by Jill S. Behe
“Deck, come on. No operation is perfect, you know that. None ever go exactly as planned. All we can do is our best. I’m sure, in my gut, you’re not going to lose her. AND, buddy mine, she’s not going to lose you, either.”
Decker closed his eyes. “I never look from the other side. You know? Never have. Too macho? Arrogant?”
“No.” Levi shook his head. “Focused on the mission, as is always necessary. Distractions can be deadly. I never did either. But I’d hear about it when we got back.”
“Yeah?”
“One thing—one of many—that I appreciate about Beth, is that when I get back from somewhere I couldn’t tell her about, she’s always there to meet me. Always. And with hugs and kisses, and a night I don’t soon forget. There’s nothing quite like looking out the window of a C-5, or C-140 as we’re taxying in and seeing the crowd that’s gathered to welcome us back. But the rush—that first smack of emotion (that macho men aren’t supposed to show and still brings tears to my eyes)—is when I see her in the crowd fighting through the crowd of other women and children to get to me, screaming my name. God. Talk about a punch to the heart. It’s so incredibly powerful, knowing someone is waiting, just for me.
“Some guys don’t get to have that, don’t have anyone to be there for them. I think it does something to their psyche. Can’t say for certain, but I think those guys don’t fight as hard.” He paused. “No, that’s not what I meant. They don’t have anyone to care about whether they come back or not, so they do fight hard, but are on more of a suicide mission. It doesn’t really matter to them whether they make it out alive or not. Of course they don’t want to die, but they don’t have the same will to live as you and I.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I can think of a few of our former team members who were like that.”
“Bethany’s always made me feel wanted, needed, and loved, but—”
“But?”
“But I never thought about how it all affected her, how it disrupted her life when I was gone without a word. I was all about the mission, and getting it done. No thought, even, of not coming back, or getting injured. She thought about it the whole time I was gone.
“Her biggest fear? My not coming back, not being alive, but also not being whole, not being the same man who left.”
Decker was nodding. He’d felt that, too. The whole thing. It was heady stuff. Made the homecoming so much more worth it. “Yeah. Sounds a lot like Liz.”
“Probably every wife, or significant other, of every man who did what we did…do what we do. We’re selfish bastards. Ego maniacs.” He gave Decker a look. “I don’t know her well, but from what I’ve observed about the two of you, your Lady Teal is going to be the same way.”
“Hah. Yeah, we are maniacs. In our defense though, it’s what we trained for, what we trained to do. And I think you’re absolutely right about Teal.”
“And you know something else I’ve noticed in the last day or two? My gut’s not so disrupted, not all knotted up and twisting. I think it’s because we’ve got the plan down. We’re moving forward. We’re doing something positive. Like when we were deploying somewhere, it’d be starting to level out. By the time we hit the ground, it was dead calm.”
“I agree. Now you mention it, that’s exactly right. And we, you and me at least, don’t…never did, bring all that mess back with us, either.”
“Liar.”
“Okay, yeah. But we didn’t beat up on our wives, like some do. We don’t go out and cheat on them because they wouldn’t understand what we went through. We don’t mess them up because we are. And yeah, we have nightmares, ones we can’t share with anyone but each other, and yet we’ve been able to mellow each other out and not get them all tangled up with it.”
“Yeah. You’re right. I know some who came back with us dove off the board into an empty pool, metaphorically.”
“Teal’s not been in our world. Even though we’re not deploying, this is her rookie run, so to speak. She’s probably got herself all worked up over this. But I’ve come to know her pretty well, and I’m sure she’ll get through it. You were right about one thing, she’s a strong woman.”
“Might take her a bit to readjust and come to grips with it in her head, but yeah, she’ll deal. No question. She’s a keeper, for sure, Deck.” He sighed. “Beth doesn’t even know what’s going on, right now, only that I’m on duty tonight. Once it’s all over and done with, she’ll give me hell.”
Decker laughed. “Bet your ass!”
