Hi everyone, hope your Christmas and New Year was a happy one. Here goes with the third installment. I couldn't think of another title and as it is a continuation I though why not just call it Part Three. I know - such imagination. Please read, review and PM - they make my day, week, month and year.
WHEN THE HEART STOPS BEATING - PART THREE
Chapter 1 - Too Many Times
Sam sat in the passenger seat; his eyes closed trying to block out the anger Jules was projecting his way. He could feel Jules looking; her eyes tearing into him. Jules had excellent driving skills, but today she was making a point; she was angry and her anger was directed at him - every turn she took was taken just a little too fast and every stop she made was made just a little too late which meant Sam was being jostled around making sure his headache would have no chance of abating.
He squeezed the bridge of his nose in a useless effort to stem the pain in his head. Sam's headache had started when he returned from the last call and had escalated during debriefing. He had hoped any further recriminations could have been left at debriefing; clearly Jules had other ideas. He knew she was going to continue this as soon as they got home.
What happened to the house being their sanctuary he thought? They had both agreed to it - both needed it. Each had understood they could not do their jobs if they didn't have the normality of everyday life as a couple outside of work. But today Jules had thrown that rule out of the proverbial window. Sam knew as soon as they were inside the house, Jules would pick up from where the debriefing had left off. He wouldn't do this again, could not go over everything he did wrong, or everything that might have gone wrong; not again. He wanted to come home, have some beers and laugh at some ridiculous sitcom on TV. He wanted to shower, and eat and make love to Jules; he did not want to pick the bones of the case they had already picked dry for hours.
The jeep suddenly stopped - jerking Sam forward; they were home. Without speaking Sam climbed out of the jeep. Once inside the house Jules headed for the kitchen and Sam upstairs. He could hear Jules opening cupboards and slamming them shut again. He turned on the shower - avoidance was necessary for Sam this evening. He never would normally avoid Jules; he loved their banter while he or she cooked, but not this evening; there would only be screaming and shouting and so avoidance was definitely necessary.
The scalding water cascading over him did little to remove the tension that racked his body. Sam flinched and let out a small cry when the water ran over the wound to his arm. He leant against the tiles wondering how the day had gone so wrong. He and Jules were great that morning, joking and laughing and remembering how good the night before had been. Sam turned off the shower and grabbed a towel from the rail, wrapping it around his waist. He stood looking at his reflection in the mirror - not recognizing the person who stared back at him. His cool blue eyes were dulled and lifeless; the day's events stripping them of their sparkle. Sam took a dressing from the medicine box and placed it over the wound; only now realizing the intense throbbing pain that was emanating from his upper right arm.
He moved to the bedroom and sat on the bed; he saw Jules leaning against the doorway, arms folded across her chest.
"Dinner's nearly ready" Jules said her tone unforgiving and curt.
"I'm not hungry" Sam replied his eyes deliberately avoiding hers. He hated this; hated the atmosphere. He wanted to scoop her up and lay her on the bed and kiss her neck and feel her body next to his: He wanted to forget about today.
"I'm furious with you Sam you should never have gone into the building without backup - you could have been killed"; anger hanging off every word she spoke.
"I know Jules, you told me a hundred times at debriefing and I don't want to go over it again. What happened to not bringing work home with us?" Sam got up from the bed and moved into the bathroom taking his sweat pants and t- shirt with him.
Sam heard the bedroom door close; Jules had retreated back downstairs. He had managed to avoid a further confrontation, at least for the time being.
When Sam came out of the bathroom, Jules was sitting on the bed.
"Jules, I don't want to do this - I don't want to hear anymore about how I nearly died," He hated that he had disappointed her; but he couldn't understand why she was so angry. Ed had agreed that he should attempt the rescue. No one could have foreseen what was going to happen and how wrong it was all going to go; He winced remembering the events of the day.
12 Hours Earlier:
The intense buzzing from Sam's cell was drawing him into consciousness. He moaned softly not wanting to leave the warmness of the bed and the softness of Jules next to him. Another ten minutes, he thought, and searched in the darkness for the offending object to render it silent; left arm flailing until it managed to press the snooze button. Finally, the annoying buzzing ceased; Sam let out a satisfied sigh.
Jules was already awake, but she didn't move; content to stay where she was for as long as possible. Tem more minutes of this would do just fine she thought.
It was the beginning of autumn the air was crisp and clean and the cloudless sky had meant an early frost. The trees were just beginning to be stripped of their leaves, more leaving with each gust of wind.
"Let's take a duvet day" Sam said stroking her face and moving just a few stray strands of her hair from her face and kissed her softly.
"As much as I would love to stay in bed with you; you know we can't" Jules replied and then returned his kiss. "Come on Braddock, it's your turn to make breakfast".
Sam laid back on the bed contemplating her request; "ten more minutes" he said pulling her even closer to him.
"Sam don't you think I know your ten minutes doesn't involve sleep and that would take a lot longer than ten minutes and then we would end up being late for work - again". Jules smiled "Come on; get up and go and make your wife some breakfast" jokingly pushing him out of the bed.
