Flash tried to hail a cab for the third time and watched as the driver passed them, flipping them off.
Mo said, “I heard cabbies don’t pick up around cop stations. Everybody walkin’ probably just left jail.”
Flash took out his phone. “Think I should call Mom to come get us?”
Mo shrugged, “You want to explain to her how you lost the Camry in two days?”
Flash put his phone back in his pocket. “Lost our money and our weed, too. Not a good night.”
A homeless man leaped from an alley they were passing and raised a steel rod over his head. “Give me all your money!”
Flash actually laughed, “You’re too late, old man. Cops done already robbed us.”
The old man started laughing, too. “You boys in big trouble if’n the cops be robbin’ ya. You’re gonna end up like me if’n you don’t wise up. There’s a free bus runs South in about ten minutes if you hurry down to that corner. Don’t know that be where you want to go, but it be the only bus for hours.”
Mo still had a package of jerky in his pocket and gave it to the old man. They waved goodbye as the old man tried to tear the jerky with his few teeth.
Flash cursed as it started to rain. They ran down the block to sit in the shelter until the bus arrived.
Flash said, “What’d he mean by all that?”
Mo laughed, “Beats me.”
* * *
The airport parking lot was full. He glanced at his watch and decided there was enough time to watch for a while before going in. He double checked he had the ID information he was going to need for the airport check in. The pictures on the driver’s license and passport looked remarkably like the real Dr. Elmhurst. There were plenty of reasons to be careful. He worried what the cops had found out at Brookfield. They may be on to him already.
He watched two men walk out of the entrance, speak to each other, and then walk separate ways down the sidewalk. Another man was casually walking through the parking lot with no obvious destination. He noticed the parking lot man’s lips were moving. He obviously was talking into a transmitter. A black SUV pulled up to the front door and two men in suits walked into the airport. One of the men on the sidewalk had nodded recognition to them. Feds. Stupid, obvious Feds.
He turned on the ignition and steered the car out of the lot. They were on to his alias. No matter, he would leave tomorrow under his real identity.
* * *
Thursday 7:00 a. m.
Mitch flipped the neon ‘OPEN’ sign on and had the coffee machines brewing. The morning crowd would be arriving any minute and he hadn’t seen Momma. Yesterday she had made the muffins for today and a large tub of sliced pastrami for the Thursday sub special.
Mitch called up to her apartment. Artie answered.
“Is Momma there? This is Mitch.” Mitch was startled that Artie answered Momma’s phone this time of day.
Artie answered, “Last I knew she was getting dressed. Let me check.”
Mitch was beyond curious. He waited for Artie to get back on the line as Eli walked in the door.
Eli threw his hands in the air, “You’re not gonna believe the story I’ve got for you.”
Artie came back on the line, laughing. “Momma said to tell you to hold your britches. It ain’t every night she has a handsome man sleep over.”
Mitch hung up the phone and looked at Eli. “I think I have a story, too.”
* * *
Nick looked at his watch and bolted up. He had not intended to sleep until 7 a.m. Lacey sat up quickly, “What’s wrong?” Her hair was mussed and her bandage missing from her head.
Nick reached over and kissed her. “Nothing’s wrong, go back to sleep. Patrol is here to guard the house, but I have to go.”
Lacey held Nick’s face in her palms. “Promise me you’ll stay safe.”
Nick kissed the end of her nose and said, “I promise.”
Lacey rested her head back on her pillow. She still had a headache, but she didn’t want Nick to worry. “Okay, then. I expect you for dinner.”
Nick took a quick shower, changed into some clothes he had at Lacey’s and tiptoed to the kitchen. Kamber and Chad were at the counter eating Cheerios.
“What happened to your homeless experiment?” Nick grinned as both their spoons froze in midair.
Kamber answered, “We flunked. Is Lacey okay?”
Kamber looked much prettier this morning. He could see the family resemblance. Chad had resumed attacking his Cheerios.
“Lacey’s fine. You two are my heroes, but you should have called me.”
Kamber raised her voice, “I did! Your stupid answering service made me leave a message!”