At 0200, Levi stopped in front of the station house next to Decker’s truck, and his radio crackled.
“Yo, Chief. Hargrove here. As per orders, we’re in place around the building. All quiet. Had a couple teens fooling around in the parking lot. Jameson strolled up and scared them half to death. They cleared out pretty quick.” The deputy gave a short laugh. “Kids. Over.”
“Copy that. Keep me posted if anything changes. Do your rotations as we discussed, and get a catnap in if you can. Gonna be a long night. We’ll see you in five hours. Over.”
“Roger, chief. Out.”
He looked at Decker. “Wanna bunk down in one of the open cells?”
A nod and a yawn. “Beats running home and back. Got a shave kit in my truck. Thanks.”
“Yeah? Anticipation in case of a sleepover?” Still watching his friend, Levi wondered aloud, “You and Lady Guinevere sharing sheets?”
Squinting, Decker cleared his throat. “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. At least not yet. We’ll probably wait until the honeymoon.”
“Honey—?” Levi rounded on his friend. “You’re getting married? You asked her to marry you and you didn’t say a word to me, your oldest friend? You talked about marrying Liz for two weeks before you asked her.”
“Well shit, I’d only met her the day before. Figured it was too soon to ask. But marry Teal? Geez LT, I wasn’t even on that wave length until just now. I mean I thought about it, sure. Hoped she’d feel the same way about it, too. But hadn’t seriously considered talking about it with anybody but her. Hell.” He ran a hand through his hair, then grinned at his best bud. “Sounds like a good plan, though. Yeah. A damn fine plan. What do you think?”
Levi chuckled. “I think you’re besotted, my old friend. Well and truly. Can’t think of anyone I’d like better as blood oath sister-in-law.”
Decker grinned. “I’m a lucky son of a gun. Liz was the best. But damn, Teal’s just as much mine. You’re going to be my Best Man again, right?”
“Better believe it.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“We need to take this threat down. Quick.”
“We will. Bitch’ll be in handcuffs before you can blink.”
“Your mouth to God’s ears.”
“Amen. Let’s go get some sleep.”
“Roger that.”
Chapter 51
Wednesday morning….
* * *
Shaky, nervous, nauseous, Teal pulled into the parking lot of the nursery a few minutes after nine. The weather had turned cold overnight and the landscape was blanketed in a good six inches of snow. A bit early for it, but hey, it was Colorado, after all. Someone had already plowed the parking lot.
Only two other cars were parked in the lot, not unusual for a Wednesday when there was no sale going on.
Dressed in her winter coat—with the obligatory bulletproof vest under it—scarf, and gloves, Teal exited her vehicle and made her way towards the entrance.
A man in winter gear watched her from the corner of the building. One of Levi’s team, she was sure. The outside man. He was tasked with texting Levi when Jacqueline showed up (hopefully, she had), and then to approach any arriving customers to request they come back the next day.
As Teal neared the door, the man moved to open it.
“Thank you.”
He leaned close, whispered, “We’re not sure if she’s here yet. Keep your eyes peeled. Be safe, Ma’am.”
Teal’s eyes widen
ed. Not sure? “What do you mean, you don’t know if she’s here yet?”
“We have the building surrounded. The owner’s wife is here, as planned. No one else has come in.”
Had the trap not been tripped? “Are Levi and Decker here? Do they know anything?”
“Yes, they’re both here. They know as much as you do, at this point.”
“Wasn’t the plan for them to be on the inside waiting?”
“Initially, we were supposed to infiltrate the warehouse at the first sighting of the suspect. And then to wait for you. The owner decided at the last minute, that it was too big a risk to let us in. The chief told us to standby until further notice.”
“Oh for the love of Pete. What am I supposed to do now?
“Follow the plan as you know it.”
“And if she’s in there waiting for me?”
“They will charge in immediately.”
“Oh. Great. Fantastic. This is absolute lunacy.”
“I’m sorry, ma’am. That’s what they told me to tell you.”
