“I see you came to talk business. If there's information I can give you, will it help my current situation?” Terry asked.
“I won't lie to you — I really doubt it. On the other hand, it couldn't hurt,” Chet said.
“I'm sorry Chet. I can only help those who help me,” Terry said.
“What if I told you I might have found a way to bring down the Ravens once and for all?” Chet asked.
Terry leaned forward.
“You have my attention,” he said.
“When that sex ring got busted a few years back, do you remember Gene having anything to do with it?” Chet asked.
“I don't remember Gene. Jack was there sampling all of the goods - young, old, white, black, brown, yellow, red - it didn't seem to matter. There was one woman he was fond of - a real beauty,” Terry said.
“Savanna Brooke?” Chet asked.
“She's the one! Real doll. Kind of slutty and classy at the same time,” Terry said as his thoughts drifted.
“Was Bob Tackett part of the festivities?” Chet asked.
“What an asshole! Yeah, he was around, beating the women and letting every tranny pound his ass through the closet,” Terry said.
“What?” Chet asked.
“You didn't know?” Terry asked amused.
“No, this is news to me,” Chet admitted.
“Like Jack, he had a favorite. Some tranny named Monique used to wear his ass out,” Terry laughed.
“Did you say Monique?” Chet asked.
Yeah, ugly as homemade sin. More of a crossdresser than a tranny I guess but still...just butt ugly,” Terry said.
“Did you know this Monique?” Chet asked.
“No man, not my thing. Like I said, all she was to me was an ugly dude in monogrammed panties,” Terry said.
“Did you know anything about Monique?” Chet asked.
“No, that shit was too weird even for me. All I can tell you that Tackett loved it though. Maybe you to ask him,” Terry said.
“I would but he's dead. So is Savanna Brooke and I'm sure you've heard, so is Jack Raven,” Chet said.
“Are they connected?” Terry asked.
“Possibly. That's why I need to find Monique,” Chet said. “Is there anything about this...person you remember that might help us on finding him, er, her?” Chet asked.
Terry concentrated for a few seconds.
“She had a tattoo underneath her left bicep,” Terry said as Thurman gave him a curious look.
“I saw when she would put her hands in the air to show she wasn't forcing Bob to do anything,” Terry quickly added.
“Do you remember what the tattoo was?” Chet asked.
“Yeah. It was one those white supremacist bullshit emblems. 'Brothers of the skin' something,” Terry said.
“Was it 'Brothers of the skin and under the skin'?” Chet asked, astonished.
“Yeah, that was it,” Terry said.
“Okay, thanks Terry,” Chet said distantly.
“You think it might help?” Terry asked.
“I think so,” Chet said.
“Then please, remember me to the judge,” Terry said as waved and hurried away.
***
Chuck sat in the darkness near the fence of an empty house about a half-block away from the Thurman house. He watched deputies change shifts in their guard duty. He decided to wait for Thurman to come home hoping Beau and the pretty detective would follow him. If not, he would cruise over to her apartment complex and watch there.
At 9:37, he saw headlights and vehicle turn into the driveway. It was an Bronco. It was Beau. Chuck watched as three people emerged from the SUV and went inside.
He also noticed headlights shut off about a half-block the other way. Using his night vision scope he spotted the car. Three man sat inside. No one got out. They were either additional security or they were a hit team.
Chuck guessed they weren't security.
A few minutes later, a patrol car pulled in the driveway. He saw Thurman get out and go inside. The car down the street didn't move and no one got out.
***
“Red Team One to Blue Team One,” Liam said.
“Blue Team One, go ahead,” Cyprus answered.
“Back in the city. Have eyes on target and male subjects,” Liam said.
“10-20?” Cyprus asked.
“Hickory Street,” Liam answered.
“Stay with them. Continue to observe. Let me know when they start moving. Blue Team One, out,” Cyprus said.
“Roger. Red Team One out,” Liam answered.
“I'm at a loss for words,” Haley said.
“I'm right there with you,” Beau said.
“This just took weird to a new level,” Marcus said. “But you know, all we have is enough to bring him in for questioning. We don't have enough yet to make an arrest,” Beau said.
“But it is enough to wreck his chances for a Senate seat. And now he's nervous. That's where the threats are coming from. I suspected it but I didn't know until tonight,” Chet said.
“How do you know it's Raven behind the threats?” Beau asked.
“Other than it sounds like something he would do,” Marcus said.
“Have you checked the safe at the CID Office today?” Chet asked.
“No, I haven't,” Beau said.
“I did. The tape and photos I put in there are gone,” Chet said.
“Someone took them just like you suspected they would,” Haley said.
“Wait. Someone broke into the CID Office, got into the safe, and we never noticed?” Marcus asked.
“That safe is a joke. Almost anybody with any level of experience picking locks could got in it,” Chet said with a laugh.
“You don't seem too upset they took the evidence we need to bring Raven in,” Haley said.
“You left the copies in the safe,” Beau said.
“Yes I did. The originals are safely hidden here. They broke into the CID Office last night during the blackout. I watched from across the street. Two masked men in black clothing. The same type of black clothing worn by Raven's security people,” Chet said.
