Don lay on the bed in Megan's spare bedroom, staring up at the darkened ceiling and letting his thoughts flow freely through his tired mind. He knew tomorrow was going to be a big day – the day they took down Gardenia. Normally he would like to give a raid of this much importance a couple of days to be mapped out and honed to perfection, but there were too many deaths, too many killings and too great of a chance that the crime boss might slip through their fingers again. No, tomorrow was the day no matter what.
A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as Don thought about how soon his family would be home if the raid went well. He missed their company, his father's cooking and even his brother's always complex yet usually interesting and animated lectures. I miss them so much. Funny how things change. Just a few years ago I lived so far away and rarely came to visit. Oddly enough, I don't even miss Albuquerque at all now. Well, maybe some of the people.
Don felt bile rising in the back of his throat at the thought. Jackson. He unconsciously started rubbing his hands together as he remembered that horrible day and how helpless he'd been as the young man bled to death under his hands. I never should have let you go into the field that day. Because of one stupid mistake, I've cost you your life and ruined the lives of your wife and kids. If I could go back in time and change it, I would.
But Don knew that was impossible – no matter what argument Larry liked to put forward – and that he would live with that feeling of guilt and the hole in his heart for the rest of his life. But I can at least get justice for you, Bobby. And I will – I promise.
Don rolled over and blinked at the alarm clock that mocked him with its late hour. He knew he should sleep so he could be well rested and fully alert for the next day's coming action, but sleep would not come. He'd close his eyes and try to let go of all his tension but his eyes would spring open again as images of Bobby's bloody body and Charlie's injured face threatened to haunt his dreams.
Just as well, he thought wearily. I really don't want to have a nightmare and wake Megan up. I'd never get her off my back then.
Don forced himself out of bed and rummaged around for a pen and paper. Finding what he needed, Don sat at the small desk in the guest room and began drawing up a list of all of the manpower, vehicles, weapons and other supplies that he anticipated needing the nest day. Once he got started he lost himself in the task until movement from the adjacent room alerted him to the fact that it was five-thirty in the morning and time to get ready for work.
--
When Don and Megan arrived at the office, he was thrilled to see the large envelope labeled "Photographs – Do Not Bend" on top of his desk.
"DOD was quick," Megan observed in mild surprise.
"Quick would have been yesterday," he grumbled as he carefully opened the envelope and removed the five glossy pictures inside. "I'm going to get set up in the conference room. Bring Colby and David as soon as they get in."
He left her sitting at her desk and flipped on the lights in the darkened room as he entered. Spreading the photos out, he studied them until he had them sitting next to each other in the correct order, revealing an overhead view of the entire eight and a half acres.
"Morning," Colby said as he strolled through the doorway.
"Glad to see you," Don greeted as he gestured at the table in front of him. "See what you think the best approach is going to be."
"No problem."
The senior agent smiled as he watched his coworker pour over the pictures, knowing that his military background always proved invaluable in situations like this.
"The gang's all here," Megan said cheerfully as she led David into the conference room.
"Last one in buys lunch," Colby teased without looking up from his work.
"Then you owe me lunch for the past week," David shot back.
"Anything?" Don asked, knowing his agents needed to feel relaxed but trying to remind them they had to move with a sense of urgency.
"I've got an idea or two," Colby nodded. "I figure Gardenia to stay holed up in the main house right here. The smaller house to the right is probably where his men stay. Down toward the tree line at the back of the house you can see two smaller buildings that are probably for storage."
"To stockpile his weapons and drugs," Don stated.
"That leaves this one building between the house and the front gate," Colby continued. "I would guess it's their garage and probably a lookout station, too."
"Makes sense," David agreed.
"He's pretty clever because he's got the entire perimeter of his property lined with trees, several feet deep by the looks of it. Great to keep prying eyes out and also great for hiding guards with rifles to handle intruders." He leaned back and shook his head. "It's going to be hard, but I think the best plan of attack is to have four men positioned directly behind each of the storage buildings, so once they neutralize anyone there they can flood out and attack from either side. Once that gets underway, Gardenia's men will be focusing back there and I think it will be easier to send more men barreling straight through the front gate to trap them on the property."
"Sounds good," Don nodded in approval.
"Once we clear the garage we can reevaluate the main house," Colby advised the others. "Gardenia will be trapped inside with nothing to lose, so we'll need to be careful we don't set him off. We might be in for a long standoff at that point."
