by Akart, Bobby
“But …” Blair folded her arms and feigned a pout. She was just glad to be alone with her husband again.
“You were warned, missy,” said Ryan as he drew his wife close to him.
“Yeah. Yeah. Kiss me before I beat you.”
Chapter Eleven
Haven House
The Haven
Ryan and Blair’s quiet moment alone was short-lived. When they returned to Haven House, the Cortlands were sitting on the front porch in the Adirondack chairs. They both stood in unison as the Ranger came to a stop, headlights still illuminating the parents as Ryan shut off the motor.
Blair was the first to exit. “Hey, are you guys okay?”
Meredith rushed towards Blair, and the two hugged. Tears rushed out of Meredith’s eyes as her emotions took over once again. “I’m sorry, Blair. I thought I’d stopped crying. I don’t know, it’s just—God, this really sucks and I’m so frightened.”
“Hey, of course you are. We all are. We might have a breakthrough.” Blair’s words comforted Meredith. Wiping away the tears, she appeared hopeful.
“What have you learned?” asked Cort.
“I have an idea,” said Ryan. “If there was ever a time for an adult beverage, today is the day. Wouldn’t y’all agree?”
“How about a glass of wine, Meredith?” asked Blair.
“Maybe two?” Meredith replied with a laugh that was coupled with a long sniffle.
“Scotch for me,” said Cort.
“Come on in, Cort. I’ve got a bottle of Glenlivet that was given to me by a fellow from Boston. Let’s bust it open and try to relax while we tell you the latest.”
Within seconds of entering the house, they were greeted by the princesses, who were followed closely behind by Handsome Dan. The unconditional love shown to them by their furbabies warmed their hearts before the first glass of alcohol was poured.
While Ryan poured the drinks, he checked in with Angela to get an update on Frankie’s condition. With no change, he quickly provided the Cortlands details of what Blair and X-Ray had discovered via the NSA website.
The two couples discussed their various options, and Ryan cautioned there was still a lot to learn about the location where Hannah appeared to have been taken to. He completely trusted in Alpha to formulate a rescue plan, but Frankie’s recovery would help even more because he’d likely been inside the building.
Blair invited Meredith into the kitchen to put together a tray of munchie-type foods, which allowed Ryan to spirit Cort away to the study, where they could speak in private.
Cort had a concerned look on his face. “Is there something else? Something you can’t say in front of Meredith?”
“No, it’s not that,” replied Ryan, who continuously glanced at the doorway to make sure they were alone. He didn’t want to close his door, as that would draw unnecessary curiosity. “Cort, I have to ask this question. And let me say that your answer in no way affects our decision to rescue Hannah.”
“Okay. What is it?”
Ryan took a swig of the scotch and grimaced at the strong taste. There was a reason the bottle had never been opened since his trip to Boston a year ago. He didn’t really like the hard stuff.
“I understand about the situation between Meredith and your father-in-law. But maybe we should consider asking for his help. I mean, clearly the man has resources we could only dream of.”
Cort wandered around the study, contemplating Ryan’s question. “You’ve got a point, Ryan. However, I’m not sure whom I can trust. Think about it. These people have eyes and ears everywhere. X-Ray was on their payroll. Tom Shelton used to work for Trowbridge. For all I know, you guys are old pals with him.”
“I wish,” said Ryan. “We’d be up at his place, most likely surrounded by Navy SEALs or Delta Force.”
“You see my point, right? The tentacles of these people reach far and wide. I could make matters worse if I’m not careful.”
Ryan nodded his agreement. “Listen, I have a lot of confidence in our people. We brought them on board because they have a variety of skills, but most importantly they are loyal. Not only to one another, but to all of us who live here at the Haven. I trust them with my family’s lives, and I know they’re capable of getting that darling little girl back to her parents.”
Cort finished off his scotch and raised his glass to show his agreement with Ryan. “Okay, if they’re on board, so am I. I’ll speak with Alpha as soon as we’re done here. I’m going with the team.”
