To Die For

by C. M. Sutter

  Frank rounded the table and pointed as he counted. “You know, there’s a hell of a lot of fast-food bags from the same place. That could mean it’s convenient and close to wherever they’re holed up.”

  “You may be onto something.” Danny took a seat at the nearest computer. “What’s the name on the bag?”

  “Arny’s.”

  Danny typed the name into the search bar and came up with eight of them throughout the greater Chicago area. “Must be a local chain.”

  “Let’s have a look.” I wheeled a roller chair to Danny’s side and pointed at one location in particular that caught my interest. “Zoom in on that one and pull up the address.”

  He did. Its location was East Seventy-Fifth Street, only blocks from the bus stop and where Marcus lived, and five minutes from the fast-food restaurant where the Fiesta was abandoned. We had to be on the right track.

  “Can you guys look through those receipts to see if any are from that particular Arny’s on East Seventy-Fifth Street, and if you do find some, see if it looks like meals were ordered for two?”

  Mike nodded. “Not a problem. We’ll call you as soon as we find something, including the blood results.”

  Frank and I continued to Lutz’s office, and he waved us in.

  “What did you find out?”

  “Marcus Luck happens to have a couple of guys staying at his apartment. Unfortunately, none of the vehicles in the parking lot match any that were stolen from the area.”

  Lutz jerked his chin at his guest chairs. “We’ll stay on top of that. Meanwhile, have a seat. I finally heard back from Detroit. They did get a little information from Betty Nash, but it doesn’t sound like it’s more than what you already know. She admitted she talks to Wes every day, and he has stated that they’re staying at Mark’s place.”

  I fist-pumped the air. “Let’s ambush them.”

  Lutz frowned. “Didn’t you just say that none of the vehicles in the lot matched the ones reported stolen?”

  “Sure, but—”

  “But Betty Nash said she didn’t know Mark’s last name. If we burst through the door of an innocent citizen, we’re going to have a lawsuit on our hands and the city officials breathing down our throats. We need to watch that building for signs of those two or Marcus, but preferably it’ll be Wes and Rory together. We’ll snatch them up and hopefully find Hanna inside the apartment and not seriously harmed. The last thing we need is for them to kill her because we acted in haste. We have to be certain it’s them and then take them out in the parking lot before they enter the building.”

  “Can you get a few units over there now in impounded cars?”

  “Yep, I’m on it. I’ll call Abrams and make sure his men sit on that building day and night.”

  I groused to Frank as we walked to the bull pen. “Again, our hands are tied.”

  “You don’t know that they’ll kill her.”

  I clenched my fists at the thought of those two maniacs. They killed Deidra Barry even though Jeff had given them the codes to the pharmacy doors. They took all the drugs from the animal hospital, and now Hanna served no purpose whatsoever. They didn’t have a reason to keep her alive.

  “I can’t sit around and do nothing. Maybe they’ll try to off-load the drugs they just stole. Want to sit on Woodhull Park for a while?”

  “Yeah, why not, but we better take my truck since they know your Camaro.”

  Frank and I headed back to the neighborhood. Everything that had taken place since Paul Harper’s wife, Eileen, had been brutally murdered, was within a ten-block area of the bus stop on East Seventy-Fifth Street and Blackstone Avenue. I knew we were close and they were out there—likely within eyeshot of the bus stop—but without knowing what car they were driving, they might as well be a thousand miles away.

  Chapter 54

  “Hey, check it out!” Rory pumped the brakes. “That’s the gorilla’s truck pulling up to the curb alongside the park. I wonder how they knew we conduct business there.” Rory gave Wes a suspicious glance. “How much does Jen know about our enterprise?”

  Wes shrugged. “If you’re asking if I told her every move we make, the answer is no, but she handed out those envelopes, and she’s been to some sales with us.”

  “But she always sat in the car.”

  “She can put two and two together. She isn’t stupid. We did use her to get information about the pharmacists.”

  “Do you think the bitch talked?”

