by R Weir
The plan was to take the two rental Lincoln Navigator SUV’s, with the four members of the security team and the four family members. The graduation was to start at 9 a.m. But students needed to be there an hour early, along with the guest speaker which was Paige. They planned to arrive by 7:45. Hopefully to little fanfare and no issues.
“We drive in, unload and make our way to the room behind the stage,” explained Athena. “Security will be waiting for us. It should go smoothly, but please listen to us if we sense danger. Don’t hesitate when we tell you what to do. Understood.”
The entire Hawkins family nodded while sitting at the dining room table, eating a light breakfast, nerves made for shaky stomachs. Paige was going over her speech, one she’d been working on for some time. Hoping to inspire the graduating students, especially females to reach for the stars. She’d been given twenty minutes, requiring cuts be made. Thankfully her work on the speech didn’t leave her much time to worry about the potential for danger.
Athena walked away from the table, pulling out her cell phone. She called Hunter but didn’t get an answer. This had been the case for the last eighteen hours. She knew he could handle himself but she was still worried. She called over her team.
“Odd there is still no answer from Hunter. I was hoping he’d be back today to help.”
“I’m sure he is fine. Knowing him he found himself a one-night stand and is sleeping off the lust and booze,” joked Keoki.
Athena frowned. “I’d hope while working a case he’d keep it in his pants.”
“A tiger’s stripes,” remarked Shen.
“I have to agree with Thena,” added Cameryn. “It’s odd he is not answering. He normally keeps his lust and drinking under control when working. After the job is done all bets are off.”
“Even without him, we’ll be fine,” noted Keoki. “I believe you’ve got everything covered.”
“Except for the unexpected,” replied Athena. “They’ve shown they will stop at nothing and go to extremes. We need to keep our eyes and ears peeled. I’d rather not be going to this ceremony, but Olivia and Paige insist.”
“What about Lance and Reggie?” asked Shen.
“They will stay here and keep an eye on the house,” answered Athena. “They’ll make sure the bad guys aren’t hiding here waiting for us to return.”
They all nodded returning to the table to finish eating. When the time to leave came, they were out and moving on the streets of Colorado Springs, heading for the Broadmoor World Arena, a light mist falling making for a gloomy day.
The arena is the largest facility in Colorado Springs, boasting an 8,000 seat multi-purpose facility for entertainment. The arena included the adjacent Ice Hall, with two practice rinks for local college hockey, figure skaters and speedskaters. Whether it be sports, plays, concerts or in this case graduation ceremonies, it was a high-quality facility which had been open for over twenty years.
As with all these types of buildings, there were security policies to follow. No weapons of any kind were allowed, even with a concealed weapons permit. That included; no firearms, explosives, stun guns, handcuffs, brass knuckles, sticks, clubs, batons, pepper spray, tear gas and knives. This limited what the team could use but would hopefully also limit the bad guys options. Though the team knew that bad people rarely follow the rules. And neither would they, with weapons inside the SUV’s, but locked away and not immediately accessible.
Coordinating with the internal arena security, Athena had arranged to allow them to access a back way in, via an internal loading area, which was only allowed for vendors and VIP personnel to use. When they arrived they found the large entry door closed. Using the intercom, they buzzed, shortly after a security guard walked out asking for ID.
“We’re the security team for the Hawkins family,” stated Athena to the guard in black slacks and blue shirt. “There are four on the team and four family members in both vehicles. I made arrangements with your manager of security for this event to allow us in because of the threat the family is under.”
The guard looked over her ID. “I need to make sure your weapons are locked away.”
“They are safely in the glove box.” Athena took a key and opened it to show him.
He seemed satisfied and waved for the doors to open. They slowly drove in, all in the team scanning for trouble, the door closing after them. They went down a two-lane passage to a section of five parking spots off to the side of the loading dock. They backed in parallel to each other, where they had been told in advance to park. From there was a short walk to a doorway, down a long hall that would lead them to a backstage area where they could wait until the event was ready to start.
Getting out first was Athena, waving for Cameryn in the other SUV to survey the area. All he saw was the one security guard, who was walking back their way. He thought it was odd there wasn’t anyone else around, they had been expecting more security. Though cameras could be seen and might be monitored by other security personnel. Cameryn opened the door to the wide hallway, looking down and finding nothing of concern. He waved to the rest all was clear.
The other six got out of the vehicles, Cameryn and Keoki leading the way, the four Hawkins family members in the middle, with Athena and Shen at the rear. All eyes were on a swivel, ready for any trouble. As they approached the doorway, a man stepped through it adorned with a heavy winter coat, looking ominous. He was wearing a baseball cap, jeans and black tennis shoes. As he walked forward, he opened his coat to show he was strapped with some type of explosive vest. In his right hand he produced a wired trigger, the button held down by this thumb. It was a dead man switch that was in Kyle’s hand, which he made sure they all saw.
Cameryn called for everyone to step back, wanting as much clearance as he could get, understanding the danger before him.
“It’s alive,” sounded the female voice from behind them. “So are several others in the arena.”
Valerie strolled up to them holding a wireless controller of some kind, the security guard next to her.