"And we have such a good reputation when it comes to standoffs," Megan groaned.
"Pristine," Colby snorted. "Anyway, I'd still position a couple of men on either side of the area to keep an eye on the action and to offer backup if needed."
Don leaned over the pictures and ran through the plan in his head, making sure he had each and every step clear in his mind. After several minutes of silence he stood up straight and nodded to the others. "I think three cars through the gate, each with three men acting as a team. Two teams clear the garage while the third team heads for the main house if there is a safe opening to do so."
"The idea being if we can get to Gardenia, he'll call off the troops?" David asked.
"That's the idea, yeah." Don looked around at his team, raising an eyebrow in question. "Anyone else have anything to offer?" After they all shook their heads, Don gave them a confident smile. "Then let's nail this SOB."
--
Don impatiently drummed his fingers on the dash of the SUV as he eyed the gate a few feet up the road from him. He was currently sitting in the vehicle with Colby and Megan waiting for word from David and his men that they had secured the storage buildings at the back. At that point, Colby would send the SUV hurtling through the gate with the other two FBI vehicles right on his tail. Those two teams would clear the garage while Don led Colby and Megan toward the main house.
If David ever radioed.
Don glanced at his watch and blew out a deep breath. "Come on," he quietly urged.
"He'll get it done," Colby assured his boss. "Just give him another couple of minutes."
"I know," his boss growled. "I hate waiting though." He checked his earpiece, mike and weapons again for lack of anything better to do. That didn't kill enough time, so he pulled out a piece of gum and added it to the other piece he was already chewing.
"Bravo team is in," David's voice sounded on the radio. "Alpha team is clear to go."
"You heard the man," Don told Colby as he sat up straight and focused on the road ahead. As Colby gunned the engine and sent the vehicle speeding toward the gate, Don called out, "Alpha team is in transit."
"Roger," David radioed back. "Bravo team is holding for your go."
Don watched as the heavy front gate grew closer and closer, finally flying off to the side in three large pieces as the SUV plowed through it. The road before them made two sharp curves before straightening out and heading straight for the large garage. Don readied his assault rifle and glanced over his shoulder to see Megan copying his movements. He gave her a sharp nod and looked back through the windshield.
Colby slowed the vehicle and allowed the other two SUVs to blow past them, each one screeching to a halt on either side of the garage. Don watched as the two teams of three agents climbed out of the trucks, moving quickly to secure the building. They suddenly swung around the building and out of sight and soon the senior agent and his team heard gunshots being exchanged.
"Charlie Team, report," Don ordered.
"We're engaged with a handful of suspects – maybe five," Charlie team's leader told him. "We've got a handle on it. Alpha and Bravo are clear to move in."
"Bravo team," Don radioed to David. "Move in." Looking at his two teammates, he gestured ahead. "Let's get moving."
The senior agent darted out of the truck and to the side of the garage, edging along the wall until he could see the main house. He checked over his shoulder to confirm that Colby and Megan were with him, before turning back and studying the house through his monocle.
"No one's on the door," he told them. "I don't see any shadows in the windows, either."
"Odd if that's where Gardenia really is," Colby remarked.
"Maybe we really did get the drop on him," Don shrugged. "I say it's clear enough to make a run for the house. You?"
Colby shook his head. "Something doesn't feel right."
A loud explosion rang out through the air, shaking the ground the agents stood on. Realizing the sound had come from the back of the property, Don frantically radioed, "Bravo team, report!" The radio remained mute, the only sound in the sir that of the nearby gunfire and of large flames presumably burning in or near the back storage buildings. "David!"
"I'm okay," he finally answered. "One of the buildings exploded. One man's injured, but no fatalities. Looks like we're going to have company soon."
"What?" Don exclaimed. "I thought you cleared the area."
"I see four men coming from the back of the main house," he called back. "We're in a good cover position so we should be able to hold them off."
"Hang on and we'll try to get you help as soon as possible," Don told him. Glancing back at Colby, he said, "I think we have to move now. No telling how many more people they might decide to send David's way."
"Lead on," Colby told him.
