by J. M. Madden
Andromeda wanted to kiss Parker before she left the conference room with all the bigwigs in it, but she didn't think that would be a smart move. Parker looked like such a badass in his black BDUs and t-shirt, and sidearm, the muscles in his crossed arms bulging. She bet he had more weapons on him she didn't see, too, but no one had said a single word about him being there. Actually, they all seemed to appreciate having an expert sit in on what they were doing. When she stepped out the door he was talking about tactics that had worked for his team when they were in the field.
Just at the last minute he glanced up, smiled and gave her a wave, and that meant as much to her as a kiss. Even in the midst of his excitement he acknowledged her.
Andromeda went to her office and grabbed her clothes, stuffing them into a spare bag. Then she headed down to her vehicle. The place was crawling with cops right now, so she felt very secure walking through the parking garage. When she got to her own condo building, a CPD officer met her in the garage and walked her to the elevator. She swiped her card and greeted Hampton on the monitor when she got inside.
"It's been a little crazy around here, Ms. Pierce. Your guests arrived safely and are in your condo. If you'd like to order out just let me know and I'll make sure the food arrives safely."
Andromeda laughed. "Thank you, Hampton."
Maybe she ate out too much if the security guard was anticipating her dinner.
When she let herself into the condo, she was greeted by warm, spicy smells and Roz walking down the hallway toward her. Andromeda wrapped her in a hug, laughing. Mac ducked his head out of the kitchen and Andromeda moved to give him a big hug as well before releasing him.
"I don't think you're going to have to testify,” she told him. “Mozi signed the plea agreement and turned over his family. SWAT is getting ready to serve warrants now. Within a couple of hours, the entire terrorist cell could be no more. All those babies are finally going to get justice."
Columbus was a great city, but its greatness had been marred by the attacks. It would be epic if they could get vindication for the families.
Roz had driven through and bought Italian for dinner, which Mac was heating up in her oven. Andromeda's mouth watered at the garlic aroma. "That smells so good! I haven't eaten for hours. I'm going to go change real quick and I'll update you."
Shucking her business suit, she slipped on a pair of jeans and a red OSU sweatshirt, as well as a pair of fur lined slippers, then returned to the dining room. Roz had gotten her fettuccine with grilled chicken, just how she liked it. Mac was working on an aluminum pie pan of lasagna, and Roz had gotten penne with meatballs.
"There's a sampler plate in the fridge for Parker, whenever he gets here."
"Parker is working with SWAT right now while they serve a buttload of warrants. We got a list of about fifteen people out of Mozi al Fareq and they're going to try to serve them as close to simultaneously as possible. Two of the families will probably be together, so that might make it a little easier. But Parker is good with middle-eastern dialects, so he's going along to interpret if they need it."
"Wow," Roz breathed. "I hope he doesn't get into anything physical. I know he thinks he's Superman but he's not."
Andromeda laughed. "I'll let you tell him that when you see him."
"So, you got what you wanted?"
Andromeda nodded at Mac. "More than I ever hoped for. I don't think we'll get all of the people named in the warrants, but if we can get at least some it could be massive, because those people can be investigated. It's like ripples in a pond. We investigate whoever they're connected to, see what they've done. Mike said the FBI was going to be getting involved as well."
"Damn, girl," Roz breathed in awe. "Way to go. I'm so tickled for you. This is an incredible job you've done. I know you worked your ass off on it."
"I did," she agreed. "But I'm not going to lie. I'll be happy when it's done. I mean, so many people died for this terror group to operate and try to keep themselves hidden. I just think about all the witnesses I lost and it makes me sad and infuriates me, all at once. I'm glad they're out in the light of day now. I want them to burn."
"I think we all do," Mac agreed.
After they ate and cleaned up their dinner mess, Andromeda turned on Netflix and let Roz surf. Living on the mountain top she didn't have an actual TV to watch, so she caught up when she came to Andromeda's house. Mac charged up his tablet and perused her book shelves, then settled into a comfortable chair.
