by Robin Mahle
“I think it’s time to get the van loaded up,” Riley peered around. “Where are Jacob and Alex?”
“Last I checked, they were chugging back some coffee, preparing for a long night,” Abrams replied. “I’ll go see what’s keeping them.” He started into the hall.
Ward eyed Riley as she examined the equipment. “It’s going to be all right. It’s part of our job and we’ll get it done with no side effects.”
“I know. I’m just a little nervous.”
“Well, aren’t we all?” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Your boyfriend in there is courageous as hell. You know that, right?”
She nodded. “I wish you hadn’t given him the gun.”
“He told you about that?”
“He didn’t have to. I found it. I told him he couldn’t go in with it tonight. You’re going to have to back me up on that one.”
“Oh, I whole-heartedly agree with you. Not the time or the place. But he’s risking more than he should. He’s not one of us. I do wonder, though, if maybe he wants to be.”
“I’ll stop you right there. That isn’t going to happen. He needs to stay as far away from this as humanly possible.”
“After tonight, of course,” Ward replied.
She smiled. “After tonight.”
Jacob and Alex emerged from the back, with Jacob leading the way. “Abrams says it’s time to saddle up?”
“It’s time. Are you ready?” Riley asked.
“As I’ll ever be.”
24
The home where Alex Laughlin’s family lived was on the outskirts of Owensville, a new development of about seventy-five houses that took less than two years to build out. Prior to that, the town was in a renaissance and housing was at a critical shortage. That shortage had been filled. And now the entry-level and move-up buyers had a place to call home.
Silas Levin crawled along the streets of the community in his newer model BMW 5 series. The silver sedan still stood out among the moderate family cars dotting the driveways as people returned home for the day.
The street lamps flickered on as daylight faded. They were the decorative kind meant to look like an old-fashioned gas lamp. It was intended to enhance to the home-spun, family-friendly ambiance. But what Silas was looking for as he steered up and down each street was a sign that Alex Laughlin was home. That would be the first place he would go, if in fact he’d returned as his bartender, Isaac Bell, had indicated.
He didn’t know the precise address but knew the man’s Toyota 4Runner and figured he’d gotten it out of the impound lot already. But there were no signs of it on the street or the driveways. There was another place he could try and that was Laughlin’s work. HVM Builders, the company that built these cut-rate popsicle stick houses.
Silas pulled out of the community and started back toward town, though the drive wasn’t far. The building was situated in a new commercial office area also built at the edge of town. There weren’t a lot of places for these new developments to go except to the outskirts. Everything else had been built-out and the town hadn’t yet done well enough to start the process of eminent domain, though Lord knew they needed to in some areas. He spotted the police station just ahead and continued on, sneering at the building. At least those assholes had cooled their heels for the past week or so. Harassing him the way they did and for what? They had nothing.
He slowed as he neared the station and peered over, wondering what the hell those cops did day in and day out. Nothing ever happened around here. That was when he saw it. Silas did a double-take and slowed down more. “What the—?” In the parking lot, he spotted the Toyota 4Runner, Alex Laughlin’s 4Runner, no doubt. “That’s interesting. What the hell you doing there, kid?”
An unsettled feeling crawled along his spine. He could be jumping the gun here, but what if he wasn’t? Was it possible the kid was here to smooth things over, knowing full well his family would’ve gone to the cops the moment he didn’t show up at home? It was possible, but somehow, Silas didn’t think it was probable. He began to wonder. Had the kid spilled the beans? Had he told them about the games and the threats from none other than Silas himself? If that was the case, he might have to re-think tonight’s game.
“I feel like James Bond or something.” Alex smoothed down the wire that was taped to his chest. “You sure you’ll be able to hear us?”
“Yes,” Ward began. “We’ve run the tests, sound checks. We’re all good to go. Just don’t sweat too much.”
