Split Second

by Louis Scott

  “I just lead ‘em, I don’t control ‘em.” Justice confessed.

  “We need to move past, and set a plan in place. No time worrying about rogue ops,” Jonas said. “Who knows, they might capture the whole crew.”

  “No capture. Kill only.” Justice stated what everyone already knew.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “You sure this is safe? I’m not too happy about returning to their clubhouse,” Pike examined the endless line of Harley Davidson motorcycles that jammed up most of Division Street. Music screamed through the walls. It made talking outside difficult. Pike’s eyes sliced through the haze that settled atop the block. He wanted Jonas and Ellie’s attention.

  The mood was tight and the Savage Souls who loitered around the front door failed to acknowledge Justice with the same earlier reverence. The five brothers looked right through Pike and the other FORCE members, keeping their hands tucked beneath leather vests on what Pike assumed were weapons.

  Justice waited for the biggest of the five to move from in front of the door. The man wasn’t as tall as he was wide. His girth was a hard mixture of obesity-covered slabs of prison-made muscle. He didn’t move immediately.

  “Problem?” Justice asked in his typical low tone.

  “Yeah, your cop friends are a problem.” His vest patch read, Stump.

  “I vouched for them, so you saying the problem is me?” Justice’s biceps pulled the slack in his shirt into a screaming stretch as his arms rippled. Fists clenched. His voice, now a low, guttural growl, challenged Stump’s loyalty.

  “It’s whatever you think.” The older man’s feet shuffled off balance and his hands moved between his pant pockets and crossed arms.

  “I think you’re about to lose some teeth if you ever question me again. And move your worthless tub out of my way.” Justice eased his right leg back to balance for a strike. His hand looked like a hammer ready to pound.

  “They’re talking shop inside—no visitors. Satan’s order.” Emboldened by the vice president’s support, Stump drew his shoulders back and lifted his chin in objection.

  It wasn’t so much of a crack sound, as it was a smack against a slab of beef. Layers of fat flesh rippled along Stump’s jaw as Justice’s right fist buried itself to connect directly with bone. The older, misguided biker’s body collapsed immediately. Pike gawked because he’d never seen anything so fast and devastating.

  “Dress him for church revival.” Justice told the others.

  They nodded with gnarled expressions as two other brothers jerked against Stump’s hulk until they’d cleared the doorway for he and his guests. They also pulled off his “colors” and handed the Savage Souls leathers to Justice.

  Music exploded as Justice shoved open the thick metal barrier. Pike felt his bones vibrate as he followed close behind. He blinked to adjust to the smoke and dim lighting as he moved from the foggy exterior to a haunted darkness that seemed to muddle and pool, like liquid at the edge of his vision. The stench of motor oil, gasoline and gunpowder came at him like an octopus on prey. His gut twisted at the thought of the decadent trash that went on in there.

  “This way,” Justice ordered.

  Pike captured everything he could about the interior and those who occupied it. He’d get his revenge for the cowardly ambush a bunch of bikers had laid on him years back. Sure, he’d stumbled into the wrong bar while chasing women, but the beating hadn't been called for. Bearded, toothless faces were burned into his memory—one by one he scanned, looking for them.

  “What the crap?” Pike whispered.

  His jaw dropped in surprise. His eyes strained toward the pool table, but Justice demanded he move into the office. He reached for Jim, to alert him.

  Couldn’t be…

  “If she’s dumb enough to keep her cell, much less use it, why don’t I call her? She doesn’t know I’m with y’all, or that I know she’s involved.”

  Voodoo’s idea seemed simple and also sophomoric in the midst of the hi-tech and tactical ideas being passed back and forth.

  “What’s to lose?” Ellie agreed.

  “Any word on your boys at the warehouse?” Jonas’s question appeared to remind Justice of the brothers who refused to follow him.

  The big man pressed thick fingers against his eyelids. “Nothing.”

  “Know what?” Alex spoke up. “Let’s give it a shot, what’s to lose? HQ hasn’t anything new, your boys can’t find the van and if they get into a firefight with Rougarou’s bayou boys, the whole thing might go up in all of our faces. Voodoo, if you want to call, then call.”