“No.” Ryan shocked Cort with one word.
“What? Yes, I absolutely will go to rescue my daughter.”
Ryan was adamant as he too finished off his drink. “No, Cort. No way in hell. You’re too emotional and untrained. Let the professionals do this.”
Cort rubbed his forehead. “How can I possibly stay here and let someone else rescue Hannah?”
“Because it’s the smart thing to do, and I’m gonna need you here,” answered Ryan. “We’ll be sending our best security personnel out of the Haven to rescue Hannah. What if this whole thing is a ploy to draw away our resources and attack us again? I’m gonna need you to help me defend this place.”
Cort’s shoulders drooped, indicating his acquiescence. “Of course, you’re right. It’s just … It’s gonna be hard. You know, the waiting.”
“The reward will be when you guys are reunited with that adorable child.”
Chapter Twelve
Armageddon Hospital
The Haven
Midnight had arrived and Angela was awakened from her long nap by Tyler. He’d dropped the kids off at the Haven House, along with Skylar Hightower, who was distraught over the death of her brother. The Rankins thought Skylar could use the help of kids her own age as they worked through the death of Ethan and the sudden disappearance of Hannah. Kids had a way of talking with one another that adults didn’t understand.
What Angela hadn’t anticipated was that the thoughtful gesture of grouping the kids together would free up the Hightowers to descend upon the hospital to hover over Frankie, who was still in a coma. She knew a little bit about their history, and although the death of a child should bring an estranged couple closer together, everybody reacted differently.
She rolled her head on her shoulders and stretched to work out the kinks received courtesy of the uncomfortable gurney. Tyler had offered to bring one of the kids’ twin-size mattresses on the back of his medical cart for her to sleep on, but she didn’t want to trouble him. Her stiff body was telling her that she’d made a poor choice.
“Hey, where did Tom and Donna go?” she asked as she entered a room suddenly empty except for the Hightowers.
“Well, Tom was complaining that he couldn’t get comfortable,” replied Tyler. “It got so bad that Donna threatened to maim him if he didn’t stop. I took a look at him, changed his dressings, and sent them home so he could rest in his own bed.”
“Babe, he was shot barely twelve hours ago,” admonished Angela. “You can’t send a GSW victim home that quickly.”
“Agreed, but I’m tellin’ ya, he was gonna go regardless. At least I checked him out before he left.”
Angela sighed and then smiled. Crusty old codger.
“Angela, I hope you don’t mind that we’re here,” said Karen. “We won’t be any trouble, and I’ll help out any way that I can.”
“That’s okay. I appreciate the offer. For now, we’re just in a holding pattern. Excuse me while I check his vitals.”
Will and Karen stepped away from the gurney, and Angela noticed that they were arm in arm. She furrowed her brow as she tried to make sense of the interesting family dynamic. Frankie had been an important part of their lives, first as Delta’s respected partner on Philly SWAT and, later, as the man who occupied an angry wife’s bed.
“Well, there’s been no change. His heart rate and blood pressure are still lower than I’d like. We’ll keep him hydrated and just keep a close eye on his recovery.”
“He lost a lot of blood, didn’t
he?” asked Delta.
“Yeah. He had a previous head trauma, likely within the last several days. When that was reopened, the wound gushed blood. That, coupled with the blow to the temple, which likely tore the miniscule arteries that ensure blood flow to the brain, has placed his cardiovascular system in a perilous position.”
“When will he wake up?” asked Karen.
Angela wasn’t sure how she should answer the question. She was a doctor and, as such, she’d sworn to uphold the highest ethical standards when treating a patient. That said, she was fully aware there were competing interests within the Haven as it related to Frankie’s health.
Some wished him dead. Others wanted him alive long enough to give them information. The Hightowers were a potential mixed bag. Delta most likely wanted Frankie to live just so he could kill his ex-partner himself. Who knew with Karen? Maybe she would take her old boyfriend back in.
