Knight Rider 2000

Flash II

The Season Premiere

Written by

Scott Kirkessner

Based upon KNIGHT RIDER

Created by

Glen A. Larson

Original KNIGHT RIDER 2000 Concept by

Rob Hedden

New concept by

Scott Kirkessner

In the second season opener of the series, this episode resolves the cliffhanger originally left in Flash, last season’s finale. The Knight Foundation teams up with the FBI to continue the extensive manhunt for the serial killer, as well as begin a new manhunt for Shawn McCormick, the killer’s latest victim.

Rated R for strong violent content, strong profanity and suggestive dialogue.

Last time on Knight Rider 2000:

“What have the investigators found?” asked Sheriff Mason Kerber asked.

“Just the usual signs of a struggle, and something else.” Replied Deputy Jason Mackenzie walking back into the room.

“What?” Kerber asked.

“Written with a magic marker are the letters J-J-F, right on the carpet.” Mackenzie said, pointing.

“There’s something wet in there.” Kerber said, reaching down and touching it. He smelled the liquid on his fingers. “It’s gasoline.” He said.

“Hell of a calling card.” Mackenzie said.

=====

“Have we had a crime like this before?”

“No, not like this, but I do remember reading about it somewhere. It was in a crime report from 1989, a similar crime to it in Los Angeles. Some guy would kill people and leave the letters JFK by the bodies. Turns out the guy was a Kennedy freak.” Kerber explained.

“So this could be a copycat crime.” Mackenzie said.

“More than likely. I guess I should call the people who wrote the report.”

“And who wrote the report?” Mackenzie asked.

“A corporation called the Knight Foundation.”

=====

Maddock sat up. “I’m sorry, your name again?”

“Sheriff Mason Kerber, of the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Department.” Kerber replied.

“All right,” Maddock said, when he finished writing down the name, “a copycat crime you said?”

“Yes. Although we don’t have a confirmed murder just yet. The intruder, left a calling card, much like the 1989 murder. The letters J-J-F were written in magic marker on the carpet, and were soaked with gasoline.”

“Wow, that sounds too much like a coincidence.” Maddock said. He leaned back in his chair. “Well, Sheriff, what I can do is fax you the report, see if you can get some clues from that. Also, keep in touch as well and let us… hello?”

“Sorry Mr. Maddock I was talking to my deputy. They just found a body.”

Maddock looked at his screen. “Let me guess… a body with all its clothes on, with its arms tied behind its back with electrical cord and legs crossed and tied together with industrial strength electrical tape. Broken jaw, broken neck, broken wrists.”

The other end of the phone was silent. Maddock could hear Kerber murmur ‘holy shit.’

“Mr. Maddock.”

“Yes?”

“We have a problem.”

=====

“Where was the body found, Sheriff?” Shawn asked.

“In one of Brown and Williamson’s tobacco crops.” Kerber replied. “B and W security found it when cameras found tire tracks inside the farm.” He said, walking out with everyone.

“Hold on,” Bonnie said, stopping them. She flipped through the 1989 case file she had with her. “Did you do a black light exam?” she asked the coroner.

“No, why?” the coroner asked.

“Just a hunch,” Bonnie said, walking back into the room, with the others following. “You do have a black light back here, right?”

The coroner nodded and produced one from a desk. He handed it to Bonnie.

“Shawn, get the lights, will you please?” Bonnie asked.

Shawn nodded and turned the lights out. “What are you getting at, Bonnie?”

“Something,” Bonnie said, uncovering the body and turning the black light on. Everyone looked at Lacie’s face, which had the letters JJF written on her right cheek. “Oh shit.” Bonnie said.

“The same initials from the room.” Kevin said.

“The same God damn style from the 1989 murder.” Bonnie said, looking at the letters.

=====

“Shawn, the FBI is calling.” KITT said.

“Put it through, KITT.” Shawn said.

“Hello, this Special Agent Natalie Markins from the FBI, to whom am I speaking with?”

“This is Agent Shawn McCormick of the Knight Foundation, thank you for contacting us.”

“I understand that you are investigating a murder in Salyersville?”

“That’s right. The murder is a complete mirror of a 1989 murder in Los Angeles which the Foundation investigated as well.” Shawn explained.

“Would you be able to fax both case reports over to my office?

“No problem at all.” Shawn said.

“Excuse me, Shawn, but I believe you should take a look at this.”

