by Warren Ray
“I know, I know, but she used to be a paramedic.”
“But, she’ll help though, right?”
“Yes, of course, I mean, we’re never gonna hear the end of it.”
Winters put his arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be worth the price.”
Laney came running back, out of breath and handed Winters the first aid kit. He applied fresh bandages and taped the leg up best he could before picking her up and placing her in the bed of the truck. He had Collette drive the truck while Debbie sat in back with her daughter.
Winters hustled back to the police van, and they were at the hideout within fifteen minutes. Collette beeped the horn as she pulled into the driveway and then ran inside yelling for her mom.
Winters carried Finley inside where Stacy waited.
“What happened?” asked Stacy.
“She caught a bullet.”
“You let this little thing get shot?”
Winters fought to remain calm. “Couldn’t be helped.”
Stacy ordered Collette to go get her medical bag from home. She then ordered Winters to carry Finley into the bedroom and then to leave the room.
Finley grabbed Winters around the neck as he carried her. “Thank you, Cole. Thank you for everything.”
“Your welcome, Wannabe,” smiled Winters.
“Hey, you…”
“Just kidding. You did good tonight,” said Winters, laying her down on the bed.
“Really?”
“Yep, all three of you did.”
“Out you go,” ordered Stacy, waving her hand.
Winters left the room and walked into the kitchen where Ashley had begun boiling hot water for Finley and the freeze-dried food she pulled out for breakfast.
“What happened?” asked Ashley, who shuffled her daughter, Kaitlyn, out of the room.
Winters briefed her on the night’s events.
“So, they’re really all dead?”
“Every one of ‘em.”
“I can’t believe it, I mean, I just can’t believe you did it.”
“Yeah, well, neither can I, at least not in one night.”
“So, what now?”
“What do you mean?”
“What are you gonna do now?”
Winters leaned back in the kitchen chair thinking about the question. He hadn’t had time to give it much thought. He came here to bury Cara and wasn’t sure what he was gonna do then. Now that he had taken care of this bad element, it gave him a different perspective on things. He let out a yawn and realized this wasn’t the time to come up with an answer. He was too tired and needed sleep before he did anything else.
“I need to sleep.”
“You’ll have to take the bedroom down the hall. Blair is still passed out in the other and Finley has the master bedroom.”
“Where did they store all the food?”
“At the Community Bank,” answered Ashley.
“Really? The bank? Is it in the vault?”
“Yeah, but it’s not locked. It had the best security doors though.”
“Okay, well, we’ll need to get in there and pass it all out.”
Ashley placed a bowl of oatmeal on the table, and Winters devoured it before getting up and retiring to the bedroom. Two single beds sat on either side of the room. His friend, Paul, had twin boys who had shared this room until they finished high school. The room still had multiple trophies and medals sitting on the dressers. Both boys competed in track and field through high school and now served in the Army. He remembered Paul was excited about joining them in the war effort. Winters shook his head in disgust because Paul was not with them, but lying dead in a mass grave.
He sat down on the bed and took off his boots. He was about to stretch out when he heard a knock on the door.
“Come in.”
Laney opened the door. “Hey, can I take the other bed?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. Mom’s staying to help with Finley and I don’t wanna, like, go home alone.”
“I don’t blame ya.”
Laney took her sneakers off and slipped between the sheets. “Will Finley be okay?”
“She’ll be fine,” said Winters not knowing for sure.
“You’re not, like, mad at me are you?”
“Why would I be mad at you?
“Uhm, you know, for doing what I did with Billy.”
“Not at all.”
“Well, I mean, it got her shot.”
“Laney, that’s not your fault. If anything you saved her life, there’s no telling where he would have taken her.”
“Seriously?”
“Oh, absolutely. Laney, you were amazing tonight.”
She leaned up and rested her head on her fist. “Thanks. It’s just, uh, you know, like, a lot happened tonight and, um, I mean, it’s just so much, like, I just don’t know what to think about all of it.”
“I know how you feel and it’s perfectly natural to feel that way, but Laney, just know that they all deserved it. There was no other way of stopping them, okay? You did nothing wrong. Again, you were amazing. All of you girls were. I couldn’t have stopped those animals without your help.”
Laney smiled and nodded her head. “Thanks, I just needed to hear it.”
“Sweet dreams kiddo and remember, you no longer have to work.”
She let out a loud “YES!” as she flopped on her back while moving her limbs back and forth like she was making a snow angel on the sheets before curling up on her side.
Winters heard her fall asleep within minutes as she started to snore in a low tone. He couldn’t help but be impressed by what she and the others had done tonight. He just hoped they’d be able to come to terms with their involvement.
Chapter 40
Sarnia Ontario
Sergeant Major Thomas Wilson put the phone back in its cradle. The phone call to Detroit had gone as well as he had expected. He’d been a cop for seventeen years, which had resulted in a failed marriage, child support for two teenagers, high blood pressure, and a stomach ulcer. He had just celebrated his fortieth birthday and he looked more like fifty. His receding hairline kept growing, as did the bags under his eyes.