  Wes rolled his eyes. “Do you think those cops stumbled on this park by accident?”

  Slamming his fist against the steering wheel, Rory sneered. “You’re damn lucky they don’t know what we’re driving. That’s it. The vet dies today, and then we’re leaving town.”

  “I’m not leaving without that Camaro.”

  “You’re being irrational, Wes. The car isn’t worth it.”

  “It is to me. It says I’ve finally made it and I’m hot shit. The bitch is going to die regardless, so I may as well get something for my trouble.”

  “Yeah, well, now I have to text Anthony and tell him to meet us in Rosenblum Park instead. The last thing we need is trouble. It’s time to move on to another city.”

  “We will as soon as we sell the stash we have since we need traveling money. We’ll have everything wrapped up in a few days, but until then, I’ll keep the Camaro in Mark’s garage.”

  Rory raised his hand to silence Wes. “That won’t work. We have to leave town tonight after we kill the cop and his girlfriend. Nobody will be looking for McCord or his car until tomorrow, and by then, we’ll be long gone.”

  Chapter 55

  Woodhull Park was small and there wasn’t much cover, so anyone selling drugs would be doing it in the grassy field. They’d be easy to spot. Frank and I watched from a half block away but saw no suspicious activity of any kind. The park was relatively empty except for the occasional kids at the playground.

  I tipped my wrist and checked the time. “I’ve had enough. We’ve been out here for two hours, and not one damn adult has stopped to talk to another one, plus it’s getting dark. Let’s head in.”

  We returned to the precinct with nothing new to report. I called Lutz’s office, not sure if he was still there or had gone home by now. It was after seven, and I hadn’t even updated Lee or Dean. I resigned myself to talking to them in person when I got home. It seemed more sympathetic and caring, anyway, even though I had nothing encouraging to report.

  Lutz picked up on the third ring. “Commander Lutz speaking.”

  “Hey, it’s Jesse. I wanted to let you know that Frank and I are back. We didn’t see any drug dealing going on at the park. Hell, we barely saw any people there at all. I think it’s time we air the photos of those dirtbags on the news. We need help, Boss, and it looks like it’s going to have to come from the public.”

  “It could put Hanna at risk.”

  “Every hour she’s with them is putting her at risk. They’re going to grow tired of her and kill her and probably sooner rather than later. We’ve got to do something now.”

  “Okay, I’ll call the news stations and have them air their images and descriptions right away. I’m praying for Hanna, Jesse. I want you to know that.”

  “And I appreciate it.”

  Lutz continued. “You guys need to call it a day.”

  “That isn’t going to—”

  “That’s an order, Jesse, not a request. You’ll be notified immediately if anything happens, I promise you that.”

  With a disgruntled sigh, I agreed and said I would let the others know. I had to face Lee and Dean and tell them that we hadn’t found Hanna. Hopefully, the breaking news alert would give us something.

  I crossed the parking lot to my car and climbed in. My phone vibrated in my pocket, indicating that a text had come in. I pulled it out then stretched the seat belt across my chest and fastened it at my hip. Tapping the text icon, I saw that the message was from Wesley Nash. I nearly dropped the phone in my lap. My e
yes darted from left to right and then through the mirrors. I didn’t see anyone in the area or even a car parked at the curb. Wes said they were watching me and if I went back into the precinct, they would kill Hanna. I was to meet them alone at the Damen silos at midnight. If I didn’t arrive on time, she’d die. If I brought anyone with me or if they saw other vehicles nearby, they’d kill her. I’d be searched when I arrived, and if I had my service weapon on me, we’d both die. The phone shook in my hand as I read the message again. I had to alert someone since I knew Hanna’s life hung in the balance no matter what, and taking these guys down that night was the only way to save her.

  I couldn’t let on that I was contacting anyone in case they really were following me. There was no way I could go back inside and organize a takedown for later, and I would have to depend on my colleagues to handle the process. The only thing I could do was drive away. The call button was located on my steering wheel, and I prayed Frank was still inside the building.