Nick laughed at Kamber’s expression. He had forgotten that Control would not allow calls to go through on a level two case. “I’m sorry. Sometime today you’ll need to fill out a report at the station. Can you do that?”
Chad answered with a mouthful of food, “No problem. Did you catch the bad guy?”
Nick shook his head as he called Jen. “Where are you?” After a minute he said, “I’ll pick up muffins on my way in. What kind do you want?” another pause and then Nick laughed, “Yes, it’s a bribe. Today is going to suck.”
* * *
Billow had returned to his rental house and crashed on his bed at 5 a.m. His phone rang at seven. The caller ID said Edmund Elmhurst.
Billow checked his watch and answered, “I thought you’d be on a plane by now.”
“The Feds were at the airport. We’re switching to Plan B. Do you remember where to meet me?”
Billow answered, “Yes. Look, I have some business to finish first; I can be there by tonight.”
There was a loud sigh. “I’m ditching my phone after this call, so there can’t be any changes made. You should dump your phone, too. The Feds can track you even if it’s turned off.” There was a long pause. “Anything I need to know about this ‘business’ you have to finish?”
Billow decided to confess. “I shot three cops. I want one more before I leave the country.”
There was no sound from the caller.
Billow knew he was in trouble but continued, “I’m sorry! I thought you’d already be gone and wouldn’t find out. It’s too late; I kidnapped Stryker’s girlfriend.”
There was an audible moan from the caller. “Stryker, the cop that arrested you? He was a frigging Navy SEAL. You don’t stand a chance.”
Billow had an idea. “I do if you’ll help me. We can use his girlfriend as insurance. Tell him where she is after we’re gone.”
“Meet me now, not tonight. Leave the girl there. I mean it…you’d better get here within the hour.”
CHAPTER 22
Eli and Mitch exchanged stories, each of them not believing the other. Mitch asked, “Are you saying there was a mutiny at that crazy prison?”
“Yes! And Renee was in the middle of it. She smuggled a doctor out of there in Momma’s trunk!” Eli rubbed his chin and then winked. “Are you sayin’ Momma and Artie...you know?”
Mitch nodded. “Sure looks that way!” They both started laughing.
Artie and Momma walked through the curtain door to the storefront arm in arm. Momma said, “Sorry I’m a little tardy this mornin’.” She giggled and kissed Artie’s cheek.
Mitch moaned, “Oh, God. Do I have to listen to this all morning?”
Artie’s phone rang and he excused himself to stand over in the corner. They all tried to listen in. Artie ended his call and motioned for Momma to go to the back of the store for a minute.
Momma asked, “What is it, dear? More bad news?”
Artie nodded, “I’m afraid so. It seems Dom survived the massacre, but the Outfit boss blamed it on Milo. There was a big meeting early this morning and now Milo’s number two man is in charge of the Northside crew. A lot of Milo’s men are upset. The word is they’re planning to seek revenge on Dom this morning.”
Momma shook her head. “Cops don’t have to do a dang thing but just w
ait for ya to kill each other off. You just find yourself a safe apartment and then come back here. Stay away from them mobsters ‘til they’re done pickin’ sides, ya hear? Today’s Thursday if you want to help take pastrami subs to the community?”
Artie’s face broke out in a big smile. “I would love that. Last time a frozen head cut my visit short, remember?” They both laughed and Artie turned to leave.
Momma said, “Tell Mitch I’ll be there in a minute. I forgot something upstairs I need to bring down.”
Artie said okay and waved goodbye.
Momma raced up the stairs to call Sophia. On the way she mumbled to herself, “Lordy, Lordy, got nothin’ but trouble.”
* * *
Wayne and Sam were in the homicide room at their desks when Nick arrived with muffins. They attacked the box like they hadn’t eaten in days. Nick stood back and laughed. Jen held up a pumpkin muffin, “Thank you, pretty boy, for getting my favorite.”
Nick grabbed a banana muffin, “You’re welcome.”
Wayne wiped his mouth and said, “Well, we all got a two hour nap. What do you think today will bring?”
Nick looked over, “Billow. Jen, I want you in both a vest and plate.”
Jen said, “I will if you will.”
