OUTCAST: Trust, Friendship, And Injustice (Beauty 0f Life Book 9)
Page 46
Shit, if I tell them about this, I’m not gonna be allowed out of bed at all. Dan wrestled with whether he should be honest about his little mishap, but drifted off to sleep before Bella, Mom, or the doctor appeared.
Arriving within fifteen minutes of being called, Braxton used a tympanic thermometer, so he didn’t disturb his patient. “Slightly elevated,” he reported to the ladies. “Might need to change antibiotics, but I’ll wait a day or so before deciding. Rest is what he needs. To be safe, let’s hold off on any more walks outside for a few days.”
“He won’t like the restriction, but he will comply.” Yvonne set the plate of warm cookies on the bedside table. She leaned over and kissed his forehead, noting the slight warmth.
Bella spied the wet spot on the rug by the bureau. She went to the bathroom and retrieved a towel to dab it up. As she cleaned up the spill, the sensation something was not quite right with Danny initiated her request, “Michael, please check his wounds … not like Danny to leave a mess on the floor.”
Dan woke as his blanket moved. He stared up into Braxton’s eyes. “Hey, doc, what ya doing?”
“Need to check your side. Would you please lift your shirt?”
Complying, Dan winced as the doctor probed, but held in his groan, deciding to hide his klutzy move.
“Still tender and discolored … as expected. You’re running a low-grade fever though, and we’ll need to keep an eye on that. If you begin feeling worse or your pain increases, tell me. We want to prevent any complications.”
Dan nodded. “Got it.” A sweet aroma caused Dan to recall Loki’s reaction to all cookies. He reached for one as he said, “Mmmm, me like cookies.”
Yvonne and Bella giggled … Danny knew how to reduce their worries.
Prison Bus En Route to Courthouse – 2:05 p.m.
“What are you smirking about, Robert?” Brogan hissed.
Robert shifted his chained hands. “Can’t wait for the asshole cop to be charged with assault. All high and mighty TRF Officer Raymundo Palomo brought down by a single action.”
Al glared at Robert. “If you kept your fucking mouth shut, we wouldn’t be facing attempted murder charges. It would be abduction, assault, and attempted kidnapping only. I swear you suffer from diarrhea of the mouth … you never know when to shut up.”
Charley chimed in, “Robbie-steel-toes is the reason we got caught in the first place. Couldn’t keep his trap shut and spilled the beans to the rookie about our racket. You’re a damned moron, Robbie.”
Robert scowled at him. “I’m not the one taken out by a girl. Your ridiculous wanna-be Bruce Lee moves failed. One move from her and you’re down for the count. You can only hit old targets who have been bound wrist and ankle. At least I took her down with one kick. Almost had the guy too.”
Brogan glowered at them. “Shut the fuck up. You all screwed up. You’re all pathetic imbeciles.”
Al growled out, “We’re pathetic? Us? What about you? You’re such a lazy, lard-ass you couldn’t make a run for it at Ridgewater’s. You gave up without a hint of a fight. Probably because you feared the giant officer would tackle your fat ass. And for the record, this is your fault. We would all be free men if your desire for revenge on the cocky shit didn’t come into play.”
Charley added, “Al’s right. You’re to blame. We should’ve high-tailed it outta the country the day we were released. We could’ve set up shop anywhere. But no, you got the bright idea to go after Broddickhead. And now you made him into some damned hero instead of the narc he is.”
Anger emanating from his voice, Brogan said, “I still can’t believe the little shit possessed the balls to report us to Internal Affairs and turn into a snitch. Dickhead was so whiney, pathetic, and easy to manipulate. So immature thinking we actually cared about him. I should’ve let Robbie take him out with a sniper shot rather than only graze him. At least we’d have the satisfaction the turncoat was dead.”
Robert said, “I wonder how TRF ever allowed him in. He crossed the line turning whistle-blower. He should’ve been shunned and pushed out for what he did. Cops don’t rat out other cops.”