Shawn looked at the screen. “Agent Markins, I think you should listen to this…” she said, turning the volume up.

“Police in West Carrollton tonight are baffled as to the discovery of a body in a construction site. Ironically, the grizzly discovery follows another one in Salyersville, Kentucky, about 12 hours ago. Police representatives in both cities are keeping a closed-lid on the murders, only revealing that they are both similar in nature. We’ll keep you informed of this recent discovery as more news comes in…”

“Agent Markins?” Shawn asked.

“I’ll meet you at the crime scene tomorrow morning.”

=====

“Shawn, it’s Russell.”

“What’s going on?” Shawn asked.

“Shawn… Lima PD just called us, they got wind that we were handling this case.”

“Go on.” Shawn said.

“There’s been another one. A female, again, in her mid-twenties, same MO, same signs.”

“Shit.” Shawn said, pushing down the antenna and closing the cover. “We got another one!”

=====

“We have to think long and hard here. This guy has just killed three people in the past 48 hours,” Markins said, “is there anything we can figure out?”

“What was the clue of yours, KITT?” Kevin asked.

“The killer wears an exceptionally rare pair of hiking boots, which were discontinued in the 1990’s. Only a few pairs remain now.” KITT explained.

“Why so rare?” Bonnie asked.

“The company which produced them based their entire market around that type of boot, it was their first product. However, only a few people bought the shoes, and the company went bankrupt.” KITT said.

“Is there any chance-“ Bonnie started, only to be interrupted.

“That we can track down the records of those who bought these shoes?” Kevin said, finishing Bonnie’s statement.

“There should be no problem in doing that at all.” KITT said. “There is a fax coming through, it is from the coroner’s office.”

“I’m dealing with more coroners this week than I care to.” Shawn said, getting up, leaning into KITT’s window and grabbing the piece of paper. Knowing what it would say, she crunched it up and threw it onto the floor.

Markins got up and grabbed her jacket and put it on over her blouse. “I’m going back to my hotel for some rest. Call me if anything comes up.”

“You got it.” Shawn said, pressing the button that lowered the trailer door.

“So now what?” KITT asked

“What choice to we have but wait?” Shawn said. “There’s nothing we can do.”

=====

“Three weeks and no murder. What is the guy doing?”

“Getting some rest,” Kevin said, “he killed three women in 48 hours. I think that took a lot out of him.”

“Yeah well something doesn’t seem right.” Shawn said, looking at the homicide reports of the three women.

“No news is good news.” Kevin said, trying to crack a smile.

=====

Kevin looked at the map on the wall that had six pins sticking out of it. The killer’s last strike happened in Bay City, Michigan, and before that, Burton, Michigan. Kevin shook his head.

He walked over to KITT, who was shut down while Bonnie was working on his systems.

“How’s it going?” he asked Bonnie.

“Just fine,” Bonnie said, “hopefully this will increase his connection speed to the satellites.”

The phone started ringing. “This is Kevin Williams… uh-huh… okay… where?!”

“He’s turned!” Kevin yelled to Shawn over the phone.

“Turned, what do you mean he’s turned?!” Shawn said. She was in Markins car coming back from the Bay City crime scene.

“He’s just killed someone in Millston, Wisconsin.”

=====

Maddock sat down. “Shawn, I’m just letting you know, that if we don’t see any progress made in this case after we investigate this body, I’m handing it over to the FBI.”

Shawn sat there for a while. “And FLAG continues to assist?”

“No,” Maddock said, shaking his head, “FLAG is removed from the case altogether.”

=====

"We are in week four of the nationwide manhunt for the Initial Killer.  So far, this unidentified man has murdered eight women in the states of Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Officials from the Knight Foundation and the FBI continue to have an official 'no comment' on the case.  Many speculate their silence to be attributed to the fact that both organizations have so far failed to catch the dangerous pattern killer."

Maddock turned off the TV before the reporter continued.  He lowered his tone and volume.  "Shawn, we are this far from losing all of our beneficiaries. This is a sour case and we have to ditch it."

"I can't accept that." Shawn said.

"Well you damn well better accept it!" Maddock yelled. "This is a direct order, the Knight Foundation is dropping this case."

=====

Kevin walked up the stairs and knocked on Shawn’s hotel room door. No one answered. “Hmm.” Kevin said to himself. He looked into the window and saw that the light was on, but the curtain was closed. He rang the buzzer again and waited.

