by Rick Reed
“I told you,” she said. “We’re going to find Rosie.”
“Penelope?”
“Get moving,” Shaunda said. “Or in the words of a stupid FBI agent, ‘I’ll kill you.’”
Jack bent his arms putting his hands up where she could see them and moved slowly forward. “Your daughter is in here.”
“No. Penelope’s safe and sound at home. Patty’s with her watching television but they’ll both be asleep before long. I put something in their tea.”
“You get mom of the year,” Jack said.
“Don’t worry, it’s doctor prescribed.”
“Is Rosie alive?” Jack asked. “Or was this all you?”
Rosie answered from far down the dark shaft. “I’m alive, alone, and ready to rock and roll,” she said happily. “I told you this would work, Shauny.”
Jack saw Rosie’s shape ahead in the dim light. He raised his voice. “She hates being called Shauny.”
Rosie laughed out loud and said, “Get his gun.”
Shaunda struggled a little to get Jack’s gun out of his safety holster. There was a trick to drawing it, built in to keep the gun from being drawn by a bad guy. Jack told her how to get it out. She did and stuck it in her front waistband.
Jack felt the barrel of Shaunda’s Colt Python against the back of his head.
“If my partner was here he’d have a joke for this. I think I’ve got one,” Jack said.
“Tell me your joke, Agent Murphy,” Rosie said. “I could use another laugh.”
“Okay,” Jack said. “A male and a female cop walk into a coal mine.”
Rosie was already chuckling.
“The male cop says, “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I said I wanted to get you in the dark.”
“You just made that up,” Shaunda said and prodded the gun into his back again.
“You got me. Bigfoot is the jokester.”
“Here’s a better joke,” Rosie said. “An FBI agent walks into a mine looking for a killer and disappears forever.”
“What’s the punchline?” Jack asked.
“You die.”
“I like my joke better,” Jack said.
“Shut up and move,” Shaunda said and pushed the gun against his skull.
They moved forward and Jack could see Rosie was standing in front of a heavy door. Metal signs were attached to the door saying, “DANGER” and “NO ENTRY.” Rosie was holding a small semi-automatic pistol in her hand pointed in their direction.
“Rosie, if you keep that pistol pointed at us you might accidentally shoot Shauny.”
Shaunda cracked him on the back of the neck with the butt of the revolver. “Shut up.”
Rosie lowered the barrel toward the ground.
Jack said, “If that gun goes off now the bullet will ricochet and we won’t know what it’ll hit.”
“How should I point it smartass?” Rosie asked.
“Stick it up your ass,” Jack suggested and ducked, expecting another blow but it didn’t come.
* * * *
Liddell sat on the floor as ordered by Sergeant Ditterline. He was allowed to tear off a piece of the thin blanket and tie it off around Jerrell’s bicep wound. He was allowed to keep checking Chief Jerrell’s vitals and keep pressure on the chest wound.
“A waste of time,” Ditty said.
“I’ve got nothing but time,” Liddell responded.
It had been at least twenty minutes since Jack and Shaunda left and Jerrell was still hanging in there. By a thread.
“Says you,” Ditterline said and grinned. “Just so you know, I never called for an ambulance.”
“I thought he was your friend?” Liddell said.
“If I’d do that to a friend, imagine what I’d do to you if you pissed me off. I don’t have a problem with you right now so let’s keep it that way.”
“Is that why you have that gun pointed at me? If we don’t have a problem then let’s get the chief to the hospital and I’ll buy dinner. You like pizza?”
Ditty backed up a couple of steps. “I don’t like what you’re thinking. Someone gets a little too cocky I think they’re up to something dumb. Don’t do something dumb.”
“I’ll tell you what’s dumb. You could have skated on all this. We only suspected Shaunda. We knew she shot the homeless guy in cold blood, but we couldn’t really prove she did any of the other murders. You’ve gotten in way over your head, Ditty. It’s not too late to stop this.”