Athena turned, pushing everyone back towards the SUV’s.
“Don’t even try,” warned Valerie. “Let me demonstrate.”
She flipped one of the switches and a boom followed, blowing up a plastic trash can in the corner of the loading dock. It was small enough not be loud enough for anyone outside the area to hear it, but effective enough to get her point across. Athena motioned for everyone to stop.
“We have explosives under the desks by the main entrance where people will start filtering in in a few minutes. And more under the stage and few other places that will be effective in hurting people.”
“What do you want?” asked Athena, her mind racing on what options they had.
“No one has to get hurt. Give us the kids and we’ll drive out of here. We promise nothing will happen to them.”
“And if we don’t?” yelled out Jose.
“Then a lot of innocent people die here today. Many likely to be known by your kids. Teachers, classmates and their family.”
“You would kill innocent people to take them?”
Valerie grinned. “Without thinking twice. Go ahead and try me.”
Athena looked around for a recourse, seeing the determination in the woman’s eyes. “Team, give me some options.”
The other team members were at a loss. With all the explosives, including the man who was strapped, there wasn’t a lot they could do. Cameryn took a step towards Kyle, but he held up his hand with the dead man switch as a reminder.
“I’m ready to die, how about you?” Kyle yelled, convincing in his convictions.
“Along with the rest of you?” added Valerie. “My love is ready to take you all out. But maybe I flip another switch if you aren’t certain we’ll do it.” She held up the controller for all to see. “It doesn’t take much. It’s a light touch and then boom!”
“Wait,” called Paige. “You can’t take my children. There must be a way we can work out a deal. I
have money. I’d be willing to pay you anything you want to walk away and leave us. A million dollars.”
The two men on her team gazed at her, the offer a big one. Valerie shook her head, while laughing. “Sorry sister. Though a figure like that is tempting. We’ve already been paid. And I don’t welch out on a deal.” Her voice raised a few octaves. “Now turn them over in the next minute or I flip another switch.”
Athena walked over to Paige and Jose. “Your call. But I don’t think we have any choice, since we have nothing to affectively fight back with. It could get bloody if we don’t do as they ask.”
It was a horrible choice to make giving your kids away to someone to take them to who knows where, to do who knows what. Paige started crying, grabbing her kids.
“Don’t worry Mom, we’ll be okay,” said Deion, trying to sound brave, while being clutched by her.
Olivia had tears in her eyes and was shaking but tried to sound brave. “Yes we’ll be fine. I’d hate for any of my friends to get hurt.”
After a hug from Jose, the two walked towards Valerie, their mother reluctantly letting them go. “Walk with Jamaal to the door.”
The kids followed Jamaal, where he opened the large exit. A black SUV waiting outside, the kids soon secured away in the back.
“Toss me your car keys,” demanded Valerie.
They did as they were told, Valerie pocketing one set, then gave the other to Kyle who was now standing next to her.
“I promise they won’t be harmed,” stated Valerie again. “You’ll hear from them soon enough. And don’t use your cell phones. They could inadvertently trigger one or more of the devices.” She leaned into Kyle with an evil grin. “I’m going back to the car. My love is going to wait here until we leave and then drive away in your vehicle. Do anything stupid and he is prepared to kill you all. Isn’t that correct sweetie?”
Kyle nodded, kissing Valerie passionately on the lips. Breaking the embrace, she made her way into the SUV which then backed out and drove away.
“Move over there,” commanded Kyle, waving them away from their SUV’s.
“Think about what you’re doing,” said Athena, hoping to appeal to Kyle in one way or another. “Those poor kids and what they’re going through. Being ripped away from their parents like this.”
“Like Valerie said, they’ll be fine. Now move. My finger is getting tired.”
The six of them moved when he waved his hand, agitated they were resisting. Paige was being held by Jose, her crying muffled in his chest. Kyle walked over to the closest Lincoln, climbing in he started the engine. As he put the vehicle in gear, he released the switch, knowing it wasn’t connected to anything, the vest as he was told, a phony.
Keoki’s sharp eyes saw both of Kyle’s hands on the wheel. “It’s a fake!” he yelled in a full sprint after the SUV.
“Keoki, what are you doing!” yelled Athena, worried about what might happen.
Kyle felt relief their plan had worked. He drove out, getting just past the doors before looking behind to see someone running after him. Kyle smiled knowing there was no way the man would catch the vehicle. His happiness was short lived when the vest and the SUV exploded, killing him and knocking Keoki straight back in the flash of flame and shrapnel, along with everyone else in the loading area.
***
From a distance the getaway SUV with Valerie, the kids and her remaining two partners drove off. Valerie having hit a switch on her control panel which activated the vest, her timing exact.
“Sleep well in the afterlife, Kyle,” she whispered with a wicked smile, looking back at the flame and smoke. Satisfaction filling her heart that her plan had worked perfectly. “You served your purpose well.” She then turned to the kids next to her, each one shaking in fear, the two huddled together. “Have you two ever flown in a helicopter before? You’re in for a treat.”
The joy and thrill in her voice made it sound like they were going for a ride at Disneyland. An emotion neither of the kids shared.
