by Robert Brumm
“Yes, Ma’am. We didn’t work too well as a team so it was only a couple of times.”
She scrolled through a few screens. “It says here, he assaulted you during a mission several months ago?”
“Just a cheap shot, Sister. Punched me in the nose. It was this operator’s opinion he wasn’t showing the proper initiative, given the mission. He hesitated in neutralizing the package and I called him on it.”
“Yes.” Devlin hissed and looked back at the screen. “So the two of you weren’t on friendly terms in or out of the office?”
“No, Ma’am. I don’t care much for Sanderson. And if I’m allowed to speak freely, let me just say I’m not surprised he betrayed the State. There’s no room for somebody like that in this organization.”
“Is that right?” Devlin sat forward. The man in the corner stiffened slightly. “Are you saying you had reason to believe Razorback was going to break his father-in-law out of Windigo and you did nothing?”
“No! No, of course not, Sister. I just…you know, we never got along, that’s all I’m saying.”
The smile returned to Devlin’s face. “Relax, Son. I know what you meant. The reason I called you in here today is because I want you more involved in this investigation. As you know, we’ve lost track of Razorback since his tracking device went offline. But we have reason to believe he might be back in the city. I want you to take over monitoring his wife. It may be our best chance of apprehending him. Sooner or later, he may make contact.”
Viper’s pulse slowed. “Absolutely, Sister.”
“Victor Young didn’t care for your aggressive nature, but I find myself in disagreement,” Devlin said. “I think you’re the perfect man for this job.”
“I won’t let you down, Ma’am. If Razorback so much as thinks about getting within a mile of his wife, I’ll get him.”
“Excellent.” She waved her hand at the door. “Don’t let me keep you, then. You have a lot of work to do. Consider the entire district at your disposal. Whatever resources you need to take down Razorback.”
“Thank you, Sister.” Viper got up and closed the office door behind him.
The man in the corner finally spoke up. “Well, what do you think?”
Devlin swiveled the chair to face him. “I think if Sanderson is back in the city and anybody can kill him, it’ll be that little weasel.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Me too. I need something substantial to report back to the Father soon. Now take me back to my hotel. I need a drink.”
Chapter 25
The high pitched beep from the coffee maker in the kitchen snapped Sara out her of daze as she looked out the living room window. She poured herself a cup and got the bottle of milk out of the fridge. Before putting a splash into her cup, a sudden craving hit her and she held the bottle to her lips. She wasn’t much of a milk drinker, but it tasted good. Really good. She paused after a swallow to catch her breath and a wave of intense nausea hit her so fast she almost dropped the bottle. She barely made it to the sink before the milk came back up, still cold, which made it worse for some reason.
She hit the faucet and washed the mess down the drain as her retching eased. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and rested her sweaty cheek on the cool kitchen counter. There was no sense in trying to ignore it anymore. Throwing up, missed period, sore breasts. Why now? They weren’t even trying anymore. With her parents retirement looming it didn’t seem appropriate and she’d secretly given up hope for good. Looked like God was just waiting for the baby’s grandparents to die first.
Sara poured the coffee down the sink. She probably shouldn’t be drinking it away. It was the synthetic stuff but they still added caffeine so it couldn’t be good for the baby. She returned to the living room window and looked through the hazy glass, wondering where her husband was. John had been gone suddenly for days at a time before, it was part of his job, but he usually checked in. Even if it was just a quick text or email saying goodnight. She knew he was probably fine, but she had a bad feeling anyway.
She pulled herself away from the window and decided she couldn’t spend another minute moping about the house. She’d allowed herself to settle into a funk ever since her mom retired and if she wasn’t careful, she’d end up spending all day in bed too. They were getting low on groceries so she would go to the market and pick up a few things. She knew just getting out and moving would help her feel better. She’d splurge and get something nice for dinner. Maybe some fresh veggies and a roast so when John finally did come home, they could have a nice meal together. Her parents were gone and it was time to focus on her marriage. Things had been pretty rocky lately, but now that a baby was on the way, she needed to make things work with John. She’d break the news to him over dinner and hope for the best.
