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John came fully awake. He flipped the phone in his hand open and saw that he had been asleep for a little over an hour. Rolling sideways he got to his feet and listened in the darkness. He didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Flipping the light switch on, he walked to the sink, dropping the phone in his pocket. Running water he splashed some on his face and dried himself off. He was going to need to shave. He was getting a little scruffy looking. He heard a noise in the bedroom and went to the door. It was almost 6 am. Opening the door, he saw Joan sitting on the side of the bed, clutching her jacket. The curtains were open in the living room and light came in through the open bedroom door.
Crossing to the bed he walked around to her. "Joan, what's wrong?" He saw the panicked look on her face; her body language was one of agitation. Worry and concern crossed his face. "Talk to me…"
"I want to go home." She clutched the blue jacket. "I don't like it here John, brings back to many bad memories." She stared at him for a moment then looked away.
Reese sat down on the side of the bed with her, reaching out slowly with his hand. "Joan?" he offered it in a friendly gesture. He saw her glance back at him, look down at his hand and then look away. But, she reached out with her left hand and gently grasped his. A smile touched John's eyes. "I know this is difficult for you, but I need a little more time to make the streets safe for you." He felt her squeeze his hand. "You know you don't have to live on the street, I could-."
"NO!" She launched to her feet, moving away from him. She went toward the curtains in the bedroom that were still drawn closed. Moving to the center, parting them just slightly, she looked out. Early morning light flooded in. "I don't like the view from up here." She let go of the curtains and semi-darkness returned. She turned back toward him. "I had that life John, I had this view, I was on top of my game and all it got me was pain." She hugged the blue coat. "I gave every ounce of energy to my profession. In a cut throat business I tried to help all those I could and when things went a little bad, those people I thought were my friends betrayed me." She drew in a ragged breath. "I loved a man with all my heart, gave him everything he ever wanted and asked so little in return and he died in the arms of a woman I thought was my best friend, in my bed…in my own bed John!" Her voice was embittered; her body started to sway back and forth, rocking, hugging herself.
John came to his feet and started toward her, sorrow written across his face.
"No, don't touch me…" She stepped back toward the curtains, her eyes reflecting the tears in what light there was from the doorway. "I don't want comfort from anyone…" She shifted slightly. "I live on the streets because that is where I feel most alive these days. I have everything I need and occasionally." Her head came up and she locked in on John's eyes with her own. "I find someone who needs looking after…"
John was about to say something, but the clone phone took that moment to buzz. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. "I've got to talk to these people." He saw her nod and turning back toward the bathroom; he walked in and shut the door. Flipping the phone open, pressing it against his left ear, he waited. He listened for a moment before the person on the other end spoke.
"You got my money, my drugs, smart ass?" The voice carried a heavy Mexican accent.
"Is this Alverez?" John's voice tone was even and flat. He looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes going that cold green, his jaw muscles tightened, his eyes narrowed.
"Yes, I am Alverez and who are you?"
John had been looking at himself in the mirror. He lowered his eyes, looking at the sink. "Smart Ass is as good as a name as any." His voice almost purred with anger. "But it's Mr. Smart Ass to you." He drew a steady breath, the smirk cross his lips. "You get your money and drugs back as long as you promise to leave the woman alone."
There was hesitation "Yeah…we'll leave her be." There was a laugh. "One hour, the old garage at 43rd Ave and 18th street…Better have my stuff."
"Two hours and I will be there…" Reese expected an argument.
"Fine." The phone went dead.
Reese pulled the phone away from his ear and punched the # sign, opening the speaker on the other end.
"I tell you Boss, he is one hombre malo." Jowl's voice.
"Well" this was Alverez, "he ain't going to be malo for long, when you shoot him down in the middle of the garage, he'll be dead." His voice was moving away from Jowls. "Find that woman and take her out too!" there was a laugh from somewhere. "Get set up. I want at least three men up on the mezzanine, use the AK's." There was the sound of footsteps walking away. "You four go with him since he seems to think this guy is so malo." His voice was fading "I'll be in the office when you get the drugs and money back…and it better all be there…"
"Just like when we did Alfonzo?" Jowl's voice sounded excited.
"Yeah, but I don't want Senor Smart Ass recognizable…like you left Martinez …no ha…" He was now out of range of the phone's microphone and there was just static.
Reese punched the end call button and reached up and touched his ear bud. "Finch?"
"Yes Mr. Reese, good morning?"
Reese sent a look to the ceiling and raised an eye brow. "Good Morning Mr. Finch. Sounds like you're feeling better this morning." A smile touched the corner of his lips and his eyes. "Going to be a little busy here this morning-"
"Yes I have been monitored the conversations. Your Mr. Mendez's is quite a busy man. He's been really talking you up-."
