At quarter to nine, an old red Mazda pulled into the long driveway of Senator Royal's estate. It was forced to stop at an iron gate, but the driver leaned out and pushed a few buttons on the panel. The doors swung open with a clank. The car proceeded to the stonewashed mansion.
"Heads up," Nathan whispered. "They're on the move." He was crouched down behind a bush just inside the gate. JD's split second power shortage had been enough for the team to sneak inside the gate without being detected.
"10-4," Ezra answered. "Our guests are in my line of vision". The man had taken residence behind some overgrown patches of grass just outside the house. The Colorado River was raging behind him thanks to a heavy late fall rain. The rushing water was making it difficult for him to hear. A few drops from the spray hit his neck. It sent cold shivers through his whole body. He crouched down lower as an outdoor light in front of the house turned on. A muscular man walked out of the front door to greet the visitors. Ezra knew that this man was Senator Royal's congressional aide. This man knew as much about the workings of the government as Ezra did about buying clothes at Goodwill. His purpose was to act as Royal's hired bodyguard.
He watched as two men got out of the car. Both men were in their middle twenties. The driver was tall and lean, but the bulk from his winter coat made him look much heavier. The way he carried himself reminded Ezra of a graceful panther. His shaggy blond hair was covered up a by a black beanie. His companion was a few inches shorter, but what he lacked in height, he made up in muscle. He wore only a light jacket and there was no headgear covering up his short brown hair. Liam Mason and Evan Kestner were both attractive, but it was easy to see the driver was in charge of the situation. Liam demanded loyalty and secrecy from his employees. In return He gave friendship, protection and a sense belonging to those who joined his rebel band. Mason was one of the smartest and most hated men in they city. Cops would curse him without even knowing what his real name was. He had grown up in the streets of Belfast during some of Northern Ireland's most turbulent times. The skills he had learned there allowed him to stay one step ahead of Denver's most elite police forces. Liam Mason was the leader of the Red Glove.
Ezra watched as the young men followed the Senator's stooge into the house. He sighed heavily and shifted into a more comfortable position. All they could do now was wait. He planned on meeting with Mason and Kestner after this meeting. Evan had called almost two hours ago, saying that Royal was talking about weapons and might have a large store somewhere in the house.
He cursed at all the background noise in his headset. This meant that they were not getting a clear recording. He could hear JD cursing as he tried to fix the equipment.
"This is going to worthless," JD growled quietly. "I can barely make out what they are saying."
"Hey, Ezra," Sidney's voice echoed in his ear. "You aren't going to believe this."
"Please enlighten me, Ms Marks," Ezra answered.
"The window above the meeting room is open," she paused, "and there's a drain pipe right up to it."
"And this concerns us why?" Ezra asked feigning innocence, knowing exactly what she wanted.
"Oh, come on, Ezra," she answered. "If I could get up there and listen to the conversation through one of the vents… "
"We are getting awful reception out here. I'm not sure we are going to have a good recording. The closer we get, the better evidence we'll have."
"It's still not worth it," Nathan demanded. "What happens if you get caught?"
"I won't," Sidney answered firmly. "Just let me go, please!" Ezra had been unusually quiet as he listened to the banter between youthful recklessness and seasoned overprotection.
"Sidney, if you see any problems inside, you must promise me that you will leave immediately," Ezra said.
"Umm yeah, of course," Sidney answered, surprised that he had been convinced so easily.
"JD, will you please go with her?" Ezra inquired.
"Sure," JD answered, moving from his location near the garage to the back of the house.
"I don't need help," Sidney replied, disgusted.
"Of course you don't," Ezra answered, rolling his eyes. "But this is merely for my own benefit and peace of mind. Of course, if this is all right with our esteemed doctor?"
Nathan was not all right with it. He didn't think any of them should be going in the house, alone or with a partner, but he didn't have much choice.
"Just be careful," he said. JD quickly joined Sidney, who was already half way up the drainpipe. JD watched as she grabbed hold of the windowsill and quickly peered inside. Not seeing anyone or sensing any threat, she pulled herself inside. JD followed after her. By the time he got up, Sidney had already located the vent and was kneeling down listening to the conversation.
"Guard the door," she whispered. JD nodded his head and went to stand watch. Sidney leaned closer. She could hear the conversation perfectly.
"Can you hear this Ezra?" She asked.
"Each and every word," came the response, "and so is our lovely recording system as home. This will make quite an impact if our beloved senator ends up in court."
"Shhh!" She scolded. The familiar voice of the Irish Mason echoed through her ears. Sidney would never tell a living soul, but the accent sent an exciting shiver down her spine.
"If we help you what are the benefits for us?" Mason asked.
"I already told you. There is a large shipment of firearms downstairs that have been just diverted from a military base. They will be ready for you to pick up as soon as my reelection is guaranteed."
"What exactly do you want us to do?" Kestner asked.
"There's a couple of guys lining up to run against me. Do whatever is in your power to scare them off the campaign trail. Threaten their families, do something creative."
"Ay, we can be quite creative," Liam answered. "I do believe this meeting is over chaps. We will contact you soon with our decision. I suggest you lay low until we talk to you again."
"I do not take kindly to your dictating what I should do."
"Then you can kiss the lack of competition good bye," Evan answered.
Sidney and JD smiled at each other. There was no messing with the Red Glove. The conversation stopped and the sound of the metal chairs scratching the linoleum floor echoed through the earpieces making them all cringe. The waited a few minutes until there were no more sounds downstairs.
"We better head out," JD whispered to Sidney.
"Oh shit, guys get out of here!" Nathan's voice hissed in their ears. They could hear gunshots being fired.
"Nathan, what's wrong?" Sidney asked.
"They found Ezra, get out of there now!" Nathan yelled. Loud yells and more gunshots shook their eardrums. "I'm going to get him. You two get out of the house! Go to the car!"
"Boss, there are some more in the house!" An unfamiliar voice echoed in their ears.
"Shit, Ezra's earpiece is still turned on!" JD said looking at Sidney with horror on his face.
"Come on." She motioned for him to follow. JD's heart had never been racing so fast. The two of them slid down the drain pipe and started to run.
"This way," JD told Sidney. "We aren't just going to leave them!" He whispered, hoping no one would hear him. Sidney nodded her head, and the two friends ran to the last place they had seen Ezra. They never got that far. A bullet whizzed past JD's ear, missing him by centimeters. He could feel the wind as the shell flew past his head. Both of them dropped to the ground. The bush provided some protection, but not much. Six men were running towards them, their guns drawn.
"Where did they all come from?" Sidney looked desperately at JD. JD looked around, searching for any means of escape. He only saw one. It was one that he would rather not take.
"Come on." He grabbed her hand, and pulled her after him. He rushed towards the water.
"This is suicide!" she said.
"We've go no other choice," He told her. "Deep breath!" The two of them lunged into the water.
"NO!" Nathan yelled, as he watched his friend's bodies plummeted around in the water. He tried to break free of the two men that were holding on to him, but their grip did not loosen.
"Should we go after them?" One of the doctor's captors asked.
"Lets get him inside for Royal, then we'll search downstream, although I doubt that we will find them. Even if they can swim, they won't last long in that cold water."
Nathan closed his eyes and winced. His head fell to his shoulders and his attempts to escape stopped. "What have we done?" He said to himself.
