Chet exhaled.
“You ready?” He asked.
“Yeah, let's get this over with,” Beau said as two S.W.A.T. team members ran up the steps.
He ran and hurled himself into the door knocking it off its hinges. The S.W.A.T. guys charged into the house, firing as they ran. Chet followed them, spraying death to the second floor balcony. Then Beau stepped in and fired the grenade launcher next. The explosion knocked down a seven-foot section of the second floor balcony and a huge chunk of the wall.
The second floor guards were down and appeared to be on the third floor balcony, at least none firing anyway.
The few remaining guards on the first floor starting dropping their guns and raising their hands. More officers poured in through the door.
A movement from the corner of his eye drew Beau's attention. On the third floor balcony, Cyprus was leaning over the rail and brandishing a handgun.
“Gun!” Beau shouted and drew his handgun.
Cyprus shook his head violently and started bringing the pistol down. Beau and Chet both fired. Both bullets struck Cyprus in the head. With a wound eerily similar to Jack Raven's fatal wound. Cyprus fell back lifelessly.
Chet pointed to some officers to his right.
“You four! Sweep ground level. Round up everyone,” he said as he turned to officers on his left. “You five do the same on the second floor. Beau, you come with me,” he said.
They started up the steps to the third floor. Beau tossed the grenade launcher to a Stone City officer.
“Hang onto this for me Jimmy. And be careful, it's loaded,” he said.
“You got it Beau,” Jimmy said.
***
Chuck turned the doorknob and the door wasn't locked. He walked into the library and Gene was pacing the floor crying.
“It's over. It's all over,” Gene said.
Chuck had his pistol at the ready but Gene acted as if he wasn't even there.
“All of the planning and all of the work - just wasted Dad,” he sobbed. “It's worse than when Tom died. There's no one left to take up our cause now. Bob's dead and I'm ruined,” Gene said as the tears rolled. “I let you down. That whore Monique did this to us!” The bitch!” He growled.
Chuck watched him.
Gene stopped crying and looked up.
“You look familiar,” he said calmly.
“Just a ghost from your past,” Chuck said.
“I remember you. You wanted to kill me and Bob back in '68 but my dad paid you off. We created you, you know. My family funded the MK-ULTRA program for several years. We needed a killer and Uncle Sam found and trained one for us,” Gene said almost fondly.
“You took my life from me,” Chuck said coldly.
“We made you rich! Everything you are it's because of the Raven family!” Gene said.
“I agree. And I came here tonight to repay your gift,” Chuck said.
“Then kill me. Keep me from doing it. At least get your revenge and spare me the added humiliation,” Gene said.
“No, I'll just add to it. Your friend Cyprus used you. He contacted me but he funneled all of the money into his own account. He and Bob were working together. They found a guy to make the hit on Jack. After Bob died, Cyprus figured he'd just cash in himself and not split anything. He was responsible for leaking your information and even the authorities here tonight. Your father knew. Cyprus killed him too. He had designs on taking all of your money and turning you over to Chet Thurman as a trophy. I've been retired for years Gene. If Cyprus hadn't contacted me I wouldn't know any of this. So there's your payback,” Chuck said.
Gene eyed him suspiciously.
“D.C. wouldn't have done that,” he said.
“Didn't you ever notice how everything he did was botched? When was that a problem before?” Chuck asked.
“Did he contact you on Jack's behalf to have me killed?” Gene asked.
“Lucky for you he went to the highest bidder,” Chuck said, adding another lie to the pathetic paranoid figure falling apart in front of him.
“Betrayed! I should have known. It wasn't Monique. She's the only one who ever loved me,” Gene said as the sobbing started again.
Chuck eased his way to the door and stepped out onto the balcony. He walked over to edge and climbed down a drain pipe. About eight feet from the ground, he jumped, and landed.
At that point, the Ghost faded into the fog to find his vehicle and drive away.
