by Jo Davis
“You’re perfect in every way,” he said.
“No, we’re perfect, together.”
“You couldn’t be more right about that.”
He held her for a very long time, right there on the floor.
• • •
Melissa sat at her desk, back on duty. Full duty, for the first time in four weeks.
It was a mixed bag of good and bad. She was glad to get back to work, but more than a bit frustrated by the lack of anything solid on her uncle.
She stared at a series of reports on her desk. These were the vehicles that their surveillance had seen coming and going from her uncle’s compound.
A few were trucks that the three henchmen with Ron’s body could’ve been driving. One of them was a white utility van—and it was dented in the front, with black paint on the grill. Her uncle was arrogant not to get it fixed.
They’d gotten the plates of each vehicle. Now all they had to do was wait.
“You’re going down, you fucker,” she seethed. “I’m gonna put you away.”
If it was the last thing she did.
11
A while later, Melissa rubbed her tired eyes, trying to concentrate on a different case file. An eighty-year-old had walked away from a nursing home, and no one could find him. The area outside the city was so fraught with hazards for a confused elderly person—the Cumberland River, the hills and forest—that she feared what had become of him.
“Melissa, something just came through,” Shane said, hurrying into the office. He was carrying a piece of paper from the printer. “The plates on the van that we suspect ran us off the road came back registered to a man named Joe Henson. He’s got an apartment here in town.”
“Joe. Not my uncle,” she said thoughtfully.
“No, though I know you were hoping it was your uncle’s van.”
Sitting back in her chair, she thought about that. “Big Joe. He’s one of my uncle’s henchmen, has been for a long time. I’m betting the apartment is just a cover. Unless he’s moved, he lives on the compound, always has.”
Shane’s eyes gleamed with the anticipation of the hunt. “I’ll get a warrant for his arrest, attempted murder of a police officer.”
“He may not have been the one behind the wheel.”
“If he wasn’t, he’ll know who was, and I’m betting it was your uncle. Either way, we’ll be able to get warrants to search both his apartment and the compound.”
Something niggled in her brain once again. That elusive detail about her uncle’s visit . . .
She sat up straight. “He was talking about the van!”
“What?” Shane looked confused.
“My uncle! The day he came to see me, he mentioned the van that hit us,” she said, holding Shane’s gaze. “Said he saw the story on the news.” She saw the instant he got it.
“We never released what type of vehicle hit us!” he crowed.
“That’s it! This is what we needed,” she exclaimed in excitement. “We needed a way onto that compound, and my uncle being stupid enough mention the van, plus to use it and Joe to do his dirty work, just gave it to us!”
“We need to be careful. The armed guards around that place may not let us close.”
“Oh, they will. Because I’m going to let my uncle know I’m coming.”
• • •
As she’d expected, James Ryan wasn’t able to just ignore his niece throwing down the gauntlet. His pride and meanness wouldn’t let him.
“I’ll be waiting,” he’d sneered, and cut off the call.
As she rode in the first of three cars full of detectives and officers, a shiver passed through her. Was she making a huge mistake? She hadn’t even called Clay to let her know this was going down, and he’d be furious.
Please forgive me. I have to see this through.
Her uncle’s attempts on her life wouldn’t go unanswered. Even if they found not one shred of evidence, he would know that she refused to be cowed.
As they wound through the hills, sliding deeper into his territory, however, a chill of trepidation took root and grew. If she fucked this up, more lives than hers were at stake. Her entire team and several officers were putting themselves at risk to protect one of their own, to bring her would-be killer to justice.
She couldn’t help but think she’d played right into her uncle’s hands.
At last the road ended at a huge, imposing metal gate. It had to be at least ten feet tall, and there were two men flanking either side of it. Both of them were armed with rifles. The weapons remained slung across their backs, but the threat was clear enough.
Fuck with us, and cops or not, nobody will find your bodies.
“Jesus,” Shane said quietly.
Taylor snorted. “No shit. This is like something out of Deliverance.”
“Worse,” Melissa told them. “Keep your eyes open and your trigger finger ready.”
After peering into each vehicle, one of the men got on his cell phone and walked a few paces away, talking into the device. When he was finished, he ended the call and the gate started opening slowly. He waved them through with a smirk.
“I feel like I’ve gone through a travel warp and landed in a South American country,” Taylor said. “Complete with drug lords.” He looked out the window, jaw ticking with nerves.
Nobody replied. The tension in the car could be cut with a knife. The feeling that she’d made a terrible mistake was growing worse, but it was far too late to turn back. What else was she supposed to do, though? Just let her uncle’s attempts go unanswered until he finally succeeded?
Moments later, several large buildings came into view. The place hadn’t changed much, except it had expanded. “That’s the main residence, though it looks more like a warehouse,” she said, pointing. “And there’s the main distillery behind it, off to the left. The other buildings store their finished product, grain, weapons, food supplies, you name it.”
Taylor was right—the compound was like a small country.