*****
“Start the car back up, would ya? I’m sweating my balls off over here.” Viper arched his back and enjoyed the brief relief as his damp shirt pulled away from his sweaty skin.
“What’s the point?” Buzzard shoved his cigarette butt into the overflowing ashtray and immediately lit another. “AC doesn’t work for shit and the last thing we need is a cop to give me some chicken-shit ticket for idling.”
“Dammit, this sucks.” Viper rubbed his face. “How much longer?”
Buzzard checked his watch. “Two hours left in our shift.” He blew a plume of smoke into the windshield and glanced over at the front door to Sanderson’s building.
“I didn’t take this job for this stake-out shit. I’m bored out of my skull.” Viper turned and scowled at his partner. “Doesn’t help I have to sit next to a goddamn chimney. How ‘bout you take a break with those things?”
“Hey man, you don’t hear me complaining about you dropping ass all day, do you? You pollute the air your way, and I’ll do it mine.”
Viper sat up suddenly and slapped Buzzard’s shoulder with the back of his hand. “Check it out! Is that her?”
Buzzard watched as a young woman emerged from the building. She glanced in their direction for just a second before turning away and walked down the sidewalk. “I think so, but I didn’t get a good look at her face.” He flicked his smoke out the window and fired up the car.
“Finally.” Viper rubbed his hands together. “Quick, get up to the stop sign.”
Buzzard drove to the end of the street and Viper watched in the mirror as the woman got closer. Her long brown hair and body type were a match, but he still couldn’t get a clear view of her face through her mask.
“Come on, it doesn’t look right just sitting here,” Buzzard said. “Is that her or not?”
Viper risked turning around for a direct look. “Go. That’s her. I’d recognize that pretty face anywhere.” He tugged on his ear as Buzzard turned right. “Command, this is Viper. Package has left the building and is walking westbound on Juneau. How copy?”
“Solid copy, Viper. Drone is inbound to your location. Maintain visual contact.”
“Bird’s in the air but we gotta keep our eyes on her,” Viper said. He pointed down the street. “Pull over there and we’ll follow on foot.”
“Rog.” Buzzard pulled over and killed he ignition. They got out of the car and Viper took his time studying the instructions on the parking meter as Sara walked in their direction. He glanced at her as she walked by, eyes on the sidewalk and in her own world. That was good.
He wore new jeans and a bright orange t-shirt, his partner in cargo shorts and a short sleeve western. Nice clothes for a twenty-something year old guy and his friend well off enough to afford a private car. The operators and their modest sedan fit right into the neighborhood and Sara didn’t give them a second glance.
They followed her on foot with a half block buffer and lost her when she entered a building down the street.
“What’s that place?” Buzzard asked.
“Food distro. Probably just out on a shopping run. You hang out here and watch the door and I’ll keep an eye on her inside.” Viper walked up
to the shop entrance and cursed under his breath as a security guard got up and blocked the door. He looked at the guard’s outstretched hand. “What?”
“Membership card.”
“Come on, I just want to grab a drink. It’s hot as shit out here.”
“Members only, Brother. Can’t let you in without a card.”
“Fine, I’ll apply inside.” Viper took a step forward but the guard blocked him.
“Doesn’t work that way. You gotta call and set up an appointment first.”
Viper chuckled and reached into his back pocket. “Look. I’m going to be a nice guy and give you this.” He took a twenty out of his wallet. “You’re going to take it, I’m going inside to buy a drink, and your boss will never know the difference. That’s me being a nice guy. You don’t want to see me when I’m not nice.”
The guard looked down at the money and then back into Viper’s eyes for just a second. The rent-a-cop easily had fifty pounds on him, but the look in Viper’s eyes quickly drained his resolve. He snatched the bill and nodded at the door.
