Title:Buried
author: Cindy Ryan
Tim and Lucy were eating lunch when Tim's phone rang. Lucy saw Grey's name on the screen before Tim picked it off the table and answered. She'd been anxious all morning wondering what would happen with Reynolds and the sting operation. Lucy glanced at the clock and saw that the meet should've been over by now.
"Understood, we'll sit tight."Tim said ten minutes later as he ended the call.
Lucy had been surprised that Tim hadn't asked any questions; only listened to their C.O. Now he seemed to be gathering his thoughts as he turned to face her. Lucy tensed; waiting.
"Meet was partially successful."Tim reported grimly. "The guy meeting Reynolds gave the name of the ringleader."
"That's wonderful!"Lucy exclaimed with a smile.
"Downside is that Reynolds shot the guy that came to the meet and is in the wind."Tim continued angrily.
"Oh."Lucy said softly her smile fading. "How's the guy that Reynolds shot?"
"Died on the way to the hospital."Tim continued with a shake of his head. "Grey has a BOLO out on the ringleader. Only a matter of time now."
Lucy nodded. They were a step closer to closing this, but they'd been close before and had things turn against them.
"What can I do?"John Nolan asked quietly.
Wade Grey looked up from behind his desk as the rookie entered.
"Have one of the front desk officers show you the tip line area. You can help them sift through the calls coming in on Booker."Grey ordered.
"Yes, Sir."Nolan responded with a brief smile. "Thank you."
"I know today didn't go exactly to plan but we did get the end result we needed; concentrate on that."Grey stated.
Nolan nodded and left.
Grey watched him go for a long moment. Nolan,West and Chen had been unlikely friends but they'd been tight through the acadmey and after. Wade knew Nolan was feeling like a spinning wheel with nothing to do to help his friends. Not for the first time that morning Grey hoped the BOLO would put this mess to a fast end.
Daniel Booker stared at the screen of his smart phone in dismay. He had several text and instant messages warning him of the BOLO. With a sigh Daniel stood and left his office locking it. He knew he might not be back for awhile.
In the parking garage Daniel found his green jeep and got in. He took the pistol out of the glove compartment and checked the ammunition. It was tiime for Plan C which meant taking care of things himself. Something he should've done much earlier. He put the pistol back in the glove compartment. He got out of the jeep and went to the rear. He got out a spare set of license plates and put them on switching out the old. That would fool the police for a little while. Hopefully it'd be enough time. Getting back in the jeep Daniel drove out into the California sunshine.
An hour later Lucy had a comedy movie on the flatscreen tv in the living room. She and Tim had found a deck of cards and were playing a version of Rummy at the kitchen table. Lucy hadn't played since college and was losing badly. Though the cards did help distract her and for that she was grateful.
"What do you want to watch next?"Lucy asked to break the silence.
"I think there's a basketball game on; college."Tim responded as he put a card down.
"Okay."Lucy agreed.
Just then the tv shattered with a shower of sparks and glass with a loud pop.
"What?"Lucy asked in alarm.
"Down!"Tim shouted as he withdrew his gun and aimed it behind her.
Lucy dove for the floor. Then she scooted around so she was next to Tim behind the coffee table. She saw the hole in the window before the next bullet shattered the glass more and Tim fired back. Silence followed and Tim stood pulling Lucy to her feet and ushering her towards the garage. They almost made it before the patio door opened and a man stepped inside holding a pistol. He was in his late forties with dark brown hair and a beard. Slightly heavy set wearing jeans and a black t-shirt.
"You and your friend just couldn't leave the past buried."The man stated coldly as he walked forward.
Tim kept his gun aimed at the stranger moving to stand in front of Lucy.
"Booker."Tim said angrily. "How did you find us?"
"Doesn't matter."Booker replied. "Just know I'll make it as quick and painless as possible. I don't want to waste any time today."
"Put your weapon down."Tim ordered. "You're under arrest."
"That's cute."Booker replied with a smirk as he aimed his gun and fired.
Lucy screamed as Tim crumbled to the tile floor.