Empty Is the Grave

by Candle Sutton

  “You’re safe here.” Rush spoke up for the first time since they’d reached the boat. “But sure, I think it’s okay for Garcia to stay here. Still gotta cuff you, though.”

  Rafe held out his hands. Cuffs were better than shackles, that was for darn sure.

  Rush cuffed his left wrist, ran the cuffs around a metal handle bolted to the boat, then cuffed the right hand.

  Short of a burst of super-human strength, or the boat falling apart, he wasn’t going anywhere.

  Not that he’d planned to.

  Zander clapped a hand on his shoulder before turning to go. Josiah started to follow, but Zander held up a hand. “You wait here.”

  Zander, Rush, and Cortez stepped off the boat and jogged to where the SWAT team and Coast Guard waited on shore.

  The only other person on the boat with them was the captain, a man who had to be pushing seventy. His sparse, flyaway gray hair contrasted sharply with his keen eyes.

  Former cop if Rafe had ever seen one.

  “Uh, hey,” he looked at the captain. “You guys got some water or snacks? These kids were on the island all night. They gotta be hungry.”

  “Doubt there’s any food, but I’m sure I can come up with a few water bottles.” The captain rummaged in a box strapped beside the captain’s chair. “Heh. Here ya go.”

  Chloe and Switch caught the bottles that were tossed to them.

  Switch guzzled the whole thing. Chloe drank about three quarters of hers before recapping the bottle.

  Man, that looked good.

  He hadn’t realized how parched he was until seeing those bottles.

  Chloe looked at him. “Weren’t you thirsty?”

  “Guess I was just thinkin’ more ‘bout you guys. You’d been out there all night.”

  Switch snorted. “Why would you care about us?”

  “Why not?” He shifted to see Switch better. “You didn’t ask for this. Sure, you made your choices, but you didn’t know this kinda junk would happen.”

  Switch swallowed, his eyes shifting downward.

  “Sometimes you just gotta know someone’s on your side.”

  “Maybe you do, too.” Chloe announced, then turned to look at the captain. “Can he have a water, too?”

  “Don’t know why not.”

  The captain fished one out and tossed it.

  Limited mobility kept him from catching it. The bottle glanced off his fingertips, then rolled across the deck.

  Josiah bent down to retrieve it, took one look at his cuffed hands, and popped the cap for him. “Want help?”

  The last thing he wanted was someone to help him drink. But given that he couldn’t get his arms above his waist, he really didn’t have much choice. “Yeah, guess I need it.”

  Josiah poured water in his mouth, stopping every few seconds so he could swallow.

  After about half the bottle, he waved him off. “I’m good. Thanks.”

  Dropping onto the bench beside him, Josiah turned solemn eyes to the shore.

  Rafe followed his gaze. Between SWAT, police, and the Coast Guard, they’d amassed at least four dozen people.

  That was good. Numbers would help keep Zander and Rush safe.

  Yet something told him what Josiah saw was quite different from his own view. “Whatcha see?”

  Josiah grinned, his white teeth glowing against his dark skin. “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

  Why couldn’t it ever be a simple answer with this guy?

  He arched an eyebrow, causing Josiah to laugh. “The Lord has sent His warriors.”

  Was he talking about angels?

  Though he didn’t ask the question, his expression must have given him away for Josiah nodded slowly, a knowing look on his face.

  Rafe studied the scene, wishing he could see just one flash of light, one flicker of movement to indicate the battle he knew was going on. He lowered his tone. “How many?”

  “Enough. The enemy doesn’t stand a chance.”

  Did that mean Zander, Rush, and the rest of the cops would win, too?

  He didn’t ask. Frankly, he didn’t think he’d get a straight answer from Josiah, even if Josiah knew.

  No, all he could do was wait.

  Just like everyone else.

  Wait, and pray, that Josiah was right. That the light would not be overcome by the darkness.

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  “Oksana!”

  Viktor whipped toward the tunnel, where one of his men rushed toward them, interrupting their strategy session.

  Breath hissed from her as she whirled to face the intruder. “We’re busy!”

  The man’s footsteps faltered and he stumbled over the uneven rock beneath their feet. “I got a message. From some dude named Bruce?”

  Lewis? Had to be, right? If he knew Oksana’s name and thought she’d recognize his?

  Her eyes narrowed and her lips twisted downward.

  Yeah, Bruce’s name always conjured up negative emotions.

  “Well?”

  The messenger flinched at her snapped word. “He, uh, wants to talk to you. In person. Said something about working something out. No weapons, no bodyguards, just you and him.”

  “The only thing I’d like to work out with him is where to sink my blade.” She glared at the messenger as though it was his fault. “You can tell that scum… on second thought, I’ll do it myself.”

  She shoved past the man and stormed down the tunnel. Viktor hurried behind her.

  She wouldn’t actually be reckless enough to meet Bruce. Would she?

  Then again, she was pretty angry. And arrogant enough to think she could take on anyone, anytime.

  Well, if she did decide to meet with Bruce, he’d be right there to back her up.

  In spite of what Bruce had said, there was no way Oksana was meeting Bruce alone and unarmed.

