Chapter Five

ADA Ron Carver had his back literally and figuratively against the wall of Captain James Deakins' office. He could occasionally resist Detective Robert Goren. He could even occasionally, if more rarely, resist Detectives Alex Eames and Robert Goren. He could not, however, resist the combination of Detectives Alex Eames, Robert Goren, and Captain James Deakins, especially when they had evidence like this. And especially when ADA Ron Carver knew they were right.

"All right, detectives, you've convinced me...I think you've given me more than enough to convince a jury." Carver's tone was resigned. He wanted the trio facing him to know he was on their side. "But I'd like this to go as smoothly as possible. Is there any way you can convince Mr. Lamont to come to us?"

Alex shook her head. "He's refused to answer his phone...we know he's still at his home...even his lawyer hasn't been able to contact him..."

"We're going to have to arrest him at home," Deakins said quietly.

Bobby sat deep in thought, his head resting in his hand.

"Is there any way this can be done quietly?" Carver asked.

Deakins gave Carver a knowing look. "Pressure, Counselor?"

"Some," Carver replied. "No one wants to be associated with Mr. Lamont at this moment...which you must admit is understandable...but he's had powerful acquaintances in the past."

"We'll do this as low key as possible," Deakins said, "but I will not jeopardize anyone's life for the sake of quiet."

Bobby emerged from his trance. "I don't think," he said, "he'll come quietly. This crime...all of his actions...it's been about control...controlling his wife...controlling us...and once he realizes...and I think he has realized...he's no longer in control...his reaction will be violent..."

Even Alex was spooked by the intensity of Bobby's words and conviction. "Who else may be in the house?" she asked.

Bobby rippled through the papers in his binder. "There's two kids—one is at a prep school upstate—we've got a confirmation that she's there...but there's an eight-year-old son...we need to check with his school..."

Deakins sighed. "Well, let's hope young Mr. Lamont is happily bored in class today. Let's discuss our options."

It took some time and debating among the four of them, with Carver urging caution, Deakins favoring the safety of his forces, Alex wanting to take the guy out as quickly as possible, and Bobby trying to read Lamont's mind, before they settled on a plan. Just before Alex and Bobby left, Deakins received a call. From his expression, Bobby and Alex knew the call wasn't delivering good news.

Deakins hung up the phone, and spoke. "Francis Lamont, Jr., is not in class today. His father called the school to say he was sick."

Carver drew a breath. Alex managed to repress a shiver. Bobby accepted the information, cocked his head slightly, and said, "All right...we'll keep that in mind."

"Good luck, detectives." Carver's voice carried a slight tone of guilt.

"Be careful," Deakins added.

Bobby and Alex nodded as they left his office.

Bobby was quiet as Alex weaved the SUV in and out of traffic.

"You don't like this," she finally said.

"No," he replied. "Too many variables...too many things we don't know...don't control...and what we do know..." He looked at her. "But I know I have you."

"And I've got you."

Bobby's cell phone rang. He answered. "Captain...yes, that's good to know...yea, that's not so good to know...no, I'd appreciate you being there...yes, yes sir. Thank you."

"So," Alex said.

"We're batting .500," Bobby replied. "The son is with relatives on Long Island. But Mr. Lamont apparently likes guns...perhaps big guns."

"Great," Alex sighed. "No chance of a SWAT team?"

Bobby shook his head. "We don't have enough to warrant it...and there's a chance I'm wrong about all of this, Alex. Lamont might be quietly sitting in there doing his work... or he might not be there at all..."

"I'd bet on you," Alex said convincingly, "although I hope you're wrong." She slipped the SUV into a spot near a hydrant. "There's the house."

The Lamont house was a brownstone on a block of brownstones. At the end of the block Alex and Bobby could see a squad car pull up. It was a quiet weekday morning, and few people moved up and down the street.

"I wish we could've blocked the street," Alex said putting on her protective vest.

"I wish we didn't have to wear these things," Bobby mumbled as he wrestled into his. "They barely cover me..."

"Be a good boy, Goren, and I'll let you buy me lunch," Alex replied as she pulled her coat over the vest. She picked up her radio. "Captain, we're going in."

"Be careful, you two," Deakins replied.

Their outer coats on, Bobby and Alex strode up the street. Without thinking, they had fallen into step, Alex stretching her steps, Bobby shortening his. Their eyes were alert, watching for any sign of trouble. They reached the Lamont house, climbed the steps, and prepared to knock. Each carefully slid their hands to their weapons.

"So far, so good," Alex said, raising her hand to the door.

As she knocked, a young man emerged from the neighboring house. He gave Bobby and Alex a friendly nod. Bobby returned the nod and looked up at the windows of the Lamont house. A glint of metal caught his eyes, and Bobby's already racing mind moved into overdrive. The thoughts streamed through his head in seconds. He knew the glint was a gun, and that the gun was leveled at Alex and himself. He knew that the trajectory of any shot meant that the friendly young man would be hurt or killed. He knew that if he moved to warn this innocent he or Alex would be shot. And he knew what he had to do. He had to do what Alex would do if she were in his position, what any good cop would do.

Bobby reached across the railing and shoved the young man down the steps. "Gun! Window!" he screamed and spun as he drew his gun.

The first word was barely out of his mouth before a shot shattered the window and the quiet street. The force of the bullet hit Alex in the chest and forced her back against the railing. Another shot caught her just above her left knee. Alex staggered and fell down the stairs. Bobby managed to get off several shots towards the window before a third shot hit him in his right knee. He staggered, and a fourth shot hit Bobby as he fell. It slammed into the unprotected area just below his neck and just above his right shoulder. Bobby left red splashes on the stairs as he fell to rest near Alex.

A terrible silence descended on the street.

End Chapter 5