Captive (Detective Jade Monroe 2)

by C. M. Sutter

  “I’m on it, Jade. I’m dispatching an ambulance too. I’ll have someone at your location in less than ten minutes. Don’t be surprised if the lieutenant shows up with a SWAT team. Stay safe.”

  I clicked off the radio and closed my eyes. My ribs ached, my ankle throbbed, and all I could hear was gunfire. The sound of sirens approaching and people yelling filled my head—then silence.

  Chapter 37

  I opened my eyes and saw Amber and my mom sitting in two chairs next to a bed that I was lying in.

  “What the heck? Where am I?”

  “You’re in the hospital, Jade. How are you feeling?” Amber asked.

  “I don’t know—I’m groggy. I feel like I’m doped up.”

  My mom wiped her eyes. “Yeah, that’s because you are. You were coughing up blood. Apparently your ribs and lungs are bruised from the impact of the bullet that hit your vest. You also have fourteen stitches around your right ankle. Your shoulder might be sore too. You were given a tetanus shot because of the dog bite. Honey, you’re lucky to be alive.”

  I gave her a weak smile. “But I am, Mom, and that’s what counts.” I groaned at the flash of images coming back to me. “What happened at the farm? How are Jack, Donnelly, and Silver?”

  I looked at the door and saw Jack standing in the hallway beyond the glass. He was smiling at me. I waved him in.

  “Jack, thank God you’re okay. How is everyone else? What happened? Mom, Amber, can you give us a few minutes?”

  “Sure, Sis. Come on, Mom. Let’s grab a snack in the cafeteria.”

  I watched as they walked out and closed the door behind them. “Jack, what happened?”

  He pulled the chair closer to the bed and reached for my hand. “You blacked out, partner, but we got the bad guys. I’m so thankful you’re going to be all right. The doctor wants to keep you overnight for observation, then you’ll be released tomorrow. Light duty only, he said.” Jack laughed. “Apparently that doctor doesn’t know you well. I’m pretty sure Clark is going to make you stay in the bull pen for the rest of the week. He reminded you of how messy all of our desks are, but I have a feeling you don’t remember talking to him.”

  “He wouldn’t dare do that to me!”

  Jack chuckled. “Anyway, you’re going to be wearing an elastic band around your ribs for a while, and you might have to wear a boot. Your foot is stitched and bandaged, and I doubt if your shoe is going to fit.”

  I pulled the blanket back and looked at my right foot. It was wrapped so much that it resembled a club. All I could see were my toes. “Shit, that mutt must have got me good. I’m glad it’s my right foot, though.”

  “Yeah, why’s that?”

  “How could I push the clutch in if it was my left foot? Okay, so fill me in.”

  He smirked. “You never take a break, do you, Monroe?”

  I pushed the button to raise the back of my bed, then I winced. My ribs hurt. “So, what happened?”

  “The ambulance, Clark, Billings, Clayton, two more deputies, and a SWAT team showed up. They needed the tactical team to clear the buildings. They threw teargas grenades in the house and barn. After it was all said and done, there were seven people in the barn and nine in the house. They had quite the operation going on—it was the real deal, Jade. We couldn’t have corralled them ourselves with just our service weapons and one extra magazine each. Two guys came out of the house injured. We’re assuming they were the ones firing on us. Between the fingerprints on the guns that were seized and the slug we pulled out of your vest, we’ll figure out who was shooting at us. They’ll get extra charges filed against them for shooting at law enforcement officers. They’ll be lucky if they ever see the light of day again.”

  I nodded and squeezed Jack’s hand. “You saved me, Jack. You and Silver got me to safety. I’m so thankful to both of you.”

  He smiled at me. “No sweat. That’s how we roll.”

  I weakly punched his arm.

  “Whoa… careful there, woman.”

  “Whatever… then what happened?”

  “And then Clark called the local DEA division. They took over the scene. With any luck, the meth cookers in our area are going to be a thing of the past. It’s a good possibility, thanks to the number of people arrested, that somebody is going to start singing and pointing fingers at the big players.”