Kevin’s impatience grew stronger and he knocked on the door. “Shawn?” He knocked on the door again, harder this time. “Shawn!” He looked around and didn’t see anyone in the area. “Shawn!” he yelled.

Kevin set down his backpack and backed up. He kicked the door in. He pushed the door open and cautiously walked inside. “Holy shit.” He said, looking at the mess in front of him. The furniture was over turned and out of place. It was the obvious signs of a struggle.

Kevin was in panic mode now. “Shawn!? Shawn!?” he yelled, ripping through the suite. He opened the door to the bedroom and his mouth dropped open when he looked inside.

“Oh my God…” he said, looking at the disorganized bedroom. In a spot on the floor which was purposely cleared out, he saw an all too familiar sign, written in the oil compound, doused in gasoline, were the letters: JJF.

And now the conclusion:

The telephone began to ring in the hotel room. It rang five times before the occupant opened up the bathroom door wearing a bathrobe and a towel slung over his shoulder walked over to the nightstand and picked the receiver up.

“Hello?”

“She’s gone!!!” a frantic voice yelled on the other end of the phone.

The man switched the phone to his other ear and turned on the light. “Who’s gone?” asked Russell Maddock.

“Shawn!!!”

“Kevin, slow down, what’s happened?”

April 26, 2001

2218 Hrs CDT

Location: Worthington, Minnesota

Several police cars were outside the hotel. Their functioning Visi-Bars illuminated the entire area with red and blue lights.

An Oldsmobile Aurora pulled up to the scene. The door opened and a female got out. She had an FBI badge hanging off of the lapel of her suit. A cop saw her coming and he raised the crime tape for her.

The woman walked through the lobby, various police officers acknowledged her presence and seniority.

A confused guest in the hotel somehow made it past the police barricade outside and walked up to her. “What is going on? When are we going to find out? Why have we all been evacuated?”

“Ma’am,” the agent said, “I am going upstairs to find out all of the answers, and everyone will be apprised of them soon.”

As much as politeness would allow, the agent pushed aside the guest and continued into the elevator.

The elevator opened and the female agent walked out. She walked down the hall, looking at police officers and forensics reporters hovering in front of a hotel room. Flash bulbs went off as pictures were taken of the crime scene.

A balding man in his 40’s walked up to her. It was the same man she met with the same evening, talking about the transfer of the Initial Killer case to the FBI.

“Hello Agent Markins.” Maddock said.

Natalie Markins shook his hand. She could tell he was apprehensive. “Evening, sir. What do we have here?”

“Sorry I couldn’t say much over the phone. At around nine-something, Kevin came up here to Shawn’s room and found this.”

“Is there a body?” Natalie asked.

“Nope.” Maddock said.

“No body?” Natalie asked, walking into the room. She looked around. “But the markings.”

“Yeah, this guy changed his MO again,” Maddock paused, “or he changed it for Shawn.”

“Eh?” Natalie uttered, turning around.

“Maybe this guy has been after Shawn the whole time.” Maddock said.

“As a former DA, you should know better than to take a jump like that,” Natalie said, “Detective, get together a team of investigators and search the area for Shawn McCormick.”

“Body?” asked the detective.

“Just search, okay?”

The detective nodded. “Yes Agent.”

Natalie walked over to the oil marking and looked down at it. JJF. She bent down, touched it, and found the wet gasoline around it. “Damn.”

Kevin was outside of the room, down the hall with Bonnie. Bonnie had a tear running down her face and Kevin looked like he was struggling to hold it in.

“We can’t assume she’s dead,” Bonnie said, “they haven’t found a body.”

“Yeah. How’s KITT taking this?” Kevin asked.

“Oh no, KITT.”

Bonnie and Kevin walked towards KITT who was sitting in the parking lot. Kevin stopped her. “Hey, how can we be sure he wont wig out on us like he did when he saw Benjamin Tenet’s body? I mean, this is going to be a serious trauma.”

Bonnie turned to Kevin. “Well I worked on his systems… the new programming should prevent another emotional outbreak.”

“Bonnie, he is more than just a car. He feels.”

“You don’t think I know that?” Bonnie asked. “Listen, junior, I know KITT inside and out.”

“Did you know he would react to see Benjamin being carved?” Kevin asked.

Bonnie stopped. “Tact like that will really help KITT. Let’s talk to him with some sympathy and compassion okay?”

