Radio Static
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Chapter Ten
Moira tugged at the hem of the ill-fitting dress Mike forced her to put on. Much like yesterday's clothing, it ended just past her butt, was tight in the chest, and this one was skintight. To add insult to injury, it required lacing an attached corset around her waist.
Mike tied it so tight she could barely breathe.
She had to tie on the shoes from yesterday, wincing at the blisters on her feet. Not only couldn't she breathe, she couldn't run. To cover her arms she had yesterday's jacket.
"C'mon. We're late," Mike hissed, dragging her to a different car.
"Silent alarm triggered at First National Bank over on Locard St. Requesting immediate assistance," came over the radio.
Jake hit the gas and flipped on his turn signal. He was two blocks out.
A bank heist could bring big money. Was this what Cochrane needed Moira for? Could he be that lucky?
She stood in line at the bank counter, holding a few deposit slips with nonsense written on them. There was also a stack of crumpled ones in her hands. All part of her cover.
Before she could be summoned to the counter, the doors banged open.
Mike walked in, a hat over his hooded sweatshirt, and sunglasses covering his eyes. He looked scary, especially with his ratty beard and clothes. He raised the gun in the air and fired.
Several customers screamed and ducked.
Moira froze, teetering in her heels.
Cochrane went right to her and pressed the gun to her head. She cried out as the hot barrel touched her skin. "Give me all the money!" he snarled at the tellers. "Nothing funny! Just money or I'll kill her."
She struggled to break lose. His arm around her throat was choking her.
The handful of tellers struggled to fulfill his order.
"Empty the safe too! Don't be cheap!"
Tears flowed down Moira's cheeks in a mixture of frustration and fear. If there was enough money… there was a good chance Cochrane might kill her. He never said he'd let her go alive—at least, he never promised that.
Jake threw the car into Park haphazardly at the curb. He didn't bother to turn off the engine before darting inside the bank. Surprisingly, the door still worked.
"Stop or I'll shoot!" a male voice hissed.
He raised his hands, glad he'd left the gun under his shirt. "Hey man, I don't want any trouble…"
The robber turned slowly, a young woman in his grasp. She looked like hell in her cheap, too-small clothes. A hooker or a stripper most likely. Then he looked at her face.
"Moira…" he breathed.
"Hero boy must have a death wish, huh?" Cochrane sneered into her ear. "The cops are going to love this, darling."
"Love wha—ahh!"
The shot echoed in the bank's open lobby. The bullet pierced Moira's leg, blood flowing freely. "Hurry up with my money!" Mike ordered.
"Let her go," Jake called, a gun in his hands. He stood with both hands holding the handgun. "Let her go now and I might not kill you."
Cochrane laughed, holding Moira by her throat. "You don't have the guts. Besides, you'll hit her."
A bag of money hit the floor by Cochrane. He grinned. "Ooops, time to go. Later, Jake…"
He nudged Moira to pick up the cash. Whimpering, she grabbed a strap. Mike smirked, dragging her across the floor, blood trailing behind her. He kept her head near his own, making her a shield.
"If anyone tries to follow us, I'll put the next one in her skull."
Jake stood in front of the door. "I won't let you do this."
"You don't have a choice."
Jake looked into Moira's eyes. They were tear-filled and scared. He couldn't blame her. He was terrified for her sake. I won't let him hurt you…
The police wouldn't make it in time. And if Cochrane made it out those doors, he doubted he'd find Moira alive. Cochrane would kill her just to spite him.
"Do you trust me?" he asked, looking right at her.
Her eyes closed and her head tilted slightly, like a nod.
"Time's up, buddy boy," Mike said. "Move. Now."
The gun caressed her head.
"Just… let her talk, please?" Jake asked. "Say good-bye?"
Cochrane rolled his eyes and loosened his death grip on her neck. She gasped, taking in a deep swallow of air.
"Jake…" she said, hoarse.
"I know. I love you so much. No matter what."
"Me too… I love you…"
"I'm going be sick," Mike swore, moving to tighten his grip.
"Moira, love, duck!"
As he shouted, his girlfriend elbowed Cochrane hard and dove for the ground. While Cochrane went to readjust, reeling from the sudden loss of her, Jake pulled the trigger. A bullet ripped through Cochrane's chest.
The other man hit the floor, his eyes open in shock.
Sirens screamed down the street. The police were coming.
Jake set his gun down on the little counter filled with slips. He got down on the floor and scooted over to Moira.
She lifted her head. "Jake…"
He pulled her toward him, trying to put pressure on her leg wound. "I'm here. I'm here…"
"I knew you'd find me…"
"I'm right here, Moira. I'm not leaving you."
She kissed him. Her bloody hand touched his hair and cheek. He didn't seem to notice the blood as he cradled her.
"Marry me…" she whispered.
"That's supposed to be my line," he joked.
"Tough."
Six Months Later
Following an intensive investigation, Ty and Jimmy were cleared of any wrong-doing in the heist and the resulting crime spree. Eagle Shield agreed to keep him on and he received a sizable reward for helping—and for wrongful imprisonment.
Likewise, Jake was cleared. The death of Palmer and Cochrane were deemed to be self-defense and protecting others. All the charges were dropped and he ended up respected by his co-workers for single-handed foiling a bank robbery, despite being without a badge and wounded.
Moira was harder to clear, given the evidence and string of crimes that followed the heist. Close looks at the evidence and surveillance tapes proved that she'd acted under duress and in fear for her life. The charges were eventually dropped.
After several weeks in the hospital and intensive therapy, Moira was discharged.
Now she stood at the end of a short carpet in a white gown. At the other end stood Jake in his dress uniform, grinned crookedly at her.
It took all of her self-control to not run to him.
He took her hand, squeezing it tightly. She squeezed back as they faced the preacher and recited vows.
"I now pronounce you—"
Moira threw her arms around Jake's neck. His arms went around her waist.
"—husband and wife."
Lips pressed together, tongues darting in between, with neither one stopping for air.
"You may continue kissing the bride," the preacher said. "I'm happy to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jake Eckehart."
Neither one seemed to notice the flashbulbs. None of that mattered. They had each other. They were alive and still together. No amount of money could change that. No amount of publicity would sway them.
"Now what?" Jake asked, panting.
With a devilish grin, Moira whispered in his ear. He listened, trying to remain composed. When she finished, he scooped her up in his arms. "Thanks for coming, but we gotta go!"
The small crowd laughed as the pair disappeared, off to start their honeymoon early.
Author's Notes:
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this short story. Thanks for reading and if you have time, leave a quick review. Anonymous reviews are accepted!
Locard St is a shoutout to my homeboy Locard! Okay, okay, forensics joke… Locard developed the exchange priniciple—when two objects come in contact, something is taken and something is left behind. Hey, I was studying for a midterm as I wrote this.