The last year had been an especially hectic one for the town of Sarnia as it was just across the river from Port Huron, Michigan. A bridge connected the two towns and kept them busy with refugees. The Canadian government’s policy was one of compassion and all who were in need were welcomed. They erected temporary housing and supplied the extra food needed to feed all the additional mouths. For the most part, things ran smoothly, but with so many refugees, there was bound to be trouble. Justifiably, as America fell into ruin and the trouble moved north, the department decided everyone needed everyone to work overtime. He wasn’t thrilled with having to work the extra hours as it robbed him of the little personal time he had left.
While he didn’t necessarily agree with his government’s policy of compassion, it was his job to deal with it and the ungrateful refugees who were included in the package. It ran from theft to fighting, raping, and an occasional homicide. The troublemakers were mostly younger individuals and some were not necessarily refugees. They would come across the river to do their thing before skipping back across. For the most part, this was happening down in the Detroit area, but Sarnia had its fair share. Now he had an opportunity to be paid for all his additional efforts.
* * * * *
Scar stretched his legs before getting up from the jailhouse bed. It wasn’t his best sleep, but then it wasn’t his worst either. He’d gotten used to sleeping in some rough conditions over the past few months. However, in the last week or so, sleeping on the hospital beds had spoiled him. The beds were quite comfortable, and before that, they were up in Canada sleeping on even better beds.
He looked over at Bassett and Burns, who were in the next cell over. Nordell was in the bunk above him. He got up and walked around the cell hoping the Sergeant Major had made the call to Winnipeg. The man must hav
e thought he was crazy making such a request. Scar didn’t know the procedures in Canada and thought they might even be different from the norm for American refugees. They were happy to help, but they had to modify their rules and systems to accommodate their guest.
Scar turned on the faucet and splashed water on his face. The cool liquid woke him up and now wished he had a cup of coffee. His main concern was; would the Canadians notify the Americans that they held some of the Shadow Patriots. He wasn’t sure of what their standing was or if they were in jeopardy of extradition.
He sat back down wishing he hadn’t decided to bring in firearms. This one thing was going to get them in the most trouble. It wasn’t even something he gave even a second thought to because of what they’d been through. He never considered not being armed.
“Hey,” said Nordell.
Scar looked up as Nordell came down from his perch. “Morning.”
“You get any sleep?”
“Not much, too many beers.”
“We had two,” said Scar.
Nordell stretched out his back. “I know, but then I haven’t had one in forever.”
“Yeah, me neither.”
“I don’t regret going to that bar.”
“No?”
“For once, even if it was for only a short time, it was like everything was normal. You know, just out with some friends having a beer. Nothing else going on in the world.”
Scar stood up. “Yeah, it was kinda nice.”
“Don’t worry about anything, we’ll get out of this.”
“I appreciate your optimism, but I have my doubts.”
“Look, if that Sergeant doesn’t call your general friend, we’ll get our attorney to do it.”
“If we get one.”
Nordell gave him a puzzled look.
“I don’t know how things work around here, but Wilson’s demeanor changed when I told him who we were.”
“Oh?”
“Yep. Questioned me several different ways just to make sure I wasn’t lying.”
“Funny, he came in to talk to me about it as well. I thought maybe because they were on our side or something.”
This gave Scar pause, were things not as they seemed? He then realized that they hadn’t even gone through a booking process. They didn’t take mug shots or fingerprint them. This was odd.
“Don’t worry, Scar, we’ll get an attorney.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course, it might be a few days before we get released,” said Nordell.
Scar grimaced. “Don’t know if I can take a few days in here.”
“Hell, we’re like prisoners in Jackson anyway.”
“It does seem that way.”
“When we get with that general of yours, you think we can get more weapons?”
“They’ve been extremely gracious. I don’t see why not.”
“Good, cause I’ve some particular weapons in mind I want us to have.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Look, you guys stumbled into our little town not knowing what you were going to run into, so you didn’t come prepared.”
“We didn’t?”
“No, not with what we have to do. Scar, I want to defeat these bastards and I want to do it with a big offensive. I’m sick of my town starving to death because of this. We need to go to Detroit and take them out.”
“I hear ya and I’m with ya.”
“Good.”
It was another hour before the guards brought them something to eat, and after they finished eating they came back holding handcuffs. They ordered them to face the wall where they cuffed them before escorting them to the windowless paddy wagon.
“Where are you taking us?” demanded Scar.
“Don’t worry about it,” said one of the cops.
“You think they’re letting us go?” asked Bassett.
Scar shrugged his shoulders.