Kevin nodded.

“KITT,” Bonnie said, slowly approaching the car, “KITT, do you know what’s happening?”

KITT sat silent. His red scanner light shined on the building across from him.

Kevin walked over to the driver’s side and opened the door. He got in and sat down. “KITT, we’re going to find her. Whatever it takes, we’ll find Shawn alive, and bring her back.”

“I wasn’t monitoring the room. I thought she was safe.” KITT said.

“That’s okay, KITT,” Bonnie said, “so did we. Do you have any video feeds of the area? Any chance we can see who this guy is?”

The central monitor came to life and a video feed of the hotel parking lot around KITT came on and flashed by. “My video surveillance shows no indication of anyone leaving the area with Shawn.”

“Except that.” Kevin said, pointing at the monitor.

“What?” Bonnie asked.

“KITT, go back point seven six.”

KITT complied and the video froze. “What are you looking at Kevin?”

“Zoom in on the upper right quadrant, enhance image.”

The image zoomed in; it was blurry and scrambled at first, but cleared.

“I’m looking at that.” Kevin said, pointing at a car. “It looks suspicious. KITT, cross reference this car with your other video images of the previous crime scenes.”

Images flashed by on the central monitor at light speed.

“You’re right, Kevin,” KITT said, “this car has been present at each of the crime scenes.”

“Yes!” Kevin said.

“KITT, zoom in on the license plate!” Bonnie said.

The image zoomed in and the license plate on the car showed up, clear as day.

“Shit, yes!” Kevin said.

Bonnie turned around and called back toward the hotel. “Agent Markins!”

2300 Hrs CDT

“You’re watching Siouxland’s News Channel, KTIV-4. Tonight, there has been a major break in the Initial Killer Case. The FBI has issued a new report, which will hopefully lead to a breakthrough in the case. This picture, taken at a recent crime scene in Worthington, Minnesota, reveals a late model black Chevrolet Caprice, license plate reading RFL-417. The FBI regards this car and its driver as an investigative lead.

“KTIV has been getting scattered and sketchy reports of another recent attack by the killer who started his spree in Kentucky over three weeks ago. A body was found in a swimming pool in Worthington earlier today, and the FBI is keeping a tight lid on the rumors of another attack almost ninety minutes ago…”

“I got our scumbag!” Kevin yelled out of KITT’s window as Maddock, Natalie and Bonnie walked over.

“Miles Jacobs, convicted on three counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, once on sexual assault, rape, four times on aggravated assault, and two times on assault with a deadly weapon.” Kevin said.

“Damn.” Maddock said.

“And he lives in South Dakota, too.” Kevin added.

“Where in South Dakota?” Natalie asked.

“Uhh… Lemmon, South Dakota, to be exact.” Kevin answered.

“He’s been following I-40, which runs right through the state.” Bonnie said.

Kevin looked at the file on their suspect. “Jesus, look at this guy. His senior class in high school voted him the most likely to become a cashier at McDonald’s. He graduated with a 2.5 GPA, never went to college, and moved away from his parents when he was 29!”

“Sounds like a real fucking loser.” Maddock said.

“That’s probably why he is killing these women.” Natalie simply said. “This guy was taunted all of his life, most likely by girls who rejected him. He feels that he is getting revenge by going out and killing these girls.”

“And how about the markings he leaves behind?” Maddock asked.

“More than likely, he found that aspect of your old case intriguing and decided to leave initials of his own. Remember, he is somewhat mirroring your case.” Natalie said.

“Except for the fact that he turned.” Kevin said.

“Well think about it,” Natalie said, “what if the 1989 case ran out of interstate just like Miles did? He would have turned.”

“Like a computer program being systematic.” Bonnie said.

“Exactly.” Natalie said punching the air with her fist. “I think you should have a chat with your suspected killer from ’89.”

“Shawn is alive.” KITT said.

Kevin turned around. “How do you know for sure, KITT?”

“Her memory chip is still active.”

“Memory chip?” Natalie said.

“No shit, I forgot she even had it.” Kevin said.

“KITT, what can you do with that thing?” Maddock asked.

“Theoretically, if we can find the right carrier waves, we can actually tap into the chip, be able to see what Shawn sees and communicate with her in some way. Theoretically.”

“Theoretically my ass, KITT, get to work on that with Kevin and Bonnie! Agent Markins, you’re coming with me.” Maddock said.

