Chapter 51
Hey guys, here's another chapter. Enjoy and review, smiles.
Billy Donovan was five minutes out. "Get frosty, boys. Williams said our Russian fugitive is holed up in a
hotel. I checked the hotel schematic, we'll run hostage situation C., everyone clear?"
Heads bobbed in affirmation.
"This guy jumped a questionable bail after committing cold blooded murder. He's also a vicious rapist.
Snipers, if you get a shot, light him up. If he doesn't cease and desist, take him down."
"Yes sir!"
"Two minutes out, sir." The pilot called back.
"I'll text Williams."
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Danny read his phone. "Two minutes out. Let's head back, you watch from the lobby. I think he's in for
the night. But we don't want to lose him now."
"That's a big 10-4. I'll sit in the lobby discreetly."
"Stay in contact."
"Will do."
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The helicopter landed and the S.W.A.T. team deployed. They met the detective when the elevator's
doors opened. The team piled in; it was tight quarters. "Suspect still there?" Donovan asked.
"I got eyes on the room. My man will let us know if the situation changes."
"Excellent."
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Chin sat down facing the hotel but was obscured by a large leaf plant. It ruined a sniper's sight, but at
ground level, he was under the greenery. He fussed with a newspaper to look busy while keeping his
vigil.
The hotel remained calm, still.
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Jenny finished taking Steve's vitals. Everything was normal. "You can sit in your wheelchair until all this
is resolved." She took a shaky breath. "If we have to move, I'll come get you."
"Negative. If things go south, you hussle the staff into the lounge and lock the door. I'll be backing up
Grover and Catherine. Civilians best be out of harm's way." He caught the nurse's facial expression.
"Don't argue with me." Steve said firmly.
"Steve's right. No debating this point, Miss Jenny." Lou agreed.
After a moment, she nodded her consent. She left to make preparations, just in case.
Steve took out the back up gun Danny had given him and checked the sights. He chambered a round.
"If George does make it up here, that would be the very definition of a blood bath."
"No worries. I know Donovan's rep. This will go down easy, by the numbers." Lou reassured the navy
personnel.
"Until it doesn't." Steve said quietly.
"Let's hope Lou's right. Don't borrow trouble, mustang." Catherine said just a bit louder.
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Dennis didn't like what George was watching. He got up and decided to take a shower.
"Where you go?"
"Bathroom. I'd like to take a shower."
"Go get bucket of ice first."
"I already took my shoes off." Dennis complained. "I don't want to go downstairs. The clerk just stares,
watches."
"Probably wondering what it is I see in you." George grinned. "Now get me ice!"
Dennis put his socks and shoes back on and picked up their plastic ice bucket. "I'll be back."
"Take key, I'm not getting up for you. Hurry up."
"I'm going." Dennis finished tying his shoes and checked his pocket for his room key. "I wouldn't think
of disturbing you."
"You are wise."
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Donovan had his team fan out from the side doors of the hospital. He had a sniper across from the
room, one above and rest of the men prepared to breach from each side. His second-in-command, Paul,
the S.W.A.T. man in the lobby, had the owner shelter in his bathtub with his wife.
He keyed a morse code into his radio when Dennis appeared. S-T-A-N-D B-Y
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Dennis walked into the lobby and went to the ice machine. He chanced a look at the check-in window
and was pleasantly surprised: the guy wasn't there. He opened the ice maker and threw the empty
bucket into the ice bin. He grabbed the scoop and started filling his receptacle. The lawyer never
noticed Paul, who was approaching him from his blind spot.
Paul covered Dennis' mouth with his gloved hand. "Dennis Goodweather?"
Dennis dropped the scoop in the ice bin and froze. He nodded with alarmed eyes.
"Hands where I can see them. S.W.A.T. We're here for George Federchuk. Is he in the room?" Paul
whispered in Dennis' ear, keeping his hand over the lawyer's mouth.
Dennis nodded.
"You got a room key?"
Dennis again nodded.
