Knight Rider 2000

Judge, Jury, and Executioner

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

An innocent man, falsely accused of murder, is about to be sent to his death. A lone vigilante is the only hope the man has in a world where fake evidence can be created, and real evidence can be tucked away for good. Shawn McCormick is the lone vigilante. The innocent man is Harold Johnson, her biological father. Faced with the concept of going out to make a difference alone, Shawn must rely on her police and Knight Foundation skills to find the evidence which can save her father from execution.

Rated PG for profanity, and mild violence.

Darkness

The endless reaches of space.

Silence

Penetrating and engulfing the world.

Trapped

No escape from the prison created.

No light

Nothing to keep Oblivion away.

No sound

Nothing to break the horrible silence.

No pain

Nothing to confirm one exists.

Falling

Down through the terrifying dark.

Watching

They simply sit amused and watch.

Piercing

Through the heart to the soul and laugh.

Hate

All fear is gone; now hatred reigns.

Anger

Courses through veins hot, fast, and fierce.

Lonely

In the darkness there is no one else.

-Laura Knicely

October 1983

Johnson Elementary School

1043 Hrs

Location: Billings, Montana

The bright yellow school bus pulled up to the front of the school, where the kids were waiting to go on their field trip. The driver opened the door and the anxious 6 and 7 year olds climbed onto the bus and sat in seats. The teacher got on and sat down. The driver pulled out of the driveway and onto the road.

When it was time to leave the dairy farm and go back to school, the bus driver called everyone back.

A man snuck around the back of the bus and climbed under. His black gloved hand pulled out a device from his pocket and he placed it on the bus’ fuel tank. He pressed a button and the timer ticked down: 15:00, 14:59, 14:58, 14:57, 14:56, 14:55....

The kids got back on the bus and sat down. The driver said “Everyone ready to go?!”

The entire bus erupted in a unanimous “Yes!”

13:27, 13:26, 13:25, 13:24, 13:23, 13:22....

The bus pulled to a stop at a stop light. The teacher led the kids in a round of: “The Wheel’s On The Bus.” The bus driver joined in too.

10:13, 10:12, 10:11, 10:10, 10:09, 10:08, 10:07....

The bus turned left onto a long stretch of road and began to head back to the school. The kids ended the song and began another. The bus driver honked at a small Honda that cut him off.

08:01, 08:00, 07:58, 07:57, 07:56, 07:55, 07:54....

The driver quickly stopped the bus as it came to a railroad crossing, the arms went down and a long freight train began to pass.

03:27, 03:26, 03:25, 03:24, 03:23, 03:22, 03:21, 03:20, 03:19....

The kids began to sing: “99 Bottles of Beer On The Wall” but the teacher asked them to change it to root beer. The kids sang the teacher’s adjusted lyrics and watched as the long train passed.

01:07, 01:06, 01:05, 01:04, 01:03, 01:02, 01:01, 01:00, 00:59, 00:58....

To keep his patience, the bus driver joined in the song, and put the bus in park while he

sang with the kids.

00:34, 00:33, 00:32, 00:31, 00:30, 00:29, 00:28, 00:27....

The driver looked out his side window and saw the approaching end of the train. He shifted back into drive and waited.

00:20, 00:19, 00:18, 00:17, 00:16....

The train ended and the arms went up. The kids cheered as the bus began to move again.

00:11, 00:10, 00:09, 00:08, 00:07, 00:06, 00:05, 00:04, 00:03, 00:02, 00:01, 00:00.

The bomb on the fuel tank exploded, and the flames ignited the fuel. The explosion ripped through the bus blowing pieces of it all over the place. A huge fireball and a large plume of smoke slowly floated into the air.

A Few Weeks Later

1920 Hrs

Location: Montana/Idaho Border

The red Pinto flew over a bump in the road and landed with a hard thud on the ground. Harold Johnson looked over his shoulder to see a black car with a red light in front chasing him. He wiped sweat off of his forehead and pressed the accelerator to the floor.