“Where are we going?” Natalie said, grabbing her suit coat and car keys.

“We’re gonna talk to the other side of the looking glass.” Maddock said.

Natalie nodded. “What’s this guy’s name?”

“Roger Souza.” Maddock said as they walked to Natalie’s car and got in.

“What help do you think he will give us?” Natalie asked, starting the engine and driving down the road.

“I don’t know, hopefully enough so we can anticipate this guys next move.”

“Where is he at? Is he in jail?” Natalie asked.

Maddock flipped through the report. “Yes, he is. In a sense. He was declared legally insane and committed to Los Angeles County Mental Institution.”

“Oh God, I love talking to head cases.” Natalie said.

“Okay, KITT, first things first,” Bonnie said, “can you figure out where Shawn is by accessing the memory chip?”

“I’m working on that now, Bonnie.” KITT said.

Kevin looked at KITT’s three monitors. “Jesus, KITT, you have all these programs running at once, don’t exert yourself.”

“My systems are running at 90 percent efficiency.” KITT replied.

“Yeah, well that’s downgraded from your usual operating speeds,” Kevin said, “when you get down to 83, I’ll hook you up to another power source.”

“I will keep you alerted, Kevin. The memory chip has been retooled since I had it. The RNA Center must have installed a scrambler in it. Probably to prevent what we’re trying to do.” KITT said.

“So how did you know it was active?” Bonnie asked.

“Detecting activity is easy. Trying to trace the chip and tap into it, that’s difficult.”

“Anything you need me to do?” Bonnie asked.

“Yes, if you can plug your laptops into my system, we would be able to work on the same tasks simultaneously and hopefully have a better chance of success.” KITT said.

Kevin grabbed his laptop and Bonnie’s. The two of them plugged into KITT’s extra data ports.

The two computer whizzes began typing away on their keyboards at a high rate of speed.

Windows popped up and source code began to scroll as their fingers flew over the keyboards.

“Let’s see if this snowball stands a chance in hell.” Bonnie said.

April 27, 2001

0227 Hrs PDT

Los Angeles Internationl Airport (LAX)

Location: Los Angeles, California

The Knight Foundation’s private Learjet touched down at LAX. Maddock looked out the window and saw an unmarked sedan with a single red bubble light affixed to the roof, parked on the tarmac. The plane came to a stop and the engines died down. The pilot got up and opened the door. Natalie got out, followed by Maddock.

Walking over to the grey Chevrolet Impala, Maddock yawned, and was soon followed by Natalie. The two got inside the car and Natalie drove off of the tarmac.

Maddock pulled out a cell-phone and dialed a number. “Los Angeles County Mental Institution please…. Yes, this is Russell Maddock from the Knight Foundation…. Right, Knight Foundation…. K-N-I-G-H-T!…. You have a patient there by the name of Roger Souza…. Don’t give me that shit, I do know what time it is!”

Natalie laughed to herself.

“Roger Souza may be an investigative lead in the Initial Killer case, so if you like, I can put you in contact with the agent in charge of this case and you can deal with her and also deal with the FBI red-tape of standing in the way of a federal investigation…. Yes… Yes…. I knew you’d see it my way. We should be there within the next half-hour.” Maddock hung up the phone.

“I bet that was fun.” Natalie said.

“No shit.” Maddock said, rubbing his eyes.

“Dammit!” Kevin said.

“What happened?” KITT asked.

“I was so close, and then the chip’s programming booted me. Dammit!”

“Kevin… relax, it’s okay.” KITT said.

“How the hell can it be okay?”

“Because that has happened to me seventy times.” KITT said.

Kevin snickered. “You? Of all people?”

“Yes, me, Kevin. Shawn is just as important to me as she is to you. I am intent on finding her, no matter what.” KITT said.

“You’ve never loved her.” Kevin said.

“Yes, I have.” KITT said.

“What?”

“Shawn and I share more than just spare parts… I don’t know how to explain it. She and I just have a mutual understanding of each other. We can tell what each other is thinking, and why we’re thinking it.” KITT said. “I love Shawn as I would love a sibling if I had one. I think of her as a sister to me. Not necessarily older, or younger, but just… just a twin. And I feel that I failed in my programming in looking out for her.”

“I remember the first day I met Shawn…” Kevin began.