She squinted. “Just wait ’til I get my hands on—”
He cleared his throat. “If you could just go inside? Please?”
Teal struggled to absorb the new information. This definitely shifted into a different dimension. This was her reality, now. Whatever was going to happen, this was when.
Her body wanted to panic, but her brain was more calm—though she wasn’t sure why, or how.
“Keep your fingers crossed.”
He nodded.
Teal walked inside, and noticed two things: The quiet, and that no one was manning the register. On a bolstering breath, she told herself: Don’t be afraid. Decker’s here. Levi’s here. The team is here. Albeit outside. Turning in a circle, she whispered, “Okay, but where is Marion?”
To her left and behind, a door snicked shut.
She braced and turned.
“Good morning.”
Marion. Teal let out a sigh. “Good morning. Quiet today.”
“Yes.” The woman’s smile disappeared, and she nodded towards the warehouse. “Hope it stays that way.”
Teal moved to the doorway, trying to act normal. “Have you got anything new in the back?”
“No, but the asters and mums are on special.”
“Oh, they’ll make a few nice arrangements. Thank you.”
Fear and worry shone out of Marion’s eyes, but her voice sounded normal. “I’m sure they’ll be lovely. I’ll have to stop in and see what you do with them.”
The frightened woman turned, and Teal gave her arm a squeeze as she started past.
A nod. “Where’s that handsome escort you had with you the other day?”
“He’s in Boulder with the Police Chief today.” The lie, rehearsed as part of the script Levi had devised in case Jacqueline was listening—and they could only hope, at this point, that she was—fell so easily out of Teal’s mouth, but in her head she was freaking out.
“You tell him to make sure he comes back and helps you carry the flowers out from now on. He’s a good man, Teal.”
“Don’t I know it. I’ll be sure to tell him when I see him.”
Marion stepped behind the cashier’s counter, but watched with anxious eyes as Teal continued—with more caution than normal—into the warehouse.
Teal hadn’t even reached the first row of plants before she heard a gunshot—rifle shot—and felt something whiz by her face. Subconsciously, she thought she heard a grunt of pain, knew it had missed.
Holy shit! HOLY SHIT! That was a gunshot!
Panic would not be denied any longer, and blindly she scrabbled around behind the only shelter available, a short row of fertilizer bags, breathing heavily.
They hadn’t anticipated this. Had they? Had the men known, or suspected, that lunatic would show up with a gun? Okay, she hadn’t anticipated getting shot. She should have. She should have prepared better. Yes, they’d made sure she was wearing a bullet-proof vest, but still….
How could she have been so stupid?
And where was Decker? And Levi? Why was it taking so long for the team to crash in?
Shouldn’t they be firing back by now?
There was a screech from above, and Teal glanced up and over.
Jacqueline was sighting the barrel of a long gun at Teal’s hiding place.
“Come out in the open, you filthy cheating coward.”
Fat chance, crazy lady. “Are you nuts? Why would I do a fool thing like that when you’re pointing a gun at me? What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing wrong with me. I’m righting a wrong. Something I should have done much much sooner.” Jacqueline was looking through the scope. “Stand still, bitch.”
“Not a chance in hell,” Teal whispered, scrunching lower. The bags weren’t much cover, but there was no other choice.
Jacqueline let out a scream, long and loud, and pulled the trigger, again. The shot went wild, ricocheted off a metal pipe, and spun to the left.
Teal grunted, the force of the impact pushing her backwards into a stack of wooden pallets as fire bloomed, blazing a trail through her left shoulder.
Her arm went numb.
Stunned at the intensity of the heat and pain, it took a few seconds for reality to sink in. “Oh my God. I’ve been shot.” And the mad came. “I’m wearing a freaking bulletproof vest, and I GOT SHOT? HOLY GOD, it hurts!”
Several shadows in heavy boots rushed past her, having come from the front entrance. There was a commotion on the other side too, as the doors to the building burst open and men in black stormed in.