In the black car, Michael Knight, and his partner, KITT, gave chase. “KITT, try to blow out his tires.”

“Yes Michael.” KITT replied. On KITT’s small monitors, a close up of the Pinto’s tires were shown, and a humming sound was heard as the tires blew out.

Harold steered to compensate, but the Pinto’s rims couldn’t handle the high rate of speed and they slowly crushed and the car moved lower towards the road. Finally, the rims collapsed and Harold’s car went spinning and flipped over into a ditch.

KITT pulled up and Michael ran towards Harold’s car. He pryed the door open and pulled Harold out. Some cops pulled up and grabbed Harold and wrestled him to the ground. They cuffed him and put him in the police car and drove off.

Michael walked back to KITT. “Glad that’s over, buddy.”

“Me too, Michael, me too.” KITT replied.

Michael called Devon. “Devon, we got Johnson. The cops took him into custody.”

One Month Later

1023 Hrs

Billings City Courthouse

Harold Johnson was escorted into the courtroom. His lawyer met him and took him over to their table. The lawyer organized some papers and waited for the judge.

Michael Knight, Devon Miles, and April Curtis walked into the court room. They sat down in the back.

“All rise.” the bailiff called as the judge walked in.

The judge signaled for everyone to sit down. “Mr. Foreman, I understand you have a verdict.” He said to the foreman of the jury.

“We do.” the foreman replied. “We the jury hereby find Mr. Johnson guilty of 25 counts of pre-meditated murder.”

Harold hung his head down.

“Very well. The bailiff will now verify the decisions of the jurors. A yes or no answer please.”

The bailiff read off a sheet. “Mr. Foreman, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number two, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number three, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number four, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number five, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number six, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number seven, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number eight, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number nine, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number ten, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number eleven, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“Number twelve, is this your decision?”

“Yes.”

“NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!” Harold yelled.

“Order!” the judge said. “Mr. Johnson. I hereby sentence you to the death penalty.”

Harold went crazy. He tipped over the table. “No!!!!” he yelled. “Nooo!!!!!” The police officers went to restrain him. “I didn’t do it!!!!!!!” he said, fighting the officers. “Noooo!!!!!”

June 15, 2000

Knight Foundation Headquarters

0830 Hrs

Location: Seattle, Washington

Kevin Williams walked into the gymnasium on the Foundation premises. He was carrying a basketball. He walked up to the basket and shot some free-throws. He made every one he shot.

Shawn McCormick walked in. “Hey Kev, you ready for one-on-one?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be, Shawn.” Kevin said turning his back towards that basket. He threw the ball into the air and it sailed into the basket. “Nothing but net.” he said.

Shawn picked up the ball as it rolled to her. “Show off.” she shot a basket from the three point mark. “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” Kevin replied.

Shawn bounced the ball to Kevin and he ran towards his side of the court. Shawn ran quickly behind. She ran ahead of him and tried to block his shot. Kevin went to shoot but Shawn jumped high and slammed the ball out of the air. She quickly ran down the court and dribbled the ball to her basket. Kevin ran ahead of her and stole the ball. He ran full speed to his basket and threw it in. The ball bounced to Shawn and she walked down the court. Her and Kevin’s eyes met and she tried to anticipate his move. Kevin ran towards her full charge and when he was about two feet away from her, he spun on his left foot and ended up behind Shawn. He made the basket.

“Wow.” Shawn said.

“I got that from watching old games from the 90’s.” Kevin said. He set the ball down.

“You know what annoys me?” Shawn asked.

“What?”

“They way people talk about the past. ‘The 90’s’” Shawn repeated. “They make it seem that it’s the stone age.”

“I know what you mean. I was born in 1973. I saw alot of the pivotal moments in the world’s history. But that doesn’t mean I’m an old geezer who talks about the ‘good old days.’”

Shawn laughed. “Why are you here, Kevin? Why did you come to work for the Knight Foundation?”