  They navigated the short tunnel, stopping at the final bend before being exposed.

  He hung back, staying close to the outside wall. If anyone approached the corner, he’d see their shadow before they’d see him.

  “Bruce!” Oksana’s voice echoed off the stone surrounding them. Irritation lined the word, although he doubted anyone else – including Bruce – knew her well enough to notice.

  “Oksana.” Bruce’s voice was closer than he’d expected, likely right on the other side of the gate.

  “What do you want?” Bruce would have to be deaf to not hear her irritation this time.

  “I should be asking you the same thing. What the heck are you doing?” Bruce’s words were measured, controlled.

  “I saw an opportunity and I took it. Surely you can understand that.”

  “Touché.”

  So the barb hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  Their shipment from a year ago, which Bruce had intercepted outside the city, had almost bankrupted them. While she hadn’t come right out and said it, Viktor was pretty sure Oksana had been planning this day ever since.

  “Look.” Bruce’s voice took on a placating tone. “You surprised me with this little stunt, I’ll admit. I’m impressed. You’re much more industrious than I thought.”

  “Save your flattery. After what you did last year, this shipment is rightfully ours.”

  “Oh, come on. This shipment is worth five times the one I… obtained, and you know it.”

  “Your problem. Not mine.” A satisfied grin curled Oksana’s lips.

  In spite of the fact that they were trapped and may not make it out alive, she was enjoying this moment.

  Of course, their victory might be cut short. Just like their lives.

  “I’d like to propose a partnership.”

  Oksana’s jaw jutted forward. “Seriously. You can’t expect me to buy that.”

  “No, really. You’ve built quite an empire. I think if we joined forces, we could own the West Coast.”

  “With this shipment, I practically already do.” Oksana adjusted her grip on the AK-74.

  Pr
obably wondering if she could jump around the corner and take Bruce down before he shot her.

  “You don’t have the shipment yet.”

  “I will. I have an army on this island. If you value your life, you’ll stand down now.”

  A pause. “You know me better than that.”

  She cocked her hip, bringing the gun to shoulder height. “I sure do.”

  “Look. We may not have much time. Those convicts you have working with you? You really think the prison they came from hasn’t realized there’s a problem?”

  Ice clawed into Viktor’s stomach.

  Bruce was right. Why hadn’t they thought about that?

  Surely prison work details were closely monitored. There were probably mandatory check-ins that had to be made.

  Which, with cell phones offline and the boat in pieces at the bottom of the bay, definitely had not happened.

  They may have succeeded in keeping the guards from calling for help, but they’d also kept them from checking in. Which was every bit as dangerous to their plans.

  Maybe more so.

  A glance at Oksana’s face showed that the thought hadn’t occurred to her either.

  “They might even be mobilizing their forces now.” Bruce continued, “If you won’t join me, let’s at least agree to a truce. Help me move the merchandise. I’ll see that it’s profitable for you.”

  Sure he would. As soon as Bruce had his merchandise, he’d put a bullet in them all.

  “We’ll take our chances.” Evidently Oksana wasn’t buying his lies either.

  Shadows moved right around the corner. Several of them.

  So. Bruce hadn’t been meeting her one on one.

  Big surprise.

  He made a soft tsk-ing sound, drawing Oksana’s attention, and nodded to the area where Bruce and his men waited.

  Oksana backed up a few steps.

  The shadows drew closer.

  He sighted on the opening.

  A figure moved into view.

  Viktor squeezed the trigger. Gunfire exploded in the confined space, the boom deafening.

  The man fell as the rest of the shadows retreated.

  Viktor backed away slowly. Oksana joined him.

  “What now?” Switching to Russian, he dropped his voice to a barely audible whisper.

  “We need to attack.” She jerked her head back toward the cave. “Have two of our guys cover the cons and two cover this entrance. The rest of us will go back down the tunnel, take out Bruce’s guys in there, and come up on Bruce from behind. It’s time to end this.”

  She was right.

  He only hoped this wouldn’t end them.

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  Zander trailed the group to which he’d been assigned. Three SWAT guys took the lead, several Coasties followed, and then there was him.

  Mobilizing the group had taken longer than he’d expected. The SWAT commander had wanted to get a rundown from the four inmates who’d been with the enemy, then had talked to Rush about what he’d seen, before finally organizing four strike teams to approach from different directions.

  Three of the teams, including the one he was on, would approach the exterior entrance, each from a slightly different angle. The final team, the one the commander himself led, would go in through a back entrance, located in a decrepit building, and try to surprise the group from behind.

  Each group was outfitted with a number of flash grenades and full body shields.

  They’d all been given the green light to use deadly force, if needed.

  He really hoped it wouldn’t come to that.

  However, all accounts confirmed that this group was heavily armed and not afraid to use their guns. Talking them down may not be an option.

  The flash grenades made him nervous. While they’d all been given a rundown on what to do when SWAT deployed the devices, what if he didn’t move fast enough? What if he was too close to the blast zone? He’d be incapacitated, just like the guys they were trying to capture.

  God, please help us.

  He forced a deep breath as he trailed the SWAT guys.

  It’d be fine. They did this all the time.