“Smart choice.” Viper walked in and was greeted by a wall of conditioned air and canned music. The distro was one of the nicest he’d been in. No wonder it warranted a guard outside. He walked the aisles past wealthy housewives and nannies until he finally saw Sara in the produce section sorting through tomatoes. He grabbed a box of instant rice and pretended to read the back. As he watched her, he didn’t have his hopes up in the slightest. It was obvious she was just doing what it looked like she was doing. Shopping. No nervous glances around the store, no pretending to read labels. They already knew Razorback hadn’t made contact with her electronically, and even if he’d managed to somehow slip her a message, it was obvious his wife wasn’t meeting him here. Viper allowed himself to relax slightly as he strolled down the aisle. At least he got out of that damn car and away from Buzzard’s constant smoking.
He took a chance and got closer, walking directly behind her as she finally found the perfect specimen and put the tomato in a bag. He caught a whiff of her perfume or shampoo and his pulse quickened. She was something to look at, that was for sure. Another reason to resent that prick Sanderson. He knew it was petty thinking, and besides, he’d banged chicks way hotter than her all the time. But it still bugged the shit out of him.
Viper smiled as he picked up a grapefruit and gave it a healthy squeeze. The stake-outs wouldn’t last much longer. Pretty soon he’d be spending some quality one on one time with the lovely young Sister Sanderson in the interrogation room.
*****
Sara took her receipt and slid her face mask down before picking up her grocery bags. Her hunch was right. The quick trip to the store made her feel a lot better and now that her stomach had settled she was starving. She found a wonderful roast, two nice big potatoes for baking, and a few fresh veggies for a salad. She even picked up a six pack of that fancy beer John liked so much even though it cost more than a case of the regular stuff. In the meantime, she looked forward to devouring the potato chips and jar of banana peppers when she got home. She would’ve thought it was way too soon for crazy pregnancy cravings, but when she saw the chips on the shelf, she practically ripped open the bag right there in the store.
“Sara!”
She turned around at her name and saw a woman jogging across the street waving at her. She called out her name again and smiled. Sara struggled to place the woman’s face, but she had no idea who she was as she trotted up.
“Hey! It’s so good to see you!” The woman ran up and wrapped her arms around Sara.
Sara stood stiffly with her grocery bag ladened arms by her side while the woman hugged her. “Uh, I think…”
“Pretend you’re happy to see me,” the woman whispered urgently in her ear. “You’re in danger.” She backed out of hug and held onto Sara at arm’s length. “How are you? God, it’s been forever!”
“What?”
The woman’s voice dropped to barely a conversational level but the huge smile remained on her face. “You need to smile and pretend you know me, right now. John sent me.”
“Oh, ah. Hey!” Sara smiled despite her heart pounding in her chest. “Hey, how have you been?”
“Here, let me grab one of those.” The lady took one of the bags and wrapped her arm around Sara as she led her across the street. “See the red car?” she whispered. “I’m giving you a ride.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Please, just get in. They’re watching us.” The smiling woman opened the car and waited for Sara to get in. Sara looked down the sidewalk. “Don’t,” the woman hissed. “Just get in.”
Sara got in the old car. The floor was littered with trash and it smelled like something died in the back seat. She watched as the woman rounded the hood and hopped in the driver side. “Hang tight, toots. We’re going for a ride.”
“Wait, what’s going on? Who are you?”
“You got a husband John?” the lady asked. Sara nodded. “All I know is, him and his buddy offered me two hundred bucks to pick you up back there. Some pretty good acting if I do say so myself.”
Sara shrieked as the back seat behind her slammed down and a man crawled out from the trunk. He held up his hand. “Easy, I’m a friend.” He glanced through the back window and squeezed the woman on the shoulder as she turned the corner. “Good work, Shirley. That was perfect.”