“Just how would I do that, Mr. FBI?”
“For starters, Sergeant, you can reholster that weapon, call an ambulance and help me save him. One of us needs to go and stop Shaunda from killing my partner.”
“I just give up and you’ll forget all about this I suppose,” Ditty said and snorted. “I’ll tell you what I’ll do. After your partner is dead, I’ll take his gun to shoot you and take your weapon and shoot him. Voila, you got lost in the dark and shot each other.”
“Won’t work,” Liddell said. “You’d have to somehow get me and Jack together to make it plausible. I’m a big guy to have to haul somewhere. Besides, Jerrell’s been shot with Shaunda’s gun. Ballistics from the homeless guy will prove it.”
Sergeant Ditterline said nothing.
“Also, you forgot one big thing.”
“What’s that?” Ditty asked.
“Jack.”
Chapter 45
Shaunda pushed Jack forward. The ground was covered in grit and what felt like pieces of gravel under his shoes. Shaunda backed off as they neared Rosie but was still behind him.
Jack saw the door had heavy hinges that had started to rust. There was a small pass-through window near the top of the door. It was bolted shut and sealed with duct tape. The door itself was standing halfway open now. On the other side of the door all he could see was blackness and motes, maybe coal dust, suspended in the air.
“Get in,” Rosie said, wagging her automatic toward the opening.
“You first,” Jack said. “Equal in all things. That’s my motto.”
Rosie raised the gun pointing directly at Jack’s face from ten feet away. Shaunda had put the barrel of the revolver in his back again and was pushing. It was the moment he’d been waiting for.
Jack pivoted on one foot, spun around, wrapped an arm around Shaunda’s waist and pulled her against him. She was between himself and Rosie’s gun. Rosie didn’t shoot. Shaunda put the muzzle of her revolver against Jack’s chest and squeezed the trigger several times.
* * * *
Liddell had rolled part of the blanket up and put it under Jerrell’s head. “I’m your hostage in case this all goes to hell,” Liddell said.
“I can see why you’re FBI,” Ditty said.
“You’re going to kill me in any case,” Liddell said indifferently.
“Who knows. Maybe your superman partner will fly here and save the day.”
“Contrary to popular opinion, FBI agents can’t fly,” Liddell said.
“I could get to like you if I didn’t have to kill you.”
“I have an obvious question, Sergeant Ditterline.”
“Wow. Just like on TV. This is the part where the hero gets the bad guy to confess to everything and then gets the drop on the bad guy. Everyone’s happy. Except the bad guy that is.”
Liddell shrugged.
Ditty said, “Go ahead. Ask your question. I might answer it.”
“I have a couple of questions.”
“We may run out of time.”
“Okay. Biggest one first. Why are you doing this? Did Jerrell do something to you? Is it about money?” Liddell asked.
“Next question,” Ditty said.
“You called Jack and told him Jerrell was on his way here. That means you’re also the reason Jerrell came out here. It was a set up.”<
br />
“Not bad. Not bad. But I had nothing to do with Jerrell coming here. He’s in love with Shaunda in case you hadn’t figured that out. I knew he’d come out here eventually. I took her gun out of evidence and waited for him to leave the station. I called Agent Murphy after Jerrell got here. He was inside talking to Rosie upstairs when I showed up. He was asking where Shaunda was. I told him upstairs but she was in the kitchen. I handed Shaunda her gun. She went upstairs and…well, here we are.”
“I knew it was something like that,” Liddell said.
“Yeah, right. You’re so smart tell me why I’m doing this?” Ditty asked.
Liddell checked Jerrell’s pulse again. It was weak. He said, “Number one reason. You’re an asshole.”
Ditty laughed.
“I’m guessing that Eunice’s son didn’t die in prison like Eunice believed. I think you’re Shaunda’s kissing cousin.”
The laugh was erased and a shocked look took its place. The hand pointing the gun at Liddell was deadly still. “How did you know? It was that Angel gal that does all that computer stuff wasn’t it?”
