Fumbled

by Harry Brady

  Chapter

  29

  December 14, 2019, 6:30P.M.

  The testosterone was flowing as Cash entered the ready room. LaKeisha was already there. Lou Onofrio leader of the local SWAT team had just started the meeting. He acknowledged Cash and said the timeline would wait until the drug deal had been consummated. The federal agents would lead the raid and make the arrest of the murder suspect and the narcotics traffickers. The local SWAT team would be there as backup, and La Keisha would be present representing the local narcotics unit.

  Cash looked around the room and even though there was enough firepower to win a minor war, he knew from having his unit ambushed in Afghanistan, that anything could go wrong at any time. When the SWAT team leader was satisfied that they were all on the same page they all loaded up and set off for Holy Angels.

  The SWAT team with LaKeisha joining them took up strategic positions around the grounds of Holy Angels. Cash felt that his best location was on the first floor hall next to Warren`s apartment. It opened to the rear of the grotto and gave him a direct view to where the drug deal would go down. As he was waiting there Warren returned from a bingo game in the ballroom. Seeing Cash he asked what was going on. Cash gave him a nebulous answer and told Warren to stay in his room.

  Entering his room Warren sensed something exciting was going on, so he called the rest of the Dwarfs and they assembled in Valerie`s apartment right above his to be in on the action.

  At precisely eight-fifty-eight, the black Cadillac Escalade arrived and 2 minutes later Raymond exited the building and walked to the vehicle. The rear window rolled down and he handed someone what appeared to be wad of cash. Shortly thereafter, he was handed a small plastic bag and the window rolled up. Raymond turned to walk back toward the building. At this point an armored federal SWAT team vehicle drove from behind the administration building onto the parking lot and the leader of the FBI SWAT team used a bullhorn and announced in a loud voice “Raymond Boudreau, Federal Bureau of Investigation. Drop the bag and put up your hands!” Raymond stood motionless. ”Drop the bag now!!” the voice on bullhorn blared. Raymond in utter fear dropped the bag. The bullhorn blurted out the next order, “Everyone in the black Cadillac step out with your hands in the air and lie down on the ground.” The next instant the Cadillac began to move and accelerate toward the parking lot exit. Three federal SWAT team agents jumped out of the armored vehicle with their automatic weapons drawn and deployed themselves to the front and either side of the accelerating Cadillac. Just then the rear window of the Cadillac rolled down and the business end of an A.K.47 began to protrude out. The agent in front of the car dove out of the way and rolled over in a firing position. What followed next was a deafening roar from the armored vehicle, the remaining window and rear door of the Cadillac disappeared in a fiery ball. The Cadillac swerved out of control and crashed head on into a light stanchion in the parking lot. The armored vehicle moved quickly to block the possibility of the Cadillac backing up. The three federal agents on the ground cautiously approached the vehicle. The driver`s door and passenger doors opened and two oriental appearing men staggered out with their hands in the air and after they laid face down on the pavement were immediately handcuffed by the federal agents.

  Amidst all this confusion Raymond picked up the bag of narcotics he had dropped and started running across the lawn toward the rear parking lot. Watching the events unfold from Valerie`s second story apartment, Damien saw this and rushed out of her apartment and took the stairs three at a time and out the back door to the grotto. Raymond running as fast as he could looked back to see if anyone was following him. Damien approached from the blind side and launched what was called a flying tackle in the 40s, but today is called targeting and would draw a fifteen yard penalty, a hefty fine, and expulsion from the game. Leading with his head he hit Raymond full force in the chest. All the air went out of Raymond with a giant oooooooof, and he went flying like a rag doll fifteen yards backwards. The bag of drugs flew up in the air with the pills landing like popcorn in the grass. The local SWAT team encircled the prostrate Raymond and cuffed him. Cash arrived on the scene at the same time as did one of the federal agents. After a brief discussion, it was decided that Cash would take Raymond Boudreau into custody.

  A few minutes later Raymond began to regain his senses. When he saw Damien and Cash standing over him he wailed, “That son of a bitch broke some more of my ribs.”

  Chapter

  30

  December 14, 2018, 8:50 P.M.

  The Hostage Rescue Team had assembled in a house, that had been leased by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a surveillance post to monitor the suspected Khangpae takeover of the illegal drug trafficking in the Rust Belt. The house was in a residential area about a quarter of a mile up the hill from the house, which was now being referred to as the hostage house. A final briefing was underway and new observations revealed another Korean male had arrived late the prior evening in a rented Kia van. Jim Donaldson was the leader of the team and local agent Don Graham was going along during the raid.

  The local section head, Bobby Alberts, much to his disappointment was remaining back in the surveillance house. He realized he was no longer an active field agent in the middle of the action, but was now just an observer and on the bench.