***

It was April first. I remember, it was April Fools Day. The guys at the lab reversed everything I had in storage and switched my Palm Pilot with another one which had those indecent images from Alchemy’s website.

I was working under you on your exhaust systems when I heard someone walking up and getting in. I knew that no one was authorized with me to take you out, so I got out, and of course, I was pissed off.

“Hey, what the hell do you think you’re doing?!” I screamed.

So this woman with stunning blonde hair got out and turned around. The first thing I noticed was her eyes. They were stunning, very starry, and… just, I don’t know.

“I’m taking the car out, Dad, I’ll have it back before curfew.” She said, with a smirk.

“Mind telling me who you are? Or who you even think you are?” I asked.

She walked up to me, and I was amazed that she wasn’t mad or anything. She opened up her wallet and flashed her ID. “Agent Shawn McCormick, Foundation for Law and Government.”

I looked at her ID and realized I just screwed myself with the next Michael Knight that FLAG had just hired on.

She extended her hand and I shook it. I was speechless and had no idea what to say. Since the new project was just getting started, Knight Industries was just tasked to working on you, and we didn’t work with FLAG. I heard that FLAG had hired a female driver, but I figured she would be some arrogant ball-buster. Little did I know that she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.

“I’m sorry about the outburst,” I said, “I thought it was another April Fools joke.”

“Oh it is April Fools isn’t it…uh?”

“Oh, Kevin. Kevin Williams.” I said, introducing myself. “And yes, my colleagues in the lab reminded me the importance of today.”

“Well Kevin, don’t let it bug ya. Besides, the day is young, so you should come up with something to do to them.”

I smiled. “You’re right.”

Shawn smiled back at me, got inside, closed the door, and drove off.

***

“I liked Shawn ever since I saw her for the first time at FLAG. As we worked together in close situations, I realized that I had fallen for her…”

As Kevin continued, Bonnie rounded the corner and started up the ramp, but then stopped and walked back out of sight and listened.

“…and when she went after her father in Billings… I realized that it wasn’t just my hormones talking, it was real. Remember when we kissed in the warehouse?”

“How could I forget? The two of you were right inside the cockpit.” KITT said.

“Something about that kiss just felt right. When that psycho took her, it felt like a piece of my heart was taken with her. When we found her, I knew right then and there…”

“What happened between the two of you?” KITT asked. “I remember you talked to me about liking Shawn before that mission.”

Kevin looked up at the ceiling of the semi. His eyes started to get glassy. “It just didn’t work out.”

“Kevin, you will be able to talk to me, and everything can be kept confidential.” KITT assured.

Kevin shook his head. “No, I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Are you sure, Kevin? I know that talking things out can help a situation.”

Kevin nodded. “Yeah, I’m positive, KITT, let’s get back to work.”

Bonnie walked into the semi, pretending she had just got there. “Hey, how’s it going?” she asked, sitting down.

Kevin was startled and looked up. “Oh, nothing much. Still trying to work on the tracking.”

Bonnie nodded and handed Kevin his orange soda.

Kevin opened the top and took a swig. “We did get close at one point, but the scrambler kicked us out again.”

Bonnie nodded and ate a mini-pretzel. “Maybe we need another way of looking at it.”

“Kevin’s our local hacker.” KITT said. “What would you do?”

Kevin rubbed his eyes and tapped his head. He looked up and his eyes widened. “I got it. Let’s think there, what if that chip malfunctioned and Shawn had to go in and get it repaired?”

“The RNA Transfer Center would have to have a special code for maintenance and repairs, right?” Bonnie asked.

“Right, so that leaves us a special entrance, a place where we haven’t been looking.” Kevin said.

“You mean a maintenance back door!” KITT exclaimed.

“Correctamundo!” Kevin said.

“Okay,” Bonnie said, a little confused, “we know where to look, so how do we get there?”

“Oh that’s easy,” Kevin said, “we use a high frequency signal.”

Bonnie turned back to her laptop. “Okay, what do we do?”

Kevin leaned over. “I’ll show you. What we have to do is send this high frequency signal along the same transmission frequency we were using to communicate with the chip in the first place.” Kevin said, as his fingers flew over the keyboard.

“Okay, I think I see what you’re getting at.” Bonnie said.

“You do? Good. Now that first burst signal should open up the maintenance door what we wanna go through, and then after that, we should be able to access anything we want.”

Bonnie grinned at Kevin. “The boy genius prevails!”