"Mrs. Braddock you're a cold hearted woman". Sam pulled on his sweats and a t-shirt and made his way downstairs.
Jules smiled as she lay on the bed listening to Sam singing along to the radio. She did not think she could be any happier than at that moment: Fighting the urge to stay in bed for just a few minutes longer, Jules threw the covers off and headed to the shower.
Twenty minutes later she had joined Sam in the kitchen.
"You made waffles? You are the best husband ever - I'm starving." Jules said taking a bite.
Sam smiled "you're always starving".
"Not my fault, I burned a lot of calories last night".
"I think we both did" Sam replied raising his eyebrows "do you want coffee?"
"No thanks, tea please, decaf".
Sam kissed Jules on the cheek as he passed her on the way to the bathroom, leaving Jules tucking into her second waffle. "Make sure you save me some".
Jules sat at the table contemplating eating another of Sam's delicious waffles; she was very pleased he had learned to cook - these were even better than hers.
"Ready" Sam said as he entered the kitchen "Jules you've eaten them all!" Jules took a half-eaten waffle and offered it to Sam. "Sorry, but they were so nice".
He smiled taking the half-eaten waffle from her and putting it in his mouth. "Come on, we'll be late".
Thirty minutes later they were at the SRU - where professionalism took over and Mr. and Mrs. Braddock became Sam Braddock and Julianna Callaghan; teammates of the most elite police unit in the Country.
The team was in the middle of the regular work out session when Winnie advised them of their first hot call of the day.
"What we got Winnie?" Greg asked the SRU Despatcher.
"911 patched a call through from a distraught woman; she says her children have been taken by their father this morning just as she was leaving for the school run and he had threatened her with a gun."
"Ok team, let's move; Winnie feed me any more information on the way and patch the mother through to my phone."
Greg spoke to the woman and discovered her husband had taken the children at 8.30 from outside her house. She explained she had been granted full custody following their separation because of her husband's erratic and violent behavior. Greg did his best to ease the woman's fears and asked if she knew anywhere he could have taken the children.
Andrea Richardson had told Greg her husband Graham had been living with his sister since their separation and gave Greg the details. The SRU Sergeant told her uniformed officers would be arriving at her home shortly to escort her to their mobile command truck.
The team arrived at the sister's residence 15 minutes later but found only the sister at home. She told them her brother moved in 2 months ago; but had been acting very odd the last week. That morning he kissed her goodbye and told her not to cook for him that evening. The search of his room yielded little information.
Greg had asked the wife and sister if they knew anywhere else he would go. The only place that was mentioned was his old business offices at the Industrial Park at Brentwood. Andrea Richardson had also informed Greg that her husband's business folded last year; he became depressed and had started to drink heavily and she had called the police twice because he had attacked her in their home.
"Boss", Spike interjected "police had been called to a number of domestic disturbances going back a couple of months. He was arrested twice and following the last arrest, Mrs. Richardson was granted a restraining order. Boss; Graham Richardson is a demolitions expert".
"OK, thanks Spike; Mrs. Richardson, does your husband have access to explosives?"
"I'm not sure; he used to, that was his job. Why? He wouldn't hurt the children - he loves them, it is just me he has a problem with". Andrea Richardson's face was taught with concern for her children.
"We have to prepare for every eventuality, try and stay calm Mrs. Richardson". Greg said trying unsuccessfully to put Andrea Richardson as ease.
"OK Team, listen up; we may be dealing with a situation involving explosives - everybody stay alert" Greg advised his colleagues
Brentwood Industrial Park had been empty for a year; it consisted of three large units with parking spaces to the front. As soon as the team arrived they saw silver Toyota Corolla parked at the front; the wife confirmed it was her husband's car.
"Spike we need plans and find out if there is a working telephone line at the premises and see if Mr. Richardson has a cell phone". Greg asked his tech expert.
"Already on it boss - no phone line currently in service but there is electricity and the plans are being sent to your PDA's now."
Ed and Sam looked over the plans; two small windows at the front which were covered plus the door to the front also covered and most likely barricaded. There was a door to the rear of the building plus a window. Ed asked Sam and Leah to check around the back.
Sam and Leah moved carefully around the back of the building; "one door locked and a window up high" Sam advised Ed. Sam motioned to Leah to provide a leg up so he could see into the building. Leah swung her MP5 submachine gun over her shoulder and locked her fingers together. Sam looked through the window and advised the team he could see an adult male, pacing up and down. He pushed lightly against the window - it was open.
"Ed, I can gain access through the window" Sam advised.
"No Sam, he might see you and we can't risk him escalating" Greg had interjected.
"Boss, we're blind out here; I can gain access and will stay back until you say; but we need Intel and this is the only way".
"Greg; Sam's right; I can't get a sierra shot - we have no eyes unless Sam goes in" Ed said.
"OK Sam" Greg sighed "but please be careful and Leah stay there and cover" Greg hated his officers going into a dangerous situation without Intel or back-up. He didn't like the feeling he was getting in the pit of his stomach; he didn't like it at all.