“Well, I was 10 at the time. It was in 1983 and I heard about this ‘wonder car’ that a company made as a free lance crime fighting. It almost seemed like ‘The A-Team’ do you remember that show?”

Shawn nodded.

“Well, I always wanted to know how that car worked and all, so I spent eight years at MIT, trying to cram all the information in my head about engineering and electronic technology, and since times kept changing, that’s why I was there so long. When I graduated, I applied to Knight Industries.”

“Sounds good.” Shawn said. She ran towards the ball and grabbed it and she dribbled it down the court.

“Hey!” Kevin yelled. He gave chase.

Shawn smiled as she ran down the court. She threw the ball at mid court.

Kevin stopped in his tracks and watched. The basketball sailed into the net. His jaw dropped open.

Shawn saw Kevin’s dumbfounded face and smiled. “Naissa High School. Varsity Basketball team all four years.”

Kevin’s jaw dropped farther. If it had more room, it would have fallen off.

“What can I say,” Shawn asked shrugging, “I guess I have a gift.” She bounced the ball into Kevin’s hands.

Kevin closed his mouth. “Mind teaching me that gift?” he asked.

Shawn smiled. “Maybe next Christmas.” she said. Shawn walked into the locker room and switched on the television.

“In other news today. The man convicted of blowing up a school bus and killing 25 people is scheduled for execution in three weeks. Harold Johnson was sentenced to death by a Montana court back in 1983 when he was found guilty of 25 counts of murder. Mr. Johnson’s lawyers plan to appeal again before he is executed. We’ll be back after this.”

Shawn quickly walked out of the room. She whizzed by Kevin.

“Hey! Shawn?!”

Shawn ran down the underground hallway to the main building. She ran harder than she had ever ran before, except during the police academy. Shawn ran into the main building and ran up the stairs to Maddock’s office. She didn’t care who was looking at her, she just had to get to Maddock. She busted into Maddock’s office.

“Shawn, what’s wrong?!” Russell Maddock asked.

She was out of breath. “Russ.... I... I need time.... time off. There’s something I gotta do.”

Maddock was perplexed. “Sorry, Shawn but I can’t let you go. We have to be in Philly in two days. The FBI is doing a major P2P drug bust. They need our help. What’s the matter? Can I help?”

“No. I just need time off, I can’t explain, Russ.” Shawn said, still out of breath. “I just gotta go.”

Maddock sat down. “Sorry, Shawn. If you have to go so badly, I need some kind of explanation.”

Shawn sighed. “They’re executing Harold Johnson.”

“Yeah?” Maddock asked. “So?”

“So what if Harold Johnson didn’t blow up that school bus?” Shawn asked.

“There were a lot of witnesses who saw him sneaking around the bus.” Maddock said.

“Which makes it more and more likely that he didn’t.”

“Listen, Shawn,” Maddock said, “I prosecuted this scumbag in ‘83 which determined his fate for today. And you know what. I feel he needs to die. He detonated two adults, and 23 children.”

“How can you say that?” Shawn said.

“How can you sit here and tell me that he didn’t?” Maddock asked.

“I read up on the case from then when I was older. Evidence, which could clear Mr. Johnson disappeared. Why did it vanish? I mean, who wanted a man to die that badly?”

“I wanted Harold Johnson to die, but that doesn’t mean I destroyed evidence.”

“Russell, I never said you did! It’s just to questionable that this man had such bad luck in that case.”

“Shawn, what do you want to do?!”

“The evidence is out there. Someone just has to find it in time.” Shawn said.

“Time’s running out, Shawn.”

“I know. Which is why I have to find it.”

“What makes you think it’s out there?” Maddock asked.

“I’ve been secretly trying to find this evidence for the past 6 years. City records, the Internet, anything.”

“What have you found?”

“Mostly dead ends,” Shawn said, “hackers working for money who skip and run. Sometimes leads turn up. But before I can infiltrate, they disappear.”

“Why, Shawn. Why do you feel you have to do this?”