The cop shut the door and hopped into the driver’s seat. The drive took only ten minutes and the van stopped before they heard a garage door open up. Everyone sported confused looks as the van pulled in and stopped. A cop came around and opened the door. An empty feeling grew in the pit of Scar’s stomach when he stepped out of the van into a large empty warehouse. The ceiling was at least twenty-five high, and the open area was approximately five thousand square feet with a couple of rooms in the very back. The concrete floors were clean, and the air smelled of fiberglass as if the place had been used to manufacture boats at one time or another. This all made Scar figure they were still near the river. He turned to his friends, and they all had the same look on their faces. “What was going on?”
Scar tried again to ask where they were and why. The cop in charge didn’t answer and ushered them into one of the back rooms. He took their cuffs off and told them they would find out soon enough what was going to happen.
Chapter 41
Washington D.C.
The morning rays were breaking over the horizon as Green, finishing a thirty-minute run, turned the corner toward home. The early morning jog gave him the solitude he needed to think over their audacious plan. They planned on kidnapping two of Perozzi’s men today and holding them hostage. With any luck, they’d be able to put together a shoot-out with Reed today as well.
The plan had come together in Manassas at Senator Seeley’s place where their group met last night. The whole thing relied on their newest member, Stormy, who would lure the two men in. Her good looks should do the trick on their own, but would she be able to apply brute force if needed? How far was she willing to go? She’d already put herself in danger by mouthing off to Reed. The insecure fat man had ordered her arrest, which she was able to avoid thanks to Perozzi. That little stunt inadvertently helped them to drive the wedge between Perozzi and Reed even further.
Perhaps Stormy could take it to the end of the road and kill if necessary. Green didn’t think she could do it without provocation though. Nothing against her, but she wasn’t a trained soldier. It was not something that came naturally unless you were well trained or a psychopath.
Thankfully, Kyle Gibbs was a trained operator and had ten years of experience. The only reason he wasn’t out west aiding in the war effort was because of his father, Jacob, told him something wasn’t right with China attacking California. He had heard too many rumors from respectable people that the whole thing was just plain fishy. Before resigning from the FBI, he was able to pull some strings to keep his son’s name out of the hopper.
After a shower, and then a quick breakfast with his mother, Green drove to work and parked his car in the underground parking lot. He parked further away from the entrance than usual, as he wanted to scope out the lot. He began walking down the slope and took note of spaces, which would be ideal for what he had in mind. He reached the door and turned around for one last look. He now had a good idea of what he needed to do to prepare, and that included disabling the camera pointed at the entrance.
The mission to induce fear into Reed would take place here. It was a place he came through and where they could control the situation. Reed was typically one of the last people to leave each day, so the garage should be empty.
Green grabbed a cup of coffee entering his office where Grace, his secretary, reminded him of a meeting he needed to attend at nine. He’d forgotten all about it and wanted to duck it, but he couldn’t. These meetings were nothing more than ego driven drivel his colleagues needed to get through their week. The group was formed to capture Winters and the Shadow Patriots but had morphed into something entirely different. It had quickly become a way to root out anyone who opposed the government in any form. It was eye opening to watch good intentioned people go from catching a small group of rebels, to spying, and arresting, all kinds of different groups. Power definitely corrupts.
It was ten o’clock before Green could escape the meeting and get out of the building. He needed to meet with Stormy, who was waiting for a phone call from Kyle. He had left early in the mornin
g to monitor Perozzi’s men. Kyle had a general idea where they would be and didn’t want to chance missing them so he left before Stormy was ready.
Green headed to one of his storage units and swapped his car for a white work van he had picked up. It was the perfect way to transport and keep their captives hidden until they needed them. He started the van and couldn’t help laughing at the irony of using the money he stole from Reed’s man, Pruitt, to use against Reed.
Green arrived at the three-bedroom house that Stormy was renting. It sat on a quiet, tree-lined street, which appeared to be even quieter since everyone was at work. He pulled into her driveway and got out just as the front door opened.
“Good morning, John,” said Stormy, who was wearing an above the knee, light blue sundress with lace trimming the bottom of it. Her black hair flowed over her shoulders hiding the spaghetti straps. She wore white, low top Converse sneakers to finish off the look.
Green’s heart skipped a beat. “Hey, Stormy.”
“Come on in.”
Unpacked boxes were stacked against the wall, and for furniture, she used a couple of collapsible beach chairs for furniture. They sat in front of a television, which was sitting on top of a box.
“Sorry about the mess, haven’t really had a chance to go through all of this and don’t own any furniture. My place in New York was furnished, so I never bought any.”
“Oh, please, it’s fine. Not only do I not own a single piece of furniture, but I’m living back at home with my mom.”
“Well, then I’m one up on ya. You want coffee?”
“You have some?” asked a surprised Green.
“I can go without a lot of things, but coffee’s not one of them.”
They entered the kitchen where a patio styled glass table substituted for a kitchen table.
“Who ever lived here before left the table out back, so I thought it’d be perfect in here,” said Stormy.
“Whatever works,” said an amused Green.
“Cream or sugar?” she asked, as she poured the coffee.
“None for me.”
“Do all soldiers drink it black?”