by Nolan Thomas
Rolinska turned on her sound system. The classical music she so loved reverberated throughout the Hummer. Nothing relaxed her like this. She would be rested and clear-thinking when she reached headquarters.
92
“HO-LEE SHIT!” LESTER YELPED. “WHY didn’t you just say there’s a bomb?”
Lester popped up out of the driver’s seat and scrambled across the passenger seat. He fell chest first to the ground with his legs still inside the cab. Billy grabbed him by the belt and pulled as Lester used his arms like legs to crab-walk from the cab. When he cleared the car, Lester dropped to the ground. Billy reached his arms around Lester’s chest and struggled to pull him up, not an easy task. Lester was a hulk of a guy.
“Run,” Billy screamed. “Head for the cover of the trees. Don’t stop. Just keep running. We need to put as much distance between us and your cab as possible. I don’t know how much time we have.”
Lester wasn’t graceful, but he was fast. The two men ran through the trees jumping over stumps and roots. The force of the blast threw them both forward and Lester landed on his stomach. He got the wind knocked out of him, but was otherwise fine. Billy managed to put his hands out in front of himself to break the fall and rolled forward in a summersault with the momentum of the blast.
“Hey man,” Lester gasped. “You looked just like one of them stunt fellas in the movies.”
“Thanks, I think.” Billy walked over to Lester. “You hurt?”
“Don’t think so, just got the wind knocked outa me’s all.”
Billy pulled out his phone and tried to call Jackson. “We must be in the middle of nowhere,” Billy said. “I can’t get any service.”
“I got a radio in the--” Lester stopped himself as he realized there was probably nothing left of the cab.
“Sorry about your cab, Lester. I’m sure we can get it replaced for you because of the help you’ve been providing on this mission.”
“Mission?” Lester beamed. “That sounds mighty important. Wait ’til I tell Rita and mah friends how I got may cab blowed up on a mission workin’ with the FBI and the MPD. Hells bells. Where I come from that’ll make me a daggoned legend!”
As he sat down on the ground next to Lester, Billy draped his arm over Lester’s shoulder. “I’ve gotta tell you, Lester, that driving you did back there was nothing short of amazing. I’d be a dead man now if you hadn’t insisted on coming with me. That took a lot of guts, and I thank you.”
Billy stuck his hand out to shake Lester’s hand. Instead of a shake, Lester threw his arms around Billy and nearly suffocated him with the mighty Lester bear hug.
After Lester mercifully let go of Billy, he asked, “How’d you know there was a bomb?”
“I didn’t. Not for sure. It just didn’t make any sense to me that Rolinska didn’t take the kill shot. She was right behind us. She had to know that impact was survivable. When she pulled away, I knew something was off.”
“Holy mackerel!” Lester said.
“Then I remembered this woman was into explosives. She most likely thought all of us were in the car, just ducked down in the seats. I guessed the noises you heard could be her planting a bomb. She’d already blown up one house and wired her own. For someone who knows how to handle explosives, a bomb is an effective way to eliminate a lot of loose ends.”
“That was some mighty smart quick thinkin’ on yur part. I reckon that makes us even in the life-savin’ department.”
Lester reached out to give Billy another hug, but Billy jumped up. “Oh no you don’t. I survived an assassin tonight, but I don’t think I could make it through another one of your hugs.”
The two men laughed as Billy reached out and helped pull Lester to his feet.
Before too long the sound of sirens approaching and lights flashing filled the night. Billy and Lester flagged down the County Sheriff’s car. They identified themselves and explained who they were.
“They found the deputies that were protecting you guys,” the young deputy sucked in an audible breath, and his voice cracked. “They’re all dead.”
“Son of a bitch!” Taking a long, deep breath, Billy continued, “I shouldn’t be telling you this, so you’ve got to keep it to yourself, but what’s going on here involves national security. Your fellow officers died protecting this country. They’re all heroes.”
“Thanks, man. That means a lot.”