“My connections to this case are none of your business, Russ, sorry.”

“Okay, Shawn,” Maddock began, “I don’t mean to be bias. But I can’t let you go and do this. The man was convicted. Justice was served. I’m sorry.”

Shawn stood up. “I had a feeling you would say that.”

Maddock braced himself for what was coming next. He knew what was next.

“Sorry, Russ. But.... I quit.” Shawn took off her ID badge and set it on Maddock’s desk. “My things from the plane will be packed by tonight.” Shawn walked out of Maddock’s office and closed the door.

1343 Hrs

Shawn parked her Mustang in front of her apartment building. She hurried inside and began to pack.

About an hour later, Shawn had her luggage loaded in her car. She grabbed an empty duffel bag on her way out and she closed the door.

She walked down the stairs to her blue Mustang sitting in the parking lot. She got in and drove towards the Knight Foundation.

Shawn walked into the garage carrying a full duffel bag.

“Shawn, what are you doing?” Kevin asked.

“What?”

“I heard you quit. Why, Shawn? What’s wrong?”

“You remember the case of Harold Johnson? He was convicted of blowing up a school bus back in 1983.”

“Yeah, they’re going to execute him in a week, right?”

“Right. Kevin, something tells me that Harold Johnson didn’t blow up that school bus. It’s a gut instinct, and I have to follow it. His only hope of surviving is relying on me. His trial was something else. I mean, it seems everything which could acquit him, disappeared.”

“And this is what you truly believe, Shawn?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, I can’t let you do this alone.” Kevin said.

“Kevin, I can’t let you be dragged into this.”

“No, Shawn. This is dangerous. You can’t go alone.”

“Okay, Kevin.”

“Shawn, I’m ready to go as well.” KITT said.

“Sorry, KITT, but I can’t take you on this. It’s basically a covert op thing. Maddock can’t know about this at all.” Shawn said.

“Then why did you come back?” KITT asked.

“I needed some equipment. He can’t know I’m using Foundation equipment. I also came to say goodbye. I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back from this alive.”

“Shawn be careful, please. And you too, Kevin.”

Kevin hoisted another duffel bag onto his shoulder. “Thanks KITT. Don’t tell Maddock at all about this.”

“Don’t worry, Kevin. In a few minutes, this entire conversation will be deleted from my memory. I literally wont know, either.” KITT said.

“Okay, KITT.” Shawn said. Her and Kevin walked out of the garage.

They walked over to Shawn’s Mustang. “We’ll stop by your house and give you time to pack-”

“No need to,” Kevin said cutting her off. He walked over to his car and got a suitcase out. “I’m ready.”

Shawn smiled. Kevin walked over to her car and they got in. The two pulled out of the Knight Foundation parking lot, without looking back.

It was about two hours before either of them spoke about Shawn’s mission. Kevin was the first to bring this up. “Shawn, you know I believe you, and believe in what you are doing. But, why are you doing this?”

“Because, an innocent man is about to be exe-” Shawn began to reply.

“No, Kevin interrupted, “I mean why you? Why do you have to do this?”

Shawn swallowed hardly in her throat. She didn’t know what to say. “Well...umm. Kevin.... I... I... Well... Before I was born, my mother married a man. Everyone approved of this man. They basically thought he walked on water. I was born a short time after, but soon, this man and my mother grew apart, and they got a divorce. My mother later re-married. My mother’s first husband was.... Harold Johnson. When my mother married her second husband, he adopted me and I took his name. I only learned about Harold after he was accused of blowing up that school bus. Neither me or my mother believed he could do such a thing.”

“So Harold Johnson is your father?” Kevin asked, amazed.

“Yes. I was three when they divorced. I barely knew him. And I hardly remember him. I know my father couldn’t have done something like that. And when that trial fell through, he was cast aside.”

“So you felt you have to stand up for your father?”

“Yes! When he moved to Montana, he didn’t know anyone. When he was convicted, everyone turned their back on him. Nobody ever gave a shit about him then, which is why no one ever came forward to testify that evidence was withheld.” Shawn said.

