Chapter 14

"Hanson, what the hell are you doing here?" Ethan asked, looking up from his paperwork. He had noticed Doug and Tom as they made their way through the busy precinct and to his desk.

"I'm here to do my job." Tom answered.

Ethan shook his head. "I thought the doctor was going to keep you another night for observation for the concussion?"

Doug held up his hand. "Don't waste your breath Ethan. I've already tried talking him out of this. He's stubborn and when he sets his mind to something, there's no changing his mind."

"Hanson, a concussion is nothing to mess around with." Ethan stated. "You should really be in the hospital under medical supervision."

Tom let out a frustrated sigh as he ran his hand through his hair. "Okay, everyone listen up. I am a grown man and I can take care of myself. I don't need a doctor or you telling me what to do. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get to work and go get Vinnie." Tom took off for the door leaving Doug and Ethan staring at his back.

Alex walked up just as Tom had finished his speech. "What was that all about?" he asked.

Doug shook his head as he began to take off after his partner. "Don't ask." He said over his shoulder.

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Twenty minutes later the four officers were staked outside a small farmhouse on the north end of town. They were lucky enough to come across some information that this was where Vinnie and his associates were conducting their business. As the officers crouched down low behind the trees they could see shadows of the men inside the farmhouse.

"From what I can tell, there are at least five of them inside." Doug said as he lowered his binoculars. "So what's the plan?"

"You and Tom take the back door. Alex and I will take the front. Hopefully we'll catch them by surprise and can get the jump on them. Let's try to take them alive, but if worse comes to worse, you all know what to do." Ethan explained. He and Alex took off for the front of the farmhouse.

Doug followed Tom to the rear of the farmhouse. Each officer gripped their weapons as they crept along the side of the house. Tom neared the back porch when a wave of dizziness hit him like a ton of bricks. He reached out to steady himself against the railing. Damn it, not now. He thought to himself. His vision began to swim in and out of focus and he blinked his eyes rapidly as he tried to clear it.

"Hanson!" Doug whispered loudly as he had witnessed his friend's unsteady steps. A worried look crossed his face as he watched Hanson fight the dizziness.

"I-I'm fine Doug." Tom said as his vision finally cleared. "Really. I'm fine."

Doug was about to respond when Tom brushed past him and up to the back door. Sighing he followed his partner. Tom nodded for him to go ahead and Doug reached out and tried the doorknob. To his surprise it was unlocked so he quietly pushed it open. He waited for Tom to pass through the doorway before he followed. Once inside, they could see the five men sitting in the living room, deep in conversation. They decided to go ahead in further and catch the men off guard. Now seemed as good a time as any to make their move.

Tom raised his gun in front of him and walked into the living room, Doug close behind. "Okay boys. I want you all to slowly raise your hands where I can see them." He stated as he trained his gun on the criminals.

"Now!" Doug exclaimed as he came up beside his partner. His gun was also pointed at the men in the room. He watched as they slowly obeyed, each raising their hands up in front of them.

Vinnie looked up, a sarcastic smile plastered on his face. "Well, well. Officer Hanson, Officer Penhall. I'm so pleased to see you made it out of the warehouse. I thought that maybe you'd both be up talking to St. Peter right about now."

"Yeah, well sorry to disappoint you Vinnie." Tom said, a hint of sarcasm apparent in his voice. "I guess it wasn't our time yet. But, I'd say it was your time to take a little trip down to the precinct with us."

Vinnie shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, I have other plans you see. I've got some unfinished business waiting for me in Vancouver."

"Yeah, well, plans have changed Vinnie." Doug said.

"Sorry Officer Penhall, but it seems as though I will be going to Vancouver as planned. You, on the other hand, will be taking a trip of your own." Vinnie said, a smile playing on his lips.

A confused look crossed Tom's face seconds before he saw the gun being held against the back of his friend's head. He looked from his partner, to the man holding a gun on him and then back to Vinnie. Slowly he released the hammer on his gun and lowered it.

"Don't do anything stupid Vinnie." Tom said. "Let him go."

"Hand over your guns." The man said that holding Doug hostage. Tom did as he was told. He wasn't about to take a chance with Doug's life. Doug shook his head and handed over his as well. He watched as one of the other men stepped over to Tom and held a gun on him as well.

Vinnie walked up to Tom and smiled. Reaching up he gently slapped the side of his face. "Maybe you boys should let the real cops catch the bad guys." He laughed as he watched the anger cross Tom's face. "Take them out back." He said.

"What would you like us to do with them?" Doug's captor asked.

Vinnie glared at Tom and responded. "Put a bullet in their head and bury them."