With handguns drawn, Beau and Chet made it to the third floor balcony. They saw Cyprus. He would never again be a threat. Then they saw the body of Dal Raven slumped in the wheel chair.
Chet pushed the body upright and saw the dart.
“Looks like Cyprus took him out too,” he said.
They heard a man screaming obscenities and Beau toward the double doors.
Chet nodded. Beau ran and slammed his right foot just above the two door knobs. The wood splinted and the doors swung open. He rolled forward and Chet stepped in looking for a target.
They found Gene sitting at the desk in the library. He was sweating profusely and crying as he sipped from a glass of liquor. He had a cigar in his mouth and held a nickel-plated .38 Special to the side of his head.
“You bastard! You've hounded me all these years. Well you're not going to arrest me!” Gene said to Chet.
“Put it down Gene. Think of your family,” Chet said calmly.
“Family? What family? My mother's dead, my father's dead, my brothers are dead, Bob is dead, and...Monique is dead,” he started sobbing again.
“Monique is dead?” Beau asked.
Gene stopped crying.
“You? How? You shaved. How did you get so young again?” He asked in astonishment.
Beau glanced toward Chet.
“What do you mean?” Chet asked.
“He looks like he did in Memphis. But you...you're old like me,” Gene rambled as he looked at Chet.
“You mean the Ghost?” Chet asked.
Gene looked back to Beau.
“We made you. Please help me now. Please,” he begged.
“What do you mean, made me?” Beau asked.
“I told you before. We funded the MK-ULTRA program and the CIA trained you well,” Gene said.
“What's his real name?” Chet asked.
“Raoul,” Gene said almost dreamily.
“Raoul what?” Chet asked.
“Raoul Garcia. I understood he was a CIA operative wounded at the Bay of Pigs,” Gene said as he scratched his head with the pistol.
“But it can’t be. The Ghost is gone. D.C. became the new Ghost. He betrayed me. He and Jack plotted to kill me but I offered more money so he had Jack killed by one of our guards. Tell me, did any of them live?” He asked.
“Quite a few actually,” Chet said.
“In 1968 you wanted to kill me. Why don't you now?” Gene asked Beau.
“No money in it,” Chet said.
Gene looked back over to Chet laughed and took a shot of the liquor and started laughing again.
“Just put the gun down Gene,” Chet said calmly.
Gene continued to laugh.
“You know what's funny? I found out earlier this evening that the party leadership was going to offer me the nomination tomorrow,” the mirth turned to grief. “The dream was within my grasp and I was betrayed by the only man I trusted,” he said as his face contorted again.
“You had people killed and wanted a woman brutally raped and murdered for your pleasure. Excuse me if I don't get emotional,” Beau said.
Gene's eyes narrowed.
“Killing is part of the game. Don't you understand? From the time I killed my first nigger when I was 16 up until today, it was all just a means to an end,” he said.
“What did you gain by killing Martin Luther King?” Beau asked.
“The admiration of my peers and influence in the ultra-conservative community,” Gene said with a laugh.
“No additional defense contracts came your
way?” Chet asked.
“There was that,” Gene said.
“Free reign from the government to run guns in Africa and South America?” Chet asked.
“That too,” Gene said. “You're very good at what you do. I should have had you and your partner Rayburn killed years ago. I wanted to you know.”
“I wasn't aware,” Chet said.
“My father said killing FBI agents might shift the attitude of the government,” Gene then looked to Beau and said, “Besides, you refused the contract.”
“What are you talking about?” Beau asked.
Gene just smiled and shook his head.
“Put the gun down,” Chet repeated.
Gene pulled the hammer back until it clicked.
“You won't arrest me,” he said as tears formed in his eyes again. “I'll tell Monique hello for you.”
“Gene!” Chet shouted a split second before the report of the pistol echoed in the library.
The bullet entered just behind his right temple. Gene's body spun about halfway around in the chair and then slumped to the side. Surprisingly, his corpse did not fall out in the floor.