Billy turned to look at Lester. “You’re a hero too, my friend.”
Lester beamed.
“We need to get going. Can you get us someplace where my cell phone will work? I’ll call Special Agent Jackson, find out what the status is, and what our next move should be.”
They got in the County Sherriff’s car, the deputy pulled out, and they headed down the county road. Billy watched the bars on his phone until he could finally place a call to Jackson and give him an update.
“The deputy you’re with will be getting a call from his dispatch center. He’ll be instructed to take you and Lester back to Our Lady of Mercy Hospital,” Jackson said. “I want you both checked out. I’ll have agents waiting for you at the emergency room entrance. They’ll take you up to the second floor where I have four rooms at the end of the hall blocked off, and security all over the place. The others should be there by the time you get there.”
“Are they all right?”
“They’re fine. I want everyone checked out though, just to be on the safe side. The bleeding stopped on Casey’s gunshot wound. I figured the hospital was just as good a rendezvous point as any. I’ll brief you on everything when I see you. I’ve got our tech people going over Rolinska’s place. I’ve also got them searching Judge Maxwell’s house.”
“This night just gets crazier and crazier.”
“Yes. And it’s not over yet.”
Billy agreed. “She’s still out there. When she finds out we’re alive, this nightmare starts all over again.”
93
ROLINSKA REACHED THE HUMBLE-LOOKING establishment, ready to accept the praise of her boss. A sign in its window proclaimed “Fast service. All repairs done onsite.”
The Heart and Sole Shoe Shop wasn’t open, but the door was unlocked. A small strip of bells attached to the door jingled as Rolinska opened it. Fluorescent storefront lights from surrounding shops provided most of the illumination inside the store.
An elderly gentleman behind the counter looked up from his dimly lit work desk. Without a word, they nodded to each other, and Rolinska walked straight through the store to a door that led to the shoe repair factory. She entered a dim hallway, lighted only by the exit signs that led to the work area filled with large sewing machines made specifically for sewing leather. The smells of tanned leather, oils, and shoe polish filled the air.
In the center of the facility stood a group of small offices. Rolinska went into the middle office. What appeared to the casual observer to be a small anteroom was actually an elevator. She flicked the light switch and the entire anteroom began its descent. When the elevator came to a stop, Rolinska opened the door and entered a brightly lit business office bustling with activity. She walked through the maze of cubicles and down a hall to the Major’s office.
Rolinska addressed an attractive young woman sitting behind a large desk in front of the Major’s office, “Agent Nika Rolinska to see Major Bortnikov.”
“Go right in, Agent Rolinska. He’s expecting you.”
The elegantly furnished, yet functional office was surprisingly warm and inviting considering there were no windows. The Major turned his upholstered office chair in Rolinska’s direction. Major Bortnikov was an attractive man in his early fifties, his light brown hair graying slightly at the temples. Rolinska had never seen him in anything other than a perfectly tailored dark-navy suit with an impeccably laundered white shirt, and a tasteful red, light blue or yellow patterned tie. With his blue eyes and friendly countenance, the Major gave the appearance of being the quintessential American businessman. His flawless English bore
no hint of a Russian accent.
“Hello Nika. Take a seat.”
She nodded and sat in a small but comfortable chair opposite the Major.
“I would like an update on the status of your mission, including the disposition of the recent problems you encountered.”
Rolinska proceeded to fill him in on everything that had transpired. The Major never interrupted her narrative with questions. He listened intently as she explained what had happened.
As she spoke, two men silently entered from a side door. They nodded at the Major who continued to keep his eyes riveted on Rolinska, never giving away their presence.
When Rolinska finished her update, the Major asked, “You’re sure the last bomb killed everyone? We have no loose ends to worry about?”
Before Rolinska could say “absolutely” she felt the sting of a puncture wound to her neck.
Her world disappeared.
94
JUST AS JACKSON HAD PROMISED, four FBI agents met Billy and Lester at the hospital. Two wheelchairs awaited them as well.