Sam carefully eased himself through the window; his submachine gun placed behind him; holding on to the ledge with his hands he dropped the rest of the way. He had been trained for covert entry during his time in Special Forces and could enter most buildings without being heard or seen. He silently unlocked the door to the back entrance. If necessary, the team now had access to the building. Sam positioned himself behind a small wall and spoke quietly through his com link.
"Boss, the father is holding a hand gun; the children are not restrained but they look frightened." He could see the young boy trying to keep his little sister from being afraid - drawing pictures with her at a desk. The boy - only nine or ten - reminded Sam of himself at that age playing with his younger sister until fate had taken her from him.
"OK Sam, keep us advised if the situation changes". Greg said.
"Boss, we have a cell number for Graham Richardson". Spike informed his Sergeant.
Greg called the number and after several tries, Graham Richardson finally answered.
"Thank you for answering, my name is Greg Parker, I'm with the Strategic Response Unit; could you tell me what is happening here today?"
"Just tell that whore she is going to lose her children, she's going to know how it feels to lose them and not be able to do a thing about it. She'll know how it feels to watch them be taken away from her just as I had to watch them leave with her after the court hearing". Graham Richardson was agitated and angry - not a good combination if they wanted a peaceful outcome.
"Can you explain what you mean by that?" Greg asked but instinctively knew what he had meant. He had been on more than a few similar calls and most had ended tragically.
"What I mean! What I mean is that you try and come in and the whole place goes up; don't think for one minute I'm bluffing- I've wired enough C4 to blow up half of Toronto. There's nothing you can say; nothing you can do so just go away" Graham Richardson then disconnected the phone.
"Boss, he's picked up what looks like a detonator - he's escalating. He isn't focusing on the children - I think I can get to them, but I need to go now." Sam knew what he was about to do was dangerous; but he needed to help the children. "Leah move back as far as you can just in case this place goes up". Sam advised his colleague.
"Boss, I can provide cover for Sam" Leah suggested.
"No Leah, stay back - no point in risking two lives" Sam said. He wasn't about to risk anyone else with his plan. It was his decision, therefore only he should take the risk.
"Sam's right Leah, get back to a safe distance". Greg said. There would be nothing she could do - Graham Richardson was already holding the detonator; if she shot him the place would explode anyway.
Jules let out a deep breath; "Boss, this is wrong; Sam needs to pull back now - if Graham Richardson presses that detonator we lose the children and Sam".
Greg agreed: "Sam pull back it's too dangerous". The feeling in his stomach becoming more intense with each second that ticked by.
"Boss, I know it's risky but I can get to them, at least let me try". Sam pleaded one more time.
It was one of the calls everyone hated. It was always going to be a no win situation: They could not talk the father down and could not get a sierra shot. Sam was right; this was the only possible way to save the children.
Ed knew Sam's plan was dangerous; the father could detonate the explosives if he saw Sam or shoot him. He had no backup; he was on his own. "Greg, we have no choice if we want to secure the safety of the children - Sam you have a go". Ed hoped he had not sent Sam to his death.
Outwardly Jules appeared calm, inwardly she was screaming in panic.
"Boss, this is too dangerous; he's going in with no backup". Jules knew it was futile; Ed had already given the go ahead and Sam being Sam wouldn't listen to any of their protests. She was pacing unable to stand still: She wanted to turn back time; she wanted to go back to this morning and say yes to the duvet day.
Sam swiftly and quietly moved towards the children. The boy saw him; Sam stopped and said a silent prayer; hoping the boy would not alarm his father. He motioned for the boy to be quiet by putting his forefinger to his lips. He scooped both the children up quickly in his arms and started to carry them out; he was nearly at the back door, three feet from safety when the young boy called out to his father. Graham Richardson turned to see Sam holding both his children.
He shouted to Sam to stop as he raised his gun. Sam closed his eyes and waited for the shot that would most likely end his life. He was lucky the father's aim was off: Sam felt the bullet graze his right arm. As Sam flinched against the pain the boy managed to free himself from Sam's grasp. Sam tried in vain to grab hold of the young boy again, but he had already ran back towards his father. Sam turned to see the father pick up his young son: He looked at Sam before he pressed the detonator.
The building exploded just as Sam ran through the back carrying the little girl in his arms.
Everyone had taken cover and was at a safe distance from the building, but all physically jumped when it exploded. Jules was standing by the command truck and felt her heart stop dead. She stood watching everything move in slow motion and knew just by looking at the building that no one could have made it out alive. "SAM" she heard herself scream. Her brain was racing - how many times had she felt like this - too many: Too many times she had nearly lost the man she loved and now again she thought he was gone. Once more her heart was being ripped apart. A wave of intense nausea came over her and she had no option but to run behind the command truck and throw up.
Thank you for reading - Chapter 2 will be posted shortly. If you enjoyed it please let me know and even if you didn't I would be happy to hear your comments.