Alex’s mouth fell. “I—I don’t…”
“He’s joking,” Riley said. “It’s okay if you sweat. Nothing will happen. But you will need to relax. Stay calm. If Silas or either of Ackerman’s people catches wind that you’re wired, things will go south pretty quickly.”
“Why don’t you tell him he’ll end up with a bullet in his back?” Abrams said.
“I’m being honest. What do you want me to do, lie to him?” Riley fired back.
“Okay, let’s just settle down here.” Ward raised a pre-emptive hand. “No one’s going to end up shot or anything else. You two will play the game the way Levin wants you to play and when it’s all said and done, when everyone’s left the stage, that’s when we’ll go in. Not with guns blazing, but with handcuffs at the ready. We’ll take Ackerman’s people in first, then we’ll go after Silas.”
Jacob swallowed hard and nodded. “Okay. Okay. We can do this.”
Riley gently grabbed his shoulder. “Yes, you can. I know you’ve been in worse situations. This should be a cake-walk for you.” She unveiled a sardonic smile.
“Sure. Cake-walk.” Jacob sighed. “It’ll be just like the other night.”
“For you maybe,” Alex said. “My orders are to go against anything Silas tells me to do. Look, it’s my family’s lives that are at stake here. I won’t screw this up. I can’t.”
“Your family is safe,” Riley continued. “Pruitt and I made sure your wife got out of town with the kids. Yes, you need to do what Ackerman’s people told you to do. Otherwise, I’m not sure what his men will do or say. Silas won’t say anything, not until after the game, I promise you. He would risk far too much if he let it be known the game was rigged. And by the time that happens, we’ll be in there arresting him.”
Abrams placed his hands on his hips. “I hate to break up this love fest, but we need to load up.”
“You, Decker and Pruitt load up the van,” Ward began. “I’ll finish this up with Riley and we’ll head out there in a few.”
“Copy that, Captain.” Abrams started back.
Ethan stood in place, peering at Riley.
“Everything okay there, son?” Ward asked.
“Fine.” He let go of her gaze and followed the other officers.
“What’s wrong with him?” Jacob asked.
“Just nervous. A little like the rest of us, I suspect,” Ward replied. “Now come on. Button up your shirt and do a final check and then we are out of here.”
Silas rushed back into the bar and headed straight for Isaac. “I’m going to need you to help out tonight. Get Renee to cover for you.”
Renee was a lost millennial without a definable future ahead of her. She drank too much and didn’t eat enough, but she showed up for work and that was all Silas cared about right now.
“Sure thing, boss. What’s going on?” Isaac quickstepped to follow Silas to the backroom.
“We need to get the cameras up and running.”
“What cameras?” He peered around.
“The ones in the back. I bought them when I purchased the place, but never got them installed. We’re going to have to get that done tonight. At least the ones for back here. Now let’s hustle.”
“I don’t understand. Did something happen?” Isaac’s face masked in concern. “Is it the cops? Did someone squeal? It was that guy, wasn’t it?”
“Shut up and do what I tell you, understand?” Silas stood squarely in front of him.
“Sorry, boss. I understand. I’ll
get it done.” He opened the box where two cameras were packed away and began reading the instructions. “Do we have everything we need for this?”
“Yes. It’ll be remotely operated through our wireless server and it’ll record everything to the cloud.” Silas walked around the room and peered up. “I just need to find a place to hide these. Can’t afford for anyone to spot them.”
“How about here?” Isaac pointed to a corner where a few boxes were stacked high on a shelf. “No one would look there.” He continued around the room. “And here. That would be a good place too.”
Silas examined the locations and nodded. “Good. Yeah, these will work.” He patted Isaac on his back. “Now let’s get started.”
Gage Parker stood in front of the mirror in his hotel bathroom and smoothed down his dress shirt. He examined his refined features, his clean-shaven pointed chin, his thinning black hair, and brows that were brushed to precision. “Time to go.”