Andromeda watched her phone, waiting for a text message or a call from Parker. When it finally came she bounced in her seat.
First warrant served, 3 in custody. All safe.
A few minutes later a second message pinged her phone. 4 more in custody. Shots fired, 2 injuries. Suspects in custody.
Feds arrived, they don't like me being here. May have to pull some strings to stay.
That made Andromeda frown. What kind of strings could he pull?
Parker didn't appreciate being made to cool his heels.
As soon as the feds arrived, their translator had taken his place, but the guy wasn't catching everything. Parker listened to what the crying woman was choking out between sobs and the federal translator repeated, but they weren't the same. Just where did they get this guy?
Parker motioned to the CPD's SWAT team captain, a competent man with hard eyes. "Just to put a bug in your ear, she says there are three kids in the apartment, all under the age of six. The federally sanctioned brainiac just reported that there are six kids under the age of three. You might think about passing it on unofficial-like to your men so they're not tearing the building down looking for more kids than we’ve got."
Robertson snorted and shook his head. "I'll pass it on. Thanks, Quinn."
They conducted the raid on the apartment. Four adult women came out, three of them carrying a small child. The fourth woman was pregnant. But there was no one else in the apartment.
Captain Robertson immediately went to his chief, Bill Bellus. Parker saw the men talking, then Robertson motioned to Parker. The chief's face darkened, and he headed toward the Federal Agent in Charge, Nelson Tate. The gray haired man with the standard issue FBI earpiece prominently displayed and the ubiquitous FBI jacket had taken over the operation as soon as he arrived.
"Tate," Bellus snapped. "Your interpreter is feeding us bad intel. He said there were six kids in there."
Tate turned a resigned look on Chief Bellus. "They must have moved the kids out, Chief."
"Or your interpreter doesn't know what he's talking about. Our man Quinn said there were three kids under six. Look over there, Agent Tate. Do you see three kids or six?"
Tate glared at Bellus, but the Chief stood firm, heavy arms crossed, waiting expectantly.
"Three kids, Bellus. Everyone is entitled to make the occasional mistake."
"Not when it comes to the safety of my men," he growled. "I'll be using Quinn from now on."
The agent scowled. "He's not even a part of your department. You told me you just met the man tonight."
"And over the past three hours he has proven to me how valuable he is. If I need to I'll swear him into service right now."
Parker tried not to grin at the AIC, but it was hard.
After four years gone, his touch with languages was a little rusty, but it came back the more he used it. And he'd used it a lot tonight. They'd taken seven suspects into custody, as well as another six people of interest. The women they'd just rousted out of the apartment were neither, just neighbors that might have seen something, but who needed to be approached with caution.
Bellus motioned Quinn over. "Do you mind wading through this mess with us? I can either swear you in as an auxiliary officer or list you as a private contractor."
Parker thought about the two options. "I think contractor would be better for both of us."
Bellus held out his hand and they shook.
"Agent Tate has agreed to sideline his interpreter. Haven't you Agent Tate?"
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"For now," the man agreed. He left their little group to talk to the kid that was supposed to be his interpreter.
The captain glanced at Parker out of the corner of his eye. "I appreciate the work you've done tonight, Quinn. You've made all of our lives easier. And safer, which is the most important thing. Once we're back on regular office hours we'll find that punk that the prosecutor's office uses. I've left him half a dozen messages at the on-call number, but he apparently turns his phone off when it’s inconvenient.”
"I'm not worried about it. I'll stay on the job as long as you need me."
Parker's legs throbbed, not to mention his side. The pain pill had worn off hours ago. He glanced at the clock on the wall of the command van. It was creeping toward midnight, and they still hadn't found everyone they were looking for. They hadn't found Mozi's father, for one, or Ibrahim, the brother that had helped him set up the art fair attack. Those were the two they needed the most, and no one had 'seen' them.
