“I have eyes on the tree line just in case,” she said.
Several vehicles pulled into the driveway and on the street. Deputies swarmed the property.
“Sweep the tree line. Make sure nobody else is back here. Check up in the trees too,” Beau said as two deputies put spotlights on the trees and ground. Two Stone City police officers emerged from the other side or the house with shotguns.
“Thought we'd give you a hand Beau,” one of them shouted.
“I appreciate it Jimmy,” Beau answered.
Two more deputies hoisted up Cyprus, who was still gasping for air. Beau pulled the mask off of his head. Blood streamed from the mouth and nose of the cuffed man.
“Put him in a cruiser until Chet gets here,” Beau said as they almost drug him away.
Haley bolted from the house off the back porch and over to Beau.
“What are you doing? Get back inside,” Beau said trying to push her back to the porch. He noticed the blood on her shoulder. His heart sank.
“You've been hit,” he said.
Haley shook her head.
“I'm fine. You're the one that's bleeding!” She said, trying to reach the wound.
Beau reached up and touched the right side of his forehead.
“I must've hit my head on something. I'm okay, just a little blood,” he said.
Haley embraced him and squeezed tightly. He could feel her tears soaking into his shirt. Her body shook and she sobbed audibly. Beau wiped the blood off of his hand onto his jeans. He returned the embrace.
“See? I always make you cry,” he said softly.
“I thought...” Haley couldn't finish the sentence.
“It's going to be okay. I'm alright. Now please, go back inside,” Beau said.
“Only if you come with me,” she said.
“Okay,” he said as they walked up the steps holding onto each other.
Once inside, she pulled a chair out from the kitchen table.
“Sit down,” Haley said as she found a terrycloth dish towel and soaked it with water. “We need EMTs in here!” She shouted out the back door.
She started cleaning his wound. It wasn't as bad as the blood indicated.
Beau winced.
“I'm sorry,” Haley said as she dabbed around the small gash.
“I know this isn't the time or place, but after what we just went through I have to say it,” he said.
She stepped back.
“What is it?” She asked with a worried look.
“I love you Haley. I don't want to live another minute without saying it. I thought I might have lost you out there and all I could think was I should have told you. I'm so sorry I didn't say it before now,” he said as he kissed her hand.
As he spoke her worried faded into shock and then into soft smile. Tears started flowing again.
“Oh baby, I love you too. But you're right. Your timing sucks,” Haley said as she kissed him.
“Who needs an EMT?” Asked a large man with a red beard.
“Right here. He has a small gash on his forehead. Looks like the bleeding has slowed up a bit,” Haley said.
“Let me take a look,” he said as he placed his kit on the floor and put on a pair of nitrile gloves. “Of course, I can't offer the same care she can,” he added with a grin,
“And please don't try,” Beau said.
“By the way, my name is Dan. This might sting a bit,” the EMT said as he cleaned the wound with alcohol.
Beau winced.
“No, not too bad. Looks like you were grazed by a bullet,” Dan said.
“You sure?” Haley asked.
“Yeah. I used to work in Memphis. I've seen enough gunshot wounds to know what I'm talking about,” Dan said.
“Does he need to see a doctor?” She asked.
“I don't need a doctor,” Beau argued.
“No, you don't. Let me put some antibiotic ointment and a bandage on this thing. You'll be good as new — well, mostly. It'll be sore for a couple of days,” Dan said.
Chet rushed in with Marcus in tow.
“Are you two alright?” He asked.
“I'm fine,” Beau said.
“You were grazed by a bullet,” Haley said.
Chet noticed her hand was trembling. He wasn't surprised. He wasn't far from it himself.
“Don't worry Haley. He's too hard headed to be hurt too bad,” Marcus said.
“I'll get out of your way,” Dan said.
“Thanks man,” Beau said as he shook his hand.
“Thank you,” Haley echoed.
“The four in front?” Beau asked.
“Three dead and one wounded,” Marcus said.
“I still don't understand why the guy behind the house shot the guy across the street,” Beau said.
“I haven't figured that out either,” Marcus said,” But the wounded man will be transported to the hospital as soon as they get him stabilized. I'll ride in the ambulance with him. He's already told an interesting story. He thinks he's dying so he wanted to get it all out before he dies,” Marcus said.
“Let me guess. He's not happy,” Haley said.
“He told me what they had planned for you. It wasn't pretty but it was ordered by Gene Raven,” Marcus said.
He then shared the information as Haley turned pale.
“Their car was searched. The sex toys they found support that part of his story,” Marcus said.
“That's just...sick,” Haley said.
“Gene was always an evil bastard,” Chet said. He noticed the grip Beau had on Haley's hand.”
“What about the guy in the cruiser?” Beau asked.
“He'll have to have medical treatment. Somebody roughed him up pretty bad,” Chet said.
“He was armed and was part of a team taking shots at us. I had to neutralize the threat. I'm only sorry it wasn't Gene Raven,” Beau said.
“Well you neutralized the hell out of him,” Marcus said.
“You did well just to not kill him outright. But we've got two people to question. By the way, did you recognize your punching bag?” Chet asked.