  “That’s good, but we made quite a mess of the day, didn’t we?”

  “Not at all, and I don’t even want you to think like that. We got a bunch of drug pushers off the street and out of our county. It was a good day, except for the part where you got hurt.”

  “I’ll be okay in a few days. We have a lot to do, Jack, and I don’t have time to be lying around having a pity party for myself. We have some serious bad guys to take down.”

  “We will, but for tonight and the next few days, you’re going to take it easy.” Jack kissed my forehead. “Get some rest and call me when the doctor releases you tomorrow. I’ll pick you up.”

  “You sure?”

  “Absolutely. I know you’d head to the station anyway, and I’m not about to let you drive yet.” He started for the door.

  I smiled. “Hey, Jack.”

  He turned back toward me. “Yeah?”

  “Can you hand me the remote?”

  He shook his head, then he handed me the TV remote. “You’re something, you know that? Have a good night, partner. Oh and by the way, I took care of everything with Charlene Orth and transporting Reanne’s body to Grand Forks. Jason and Lena have it all under control.”

  “Thanks, Jack.” I watched him walk out and close the door behind him.

  Chapter 38

  He yelled down the stairs, “Is she ready to go?” Jeremy looked at his watch and paced back and forth in the kitchen. They needed to be on the south side of Milwaukee in just over an hour.

  Matt answered from the basement, “Yeah, back the van up to the cellar doors. We’re coming out that way.”

  Jeremy went outside and moved the newly painted van. He unlocked the outer wooden cellar doors and let them bang against the ground. He opened the back doors of the van and noticed the paint was still a little tacky in some spots. He reminded himself not to lean against the vehicle.

  Matt grunted as he climbed the stairs with Gina tossed over his shoulder.

  “What the hell? You gave her a dose?” Frown lines creased Jeremy’s forehead.

  “Don’t worry about it. It was just a small amount. This bitch is way too feisty to sit in a cage in the back of the van for forty-five minutes. She’d be screaming the entire way.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. Watch the van. It isn’t completely dry. Too humid today, I guess.”

  Matt nodded and shoved Gina into the cage, then he padlocked it. “Let’s go.” He slammed the cellar doors and locked them. “Do you know how to get to Holler Park?”

  “Yeah, it’s already programmed into my GPS.” Jeremy climbed in behind the steering wheel. Matt rode shotgun and cracked open two bottles of water. He handed one to Jeremy as he turned left out of the driveway.

  “What’s the guy’s name we’re meeting at the park?”

  “Mr. Johnstone. We’re supposed to call him when we’re five minutes out. He said he’ll be in a red van near the lodge. How long will Gina be out?”

  “Not long. I only gave her enough to keep her quiet until we get there. She’ll still be groggy when we hand her over, but that’s better than her yelling for help. I don’t trust that girl.”

  “Yeah, I hear you.” Jeremy rubbed his forehead, recalling the time she kicked him in the head.

  They were on the interstate heading south fifteen minutes later.

  “We should get an email from Carley’s buyer tomorrow, and Liz will be gone by the weekend. Everything is going exactly as we planned, and the bank account is getting fatter by the day.”

  “Don’t forget to list Megan and Jenna on Thursday for their three-day auction.” Matt rubbed his hands together. “Those two should do
well.”

  Jeremy grinned at his brother. His smile almost touched the deep dimples situated in the middle of his cheeks. “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  The clicking of the right blinker told Matt they were getting close. Jeremy checked the side mirrors and pulled over to the far right lane. He exited the freeway onto Layton Avenue at seven fifteen.

  “We’re almost there.” He handed his phone to Matt. “Call Mr. Johnstone’s number. Holler Park looks pretty small according to the website, even though it’s secluded. We have to know if other people are there.”

  “Sure thing.” Matt hit the green telephone symbol next to Mr. Johnstone’s name and waited. “It’s ringing,” he said. “Hello, Mr. Johnstone. We’re almost there with your merchandise. I have you on speakerphone.”