Shirley snapped her gum and beamed at him in the rear-view mirror. “No problemo, cutie. You know, my offer still stands. Toss in an extra hundred and I’ll do you and the other guy at the same time.” She winked at Sara. “My two for one special this week.”
“Maybe next time. Just get to the warehouse.” He looked back again and ducked down. “Shit. Shouldn’t be surprised, but I’m pretty sure we’re being followed. Just take it easy and drive normally. Hopefully this heap will make it there in one piece without breaking down.”
“Can somebody tell me what the hell is going on?” Sara shouted.
“I’m a friend of your husband. I don’t have time to explain now, but we’re being followed. I don’t want to scare you, but we’re in a lot of danger and you just need to trust me.”
“The hell you don’t have time! Where’s John?”
“I’m taking you to him now.” He pointed out the window. “There, Shirley. Up on the left.”
“I know, I remember.” Shirley pulled into the parking lot of a run down old warehouse and honked the horn once as she rolled to a stop in front of a dock door. The garage door rolled up and she drove the car into the building. Sara was relieved to see her husband close the door behind them. Everybody got out.
John jogged up and gave her a quick hug. “What’s happening?” Sara asked. “Who are these people?”
“We need to get out of here, right now. We’re not safe.”
“We had a tail,” Holden said. “Gotta move, man.”
John grabbed Sara by the hand. “Just stay close and everything will be okay.”
The four of them ran through the empty warehouse to the other side of the building. John opened an exterior door and looked up and down the narrow alley. He waved the others through and they ran down the alley into the street. They entered one of the largest shanty towns in the city, nicknamed the “pig pen” by locals. It was a crowded sea of tents, boxes, and crudely constructed shacks filling two city blocks nestled in between boarded up factories and warehouses.
They slipped into the crowd and for the first time Sara noticed her husband and the two others were dressed in shabby and dirty old clothes. Her bright white designer blouse and skirt stood out and she felt like every eye was watching her.
They ducked into a gap between two corrugated metal walls and stopped. John took a wad of cash out of his pocket and held it in front of Shirley. “Remember, you never saw us and this didn’t happen. Got it?”
“Already forgotten, sugar.” She took the money and grinned at Sara. “Good luck, honey. You’re gonna need it.”
Joh
n pulled Sara through a maze of people and tents, constantly looking back over his shoulder as Holden followed. John stopped at a tattered blue tent and zipped it open. “Quick, get inside.” Sara crawled through the opening and he zipped it closed behind him. John rummaged through a bag of clothes in the corner and handed her a stained brown t-shirt. “Here, you’re gonna have to change into this. We need to blend in until we can get out of here.”
Sara frowned at the filthy shirt before dropping it to the floor. “I’m not doing anything until you tell me what’s going on. You’re scaring me, John.”
He sighed and gently took her hands. “Honey, it’ll take me hours to tell you exactly what’s going on. I haven’t been home because it wasn’t safe. The State is after me and just the fact we’re married has put you in danger. We’ve been watching the building for the past few days waiting for you to leave and now it’s time to go. Please, put the shirt on.”
“How’s it going in here?” Holden called from outside the tent.
“Why would you be in trouble?” Sara asked.
“Sara!” John snapped. “Your mother and father are both alive. I’m going to do everything I can to take you to them, but you have to do as I say.”
Sara stood speechless and stared at her husband. The tent door zipped open and Holden stuck his head in. “Hate to break up the heart to heart talk, but we need to move!”
“We’re coming,” John said. He turned to Sara. “Right?”
She nodded and picked the shirt up off the floor.
Chapter 26
Private Louis Rodriguez had a lot on his mind. Before the start of his shift, he’d read an email from his mother letting him know his little sister Maria was knocked up for the third time. His mama was already raising his sister’s first kid after she got pregnant when she was just thirteen years old. It happened again a year later and she split after the State forced her to have an abortion. She probably took off with her junkie boyfriend Ramone. Lou and his mother didn’t hear from her for over a year.