Arrival Overdue

Chapter 20
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The teams on the inside of the warehouse had received Bosco's transmission that the perps were entering the building and were preparing to head off the ambush. Faith noticed that the gunfire outside the building had quieted and was relieved to hear Bosco's voice to her on the radio so that she knew that he was okay. She looked over to see where Lt. Swersky was located and then looked over to Troopers Kavanaugh and Franklin. They had moved their prisoners out of harm's way in the event that gunfire was exchanged. Suddenly, there was a noise in the hallway outside of the room they were in and one of the prisoners yelled out to warn the gunmen where they were.

The officers inside the building remained quiet and listened for any noise that would tell them where the group was outside the doorway. Faith noticed a doorway on the other side of the room and signaled to the Lieutenant and the Troopers that she was going to make her way around and see if she could come in behind them. She knew there were only four of them from Bosco's transmission. The Lieutenant acknowledged her signals and signaled that he was going to go with her. They slowly and quietly made their way to the alternate doorway and peeked around the corner quickly. As she did so, the loose door jam that she was leaning against creaked, drawing attention. The four men turned and opened fire. Faith and the Lieutenant stepped back as Kavanaugh and Franklin came out from the other side.

Half of the group turned to return fire on the Troopers while the other two remained trained on Faith and the Lieutenant's location. Faith felt a burning pain in her shoulder as a bullet ricocheted off the metal doorframe and entered her shoulder. At the same time, she heard Franklin yell out that Kavanaugh had been hit.
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Bosco, the Albany Police and State Troopers were finishing putting their prisoners into cars to be transported for booking when they heard the gunfire break out inside the building.

As they were grouping outside to enter the building to back-up their fellow officers, Franklin came over the radio. "Shots fired. We have a Trooper down. Repeat, we have a Trooper down."

"10-4," replied one of the Troopers outside with Bosco. "Be advised, we're coming in. Repeat, we are entering the building. EMS is standing-by." Suddenly, the gunfire died down and another transmission was heard.

"We have all suspects in custody. Send in EMS. We have a Trooper down and numerous perps down."

Bosco took out his phone and made a call as he watched EMS enter the building and, a few moments later, brought out the injured Trooper Kavanaugh. He walked up to the stretcher to see how badly he was hurt. He had a leg wound and was in pain, but it appeared that he'd be alright. "Tell me you didn't kill Mason," Bosco said to Kavanaugh.

He shook his head and said, "No. I wouldn't deprive you of the pleasure of bringing him out. They've got him in there. I told them to let you come get 'em."

"Thanks, man," Bosco said, reaching out to shake the Troopers hand. "I called Jennifer. She's on her way to the hospital for you, but don't be getting any ideas."

"Hey, I tried that already. She's all yours," the injured man replied, getting a second glance from Bosco as he was loaded into the ambulance.

Bosco made his way toward the building as the other prisoners were being led out. He watched as Lieutenant Swersky brought Martino out of the building. He walked up to the man and said, "Good to see you again, Martino. Glad I could be here for the party." The man saw who was talking to him and only growled as he was led away.

He continued up the stairs and came upon Faith who was standing in front of Mason. He noticed the blood on her shoulder and quickly came over to her. "Faith, are you alright?" he asked with concern.

"Yeah. Just a flesh wound," she joked. "I believe this is who you're after, Officer Boscorelli," she said as she stepped aside and a look of shock came over Mason's face. Bosco stepped forward and took hold of Mason's arm, unable to contain the grin on his face.

"Now, where were we?" Bosco asked with a puzzled look on his face as he led Mason out into the night air. "Oh yeah. You were on your way to New York City, but this time you'll be facing the death penalty for the murder of one and attempted murder of another New York City Police Officer.

"How?" was all Mason could manage to say.

"Just livin' right," Bosco said, handing the prisoner off to one of the Albany Officers for transport to their holding cells until the DAs sorted it all out.

Franklin came up to Bosco and Faith as she was having her shoulder looked at by EMS. They were preparing to transport her to the hospital and Bosco would ride with her. The Lieutenant would give Franklin a ride over to the hospital to check on Kavanaugh. He shook Bosco's hand and inquired as to Faith's condition.

"Man, it's a good thing your partner was with us, Boscorelli," Franklin said with a smile.

"Why's that?" Bosco asked.

"Because around here, 10-13 means meal break," the Trooper joked and turned to leave with the Lieutenant as they all started to laugh.
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TBC...