Flack had to get out.
He had cops, CSIs – everyone – searching the entire warehouse. He had to step outside to get some air – he felt like he couldn't breathe in that warehouse. He could smell blood, drugs – death. He just knew it was Kate's blood on that wall, and he couldn't stand the sight of it.
Standing out in the alley, the noise of sirens and cops yelling to each other all seemed to melt away as Flack focused on his breathing. He took three deep breaths, and choked back a sob. He couldn't let his guard down – especially not now when Kate was out there depending on him to find her.
"Excuse me, sir?"
Flack turned around to see an older woman standing nearby, looking at him. Flack cleared his throat and asked what she needed. "Are you looking for the man who was here earlier today?"
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Flack didn't waste any time. He called out to Mac and the rest of the CSI team to come out and listen to what Marilyn Lutkins had to say.
"He left about half an hour ago, you guys were about 20 minutes too late. He drove away in this white Sedan…."
Mac interrupted her. "Did you see a license plate?"
Marilyn looked startled by the sudden question. "Well, I-I didn't think of it, but now that you mention it I believe it started with a 72..something. Maybe my husband can tell better. Herman? Did you see the license plate of that white Sedan next door?"
Flack sighed, getting frustrated with the old couple. Stella touched his arm to keep him calm. Losing his cool wouldn't help Kate.
An old man limped over to Marilyn, using a cane to assist him. "You say something, Marilyn?" Flack sighed again, and Stella gave him a stern but sympathetic look. "Oh, the Sedan parked next door? Yeah, it's been there a few times. Goes away, comes back. Over the past week or two I'd say."
"Did you see a license plate, Mr. Lutkins?" Mac asked again, not letting Flack speak for fear of an outburst.
Herman hesitated, thinking. "Yes, actually. I like to note strange things in the neighborhood – kind of what I'm known for. Anyway, I think it was 920-PKA." Flack was on the phone calling in an APB before Herman even finished his sentence.
The CSIs thanked him before following off after Flack. Herman and Marilyn looked at each other and shrugged.
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Flack had never sped so fast before in his life. Almost as soon as the APB was put out, a call came in seeing the vehicle heading toward Brooklyn. Mac, Stella, Danny and Hawkes followed. Lindsay was ordered back to the lab to help Adam - Mac reasoned that she'd be more help in the lab then driving around New York.
Flack found out that the car was parked at a private airport. He saw the car before he saw the hangar. Concerned Kate might still be inside, Flack didn't ram the car like he wanted to. He threw the car into park, and drew his gun even before the others arrived. Flack didn't hesitate as he headed toward the open hangar, but stopped when he heard a gunshot. Someone was firing at him.
Danny pulled his car in front of Flack, protecting him from going too far and the gunman from shooting him. Hawkes rolled out his side and Danny opened his door, slipping out the side and going around the back of the car. Mac and Stella pulled up next to them – guns drawn. They stood down, though, waiting for more gunshots. None came. A voice, however, did.
"Detective Flack. Good to see you and your cavalry showed up to see the show. I knew it was a good move to park my car at that warehouse. Old man Lutkins checks out every strange car in his neighborhood. I knew it wouldn't be long until he phoned it in. Have you been to the warehouse? Nice isn't it. Roomy. But your girlfriend can tell you all about her experience there. Or, maybe she can't."
The voice was coming over a loud speaker and Flack had to use the radio in his car to call out to the bastard. "Who are you? What do you want?" Flack asked, not wanting to play his games.
"I thought I made that clear that my goal was to hurt you in the way you hurt me."
"Then take me!" Flack said. "Let Kate go, she's innocent in all of this. Take me instead!"
The voice laughed. "Who said she was innocent? Detective, were you aware that your girlfriend was involved with my brother when you were still courting her?" Silence. Flack wasn't aware of Kate dating anyone when they started seeing each other. "Oh, I guess not. I just can't seem to keep a secret, now can I?"
"Don't let him get to you, Flack," Danny said. "This bastard is probably lying to get a rise out of you."
Flack acknowledged what Danny said, but still had doubt. "So what does all of that have to do with me? She didn't have to date me if she loved your brother."
The voice laughed. "Loved? More like she screwed my brother. And, poor bro, he was arrested by an arrogant cop named Donald Flack."
"I've arrested a lot of people. Why don't you give me a clue as to who your brother is?"
"Was. You see, my brother died before his trial could even start. They said he killed himself, but I think he had some encouragement."
The CSIs were thinking of possible cases where this happened over the past few years. Flack was still caught up in the voice. "I never encouraged anyone to kill themselves. What would make you think I'd make your brother an exception?"
"I was told you were pushing for my brother's arrest, and if you knew my brother, he was not a selfish man. He was religious – and if you read the Bible, you will find out that suicide is frowned upon. It made sense that he would have some help."
"Kevin McCohn," Hawkes spoke up. "About a year ago, he was arrested for a simple possession charge but was found hanging in his cell a week before his trial. It has to be him."
Flack barely registered what Hawkes was saying, and tried to remember the case. He actually did. He was trying to remember if Kevin had a brother.
"That's right. I told his brother what happened," Stella said. "Flack, his name is Chase. Chase McCohn."
Flack nodded. "You're wrong, Chase. I didn't want Kevin to die anymore than you did. It was only a possession charge – just some weed too, right? Not even a serious charge of cocaine or heroin." The voice was silent when he realized Flack knew who he was. "But Kevin was sick. He had psychological problems, as I'm sure you were aware. He did it himself. It wasn't my fault, and it's not your fault. These things happen. It's not fair to drag Kate into this."
"Shut up!" the voice yelled. "So, you know me. Fine. But you're wrong. Kevin didn't have problems – he was a great guy who was always there for me. He never did anything wrong in his life; except getting involved with this bitch. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"
Over the loudspeaker, they heard a woman whimpering. "Not..true..Don," the woman said. Flack's heart broke. It was Kate.
Mac signaled Flack to not get emotional. But Flack couldn't bare it any longer. "Don't worry, babe, I'm here!" he said. He heard the sound of a hard slap, and knew Chase had hit Kate again. His heart sank. He couldn't take it.
He stepped out from the truck and into the open space. "Enough! You want me, Chase? You want to teach me a lesson? Then take me! Take me out right now, just let her go!"
The CSIs tried to move the car to get Flack behind some cover, but Flack refused it. Chase spoke again. "Sorry, Detective. That's not how this is gonna end. I don't want you to die, I just want you to watch someone you love die. See you soon."
Everyone stood still. No one knew what was going on, and all of a sudden they looked toward the opening of the hangar and saw who they assumed was Chase McCohn holding a gun to a beaten Kate Monroe's head. Flack's heart sunk even further, and he drew his gun, ready to kill the bastard on sight.
"I come in peace, Detective," Chase called out to Flack. "I have no backup, no other men. I am aware that after I shoot Miss Monroe you will take me into custody or even shoot me yourself, and I am OK with that. I am at peace, for 'yea I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil.'"
Seeing Kate the way she was, tears formed in Flack's eyes. He barely registered what Chase was saying; he was too busy focusing on the fear in her eyes.
"Say goodbye to your whore, Don," Chase said. Kate closed her eyes tightly.
A gunshot rang.
Chase fell to the ground.
Kate fell next to him.