“Man, come on, Rick. Everybody knows that married cops are the best. It’s because they always go to work mad, and then they look for someone to beat up. Ha ha!”
“I bet they do, Bubba. I’ll keep my eyes open and see what I can find. Later.”
“Later, Bubba. Holler if you need me,” T-Bone said as he walked away. Rick drove away and continued to wonder how Young could have escaped. How could he take a hostage with him? How’d he get out of the prison in the first place? Hell, Rick and T were detectives and it took them almost an hour to get into the prison. It would take a prisoner a lot longer to get out. He realized there had been a mistake. It hit him right between the eyes.
He pulled his cell phone from his coat and placed a call to Special Agent Woburn. “Hey Woburn, its Detective Rick Wise. I was driving home after being suspended for Young escaping from prison and I realized something. Young probably didn’t escape with a hostage. Who was the guy they think is his hostage?”
“I don’t have the details yet, but what are you thinking, Detective Wise?”
“I think maybe they are working together for Archer. Maybe Young and this guy both have been retrieved by Archer or some of his men. I think Archer planned this and worked it all out. Now maybe they are on the run together. What do you think?”
“Well … I can’t make any sense of it; other than Archer is dirty and Young is free. But that is certainly a possibility, Detective Wise. I’ll check with the field agents there and let ya know what I can come up with. I don’t know where Archer is.”
“My partner and I just ran into Archer before we left the precinct. He was leaning on my cruiser when we went to leave. How did he know we were fixing to walk down into the garage, unless he has someone in the precinct or has us bugged? Archer said he was going to go and check on Marcell, because he thinks that is where Young will go.”
“Hmm … Why would Archer tell you where he was going to go if Young is working together with him? Or … maybe Young wasn’t the mastermind after all … Maybe it was Archer all along. Detective Wise, be very careful what you do or say in front of Archer. He may be the one who has set this all into play, and he seems to have too much information about you and what you are doing. If I were to guess at this point, I would assume he is trying to cover his tracks now and have you as a witness.”
“Okay … I can see where you’re going with this. If Archer helped Young and the other guy escape prison, and then told me he was going to check on Marcell, then maybe he wanted me to be there. Even though I am suspended, he knows I can’t let all of this go now. I am being investigated for letting a guy I hate out of prison. They are trying to say I helped a guy who put my own gun to my head and was going to kill me. He knows I’ll be pissed. He knows I’ll try to catch him to make sure he goes back to prison.”
“I hope we are wrong about him wanting you to be there, because of what that would mean. But why would you go to that Marcell’s house? Archer doesn’t know that you know anything about him being dirty, does he? I mean … doesn’t he still think you believe he is on your side?”
“Well … I don’t know what Young has told him. But Young kind of threw him under the bus yesterday in the recording. It was almost as if Young wanted me to go and confront Archer with all of this.”
“Well, I’ll be thinking about what all has happened and let you know if we have any other news. But if Young knew he was going to get busted out of prison, he may have given you the confession because he knew he wouldn’t be going back. Young may have assumed you would confront Archer and he would kill you. In the meantime, Archer would spring Young from prison and they would both be out of the country before anyone could find them. Why else would Young have given you the information?”
“Yeah … Kind of seems like I am in it for the ride now. I don’t know what they are planning, and I am going to be a sitting duck when it all happens.”
“Yes, it would seem that way, Detective. But you don’t have to go down without a fight. If you think they are going to hurt you or Marcell, you have to do something.”
“I will. I just have to clear my head and check out a couple of things before I get myself in more trouble than I am already in.”
“Okay, Detective Wise. I am here if you need me for anything.”
“Thanks, Agent Woburn. I’ll let you know if I can come up with anything. Or if I find them as well,” Rick said, and then he closed his phone and slid it into his pocket. He knew Young would go and try to kill Colt, but he didn’t know what he could do about it. Rick thought Archer would manipulate Young and Marcell into killing each other and then he could have Albert or Gamboni on his side. This was one of those times that he had wished he wasn’t a police officer and was not involved in this drama.
Young was a very bad man, and Rick couldn’t imagine what he was capable of. He had already killed six people that Rick knew of. The Bennigan family was murdered to frame Marcell, and then he killed the little puppet he had had plant the evidence at the Bennigans’ residence. Now he knew that Archer was a bad man too. One was dangerous … but two was a catastrophe.
Young was very capable of killing, and if he could rationalize and justify killing … he would kill again. He was the kind of sick, demented person who believed that killing six people was justified so that a killer of one person would be punished. That was a very strange rationalization. Now Young was out of prison and even more dangerous. He had nothing to lose but his freedom … or his life. But Young would probably prefer death after his two weeks in prison. And now Leonard Marcell was in danger again and Rick had to try to stop it. Rick continued driving, but couldn’t stand the quiet time. He couldn’t think of anything other than Young’s escape and what he would do next.
Chapter 32
Colt and Emily were in the kitchen making French toast for Hanna when they heard her tiny little voice. “Morning, Mommy … Morning, Daddy. I love you.” Colt turned around to see her in a pair of bright purple pajamas with pink flowers on them. He walked over to her slowly. He placed his hands up in the air beside his chest, waved, and said, “Good morning, baby girl. I think there’s something wrong with my hands.”