“Robbie something isn’t quite right in your head … you’re an idiot … he did leave. Remember what Barrios told us?” Al sat back and turned to peer out the window at the tall buildings surrounding them. “Wish the sniper killed him last summer. Hope the guy is still out there, and Brodickhead still has a target on his back.”
Brogan nodded. He recalled the visit from an old friend last July. Gervais Fresnel, who at the time headed security at St. Michael’s hospital informed him Broderick returned to the force and became a member of TRF. Though Brogan didn’t understand how that occurred, it pissed him off at the time, and he spent many sleepless nights plotting ways to seek his revenge if Broderick survived.
Now I must plot again. I will kill the rat bastard … he will suffer again, and next time I’ll put the bullet between his eyes without hesitation. His thoughts halted as the bus arrived at the courthouse.
As they stood to exit, Charley stumbled and smacked his head on the metal cage. Charley picked himself up and glared at the man who deliberately tripped him and the inmate glared back. I’m sick of being a victim of other convicts because I used to be a cop … my life in prison is hell.
Three Birds with Two Shots
44
May 17
TRF HQ – Briefing Room – 2:10 p.m.
After Ray re-joined the rest of the team and gave them a short rundown on the interview, everyone agreed the questions seemed a bit odd but had faith in Agent Stevens. She dealt fairly with them and earned their trust last year when she interviewed Dan in the Grand Citadel Hotel after the gang war. Stevens handled Dan with kid gloves that day and prevented him from having to answer too many questions which they appreciated.
The team finished a late lunch and started negotiation training with Kinsey since the day had been quiet so far. Loki knelt in front of Bram who held a rubber gun to his head, he amped up his features, giving Kinsey puppy eyes as she struggled to connect with the subject Bram portrayed.
“Bang!” Bram yelled when Kinsey failed to meet his demands.
Dramatically dropping to the floor, Loki fake convulsed.
Jon chuckled. “Loki, you were shot point blank in the head, you wouldn’t be jumping around like a fish out of water.”
Grinning, Loki halted and moved to a seated position as they all heard Kinsey growl.
Pivoting, Kinsey clenched her jaw. “I don’t understand. I said all the right things. Everything the book told me to do … maybe the author is an idiot.”
Recalling Dan’s angry reaction to the same exercise, Loki’s eyes rounded as he bit his lower lip to keep from laughing or maybe crying, as déjà vu permeated the scenario. His gaze darted to Boss, waiting for his reaction to Peltora’s faux pas as Bram and Ray shared a glance.
Jon grimaced and said, “Do you realize you just called Boss stupid?”
“What?” Kinsey gaped at the tactical lead.
“Boss wrote the manual, ergo, you—”
Wearing a neutral expression, Nick interrupted, “You can’t learn everything by reading a book. Takes time and practice.”
Further discussion halted as Tia called out, “Alpha Team, critical call. Shots fired at the Ontario Court of Justice.”
The team raced to gear up as Nick said, “Give us the details, Tia.”
Accessing the detail central dispatch provided, Tia relayed, “Appears to be a sniper. Active shooter, but only two shots so far. Three inmates are down. Shots started shortly after the inmates exited the transport bus. Inspector Pope is on scene.”
“Are the identities of the convicts known?”
“Not at this time. The guards and remaining four inmates are hunkered down behind the planter boxes in front of the courthouse. Many civilians are taking cover outside too. Patrol officers are currently setting up a perimeter but are holding off making any moves to reach the trapped civilians.”
“No,” Tia answered.
Outside Courthouse – 2:12 p.m.
Arriving on scene, Nick hurried off to Pope for the latest details, while Jon took a quick scan of the area, noting the position of the bodies on the ground. The sniper could be in any number of buildings. Dan’s abilities would come in handy. He would be able to tell me in short order which structure would be the prime position, but now I must review blueprints and calculate all the possible angles. This will be slower, much slower.
Jon turned to the team and assigned tasks. “Loki, I need schematics of the surrounding area to determine the most likely sniper location. Bram, you take Kinsey and figure out if there are any options to secure the civilians in a safer place. Ray, ask Tia to patch you through to one of the escort officers and see if you can find out who the victims are. Might give us a clue about our subject.”