He returned to the bed, where he grabbed his cell phone and started to reach for his jacket, but then thought better of it. The people around here weren’t overly fashionable and he might stand out in the summer heat wearing a sport coat.
The phone buzzed in his hand and he examined the caller ID. “Mr. Foster, what can I do for you, sir?” Gage walked around the room, nodding as he listened. “I understand. Observe only. Got it.” He returned the phone to his pants pocket and walked through the door.
Eli Foster was a man of few words and was surrounded by even fewer of those he trusted. Gage had been one who had gained his trust. He’d always done precisely as ordered, nothing more and nothing less. Tonight, all he was tasked with doing was observing Silas. He would do that and report back like the good little army ant that he was.
Upon stepping outside, moisture hung in the night air and he perspired the moment he started out. “God damn humidity.” He pushed back his hair to keep it from falling out of place, as it was prone to do in this type of climate. Fortunately, the sleek black Camaro was just ahead and he started it with the remote in his hand.
As he drove away from the 3-star accommodation and toward town, there was only one thing on Gage Parker’s mind; ensure Silas Levin understood who was in charge.
Officers Lowell Abrams and Chris Decker returned to the bullpen where Abrams began, “We’re locked and loaded.”
“Where’s Pruitt?” Riley asked as she strapped on her sidearm.
“In the van, tweaking a few things,” Decker said. “Are we ready to roll, or what? These guys need to get down there pretty soon.”
“We’re ready.” Captain Ward emerged from his office and peered at the two kids in front of him, neither of which had ever served in any capacity such as this. No military training, nothing. He felt a little like he was leading lambs to the slaughter but wouldn’t dare express that out loud. Of course, Riley probably already felt it in him. Though if she had, she hadn’t said as much. Maybe because she was feeling the same way. He hoped the right call had been made. They were dealing with big city folks, dangerous ones, and these kids were his people.
“Then let’s go.” Riley started into the corridor and through the back door into the darkness. Two street lamps burned in the parking lot reserved for employees and deliveries. Only now there was a black van parked there that looked entirely suspicious. The small department had precious few resources and if it hadn’t been for the county, they wouldn’t even have this much.
They reached the van and Riley stepped inside. “Wow.”
“I know, right?” Ethan wore an enthusiastic smile.
The other two officers and Captain Ward trailed inside, all seemingly impressed with the sophisticated setup.
“Well, we can’t sit here and marvel about our handiwork.” Ward stepped outside again where Jacob and Alex waited. “You’ll take your car, Jacob. Remember, we’ll only be a block away and with this.” He tapped on Jacob’s chest. “We’ll know your every move.”
“It’s not my moves you should be worried about.”
Ward nodded. “We’ll know Silas’s every move.” He patted him on the shoulder. “Just remember to keep your cool and everything will go smoothly.”
Riley stepped out. “We’ll see you both soon.”
Jacob stood there a moment longer while Ward and Alex disbursed. It was as though he was waiting for Riley to pull him aside for a few final words of encouragement. But she only nodded with a tender smile before retreating back into the van. He turned on his heel and followed Alex to his car.
“You ready to go, man, or what?” Alex stood next to the passenger door. “I want to get this over with so I can go see my family.”
“I’m ready.” Jacob unlocked his car and stepped into the driver’s seat. When Alex entered, he continued. “I hope we’re doing the right thing.”
“It’s a little late to second-guess it now, don’t you think?” Alex replied.
“I’m not second-guessing anything. I just, hell, I don’t know.” He turned the ignition. “Let’s just get the hell out of here.” Jacob pulled away and entered the main road, and within a few seconds, the mysterious black van pulled out behind him, its headlights shining brightly. He peered through the rear-view mirror.
“Hey, man, it’s going to be okay.” Alex appeared to take note of Jacob’s apprehension. “It’ll be just like the other day.”
“No, it won’t.” Jacob shot back. “We have to go against what Silas wants so those people don’t hunt down your family. And when we do that, what do you think is going to happen? You think Silas will be understanding, because I sure as hell don’t.”