The two of them returned to their keyboards and began work on the new process.

0300 Hrs PDT

Roger Souza rubbed his eyes and looked at the two suits in the room. “It’s three am in the morning, don’t you people have anything better to do?”

“Trust me, I know what time it is,” Maddock said, “we probably have the worst case of jetlag ever. But I don’t care, because the life of an agent is at stake.”

Roger smiled. “You guys are from the case in the Midwest.”

Natalie nodded. “Right, I’m Senior Agent in Charge Natalie Markins, and this is Russell Maddock from the Knight Foundation.”

Roger smiled again. “The penny drops, that’s why I’ve been summoned from the luxury of sleep.”

“That’s right,” Maddock said, leaning closer to Roger, “so I expect you to cooperate, and maybe we can get you back to your siesta, and also shave a few years off of your commitment.”

“I’ve been watching the networks. They’re playing upon this like it was an elementary school field day. Not to mention that this is happening during sweeps.”

“What can you tell us that will help us?” Natalie asked.

Roger looked at the two of them for a minute. “He has her, doesn’t he?”

“Who?” Maddock asked.

“That pretty agent who drives that flashy car.” Roger said.

Maddock looked at Natalie, who gave him a sign to go ahead. “Yes, he has her.”

“And you know who he is.” Roger said.

“Yes, we do.” Maddock said.

“And of course, you want my help.”

“Of course.” Natalie said.

“Well I don’t know how I could help you.” Roger said.

Maddock slammed the table. “Well you better figure something out. Do you have any idea what time it is?!”

“No shit!” Roger yelled. “What the hell am I supposed to tell you? Your flyboys from 89 caught me before I could even start a spree!”

“Life’s a bitch.” Maddock said. “Give me your motive.”

“Oh Mr. Maddock, it’s right in front of you. I mean, it’s so easy, you could see without seeing, darkness would be as light as day.”

“A bat.” Maddock said.

Roger smiled. “You got it.”

“You killed for the sake of sending people on a wild goose chase of a riddle? To figure out the JFK.”

“You know, it was so easy, I should have challenged myself and used the JJF like your man.” Roger said.

“Do you know what that means?”

“I do know that his motive is more complex. Those initials are also clues to the case.” Roger said.

“What about the initials?” Natalie asked.

“You know if any of your investigators smoke?”

“I’m not certain.” Natalie answered.

“Because if they did, that, gas, gas, gas can go up in a flash.” Roger said, grinning from ear to ear.

Maddock rolled his eyes. “Let’s get out of here.” He said, taking a notepad out of his coat.

“I do hope I helped you.” Roger said.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Maddock said, writing something down on the notepad. He turned to Natalie. “Do you know what time it is?”

“About 3:20.” Natalie said, yawning.

“Thanks for your time, Rodge.” Maddock said, opening the door for Natalie and walking out.

0345 Hrs PDT

“We must be missing something here.” Maddock said, drinking out of a water bottle, looking across the airplane aisle at Natalie.

“What?” Natalie asked.

“This killer’s motive. It’s too simplistic, we have to be over looking something.”

“I get the same feeling.” Natalie said.

“Well you are the criminologist.”

“I know, that’s what is bothering me,” Natalie said, “most of the time I am able to crack these head cases wide open, find a motive, predict the next hit, ding, dang, dong, we make a bust and haul the guys ass in.”

“And now?” Maddock asked.

“Now we’re screwed. I have no idea what to do.”

“I wouldn’t put it like that.” Maddock said.

The small jet shook as they entered some turbulence. A bag fell off of the seat in front of Natalie and hit Maddock’s seat. The sudden jolt activated the owner’s Discman.

Maddock bent over and took the Discman out and looked at it, trying to figure out a way to turn it off. He looked at it as the music played.

Natalie’s eyes went wide. “Don’t turn it off!”

“Huh?” Maddock asked.

Natalie picked up the earpieces and stuck one in her ear and handed one to Maddock who put it in his. They both listened to the song playing:

I was raised by a toothless, bearded hag,
I was schooled with a strap right across my back,
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash,
It's a gas!  Gas!  Gas!

Maddock looked over at her, confused. “It’s the Rolling Stones, Jumping Jack Flash.”

“Listen.” Natalie said.

