Just Cause

by Carolyn Arnold

  “But we won’t kill you right away.” Sergey gestured to the revolver in Anatolli’s hand. “You like to gamble with your life, so how about we play a game?”

  Her breathing stalled, her heart splintered in her chest, and her stomach tightened and heaved, tossing bile up the back of her throat.

  “We simply call it roulette when we play. The Russian part would be redundant.” Sergey paced the room and Madison didn’t miss the flicker in the man’s eyes.

  “Anatolli’s going to pull the trigger. If you live, we will take our time with you. If you die,” he shrugged, “well, I suppose, game over.”

  Both men laughed, sending chills through her.

  Her entire life didn’t flash before her eyes, but moments of it did.

  Images of kissing Toby Sovereign haunted her, dredging up the feelings she harbored for him, but if she got out of here, could she look beyond the past to a future with him? He had challenged her to say she didn’t love him anymore and to look into his eyes while she did so.

  A deep breath escaped her lungs.

  Cynthia. Would she understand? Cynthia knew how much solving this case meant to her. She had been supportive, but would she understand why she risked her life?

  Her mother would never see her happily married with children, and their relationship would never be mended. She could envision her father grieving as if she were already gone. Tears fell over a daughter who was always just out of reach.

  She wouldn’t have a chance to say good-bye to them or to her sister, Chelsea. She wouldn’t see her nieces grow up.

  Terry would be disappointed in her and she would never meet his baby, his son, as he was so certain it would be.

  The ache knotted in her chest with the realization that she’d devoted her life to the job to the point of isolation. She had one best friend, a partner who was like family, and a dog. Hershey. Who would look after the chocolate lab when she was gone?

  For an instant, she imagined her fingers caressing the soft velvet of his ears. She witnessed the spark of life and a dancing reflection of love in his irises.

  These thoughts occurred to her in fractions of seconds.

  If she had a chance, she would do things differently.

  Tears hit her cheeks and a part of her soul submitted to the inevitable. She was going to die in this room with no one by her side but the two Russians who would carry out her murder. Her only hope was that fate would intervene before her death became a reality.

  -

  Chapter 4

  SWAT SHOWED UP WITHIN AN HOUR. It was far too long for Terry, but they had to go about this carefully. Madison’s life, assuming she was still alive, was at stake. They gathered at the outskirts of a park.

  “We’re going to come at the building from all corners. An officer’s life is at risk here and there’s no room for failure,” Troy Matthews, the head of SWAT, directed his men.

  Terry knew the man had been in the position for years.

  “We have speedboats a half mile out, ready to take it from the back side.” He carried on, telling them where he wanted each of them positioned for the takeover. They would storm the building with only one strategic goal—secure Madison Knight. Enemy casualties would be tolerated.

  Terry watched as the SWAT team broke out in their assigned directions, and he was left staring at Matthews. “I want in on this.”

  “No way. The best thing you can do is hang back.”

  “Do nothing?”

  Matthews lifted his sunglasses. “Yeah.” His jaw tightened and he looked over the street and spoke into his communication device. His words were lost on Terry, who couldn’t think about anything else but saving his partner.

  How could she be so reckless? If she came out of this alive—and she had to—he might kill her himself.

  Terry followed Matthews inside the trailer—their mobile command center. “This is bullshit and you know it!”

  A couple of technicians who sat behind monitors, earphones on, turned to Terry.

  Matthews got within a few inches of Terry’s face. “Let us do our jobs!”

  They locked eyes, neither man wanting to back down first.

  “She’s my partner.”

  “I know, and we’re going to do our best to get her out of there alive.”

  Terry’s jaw tightened and he felt the familiar sensation at the back of his neck. He reached to rub it.

  “I know this must be tough, but trust me. This is the best team of men I’ve ever led, and I’m crazy about Madison myself. She’s a tough one. She’ll make it through.”

  Terry knew his statement was simply lip service, spoken to calm his nerves, but he wanted to believe them.

  “She will make it.” He went to leave the trailer. “Anything comes about, you call me right away.”

  “Absolutely.”

  Terry closed the door and emerged into the sunshine, not the same person he’d been when he’d woken up that morning. His first concern was over his pregnant wife and their baby. The doctors said there was a possibility he could born with Spina bifida. It was one of a parent’s worst nightmares come to life.

  He tried to calm himself, knowing that even if that was the result, they would get through it as a family. Their child would grow up and live a relatively normal life, but Terry knew how hard it was to be a kid under regular circumstances. Being different wasn’t a good thing through adolescence. It made one a target for bullying. He wouldn’t stand for it when it came to his son.

  But now, in light of the immediate threat to Madison, thoughts of his baby boy shifted to the background. The situation there was hypothetical—he could be born perfectly healthy. Madison’s life, on the other hand, was surely in danger.

  Time counted. Every second a heartbeat.

  What would he do without her?

  -

  Chapter 5

  MADISON STUDIED SERGEY, who stood in front, watching her with eyes that seemed to look through her. He would have no qualms about taking her life and, she surmised, he had waited for this opportunity a long time.