“Copy,” each said before heading out to execute their jobs.
Ray and Loki entered the command truck as it arrived. Loki began accessing the database to pull up schematics and 3D building imagery to assist Jon. Tia patched Ray through to a guard hunkered down with the inmates. Bram and Kinsey set off at a quick pace to recon the area.
Jon joined Boss and Pope. “What’s the status?”
With a phone to his ear, Pope ignored Hardy, turning his back to him. “Are you sure?” His eyes scrunched and lips pursed as he received an affirmative reply. As he hung up, Pope faced Pastore and Hardy. “The three down are Brogan Snow, Alfred Riqueti, and Robert Bozonnet.”
Nick and Jon gazed at each other in disbelief before moving back to Pope.
“You certain?” Nick probed.
“Same question I asked. Yes, he is sure.”
Most of the team halted a moment, stunned by the information, but Ray received a second confirmation as to the deceased identities. Ray asked several more questions before ending the call and reporting to his team as he stared dumbfounded at Loki. “Boss, I can confirm Riqueti, Bozonnet, and Snow are dead. According to the officer I spoke with, Snow and Riqueti were killed when the first shot went through Riqueti then Snow. Bozonnet was hit by the second bullet which also winged Turner, who is still alive.”
Nick rubbed his face as scenarios ran through his mind. “The active shooter might be targeting specific people since no other shots have been fired. Ray, I need to you look into the history of their crimes. Try to find links to anyone who possesses the appropriate skills.”
“On it, Boss,” Ray responded.
Jon said, “This sniper is an expert marksman. Shots like that are extremely difficult if not impossible to achieve on moving targets.” Jon’s mind whirred. Besides me, Dan is the only man I know capable of making a double kill shot. Did he? No, Dan can’t be the shooter, that’s ridiculous, he’s seriously injured, and he possesses a moral code. But if not him, who?
His gut wrenched as Jon came up with two other possibilities. One man and one woman … William Broderick and Lexa McKenna. He instantly dismissed Lexa. Never in a million years would she kill in cold-blood … not in her genes. Jon sucked in a breath, unable to discount the general, unsure what the fiercely protective father might do.
Would Dan’s father take the law into his own hands and shoot the men who tried to murder his son? Perhaps General Badass might’ve reached the tipping point with people trying to kill Dan. It is twice in less than a year. His thoughts interrupted by Bram, Jon shoved his wild conjecture to the back burner, refocusing on the call.
“Jon, I found a sheltered path. I think Kinsey and I can move a majority of the civilians to safety, but no safe path exists for reaching the guards and inmates.”
“Okay, go carefully. We can’t assume who the shooter wants or his motives. Bozonnet, Snow, and Riqueti might only be opportunistic targets,” Jon said before turning his attention back to finding the subject. “Loki, you got the schematics yet?”
Loki tapped away on his keyboard. “Sending them to your PDA, but the 3D imagery is up on my laptop if you want to join me to plot possible trajectories.”
“On my way.” Jon jogged towards the command truck.
Pope eyed Pastore as the significance of Bozonnet’s death came to mind. “Seems like one of your officers is off the hook now.”
Pulled out of his contemplation of the next steps to take in this situation, Nick pinned his glare on Pope. “What do you mean?”
“Constable Palomo. Bozonnet was due to give his statement at the investigative arraignment today. With him dead there won’t be enough evidence to proceed. Although Palomo admitted hitting him, we can’t take it further now. Your man commits assault and gets off scot-free.”
Pastore stared at him as Pope continued, “I’m telling you now … if any of your team crosses the line again, I will pursue it with vigor and throw the book at them. Just because you’re TRF doesn’t give you special privileges.”
Nick couldn’t believe Pope’s asinine comments. Yes, Ray hitting the man was not appropriate, but extenuating circumstances existed. This not being the time or place to deal with Pope’s attitude, Nick turned on his heel and strode toward the truck, though his mind stewed a moment on the strange but real dynamic in the police force. An almost equal amount of awe and envy, some might say hate, was shown towards TRF. Anytime one of them made even the smallest mistake, a bevy of haters would hold them under a microscope.