  Besides, he should be back far enough that the concussive forces wouldn’t impact him.

  He hoped.

  One wrong step could put him in the line of fire and send him home in a body bag.

  Fifteen

  That hadn’t gone well.

  Hugh watched as Bruce paced outside the cave.

  Had Bruce really expected that Oksana chick to agree?

  It was hard to tell. Bruce played everything close and rarely showed emotion.

  If she had agreed, he had little doubt Bruce would have killed her. Partners were liabilities and besides, Bruce was doing fine on his own. Why split the profits?

  The bad news was that with all those weapons inside, Oksana and her group could keep the fight going a whole lot longer than Bruce could.

  Bruce had been telling the truth about one thing, though. They didn’t have that kind of time.

  Stopping abruptly, Bruce met Hugh’s eyes. “Let’s get out of here.”

  What?

  “You’re leaving the merchandise behind?”

  “It’ll do us no good if the authorities show up and catch us here. Oksana wants to get caught, fine. But I won’t go down with her.”

  Whoa. That kind of loss would put a huge dent in business.

  Bruce stepped closer and dropped his voice. “We’ll watch from the boat and follow them. Assuming they get away. If they do, they’ll lead us to their distribution point and we’ll take it all.”

  That sounded more like the Bruce he knew.

  Hugh nodded. “I’ll call our guys.”

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  A gunshot split the air, churning up dust not far from where Rush stood.

  He dove to the side, bashing his shoulder against a crumbling wall.

  “We’re taking fire!” One of the SWAT guys with him yelled into his communicator. “All teams, hold position.”

  Rush risked a glance around the corner.

  Light reflected off something on the roof of the Model Industries building.

  A sniper.

  Probably more than one.

  Short of stepping out from cover, he didn’t have a clear shot.

  Aside from that, his aim wasn’t that good. Not many guys could make a shot at that angle with that kind of distance. The fact that the bad guy was above him and could easily duck back increased the odds he’d miss if he tried to shoot the sniper.

  Well, this was a SWAT operation. Let them call the shots.

  The SWAT commander, Sampson, if Rush remembered correctly, pointed at the two SWAT officers. He made a few hand gestures that meant nothing to Rush but evidently made sense to them. Both men nodded.

  Sampson turned to the rest of them. “Cover us.”

  Without waiting for a reply, the three SWAT officers darted toward the building.

  Rush fired a few shots, aiming at the sniper he’d seen on the roof.

  It’d be nothing short of miraculous if he hit the guy, but that wasn’t his intent. All he needed to do was distract the shooter so he couldn’t fire on the SWAT guys.

  The Coasties with him did the same.

  The SWAT guys disappeared into the building.

  Now, they waited.

  At least their current position was shielded from the snipers. Still, that didn’t mean that shooters couldn’t sneak up on them from some other angle.

  He kept a vigilant watch on the surrounding terrain.

  So many hiding places. There could be armed gunman behind any number of rocks, shrubs, or one of the other buildings within eyesight.

  Then again, the fact that they hadn’t been shot yet was a good sign.

  A single gunshot fractured the sudden silence.

  Two more followed.

  “Snipers contained.”

  Rush started as Sampson’s voice came through his earpiece.

  “All t
eams, move on one. Three. Two. One.”

  The Coasties surged forward, Rush keeping pace with them.

  After the morning’s inactivity, it felt good to be doing something to end this.

  He prayed it ended with no more loss of life on their side. From what the prisoners had said, enough blood had already been shed.

  ₪ ₪ ₪

  Rocks bit into Zander’s thighs as he lay on his stomach on the hard ground.

  One good thing about a bullet-proof vest: it also protected his chest from these jagged rocks. Too bad it didn’t do anything for the lower half of his body, though.

  The ground angled down in front of him. Rocks and brush dotted the terrain. A dark opening indicated the cave both Rush and Josiah had mentioned.

  Close to thirty men stood around the cave entrance. Plus seven dead bodies on the ground. Four of the bodies wore prison orange.

  Through his earpiece, he heard that one of their teams had run into trouble. Snipers, it sounded like. He prayed they were okay.

  Every second that ticked by was a second in which they could be discovered.

  “Snipers contained.” More beautiful words hadn’t been spoken yet today. The countdown started in Zander’s earpiece.

  Three. Two.

  On one, the SWAT guys jumped up and deployed the flash grenades.

  Zander covered his ears and averted his eyes, but not before seeing the SWAT guys from the other two teams launching their devices also.

  The concussive blast vibrated through the ground.

  “Move, move, move!” The barked command propelled him to his feet.

  He leapt forward, following the Coasties and SWAT officers as they scurried toward the cave.

  “Drop your weapons!”

  “Hands where I can see them!”

  “Stay down!”

  A variety of orders, so many that Zander doubted anyone could hear them all, ricocheted throughout the group.

  Most of the men were already on the ground, some clutching their ears, others groping around blindly.

  One man pushed to his knees, a tactical rifle in his hands.

  With a yell, he swung the weapon, spraying bullets wildly.

  Zander ducked, even as the bullets flew several feet above everyone’s heads.

  A single gunshot took the man down.