Liddell said simply, “I didn’t know. Until right now.”
Ditty stepped forward close enough to place the muzzle against Liddell’s forehead. “You think you’re smart…”
He didn’t get to finish. Liddell grabbed the gun, pushed it up and grabbed Ditty’s crotch with the other hand. He squeezed Ditty’s wrist and crotch with all his considerable strength. The gun fell from Ditty’s hand and Liddell got to his feet still hanging on to Ditty’s damaged goods.
Liddell let go of the wrist, grabbed Ditty’s neck and shoved him against the wall. He used all of his weight and strength to drive his fingers into the flesh, digging deep, feeling the larynx in his grip. Ditty forgot his wounded pride and joy and his hands went to his throat and clawed at Liddell’s hands. Liddell head butted him in the nose again and again until Ditty’s hands dropped to his sides.
Liddell let him drop to the floor, kicked the gun down the hallway and called for an ambulance. He then called Jack to warn him.
* * * *
Shaunda’s head came up in surprise and she pulled the trigger twice more. Nothing. Jack spun her around with one arm around her throat while the other pulled his .45 Glock from her front waistband and shoved it in her side.
“Drop the gun Rosie,” he said.
Rosie had fired one shot but it went wild and Jack heard it ricocheting down the shaft. She kept the little automatic pointed in his direction but she was caught between him and the way out. Shaunda struggled until Jack bore down on her neck and said in her ear, “I’ll rip your head off and shit down your neck. Be still.” She was.
“Take your handcuffs off your belt and toss them to her,” he ordered Shaunda.
Shaunda hesitated and Jack tightened down until she made gagging sounds. Her hand went to her cuff case. She unsnapped it, removed the handcuffs and tossed them in Rosie’s direction.
“Pitch the gun behind you and put the handcuffs on. Behind your back,” Jack said.
Rosie didn’t move. Jack could see the muscles in her neck tighten. He ducked his head behind Shaunda’s just as he heard the crack of a gunshot. He felt Shaunda shudder and slump against him. He fired and the bullet struck Rosie somewhere in the face, twisting her head back. He fired again and a hole appeared in her shirt, just to the left of center on her upper chest. He fired again and this one hit her in the throat. Her gun clattered to the ground. Rosie collapsed straight down into a heap.
Chapter 46
Jack and Liddell had given statements all night to the State Police, Sullivan County Police, Greene County Police, and a special investigator with the FBI. Their guns had been taken and would be given back after a shooting board decided their fate. Chief of Police Pope had given them several days off with pay to recover and get the shooting board behind them. Deputy Chief Dick, aka Double Dick, had called Jack and advised him that there was paperwork to sign at headquarters but he had said it in a nice way and even asked Jack how they were getting on. Jack wasn’t comfortable with this side of Double Dick after so many years of sparring with the man. He’d saved Double Dick’s bacon not long ago and was owed big time. He wondered when the grace period would end and the Dickster would once again be an arrogant rampaging over-supervisor.
In the meantime, Director Toomey had heaped praise on them. Not. Toomey had been thoughtful enough to provide them with other weapons until they got theirs back. Being with the FBI, Toomey didn’t know that police officers always had spares and then some.
The Coal Miner Bar was still a crime scene but Sergeant Crocker had been allowed to pack up their belongings and drop them off at Angelina’s cottage. Penelope Lynch had been collected by Sergeant Crocker and his wife and the girl was currently staying with them until permanent arrangements could be made.
They’d stayed overnight, or over morning, at Angelina’s in her spare bedrooms and slept until after noon. John Cline had come over and brought homemade cherry wine and pot stickers.
“I didn’t forget you Agent Murphy,” Cline said, and produced a gold colored box that bore the Glenmorangie twelve-year-old Scotch label. He handed it to Jack who didn’t waste any time opening it and pouring four fingers into one of the old jelly jars they were using as tumblers.
“Would you care for some Mr. Cline?” Jack asked.
