Chris realized if he didn't intervene within the next minute or two, there were a limited number of outcomes he'd have to deal with, none of which appealed to him. The first was that the best undercover agent he'd ever worked with was going to quit his job. Or, that same agent was about to be fired for gross insubordination toward the regional director of the ATF. Or he would be arrested for assault on the county district attorney. Or any combination of the above. Any way he broke it down, he'd end up short one agent. An agent he could neither afford to, nor wanted to lose.
It was only a last-minute move that enabled him to grab at Ezra's sleeve as the man made a move to charge at the DA.
"Ezra – sit." Standish refused to follow the order, but did take a step back, growling quietly under his breath.
"Look Standish – we aren't ready to close this operation. I told you when it started, we aren't shutting things down until we get the main supplier, and so far, we've got only middlemen.
"You're on the edge of a gang war, and if that happens there are going to be a lot of innocent bystanders taken down in the process. You ready to take responsibility for that?"
"Not my responsibility – you're the one tasked with bringing me the head man. The fact that you have been to busy fooling around on this isn't on me."
"What the hell do you mean foolin' around. He's been workin' his ass of on this for over three weeks."
"I thank you Chris, but there is no need for you to defend me to these men. It is simply a waste of your energy given they are ill equipped to understand the intricacies of undercover operations – or any genuine work."
"Work my ass – you should have everything you need by now. You've been to busy enjoying the perks of undercover to focus on the task at hand."
Chris's jaw dropped as Ezra stared speechless at the man. "Perks?" Chris was able to squeak out. "Perks like living in a dive, watching over your shoulder constantly praying no one recognizes you, or just plain freaks out and kills you for sport? Perks like that?"
"Come on Larabee – we all know Standish lives for the thrill of the chase. And living in his present accommodations can't be all bad. I am given to understand the ladies he is surrounded by will do anything – and I do mean anything – to get their next fix." He grinned wolfishly at Ezra, failing to notice the anger building. He was saved a black eye only by the quick actions of the ATF director, who stepped between Ezra and his target. It didn't stop Ezra from voicing his opinion.
"Those 'ladies' are mostly underage kids you pervert. The whole reason I have put up with your crap this long is to try to help them. The fact that you don't understand that makes me seriously question your suitability for the job you hold." Ezra twisted himself free of the director's hold and without looking back stormed from the room.
"I have to hold you back as well Larabee?"
"No sir – he's not worth the paperwork I'd have to fill out. Just keep him the hell away from me, and from the team. Can't say that some of the others have the same aversion to paperwork that I do."
He caught up with Ezra just as the elevator door was about to close. "You OK?"
"No Chris, I am not OK. I am fighting an overwhelming desire to do severe damage to that man, or anyone else who gets in my way at the moment. This entire situation is going to turn ugly quickly and, contrary to the opinions just presented, there is not a damn thing I can do about it."
"What makes you so sure it's all about to come to a head?"
"I cannot give you a specific reason. There is no one circumstance I can point to, but the tension in the neighbourhood is escalating. There's been significantly more activity from outside gangs, and I know Henderson is getting anxious. He hasn't been able to reach his supplier for a couple of days to finish our deal, and he's afraid I'm going to exercise my wrath on him if this buy falls through. I can't exactly play kind and forgiving since I am supposedly a ruthless drug dealer trying to establish a new base."
They'd reached the basement of the building and Chris began walking Ezra toward the back entrance that would let him leave as he had entered – unseen by anyone watching the building. "You safe in there?"
"At this point I have no reason to believe anyone has any suspicions or concerns about my character. They see me as someone who seems to be reasonably friendly toward them, while looking to eliminate some of the opposing gangs. So, for now, I am welcomed." He paused, looking suddenly more tired than Chris could remember seeing. "That block, that house, where they operate. It is a target. And if it was only the dealers I could almost live with that. But it's not. It has become almost like a haven for many of the people in the neighbourhood. Not just the junkies Chris, but the kids. There are children in there, and if things go bad…" he couldn't bring himself to finish the thought.
"Ezra – you have to stay detached. You have to stay out of that end of it."
"I am fully aware of my role and responsibilities."