  Agitated, Alex collapsed in her seat—both hands rested atop her head.

  “Who’s Rougarou?” Justice asked.

  “Some blue star secret in their database,” Voodoo snapped sarcastically. Alex jerked up to reach for her—too late.

  Justice’s look blanked. “Blue star? Alex, what in the hell have you gotten me into?” His voice trembled.

  His hulking frame seemed to wither before the group. Things changed fast.

  “You know that’s a no talk,” Alex said.

  Her eyes blazed at Voodoo, lips pursed so tight, they created a circle.

  “This changes stuff, Alex. I’m not getting involved at that level. None of this happened.” He stood up and stole all the free space in the back office.

  “We need your help, Justice,” Alex pleaded.

  His big paw scrubbed over his face and beard before slamming the door shut as he exited the room.

  “Stupid move, Voodoo,” Alex snapped and continued to glare at her.

  “Sorry, but unless you tell me what a blue star means, how do I know it’s important? I’m just a high school dropout, remember?” She curled her bottom lip down and imitated sad eyes in a sort of taunt. “So don’t tell me I’m stupid again.”

  “You just jeopardized the mission,” Alex said.

  “Maybe you did by not telling him the whole truth. He’s a good man and deserves that much,” Voodoo defended.

  “Maybe so.” Alex grunted.

  “Oh, and Bonny replied to my text.”

  “I see that. HQ just messaged me. They’re working on a location—keep up the communications.” Alex’s eyes brightened. The team gathered around the two.

  “Did you see who I saw behind the pool table?” excitedly, Pike asked Jim.

  “No, who?”

  “Dave Miller.”

  “No freaking way.” Jim let slip a nervous laugh.

  “Yes way. I didn’t know he was on an undercover op.” Pike whispered.

  Voodoo pressed her finger to her lips and made a sound to quiet Pike and Jim.

  “It’s ringing.” She said.

  Surprised, Voodoo held the phone out to show everyone. Jonas curled her hand back toward her head and mouthed for her to answer it.

  Pike and Jim quieted.

  “Hey, Bonny. Where you been, girl?”

  “Oh, here and there.” Bonny replied.

  The room stilled, as every operative huddled to listen.

  “I need you to pay rent for March. Dang girl, it’s like two weeks overdue. You know they gonna boot me.” Voodoo complained.

  “Why don’t you ask your beau to help pay?” Bonny pressed.

  “Who?”

  “Pike, I thought y’all were all in love.” Bonny snickered.

  “That dude hauled tail after Mardi Gras. I thought he’d be different, but work called and he hauled.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously.” Voodoo mocked a cry with wiped tears.

  “I’m sorry, baby girl. He looked like a prick anyway.” Bonny laughed maniacally.

  “Thanks. You coming home soon, or should I look for a new roomie?”

  Alex jerked her head up from the e-tablet—a big smile and thumbs up signaled they’d locked onto her call and were narrowing the location. Alex rolled her finger for Voodoo to keep Bonny on the line. Voodoo winked.

  “Where were those bikers heading?” Alex whispered in Pik
e’s ear.

  “Alex, we got a serious problem,” Pike warned.

  Alex rolled her eyes, “Now you realizing this is a problem?”

  “No, ATF has an agent undercover. Dave Miller. I saw him in the clubhouse.”

  “Sorry, but your friend is on his own for now.” Alex said as she hurried away to talk with Jonas about Voodoo’s phone call.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Pike’s pulse began to race. Even exercises to calm his breathing in stressful situations wasn't working. The thought that his old partner and friend, Dave Miller was on the other side of the OMC’s clubhouse door and possibly in a deadly scenario made remaining calm almost irrational. There was nothing he could do at the moment—everyone’s lives were at risk.

  “Pike, pay attention—where were those six bikers heading?” Alex leaned closer—he felt the hot rush of air.

  “The Maxwell Complex on the South Side,” Pike replied.

  His focus shifted to Alex’s e-tablet as Voodoo’s conversation with Bonny droned on behind him.

  “That’s not where Bonny’s calling from. Better cue Justice—might be a trap.” Alex’s face showed an unusual level of concern, considering the disrespect the bikers had shown her earlier.