They had apprehended Mozi's mother and sisters. He had a feeling if he pressed the right buttons he could get them to talk. As well as the two teens that had attacked them in the park. Parker followed Bellus out of the van and toward the subjects.
Chapter 16
Andromeda roused at the first ring of her phone. "Yes."
"Hey, gorgeous. Can you talk to your doorman and approve me?"
She laughed, blinking the tiredness from her eyes. "Of course. Put him on."
There was silence for a moment.
"Ms. Pierce?"
"Hey, Hampton. That's Mr. Quinn you're speaking to and he is absolutely allowed up to my condo. Thank you so much for being cautious."
"No problem, Ms. Pierce. I'll key him up now."
Andromeda wrapped a robe over her pjs and padded to the front door. She opened it just as Parker got off the elevator.
The poor thing looked so tired, and his limp was overly pronounced. He didn't brace his hand against the wall, but it looked like he wanted to. "Oh, baby. I knew you were going to do too much."
When he reached her door, she slipped one of his arms over her shoulders, then tilted her head up for a quick kiss. It was as natural as breathing, that kiss.
After securing the door she led him inside the condo. He looked around curiously. "Mac and Roz?"
"Roz is in the spare bedroom, and Mac is on the sofa in my office."
She glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost two a.m. "I have food in the fridge for you in you want it, or you can head straight to bed."
"Let's go lay down."
Sounded good to her. As soon as they were in the bedroom, though, and he started shucking his clothes, she realized he'd ripped open the bandage. It had brightened with fresh blood. "Why don't you go take a quick shower and I'll get Roz's medical kit from the dining room.”
He saluted her.
"I'm craving a nice hot shower," he admitted. "I'll be back in a few."
Andromeda beat him back, of course, then just listened to him bathe. Years ago, they'd have showered together, and she wondered if he needed help now. Just as she thought about knocking on the door to ask, the shower shut off. Within just a couple of minutes Parker limped out.
Oh, good heavens he was something. Even a little hunched in pain, his skin gleamed in the bedroom light. He had a towel wrapped around his lean hips, holding it with one hand. The other hand held his sidearm. It was normally a good sized towel for her, but on him it looked small. And that allowed her see the too numerous torture scars, spiking her anger all over again.
"Your poor body," she sighed.
"It got a workout today," he admitted. "I didn't do anything too strenuous, but I've been on my feet and going for a long time. And it hurts trying not to limp too much, you know? I don't want them to think I can't do the job."
"You're translating. That shouldn't require anything physical. Sit down or lay down."
She motioned to the mattress and he sat on the edge, a fist wrapped in the towel around his hips. The towel was just low enough that she could reach his wound. He turned to the side a little so that she could reach both the front and the back and set his weapon on the nightstand.
Andromeda glanced at it, but it didn't cause her alarm anymore. She knew if used correctly it would save lives.
"It doesn't look like you ripped any stitches out, but it does look like you strained them, pulling on the edges of the wound." She leaned around to the back and blotted with the wipe. "Oh, looks like you pulled one here."
"Yeah, I thought I felt one give," he sighed.
"The wound looks like it held, though. We'll have Roz look at it tomorrow."
Rummaging through Roz's bag, she found two large anti-stick bandages, as well as tape. Once she had the patches in place she repacked the bag and set it aside.
"When is the last time you took anything for pain?"
He waved a hand as he shifted to a horizontal position, grimacing as he moved. "I'm going to pass on the pills. It's manageable right now."
"Bottle of water? Or anything?"
He smiled up at her, even as his body began to relax. "I'll take a bottle of water and you curling up beside me."
Andromeda hurried to get the chilled bottle of water, but by the time she returned he was deeply asleep. Smiling softly, she set the bottle on the bedside table within his reach, then circled to the other side. After debating for a moment she left her sleep pants on, then climbed into the bed beside him, wrapping her arm high over his chest.
Now that he was home she could relax and stop worrying.