"I know that. I also know you are a lot less tough than you let on – especially when kids are in the picture." Ezra sighed, but didn't challenge the claim. "Look, what if we send in child welfare? We can say there have been complaints, maybe something from the schools. They can haul the kids out of there for a few days at least. With any luck, we can wrap this up before they have to release them. And maybe some of the kids can actually get some help as a result."
"It'll be risky for the social workers. Why do you think they haven't gone in before this?"
"OK – so Josiah and Nathan can be the social workers, or at least can be part of the team. That'll give some protection. I'll get the wheels turning and try to arrange the visit for tomorrow."
Ezra nodded slightly. "Better than nothing. You can tell them there are three kids under 10 as well as a baby. And a couple of the mothers are under 18 too."
"Seriously?"
"It's like a daycare in there Chris. Sadly, it's usually safer than being on the streets. I better get going."
Chris watched as Ezra slipped out quietly. He couldn't recall seeing the man this down during an operation before. There was always a degree of isolation, and the feelings of solitude that went with that, but this was more. Clearly, he had come to care about those children, and the young mothers as well. Chris could only hope when the time came, Ezra would remember where his responsibility rested.
He headed back to the elevators to start the rescue plan in motion. He wasn't surprised to see several of the rest of the team waiting there for him.
"We heard what went down in the meeting. Ezra OK?" Vin looked worried.
"What do you mean you heard? It was a closed meeting."
"There was a computer in the room, and we have JD. What do you think we mean?" Buck answered.
Chris looked around and realized the young computer expert was nowhere to be seen. "He giving me time to cool off?" Buck nodded. "Better be a lot of time. You bugged the assistant director's office?"
"He left the computer on. That was like an invitation."
"That's not really the issue at the moment. You didn't answer Vin. Is Ezra OK?"
"No, he's not Josiah. He's mad, and he frustrated, and he's scared for a bunch of kids he can't help. If this does go south and anything happens to those kids he is not gonna be any to forgiving of himself or the idiots running this show. Nathan, I need you to call some of your contacts at Child Welfare Services – we are getting involved. When JD comes out of hiding, get him to set up a couple of cover IDs for us. That's the best we can do for now. Have the DA and regional director left the building?" Getting a nod from Vin for response, Chris continued. "I'm gonna go talk to Judge Travis and see if there is any way we can speed all this up. And tell JD not to listen in this time."
An hour later Chris came back to the team's office. There was little chatter going on, a sure sign of tension. He answered the questions before they could be asked. "Control of the op is out of his hands, since the DA's office started this in motion. We can pull Ezra, but we can't make the bust, and you know he won't leave a job half done. What about Child Welfare?"
Nathan looked up from his computer. "They don't want to send anyone in, but when we explained there'd be two cops undercover with them, and some uniforms as escorts they said they could set something up. Likely late tomorrow afternoon or next morning. Not as soon as we'd like but the best they'd offer."
"OK – in the mean time we'll see –" Chris was cut off my a squeal from JDs computer. The young agent looked at the screen, his face going pale as he read.
"I set it up to monitor for 911 or police calls at any of the addresses related to Ezra. All hell is breaking loose at the main house. They're sending a dozen cars and ambulances. I don't know what it is – but it's bad."
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Chaos was really the only word that could be used to describe the scene the team drove up to. Dozens for flashing red lights shone on buildings up and down the street. Police cars created barricades at each end while ambulances lined the way. The crews sat quietly, no work to be done. There was only one emergency vehicle were any activity could be seen, and there was no sense of urgency to the actions.
Chris stormed through, waving his badge at anyone who tried to stop them. He was finally brought to a halt on house away from his destination. A plain clothes cop blocked his path.
"I'm Detective Shelton, and if you want to give me a reason for letting you in, you best slow down and talk to me. Don't give a damn about you badge, you got no jurisdiction here."
Chris pulled the man aside from the gathered crowd. "Chris Larabee – ATF. We have a man in there working on a gun and drug operation."
"Shit. I hate to be the one to tell you Larabee, but if you had a man in there, you've lost him. Shooters didn't leave anybody alive."
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tbc