  “Hello, gentlemen. I’m at the park, and so far I’m the only vehicle here. If we make the transfer quickly, I think we’ll be fine.”

  “That sounds good. Do you have something rigged up for transport?” Matt asked.

  “A set of chains.”

  “Good enough. We have a little something extra to give you if you need it. We’ll be there in five minutes.”

  “Very well, and what vehicle am I looking for?”

  “A black van,” Jeremy said.

  Jeremy turned off Layton onto South Sixth Street. The park entrance was just ahead on his left. He checked the surroundings through the windows and mirrors—everything seemed quiet and normal. He pulled in at the green park system sign. Tucked in next to the lodge was a red van. No other vehicle, bicycle, or person was there. The timing was good. Most people were home, finishing off their evening meal, and relaxing in front of the television set. At seven thirty on a weeknight, the park was completely empty.

  Jeremy backed the van in next to the other one. The rear doors of both vehicles were nearly on top of the pond behind them. Even if somebody happened by, they wouldn’t be able to see what they were up to.

  Mr. Johnstone exited his van. Matt and Jeremy did too. Introductions were made, and the three men walked to the back of the vehicles, where they opened the doors. With their heads on swivels, each man checked his surroundings regularly. Matt pulled out the key and unlocked the cage.

  “She’s coming around. Would you like us to give her another dose or do you want to do it later?”

  “Go ahead. It’s probably easier while she’s still groggy.”

  Matt agreed and gave Gina another poke with the needle. He instructed Mr. Johnstone to give her only small doses at a time if he wanted to keep her sedated for the trip. Too much at once would do her in permanently.

  “I understand.”

  Matt opened the cage and pulled Gina out by the legs. Jeremy hooked his hands under her arms, and they lifted her to the other van. Mr. Johnstone grabbed the back door and, with a grunt, stepped up on the bumper and pulled himself inside. He fastened the arm and leg chains to Gina and snapped them closed.

  “That should do it,” he said as he wiped his hands on a rag that was in the back of the van. “Nice doing business with you both. We’ll be in touch once I arrive back in San Francisco and Mr. Black has possession of her. I’m sure he’ll be pleased.”

  Matt closed the back doors of both vans and handed Mr. Johnstone the syringe. The men shook hands and parted ways.

  “Easy as pie, once again,” Jeremy said as he pulled out of the parking lot. “Feel like stopping for dinner somewhere to celebrate another successful transfer?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  Chapter 39

  “Take it easy, Jade.”

  “I’m not an invalid, for Pete’s sake.”

  “Well, yeah, you sort of are. Anyway, it’s hospital protocol. You have to be released in a wheelchair, so just deal with it. Seriously… women.”

  I shot Jack a dirty look. “I need to get to work.”

  “That’s where we’re going. Now let me help you get in the car.”

  Jack opened the passenger door and pushed the wheelchair as close as possible to the seat. He lifted the footrests and extended his hand to help me up.

  “You do know I can do this myself, right?”

  “Yeah, I know. I just wanted to be a gentleman, that’s all.”

  I saw the disappointment in his eyes and immediately felt like a jerk. I raised my arm so he could help me into the car.

  “Thanks, Jack.”

  “No problem.”

  I watched as he closed the door and pushed the wheelchair back into the hospital vestibule. He walked around to the trunk and put the crutches inside, then he opened the driver’s door and got in.

  “I’m sorry for trying to act tough. I really do appreciate your help, partner.”

  He smiled. “Did they feed you lunch?”

  “Now that you mention it, no, they didn’t, and I’m starving. How about Toucan Grill?”

  “You sure?”

  “Yeah, easy parking and we can sit outside. The sun will feel good, and I’ll only have to hobble for fifteen feet. Damn crutches. I hate the things.”

  Jack pulled out of the hospital’s parking lot. We had five minutes of highway driving, then we’d exit on Washington Street. Toucan Grill was just a few blocks away on North Main.