  The cool professionalism of the team prevailed as the agents put on their Kevlar vests and helmets. Weapons were checked and rechecked.

  Donaldson emphasized the precise timing, as the two planned raids depended on surprising the Koreans at exactly the same time. He then gave the radio frequency to the station chief Alberts so he could monitor the action in real time.

  When all was ready the six man team left and took up their planned positions. One man was stationed across the street from the front door. Two were stationed on the right of the building covering the garage. The other three were to enter through the kitchen in the back. There was no exit from the left side of the building.

  The first radio transmission came twenty minutes later. Donaldson`s voice simply said that the Cadillac had left the premises with two men in the front seat and one man in in the rear seat. The man in the rear seat appeared to have an automatic weapon.

  The team deployed at Holy Angels confirmed they had received the message

  The radio remained silent until eight fifty eight when the team leader at Holy Angels reported, “All units go!” and both teams went into action simultaneously.

  The back door of the hostage house was kicked in and the three SWAT team agents burst into the kitchen. They already knew the location of all the inhabitants of the building from heat sensor technology, which had been used in their planning. The three people upstairs were the three women hostages and one person on the first floor in the living room. After the agents entered the kitchen they deployed two “flash bangs” into the living room and quickly ducked back outside. The Korean guarding the hostages was totally taken by surprise, as he had been relaxing watching reruns of the TV show M*A*S*H.

  The three SWAT team members rushed back in through the kitchen and into the living room. The guard was still temporarily blinded and deafened from the “flash bangs” and was easily subdued and cuffed with zip ties. When the agents were satisfied that all the guard’s weapons were accounted for, one of the agents went upstairs to the bed room where the hostages were being held. On opening the door he saw the two young girls cowering behind the bed. The seventy- two year old Mrs. Kim was standing between the Hostage Rescue Team agent and the two girls. She was holding a table lamp by its shaft brandishing the base as a weapon. Mrs. Kim realized what was happening and dropped the lamp and ran to the agent and hugged him through his Kevlar vest whispering, “Our prayers have been answered.” He lowered his automatic rifle only after he was sure the room was secured.

  Bobby Alberts had been watching the hostage house with binoculars and had seen the flash through the living room windows. What seemed l
ike an eternity to him, but was only a few minutes, until radio contact was made and team leader Donaldson reported that the suspect was in custody and all three of the hostages were safe.

  Epilogue

  December 15, 2018

  Lieutenant Sam Kalina came bouncing into the squad room at eight-ten A.M. brandishing a copy of the Pittsburgh Press. ” Have you guys seen the headlines in the morning paper?” Spreading it out on LaKeisha`s desk, the headlines read “Former Steeler Linebacker Tackles Serial Killer.” Beneath it in bold print it read, “Mayor praises police for outstanding work identifying the murderer.”

  On the front page picture, they recognized a younger Damien standing next to a player identified as Bullet Bill Dudley. Lieutenant Kalina asked, “Who is this other guy?

  LaKeisha said, “I never heard of him.”

  Cash stood up and said, “Let me educate both of you. I checked him out on the internet. Bullet Bill Dudley was one of the greatest players of his era. He is in the National Football League Hall of Fame. One season back in the forties he led the league in rushing, punt returns and interceptions. He would play all 60 minutes and never came off the field. Yesterday in my mind, Damien Skrcyzinski proved that he is just as big a hero as Bullet Bill.”

  December 20, 2018, 7:00P.M.

  Laura and Phil Cash were walking along Sixth Street toward the Garden of the Morning Calm Restaurant. Pittsburgh`s Golden Triangle was aglitter with the holiday decorations and Santa and his elves were busy in the department store window loading his sleigh. As they stopped to check it out, Phil confessed he hadn`t bought Laura`s Christmas present yet. She squeezed his hand and said, “Since you`ve been so busy recently, I went ahead and bought a lovely gold necklace that has a pendant with the image of the Blessed Virgin holding the Christ Child. You really have good taste, Detective Cash.”

  “In jewelry and women!” He replied as they continued to the restaurant.

  When they entered, it was apparent that this was a good night for business as most of the tables were occupied. Henry Kim came up to greet them and escorted them to a private room off to one side. ”Dad is back in the kitchen with my mother and my wife, Hilda, helping with the orders. I`m moonlighting as host. How about something to drink?”

  Laura ordered a glass of white zinfandel and Cash asked for an Asahi beer. Before their drinks arrived, Henry had returned to the front door and escorted the rest of the guests to the dining area. The group included Agent Donald Graham and his wife, the six members of the Pittsburgh SWAT team, and coming in a few minutes later was a glowing LaKeisha Johnson, who was escorted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation station chief Bobby Alberts. Henry and his wife, Hilda, joined the group. After a few minutes of socializing, the elder Mr. Kim and his wife came in and asked everyone to be seated. The Kim`s thanked everyone in attendance and especially thanked Bobby Alberts for the federal agents, who had lived up to their motto of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity.