Taking a deep breath, Don darted away from the garage and hunkered down behind an old jeep until his two teammates caught up with him. He eyed the distance to the house and decided he could make it in one more run without taking cover. He was turning around to communicate that to Colby and Megan, when a bullet slammed into the jeep right by Megan's head. All three agents pressed themselves lower to the ground as Don peered around the jeep. He saw a gunman leveling his rifle for another shot and motioned for the other two agents to stay down just as another bullet ricocheted off the old vehicle.
Adrenaline pumping, Don assessed his surroundings as quickly as he could. A glance behind him revealed that Bravo team was still engaged in a fierce firefight at the garage. He knew Charlie team was still pinned down in the back and – although he hated to drag anyone else into such an intense situation – he radioed for Delta team to abandon their lookout position on the side of the property and to provide backup for David and his men.
As he finished giving orders, Don looked up and saw the gunman who'd been talking shots at them disappear into the main house. He knew it was risky to still try to take the house, but he also knew that the gunmen might send more people David's way or even out the front door to go after him and his team. Not to mention he really wanted Gardenia.
"I'm going in," he told Colby. "Cover me and join me on my signal."
"Gotcha," Colby nodded as he and Megan readied their weapons.
"Now!" Don bolted from behind the jeep, adrenaline making his strides longer and faster than ever before. He reached the front door in less than five heartbeats, slamming his back into the wall and warily eyeing the opening in case the gunman reappeared. After a few seconds he motioned for Colby to come. As the younger man started to move, a heavy barrage of gunfire rained down on him from an upper story window in the house. Don held his breath as he watched Colby scramble for cover, only remembering to breathe when his radio crackled to life.
"Someone's got us pinned down here."
"I saw," Don replied. "You injured?"
"No, Megan and I are fine."
"Where did the shots come from?"
"Second story window, farthest on the left," Megan told him.
"Okay," Don called back as he debated his current situation. If he moved to rejoin his team, he would undoubtedly be cut down by gunfire. Charlie and Bravo teams were heavily engaged and he'd just sent Delta team to the back of the property so that left him no backup. Colby and Megan were pinned down and possibly sitting ducks if the gunman found a new angle. No, Don told himself. I won't let anything happen to another one of my agents. "I'm going to try to get up there and neutralize the gunman. Stay put until you hear my all clear."
"Be careful," Colby radioed back.
"Roger."
Don crouched low and peeked around the doorway, eyes scanning up and down until he was certain the doorway was clear. He took two deep breaths to slow his breathing and regulate his heartbeat, before taking a step into the awaiting gloom of the house.
--
Colston stood in the doorway of Gardenia's second floor office, watching the stairs at the end of the hall. He had two of his men stationed in the far room, laying down gunfire whenever Eppes' team tried to move from their cover. He knew that the agent wouldn't risk losing any more agents, so that meant he should be coming up the stairs any moment. As soon as he saw Eppes, Colston would make a point of darting into the room so the agent would follow. And then…
He glanced at Gardenia who nodded at him from the side of the room, gun in hand.
Colston shook his head and looked back to the end of the hall. If he held his breath, he thought he could just make out the sounds of light footsteps creeping up the stairs. After several heart-pounding minutes, Colston saw the tip of the agent's weapon as he started to crest the stairs. As soon as he glimpsed the agent's face, the criminal darted into the room.
"FBI!" Eppes hollered after him.
Colston didn't answer, merely waiting on the opposite side of the room from his boss, making sure Eppes would be able to see him clearly from the doorway. He was leaving himself open to attack as per Gardenia's orders, but they both knew an agent wouldn't kill a suspect unless he was being fired upon. Colston only hoped Eppes would see him and move in for the arrest, not paying too much attention to the rest of the room.
Soon the Kevlar-clad agent was in the doorway, his gun trained on Colston. "FBI," he repeated. "Throw your weapon down and put your hands behind your head."
Making sure he never looked at his boss, Joseph did as requested and defiantly eyed the agent. "He's gone, you know," he taunted. "My boss is where you'll never get to him."
"We'll see about that," the agent spat back as he cautiously peered around the room.
Out of the corner of his eye, Colston watched as Gardenia ducked and hid behind an armchair in an impossibly small space. Eppes gaze traveled the room, passing right over the chair, before coming back to rest on Joseph. As the agent stepped forward to cuff him, Colston saw Gardenia pop up from behind the chair and fire a single shot from his gun. His face broadened in a smile as Eppes grabbed his throat and fell to the ground, blood quickly pooling on the floor around him.
TBC