Title: 24-7
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
They arrived at the Long Beach marina to find it being evacuated. Civilians were being ushered out by uniformed officers. The recognizable SWAT black armored vehicle was parked behind a series of storage buildings on the left side of the parking lot. From what Eddie could tell it wasn't visible from the boats. Chris parked the car and she and Eddie got out and fast walked to the SWAT team. They were assembling by the front of the SWAT vehicle. Traditional black uniforms and bullet proof vests. Introductions were made and Chris asked which boat was the one Gonzalez had been spotted in. Bivens a red haired tall thirty something male pointed to a slip near the front of the marina. A small schooner was there with brass portholes and wooden railings. The mast was tied and white in color. They could see no movement on board.
"Boat is registered as Silver Wave."Bivens reported tersely. "We're doing thermal heat scans now. Last reported sighting of Gonzalez was two hours ago."
Eddie texted Berto with an update and the name and location of the boat.
"How soon before you move?"Chris asked. "We've got a clock on the ransom."
"As soon as we get..."Bivens started.
The ground rocked from an explosion. Instinctively everyone ducked for cover using the SWAT vehicle for protection. Eddie's ears were ringing and he felt his stomach roll with nausea. He didn't want to look at the marina; didn't want to have his fears confirmed. Couldn't believe that he was too late. No, please, no...seconds later Eddie heard Chris gasp in horror and he knew where the explosion was. Eddie's knees became wobbly and he clung to the SWAT vehicle for support.
"Damn it!"Bivens swore. "Get LAFD on that fire now! We're going in as soon as it's safe!"
Finally Eddie gathered his resolve and looked over the front of the SWAT vehicle. Pure horror and grief hit him in the gut as he saw the fiery husk of what was left of the Silver Wave. Seeing the flames instantly took Eddie back to his childhood and his parents store. Eddie swallowed hard and focused on the present.
"Sam."Eddie whispered his voice catching.
"Easy."Chris advised gently as she touched Eddie's right arm. "We don't know anything yet. Gonzalez has been elaborate so far this could just be another production."
"Better be."Eddie nearly growled his gaze fixed on the fire. "If she's dead..."
Eddie let the threat trail off and Chris's attention returned to Biven's and his team. Stepping away from the SWAT vehicle Eddie struggled to compose himself. He ran a hand over his face and took several breaths.
Everything Eddie had tried to prevent was happening anyway. He was supposed to protect Sam. Just like Marnie Eddie had failed. Grief and shock were mixing with disbelief and hope as Eddie watched the LAFD put out the fire. Bivens and his team were working to get confirmation of the last time Gonzalez had been seen on the still stood near the front of the SWAT vehicle. The shock and exertion of the day were making his hands feel like blocks of ice. Eddie knew his face had drained of color after the explosion and still not returned to normal. Especially with the worried looks Chris was shooting him.
Eddie in a rare moment of embracing technology had FaceTimeed Berto.
"I heard the scanner calls. She couldn't have been on the boat when it blew."Berto stated quietly.
"I don't want to believe it..."Eddie started.
"No I mean I was just about to call you."Berto said excitedly."We just got another proof of life. Video file sent to the office email. Time stamp was after the blast."
"Bastard's playing me."Eddie snarled.
"Using Sam to do it."Berto agreed grimly.
"Send that video to Chris and me."Eddie ordered.
"Got it."Berto replied. "Oh and Syd texted she's still trying to get ahold of Sam's friends to get the ransom together. One of them is out of the country so dealing with time zones."
"Keep me posted."Eddie acknowledged as he ended the FaceTime.
Eddie caught Chris's attention and motioned her over. Just as she reached him Eddie's phone beeped with the incoming video from Berto.
"She's not dead!"Eddie exclaimed excitedly motioning to the phone. "Berto got another proof of life video time stamped after the explosion."
Relief washed over Chris's face as Eddie pulled up the video on his phone. Eddie's grip tightened on the phone as Mark Gonzalez's face appeared. The ex-cop appeared to be in a warehouse. Large dark room with cement floors. Sam could be seen in the background tied to a chair and gagged.
"Eddie, it's been such a long time."Gonzalez began with a wide smile. "How are you liking my revenge so far? A pity such a beautiful creature had to get caught in the web as well but it was the best plan. Clock is ticking, Eddie. I get my money and you get the girl and we all live happily ever after."
Gonzalez stepped out of camera range and the camera zoomed in on Sam. She was limp in the chair and Eddie saw blood on her forearms and neck. A small mirror was placed under Sam's nose and then the condensation on the reflective surface shown to the camera as proof of life. Eddie breathed a sigh of relief. Not that he hadn't believed Berto but seeing it was another thing. However, knowing they had hurt Sam made Eddie's anger surge ten-fold. Gonzalez would pay for that.
"She's alive, Eddie."Chris said quietly. "Hold on to that. Let's get back to the station."
Nodding grimly Eddie put the phone away and followed Chris back to her car and climbed in. Minutes later they were driving away from the marina and the still burning wreckage of the Silver Wave.