“Oh no you don’t. I don’t need one a them dang wheelchairs.”
“Don’t fight it, Lester,” Billy said. “Take a load off.”
Billy took his seat in one of the chairs. Lester looked at the agent who held the other empty chair. Resigned, but not happy, Lester lowered his big frame into the chair. The agents escorted them to the secured hospital area. Billy and Lester got out of the chairs and walked over to Jackson who stood in the middle of the hallway talking to two other agents. Jackson turned around, pointed to one of the four rooms.
“You two go in there. We have medical staff waiting to check you out.”
Without a word, Billy and Lester walked into the hospital room.
“Hello. My name is Doctor Garcia.”
As he shook each man’s hand, he looked closely at their eyes and quickly scanned their appearance. There were two beds, and at each bed a nurse waited to assist. The Doctor told the men to sit on the edges of the beds. A nurse closed the curtain between them. Doctor Garcia quickly and thoroughly examined Billy and Lester. He spoke with each nurse. They efficiently cleaned and bandaged the cuts and scrapes on each man.
When the nurses finished, the Doctor pulled the curtain back so he could address both men.
“Other tha--”
“Excuse me for interruptin’, Doc, but I need ta make a call ta mah wife, Rita. She’s got ta be mighty worried ‘bout me by now.”
Special Agent Jackson entered the room. “Already done, Lester. I updated your wife myself.”
“You did? That’s mighty nice a you ta do that. Is she ticked off at me?”
Jackson allowed himself a chuckle. “She’s happy you’re okay, but she let me know she was very unhappy not to be able to be with you yet. She said normally wild horses couldn’t keep her away from her Lester, but she understood. She gave me strict orders to tell you, and I’m quoting here, ‘I love you, baby, and I’m so proud of you.’ She also told me to give you a big kiss from her, but there’s no way in hell that’s happening.”
Everyone laughed.
“That sure as heck sounds like mah Rita. Thanks, Jackson.”
Doctor Garcia took advantage of the momentary break in conversation, and jumped in. “As I started to say, other than a few lumps, bumps, scrapes and cuts, you both appear to be in good shape. Lester, you’ve got a pretty nasty bruise on your chest. I want to keep you here the rest of the night. Given your description of what happened, I don’t think it’s anything more than a bruise, but I’d like to keep you under observation to make sure there’s no internal bleeding.”
The Doctor turned to the nurse standing next to Lester. “Jane, could you help Lester get into a hospital gown and get him settled into bed?”
Lester and Jane headed towards the bathroom.
“You can just hand me that there gown. I don’t need nobody helpin’ me get undressed. I got private parts a woman who’s not mah wife shouldn’t oughta see.”
Jane looked at Doctor Garcia who nodded his approval.
“Okay,” Jane said. “I’ll be right outside the door if you need help.”
“I’d like to see you get some rest too, Billy,” the Doctor said.
“Maybe later. I feel fine. I need to talk with Special Agent Jackson first.”
Billy turned and looked at Jackson. “Are the others here?”
“Yes. Vince and Jeremiah are across the hall. Casey and Riley are next door. Everyone’s doing well. Casey got the worst of it.”
“Fortunately the bullet went through the outer tissue of her arm, so no serious damage was done,” Doctor Garcia said. “She lost some blood. We have her on intravenous fluids and also started oral antibiotics. I expect her to make a full recovery.”
“Thank God,” Billy said.
Just then the door to the bathroom opened and out walked Lester. His frame filled the doorway. His enormous feet were covered with what looked like shower caps, and he shuffled across the room. He looked like a drag queen gone wrong in a mini dress. When Lester turned the corner at the end of his bed, the opening in the back of the gown swayed with his steps, revealing things Billy and Jackson shouldn’t have seen.
As Lester bent over to get in the bed, the sides of the gown slipped forward.
“Whoa, whoa,” Billy said, covering his eyes.