“He looked familiar but I couldn't place him,” Beau said.
“His name is D.C. Cyprus. He's head of security for the Raven family,” Chet said.
“So we hit a nerve,” Haley said.
“A very big nerve,” Chet said.
“I have an idea but I need you two to play along. I'll ride to the hospital with the suspect and we'll bring him back to the office for interrogation. I need you two to lay low,” Chet said. “Get that EMT back in here,” he said to Marcus.
***
Gene paced the floor. He waited for word on what, if anything had transpired. It was almost eleven. Still early enough, but he would feel better if he just knew something.
Thurman had to pay. He had to feel the pain that Gene needed to inflict. D.C. wouldn't fail. He had always been loyal and dependable. These local bumpkins were no match for someone of his skill.
To help pass time he turned on the television to check the local news. Perhaps some new rumor about his impending nomination would be broadcast.
A “breaking news” graphic was on the screen.
“Unconfirmed reports out of Butcher County tonight say that two police officers have been killed. At this time details are still sketchy and Butcher County Sheriff Chet Thurman isn't commenting at this time. A source close to the sheriff's department said five men attacked and murdered a male and female officer in a rural part of the county. The suspects reportedly fled into Knox County after eluding pursuit by the sheriff's department,” said a female reporter, who was phoning from Butcher County.
“Is there a timetable on when the sheriff will address this situation?” The male anchor asked.
“My source in the department said the sheriff is very distraught at this point. It's believed one of the officers was a relative. District Attorney Tobias Whitlow has promised a press conference for some time tomorrow morning. It isn't clear if the s
heriff will be there,” the reporter said.
The anchor continued to the next story.
Gene was ecstatic.
“Yes! D.C. pulled it off!” Gene felt like dancing.
He rushed over and poured himself a drink to celebrate. As the alcohol warmed his chest he thought about his next move. For the first time in nearly thirty years the specter of Chet Thurman coming after him was gone. Gene felt as though shackles had been removed. The Ghost would complete the job soon and Monique would join him in Washington.
Life was sweet indeed.
***
When the last ambulance left the scene and the neighbors had gone back to their houses, Beau and Haley got in Marcus' pick up and left. They walked in the back door of the courthouse unseen.
As they made their way toward the sheriff's department, Haley stopped.
Beau stopped too.
“Something wrong?” He asked.
“I just wanted to thank you,” she said.
“For what?” He asked.
“You were willing to die for me. You shielded me with your body,” she was shaking again.
“I love you. I'd do it every day if I needed to; you don't have to thank me for that,” Beau said.
Haley stepped in and hugged him tightly.
“I almost lost you tonight. Every time I think about it...I start shaking again,” she said.
“But you didn't lose me. I'm right here and I'll be here for as long as you want me,” he said.
“Then my love, you're going to live forever,” Haley said.
“Come on baby. Let's go make a bad guy cry,” Beau said.
They walked to the observation room and watched as Chet and Toby walked into the room with Cyprus.
“I want a lawyer,” the battered suspect said.
“Are you sure you want to do that?” Chet asked.
“Yes, I'm sure. And I would like to file a complaint of police brutality against that goon that caught me with a cheap shot. The big bastard is lucky I didn't kill him,” Cyprus said smugly.
Chet held up the key to the handcuffs.
“If you like, I'll take the cuffs off of you and let you walk out that door. But know this, that goon is waiting for you and he's still pissed,” he said, watching the smugness drain away.
“Tell you what, you walk out and give him the ass whipping he has coming and you can leave. But if he puts you in a coma or, in the ground, I guess what happens next won't really matter,” Chet said.
Cyprus started to squirm.
“You can't do that!” He shouted, then grimaced from the pain in his ribs.
“Well, I can and I will you miserable little son of a bitch. I know about your little plan — the rape, torture, and murder of not only a family member but an officer of the law. We've got your little camcorder and your toys. Do you really believe I'm concerned about your rights or that you'll walk on a technicality? You're lucky to be alive right now and you'll be even luckier to survive the night,” Chet said coldly.
“Who are you?” Cyprus asked Toby.
“I'm just here for the coffee,” Toby said.
“You'll all pay for this. You think your little bad cop routine scares me, guess again. Get me a lawyer,” Cyprus seethed.
“I'm dying for coffee. You want a cup?” Toby asked Chet.
“Yeah, I could go for a cup. Why don't you go put on a fresh pot? Use the one in my office,” Chet said.
“You know I can't leave you in here alone with him. Hey Beau! Come on in here and watch this dangerous prisoner! I need some coffee!” Toby yelled.
The door opened and Beau stepped inside.
“You want a cup?” Toby asked as he walked out.
“Nah, it might keep me up tonight,” Beau said as Toby closed the door.
Chet noticed the sweat on Cyprus's brow.
“Beau, he's not afraid of my bad cop routine,” Chet said.
“Really? I was listening and you convinced me,” Beau said.
“Thank you. I've working on that. Why don't you test the pain tolerance of our sweaty friend here and see if we can make a believer out of him?” Chet asked with cold politeness.
“Toss me the key. I think he's trying to escape,” Beau said as Chet tossed the key to him.