“THIS IS THE POLICE. SURRENDER YOUR WEAPON!”
Jacqueline’s voice shrieked over it. “What the hell is this? Who are you people? You’re messing up the plan. Where did you come from? You’re not supposed to be here. Did that witch conjure you up to protect herself? Are you real?” She pivoted in the makeshift sling. “Doesn’t matter. It won’t make any difference how many of you there are.”
“Crescent Falls Police Department! Surrender your weapon! NOW!”
“Never! She has to die!” Manipulating the zip-line, Jacqueline moved away from Teal, in the direction of Levi’s voice. “You are all going to die.”
Trying to block the horrendous deadening ache in her shoulder, Teal struggled to straighten. The searing stab nearly had her blacking out. As she blinked away the inky fog, she saw Decker crabwalk in front of her.
He stopped just beyond and to the left of where she’d collapsed, and slowly raised his rifle lining up his shot.
But he hesitated.
Glancing at her nemesis again, Teal watched Jacqueline ride the zip-line like it was her own personal war horse.
She, too, was taking aim, but not at Decker. Her target? Levi, and a few of his men, who’d hunkered down in the far corner.
Teal had heard the big rifle Jacqueline wielded, go off a few times now, and surmised it was the stolen sniper rifle. She’d even felt the impact of it as one of its bullets was lodged somewhere in her shoulder. It was possible the wound was a through and through—as they say—but, it hurt too much to tell. She did wonder whether the gun might be too powerful for such a relatively small space. And what did that mean in terms of damage? Worse, or not as bad as she feared?
Yes, the warehouse was massive—about the size of an empty Home Depot store, she figured—but weren’t sniper rifles built for more distance than that? Like miles of space?
Teal’s body was reacting to the invasion of the foreign object. Sweating, lightheadedness, and the shakes were impossible to control. “Take her out, Decker,” she whispered. “Don’t wait. Don’t think about it. It’s her, or them. You know that. You have no choice.”
The shadow of a figure suddenly appeared at his side, touched his shoulder.
Teal gasped. Tears leaked. Oh, no.
She watched his shoulders straighten, and the rifle steadied.
In the midst of shouting voices and another barrage of gunfire between Jacqueline and
Levi’s crew, a single shot rang out over it all.
Louder than Teal expected, she jerked in reaction, and her injured shoulder bumped against the crates she was leaned against. Pain erupted anew. She gritted her teeth, fighting against the scream she wanted to release, and the wave of blackness that threatened to take her under.
A shout came from the other side of the warehouse. “She’s down! Hold your fire!”
Through the haze, Teal felt…relief. Thank the heavens above.
Then came sadness as she looked across the cavernous space.
Jacqueline hung upside down, one foot tangled in the ropes, unmoving. The stolen gun, somehow still attached to her by the strap, dangled from her fingertips. Blood dripped from the head wound.
Teal squeezed her eyes shut. Her sense of justice warred with grief for the loss of life. There was guilt, too, for the part she’d played. Horror at seeing someone she’d known lose their life at the hands of someone else she knew, and loved.
But the threat to Teal was eliminated.
The scene, so shocking.
The outcome, so final.
And a different sorrow for what she’d witnessed just before the fatal shot.
The images and sounds of the whole morning would haunt her for a long time.
Decker, too, had his eyes closed. Remorse at having to take a life overwhelmed him every time. His brain knew it was a good shot, a necessary one, but his heart was heavy that life had been lost by his hand.
He’d heard Teal’s whispered plea from behind him. He hadn’t realized she was so close. There had also been the shadow touch of a hand on his shoulder. Had Liz found a way to come back?
Clearing the weapon, he put the safety on, and slung the strap over his shoulder before turning to look at Teal.
And frowned.
She sat, awkwardly, on the far side of a pile of fertilizer bags, propped against several stacked wooden pallets that looked close to falling over.
Face pale, eyes shut.
“Teal?”
Decker’s voice broke through the fog and unbearable pain. “Decker.”