"Can you send me his location as of a few minutes ago?" Reese heard those quick fingers tapping away.
"Of course I can…" He was silent for a moment, "Sending you the address, now."
Reese turned and opened the bathroom door and stepped out. His eyes quickly scanned the bedroom. No Joan. He took four long strides and was looking in the other room, the guest bathroom door was open, the bathroom was empty, no one in the kitchen or at the dinner table. There was the smell of coffee. The sheets and blankets had been neatly folded and left on the corner of the couch. Both Joan and Megan were gone.
"What is your plan for this situation?" Finch had sat down in front of his computer monitors. He was running a program.
Reese said something under his breath as he rushed for the front door. "I'll call you back in a minute or two Finch…It seems Joan is feeling strong enough to take a stroll." He reached up and touched the ear bud, flipping the cloned phone closed he dropped it in his pocket. He ran out the door and headed for the stairs, throwing open the door he launched himself into a headlong plunge down the stairs, catching every third step down as he plummeted toward the bottom floor. He threw open the ground floor door as he heard the bell ring for the elevator. He quickly crossed to the elevator as the door open and blocked Joan from being able to get out.
Gently taking her by the arm he stepped her back inside, hit the close button and punched the code in for the Penthouse. He turned toward her, giving her his best stern look. "I need you to stay here for just a little bit longer, can you do that for me?"
She was hugging her blue jacket.
He had taken the baggies of drugs out and left the money. She hadn't said anything about the drugs so he was hoping she didn't remember.
"I want to go home John…" She looked back at him, giving him a look he hadn't seen in quite awhile.
His shoulders slumped, he had a flash back of the last time he had seen that exact look come across her face. He had reached for something that had caught his eye, it was resting on top of her cart. She had suddenly produced a thick staff, about three feet long and smacked him hard across the top of the arm. He had been so stunned he had not reacted. He just stood there staring at her. She pointed the staff at him. The look, coming to her face; it was a wild, mad woman staring back at him. 'This is mine; keep your fingers to yourself.' She had almost hissed it at him. She had always been so generous with everything else. It had shocked his liquor soaked brain.
He closed his eyes as the elevator continued its upward climb. He drew a deep breath and let it out, opening his eyes, his look became one of exasperation. Her wild eyed look didn't change. "How about we send out for a salad?
"I don't want a salad…" Her look didn't change.
Then he remembered. "There are still the little cakes and cookies from last night?" His voice was soft, his face animated a little. He hoped they were still in the refrigerator. He saw the look soften in her eyes, she blinked.
Her expression changed, the wild look going out of her eyes. "The little cakes?"
He nodded as the door to the elevator opened, he prayed the little cakes were still in there or he'd be dead meat. He stepped half way out of the elevator and gestured toward the Penthouse door.
Joan physically seemed to change, she straightened. Reaching up she touched a hand to her hair and then tucked a stray lock behind her right ear. The ever present blue jacket was snug under her left arm. She looked at John as if she were suddenly just seeing him. "This is nice of you John." She walked off the elevator and toward the door to the Penthouse.
Reese reached up and touched the ear bud.
"Yes Mr. Reese?" Finch's voice sounded in his ear.
"I need you to come to the Penthouse as soon as you can. There is a bag on the back shelf, above my little stash of things. It has a tag on it that says "important." Can you bring it with you?"
"I am on my way Mr. Reese."
John as he punched in the code for the door, reached up toward his right ear. "Thank you Finch." It disconnected before he touched it. He stepped back and ushered Joan back into the Penthouse.
She walked in and went to the dining room table and pulled out a chair. Sitting down she looked expectantly at John who was already heading to the refrigerator. Opening it he pull the white box out and said a little prayer before he opened it…Yes, there were little cakes. A huge sigh escaped between pursed lips. He turned and walked toward Joan, smiling.
POI
John did a couple things before he left Finch in charge of Joan. He dug into his black bag and pulled out a small remote transmitter and linked it to his and Finch's cell phones. Using his best stealth mode he dropped the transmitter into one of Joan's coat pockets. Then he gave Joan instructions. She needed to help Harold. He had a hard time getting around and she needed to help him. He hated to do it to Finch but he knew it would keep her here until he got back. Then he instructed Finch not to touch the blue jacket under any circumstances. With that he gathered his black bag marked "important" and headed for the meeting.
Once outside he found that the clouds were rolling back in and there was rain on the wind. That was fine. He pulled his cell phone out and punched the speed dial #2 button. Dropping the cell phone back into his pocket, he touched the ear bud.
It rang a few times and then Joss Carter answered. "So…what's new?"
