by Becky Harmon
“Jamison, where are you?”
“We’re in the women’s locker room.”
“Get out! Now!”
“What the hell is going on?” Jamison stood, motioning for Shea to dress quickly.
“Sullivan claims there’s a bomb close enough to the locker room to take Shea out.” Jamison could hear her cursing at someone in the background. “We’re on our way, if Heather doesn’t crash us first.” Sheldon cursed again and Jamison could hear Heather’s not so pleasant response in the background.
Sheldon’s voice dropped an octave lower. “We’re pretty confident he’s lying and it’s only an attempt to flush you out, so watch your ass.”
Shit! Jamison unlocked the door and glanced into the empty hallway. “How close are you guys? I’m alone here.”
“Five minutes tops. Just get out of there now.”
She knew Shea wouldn’t follow her without an explanation but she didn’t want her to panic. “We need to get out of the stadium quickly. Any suggestions on the best route?”
Shea picked up her full duffel bag from the bench beside her.
“Leave it,” Jamison said firmly.
“No. If we’re headed back to your house then I need the clothes.”
“I’ll take you by your place. Please leave the bag.”
“Tonight?”
Jamison had enough of the conversation. “Shea, leave the bag and come with me now.”
Shea must have seen something in Jamison’s face or heard enough in her voice because she dropped the bag and pushed Jamison toward the door. “Go right and we can follow the vendors’ tunnel. It’ll take us longer to get back to the truck but the majority of it will be outside the stadium.”
At the door, Jamison pulled her pistol, holding it down beside her leg. She didn’t want to scare anyone but Sheldon had been vague enough on her details that she didn’t want to be empty-handed. She grasped Shea’s hand and pulled her tight against her back. “Watch behind us, Shea, and if you see anyone tell me. Anyone at all. Even someone you know.”
Jamison’s phone vibrated but she didn’t want to free up either hand to answer it. “Can you reach my phone?”
Shea slid her hand into Jamison’s pocket and retrieved the phone. “It’s Sheldon.” Her voice held a slight tremble and Jamison squeezed her hand tighter.
“Answer it.”
“Sheldon? It’s Shea…she’s right here. We’re headed toward the vendors’ tunnel. It’s the fastest way out of the stadium…Okay.”
“What did she say?” Jamison asked as Shea slid the phone back into her pocket.
“Keep moving. They’re here and will find us.”
They entered an open concourse and Jamison hesitated. Speed dictated a move straight across the opening but being in the open went against her training. She pulled Shea closer to the wall but stayed far enough away to give herself reaction time if one of the doors opened. Trying to move as fast as they could safely, Jamison felt the air ripple past her head before she heard the echo of the gunshot. She pushed Shea to the floor behind a concrete pillar.
“Was…was that a shot?” Shea asked.
Jamison nodded. “Stay down, okay?” She was trying to figure out where the shot had come from.
Another shot pinged off the concrete pillar and Jamison saw movement in the shadows under the stairs across the concourse. She wanted to fire back but couldn’t be sure it was the location of the gunman. The echo of each shot ricocheted around the concourse making it impossible to pinpoint a location. She concentrated her focus on the darkness under the stairs and stuck her head out, ducking back in quickly as the ping echoed off the pillar again. This time she saw the muzzle flash in the shadow and she squeezed off two rapid shots. She heard pounding footsteps approaching from the vendor tunnel and moved her body to shield Shea.
“Jamison!” Jeremy yelled as he came into sight.
“Get down,” Shea screamed at him.
Jeremy dropped as he slid behind the pillar, crashing into Shea. “I heard…I came…are you okay?” he asked, breathlessly.
Jamison wasted no time in using him. Her first priority was getting Shea to safety. She pointed at a blue door closest to their position. “Is that room unlocked?”
“I have a key,” Jeremy panted.
“Go open it and clear the room. We need to get Shea out of the open.”