“How did you know they were going to take it last night?” Haley asked.
“An honest cop turned over a hundred grand in cash to me and told me the story of how they bribed him for information about what evidence we had,” Chet said.
“Joe? What would make them think they could bribe Joe?” Marcus asked.
“Crippling debt that led to his wife leaving him and taking the kids,” Chet answered.
“But Joe's wife is visiting her sick sister over in Middlesboro,” Marcus said.
“And his kids are grown and moved away,” Haley said.
“True. But when someone is targeting a cop to bribe, they look for certain things. And the Internet has made people lazy — especially crooks. With the help of a lovely CPA,” everyone looked at Carlene who sat working on a crossword puzzle, Chet continued, “A few notes in his personnel file, and an offhand comment made in front of the county mayor, well, let's just say Joe was the logical choice for a bribe.”
“You set them up,” Haley said.
“I prefer ‘sting’ to set up,” Chet said.
“And once the Ravens saw what we had that pushed them to act,” Beau said.
“I gave them a little help there too,” Chet said and explained the video tape.
“That pushed the Ravens over the edge and caused them to make the threat,” Beau said.
“I'm still unsure about the threat. When Dal made his threat, I believed him. But why would someone let us know something as specific as who they're targeting and when? It doesn't make sense,” Chet said.
“Unless someone wanted to give a warning,” Marcus said.
“I can't see anyone in Gene's organization doing that,” Chet said.
“Maybe someone got cold feet,” Haley said.
“Maybe someone is disgruntled,” Beau said.
“Could be both or neither.
But I take it seriously. I didn't intend to make anyone a target,” Chet said.
“My guess is you and your family were targets long before the evidence was stolen,” Beau said.
“But we didn't find out who Monique was until tonight,” Marcus said.
“No but we knew he had a connection to Savanna Brooke from the court records her sister gave us. I figured if I made him mad or scared him enough, I'd be the target,” Chet said.
“When do we haul him in for questioning?” Marcus asked.
“If we do it at this time of night he'll just kick up a fuss that we're harassing him and playing politics. And we don't have a search warrant. It's going to be hard to get one before morning. No, I say we wait until morning,” Chet said. “We can also give him the option of being questioned there, knowing there are plenty of reporters hanging around that would love to go live if we cuff him and stick him in a patrol car.”
“Makes sense, but I've got a feeling he's not going to be happy regardless of when we go,” Beau said.
“I've got a feeling you're right. And he's going to be less happy when these photos go public - and they will eventually,” Haley said.
“I remind you the only evidence we have naming Gene and Monique as the same person are the statements of three convicted sex offenders so let's try to stay grounded,” Chet said.
“What time do you want to go in the morning?” Marcus asked.
“Eight should be fine. Why don't you go home and get a few hours of sleep?” Chet said.
“I think I will. But my ride's at the courthouse,” Marcus said.
“Yeah, I'll give you a lift,” Beau said.
“Uh, my car's there too,” Haley said.
“You're not going to your apartment tonight,” Carlene said.
“Aunt Carly, I can take care of myself. Remember, I carry a gun,” Haley said.
“That argument won't fly tonight,” Carlene said.
“I'm afraid I agree Haley,” Chet said.
“I appreciate your concern but I am an adult. If there's a threat out there, it's the same no matter where I am,” she argued.
Carlene started to argue but Haley stopped her.
“Would it worry you if I went home with Beau? Would you trust him to guard me?” Haley asked.
Carlene and Chet looked at each other.
“I do trust Beau,” Carlene said to Chet, who nodded.
“So do I,” he said as he looked to Beau. “Watch her.”
“I'll guard her with my life,” Beau said.
“Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that,” Haley said.
Chet looked at Marcus.
“Do me a favor. Follow them to Beau's house and watch them go inside before you take off,” he said.
“You got it,” Marcus said.
“Is your security system active?” Chet asked Beau.
“Always,” he said.
“You might want to keep an eye on the monitors tonight,” Chet said.
“I plan to. And I'll keep my M4 handy too,” Beau said.
“Don't hesitate to use it and if you see or hear anything, call me,” Chet said.
Carlene pulled Haley aside.
“I'm not wild about this, but only because of the potential danger. You two have something special. You need to talk to each other when all of this nonsense is said and done,” Carlene said.
Haley smiled softly.
“I know and we will,” she said.
***
“Red Team One to Blue Team One. Target is on the move. Headed your direction,” Liam said.
“Roger that. We will pick up surveillance. Loop around and follow us. Blue Team One out,” Cyprus said.
Sure enough, in less than five minutes an SUV stopped in the street by the courthouse and a large black man stepped out and walked to a red truck. The truck backed out and followed the SUV. Seconds later, Cyprus and one of his men followed them. Just seconds behind them was the vehicle driven by Liam.
Unknown to any of the men in the two vehicles, a Ford Bronco rumbled behind them.
“Red Team One, I know where they're going. We're moving ahead to get in position. Be ready to move in on my command, “Cyprus said.
The blue Buick passed both the truck and SUV and its tail lights disappeared in the distance.
“They were in a hurry,” Haley said.
“Yes they were,” Beau said suspiciously.