Reese smiled. He was borrowing the car from Finch. Opening the trunk he put his bag there. "I have a question for you?" the smile continued, he closed the trunk lid. His eyes were never at rest, he scanned the area as he went toward the car door.
"Ok?" Carter was sitting at her desk in the bull pen; she turned slightly and sheltered her lips by putting her hand to the side of her face.
"Does the name Alfonzo Martinez ring a bell?" Reese heard her typing in the name.
"Yeah, open case, found dead in a warehouse/garage over at 43rd Ave and 18th street, they used AK 47's, shot the building up pretty good…We figured it was gang related…Why?" She got a devilish smile. "Please tell me you didn't shoot someone." Her voice carried a hint of laughter.
The smile went to his eyes. "Not yet, but…" he glanced at his watch, "in about forty-five minutes if you were to roll a swat team, you will probably find the shooters and the weapons they used. They are expecting me. I have another engagement, so I thought you could drop by and arrest them…" He opened the car door, slid behind the steering wheel and put the key in the ignition. "You'll find a stash in the North-West corner of the building." He pulled his seatbelt across his body and clicked it. Dropping the car into gear he sped off. He needed to be on his way to get everything done. "I'll call you later…" He reached up and touched the ear bud, ending the call.
POI
John glanced again at the address Finch had sent him. It was a small business area, a middle class area of New York. He had delivered the package to the garage. It had taken him a few minutes to slip in. Jowls and his compadres were moving around the garage area. It was larger than a normal garage but not a full sized warehouse. Reese listened to their conversations, most in Spanish, which he was fluent in now. He dropped the package off and headed out. As he was leaving the area, headed for Alverez he saw the swat team forming several blocks away. It made him smile.
Parking the car in a garage two blocks away from the address Finch had given him, Reese opened the trunk and took his black bag marked "important" out. Hefting the strap up over his shoulder he headed for the address. He went out the back way entrance to the parking garage and moved down the street toward the address.
The address was to an Import Company. The sign stated 'Alverez, Fine Hand Carved Mexican Furniture' There was a large front window that displayed several chairs, couches and a bed frame. The showroom was well lighted.
Reese stood in the shadows of the building across the street and watched the window for a few minutes. He pulled on a pair of soft deer skin black gloves as he watched two people in the store. A young woman with long dark colored hair, in her late 20's possibly a little younger. The other was a man in a tailored silk suit, early 30's. He had a heavy build, but it wasn't fat. He stood probably 6 foot even and he moved like a man who knew his body. Reese watched as the man said something to the woman. The woman's body language was one of fear. Then the heavy set man headed for the back of the building.
Reese crossed the street and went to the back of the building. It was nothing more than a narrow strip between the furniture building and the business directly behind it, a van might fit but not a semi or large delivery truck. It was considered a fire break lane.
Reese walked to the back door marked Furniture and looked at the lock, standard. He saw there were no cameras in the little alley but there was an alarm on the back door. It took him all of a minute to disable the alarm and slip into the back door. It started to rain as he entered.
As he had figured, this back door led to a storage area. There were several metal racks of varying heights with different styles of wooden furniture stacked on them. There was the smell of wood and polish in the room, along with the smell of processed cowhide. Most of the furniture had seats made of stretched hide.
Stepping between two high racks, toward the far wall Reese set the bag down he'd been carrying and unzipped it. He reached in and his hand found what he wanted first. He pulled out a Kilo of Cocaine. He had liberated this some time ago from some bad guys, and as he knew, you never could tell when you might need to plant something extra. A Kilo was long time jail term, and that's what he had left in the garage. Reaching in he took the same cloth he had previously used and made sure there were no prints on the taped package. Reaching over he placed it under a cushion on a couch, dogs would have no problem finding it. Next he put the cloth back inside the bag and pulled out a small canister about the size of his palm, it had a large ring attached to a pull pin, this he dropped into his pocket.
He located the office. It was a stand alone, segregated room with a door and medium sized window that faced horizontal to the back door, poor design.
The man he assumed to be Alverez stepped out of a doorway to an enclosed area and bellowed at the top of his lungs. "Maria, get the hell in here now…"
Reese stood still, waiting and watching.
The woman he had seen in the front came around a corner from what looked like a hallway. Her dark eyes were large and frightened. She looked up at the man and looked back immediately at the floor. Reluctantly she walked toward him, keeping her eyes lowered.
As she got close enough, he reached out and grabbed her by the arm, almost jerking her off her feet. She stumbled and would have fallen except for the fact that the man held her upright.
She gave a yelp of pain. She tried to dodge the back hand open slap but couldn't because he had her arm. She saw him closing his hand. "Please Senor Alverez I-."