  He answered on the second ring. “Hey, I didn’t even realize you’d left until I saw your jacket was gone. I thought you were in the bathroom.”

  “Frank, stop talking and don’t exit the building. You need to go to Lutz’s office right now!”

  “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Wesley Nash just texted me. Go to Lutz, call my cell, and put me on Speakerphone. He said they’re following me, so I couldn’t come back inside. Go now and make it quick.”

  I clicked off the call and waited, hoping if they were really nearby, they wouldn’t be able to see me talking when Frank called back.

  My phone rang less than a minute later, and I tapped the icon on the dash’s infotainment system.

  “Jesse here.”

  “Jesse, it’s Lutz. Are they following you?”

  “Don’t know, Boss, since I have no idea what they’re driving.”

  “Sorry, stupid question. What did Wes say?”

  “I’m to meet them at the Damen silos at midnight. They’ll kill Hanna if I don’t come alone and unarmed.”

  “So what do they want with you?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe they just want to kill a cop.”

  “That wasn’t funny, partner,” Frank said.

  “Unfortunately, I wasn’t joking. The only way to pull this off is if SWAT goes in and sets up post in advance. Those silos and tunnels are way too dangerous for untrained officers, and working in dangerous conditions is what the SWAT team does.”

  “Are they bringing Hanna with them?”

  “I didn’t have a conversation with anyone, it was just the instructions via text, so I don’t know.”

  “Can you send that text to us?”

  “Sure, if I’m at a stoplight. I can’t do it while I’m driving. You need to get people out to the silos now before they get there. The team has to be in place, the vehicles have to be gone, and no tracks can be visible. Can you do that for me?”

  “I can’t let you go in unarmed, Jesse.”

  “I don’t have a choice, so I’m depending on SWAT to cover me. You can be sure I’ll be wearing my vest.”

  Chapter 56

  Reaching my street fifteen minutes later, I looked in the rearview mirror and didn’t see headlights behind me. I pulled into the garage, lowered the door, and ran inside to turn on the house lights so it would appear I was there—just in case. I pulled open the slider and put Bandit out back so he wouldn’t bark, then I headed downstairs to the side door of the garage. Peering over the gate before I stepped out, I confirmed that the street still looked dark. I took that opportunity to run across our adjoining lawns and bang on Dean’s door.

  Jackson was barking, and I heard the clack of shoes heading my way. I knew it would take a second since I’d warned Dean a million times to always look through the sidelights before opening the front door. The porch light came to life, and the sheer sidelight curtain moved. When he realized it was me, Dean pulled open the door.

  “Jesse, thank God! Come in, come in. Tell us what you know.”

  Dean ushered me into the kitchen, where Lee sat. Her eyes, swollen and bloodshot, told me she’d been crying and probably had been since my call earlier that day. Guilt swept over me—I couldn’t help it. I knew my job had risks, and I was fine with that, but to involve my loved ones in that risk weighed heavily on me.

  Hope filled Lee’s eyes. “Jesse! Have you found Hanna?”

  I took a seat across from her and Dean.

  “We don’t have her yet, but I’m pretty sure we will before the night ends.” I held up my hand, knowing they would ask details. “I can’t go into specifics because of the risks to her and the police department, but there will be a meeting between me and the kidnappers later tonight. I’m hoping they’ll surrender her in exchange for something.”

  Dean frowned. “Exchange for what?”

  I stared into his eyes. “Probably me.”

  Lee’s head dropped to her chest, and she sobbed. I reached across the table and took her hand in mine. “I’m so sorry for everything. I never imagined Hanna would be in harm’s way. It’s quite a leap to go from burglarizing pharmacies to animal hospitals, but in hindsight, drugs are drugs.”

  “Burglarizing the animal hospital is one thing, but why kidnap my daughter?”

  “Leverage, I imagine, and I hate to say it, but they were likely following me and saw the two of us together. Hanna had called me to say Bandit’s heartworm chews were ready to pick up. Following me without my knowledge is the only thing that makes sense. They did their homework, had that epiphany about drugs being at animal hospitals, too, and then followed her home. I’m assuming they broke in and lay in wait when we were out having a drink last night.”