  Anxiety formed a sheen of sweat across Pike's forehead. He was sure it was Miller in the clubhouse, but no one else seemed to have noticed. He motioned for Jonas to come closer while Alex handled Voodoo’s phone call and HQ’s information feed. Pike leaned close to fill him in.

  “David Miller’s out there. Remember what Justice said about a gun deal going down today?” Pike’s voice tightened in concern.

  There was so much at jeopardy now—Miller’s safety was at risk because the Savage Souls had the federal agent identity database. FORCE was in danger of getting jammed up if ATF raided the clubhouse with them in it, and Justice could get dinged as a rat for vouching, while the Rougarou’s plan launched the next morning.

  “Who’s that? You got somebody listening?” Bonny’s voice shot angry and cold.

  “Oh, that’s the SWAT guys—they always get jacked up before a raid. Heading to the French Quarter—they think they gonna see some boobs. Freaking children.”

  “No crap. Cops are pricks, you should quit that crap and come work for me.” Bonny snarked.

  “Ha, just what do you do Bonny. Besides dress slutty and try stealing my boyfriends?”

  “Good point. Well, gotta go, baby. Big day tomorrow and then off to another adventure.” Bonny continued her crazy-sounding laughter.

  “Another trip? Damn girl where you going?”

  “To hell I’m sure. Later, baby.” Bonny ended the call with a kissing sound.

  “We got her pegged around West Marquette Road and one or two possible cross streets. It’ll keep sweeping until the signal is pinpointed. Time to move—now,” Alex ordered.

  “We got problems,” Jonas said. “Dave Miller’s out in the main room making an arms deal. I’m sure ATF has this place under surveillance if not ready to raid.” Jonas explained.

  Pike pressed his foot against the door to prevent anyone from walking in on their conversation. He nodded his head to alert the others that he needed to tell Justice about his guys going to the wrong location.

  The small office’s wooden door exploded inward.

  Pike tumbled backward into Ellie. Jim landed atop the small desk. Papers and whiskey glasses smashed against the far wall. Pike’s palm hit the Medal of Honor shadowbox. Blood covered the light blue ribbon and embedded white stars.

  Jonas scrambled to his feet and reached for his weapon as they all scrambled for cover. Justice marched through the shattered wooden door. His breathing was exaggerated and his neck flexed with each pulse beat. Pike struggled to push himself from the desk—his right shoulder throbbing despite the pain meds.

  “This is war,” Justice roared like a grizzly.

  His fists ripped through whatever door was left on its hinges. His reddened face glowed with hell’s vengeance.

  Pike was able to see beyond Jonas into the clubhouse. The others were sprawled throughout in disbelief. Someone unplugged the music. Pike heard wailing and the slaps against leather, as the brothers mourned the loss of six Savage Souls.

  They deciphered that the six brothers, in their rampage, went to the address where the deadly bio-chems were stored. Like bulls in a china shop, they accidently set them off.

  “It’s your fault, witch. Get out of my house. Now.” Justice yelled.

  He snatched up Alex by the shirt with one hand. She kicked, but resisting was no use. She was on her way out of the very place she wanted out of. The others grabbed their belongings and trailed Justice and Alex to the door.

  “You got thirty seconds to be off my street or I’ll start shooting,” Justice said as he kicked the front door open, and tossed Alex through it. She clawed at his wrist but it was like a dove pecking against titanium.

  “Let her go or I’ll put this bullet through the back of your skull.” Jonas whispered.

  Pike saw the .45 caliber model 1911 concealed beneath Jonas’s vest.

  “Be cool,” Justice whispered. “this is the only way to get y’all out of here alive,”

  “What?” Alex asked.

  “The brothers are hurt and looking to avenge their deaths. They were looking to take it out on y’all.” Justice spoke softer than usual.

  “But Bonny’s not at the warehouse. What happened?” Jonas asked once they were all on the street and Justice held the thick metal door closed.

  “Those idiots crashed through a door on their HOGs, and into a gun battle with a Cajun maniac. Ricochet into the barrel and gas cooked ‘em all. Even the old, fat swamp stomper.”