  Mr. Kim then announced that they would be served a traditional Korean meal featuring kimchi, bolgogi, and a rice dish with a secret sauce known only to Mrs. Kim.

  As the dinner conversation evolved, Bobby Alberts reported that Immigration, Customs and Enforcement Agency had informed him that Soon Ling Oh and the two other girl hostages had applied for asylum and would be in protective custody until their cases would be heard.

  As the dinner party wound down, Laura and Phil Cash were the first to leave citing the need to get home early because their babysitter had school the next day. On the drive back to Fineview, Laura mentioned that she was sitting next to LaKeisha and emphasized that she wasn`t eavesdropping, but had heard LaKeisha tell Bobby Alberts how difficult it was to raise a teen age boy as a single mom. Laura said that Bobby Alberts said he would be happy to talk to LaKeisha`s son, if LaKeisha wanted him to. Cash kept his eyes on the road and chuckled, “That sure was a lot to accidentally hear.”

  Laura softly punched him on the shoulder and said, ”Never you mind how acute my hearing is. Just keep your eyes on the road.”

  December 22, 2018

  The bulletin board at Holy Angels Retirement Community showed today`s outing as a trip to the mall and lunch on your own. At breakfast, Damien and the Dwarfs agreed that it looked like a fun outing. So at ten thirty, they met in the lobby and waited for the bus to arrive. It was a rare sunny and bright day for December in Pittsburgh and the mood in the lobby with the other residents was festive.

  When the bus arrived they all boarded and off they went to the mall.

  Traveling out McKnight Road, they arrived at their destination. The more agile of the residents got off first and then the walkers were taken down and opened on the pavement. Valerie claimed hers and the group entered the main entrance of the mall.

  ‘What do we you want to do?” Millie asked the group. Valerie was quick to respond “Let`s go to the food court, I`m hungry.”

  Warren countered with, “You`re always hungry. I want to go to J.C. Pennys and look for a Christmas gift for my sister.”

  Rita suggested Chicos because she had seen an ad in the paper about a pre -Christmas sale. Millie thought that was a good idea, and Damien said he would walk along with them and do some window shopping.

  Warren grumbled that he would go with Valerie to keep her company. So the group broke up. Warren complaining he was not really hungry, as he and Valerie arrived at the elevator to go to the food court on the second level.

  Millie and Rita found Chicos and saw a lovely blouse on sale for forty per cent off. Damien continued on walking through the mall.

  Twenty minutes later when Millie and Rita were convinced Chicos did not have their size they left the store and headed for the center of the mall, where three halls radiated off a central fountain. As they looked at the fountain, they stopped and saw Damien surrounded by a small group of teenage girls. One of the girls had just handed Damien a book and opened it up and was showing him something on one of the pages. The girl then handed him a pen and Damien wrote something in the book and gave it back to her. As Rita and Millie drew closer to the group, the young girl turned to one of her friends and excitedly said, “This is the guy that caught the serial killer! His picture was in the paper and I recognized him. He`s also a famous football player. I just bought this book about the Steelers for my dad`s Christmas present and this guy`s picture is in it and he autographed it for me.”

  Either the teenage girls or Damien`s towering over them caught the attention of three teenage boys, so they came over and joined the group, ”Did you really play for the Steelers?” one of the boys asked.

  Damien smiled and said, “Yes I did, and Bill Dudley was my friend and teammate.”

  “Bill who?”

  Other questions came in rapid fire. Did he play with Terry Bradshaw? How many Super Bowl rings did he have? Damien seemed to be in his glory and answered all the questions politely. A few of the other girls asked Damien for his autograph.

  Other shoppers passing by noticed the small crowd and Rita could see that some of them also recognized Damien.

  Damien looked over and saw Millie and Rita and he said to the girl with the book, “I hope your dad likes his Christmas present.” Pointing to Millie and Rita he said, “My friends are here so I better go.” The three of them left and took the elevator to the second level and headed for the food court. After lunch, they returned to the bus and all the residents, except Warren and Valerie were already on board. At the last minute Valerie and Warren came hurrying out of the mall. Valerie going as fast as she could with her walker.

  When they had settled down Millie and Rita described the episode of Damien and the teenagers. Warren patted Damien on the shoulder and said, “That`s really great. That`s something you will always remember.”

  Damien replied, “I`ll try to remember but I may not. The important thing is that those young people will remember me.”

  bsp;

  Harry Brady, Fumbled