Jeremy began crawling toward the door and Jamison unloaded her clip into the shadows under the stairs. She quickly popped in a new clip as Jeremy called out the room was clear.
“Go, Shea.” Jamison could feel her hesitate. “Go, Shea and close the door behind you. Do not open it for anyone but me. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Jamison focused on the shadows again and began firing as she felt Shea leave the cover of the pillar. When the door clicked shut behind Shea, Jamison stopped firing. The concourse was silent, though Jamison’s ears still rang from the gunshots. The shadows under the stairs were eerily quiet and Jamison wanted to move closer but knew she needed to wait for backup. She pressed her Flagler microphone. “Liam?” she said softly.
“James? Where are you?”
“Mel?”
“Yes. Where are you?”
“In the first concourse outside the women’s locker room. I have at least one gunman pinned down. Where are you?”
“Nikki and I are entering the stadium at Gate A right now.”
Jamison searched the building plans in her head and prayed she was remembering them correctly. “Stay against the outside wall and follow it to your right. When you pass Gate C you should be getting close to me so approach slowly. I’ll let you know when you enter my line of sight. The gunman is under the stairs that will be on your right.”
“We can see Gate B.” Mel’s breathing had increased as they sprinted toward her.
Jamison pulled out her phone and dialed Shea.
“Are you okay?” Shea immediately asked.
“Yes, and it’s very quiet out here. I think maybe I hit him. Is there a flashlight in there?”
“Let me look.”
Jamison could hear her opening cabinets as she told Jeremy what she was looking for.
“Got one.”
“Great. Have Jeremy open the door and slide it to me.”
The door behind Jamison slowly opened and a large yellow lantern flashlight slid across the floor.
“Okay. We can see Gate C coming up.” Mel’s voice came through Jamison’s earpiece.
“I see you.”
“I can see the stairs.”
“Let’s move in on him together.” Jamison turned on the flashlight.
Her pistol held in front of her, she shined the flashlight into the shadows under the stairs and moved across the concourse. The gunman’s body lay facedown on the concrete, his pistol inches from his fingertips. His body was large and beefy and he was dressed in jeans, a flannel shirt and heavy boots. She approached cautiously, kicked his pistol away, and touched his neck. She looked up at Mel and Nikki and shook her head.
“Well, crap,” Mel said. “We won’t get any information from him.” She glanced around the concourse. “Where’s Shea?”
Jamison started to talk but Mel cut her off. “Where’s my sister?”
Nikki stepped in front of Mel, placing a quieting hand on her arm as she passed and addressed Jamison. “Hey James,” she said sweetly. “You and Shea okay?”
Jamison gave her a weak smile. “Hey Nikki. Yes, we’re both fine. Shea’s over here.” She led the way across the concourse to the blue door and knocked. “Jeremy, you can come out now.”
The door opened slowly and Jeremy emerged, gun drawn.
Jamison put a hand up. “Everything’s okay. The gunman is dead.”
Shea came around Jeremy in a flash and hugged Jamison. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Mel and Nikki.
“What? Where?” Shea stepped away from Jamison and into Mel’s arms.
Mel hugged her tight. “Are you okay, baby sister?”
“Shit, Mel. Baby? Really?” She pulled away and hugged Nikki. “I’m fine.”
“Let’s get out—” Jamison started as footsteps approached from both directions. Jamison grabbed Shea, pulling her behind her body as Heather, Sheldon, Carlton and officers from all three agencies arrived on the scene.
Jamison shook her head and pointed the flashlight at the gunman. “Heather, I think we need the coroner.”
“On it.”
“He was probably the only threat but let’s get you guys out of here anyway,” Carlton said, herding everyone toward the exit.
Carlton hugged Shea against his side. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
Shea hugged him back and then stepped away, giving him an evil glare. “You and I need to talk, Chief.”
Jamison laughed. “You can beat him up later, cub. Right now, let’s get out of here.”
Shea slid her hand into Jamison’s as they followed the group out of the tunnel.