It ticked Nick off. The haters never comprehended the dedication required to be part of TRF or the toll on the officers who dealt day in and day out with the worst possible situations. TRF routinely put their lives at risk to save others, while armchair quarterbacks judged their every decision.
The injustice of it raised Nick’s hackles. He wondered how many of their detractors would put themselves in front of a gun daily and maintain the level of professionalism his team did. Pope is a jackass.
Command Truck
Nick pulled the door open and climbed up the steps. He spied Loki and Jon calculating angles and trajectory. He stood behind Ray and placed a hand on his shoulder in support since Ray undoubtedly overheard Pope’s remarks.
Glancing back, Ray glimpsed Boss’ smile and appreciated the unvoiced vote of confidence. “Boss, there are so many victims, I’m working backward.”
“What did you find?” Nick requested as he viewed a crime scene photo of a bruised old man on Ray’s monitor.
Ray shared, “Their last victim is Henry Cooke. They roughed him up, destroyed his home, and stole his car. He is eighty-three. Retired Army. Tia is trying to access his military records, but at his age, he’s not likely the sniper.”
“What about family? Perhaps a son or grandson is upset by the attack,” Nick suggested. As he did so, a niggling thought entered his head. Would General Broderick or Blaze’s unit go after them for what they did to Dan?
Nick put his implausible thought aside as Ray replied, “I checked. He was married and had six kids, but they all died under the age of sixteen in an apartment fire. His wife passed away a couple of years ago too. Mr. Cooke has no other family alive.”
“So not a likely subject. Who is next on the list?” Nick inquired.
Ray pulled up the records. “Efrain Calvo, seventy-nine. They assaulted him and stole his van—the one used to abduct Dan. Mr. Calvo is still in the hospital in critical condition. According to the record, the charges might be upped to murder if Calvo succumbs to his injuries.”
“Family?” Nick questioned.
“Tons. Huge family. Unfortunately, most are either too younger or in jail. Will be hard to track down. When Loki is done with the buildings gonna ask him to take a crack at running the data to check if any of the Calvos possess the skills to take those shots.”
Outside Courthouse
Trotting towards the command center, Bram called out, “Boss, all but three civilians have been moved to safety. The three are hunkered down with the prisoners and guards.”
“Good work. Head back here. We have several locations to search,” Nick said and spotted Jon nod in the affirmative. “Ray, go with Jon, Loki can continue with the information digging.”
Jon and Ray stepped out of the truck as Jon said, “We have three possible locations, the Queen Towers Apartments, Bay Office Complex, and Rosewood Research. Bram, Kinsey, head to the Bay building. Ray and I will take Rosewood. Whoever finishes first will go to the towers.”
All four raced for their designated location. As he jogged alongside Ray, Jon muted his headset and indicated for Ray to do the same. “Ignore Pope’s dumbass comments. The team stands behind you. Doubt Pope could keep up with us, and I know he couldn’t have taken down Bozo. You did well. I’m glad you’re on this team.”
Ray smiled and chuckled at his tactical lead’s reassuring comments. “Bozo? I like it. Thanks, Jon.”
Loki’s voice sounded over their headsets as he said, “Guys, just got the military file on Cooke. Whoa man. Wow. Holy smokes.”
Both switched on their mikes, sharing a grin, as they imagined the expression crossing Loki’s face with those words. Jon lightly admonished, “Loki, less reaction, more info.”
“Um, though Cooke is eighty-three years old, he might just be our shooter. He has an impressive list of medals and awards.”
“What makes you believe he could be the subject?” Nick asked.
Loki reviewed the notes summarized, “His file indicates he was a sniper, skilled at taking out multiple targets with a single bullet. One footnote from his Sergeant says Cooke was the best long-distance marksman he ever saw, never missed even in the worst possible conditions. Geez, sounds like an older version of Dan. He left the service after an extended compassionate leave. The timing corresponds with the death of kids.”