Chet and Beau looked at each other.
“Drunk or crazy?” Beau asked.
“I'm thinking both,” Chet said.
Conclusion
Three weeks later, Haley and Beau sat on the couch watching the flames dance in the fire place. Her head rested on his chest and his big arm wrapped around her body.
“This is a nice way to spend a cold and rainy Thursday evening — in front of a cozy fire with the man I love,” Haley said.
“I love you too baby and I'm just glad you're happy,” Beau said.
“I've never been happier,” she said.
“Me either. But that doesn't mean things can't get even better,” he said.
She raised up and looked at him.
“Is something wrong?” Haley asked.
“No, just the opposite. Everything is great. It’s just...I hate kissing you goodbye,” Beau said.
“You always say the sweetest things. You know, I could be talked into staying all night,” she said.
“I'd like that. But as great as that sounds, I had something a little different in mind,” he said.
Haley eyed him curiously.
“And just what do you have in mind?” She asked.
He smiled and took her hands in his left hand as he slid off of the couch and onto the floor on one knee.
“Haley Garrison, I love you more than I could ever tell you. I adore you and everything about you. I had no idea how empty my life was before I met you and I don't want a future without you in it. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Beau asked as produced a ring box and showed her the one and a half- karat engagement ring.
Haley's mouth dropped open slightly in surprise.
“I, uh, yes, yes I will!” She exclaimed as a wide smile covered her face.
Beau leaned forward and kissed her hands before they kissed each other.
“Put it on me,” Haley said.
He exhaled and laughed.
“If I can stop shaking long enough I will.”
She held her hand out and looked at the ring. Beau couldn't decide which sparkled more, the diamond or her eyes.
“It's so beautiful,” Haley said.
“It's nothing next to you,” Beau said as he pulled her closer.
“Aunt Carly will go wild,” she said with a smile before her excitement ebbed. “Uh, about Aunt Carly and Uncle Chet.”
“You think it might be best if I ask for your hand in marriage - get their blessing,” he said.
“I know it seems old fashioned. Would you mind?” Haley asked, chewing on her bottom lip as usually did when stressed.
Beau smiled and patted her hand.
“I don't think it's old fashioned. I think it's the right thing to do. It's a matter of respect. They've earned it and so have you - which I why I spoke to them late this afternoon while you were at the high school checking out that vandalism,” he said.
Her eyes grew wide.
“Really?” She asked.
“It seems like I have a talent for making the women in your family cry,” Beau said.
Haley leaned and embraced him.
“But in a good way. What did Uncle Chet say?” Haley asked.
“He told me to take care you and I promised to spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to make you happy,” Beau said. “Oddly enough, I think he believed me.”
“So do I. And I promise to do the same for you,” she said.
“I did tell him I wouldn't call him 'Uncle' Chet. He said he'd shoot me if I did. I think he meant it,” Beau said.
Haley giggled.
“Do you want to go show them the ring?” He asked.
She giggled again.
“Yes. I can't wait,” she said.
***
Haley knocked on the door of Chet's office as she and Marcus entered. He still had a pronounced limp.
“I just heard some interesting news. Jack Raven's widow announced she's selling the Raven's Nest,” Haley said.
“I hope they patch the bullet holes first,” Marcus said.
“A little paint and drywall work here and there, it'll be good as new,” Chet said.
“Speaking of bullet holes, how's the leg?” Beau asked.
“A little paint and drywall work here and there, it'll be good as new,” Marcus said.
“Smartass,” Chet said with a chuckle.
“Seriously, it's getting better. Glad to off of the crutches,” Marcus said.
“Before I forget, Haley and I want to invite everyone over to the house tonight for a little get together. Call it an engagement supper,” Beau said.
“Are you cooking? I'm still not up for roadkill du jour,” Marcus said.