Cline filled a tumbler with homemade wine. “I prefer this but thank you. Angelina said it was your brand.”
Jack rewarded him with a smile and held his tumbler out to the gathered group in a toast. “Sláinte.”
Cline held his up and said, “Prost. That’s German for ‘cheers.’”
Liddell said, “This is really good,” and ate another pot sticker.
Angelina merely nodded.
They finished the bottle of wine and a platter of the pot stickers and Jack made coffee. He said to Liddell, “I guess after we go see Jerrell in the hospital we’ll have to make an appearance at Linton PD. I don’t think they’ll be mad at us, seeing as how you saved their chief’s life.”
“Yeah. Did you know the Town Council made Sergeant Crocker the interim chief until Jerrell’s fit for duty?” Liddell asked.
“I did. He’ll do a good job. Jerrell will have him on Facetime all day, digitally stalking the man.”
Liddell smiled. “You know that’s right. Give me some of that coffee.”
Jack brought the pot to the table and Cline got up. “I’ll leave you to it. I have to say this is the most excitement Pleasant Farms has ever seen.” A smile crossed Cline’s face. “There was that one wedding party…”
“I don’t want to hear about it,” Jack interrupted. “I’m getting married soon and I don’t need bad thoughts.”
Cline laughed and excused himself.
“I’d love to stay and drink Angelina,” Jack said, “but we have business to attend to.”
“If it’s okay with you Angelina, maybe we could stay here tonight?” Liddell said.
“I’d be happy to house you, but tomorrow you have to go. I’m still on paid vacation and you two attract trouble. Toomey’s already trying to give me orders.”
“Speaking of which, we can order a couple of pizzas before we come back this evening,” Liddell said.
“Marcie has you on a diet again, doesn’t she?” Angelina asked.
“I’ve been eating vegetables until I feel like one.”
“Pizza sound good to you, Angelina?” Jack asked.
“I’ll go get the beer,” she said.
Jack and Liddell headed to the hospital. They’d already been there once when Jerrell was taken to surgery. The sky had clouded up and there was a threatening blackness coming from the south by the time they found a place to park.
“He’s a tough guy,” Liddell said. “I thought for sure he was gone.”
Jac
k put his hand on Liddell’s shoulder. “If it wasn’t for you he would be, Bigfoot. Tell me again how you took Ditty down.”
“Quit it,” Liddell said, but then rehashed his disabling of Sergeant Ditterline. Ditterline was barely alive when the medics arrived at Rosie’s but he was DOA—dead on arrival—by the time he was packed into the ambulance with Chief Jerrell. Ditty’s larynx was crushed and he’d choked to death on his own blood.
They entered the ER doors and Jack said, “Go ahead and say it. I know you’re dying to.”
Liddell grinned and said, “It was a ‘nutty’ take down. Get it. Nutty.”
“I got it the first dozen times,” Jack said.
“I got one for you, pod’na.”
“I don’t need one.”
“This is what you should have said to Shaunda.”
“Can I stop you?”
Liddell said, “When she tried to kill you, you could have said, ‘Guns don’t kill people. Unloaded guns don’t kill people either.’”
“Did you just make that up?” Jack asked.
“You told me your mom used to say that.”
Jack thought he might have told Liddell that at some time. “My mom would never say something like that. Shame on you.”
“You also said she’s the one that came up with, ‘You get more flies with honey. But you get more attention with a gun.’”
“I did not.”
“Did too.”
“You’re already back,” the security guard said as they came in.
“Is he awake?” Jack asked.
“I hope so. His whole department is up there. The nurses want me to make them leave. I’ll go with you. Maybe they’ll listen to you.”
They followed the guard to Jerrell’s room and it was full of police and civilians. Even more were waiting in the hall and sitting in the lounge. The lounge was full of flowers and cards and several civilians were holding even more flowers.
The security guard said, “Troy told them to get those sissy assed flowers out of his room. Said they were stinking up the place.”