  “You won’t need them for long. As soon as the initial swelling goes down, you can put pressure on the walking boot. I bet you’ll only use them for a few days.”

  “Good, because we have a lot of door-to-door interviews to do.”

  “Ja—”

  I interrupted, “Don’t ‘Jade’ me, and don’t try to talk me out of it. I’m going on the interviews.”

  Jack huffed and pulled into Toucan’s driveway then parked the Charger. He opened his door, got out, and popped the trunk. He came around to my door, opened it, handed me the crutches, and then walked away.

  I laughed. “Okay, fine, you can help me a little.”

  We sat at a picnic table with the sun on our shoulders. It felt good, and the warmth was as soothing as a hot bath. The waitress came out and greeted us. She looked like a high school student, likely working part-time during her summer break. Her blond hair was pulled back in a high ponytail. She reminded me of a younger version of Elise, my yoga instructor, and one of Doug’s victims. Her nametag had Emily written across it.

  “Hi, Emily. We’ll start with two medium iced teas. Give us just a few minutes more on the lunch order,” Jack said.

  She nodded. “Sure. I’ll be right back.”

  She returned a few minutes later with our beverages, two straws, and two napkins. She took our order then left.

  “Hear me out before you interrupt—deal?” Jack said.

  “Deal.”

  “Let’s see how your foot feels by Friday. If you can put weight on it with the boot, we’ll start the door-to-door interviews. We may have to work on Saturday, but realistically, that’s when most people are home. We can hit twenty residences, but if everyone is at work, we’ll just have to do it over again anyway. Between now and then, we’ll have a group sit-down to remind ourselves of who we think we’re looking for, we’ll set our area perimeters, map out the grid of the roads and houses and then divide up the area with Clayton and Billings. I’ll even touch base with the boys in Wausaukee County and see if they want to get on board. The killer could just as easily have come from their area to dump Reanne right at the county line.”

  “That sounds logical to me.”

  Emily brought our burgers and fries out and refilled our glasses of tea. She placed ketchup, mustard, and extra napkins on the table. I thanked her, and she walked away.

  “Have there been any leads coming in from the news segments?”

  “No… at least nothing legitimate. There are always the idiots who call in phony leads. I’ve never understood why people do things like that.”

  “Yeah, who knows? If they had the slightest idea of the pain those families are going through… So, we can get started as soon as we get to the station?”

  “Sure, as long
as you don’t overdo it.”

  “I won’t—I promise.”

  Chapter 40

  “What happened to my car?” I noticed it wasn’t in the parking lot when Jack pulled into the station.

  “I had Amber pick it up last night and take it back to your house.”

  “Why?” I looked at Jack suspiciously.

  “Do you want your foot to heal sooner or later?”

  “Sooner.” I put on a fake pout.

  “Then you aren’t going to drive for a while. When the swelling goes down, you get your car keys back.”

  “You took my car keys?” I shot darts at him with my eyes.

  “Are you serious right now? We need you at work, Jade. If you don’t do as the doctor instructed, your recovery will take longer. Don’t argue with me. Look at it as being pampered.”

  “Right, and that’s just the type of girl I am, someone who needs pampering.” I snickered. “Will you pull up to the front door and help me out of the car?”

  We both laughed.

  Jack parked the car while I waited at the steps. Figuring out how to maneuver the steps with crutches to get in and out of the sheriff’s department would be tricky. I was lucky to have Jack as a partner. He was willing to drive me to work and back home every day, and he’d help me get in and out of the building each morning and night. I’d leave it up to someone else to go upstairs to the jail or down to the coroner’s office, crime lab, or tech department for now. I was hopeful that by Friday I’d be walking on my own without assistance, even if it was with a medical boot.

  Jack instructed me to put my arm over his shoulder and use the crutch on my left side. He’d be the crutch for my right side. It was either that or be carried in and out of the building. I’d figure it out and fast.