  Lee shuddered, and I could only imagine the horror that filled her mind.

  I tipped my wrist—it was after nine. “I need to get home and plan this meeting. My colleagues will be at the location to cover my every move, but that’s really all I can say.” I turned to Lee. “Hopefully, by tomorrow, this will all be behind us, and Hanna will be safe and sound.”

  Lee grabbed my hand and stood. With her arms wrapped around my neck, she whispered a prayer in my ear for Hanna’s and my own safe return. I gave her and Dean a final nod of encouragement then left.

  Back at home and inside the windowless master bathroom, I called Frank for an update. “Hey, partner, what’s the word?”

  “How are you holding up, Jesse?”

  “About as well as can be expected. To say I wish this night was over would be an understatement.”

  “I feel you, buddy. Lutz is sitting right beside me, so I’ll let him update you. You’re on Speakerphone.”

  “Jesse.”

  “Commander. I hope I have some backup heading out to the silos.”

  “They’re en route right now and will let us know when they’re in position. They’re going to take everything they need from the SRT van and keep it on the rooftops with them, then they’ll send the truck to an undisclosed location close by. From the structure’s rooftops, they’ll see when the guys arrive and be prepared to take them out if necessary.”

  I interrupted. “They do know there may be a hostage with them, right?”

  “They do, and they’ll take precautions. Whether they use rubber bullets or live ammo will depend on if the perps come in armed or not.”

  “Okay, and what about covering their tracks?”

  “SWAT is aware of the need to do that, and they’ll make sure it’s done.”

  I let out a long breath. “I’ll have to leave at eleven fifteen.”

  “And you’ll be covered from the minute they see your headlights approaching. They’ll have a drone monitoring the entire area.”

  Frank spoke up. “There is another option.”

  I chuckled. “To wake up from this nightmare and know that Hanna is okay?”

  “Wishful thinking, pal. I could lie in the back seat and be there for you as a backup. You said they intend to search you for a weapon.”
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br />   “Thanks, Frank, but if they’re prepared to search me, they’ll probably give the Camaro a once-over too. Anyway, as big as you are, you’d cramp up for sure in that back seat and be of no use to me.” I tried to lighten the conversation since in my gut, I was sure I would be exchanged for Hanna, and I’d go willingly if I knew without a shadow of a doubt that she would be okay. “Hey, Boss?”

  “Yep?”

  “Any sighting of those two at Marcus Luck’s apartment?”

  “As of twenty minutes ago, no. Patrol says they haven’t seen anyone fitting Rory or Wes’s description going in or coming out.”

  “Okay, just wondering. I’ve already updated Lee and Dean with what I could actually tell them.”

  Lutz groaned. “Poor woman. Waiting for news is hell. On a good note, the broadcast is going to air at eleven. I asked them to push it back since the perps would likely be on their way to the silos and miss seeing it.”

  “Good call, Boss.”

  “Frank, has the crime lab updated anyone with the receipts or the blood evidence from the Impala?”

  “Yep on both counts. The Arny’s receipts are from the one on East Seventy-Fifth Street, and it did appear that the orders were for two people. The blood, like we expected, was confirmed to be Deidra’s.”

  Chapter 57

  With one hand untied, she ate the candy bar that was tossed at her and drank the bottle of water that Rory rolled her way. She held the plastic cap between her teeth and turned the bottle with her left hand, which made her injured shoulder ache. Her broken nose made breathing difficult, and her swollen black-and-blue eye made seeing anything to her right possible only by turning her head.

  Wes whispered his intentions to Rory, and Hanna could make out only a few words. He’d said something about the silos, the dead cop, and his Camaro, then they both looked at her. She looked down at her lap as if she hadn’t been listening in.

  The men stood and gathered things in a bag. Hanna couldn’t see what they had, but it appeared that they were about to leave the house. She wondered if they were taking her along.