Lester chuckled as he pulled the covers up to his chest. “I gave you fair warnin’ it wasn’t a pretty sight.”
Billy laughed and gave Lester a wave as he walked out of the room with Jackson. “I’ll be back to see you later.”
As they walked into the hallway, Billy heard Lester say, “Hey Miss Jane. What’s the chances of me gettin’ some eats around here? I got me a mighty hunger. Is there a remote for that TV set hangin’ up there?”
Jackson started to walk across the hall, but Billy veered off to take a look into Casey’s room. Riley was asleep. Casey motioned him into the room.
“Jackson, can you give me a second?” Billy asked.
“Sure, Billy, but make it quick. I’ll meet you across the hall.”
As Billy walked in, Casey gave him a big, beautiful Casey Callahan smile.
“Thank God you’re safe. You and Lester were so incredibly brave.”
When Billy reached the side of her bed, she pulled him into as big a hug as she could manage with one arm.
Billy sat down and gently stroked the hand sticking out from Casey’s sling.
“I thought I was going to lose you.”
Billy paused, his breath catching in his throat.
“I couldn’t bear it if that ever happened. I . . . I love you.”
Casey placed her free hand over Billy’s.
“I love you, too, Billy Daniels. Always have. Always will. You’re the best friend a person could ever have.”
Billy’s thoughts screamed, For Christ’s sake tell her you’re in love with her! Tell her you can’t imagine spending the rest of your life with anyone but her. Tell her!
CASEY KNEW EXACTLY what Billy meant. She’d been in love with him for a long time—and it terrified her. So many men had come into her mother’s life while Casey was growing up. All of them had eventually left. Usually she hadn’t cared, but she’d gotten attached to a few only to come home from school to find her distraught mother, and their happily-ever-after dream, shattered.
Best friends never leave you. You may not see them for long periods of time. But when you do, it’s as if time never separated you. Life without Billy in it was not an option.
95
JEREMIAH AND VINCE BURST OUT smiling when Billy entered their room.
“Hey, Billy, it sure is good to see you,” Vince said. “Thanks for what you did. I know it got pretty ugly out there with Rolinska.”
Billy half-chuckled. “That’s an understatement.”
“That must have been some driving Lester did. Come on over here and take a load off.” Jeremiah patted a spot next to him on the bed.
Bil
ly walked over and sat down next to Jeremiah, who affectionately rubbed Billy’s shoulder. Jackson sat on the opposite bed next to Vince.
“There’s an APB out for Rolinska’s Hummer, but so far nothing’s turned up,” Jackson said. “It’s a high-profile vehicle so we’re expecting to get a hit soon.”
Vince asked, “Don’t you think she’d ditch the Hummer and grab another vehicle?”
“We’re covering that base too. We’re monitoring all reports of stolen vehicles.”
“How does this help protect Riley and Casey from Rolinska?” Billy asked. “How hard can it be for the FBI to find a woman in a Hummer? Don’t you guys have access to satellites that can spot a gnat’s ass from outer space? She’s a maniac driving a Hummer, for God’s sake.”
“Take it easy, Billy,” Jeremiah said. “I’m sure the FBI is doing everything possible.”
“We have our top profilers on this.”
“What good is that going to do? We already know she’s as bad as they get, and none of us are ever going to be safe as long as she’s alive.”
“You’d be surprised what the profilers might be able to tell us,” Jackson said. “What we’re looking for is insight into Rolinska’s behavior patterns so we can predict where she’ll go and what she’ll do. So far her advantage is that she’s always way ahead of us.”
“Her advantage is that she’s a stone-cold killer who’ll stop at nothing,” Billy fired back. “Your profiling sounds like a long shot to me.”
Jackson’s cell phone rang. He answered the phone as he walked out of the hospital room.
It wasn’t long before the guys heard the activity level in the hallway pick up. They all went to the door to see what was going on. Jackson barked orders to his men.