...and how do you propose we do that?!
"We are going to time channel, well I am going to time channel and I am taking you with me."  
"Okay, I'm convinced you've lost your mind.  I mean it I want you out of my house."  
"Look do you want your family back or not.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain from what I am telling you."
Stan had to admit Manning was right about that.  He couldn't lose anything more than he already had.  
"Okay, I will give it a shot.  I miss my career, and more than that my wife and kids."
"Remember you haven't lost them yet, now clean yourself up your a mess."
"All my clothes are packed Manning."
"You still don't get how this works do you Lake, just close your eyes and picture yourself in something else."
Stan did what Jeremiah said, and when he opened his eyes, he couldn't believe what he saw.  He was sitting next to Manning in a fresh blue suit, wearing a red tie.  He was dumbfounded.  It had actually worked. A renewed sense of purpose filled Lake.  His life wasn't over after all.  He was in control of his destiny.  And he was going to find Jade Stone whatever the cost.
"What are you waiting for Manning, an invitation?"  he asked smiling as big as he could."
"Jeremiah took Lakes hand in his own, and then closed his eyes.  Okay, I have never tried this before with anyone else.  First you need to take my hand and I want you to do exactly as I say, and if we are lucky it will work.  Now close your eyes again and think about Jade Stone.  Picture every last detail about her appearance."
"Whatever you say Mr. President."
    Suddenly the two of them were crouched down behind some bushes on a small hilltop, just outside a dense forest of trees, that overlooked an abandoned warehouse of some sort.  They were in the middle of nowhere, and shrouded in darkness.  The cool damp air gave Lake the impression it would start raining any moment; a light fog partially obscured the ground below.  Luckily, two old lantern style fixtures attached just above the entrance way emitted enough light to reveal two guardsmen with Chromo-guns posted on either side of the front door. How was this possible, Lake wondered in disbelief.  So far this journey into dreamland had left Lake with more questions than answers.  It definitely had the surreal quality that dreams have.  Everything seemed to have a solid form but could be changed at the same time.  Could Lake manipulate the dream the same way Manning did?  He had been able to change his clothes by just picturing them in his head.  Could he do more?  Curiosity got the better of him and suddenly the dark sky turned yellow and out of nowhere puffy purple clouds appeared that resembled cotton candy.  Lake then made glitter rain down from the clouds directly over Jeremiah's  head .  Amazed by his own ability Lake laughed quietly and smiled, while Manning just glared at him, visibly annoyed.  
    "Are you done playing yet, Deputy Director?" Jeremiah inquired scornfully.
    "Not quite yet," Lake replied, watching as Jeremiah's face was transformed into a donkey's face. This time Lake laughed hysterically.  
    "Seriously Lake, knock it off, we need to find out where this building is so we can get your agents here right away." Jeremiah scolded again.
    "Hey I'm not the one being an a*s right now," Lake said mockingly.
    Jeremiah started to raise his voice in anger, but instead of words a loud "hee-haw" escaped from his mouth.  Embarrassed, Jeremiah quickly covered his horse like mouth with his hands, and sighed in relief when he felt his nose and other facial features turn back to normal.  He scowled at Lake who was still laughing hysterically.
    "Lake will you quit laughing, you sound like a hyena. This is hardly behavior worthy of the Deputy Director of the A.B.I." Jeremiah remarked.  Lake was laughing so hard his face had turned red, and he was doubled over.  Jeremiah decided he had enough when Lake stopped laughing momentarily and tried to catch his breath as if to say something, but just shook his head, and continued laughing, tears had formed in his eyes.  Lake was so pleased with himself at his practical joke, he hadn't noticed Jeremiah had closed his eyes.  Finally catching his breath, he opened his mouth to deliver his well crafted joke when only a high pitched howling sound came out. Lakes eyes grew wide in surprise.   This time it was Jeremiah's turn to laugh hysterically as he watched Lake frantically grasp at his own face.  He growled as his fingers found fur and a long nose.  A hyena? Lake tried as hard as he could to get his own face back, but Jeremiah just shook his head and wagged his finger.
"You are in the world of dreams my friend, and here I am King," Jeremiah said satisfied.  I will change you back if you are ready to get back on task and stop playing around.  Lake was breathing heavily and a long tongue hung from his open mouth.  Jeremiah laughed again, Lake was panting. Lake shook his head in agreement and Jeremiah turned him back to his old self.  
    "Truce," Jeremiah asked holding out his hand for Lake.  Lake looked at him for a moment and before laughing and taking his hand.  
    "I guess I deserved that."  Lake admitted reluctantly
    "Yeah, you did", Jeremiah mused, "What do you say we figure out what this building is and see if we can't find Jade before the election gets here, he added.