I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead.
I fell down to my feet and I saw they bled.
I frowned at the crumbs of a crust of bread.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I was crowned with a spike right thru my head.
But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas!
But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash,
It's a gas!  Gas!  Gas!

“Holy shit!” Maddock said.

“Roger was telling us the answer the whole time!”

“J, J, F. Jumping Jack Flash.”

“And the circle of gas, with three dots of it inside.” Natalie said, with her mouth open.

“I’ll be God damned, it was right under our faces.”

“Agent Markins.” The pilot called back.

“Yeah?” Natalie answered.

“The Knight Foundation is calling.”

“Thank you.” Natalie said, picking up the phone. “This is Agent Markins… yes… okay… where?… Murdo, South Dakota. How far is that from Lemmon?… okay. Any luck with Shawn?”

“None yet,” Kevin said on the speakerphone, “but a new tactic is getting us close. How’s your luck going?”

“We’ve cracked the killer’s code. The initials stand for Jumping Jack Flash, the Rolling Stones song.” Natalie replied.

“Rolling Stones?” Bonnie asked.

“Yeah, that’s right.” Natalie said.

Bonnie typed on the computer. “Whoa, check this out. All of the bodies that were found were either on or near some kind of stone gathering. Be it a quarry or just a field of stones.”

“I figured as much,” Natalie said, “this guy has been playing us for a bunch of fools. We’re gonna check out the murder in South Dakota. Keep in touch.”

“Aren’t we going to make a move in Lemmon? Shawn might be there.” Kevin said.

“Too risky,” Natalie said, “not to mention that it might be a blind spot. We can’t be certain that she is there, or if he has a trap waiting for us. Once you get a fix on Shawn, then we’ll make a move. Good luck.”

“You got it.” Kevin said, hanging up the phone. He turned over to Bonnie, who was sitting at her laptop. “Okay, here we go again.”

“Fifteenth time is a charm.” KITT said.

“Ready?” Bonnie asked.

“Yes,” Kevin said, “you?”

Bonnie nodded. “Ready to go KITT?”

“I always am.” KITT replied.

“All right, let’s go.” Kevin said. “KITT, start your decryption sequence.”

“Decryption sequence KI-2943X started.” KITT said.

Kevin typed quickly on his computer. “Bonnie, get ready to knock on the door.”

Bonnie typed on her computer and nodded to acknowledge Kevin. “Ready.”

Kevin typed more on the laptop. “Computing new high frequency signal…. It’s charging.”

“I’m knocking.”

“The signal is sending.” Kevin said.

“The decryption sequence is working.” KITT said.

“Come on, someone’s at the door. Someone’s at the door.” Kevin said.

“Still knocking.” Bonnie said.

Kevin looked at the status on his monitor. “Come on, dammit! Come on!”

“Kevin!” Bonnie said.

“What?”

“Someone’s answering!” Bonnie said with a grin on her face.

“Yes!” Kevin screamed. “KITT?”

“There’s a definite pattern here! Kevin, I think we have it!” KITT answered.

“All right!” Kevin said, looking at Bonnie’s monitor. He walked over and looked back at his. “Oh yes!”

Bonnie laughed. “We got it!”

“Kevin!” KITT yelled. “Kevin, I have the sequence! We’ve got it, we’re in!”

“Yeah!” Kevin yelled.

The two humans began yelling and screaming in victory.

“Whoohoo!” Kevin said. “Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, okay, let’s focus here. KITT, what do we have?”

“Everything we could ever want.” KITT said. “What would you like me to do?”

“Track the chip!” Bonnie and Kevin both said in unison.

1037 Hrs MDT

Location: Murdo, South Dakota

Maddock yawned and looked at his watch. He had been running without sleep for over 30 hours. He rubbed his eyes again and looked around at the crime scene.

“Well we got the rocks.” Natalie said, kicking a few stones.

“And those dumb ass initials.” Maddock added.

“Agent Markins,” an officer said, walking up to her, “we do have several witness accounts of seeing a black Chevrolet Caprice in the area. The same license number and everything.”

“Thank you, officer.” Natalie said. She turned to Maddock. “All right, we have a confirmed murder by the same jack ass. Let’s get to these media idiots and have them work for us for a change.”

Maddock nodded.

“This is a special report from KOTA Territory News. The FBI has announced their prime suspect in the serial killer case, which has been plaguing the mid-west for weeks. We’re going live to a press conference being held with agents from the FBI and Foundation for Law and Govern