Chapter 38
Scanlon was on the job bright and early, Saturday morning looking over the pictures of the address book Cameryn had sent him. They were too small to view on his phone. With a few swipes he transferred them to his desk computer, the 24-inch monitor easier on his tired eyes. He was combing through looking for familiar names or ones that came up as having a criminal history. One by one he typed them into the central database, so far striking out. After about twenty names he cursed, wishing he had an assistant to do the grunt work. But hence this was the life of a detective and others in his division were just as busy trying to close cases with little or no assistance.
A few mugs of coffee, two trips to the restroom and a hundred-plus names, he finally came across one he knew. Chevy McNair, the pilot Hunter and he questioned. Soon after he saw Zackery Unger’s name. It could have been a coincidence but not likely, proving that the three men were connected. Further evidence that the hobby shop owner was likely The Train Man.
Several hundred names later Scanlon found a few others in the criminal database. People with various records, from petty theft to violent crimes. Many of the illegal activities committed with weapons. Scanlon copied out the names on a piece of paper, contemplating on the best way to track them down, many from out of state, when his phone rang. It was Shane Gibson the ME from El Paso County.
“We have a burnt car with a body up here in the mountains, south of Divide,” Gibby stated with little emotion. He’d been working this job long enough to know emotions pertaining to deaths were muted.
“Divide? Isn’t that Teller County?”
“Called me in. They’re shorthanded.”
“Burnt bodies appear to be your specialty these days,” remarked Scanlon.
“Lucky me!” Gibby said sarcastically. “Body was found yesterday. Plates were gone on the car. We had to track it down by the VIN number. It was registered to a Jacob Ehrich.”
Scanlon thought about it for a second. He knew the last name but couldn’t remember where from.
“Sounds familiar.”
“Related to a Marlis Ehrich. Does that ring a bell?”
“Shit!” yelled out Scanlon. “Yea. She is the housekeeper for the Hawkins family. Was he in an accident?”
“Not unless he shot himself. A bullet hole to the head.”
“Holy crap!”
“My thoughts exactly. What are the odds?”
“Astronomical. Since the car was burned, I’m assuming he was murdered?”
“That would be my assumption. Time will tell for certain. Like the other three, it will take me days to get all the forensics done.”
“Keep me informed.”
“Don’t I always. The big question would be, why was he murdered?”
Scanlon wasn’t certain. This could be a clue to who was the inside person leaking information. “Could be a coincidence, but I doubt it. I will have to talk with Marlis.”
“Getting back to why I was called in,” added Gibby. “Teller was working another case. Further south and west. A dog discovered three bodies down the side of a cliff. Bad spot to retrieve them. Going to take several days, but early reports on one says he was shot.”
“What the hell is going on up there?” stated Scanlon grimly. “That would be several years’ worth of murders for that area.”
“No kidding. The locals are getting spooked. But we know when this many show up at once they are normally related. Especially when the MO is similar.”
Scanlon agreed. All he could do was keep working and hope for a breakthrough. He hung up the phone, thinking about grabbing another donut if there were any left. His stomach nagging him to balance the coffee. As he got up and headed for the kitchen he noticed a beehive of activity. He stopped one of the female officers who was in plain clothes to find out what was going on.
“An explosion at the Broadmoor World Center,” she explained. “News just came in. They’re dispatching the bomb squad, SWAT and K9 unit.”
Scanlon w
as stunned at the news, and then he remembered, today was graduation day for the Hawkins kids. He ran back to his office, grabbed his coat and drove with sirens blaring to the scene.
***
The bed wasn’t comfortable, the mattress thinner than a high-quality quilt, but Hunter made the best of his night in jail. He wasn’t read his rights; he wasn’t given a phone call. His cell phone was taken away, along with his gun, keys and wallet. The jail cell was his and his alone, the night quiet as he did his best to sleep. They gave him dinner, a cold sandwich from a vending machine, chips and a bottle of water. He was confined with his thoughts, other than an occasional walk through by the officer watching the jail, and two loud drunks brought in after 2 a.m. Both resided in a couple of cells next to him, the two snoring loudly, smelling of booze and vomit. In and out of sleep Hunter had no semblance of time. He was beginning to think he was going to spend the rest of his life between these damp, cold concrete walls.
He thought over what he’d done, which was simply to defend himself. The two other men had been in the cell down from him a whole hour before they were let go. Each smiling widely as they passed by, a couple of racial curse words added on the way out. Words he’d heard too often in his lifetime. Why they were released and he wasn’t made no sense. Other than they were connected, while he was a black man from out of town making trouble. Or at least that was how Chief Idelson appeared to see it.
As for his wounds, Hunter was left to tend to them himself. The officer monitoring the jail gave him gauze, bandages and anti-biotic cream. He used the water from the sink to clean himself up, the slices and blood ruining his jacket and shirt. They weren’t bad, in the sense he needed stiches. But they still hurt like hell, while adding a couple more scars to his mounting total.
As he lay there hoping for a file or tool to pick the lock to free himself, the door to the jail opened, and in walked Idelson, a McDonalds bag in his hand. He tossed it to Hunter, then leaned against the jail bars with his arms crossed.