“Did it bother you that I volunteered you for guard duty tonight?” She asked.
He smiled.
“Not in the least. I planned on guarding you no matter where you stayed,” he said.
“I really can take care of myself you know,” Haley said.
“I believe you, I really do. But I want to take care of you,” Beau said.
“I'd do the same for you,” she said.
“I believe that too - and I believe you'd do a great job,” he said.
“All the same, thank you,” Haley said as she patted his knee.
“I have a confession to make. This is for me too. If something happened to you...I, uh, I don't think I could handle it,” Beau said.
“Well nothing is going to happen don't worry,” she said.
The Buick pulled off of the road and went behind the house across the street. Cyprus and the other guy - Harvey - hurried to the front.
“Use your suppressor. Fire on my command. Take out the men. We want the woman alive - for a little while anyway,” Cyprus said.
He saw headlights in the distance.
“I've got a better idea. No shooting unless I expressly say so,” Cyprus said and then sprinted across the street behind Fullbright's house.
As he stood waiting, he checked the small video camera he carried, knowing he would need it soon. Cyprus couldn't help but smile. Soon he would be the one making the big money. Perhaps Gene would allow some free-lance work, after all, he was good and loved what he did.
How many people could say that?
Chuck saw the Buick whip out and fly past Beau and the big black guy. He had a good idea of where they were going so he gambled and took a left turn before speeding up. Chuck gunned the engine and zipped along to the backside of the lot owned by his son. He pulled off of the road into a wooded area and hoped his vehicle would be hidden from any traffic on the back road. He looked at the .30-06 but decided his handgun would be enough. He hopped out of the Bronco and sprinted in the darkness. On a night with no moon the night vision glasses really paid off. There was a small building in the backyard - Chuck guessed it was some type of storage shed. He eased in behind the structure and watched. He saw a shadowy figure walk around the house and hide out of sight of the driveway.
The man was dressed in black and his face was covered by a black mask. He was watching the lights of the SUV as it turned into the driveway. He couldn't hear a trained killer approaching him from behind.
Cyprus saw the headlights and spoke softly into his wrist mike.
“I'll take out the guy in the SUV. When you see the flash, target the cop in the truck. Red Team One, get here now. Park in the street and deploy. We'll take her inside and deal with her,” Cyprus said just before hearing a loud thud and feeling a sharp pain sound in the back of his head. His world went black as his body collapsed face first into the soil. His AK-47 fell with him. Chuck put his revolver in the shoulder holster and picked up the assault rifle.
He eased around the house. He saw Haley and Beau emerge from the Bronco. Chuck looked beyond them and to the yard across the street. He immediately saw a gunman standing behind a tree.
“Get off my lawn,” Chuck whispered to himself. He raised the AK and fired one round. The bullet struck the would-be killer just above the bridge of his nose. His body violently jerked backwards and he went down. The flash from the AK drew attention.
“Down!” Beau yelled as Haley hit the ground and he covered her with his own body. Marcus rolled out of the truck, gun drawn, and the door as a shield.
They heard a noise from behind th
e truck as three armed men headed toward them. They fired three rounds bursts and Beau fired his .45 twice. One man dropped and the other staggered and howled in pain.
The third man fired a burst at Marcus but the shot was rushed and went wide as the bullets peppered the cab of his truck. Haley had her .45 drawn and fired at the same time Marcus fired. The figure dressed in black spun around and fell.
Chuck watched the brief firefight before retreated back around the house and into the shadows. He kept the AK trained on the prone body behind the house.
The wounded gunman held his right arm and tried to stagger away.
“Get her inside!” Marcus yelled as he ran after the wounded man.
“Please! I give up! Don't kill me, I don't have a gun!” The man screamed.
“On the ground! Face down! Arms out in front!” Marcus yelled.
The man complied although he was still wailing in pain.
Marcus checked the other two. Both dead.
Beau shoved Haley into the house.
“Call Chet! And don't come out!” He said as he headed around the house looking for the first gunman. As he rounded the corner, he saw a man climbing to his feet. Beau was on him before he could react. Cyprus felt himself being picked up and driven hard face first into the back wall of the cabin. He heard his teeth shattering before he felt the pain. Before he could even respond to that, two sledgehammer blows struck him from behind. Air gushed out of his lungs as his ribs cracked.
“My God! He shot me!” The panic stricken Cyprus thought.
Gasping for air and slumping to the ground, he felt cold steel biting into his wrists and heard the clicks. Cyprus felt himself going airborne again. He hit the ground with a thud. Unable to breath and in more pain than he had ever felt, he felt a new sensation: fear.
The big man in front of him gripped a combat knife and brought the point down to his throat.
“If you try to move, I'll gut you alive,” Beau said.
Chuck watched through his night scope. He recognized the knife his son carried. The bad guy on the ground was no longer a threat. In the distance, sirens wailed. Chuck eased away to his Bronco.
Haley opened the back door. Her .45 drawn, she was on one knee peering from around the wall.
“Beau! Are you okay?” She yelled looking at the blood on her shoulder.
“Stay inside! I've got one cuffed back here. He's on the ground. I'm okay,” he answered.
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