Everyone hated to wear the iron plates because they were so heavy. It was a necessity since you couldn’t trust the quality of the vests. Nor could the vests stop all ammunition types. The only safe thing to do was to wear both.
Sam asked, “How’s Lacey?”
Everyone stopped to hear Nick’s answer. “She seems fine. She’ll probably lose it after we catch Billow.”
Jen nodded, “I agree. She’s strong but that had to be terrifying.”
Sam said, “Breaking news. Our fake ‘doctor’, Marcus Newberry, turned himself back in. He said an hour on the outside was too scary.”
The team laughed.
Wayne walked over to where Nick was busy cinching his vest.
Wayne said, “Sam and I are volunteering to be your backup on Billow.”
“I appreciate that but I think Doll Face and I can cover it.” Nick winked at Jen. “Besides I think our team is going to be stuck with the bodies from the crematorium.”
Nick and Jen developed a code years ago. Jen would ask, ‘You okay, pretty boy?’ and Nick would answer, ‘Just fine, doll face’. Any variation of those nicknames signaled trouble. Nick walked to his desk and opened the bottom drawer.
He tossed an earpiece to Jen and said, “These are better than department issue. Try it.”
Jen put her earpiece on, turned away from Nick and whispered, “I want to drive.”
Nick chuckled and whispered back, “You always want to drive.”
Sam said, “I’m impressed. You actually heard that?”
Nick grabbed two more earpieces from the drawer and tossed them to Wayne and Sam. “I had an old buddy get these. They’ll interface with each other and department issue.”
Wayne and Sam played with the settings on the earpieces and then put them in their desks. Wayne said, “You’ve got the right kind of friends.”
Sam offered, “Speaking of that, your FBI buddy Phillips called and said Dr. Elmhurst never got to the airport.”
Nick raised an eyebrow and glanced at Jen. “That means we’re going to fight two.”
Nick grabbed a stack of ammunition boxes from his locker. He saw the extra grenade from the bank robbery on the shelf and put that in his pocket.
Wayne yelled, “I saw that! It hasn’t been three days yet!”
Nick laughed.
Jen moaned.
* * *
Agent Phillips had just fallen asleep when his phone rang. His caller gave him the news about a meeting at the Outfit boss’ estate, the reinstatement of Dom, the ousting of Milo and the retaliation plot for this morning.
Phillips asked the caller, “How does she get this info so fast?”
Of course he didn’t get an answer, only the instruction to make sure the FBI had a presence near Bruno’s Bar, Dom’s meeting place, this morning to prevent a total bloodbath. The FBI would leverage the fate of survivors for more information on the mob’s growing activity.
Phillips looked at his watch; there was very little time to organize. He called the Chief FBI liaison agent at the Chicago Major Crimes office and requested five agents to join him at Dom’s. He took a quick five minute shower and thought about Sophia as he dressed to leave. She was certainly a remarkable woman. Her reunion with Nick was something Phillips hoped he would live to see.
* * *
Nick and Jen drove past the rental house Billow had been using. There was no sign of the Camry there. Jen asked, “Do you want to stake out this place?”
Nick answered, “No. He’s going to call us when he’s ready. Since we’re waiting, let’s drive past Dom’s and make his morning meeting. I’d like to keep the pressure on.”
Jen pulled within a block of the bar Dom used for his office when Nick told her to stop. “I can walk from here and surprise him. You watch the street for anything out of line.” Nick tapped his earpiece to make sure it was on. “I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”
Jen nodded.
Nick saw Dom’s big Town Car parked in front and a couple of other cars parked on either side. It was quiet in this part of town this early in the day. Chicago was a cluster of small towns and neighborhoods desperately hanging on to their heritage. The street scene here was straight out of the 60s. Six businesses stood on each side of the street with narrow alleys dividing each set. Run down residential neighborhoods butted up to the businesses. Much of the properties were owned and used by the crew for illegal activities.
No attention had ever been paid to making the area attractive to shoppers. Shoppers were not welcome. The buildings were tax write-offs or fronts for dirty business. Innocent visitors were quickly encouraged to browse elsewhere. The bar Dom used as an office had a plaque on the outside bricks that bragged ‘Established 1892”. Nick thought to himself that was probably the last time anything had been updated.