Shane parked their car in front of the residence, and they got out. Tonio and Chris were in the car behind them, and four officers in the one behind that. All to serve a couple of warrants. Christ Almighty.
She was glad Captain Rainey had taken the danger seriously.
The compound was eerily quiet as she, Shane, and Taylor approached the big front door. Their weapons were holstered, but unclipped, and they were wary. Melissa knocked, and waited. And they waited some more. It was nerve-racking because James had to know they were there. He was trying to make them nervous, and it was working.
At last the door opened, and her uncle was standing there wearing a smug smile. He was dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt with a plaid long-sleeved shirt over it. She’d lay money he was carrying a gun, probably underneath the plaid shirt.
He wasn’t physically as imposing as she remembered from childhood. He was bulky but not fat, and not as tall as Clay. His salt-and-pepper brown hair was longish, and he sported a full beard now, unlike the day he’d come to see her. His dark eyes assessed them shrewdly, and his stance was relaxed. He wasn’t the least bit intimidated—they were on his turf.
This wasn’t some ignorant hillbilly, and they’d all do well to remember that.
“Well, look who it is,” he drawled. “The prodigal daughter returned home. Should I have thrown a party? Don’t know where I’d find balloons to match that particular color of blue you’re wearing.”
She wasn’t in uniform, but his meaning was clear. As was the unspoken threat. Beside her, Taylor and Shane shifted.
“Hello, James,” she said coolly. “It’s been a long time since I’ve set foot here.”
“Too long. I’m hurt that you didn’t visit sooner.” His tone said just the opposite.
“I’m touched. But I think we both know I’m not here to s
ocialize. I have a warrant to search the property, and another one for the arrests of you and Joe Henson for attempted murder. If Joe is here, I suggest you urge him to give himself up peacefully and that you do the same.”
His expression showed no surprise at the information. “He’s not here. Don’t know where he is, haven’t seen him for a few days. He probably took off.”
He was lying, she was sure of it. “Be that as it may, we still have a warrant for a search. James Ryan, you’re under arrest for—”
Her uncle laughed out loud, as though she’d told the funniest joke he’d ever heard. “Sure, sure. You and your friends can arrest me, and go right ahead and look. What’s it matter to me? You’ll find nothing.”
She stared at him, uncertain. If he planned to let them search without a fight, he’d either swept the place clean, or he never planned to let them leave alive.
She figured it was the latter.
“Go ahead,” James said, waving a hand. “Take a look. Not that it will matter.”
“You’re under arrest. Don’t move.” Handing her uncle the search warrant, she quickly cuffed his hands in front of him. Then she stepped off the porch and led the men far enough away so James wouldn’t overhear.
“I’d leave one of the uniforms with him to keep an eye on him,” she suggested. “Then I think we should search the small outer buildings first. That’s where he keeps some of his treasures, like guns and drugs. I also know a place in the woods beyond those buildings were he hides things. Or used to anyway.”
“Sounds good,” Shane said. “Lead the way, and then we’ll spread out.”
She did, keeping a sharp eye on their surroundings. The silence was weird, especially in a place that was normally crawling with people. She and the others fanned out and started searching. Minutes later, just as she finished looking through one small empty outbuilding, she heard Shane call out.
Walking outside, she spotted him stamping through the forest about forty yards away. He pointed to something farther in the trees.
“I think I found the van,” he shouted.
That was all he had time to say before all hell broke loose. Gunfire erupted, followed by shouts and men emerging from nowhere. A bullet thudded into the wall too close to her head, and she ducked around the corner, drawing her weapon with a curse. She’d known her uncle wouldn’t just let them nose around the property. He’d only been playing with them.
Peering around the corner, she saw a gunman take aim at Shane. Quickly, she fired off a couple of rounds, and the man fell to the ground, unmoving. Shane was darting from tree to tree, trying to remain out of the line of fire.
This was it. The war was on, and she was determined not to let James win. If he did, he’d be sure to hide their bodies where nobody would ever find them. The authorities would never pin a thing on him.
The battle was fierce. Melissa moved carefully around the perimeter of the compound, covering her friends and taking out as many of her uncle’s men as she could. Unbearable minutes passed, listening to the gunshots, screams of pain, wondering if any of those voices belonged to her team.
Then, disaster.
Tonio was crossing from one building to another when a man stepped around a tree and opened fire. Before Melissa could swing her weapon toward the enemy, Tonio’s body jerked as he went down in a hail of bullets.
“No!” she screamed, firing several rounds at the bastard. He went down as well, and didn’t move.
Tonio wasn’t moving, either. Melissa made her way toward him as fast as she dared, watching the area for more shooters. Finally she reached the big man’s side, and crouched, noting several bullet wounds in his torso and one in his right thigh. His eyes were closed, and she couldn’t tell if he was breathing.
“Tonio? Oh, God.”
Grabbing him under his arms, she began to drag him backward. Suddenly she had help as Chris skidded to a halt beside them.
“Here, give him to me!” Chris took over, slinging his partner over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and jogging for the relative safety of the trees. She followed, pulling out her cell phone to call dispatch.