    "Good idea," Lake responded and the two of them looked back into the direction of the guards with the Chromo-guns.  The guards were two of the largest men Jeremiah had ever seen.  They were standing together now, and one was listening while the other appeared to be telling a story according to his body language and hand gestures.  
"Do you see anything that might tell us what this building is or where its located?" Jeremiah asked.
"Not yet, but this is definitely an older building, probably predating "The War That Broke the World." Lake replied. "I studied Ancient Architecture at Georgetown," he explained, apparently seeing the question forming in Jeremiah's mind.  Lets try to move up there while they are distracted in case by some chance they see us.
"It doesn't work that way, we have to reveal ourselves to them and I have absolutely no intention to do that."  Jeremiah responded
"So we can just walk up there?" Lake asked surprised
"Pretty much." Jeremiah said nonchalantly.
"Well why didn't you say so...let's go Manning, we are wasting time!" Lake exclaimed.
    Jeremiah followed Lake from behind the bushes where they had been watching the two guards. Jeremiah was happy to have Lake with him.  Though when he first arrived at his home he had doubts he would be able to convince Lake about dream walking.  Lake was a practical man.  And, although he liked to have his fun and make his jokes, when it came to his work, Jeremiah doubted there was a more tenacious or dedicated man in the entire A.B.I. If anybody could rescue Jade, it was Lake.  
    Jeremiah was worried about Jade.  He knew she was tough, but four days of being held against your will could affect even the toughest person.  He was convinced that someone had taken her to get at him, and he blamed himself for what was happening to her.  He couldn't wait any longer to find her.  If she was hurt he would never forgive himself. I'm coming to get you baby, he said to himself.  
    If it wasn't for them needing to find where this old building was located Jeremiah would have just taken them straight to where Jade was being kept.  As it was, seeing her now would be futile if they didn't know where the building was.   Jeremiah was following Lake who stalked methodically to the side of the building like a lion moving through the tall grass of the African plains towards an unsuspecting gazelle, as if he knew what he was looking for. Something seemed really odd about this old brick building Jeremiah thought.  But what was it, he wondered.  Lake had told him that a lot of buildings that were built prior to the War that Broke the World were made of brick, but that medium hadn't been used in more than twelve hundred years.  The mortar in the joints was missing in a lot of places , and the red faces of the bricks were cracked and faded pink.
    Jeremiah finally realized what was so awkward about this place.  There were no windows. An eerie feeling swept over Jeremiahs body and goosebumps crawled on his skin. This ancient windowless building, set deep in the woods had his imagination racing and he desperately wanted to find what they were looking for and get Jade out.  Jeremiah sighed in relief, as if on cue, Lake finally stopped walking.
    "Here it is Manning, come over here."  Lake directed waving Jeremiah to where he was standing.  Lake smiled proudly at his discovery and pointed to what appeared to be some sort of metal  plaque attached to the building by bolts.  The building's remote location, far away from any city lights, helped to cloak it from unwanted visitors, rendering it virtually invisible in the day or night.  If it wasn't for Lake's superb knowledge of historical buildings, Jeremiah would have never found the plaque; Langston, Aberdeen Armory, Aberdeen Maryland est. 1996; it read.  Relief and excitement swept through Jeremiah.  He looked over at Lake who met his gaze with complete understanding.  
    "Get me back to my house Manning, its time for me to get to work and I don't want to lose anymore time than we already have."  Lake said hurriedly
    Jeremiah placed his hand on Lake's shoulder.  "I think I can help with that, oh and Lake you can call me Jeremiah."  Jeremiah said smiling.
    "Great, lets go, and Manning, call me Lake."  he said smiling back.  Jeremiah just shook his head and they both laughed and closed their eyes.  When Lake opened his eyes he was back in his office.  The stress ball was sitting in front of him on the desk.  He went to pick it up and the tele-desk buzzed.  Lake answered it immediately.  President Caidan Johnson appeared in the screen on his desk.  Jeremiah had done it.  Johnson was just now calling.   
    "Deputy Director,  I am calling to check the status of the Stone kidnapping."  Johnson said sounding impatient.
    "I'm leaving to pick up Jeremiah Manning now, Mr. President."  
    "So Manning is responsible?" Johnson asked
    "I have a hunch he'll lead us right to her sir," Lake replied.
    "Great work Lake, I knew I appointed the right man for this job."  You've got a very bright future ahead of you.  Let me know as soon as you have her safely in your possession.  I want to call a press conference." Johnson said smiling.
    "I will call you right away Mr. President."  Lake replied and disconnected the call.  Lake thought it was odd that the President was so happy when he heard the A.B.I. was picking up Manning.  Did Johnson have something to do with Jade's disappearance.  Lake had a strange feeling that Johnson knew more about the Stone kidnapping then he was letting on.