Arrival Overdue

Chapter 19
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Bosco watched the four of them take up position just out of sight of the warehouse. He listened on the radio as final plans were confirmed among the team members preparing to enter the warehouse.

He marveled at how different the radio procedures were between Albany and home. He could still figure out what they were talking about, but it took a moment because he didn't know what their codes meant. But, after a while it started to make sense and he leaned back against the car to listen to the raid play out. He wanted so badly to be in there with them. He didn't like letting Faith go into these situations on her own. They knew how each other's minds worked and could talk to each other without even saying a word.

"At least," thought Bosco, "she has the Lieutenant with her." He listened to the tenseness of Kavanaugh's voice as he gave the order to move in. It wasn't that the Trooper was scared, it was just that no matter how well these things are planned out, there's always the potential for something to go wrong - the unexpected element was always out there, waiting to make an appearance at the worst possible moment. He felt himself tense as the teams moved in and waited for the voice over the radio to announce that the scene was secure and that all suspects were in custody.

After a moment, he heard each of the teams announce that their section was clear or secure and that they had subjects in custody. He relaxed and leaned back against the car, feeling the butt of the gun that he'd used at Jennifer's house against his back. He continued to listen to the now relaxed chatter between the teams on the radio as he noticed two cars coming down the street, their lights out and moving at a fairly fast pace.

As Bosco felt the hairs on the back of his next stand up along with the feeling of dread creep into his stomach he crouched down along the car, out of sight. He watched the two vehicles pull up in front of the warehouse and a group of about eight men exit the vehicles. He immediately knew that an ambush was going down.

Bosco grabbed the radio and keyed the microphone, "10-13, 10-13, Ambush!" At the same time, he glanced up at the street sign and opened the door to the unmarked Trooper car. He grabbed the microphone of the car radio, knowing that this radio was on the right frequency to call for back-up from outside of their operation. He said in to the microphone, "This is NYPD Officer Boscorelli, Shield Number 3359. Requesting assistance for officers being ambushed at the raid at South Swan Street. Repeat, officers need assistance. Ambush in progress." He waited a moment and was immediately acknowledged by the dispatcher on the other end of the radio.

"10-4 NYPD Officer. Additional units are on the way and I am contacting Albany PD also. They have been advised of your presence on the scene."

Bosco was relieved that his transmission was received. He turned back toward the group of men that had just exited the two vehicles and watched as they readied their weapons to enter the warehouse. He keyed the microphone to the portable radio and again transmitted, "10-13, 10-13, Ambush! Faith, Ambush!"
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The teams were in the process of taking the remaining few players into custody. It went surprisingly well and they took their targets by surprise. They caught Martino and Mason in the process of transacting business and Faith thought how upset Bosco would be to have missed the surprised looks on the men's faces at the sight of the task force in that warehouse.

Just as they were in the process of gathering everyone and heading out of the building, Kavanaugh's portable radio came to life with an urgent voice, "10-13, 10-13, Ambush!"

"What the heck is that?" Kavanaugh asked, looking at Franklin as Faith and the Lieutenant came up behind them with their prisoners.

"No idea," Franklin said as, after a moment, they heard it again, "10-13, 10-13, Ambush! Faith, Ambush!" The Troopers looked over at Faith questioningly.

"That's Bosco. He's telling us that we're about to be ambushed," Faith said, taking her gun back out of her holster along with the Lieutenant. "10-13 means Officers need assistance," she explained again, taking the portable from Kavanaugh.

"Bos. 10-4 on that message. What information do you have?" she asked him.

The response she received was, "Approximately eight subjects, entering the warehouse, heavily armed. I've called for assistance and they're in route," Bosco responded as he heard the sound of approaching sirens in the distance.

Knowing that all the teams had radios and heard the same information as he did, Franklin took the radio from Faith and said, "All teams, take up positions."

The teams all snapped into motion, preparing for the onslaught about to be brought upon them.
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Bosco finished advising Faith and heard the sirens getting closer. He reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He removed his badge and fastened it to his belt so that it was visible to the arriving police units. He took his gun out of his waistband and started toward the warehouse. He wasn't about to let his friends and co-workers be ambushed.

The eight men started to enter the building, but were stopped by someone behind them. "Police! Drop your weapons and put your hands up where we can see them," Bosco ordered. He wanted them to think there were more than just himself at that time. As if rehearsed, half of the group turned to face in Bosco's direction, the other half remained facing the warehouse, guns at the ready.

Bosco repeated, "Police! Drop your weapons and put your hands where we can see them."

As a couple of police units pulled down the street, with lights and sirens echoing through the night, the half facing Bosco opened fire into the darkness toward Bosco's voice. Bosco returned fire as the other arriving officers took up positions. An officer came up alongside Bosco, "You NYPD?"

"Yeah, Boscorelli," he said introducing himself. "The task force is still inside the warehouse. I advised them what's going on, so I'm guessing they're taking up positions inside."

The officer relayed the information into his radio as the gunfire continued. The four facing the warehouse made their way inside and Bosco brought the radio up and said, "Faith. Four are coming in. The other four are facing us. Be careful."

"10-4, Bos. We're ready," Faith answered as they heard the subjects making their way into the building.

Bosco and the other arriving officers were returning gunfire on those that were firing on them. Bosco hit one and two others were hit by the other officers, leaving one hiding behind a dumpster.

The officer that was with Bosco yelled, "Throw your weapon out and come out. Let me see your hands."

After a moment, the suspect threw his weapon out and emerged from behind the dumpster.
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TBC...