"If I take my hand away and you make a sound, I'll knock you out, got it?"
Dennis nodded yet again.
Paul took his hand away as another team member joined them. The newcomer, Chet, took Dennis'
hands and placed him in handcuffs, then patted down the conspirator turned informer. He found the
room key and handed it to Paul. "We're in business."
Paul took out his cell phone and called Billy Donovan. "The hostage is out, safe in the lobby. I've got a
room key."
"Okay. Plan change. Breach plan A. Stash Goodweather out of harms' way. Stand by, we'll go when
the ropers are ready."
"10-4."
Seconds later, another morse code clicked over the radio: P-L-A-N A
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Jim and Mark broke away from their respective teams and headed for the roof. Thankfully, they had
rappeling gear in their back packs. They added the needed extra gear to their bodies as they ran to the
roof together.
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A green laser light flashed a dot on Steve's closed drapes. It lit up the room with an eerie green glow.
From the other side of the room, Catherine, Steve and Lou exchanged looks. "It's 'go' time." Lou
whispered.
In the break room, after Dr. Charity joined the staff, Jenny sat on the floor and prayed for a successful
conclusion and for the safety of the men executing the 'grab and nab'.
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The S.W.A.T. men 'leaped frogged' down the hall, taking refuge in shallow doorways as they advanced.
Chet put the key in the door as Paul keyed his mike. "Go, go, go!"
Billy Donovan heard his second-in-command give the 'go' and he lowered his night vision field glasses
and watched the operation unfold through his heat signature apparatus. He saw the heat signature of
George Federchuk, lounging on the bed nearest the door.
Paul, Chet and three other men stood outside the room's door, ready to breach and swarm. Phil, the
breach man, moved into position. Deciding to ignore the room key entry, he kicked the door in.
George was dozing, waiting for ice for his nightcap. What was taking the idiot Dennis so long? He
caught himself snoring and shook himself awake. He yawned as he fingered the gun near his hip.
Suddenly, the room's door opened inward violently. He realized what was happening immediately and
managed to get a wild shot off before five men surrounded him with much bigger guns.
Paul was the first man through the door, as was customary. He saw Federchuk's hand make a fast
move and ducked Federchuk's shot, that went through the door just above his head. He then took a
running start and jumped on the bed, leveling his weapon at the big Russian's nose. The rest of the
team ran in and surrounded the bed with weapons leveled at the suspect's head, chest and groin.
For one crazy moment, George considered diving out the window, take his chances on the awning
breaking his fall. But Jim and Mark came through the windows at the same time, mere seconds after the
five men swarmed him. They too leveled their weapons toward the bed, covering their teammates, still
tethered to their ropes.
Paul kicked George's handgun out of the fugitive's hand and took a deep breath. "George Federchuk,
you are under arrest."
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Billy Donovan broadcast an 'all clear.'
Danny and Chin watched from the hospital lobby as first Dennis then Federchuk were walked out of the
hotel in handcuffs.
From the fourth floor window in Steve's room, Lou, Steve, Catherine, Jenny and Dr. Charity watched as
the fugitives were escorted to waiting police cars.
Dr. Charity quickly sized up George Federchuk's physical size and compared him to Steve. "Seeing this
Russian … (she searched for words) … gargantuan, Steve, I'd say you were very lucky. Lucky indeed."
"Agreed. Once he had me down unconscious …" Steve started to say.
"The police arrived, arrested him and saved you." Dr. Charity finished.
"Not exactly." Steve said slowly. "A cat saved me, actually."
"Pardon me." Dr. Charity blinked.
"That cat hated that big Russian. She saw an opportunity and took it. Kitty jumped on his head and
clawed the holy shit out of his scalp and shoulders. He lost interest in me to get the angry cat off him.
Then, Detective Williams arrived and saved me."
"We owe that cat a lifetime of Tender Vittles." Catherine said.
"No, Fancy Feast. Only feline's finest is fit for that kitty." Steve agreed and upgraded.