“Relax, Haley's cooking the meal. I'm just providing...atmosphere,” Beau said. “And there's someone I want you all to meet. I have a new neighbor. He's a history professor over at the college,” Beau said.
“He's an interesting guy. I think you'll like him Uncle Chet,” Haley said to Chet.
“History huh? Wait, is this the egghead that came around on the night of the raid?” Marcus asked.
“The same. Seems to be a nice enough guy though. Grills a mean back strap of venison,” Beau said.
“Oh Lord, another one,” Marcus said.
“He's a hunter?” Chet asked.
“Yes. He uses historically accurate weapons — Kentucky long rifle, longbow, handmade arrows, and the like.
“He does sound interesting,” Chet said.
The phone on his desk rang.
“Thurman,” he said.
“Yes, I'm well aware. But they're not married yet so the nepotism rule isn't applicable yet,” Chet said as he looked at Beau and Haley.
“No Mayor, I'm pretty sure they're willing to comply with the law as much as you want them to,” he said.
“Yeah, well, same to you,” Chet said as he hung up.
“The Mayor sends her congratulations,” he said.
“I figured as much,” Beau said.
“You know, I hate to agree with her on anything - especially since it's going to cost me a good detective either way - but you both can't work CID,” Chet said.
“We've thought about that and discussed it at length and we might have a solution that will adequately solve the problem,” Haley said.
“And piss off the Mayor,” Beau said.
“Whatever it is, I like it already,” Marcus said.
Beau smiled.
“You might as well tell him now,” he said.
“What? That Haley will be announced tomorrow as the new chief of the Stone City PD?” Chet asked.
“You knew?” Haley asked.
“I hear things, especially when the city mayor is old football teammate,” Chet said.
“I hope you're not upset that I didn't come to you first,” Haley said.
Chet waved it off.
“Not at all. It's more of a nine to five job with weekends off. I don't blame you a bit. You're getting ready to start a marriage. It'll be good for both of you,” he said.
“The good news is she will always be available to consult when we need her expertise,” Beau said.
“You're right. Mayor O'Dell will not like it that you're so close to the department and still getting paid — even if it's not the county payroll. But, she'll get over it,” Chet said.
“Yes she will. She's got bigger worries — like not only losing the Raven money that paid for her campaigns but being so tied to them. She's already lost the August election and she knows it,” Marcus said.
“Good,” Chet grunted.
“Speaking of which, Toby and Doc Short are talking up a candidate for the job already,” Marcus said as he eyed Chet with a slight grin.
“So I've heard. I like being sheriff,” Chet said.
“That's not exactly a no,” Haley said.
“And it's not exactly a yes either,” Chet said.
“What does Carlene think?” Beau asked.
“She's ready for me to stop being sheriff, let somebody younger run for the job. Somebody I could trust to run the department and work with on a daily basis if I decided to lose my mind and run for mayor,” Chet said as he eyes looked Beau in the eye.
Marcus grinned.
“An educated man...maybe somebody with more than just four years of college; somebody with practical experience,” he said.
Beau started to protest as it slowly occurred to him what was implied.
“But we can talk about all of that later. First things first. You and Carly have a wedding to plan,” Chet said to Haley. “And deer season opens Saturday. Wendell Leinart told me of several good spots on his farm. We're welcome anytime,” he said to Beau.
“Sounds good to me,” Beau said.
“Let me know when you're going so I can sleep late in my nice warm bed,” Marcus said.
“Why don't you invite your neighbor to come try out his long rifle skills? I'd like to meet him,” Chet said.
Beau shrugged.
“I'll ask him and see if he's interested,” Beau said.
Did you love Stolen Memories: Assassin's Redemption? Then you should read Only When I Dream by Richard Allen Evans!
Jett Bradley lost the love of his life to cancer ten years ago. On the tenth anniversary of her death he starts to communicate with her and another old friend in his dreams.
Assassin's Redemption: Stolen Memories, #1 Page 32