He jerked her toward him, letting go of her arm and grabbing her by the throat. "I told you if you made a mistake again-."
He never finished his sentence.
Reese materialized next to him and with a sideways slam to Alverez' head, Alverez let go of Maria, and fell sideways to the floor stunned.
Reese gently caught Maria before she fell to the floor with Alverez and steadied her. Looking at her reddening face and neck, the look that crossed his face and eyes turned to stone.
Maria looked at the stranger, seeing the dead look come into his eyes she tried to struggle, whimpering.
"I'm not going to hurt you…" Reese's voice was soft and raspy "You're safe…." He gently let go her arm and smiled, it didn't go to his eyes. "You need to leave here, can you do that?" He watched her large expressive dark eyes look from him to Alverez on the floor and then back to him, he saw her nod. "Good, do you have a key to lock the front door?"
"Yes, in my purse…" She pointed toward the office. It is in there." Her hands were on her neck rubbing where Alverez had grabbed her. Her eyes went to Alverez as he moaned and moved slightly.
Reese kept the smile as she looked back at him. "Ok, get your purse; flip the open sign to closed, lock the front door on your way out. Everything will be ok; Mr. Alverez is going to have a going out of business sale." He saw her start toward the office door. She walked around behind Reese to tip-toe past Alverez as she went into the office and came back out.
Slipping past Alverez who was struggling to get to his hands and knees she started for the hall that led to the show room. She stopped just inside the hallway, and turned back toward Reese. "Thank you. I wanted to quit this job anyway…" With that she ran out.
Alverez staggered to his feet, remaining hunched over, and growling like a bear he ran headlong at Reese.
Reese moved lightly on his feet and side stepped the lunge as he sent another fist into the side of Alverez' head. He didn't see the knife flash until the last second. Reese tried to spin away and instead of being gutted, the knife cut through the flesh on his right side.
Alverez took the hit and staggered, but kept the knife at the ready in his hand. He caught his balance and turned. The man had been quick, damn quick. That move should have spilled his guts all over. He looked at him, his eyes narrowed as he took in the fit figure, the stance. "Smart Ass I presume?" He remembered how Mendez had described him, tall guy in a suit,
Reese pulled his right hand away from his bloody side. "I told you it was Mr. Smart Ass to you." John focused in on Alverez', dark eyes. He didn't look at the knife, he looked at the eyes, that's where the attack would start. He watched as Alverez rocked sideways slightly, coming up on the balls of his feet, his eyes narrowed and he lunged forward again, going left. But Reese had seen the shift in those dark eyes just before the move. He knew Alverez was really going to Reese's right, the injured side.
Reese countered the move. Letting the knife slip harmlessly past his right side, he twisted slightly and broke Alverez' arm just above the elbow. He heard the knife strike the cement floor. He rolled his hip, drawing Alverez' body to him and using the momentum sent the man flying into one of the metal stacks of furniture.
Alverez hit the metal rack and dropped to the floor, screaming in pain and rage.
Reese looked down at his side. Hearing noise he glanced back toward Alverez to see the man getting to his feet. John felt a little shock run through his body. Hitting the metal shelves as hard as he did, Alverez should not have gotten up.
John moved into a defensive stance, left foot forward, shoulders squared to Alverez, hands ready and relaxed. Again he looked to the man's eyes. He realized Alverez' right arm was dangling at an odd angle. He saw the move in those dark eyes before it was made.
Alverez bellowed and using his left arm like a claw he ran headlong at John. Spittle came from his mouth as he actually got a hold of John's suit jacket and with an incredible move of strength he jerked sideways.
They went down in a pile. Alverez, his dark eyes full of rage slammed his hand down on top of the cut flesh on John's side.
John felt the pain but would not let it register. He drew his left foot up then using his right hand like a wedge he shoved Alverez away from him. Reese rolled to his feet, didn't hesitate and stepped toward Alverez as the man scrambled to his feet and bellowing again lunged again for Reese. John stared straight at Alverez' eyes, He started to move to the right and then shifted his weight to his left foot and with a short kick he planted his heel to Alverez' right kneecap as the man took a step with his left leg. John felt the knee cap shatter.
There was a wild animal scream from Alverez and he folded to the floor.
John moved back, glancing around the little warehouse section of the store. Trying to hear over the moans and sobbing of Alverez John started to move toward where he had left his bag stashed. He would grab the bag; call 911 as he was leaving. He caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. His left hand reached back to the gun at the center of his back and in one fluid motion he pulled and fired as Alverez used his left hand to throw the knife that he had landed next to.
It was a sideways throw, there was a lot of rage and pain behind it, and it was very accurate. He died knowing he had hit his target.
POI