Parker blinked his eyes open, his heart racing. He struggled to shake off the dream, not sure if what he'd heard was real or imagined. It was like when you were just drifting off to sleep and you imagined your mother hollering your name. 'Par-kerrrr'. And you’re jerked to consciousness.
Some instinct urged him to get up out of the bed, to do something.
There was another small click, then a rustle of fabric. Maybe Mac or Roz had gotten up to use the bathroom or get a drink of water. No, they didn't normally get up in the night. He didn't think it was either one of them.
Slipping out of the bed, he crossed to the bathroom doorway and pulled on his canvas pants, gun at the ready. Then, moving ever so slowly, he padded behind the bedroom door. Just as he got there, it began to swing open. Parker stilled and stopped breathing, waiting. The muzzle of a gun appeared first. Parker recognized a Glock, a pretty idiot proof weapon. Then a hand. But it wasn't enough. He waited as the person crept in further. Then he saw them reach to the side and flick on the lights.
Parker had half a second to recognize the surprised face of Ibrahim al Fareq, Mozi's brother, before the man began to swing his weapon toward Parker. Recognizing the immediate threat, Parker squeezed the trigger.
The HK barked in his hand, and he had a split second of 'oh, shit, the cops needed him' before the bullet hit in the left pectoral. Parker knew immediately it was a heart shot.
Andromeda cried out as she scrambled off the bed, her eyes wild with fear as the blinked the scene into focus. Parker held up a hand, shushing her, and she clamped a hand over her mouth. Nodding, her eyes burning with fury and fear, she backed against the wall of glass.
Now that he knew she was out of the immediate danger, Parker leaned out enough to look down the hallway. He could see there were shadows moving, but he couldn't tell what was going on.
Then he heard several hard thumps from next door, and fear lanced through him. He glanced at Andromeda and could see she realized what was happening as well. Roz was in the next room.
"You should come out now, Army man,” a voice called down the hallway, “before anyone else gets hurt."
Parker clenched his jaw, not liking the direction this was going. He peered down the hallway again, and grimaced. Roz was dancing on tiptoes as the man behind her, several inches taller and many pounds stronger, gripped her head in his arm. His left hand was clamped over her mouth and his weapon was pressed against her right temp
le.
Tears leaked from her terrified eyes and Parker swore. She didn't deserve this.
"What do you want, al Fareq?"
"Ah, of course you know who I am. That is good. It will make things go more smoothly. Step out here, Army man."
Parker took a step forward, fury surging in him, gun at his side. If he was lucky the other man wouldn't see it. Why did he keep calling him an Army man?
"And where is Prosecutor Pierce? I know she's here. Invite her out."
Parker glanced at Andromeda, who moved up. She bent down to the intruder's body for a second, then stood again. The man was long dead, but his maybe father didn't need to know that.
"Your son is bleeding," Parker told him, "and you're holding the only medical personnel capable of saving him. Why don't you let her go?"
There was a long stretch of silence.
"Ah, well, Ibrahim is just going to have to give his life for the cause, because this woman," he paused to run the gun muzzle through her hair, "is staying exactly where she is. Now, where is Prosecutor Pierce? Where is the woman responsible for all of the turmoil of this night?"
Parker could feel her moving up beside him. She paused to look at him for a second, before peering around the doorjamb.
"Ah, there she is. Step forward, please. Take the Army man's weapon from his right hand, first."
Parker could have cursed a blue streak, but he handed Andromeda the gun. Her fingers barely wrapped around the grip. Shaking, she held the weapon in one hand. "Please let her go," she said, her voice raspy from sleep and maybe from the scream.
"I don't think I can do that," the older man said, and he almost sounded like he was laughing.
Now that his eyes had adjusted to the light, he could see that the man had to be in his fifties, at least. His hair had grayed out, and he wore a long gray beard. His dark eyes were cold, and Parker could see an endless number of deaths in their depths. This man had done every heinous thing imaginable and was willing to do more.