“Well, we have three weeks to find the evidence and present it at the appeal.” Kevin reminded.

“I know,” Shawn said, “I know.”

June 17, 2000

Truck Stop

0334 Hrs

Location: Billings, Montana

Kevin pulled Shawn’s car into a parking place and he gently woke her up. “Shawn, we’re at a truck stop in Billings. Are you hungry?”

Shawn woke up from her deep sleep. She stretched a bit. “Yeah, Kev. Let’s get something to eat.”

“I’m with you on that.” Kevin said.

Shawn finished eating. She watched Kevin eat. “God, Kevin, I’ve never seen someone eat so much and stay so fit as you do.”

Kevin finished a drink. “Well, I have an accelerated metabolism. And I exercise about 2 hours a day so I basically burn it off quick.” He took a bite out of his bagel.

Shawn stared out the window. She knew she had very little time to get the information she needed.

Kevin paid the check and waited for Shawn to snap out of her trance. “Shawn? We should get to a hotel.”

Shawn looked at Kevin and nodded.

Hyatt Regency- Billings

0432 Hrs

Shawn and Kevin walked into their respective suites. Kevin hit the bed and fell asleep instantly. Shawn sat down on her bed and turned on the TV. Nothing good was on. Shawn laid back on the bed and fell asleep.

Shawn opened her eyes to see the familiar form of a jailhouse. She walked behind the guards. She looked in the cells and saw all the prisoners looking back at her. They stopped at a cell. The warden took out a prisoner. She couldn’t tell who it was.

“Dead man walking.” the warden said.

Shawn struggled to see, but she couldn’t tell who it was. They came to a room. Everybody piled in the room. She saw a bunch of people sitting down. She took a seat. It was an observing room, overlooking the execution chamber. Shawn finally knew what this was.

A faceless man was led into the room. They guards strapped him down on the table. Suddenly, a face formed on the man. It was the face of Harold Johnson.

“No...” Shawn said.

Harold smiled at the observation room overhead, surrounding the execution chamber. Shawn braced herself on the glass. A man walked over to Harold. He was carrying a needle.

“No!” Shawn said pounding on the glass. She looked around. The people who were in the room with her earlier were gone. She was all alone. Shawn pounded on the glass harder.

The man stuck the needle into Harold’s arm. Nothing happened at first, but soon, Harold began to breathe heavily. His chest rose up and down as he struggled to breathe. Soon, Harold’s deep breaths got smaller, and smaller until they were non-existent. Finally, his heart stopped. But, Harold’s eyes opened and he smiled at Shawn.

“No!!!” Shawn said pounding on the glass. The glass broke under her and she fell. Darkness enveloped her as she fell into an endless abyss.

Falling.... falling.... falling.

Down through the terrifying dark.

Shawn woke up covered in a cold sweat. She was out of breath. She walked to the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face. She looked at the clock, it was seven in the morning. She decided to go over to Kevin’s room and wake him. She knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She decided to let him sleep.

Shawn walked into the main parlor and saw Kevin sitting there eating the Continental Breakfast. He waved at her. Shawn walked over and sat down. “I figured I’d find you here.” she lied.

Kevin laughed. “Danish?” he offered.

Shawn took the danish from Kevin. “Thank you.” she said. She decided not to tell Kevin about her dream.

“So what’s up for today?” Kevin asked.

“I want to go down to the jail house and talk to Harold.” Shawn said.

Kevin nodded. “Okay. Would you like me to come along?”

“No,” Shawn said, “I want you to talk to the victims families.”

“Okay.” Kevin agreed.

Knight Foundation Garage

0733 Hrs

Maddock stormed into the garage. “KITT!” he yelled.

“Yes, Mr. Maddock, what is it?” KITT calmly replied.

“As if you didn’t know?! Where are Shawn and Kevin?!”

“I figured that they have not come in yet. Is something wrong?”