After her nap, Angela was prepared to make a decision regarding Frankie’s medically induced coma. As a woman and a mom, she empathized more with the plight of the Cortlands and the need to find Hannah. If he was stable, she’d planned on cutting back on his sedatives. Hannah’s life was more important than Frankie’s.
This was a secret she wouldn’t even share with Tyler. It was one course of action she planned on doing alone, during the middle of the night, and without an audience. And now she was surrounded by onlookers.
“I have no idea,” Angela finally responded. “The body does what the body wants. Guys, I appreciate your concern, and I know you both have reasons to be here, but please, go home. Let me do my job without distractions, okay? I’m all Frankie’s got, and regardless of what he’s done, he deserves my undivided attention.”
Will nodded and pulled Karen away from the gurney. “She’s right. Let’s get some rest. There’s nothing we can do except hover and get in the way.”
Karen reluctantly agreed. “I know. Yes, you’re right. Thanks for taking care of him. I mean, I’m with Will now, but, um—”
“I understand, Karen. Now, please. Let me take care of Frankie, and I’ll send word the moment something happens. I promise.”
The Hightowers agreed and quietly exited the hospital, leaving Tyler and Angela alone. Angela wandered around the open space, enjoying the emptiness while she could.
Tyler sensed she was distressed. “Babe? Is there something else?”
“Nah, I mean, well, maybe,” she replied. “He needs to be in a hospital, but I don’t think anyone here is willing to risk their life to take him there.”
“Do you want me to do it?”
“No! No way. He’s not worth it.” Angela ran her fingers through her hair. “God, listen to me. I’m a doctor. I can’t think like that.”
“You’re human, too, babe,” said Tyler, who moved to embrace his wife. “Don’t overthink it. Just keep him in a coma and see what happens.”
Angela pulled away and walked toward the window behind Frankie’s gurney. Suddenly, she needed fresh air. She hated lying to Tyler.
“That’s just it, Ty,” she began. “I hadn’t planned on giving him any more sedatives. In fact, nobody else knows this, but he’s three hours overdue now. He could wake up anytime.”
As if on cue, Frankie began to convulse. His body was shaking uncontrollably as his eyelids opened, revealing only the sclera.
“What’s happening? Seizure?” asked a frantic Tyler.
“Stroke,” said Angela as she moved into position to help her patient. Then, suddenly in a surreal moment of clarity, Frankie Scallone became still and breathlessly said his last word before he died.
“Chepe.”
Part II
Chapter Thirteen
The Varnadore Building
Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina
Chepe intended to take a deep breath, hoping to revel in the ordinarily clean, crisp air as he strolled the rooftop of the Varnadore Building. However, the smell of smoke lay heavily in the cold air, as many parts of Charlotte had been set ablaze, in large part due to his activities. The rank odor of burning chemicals created a pungent taste in his mouth. It was the unmistakable perfume of anarchy.
The faraway sounds of sirens responding to pleas for help could be heard throughout the city. First responders, or at least those who still bothered to show up for work, were completely overwhelmed as the collapse took its toll on Charlotte. Chepe had been confronted by a firefighter while his group of anarchists was looting Lowe’s. The man had admitted he was gathering supplies before his family left for East Tennessee.
The man had said that the cops and firefighters he knew had opted to protect their families first rather than risk their lives to defend a lost cause. He confirmed to Chepe that looting was rampant in all parts of the city, and those responsible were from all walks of life. Desperation and panic had set in as America descended into the abyss.
“I think we have everything in place, Chepe,” announced one of his top lieutenants, who’d just emerged through the roof access stairwell. He stepped over a series of pipes and half walls to get closer to the undisputed leader of the Black Rose Federation. “I’ve got people posted throughout the building and within radio distance of our perimeter. When they come for us, we’ll know it.”