“What are you doing? You can't do this!” He wheezed through the pain in his ribs.
Beau reached down and grabbed his wrist.
“Enjoy hell,” he said as he inserted the key.
“Wait! What do you want to know?” Cyprus asked in a panic through his ruined teeth as Beau lifted him to his feet.
“Everything. And you had better tell it all and it had better be true,” Chet said.
Chapter Ten
When Chuck got back to his apartment in Clinton, he didn't even bother turning the television on. Instead he went straight to his computer and composed an urgent priority message to his agent. He smiled as he typed it.
After encrypting it, he hit the send button. Chuck then set about to hacking into several alleged secure files. He transferred money from one account to another. Then he copied and pasted several decrypted e-mails and planted them.
His computer dinged. His agent responded. Chuck downloaded and decrypted the message.
D.C. Cyprus was suddenly several hundred thousand dollars richer. He started to shut off the computer when he saw a news alert about two police officers being killed in Butcher County, just outside of Stone City.
His heart sank. It couldn't be. The threat was over when he left. Dead. How could anyone else be dead? Was there a third team he missed?
Chuck's stomach churned. All these years, his life stolen from him. Fate led him to the son he never knew and now? He couldn't be dead. He thought of his vow to his beloved Trish and to his father.
The plans so carefully made now looked to be a pipe dream. He knew he had to go to Butcher County and find out for sure.
Before he walked out, he picked up his newly acquired .30-06 and a box of ammo.
***
“We already know everything you just told us. We know your pal Liam murdered a former deputy in Bob Tackett's house. We know you and a team were going to eliminate Tackett but nature took care of that for you. We also know that you did so on Gene's orders,” Chet said as Toby listened and sipped his coffee.
“I want a deal,” Cyprus said.
“That depends on what you're offering,” Toby said.
“I can give you who had Jack Raven killed,” Cyprus said.
“How about the shooter?” Chet asked.
“That will be tough. I've never seen him but it's a man Dal and Gene have dealt with for years. He's called the Ghost,” Cyprus said as Chet's head snapped up. “I don't know what his real name is, I swear,” Cyprus said.
“What else do you know about the Ghost?” Chet asked.
“All I know is he's an international assassin. Gene said he killed a lot of people for his family,” Cyprus said. He didn't mention the contract on Chet.
“What about Stasser?” Chet asked.
“Hand-picked patsy,” Cyprus said. “I understand it's a little trick Gene learned about back in 1968,” Cyprus said.
“And you can give us evidence to support your claim?” Toby asked.
“I can give you computer information — e-mails, IP addresses, fund transfer information. That should be enough shouldn't it?” Cyprus asked.
“So Gene had his own brother murdered,” Chet said.
“I can't believe he wanted the nomination that bad,” Toby said.
“Then you don't know Gene,” Chet said.
“Now, what about my deal? I want immunity in exchange for my testimony,” Cyprus said.
“We'll check out your information first. If it's accurate, then we'll talk. Keep in mind, the U.S. Attorney will have to sign off on it but if everything is as you say, I think he'll follow our recommendation,” Toby said.
“Write the information down so we can check it out. The sooner we find out if you're telling the tru
th the sooner you find out about your deal,” Chet said.
“It's not that simple. I need access to a computer and the internet. I can't remember all of the numbers,” Cyprus said.
“You can write down passwords, codes, and addresses. We will check them out. If we have further any questions, we'll ask,” Chet said.
Cyprus merely wrote down information on a yellow legal pad. After he filled up two pages he handed it to Chet.
“That should be plenty,” Cyprus said.
“I'll be in touch. Don't go anywhere,” Chet said as he and Toby walked out of the room.
Marcus, who had just got back from the hospital, reached over and took the legal pad.
“How's our boy Liam?” Chet asked.
“Sleeping. He's sedated and under double guard,” Marcus said.
“Good. Let's find a computer,” Chet said.
“I want to run up to the CID Office. We have best and fastest computers here,” Marcus said. “By the way, where's Beau and Haley?”
“I let them hitch a ride in a patrol car to go back out and get his Bronco. Beau said he had some things we might need if we have to take Raven by force,” Chet said as he walked with Marcus to the elevator.
“Roughly translated, firepower,” Marcus said.
“I'm thinking you're right and thank God for it. Gene will not come quietly,” Chet said as they stepped onto the elevator.
“Aren't you worried if they're spotted?” Marcus asked.
“At this point, no. The ruse was just to throw off Gene until we're ready to move and that will be very soon,” Chet said.
“You think it will actually come down to another firefight?” Marcus asked.
“You saw what they attempted tonight and if Cyprus is to be believed, Gene had Jack killed. What do you think he's capable of doing to try to protect his secrets?” Chet asked.
As they stepped off of the elevator, Marcus had one more question.
“Are you going to call in the FBI?”
“Absolutely. As soon as we arrest Gene I'll let them know we're holding him on state charges. If I call them before we make the arrest they'll spend several days planning the arrest and by that time Gene will be in the wind,” Chet said. Marcus waited for his computer to boot.
“Do you trust Cyprus? Marcus asked.
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