  “Tater, I bet,” Pike recalled the only one of Rougarou’s men that treated him with an ounce of decency.

  “Y’all got work to do, I’ll handle these animals. Kill ‘em for America will ya?” Justice’s big body jolted as the brothers tried getting past him to attack FORCE’s team.

  “Thanks,” Pike said with a sincere nod.

  “Thank you, brother. Nice work on bin Laden—total respect.”

  Justice gave Pike a thumbs up and a menacing grin. Pike felt a sense of sadness for Justice. The man had fought for his country, yet met the same screwed-over fate he had upon returning home. Justice just refused to allow them to put him in a rectangle.

  Jim and Voodoo called out for Pike to get into the SUV. Pike hesitated as he studied the cracks in the sidewalk. A strange sense of obligation stirred inside. He looked to Justice and smiled.

  “Call off the gun deal,” Pike said. “Just tell the dude it’s off—no questions.”

  Pike’s gut turned like a pig on the spit. Miller could negotiate other undercover gun deals, but Justice had earned a reprieve from the long arm of the law.

  “Will do—total respect, Brother. I got colors waiting for you when you decide the 1% life is best for living free.” Justice winked and turned to face the wrath of his men. Pike hoped they wouldn’t take it out on Justice, but he felt sure the president could handle himself.

  As Pike headed for the SUV, the door swung open and the brakes released. Pike leapt and landed on the running board before Voodoo yanked him the rest of the way by the collar. Jim peeked through the rearview mirror as he blasted the Suburban away from the OMC’s clubhouse.

  “What was that about?” he asked without taking his eyes off of Pike.

  “Nothing, I asked for directions to Soldier Field.” Pike replied.

  “That’d better be all it was.” Jim’s tone harsh and accusing.

  Pike finally looked away.

  I hope Miller gets out alive.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Showing about forty minutes to touchdown.” Jim estimated once Ellie had completed punching Bonny’s location into the navigation system.

  “Probably do it in less.” He smiled as the powerful 5.3 liter, V8 engine’s massive three hundred and fifty-five horsepower chewed up the Chicago streets
as he hit the main artery headed toward Englewood.

  [Where are you?] Bonny texted Voodoo.

  “Hey, she just sent this message. What should I tell her?” Voodoo asked.

  “Say you’re working.” Alex snapped.

  [working u/c deal] Voodoo replied.

  Her palms were moist and her head ached in a dull throb.

  [I called for you. Lawless said you were out]

  [Am out. Working u/c deal. Wuz up]

  Voodoo sensed Bonny knew she was with Pike. Everyone assumed Bonny was a dumb blonde, but Voodoo had seen a different side of her.

  [Lawless??]

  Voodoo didn’t mean to respond so quickly, but the mention of Lawless had thrown her off guard. Voodoo shook her head as her body bounced beneath the safety belt. She knew Bonny hadn’t called the Task Force office, because Lawless was still off duty after getting shot by her network of crazies.

  [Can I trust you Krystal] Bonny sent another text.

  Voodoo bit her lip. She knew Bonny never used her real name unless there was something going down.

  [Always – friends] Voodoo continued the cat and mouse charade.

  “Geez, Jim watch the road,” Pike barked.

  Pike tried to monitor the text-messaging volley between the two women. His body tossed by Jim’s top-speed steering, he tried holding on without buckling up.

  “HQ says they got another feed coming from Bonny’s cell. She’s still at South Racine and West Marquette Road. Keep her messaging Voodoo. Doing great,” Alex said.

  Pike gently squeezed her hand. She glanced to see his exhausted eyes beam at her. They smiled at each other and became lost in the madness of chasing down a band of murdering miscreants. Then the cell shook in Voodoo's lap. Smiles faded.

  [Why u lied. Thought we were girlfriends.] Bonny’s message read.

  [We are friends. I miss u. want u 2 come home] Voodoo replied.

  It turned Voodoo’s stomach to think she once trusted Bonny. It stung Voodoo to know she was nothing but a pawn to Bonny. It was time for payback.

  “We’re about 7 minutes away,” Jim yelled.