Murder at the Flower Shop

by P. Thompson

  There were a few from different people and then we began to study the maps that were on the table. We had a few hours to waste after everyone else left, so Jeff and our crew sat down and worked out a plan of our own. Not to go around the FBI, just our own plan.

  Chapter 16

  At seven we met at the sheriff’s office. We loaded up ammo, vests, lights, helmets (which I hate wearing), all the things we needed to raid and not be killed in the process. Nerves were high and the adrenalin was pumping. We piled in an old-school bus we used to transport prisoners up to Busy Mountain State Prison. All equipment and bodies pretty much stacked on top of each other. Good thing too, there was no heat in the bus.

  We parked about one quarter of a mile down the road from the motel and Jeff parked the bus across the roadway. No one in and no one out. We began to scatter to our designated locations. Bo, Bubba, and I took to the ridge on the north side of the motel. Bubba had the Bammer thrown over one shoulder and an AK47 over the other with ammo of all kinds for the Bammer in a backpack. We hunkered down to wait for the ‘Go’ from agent Tim Nelson.

  Even as far away as we were, we could hear the skinheads hootin’ and a hollerin’ down there. Most likely drinking which was fine with me. Nothing like a drunk bunch to get them rounded up. There were a few tests on the walkie-talkies to be sure we were all on the same page. They did it in Morse code and our reply was the same. At eight twenty-five we got the ‘be ready’ signal, gave our reply, and waited. Word came in that the black SUV was in the parking lot of the motel and high-fives went out all around. This was like the D-Day Invasion for us—no disrespect to the military.

  ‘Go’ came at eight thirty-five and we were moving in over stumps and rocks and through brambles. Thorns tore at my jacket and pant legs and one caught me across the cheek. It took twenty minutes for us to get through the woods and close enough to be in our final position. We waited for the rest to be in theirs. We were to come in different waves with the SWAT Team moving in first. I watched them climb up out of the rise and heard their bullhorns and then heard the gunfire from inside the motel aimed at the SWAT Team. We were to hold our position until told to move. It was hard to be still and not move to help out. Then the ‘all move’ signal came and we were moving closer in. Then we were told to hold our position and the South flank was to move and bring on the fire power; and they did. Bubba radioed that we were seeing movement coming at us as they were trying to escape in our direction. We were told to open fire and drive them back. Bo and I did, but Bubba, he armed the Bammer and let one go, and believe-you-me it rocked the hillside. The radio lit up and someone said, “What the hell was that?” Only our crew from the sheriff’s department knew what that was and at this point no one was telling. It did drive them back and we were still told to hold our position. Some time passed and the firing was still going on when I got a tap on the shoulder and there was agent Tim Nelson.

  “Jeff told me what the big boom was all about. I want to see it in action. You guys got any more ammo for that thing?”

  Bubba held up his backpack and gave it a shake. “Right here, Boss,” he told him. “What do you want me to aim at?”

  “Can it reach the side of the office and do any damage?”

  “How much damage do you want it to do? Put a hole in it, or take out the whole side of the wall?”

  “My call, take out the wall completely if you can.”

  Bubba just laughed and grinned and loaded up the Bammer (a lot more powder than the first shot). He adjusted the distance and told us to cover our ears.

  He let it rip and every tree on the hillside shook and the side of the wall was no more. Plus there was a few of them that was no more along with the wall.

  “See that line of motorbikes? Take them out,” Tim said.

  Again Bubba loaded up the Bammer, adjusted the distance, and let it rip. The distance was right but the power wasn’t, so he loaded up again, added more to the Bammer, and let it rip again. There was more than enough ammo in the Bammer to do the job.

  The bullhorn came out again asking for all to come out with their hands up and throw their weapons down. The SUV started up and was trying to pull out around all the downed bikes and rubble when Tim said, “Take it out!”

  Bubba looked at him and said, “All the way, or just disable it?”

  “Disable for now. We’ll play it by ear from there.”

  Bubba loaded up and took aim, then let it go, removing the whole front end of the SUV. We waited to see who was going to get out. Tim called for the lights and the whole countryside lit up like daylight. He got on the bullhorn again and demanded all out and weapons dropped. A few came out from the building and some from the rooms with their hands up, throwing their weapon out in front of them. SWAT had them march out to the road and lay face down. Still no one came out of the SUV.

  We circled around to enter the missing wall area in hopes of finding any hold outs. There were some and they were in need of medical treatment or a hospital. After the area was secured, the EMT’s came in for the hurt.

  Alan Smart and his brother died that day, not from the Bammer, but self-inflicted gunshots to the heads.

  Our work here was done and Tonya and Yan Lee had gotten justice.

  ~~~

  It took hours to process everyone and write reports, and more time was spent slapping each other on the backs for a job well done. Home was going to feel so good and a shower even better.

  It was two in the morning before I got through the front door and Max was on the couch with Ming. I woke him with a kiss. He jumped up, grabbed me, and pulled me to him. “I got to watch most of it from the FBI guys mentoring it. They shot it to me on my IPad. I still need you to fill me in on the Bammer. That was awesome.”

  “I need a shower really bad! Can we talk after that? I’ll be coming down off this for a while anyway. I’m not ready to sleep.”

  “Sure, babe, I’ll make coco if you like.”

  “No, I want a glass of wine and some cheese and crackers, please.”

  “You got it, babe.”

  AFTERWARDS

  Morning brought sunshine and warmer temperatures. Max took a personal day and we stayed home and did nothing. In the late afternoon I wanted to see Sophie so Max drove me to the hospital. As we walked into the room the news was on and it was all over the TV about what had happened at the 41-A Motel.

  “We got them, Sophie. Justice for you and Tonya and Yan lee and Lord only knows how many others we don’t know about.” She gave me a high-five.

  From there we went to see Miss Massie and Eric out in the valley. It was the first time I had seen the devastation of what the fire had done to one of the most beautiful areas of our county. We had tea and Miss Massie brought out her strawberry jam and we had it on sconces. Yum!!!

  The new bartender is a keeper for sure. His name is Jason Bond. He’s a part- time legal aid and part-time barkeep. Works out great all the way around.

  The FBI is interested in Bubba’s Bammer, but he’s not interested in them. That’s his private toy.

  Max and I are planning on a Spring wedding. I've got my eye on a very simple wedding dress of white silk with a soft flowing skirt and an off the shoulder bodice. There's a lovely little shop on the town square called Molly's and she's going to hold it for me till I'm ready. You all are invited to the wedding at our country home. Hope to see you there. Jenny, over and out!

  Next: Murder Among the Books

  Other works by P. Thompson

  Table Number Nine

  Murder on the Square

  Murder on the Lake

  Murder at the Barns

 

 

 
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