Hanna giggled and asked, “What’s wrong with your hands, Daddy?” This was a game they had played many times before. She smiled a big smile and turned to run away, but waited for the answer.
“I think I have a feeling in my hands. Yup, it’s the tickle monster. The tickle monster’s coming for you, Hanna!” he shouted and then chased after her. She ran into the living room and jumped onto the couch. She buried her face in one of the large arm pillows that Emily had there for decoration. Colt ran over to her and tickled her ribs until she screamed and begged him to stop.
He picked her up into his arms and hugged her tight. “I love you, baby girl.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
“Let’s go and see Momma, huh?”
“Okay, Daddy!” she said and then buried her head in his shoulder and began playing with her hair. He walked back into the kitchen and stopped just inside the door. Emily turned to see him staring at her. “What is it, honey?” she asked and gave a little smile.
“I just can’t believe that you actually love me. You are the most amazingly beautiful creature I’ve ever laid eyes on, Emily.”
“Aw, honey, thank you … You are the most handsome man I’ve ever seen too. You are so good to me, and I love you,” she said as she met him at the table with a plate of French toast. The two kissed and then both hugged Hanna. Emily put her head on his left shoulder and wrapped her arms around her husband and daughter. She looked up into his eyes and he kissed her lips. Hanna gave a little giggle as she watched them kiss.
Colt sat Hanna in her chair and then threw his arms around Emily quickly. He squeezed his wife’s delicate frame tightly and kissed her passionately. They began getting a little out of control, when Emily pulled aw
ay and said, “Umm … we better chill out for a while. But get ready … Hanna’s nap comes around noon.” She gave him a wink and a firm pat on the butt.
Colt grinned and made his way over to his chair at the end of the table. He sat down and winked at Hanna. She smiled at him and then grabbed the syrup and poured it over her French toast. Emily took her fork and cut the toast into small pieces for Hanna to eat, before taking her seat as well. Colt watched and smiled at Emily. “I’ve missed so much … being caught up in everything, ya know?”
“I know, but I’m glad it’s all over now. I am so happy that you don’t have to work anymore and you can be here with us all the time now.”
“I am too, honey … I love you so very much,” he said as he began to cut up his French toast as well. He took a bite and chewed a couple of times before hearing the doorbell ring. He paused for a moment and then wiped his mouth with a napkin. He walked over to Emily and kissed her on the forehead. He went and looked through the peephole in the door.
There was a small man there in his late forties. He was dressed in a light blue sweatshirt and a pair of blue jeans. Colt assumed he was someone trying to sell something or going to ask a stupid question. He turned the lock’s handle and opened the door. He was surprised when Young stepped into view and pointed a gun in his face … “Let’s go inside, Mr. Marcell,” Young whispered, motioning with the gun. “Or should I call you Colt like Gamboni and Berto do?”
Colt slowly turned on his heels to face Young and then took a step toward him. Young forced the gun forward and said again, “Let’s go inside. You don’t want your neighbors to hear the gun, do ya?”
“My family is inside, Young, and we aren’t going in there,” Colt said, anger in his eyes. He knew Young would kill him no matter what. And he would keep his wife and daughter safe at all cost. Colt believed that if he could get Young away from the house, he’d have a chance to save his family and maybe even kill Young to end this once and for all.
Colt turned and shouted, “Honey … I’m gonna go out for a while.”
After a few seconds he could hear Emily say, “Where are you going, honey? We just started breakfast and it’s getting cold.”
“I’m gonna go have coffee with a couple of friends. I’ll be back soon. I love you!” Colt said, and then he slowly picked up his keys from the table just inside the door. Emily didn’t reply. She sat at the table and placed her hands over her face and was instantly worried. Colt had told her it was all over, but it didn’t seem that way now. An uneasy feeling came over her, and her heart was heavy with worry for her husband.
Colt pulled the door closed and took a step forward. Young told him, “Colt, we are going inside your house one way or another.”
“No, we are not, Agent Young. I am the one you want, not them.”
“But I want you to introduce us.”
“No … We can leave and they won’t ever know what has to happen.”
“You don’t understand, Colt. If you don’t take us inside, then I’ll just shoot you right now, and when your wife and daughter run out to check on you, I’ll shoot them too. I am an escaped convict now—I have nothing to lose. But I will see you dead before they find me. Now let’s just go back inside and you won’t have to die on your doorstep. I won’t hurt them, Scout’s honor,” Young demanded in a monotone voice. Colt slowly opened the door again to see Emily standing in the kitchen doorway.
He led the two men inside and thought of the gun in the closet. If he could get to it, he could end it now. But there was no chance he could get to it before Young got a shot off. Colt looked at Emily and Emily looked away in disappointment. She was angry when she saw the gun in her home. She was angry at Colt for allowing this to happen. She told Hanna, “Come here, honey. Daddy has some guests and we’ll let them visit.” She took Hanna into the kitchen but sat at the table and watched.