When she connected, she wasted no time identifying herself. “Officer down! Detective Salvatore has been shot! We’re at the Ryan compound, and we need an ambulance! We’re under heavy fire!”
Dispatch promised backup and an ambulance as fast as they could get them there. After hanging up, she turned her attention back to Tonio. Chris was ripping open his shirt—and let out a cry of sheer relief.
“A vest! He’s wearing a vest, thank God.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Most of the shots hit the vest, but he’s got one wound high on his shoulder, and the one on his thigh as far as I can see.”
“Doesn’t look like they’re bleeding too heavily,” she said. “I’m glad as hell he was protected. I’m wearing mine, but I wasn’t sure about him.”
“Me, too.”
Tonio sucked in a harsh breath and groaned, coming around. “What the fuck happened?”
“You nearly got turned into a spaghetti strainer, that’s what,” Chris told him. “Your vest saved your ass.”
“Feels like I got hit by a truck.”
“Just stay still, okay?” Melissa told him. “Help is on the way.”
Tonio didn’t have the breath to argue. Looking up, Melissa scanned the area and saw a lone figure slipping into a side door at the main distillery.
“Stay here with your partner,” she told Chris. “I’m going after James.”
“Be careful!”
“Will do.”
If that evil son of a bitch thought he was going to get away from here, he’d better think again. I’m coming for you, and you’re going to pay.
Finally.
• • •
The call came in at 7:08 p.m.
Officer down, and an ambulance needed ASAP. But that wasn’t all. There was a major shootout taking place at a compound outside of town, and the potential for casualties on both sides was high. Three companies were being dispatched, but they were to remain outside the perimeter until the danger was past.
His heart stuttered as fear washed over him. Was Melissa one of the wounded? Please, no. I’ve waited all my life for her, and nothing can happen to her now. I won’t survive it.
Why hadn’t she called, told him where she was going?
For this very reason. She knew she’d be in danger and didn’t want me to worry.
“You drive,” Six-Pack said to Clay, and tossed him the keys to the ambulance. “You’re ready to get back on that horse. Let’s go save some lives.”
He swallowed hard, and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Clay drove through town, and couldn’t help but shudder as he recalled the last time he’d been behind the wheel of the vehicle. Julian was in the passenger’s seat, just like that day. But not quite.
This time was different. The call he was rushing toward involved someone he loved. Nothing compared to the urgency he felt to get to her.
Outside a huge gate, they were met with a sea of lights belonging to police cars. They were ordered to wait, which went against the fiber of his very being. People were injured, maybe Melissa, and standing around was hell.
He heard the gunshots. Each one was a strike against his nerves, ramping up his fear for his love. They seemed to be lessening in frequency, a pop here and there.
Clay walked up to an officer. “What’s happening? Do we know who the injured officer is?”
“No, sir. I’m afraid not,” he replied, his body tense. “We’re still waiting on the go-ahead to let you in there.”
On the heels of that statement, a huge explosion rocked the earth as a fireball shot into the sky.
“Holy fuck!” someone cursed.
Cold terror gripped his insides. The blaze shot into the sky, spewing fire and black smoke like a
rampaging dragon intent on devouring everything it its path. Please let her be safe. Please.
“Okay, we’ve got the all-clear,” Six-Pack shouted. “Let’s move in!”
That meant the cops had James and his men subdued, right? He drove through the gates, keeping an eye out for any familiar cops. Especially one in particular.
The scene in the compound was total devastation. Bodies dotted the lawn, some men past any help. Some were writhing, moaning in pain. In the background, several buildings burned. He’d never seen anything quite like this.
His team and Station Two turned their hoses on the blaze while Clay helped others attend the wounded. He heard a shout and looked up to see Shane and Chris carrying Tonio Salvatore between them. The man was conscious and grimacing in pain.
“Tonio!” Julian yelled, running to his brother. “Where are you hit?”
“Shoulder and leg,” he rasped. “It’s not that bad. My chest hurts worse because of the rounds stopped by my vest.”
“Madre de Dios!” Julian appeared ready to pass out from the knowledge that he’d almost lost his brother.
The ambulance crew from Station Two intervened smoothly. “You can’t treat your own brother,” one of them said. “You’re too shaken. We’ll take over with the detective.”
“Thank you,” Julian managed, though he didn’t appear happy about stepping aside. To Tonio, he said, “I’ll see you later, at the hospital.”
“Sure thing, bro. Remember, I’m fine. Okay?”
“Yeah.” Julian sent the other man a half smile. But he was still rattled.
“Where’s Melissa?” Clay asked Shane and Chris after they’d relinquished their fallen detective. Dread gripped him when they glanced at each other uneasily.
“I’m not sure,” Shane said. “She went after her uncle. We were busy with Tonio and I haven’t seen her since the fire started.”
“We’re going to look right now,” Chris added.
The two men jogged off, starting their search. Looking around, Clay saw things were under control for the moment. He couldn’t wait another second to find Melissa. He had to know if she was alright.