“KITT, you are not programmed to lie. However, your AI unit is capable to evolve. Where are Shawn and Kevin?” Maddock said.

“I am sorry, Mr. Maddock, but I do not know where they are.”

Maddock got up and looked around. He spotted a security camera.

Billings City Jailhouse

0833 Hrs

Shawn sat patiently in the visiting room. She ruffled through some papers and took out a pencil. The door opened and a guard escorted Harold Johnson in.

Harold sat down across from Shawn. He smiled at her. “How may I help you?”

Shawn smiled but didn’t answer. She looked deeply into Harold’s eyes.

Harold’s smiled faded. “Shawn....”

Shawn smiled.

Harold got up and walked over to Shawn. He hugged her. “Oh, Shawn.”

Shawn hugged back.

“What are you doing here, Shawn. I’m going to die in three weeks, you know that right?”

“I know, Dad. That’s why I am here. We both know you didn’t blow up that school bus.”

Harold sat down. “Your mother, and your step-father kept you so shadowed from this, I thought they convinced you to believe everyone else.”

“They did,” Shawn said, “but when I was at UCLA, I read into your case. Evidence which could acquit you disappeared.”

“Don’t remind me.” Harold said.

“For the past few years, I’ve been trying to find that evidence.” Shawn said.

Harold leaned towards Shawn. “Shawnie, I don’t want you to get drug into this. It’s not right.”

“What is right, Dad? You, an innocent man, dying?! This isn’t justice. It’s some kind of conspiracy against you. Somebody wanted you to meet this fate, badly.”

Trapped

No escape from the prison created.

Harold sat silent.

“Dad... I’m going to get you out of here. If it takes everything I have. My money, my job. I don’t care.”

“But, Shawn. You should go on with your life.” Harold said.

“I can’t. When your lawyers appeal, I plan on having this evidence to present.”

“They appeal on the 30th.”

“I know. That gives me almost two weeks to find the evidence.”

“Shawn, if you haven’t found it for this long, what makes you think you can find it while you are here?”

“I am almost sure that the evidence was not destroyed. It was just hidden.”

“And if you don’t find that evidence?” Harold asked.

“Then please forgive me.” Shawn said.

“Oh, Shawn. Of course I will forgive you. You are my daughter.”

Shawn smiled. “Listen, can you think of anybody who would frame you like this?”

“Of course,” Harold said, “my brother.”

“What?!”

“You never knew him. Carl is mentally disturbed. He’s a socialpathic person, and he can be a very dangerous man. He hates me for committing him to the mental institution.”

“Really?” Shawn said.

“Yes. However, he didn’t blow up the bus. He couldn’t have.”

“Why?”

“He was in the institution then. He was committed in 1975. He’s been in there ever since.”

“Then how could he be behind this?” Shawn asked.

“He may be sociopathic and schizophrenic, but he is very, very intelligent. It wouldn’t be long until he could find a way to get revenge on me.” Harold said.

The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to fit together. “And he did that by hiring somebody who looked like you, blow up that school bus.”

“Right.” Harold said.

“But why wasn’t this presented at your trial?” Shawn asked.

“It was,” Harold said, “but it was all circumstantial. They said that we instigated that story in order to get me aquitted.”

“Dad, I promise to get this evidence. So help me God.”

“Good luck, Shawnie.” Harold said.

Shawn got up and walked out of the room.

Knight Foundation Garage

0904 Hrs

“How long?” Maddock asked.

“It will take awhile for me to find the right part which you are looking for. And since you gave me such a narrow search, it will still take awhile.” KITT said.

Maddock leaned back into KITT’s leather seat. He looked at the camera and saw something suspicious. “Stop KITT. Rewind.... stop. Playback.” Maddock looked at KITT’s central monitor. It was Shawn and Kevin’s conversation from the other day.” He was speechless.

When the video was over, KITT spoke up. “As the video has just revealed, Mr. Maddock, I did not lie.”

“Right, however, you, yourself, deleted that entire conversation, as well as records of the deletion.”