Chepe motioned for the man to join him next to the parapet wall overlooking the front entrance. “Did you put everyone out there like I asked?”
“Ten-four. They’re already grumbling about the long shift, and all I promised the outsiders is that we’d rotate them inside, you know, to be fair.”
“They’ll be coming for us soon,” said Chepe as he stared up and down Independence Boulevard. He was pensive, trying his best to put himself in the shoes of a distraught father who’d be desperate to recover his child. “I don’t think it’ll be during the day, but we have to be ready.”
“Are you sure the guy won’t come alone? You know, be the great dad and give himself up for the sake of his kid.”
“He’ll bring his wife for sure,” replied Chepe. “I mean, there has to be somebody to hand the kid over to, right?”
“And that’ll be it?” His lieutenant appeared skeptical.
Chepe abruptly turned to him. “Think about it. He knows he’s gonna die. He’ll make the ultimate sacrifice for his kid. Now, once we make the exchange, that’s when the trouble will begin. They’ll risk his life to try to get him back because they know he’s a dead man anyway.”
“What if they try to rescue the kid?”
“That would be real stupid, but I’ve thought of that. First off, we’ll know they’re coming, and even if they were to get into the building, I’ll have some surprises for them. I call it the King Koopa defense.”
“Huh?”
Chepe laughed and slapped his man on the back. “Come on, let’s head inside and I’ll explain.”
The two made their way back into the attic access stairwell and walked down one level to the top floor of the Varnadore Building. It was the only floor in the building that hadn’t been at least partially gutted.
Chepe explained, “King Koopa was the dragon-monster guy who had to be defeated in order to complete the Super Mario video game. I used to love playing classic Nintendo games as a kid, and in order to beat Bowser, or what most people called King Koopa, you had to get through a ton of bad guys and challenges. That’s what I have in store for them if they think they’re gonna rescue their little princess.”
He and the lieutenant walked down the hallway, and Chepe pointed out features of the rooms that would be awaiting any potential rescuers.
“It’s like a maze on this floor,” commented the lieutenant.
Chepe laughed. “More like a house of horrors. They’re gonna have to search each of these rooms after they enter the hallway through the stairwell. We’ll have traps laid for each of them. If they manage to make it to the conference room at the end, they’re gonna be surprised.”
“Why’s that?”
“Come on, I’ll show you.”
Chepe led the man into the large conference room, which doubled as an executive dining area. A professionally designed kitchen was located behind a set of double doors at the rear of the room. It was pitch black inside, as the power was not on and the kitchen had no windows. Chepe reached into his pocket and retrieved his lighter. He used the flame to look around.
“I can’t see anything,” said the lieutenant.
“Good. Now, they’ll probably have flashlights, but they’ll be hyped-up and anxious. They’re not gonna check what’s behind these cabinet doors.”
The lieutenant slowly walked through and opened the cupboard doors above the countertops.
“Let me show you,” said Chepe as he moved past the cooktop toward the end of a long stainless-steel table. He reached a two-door cabinet and knelt next to it. “Dammit!”
They were suddenly thrust into darkness.
“What?”
“I burnt my finger,” complained Chepe, who switched hands and flicked his Bic once again. “Look, check this out.”
He opened the doors, revealing a bottomless void inside. The lieutenant crawled on his hands and knees and looked inside.
“It’s kinda dark down there. Is that a hole in the floor?”
Chepe replied, “Yeah. It’s a laundry chute to a large basket below. We’ll gather up all of our bed linens and blankets to fill it up. If they get this far, I’ll take the girl down the chute and double back to the stairs. They’ll think we were never here.”
Chepe released the lighter and felt his way through the darkness into the conference room again. Once they were back in the hallway, he stopped and counted the office doors.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Gather up eight of your best people. I want them armed and ready to fight. I’ll work with them on how to stage an ambush. If they do attack us, this floor will be where it ends.”