  If given the chance, what would be her last words? She had mere seconds to dwell on that, but so much raced through her mind. If she survived this, would she change anything about her life?

  The answer was yes, she would.

  She wouldn’t be so afraid to open up to people and to trust them. She’d forgive, forget, and heal much faster than she had done in the past. She’d love with all her heart and give of herself. She wouldn’t worry about the few extra pounds she carried. They didn’t measure her worth.

  She’d give more of herself to those around her, including her parents. She realized her true regret in life was the relationship there, and how it had been marred by the execution of her grandmother’s Will.

  Madison’s mother denied its effect on her, but Madison wondered if that was how she dealt with it, sealing it inside and hoping it would scab over and peel away. But the cost for that had amounted to a strained connection, spanning two generations of mothers and daughters.

  Right now, none of this mattered. Madison just needed to make it out of here to hug her mom.

  She tried to ignore the burning in her legs from sitting for so long. Her wrist no longer ached but felt numb instead.

  “On the count of three,” Sergey said.

  Anatolli acknowledged with a bob of his head.

  Madison sensed something more. He wasn’t going to pull the trigger on three. He would either do so on two, or to the beat of four. Its point would be to unnerve her.

  “One.”

  Sergey paced the room.

  “Two.”

  Anatolli cocked the hammer, and Madison closed her eyes, anticipating the bullet.

  “Three.”

  Then, the delay.

  She opened her eyes, staring blankly at Sergey,
and heard the click of the hammer.

  “Bang! You’re dead!” Anatolli exclaimed, and both men started laughing.

  “Looks like fate has other plans,” Sergey said.

  “Why did you kill that lawyer? Just because Dimitre was sent to pay for his sins?” She had nothing to lose. She had come for answers and, even if these were taken to the grave, she was going to get them.

  They acted as if they hadn’t heard a word she said.

  She went on projecting a braver front than she felt. “The jury found him guilty. Why not kill all of them?”

  “You are in no place to ask questions. We play again.” Sergey snapped his fingers. “Anatolli, on the count of three.”

  “You’re not going to kill me and here’s why.” Maybe if she kept them talking…

  “Not going to kill you? Why wouldn’t I? You shot me.” His teeth took on the appearance of fangs, and his eyes were hungry for vengeance. “You are always getting in the way. I sat while they pull your bullet from me. I groan in agony as they fish for it. Then, they take long needle and sew me up.” He rushed to her chair and placed both his hands on her forearms. “You want mercy? You are looking in wrong place, no?” He waited several seconds, and then straightened and stepped back. “One.”

  “Please, we don’t have to do this. I will cooperate with you.” The words hurt her to speak. “We can work out a deal.”

  “Two.”

  Anatolli cackled in her ear, and all she could think about was flattening the son of a bitch.

  “I’m an officer of the law. You pull that trigger, you’ll have heat on your head hotter than the sun.”

  “Thr—”

  Sergey spun around. “What was that? I hear something.”

  “They know I’m here. You’re going to die, not me.”

  “Shut up!” Sergey directed Anatolli with a bob of the head. “Fire.”

  Madison closed her eyes and said a silent prayer. Whether or not she did it right, she didn’t know, but when faced with the end of her life, it seemed natural to turn to a Greater Being. She would never have a chance to set things right and become a better person. She would never know of finding true love and holding onto it. Hershey...

  “Stiles PD! Stop right there!”

  Three members of SWAT raced into the room, their assault rifles held on the ready. They moved around the perimeter and came in behind Anatolli who had placed his gun on the floor.

  Madison heard the snaps of handcuffs as another member worked at freeing her.

  She took a deep breath. Her body trembled. She had survived.

  -

  Chapter 6

  “IT’S A GOOD THING YOU’RE not dead because I’m going to kill you myself.” Terry stood to the side of the stretcher they had Madison on.

  “You and what army?” She smiled at him, then winced in pain as a paramedic iced her wrist. He directed her to keep it elevated.

  “You should be happy you came out of this with just a sprained wrist,” Terry said.

  “Don’t forget the cut lip too, but, yeah, I’m lucky.”

  “Sarcasm, and so soon.” He averted his eyes from her, taking in the rest of the action as Sergey and Anatolli were being pushed into cruisers.

  The paramedic shot her a sideways glance but kept most of his attention on her hand. He took the ice away, placed a splint on her wrist and wrapped it in a bandage. “I’ll be right back. I’m just getting some painkillers.” He took off toward the ambulance.

  Terry met her gaze. “You could have been killed.”

  Tears welled in her eyes. She had made a difference in this life. She would have been remembered for that. But after thinking about facing her death, under that microscope of scrutiny, she saw areas for improvement.

  She reestablished eye contact with Terry. “But I wasn’t.” His eyes glazed over and he was getting way too deep. She punched his shoulder with her good hand.

  “Hey!”

  “Well, enough of this sentimental crap. I’m alive. It’s all good.”

  “Maddy.”