“What should we do?” KITT asked.

Maddock sat there. “I’m not sure, KITT.”

Hyatt Regency- Billings

1211 Hrs

Shawn was sitting in the lounge, drinking a Martini. Kevin walked in carrying some files. He turned to the bartender. “Tequila shooter, extra lime, please.” He saw Shawn looking at him.

“Are you old enough to drink that, Mister?” she said.

“Of course,” Kevin said, sitting down, “I talked to the children’s families. You have no idea how much they have put that behind them. But one thing I did see, in every family of the dead child, they had the child’s room preserved in every detail. Sitting there, like no time has passed, for 17 years.”

“It’s not every day you lose a child. Those parents had no idea how to cope with such a horrific loss.” Shawn said.

“Well, after I talked with the families, I did some digging at the crazy house. It seems that Carl Johnson has a violent history. Which includes knowledge of chemicals, and! explosives. He was committed by your father after he threw a chair out a high rise window and put his fist through a plate glass window and attacked his brother.”

“Whoa.” Shawn said. She finished her Martini. “It sounds like we found our wild card. Maybe I should have a talk with Carl Johnson.”

Kevin stopped her. “Be careful, Shawn.”

Shawn nodded and walked off.

Knight Air Transport

1300 Hrs

Location: 201 Miles west of Billings, Montana

Maddock was pacing the garage. “Why?” he asked, “Why does she go now? And to save that rotten jerk?”

“Why are you asking me?” KITT asked.

“I’m not, KITT. I’m just thinking out loud, that’s all. Has she mentioned anything to you at all?”

“No.” KITT said.

Maddock slammed KITT’s hood. “Damn!” he yelled. “How long till we get into Billings?”

“About 90 more minutes.” KITT replied.

Billings Mental Institution

1323 Hrs

Shawn was sitting patiently at the table behind the Plexi-Glass window. A man was escorted in. He sat down. “Who are you?” he snapped.

“I’m Shawn McCormick.”

“So?” Carl asked.

“Your brother, Harold Johnson, is about to be executed in a few weeks.”

“So the hell what?” Carl asked.

Shawn was silent.

Carl’s face expression changed to a deeper frown. “Listen here, cutie. That brown-nosed rat-faced son-of-a-bitch stuck me in this god damn dump! Do you think I give a shit if he’s dead?! Christ, he blew up a god damn school bus!”

“So you think he blew up the school bus?”

“God, lady, all the evidence pointed to him. Where have you been the last 17 years?”

“I heard that there was evidence which could have had him aquitted. And evidence which placed the blame on you.” Shawn said.

Carl leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Well, well, well. You think I am the one who framed him, right?” he put his chair back to the floor. “I’ve seen types like you before. There are only two people in this wonderful world. The real gumshoes who are legit and actually give a shit. Or, burnt-out ex-cops, agents, or whatever who don’t give a shit and just want a piece of my ass or something on tape. So, girlie, which one are you?”

Shawn’s facial expressions changed to an angered look. “Let’s just say, a little bit of both.”

“So who do you work for, lady?”

Shawn thought her reply over a few times in her head. “Well.... I’m Shawn McCormick. I work for the Foundation for Law and Government, a division of the Knight Foundation.”

Carl smiled again. “What kind of jerk off made you memorize that bullshit line? I take it that you lean closer to door number two. So, before you came to work for this foundation, who did you work for?”

Is this any of his business? Shawn asked herself. If I want him to give me the information I need, I guess I should play his game. “I was a police officer for the Seattle Metropolitan Police Department.”

Carl smiled again. “Right in the foyer of door number two, I see. So, why did you leave? Did you burn out? Did you have a gun fight and couldn’t take the emotional stress? Come on, Ms. McCormick, don’t keep me in the cold here. Why did you leave?”

Shawn had to think this reply over. One wrong move and her chances of wringing the information out of the guy would reduce to nil. She decided for the truth. “I was shot in the head. I was saved, and had a memory chip transplant which substantially increased the city’s deficit. I later found out that the police commissioner ordered to have the plug pulled on me. I quit.”