Young watched everyone and then said, “There’s no sense in us ruining your family time. Why don’t you both come and sit down in the living room.”
“Young, my family has nothing to do with this. Leave them alone,” Colt demanded, his chest swelling.
Young looked at Colt and then pointed the gun at Emily. “Come here, Mrs. Marcell.”
Colt moved in front of his wife and said, “No … Don’t even look at my wife, Young. You leave them alone. I will leave with you. I will even drive you anywhere you want to go, but you leave them alone.”
“You are not a very good negotiator, Colt. I don’t need to leave with you. I have you here. Why would I leave? I am going to—” He was interrupted by the doorbell’s ring. Colt stood straight and watched Young closely. Young glanced at the door and then walked sideways to see who it was, while never moving the gun away from Colt. “Ahh … the rest of the party is here now,” he said, opening the door.
Archer entered the room, closed the door behind him, and surveyed the situation. He approached Young and placed his hand on Young’s shoulder. “Glad this will all be over soon.”
Colt watched as Archer praised Young. He was confused and yet … it all finally made perfect sense to him. Berto was taking orders from Archer … not Young. When Berto’s cousin talked about the FBI guy, he meant Archer.
He wanted them to leave his family alone. He began to think of a way to get them out of the house, but he needed to understand what was going on. “What the hell is going on, Young? Are you working for Archer? Is he the real mastermind of your little plot to take me down and put me in prison?”
Young started to speak, but Archer raised his hand and said, “This was never about us doing our job and trying to frame you, Colt. This was about getting you out of the picture so that we could take over Gamboni’s business. He was making a killing, and I wanted in on it. I approached Gamboni about a year ago and he told me I could work for him, but that he would never have a partner.” Archer began to walk toward Colt and then paused as he looked at Hanna and Emily in the doorway and gave them a chilling grin.
“So you had Gamboni killed, and I killed the guy who took him out. That about sum it up?”
“Oh, that sums up the last of the story, all right. But let’s not jump to the end just yet. I wanted to explain why we have done all of this, Colt. Let’s all sit down here in the living room and I’ll explain it to you. Young, you take the baby in the kitchen and keep her happy while the grown-ups talk.”
Young gathered an angry look on his face, but complied. He handed the gun to Archer and then walked over toward Colt and the girls. He paused and motioned with his head for Colt to move. Colt looked Young dead in the eyes and gave him a heart-stopping sneer that told him he had better not come a step closer to his little girl. Colt took Emily’s hand and the two of them stood still. “You don’t fucking touch my daughter, you piece of shit!” Colt roared.
“Look … Colt, if you want her in here for this, then that’s fine. But he wouldn’t hurt her,” Archer rebutted.
Colt turned his gaze to Archer. “You’re damn right he won’t.” Colt took Hanna’s tiny little hand, and the three of them walked over to the couch and sat down in the open area between the front door and the kitchen door. He sat Hanna in Emily’s lap and then looked at Archer. Young found a seat on the love seat across from the couch, and the other man followed. Archer took a seat in the armchair in the corner of the room, which also faced the couch. It was a nice chair, but didn’t sit comfortably.
Archer began telling his story by saying, “I wasn’t always a bad guy, Colt. I was an honest agent who upheld the law in every aspect. When I was transferred to Dallas from New Mexico, I took a new look at crime. I had met Gamboni when I was in New Mexico, and there was something about the way he did things that I admired. He had more money than anyone I had ever known. He carried himself in a manner that made everyone respect him, and I envied him a little.” Archer adjusted his position in the chair and then continued.
“So you’re working with Tony?”
“Who the hell is Tony?” Archer snapped.
“Okay … How did you know I was going to pick up a car at the zoo last year?”
“Our inside guy told us.”
“You mean Berto, right?”
“Yes, I mean Albert. He tried several times to give me the opportunity to kill Gamboni, but it just never happened. Then, the day before yesterday I told him I was going out of town and for him to just go ahead and kill you both. But it didn’t turn out that way, did it, Colt?”
“No, it didn’t,” Colt answered. He was again mad about Berto tricking Gamboni and then killing him. It all made perfect sense now as he listened to Archer telling the story. But Colt knew that usually when people tell the whole story, the listener will soon be dead.
“So I told Albert to just go ahead and kill you both, because I was tired of messing with it. He was nervous about you, but not Gamboni. He said Gamboni trusted him and that would make it easy to kill him. But that you didn’t like him and didn’t trust him. He said it would be hard to kill you.”
“Well, at least he knew I didn’t like him. I was a little concerned that I hadn’t made my point.” Colt snickered.
“So after you figured out it was a trap and, I’m assuming, killed him before you torched the house, it made it harder to take care of all of this so discreetly. And I am now forced to take a much more … direct approach. I was so hoping that fucking idiot Albert would be able to handle this without me, but he didn’t. I tried calling him late Wednesday night to see if you were taken care of, but no answer. I watched the news later and found out that there was an explosion at the house. When they investigated, they found the charred remains of three men in the fire. Gamboni was shot and Albert was shot as well … but why so many shots to the head when you killed Albert, Colt?”
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