“Okay. Okay, I get it. But look, we go in there and you’re agitated, how well do you think that’ll play off, huh? Remember what Captain Ward said, we have to keep our cool or this thing blows up in our faces.”
Isaac appeared from the backroom and made his way to the bar to find Silas and his counterpart, Renee, behind it. “All taken care of, Mr. Levin.”
“Good. Thank you.” Silas checked the time on his phone. “I imagine my boys will show up in the next few minutes. We’ll get them a couple of drinks and then I’ll take them back to make sure we’re all on the same page.” Silas didn’t mention that he’d seen Alex’s 4Runner at the police station. He needed to examine the situation and understand its impact before the game.
The decision to proceed was made with caution in mind. The cameras, for one, they were for his protection, should anything fall into the hands of the cops. The conversation that would take place would give him assurances as to whether those idiot kids would follow through on their end of the bargain. If he got a whiff of wavering from either of them, he’d pull the deal. And finally, he knew Eli’s man, Gage, would arrive at any moment. The idea still played in the back of his mind. If Eli wanted to know how he was managing to pay back his debts, then maybe he would invite Gage into the game. Of course, the man hardly seemed like a card sharp, and then there was the rather sizeable buy-in required to partake in the high-stakes setting. He doubted very much that Gage Parker had the money to participate in any event.
Silas Levin had taken all necessary precautions. If the cops were dumb enough to bust in and arrest everyone for illegal gambling, then so be it. It was far less difficult to rebound from that than answer as to why he was cheating his players out of thousands of dollars. The price to pay for that crime would be significantly larger than anything these backwater cops could dream up. In fact, Silas ventured to think it could well result in his demise. And that of his two protégés.
Riley pulled upright to peer through the windshield. Ward was behind the wheel and Decker was in the passenger seat. Pruitt and Abrams continued to marvel in the technology they wished their department had. Meanwhile, it was Riley who remained concerned about the sting operation. “That’s the location, up ahead.”
“I know where we’re going, Riley. Just relax.” Ward peered back at her for a moment. “Once we park up, we’ll test the audio and then it’s full steam ahead.”
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She returned to her seat atop the bench that spanned the length of the cargo area in the van. Ethan perched on the edge of the bench and turned his sights to her. “Hey, you know better than any of us. This is going to go as planned. Otherwise, I think you would have said something by now.”
“It’s true. I haven’t felt like anything is going to go sideways,” she replied.
“Then why worry like this? I don’t understand.”
“It was something in Jacob’s eyes,” Riley said. “He believes something is going to happen. Something bad.”
“I’m sure he’s worried. He wouldn’t be human if he wasn’t.”
“No, it’s more than that.” Riley sighed. “I can’t see it, though. I can’t read him. It’s like he’s learned how to block me out.”
Ethan chuckled. “And how does one learn to do that? I’d like to know.”
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I know this isn’t the time for jokes. Look, I don’t know what he’s going through, or Alex, for that matter. He stands to lose a hell of a lot more if this doesn’t go to plan than any of us. But I do know that we are all trained police officers. We can douse this flame should it start into a raging fire. You must know that.”
“I guess I do. I don’t know why I’m feeling so off. So hesitant.”
“Because it’s Jacob. And you love him.”
Riley lowered her gaze. “Yeah. I do.”
25
Jacob pulled into the parking spot near the front of the Crooked Horse and killed the engine. He gazed at the building for several moments before turning to Alex. “We should go inside.”
“I’m sorry.” Alex turned away and stared through the passenger side window. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this. I never believed it would go down the way it has.”
“I know you didn’t. You were kidnapped, for God’s sake. None of this was supposed to happen. But somehow, where I’m concerned, I never can seem to find peace.” Jacob took in a deep breath. “We’ll be okay. There are five highly-trained officers backing us up.”