“We’re headed back to TPD to question Sullivan some more. We’ll tell him his gunman is singing like a canary,” Heather said with a smile.
Sheldon nodded. “Want to come with us?”
“You should come with us,” Heather requested.
Heather would have paperwork concerning the shooting and Jamison would need to do everything she asked to help clear it up.
Shea squeezed her hand. “I can go with Mel and Nikki.”
Jamison pulled Shea to a stop but motioned the others to continue. “Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
Shea smiled. “I know you want to finish this so go do it. Then come back to me.”
Jamison pulled her close. She wanted to kiss her and was surprised when Shea did it first. It wasn’t a long lingering kiss but held a promise of what was to come.
“Will you be at Mel’s?” Jamison asked.
“Probably.”
“Make sure they clear your house before you guys traipse through there,” Jamison cautioned.
“I’m sure they won’t take as good care of me as you do but they’ll try.”
She gave her a sheepish grin. “I didn’t mean to imply that.”
Shea gave her another kiss and then joined her sister.
Jamison followed Heather and Sheldon back to their car. When Heather tossed an evidence bag over the seat, Jamison dropped her pistol into it without question.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nikki turned in her seat to look at Shea. “That was an amazing game, Shea.”
“It certainly was great to win.”
“You looked awesome out there, little sister,” Mel said.
“Thanks. When did you guys get here?”
Nikki laughed. “Just in time to see your bodyguard and her partners in crime climb the wall.”
“Liam told me about that when I came off the field. Was she caught on camera? I’d like to see it too.”
“I hope not,” Mel stated. “She clearly forgot staying out of sight is one of our rules on a protection detail.”
“Well, this wasn’t a normal protection detail, was it, Shea?” Nikki asked, hinting that she saw something between Shea and Jamison.
When Shea didn’t immediately answer Nikki continued. “Jamison is pretty sweet, right?”
“I enjoyed her company this week,” Shea answered vaguely.
“That’s not what Mom said,” Mel stated.
“Where is Mom?” Shea asked, avoiding Nikki’s eyes. She needed to get Nikki’s attention off Jamison. They hadn’t had a chance to talk about when or how they were going to tell Mel they were seeing each other but she knew Jamison would want to be the one to do it.
“She went back to the hotel after the game,” Nikki explained. “Mel and I saw a Flagler agent and followed them to their debriefing.”
“I stole Liam’s earpiece and we were headed back in to help Jamison get you to her truck safely,” Mel continued.
“I’m glad you guys found us.”
“It seemed to me Jamison had everything under control,” Nikki said, glancing at Mel.
“Did she kill that guy or did you guys?”
“Let’s talk about the game. The Tigers defense really held them,” Mel said, changing the subject.
Shea frowned. “See, that’s something Jamison didn’t do to me this week.”
“What’s that?” Nikki asked.
“She answered all my questions and didn’t try to keep stuff from me.”
“She broke all kinds of rules this week, huh,” Mel said with annoyance.
Nikki sat sideways, watching both of them. Shea could tell Nikki knew Mel was irritating her with her criticism of Jamison. She wondered what else Nikki had noticed.
“Do you want to tell us about your week with Jamison?” Nikki prodded her gently.
Shea gave her a smile, glanced at Mel and then answered firmly. “No.”
Nikki placed her hand on Mel’s arm where it rested between the seats. “So you like her?”
“What?” Mel exploded.
Nikki’s fingers tightened around Mel’s arm. “How much do you like her?”
“Are we going to the hotel to see Mom?” Shea asked, ignoring Nikki’s question.
“No. We’re going back to our place,” Mel responded. “Answer Nikki’s question. Is there something going on between you and Jamison?”
“No,” Shea answered.
“No, what?” Mel demanded.
Shea met her eyes in the rearview mirror. “No, I’m not going to have this conversation with you.”
Silence filled the car and after a few minutes Nikki spoke. “I guess that answers the question.”