Nick walked in the door and saw Dom holding court with two men. His two bodyguards stiffened as Nick walked to the end of the bar, sat down and turned his stool to face Dom. Nick waved the guards to walk back toward the front. The guards looked at Dom and he nodded. They reluctantly walked to stand by the front door.
Dom leaned in and whispered something to the men sitting at the table. They quickly got up, walked past the guards and left the building. Nick heard Jen in his earpiece. “Got two getting in Mercury sedan and leaving.”
Dom motioned for Nick to join him at the table. Nick took a seat across from Dom.
Dom asked, “What can I do for you this morning, Detective Stryker?” There was an emphasis on Stryker when Dom spoke.
Nick leaned back in his chair, “I heard there was trouble at your place last night. I just wanted to make sure you survived.”
Dom smiled, fingered around in his shirt breast pocket and pulled out the listening device Nick had planted on his last visit. He placed it on the table and asked, “Any idea how this ended up here on your last visit?”
Nick smiled, “If you can’t trust the cops, who can you trust?”
When Phillips told Nick that Frankie Mullen had killed Joey Lacastra, Nick figured that Joey had retaliated at Dom’s for being set up at Travis Cummings’ townhouse. Nick knew that both Dom and Joey were aware that Cummings was now in FBI custody. Now, only Dom knew. Certainly Joey had walked into a bad scene on Dom’s orders. Dom was probably unaware Cummings had turned to the FBI that fast.
Nick said, “Sounded to me like you had a disgruntled employee on your hands.”
Dom wondered if Nick knew about Joey Lacastra. Dom shook his head, “See? You aren’t as smart as you think you are.” Dom leaned closer to Nick. Nick could smell cigars on his breath. “I’ll let you in on how it’s done. We had an overly ambitious associate that has now been removed of his duties. That’s it. Simple administrative r
estructuring.”
Jen’s voice came over Nick’s earpiece. “Two cars pulling up at the end of the block. No, three. Armed…they’re walking toward the door. Nick, look out, this isn’t social. Wait. Two more cars just pulled up on my side of the street. I’m changing positions.”
Nick said, “Take cover, Jen.”
Dom asked, “What?”
Nick saw a shadow block the light at the glass front door. Dom’s bodyguards were talking to each other and not paying attention.
Nick yelled, “Heads up!” just as a man pushed through the door and sprayed bullets at the first guard. Nick pushed Dom’s table to stand on its edge and grabbed Dom’s shoulders. He pushed Dom to the floor and said, “Stay flat.”
Nick shot the first shooter squarely in the forehead. He fell as the second shooter entered the door. Dom’s second guard got off two shots at close range that didn’t even phase the second shooter’s armor. The shooter saw Nick and used the corner of the bar for cover as he let the M4 carbine level everything that was bar height. Nick had noticed the M4 was packing a double drum, meaning it sported 100 rounds.
Jen’s voice said, “Two more coming in. If I can get a shot…”
Nick heard a loud bang and Jen returning fire. Jen yelled, “More coming, Nick, get out of there!”
Nick squatted down next to Dom. “When I yell ‘now’, we’re running out the south wall.”
Dom yelled, “There’s no door there!”
Nick answered, “There will be.”
Nick listened as the M4 continued spitting out rounds. Wood chips flew from the table and glass shards exploded from the memorabilia hanging on the walls. He could tell from the sounds of the bullets which way the shooter’s rifle was sweeping. Nick waited a moment hoping the other men would enter the building. He raised himself over the edge of the table and threw his grenade at the wall within feet of the approaching shooter.
The contact grenade exploded, rocked the old building and sent shrapnel flying. Nick had thrown himself over Dom to shield him. Nick counted two seconds from the explosion, stood and pulled Dom up by his shirt. “Follow me. Stay directly behind me.”
Nick kicked two smoking studs from the opening, checked that the escape path was temporarily clear and pulled Dom through. Nick glanced both ways and saw Dom’s attackers recovering from the explosion and advancing from both directions.
Twisted: Nick Stryker Series, Book Two The Shallow End Gals Page 19