  Madison had heard Officer Higgins before she saw him and then spotted him weaving through the crowded area. He came to her side.

  “What do you think you’re doing? Trying to take on the mafia by yourself now?”

  “You know me, Chief,” she used her nickname for him, “It’s hard to find good help these days and easier to do it yourself.”

  The reflection in his eyes became serious. His arms were restless, as if he were going to reach out and touch a shoulder, or hug her, but wasn’t sure if he should. He ended up placing his hands on his hips and taking a look around. “Well, it’s a good thing we were here for you then.”

  “Knight.” Sergeant Winston stormed toward them.

  “Maybe I spoke too soon about everything being good,” she said, diverting a glance to Terry.

  “I better get going.” Higgins jacked a thumb behind him and left.

  Winston didn’t seem to acknowledge Higgins, but rather settled his focus on Madison and Terry. “What the hell did you think you were doing? You could have been killed. Don’t smile at me, Knight.”

  “You would have missed me.”

  “Don’t even turn this around into something that’s all sappy.” Winston shook his head and addressed Terry. “That’s the problem with women. Emotion factors into—”

  “Emotion? That’s what you think this is? I faced two of the highest ranking men in the Russian Mafia and I walked away.”

  “Only because SWAT saved your ass—and you better be thanking Matthews.” Winston let the statement hang in the air, his gaze settling on her bandaged hand. He raised his eyes to hers. “This isn’t over. IAB is going to be all over this. You get taken care of here and then we’ll talk.”

  Internal Affairs Bureau. She never considered their involvement until he mentioned it.

  “What’s wrong with right now?”

  “We’ll do this back at the station, once you’ve been cleared.” He waved toward a paramedic and left.

  “Oh, he’s pissed,” Madison said.

  “You think? SWAT was pulled out to save your ass.”

  “Well, I happen to think it’s an ass worth saving.”

  Terry smirked. “Really? How’s the diet going?”

  “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.”

  “Pretend away.”

  Madison glared at Terry and he laughed.

  “Where is she?”

  Cynthia’s voice cut through the air just before she rounded the corner of the ambulance and rushed to Madison’s side. She took her in a bear hug and had Madison grimacing in pain.

  “Oh, sorry.” She backed up and looked her over. “Are you all right?” She gingerly touched Madison’s bandaged hand.

  “It’s all right. It will heal. Besides I’m a tough girl.” Her statement was in contrast to her thoughts. Why wasn’t Toby Sovereign here? Was he was just running behind?

  “Yeah, yeah. That’s what you like to project anyway.” Cynthia lowered her sunglasses as one of the SWAT officers, still stacked with all his gear, came toward them. Cynthia turned to Madison. “Well, if you’re going to get rescued, at least you do it in style. These SWAT guys have to be the sexiest men on the planet.”

  “Things not going well with you and Lou?”

  Cynthia laughed. “Cut it out. There’s no harm in looking.”

  “I need to get down to the station.”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Terry said.

  Cynthia nudged her arm and stepped back to make room for the SWAT officer.

  “Hey, Madison. You probably don’t remember me. Troy Matthews.” He lifted his sunglasses and let them rest on his head, on a bed of light brown hair. His face was sharp angles, his jawline, rigid. His nose was prominent, not in an una
ttractive way, and a faint dusting of freckles were sprinkled across the bridge.

  Maybe it was the drugs…no, she hadn’t had any yet…but his green eyes, they were hypnotic. She glanced at Cynthia and knew by the flash in her friend’s eyes she was busted. The attraction was palatable.

  “Of course, I know who you are.”

  Madison could have hit herself in the forehead. Why was she responding like this to him? This was crazy.

  “Glad to see you made it out all right.”

  “I’ll hold my verdict until I get the IA investigation behind me.”

  “Internal Affairs.” Matthews let out a whistle. “They’ve got to have their hand in every little thing.” He passed a small, yet sincere, smile.

  “Well, I’m not worried about it.”

  “I never said you were.”

  There were an awkward few seconds of silence—awkward for her anyway. Matthews kept his eyes fixed on her, his focus intense as if he were reading her mind.

  The paramedic brushed his arm and moved in front, breaking her eye contact with Matthews. “Take these and you’ll have some relief in no time.”

  Madison palmed the pills handed to her. For some reason, she couldn’t pry her thoughts from Matthews. Why? She wasn’t typically prone to attraction of this magnitude.

  She risked glancing at Cynthia, who was smiling, and followed her line of sight, noticing that Matthews was walking away.

  “Detective?”

  She popped the pills into her mouth and took the cup from the paramedic without looking at him.

  “You’ll feel better soon,” he said, before leaving.

  She heard his footfalls grow faint, but her eyes were still on Matthews.

  He had a solid, athletic frame. She was certain his arms bulged under his jacket. He probably had six-pack abs.

  “Maddy?”

  Matthews went out of sight. She heard Terry and slowly faced him.

  “What is it with you women?” he asked.

  She and Cynthia snickered.

  “Who is the guy to you anyway?” he asked.