Shea was glad the conversation about Jamison had stopped. She didn’t care if Nikki knew something was up but she wanted Jamison present before she confirmed it to Mel. It really wasn’t any of her sister’s business who she went out with but Mel and Jamison had a different relationship and Jamison deserved the chance to deal with it however she chose.
Shea watched the streets turn to farmland as they traveled south out of the city. She was frustrated with her sister for not even asking where she wanted to go. She wanted her own clothes but now they were outside the city limits and she knew Mel wouldn’t turn around. She felt like she was being held captive. She pulled out her phone and sent Jamison a text. Headed to Mel’s. Come get me when u finish. k?
* * *
Jamison’s phone vibrated with a text message and she smiled when she saw it was from Shea. She sent a quick yes back to her but then remembered she didn’t know Mel’s new address. She would text her when she finished tonight and see if she meant tonight or in the morning.
Sheldon’s phone rang and she reached across Heather’s arm and punched the Bluetooth button on the steering wheel. Todd’s voice filled the car.
“Hey Sheldon. I’ve been digging up everything I can on Sullivan and you were right. Atlanta PD has him in a botched drug buy from about five years ago. He had no priors and claimed he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Let me guess. They bought that story?” Heather asked.
“You got it, Heather.”
“We have another tagalong tonight,” Heather advised Todd.
“Who do you work for, Todd?” Jamison asked.
Todd laughed. “Mrs. Bowden is pimping me out. She says we’re building interagency cooperation.”
“That’s nice. Is Sullivan connected to the Mountain Militia?” Jamison asked.
“Absolutely. He’s worked his way up and is one of the officers now. His name is listed on their board of directors.”
“Wait a minute,” Heather interrupted. “The Mountain Militia has a board of directors?”
“Oh yeah.” Todd’s voice grew excited as he shared the data he had been compiling. “They’re registered as a business with the state of Georgia.”
Heather looked at Sheldon. “Did you know this?”
Sheldon shook her head. “I didn’t but someone in the FBI might.”
“So if al
l their business records are available to the public, we can look at anything? What type of business are they registered as?” Heather asked.
“Agriculture. And yes, their records are public but they’re squeaky clean. As the FBI has already discovered.”
“So we tell Sullivan his shooter is singing and we’re tying this and his botched drug deal back to the Mountain Militia,” Sheldon suggested.
“And see if he takes responsibility to clear the militia?” Heather asked.
“If he admits his part in all of it…” Todd paused but they could hear his fingers flying across the keyboard. “The shooter was a hired gun and not connected to the militia but maybe I can find a payment between him and Sullivan.”
Heather pulled the car to a stop outside the three-story federal building that housed the FBI offices. All three women remained seated as they silently listened to Todd typing and talking.
“There we are. Matching withdrawal and deposit only one day apart. I sent a screen shot to your email, Heather.”
“What type of agriculture are they producing and who are they selling it to?” Jamison asked.
“And see if you can find a phone call or email between Sullivan and the hired gun,” Sheldon added.
“I’m on it.”
“Call us when you get something, Todd.”
“Let’s take what we have to Sullivan and see where it leads us,” Heather said, climbing out of the car.
Jamison watched through the one-way glass as Heather and Sheldon double-teamed Sullivan. He had not asked for a lawyer and Jamison was sure he didn’t want to create another link between himself and the militia by calling in their attorney. At first he wasn’t willing to talk at all and Wallace had been happy to allow Sheldon to take over. Jamison could see his composure starting to crumble as Sheldon fed him each piece of the connection.
Eventually he agreed to tell them what he had done but he wanted a public defender first. So Sheldon and Heather left him alone.
Jamison rubbed her face as the three women sat down at the table with fresh cups of coffee. “We’re back to the first question. What does the Mountain Militia have to do with the Tallahassee Tigers?”
As if Todd could hear her question, Sheldon’s phone rang and she glanced around the break room to be sure it was empty. She hit speaker. “We’re all here, Todd.”