Carl smiled. Shawn was getting tired of his obnoxious grin. “So, it was gun play which led you to quit. And then, you find your way to this Knight Foundation, and now, you get sent to wring info out of me. And, you think that I am somehow behind the ‘disappearing evidence’ which could have got my dear brother aquitted of blowing the shit out of a bunch of kids. Novel approach, babe, but I’m not talking.”

We went through all this charade to only get here?! Shawn asked herself. She stared deep into Carl’s eyes. He stared right back. She knew he was hiding something. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Johnson.”

Carl got up. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms. McCormick.” he stuck out his hand to shake hers but it hit the Plexi-Glass. “Whoops! Haha!” He hit the glass some more. “Damn it all, I just can’t get through! Hahaha!” Carl hit the glass harder, and laughed.

Shawn walked out of the institution wondering what she had done wrong. “Dammit,” she said, “I tell the psycho my life story and end up with nothing.” She walked over to her car, got in, and drove off.

Shawn walked into the hotel and got inside the elevator. She pressed the button to go up to the 20th floor. She watched the numbers flash by on the digital screen above the doors. 10...11...12...13...14...15...16...17...18...19. The elevator stopped at floor number 19. Shawn waited for the doors to open and someone to walk inside, but the doors remained closed. She heard some kind of thumping on top of the elevator. She looked up, but couldn’t see anything.

All of a sudden, an explosion was heard which threw Shawn to the floor. The elevator plummeted down the shaft on a free fall. The inertial forces prevented Shawn from moving, she braced herself for the worst. She heard screeching, and the elevator began to slow down. Finally, it stopped with a jolt.

Shawn got up and climbed up to the top of the elevator. She found a hatch and opened it up and looked outside. The elevator shaft was pitch black and silent.

No light

Nothing to keep Oblivion away.

A loud bang echoed in the shaft. Shawn looked around. She climbed out and looked around.

More bangs echoed. Shawn tried to figure out where the noises were coming from. She looked up and saw a faint figure of a person climbing a ladder in the shaft. “Hey!” she yelled. Shawn ducked as bullets ricocheted off of the roof of the elevator car. The person began to climb again. Shawn found the ladder and climbed after the person. The person had a 5 floor head start on her, but she still pursued.

More bullets missed Shawn by centimeters. There were times where darkness enveloped her once again and she could see nothing. She used her ears to listen to the person’s feet hitting the rungs of the ladder.

Bright light shone through a hatch at the roof. Shawn was blinded. The hatch closed again, and Shawn’s eyes adapted to the darkness. She climbed harder, knowing deep in her mind at the ambush that’s coming the second she opens the hatch. Shawn stopped at the hatch and took out an ultra-sound gun. She slammed the hatch open and quickly scrambled out.

Shawn ran across the roof behind the massive air-conditioning unit, trying to dodge the bullets. She looked around the corner of the unit and tried to see the sniper.

Bingo.

Shawn found him. It was most definitely a him. He was oblivious that she spotted him.

Or was he?

Shawn made sure to stay quiet as she moved around to get to a perfect firing spot. She aimed the gun, and fired. The man ducked as the glass skylight broke. He got up and ran. Shawn sprang up and ran after him. He turned around and fired blindly. The bullets totally missed Shawn. She ran harder. They were running out of roof, and the man weaved around to find a way to escape. Finally, he ran full speed for a ledge, he lept into the air, and fell.

Shawn ran to the ledge and looked over. Two arms reached up and pulled her over the ledge. The man was standing on a small piece of concrete, which served as a ledge. He held Shawn’s arm in an iron grip. She looked up at the man, who was wearing a ski-mask.

“You think you’re so close. You’ve just begun.” a deep voice said.

Shawn stared into the man’s brown eyes. The man let go of Shawn’s arm, and she fell.

Falling

Down through the terrifying dark.

To be continued…

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