Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Author's Note: Many thanks to those who reviewed the previous Chapters. I hope you enjoy Chapter 4.
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Chapter 4
Walker stole through the house at 4:30 Tuesday morning, not turning any lights on. As he came down the stairs he noticed a figure in the kitchen. He approached quietly, then stealthily reached for the light switch and flipped it on. Sam spun around and jumped back.
"Walker!" she hissed. "You nearly scared the life out of me!"
"Sam," he whispered, "what are you doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep. Thought I may as well get up and make some coffee. I knew you were planning to leave early and figured you might like a hot cup before heading out. I left the lights off, 'cause I didn't want to wake anyone else." She reached for the full pot and poured two cups at his nod of agreement. "Is everything set up for the bust?"
"Yeah," replied Walker quietly. "We know where the exchange site is and were able to get the necessary warrants last night. So hopefully in a few hours it will all be over."
"Can I ask what the plan is?"
"He has some stock at a warehouse, but the sale will be at a farm. Ranger Perkins will spearhead taking down his warehouse. Trivette and I will lead a team against the farm. Gage and Max will be with us."
"Where's the farm?" she further queried.
"About a half hour east of town on Highway 20. We know Granger went there after he left C.D.'s last night, and so far he's still there. As soon as the buyer shows, we'll take them all down."
"Well, when it's all over call me at C.D.'s, please."
"You're not going to be here?" Walker questioned with concern.
"I have a delivery coming early this morning, and I need to be there," Sam answered. "I can't postpone it. Don't worry I'll be careful. Besides, Toby will be with you," she finished with a smile.
"I still don't like it," he returned. "Just make sure Syd goes with you."
"She's already planning on it. We discussed it last night on the way here."
Walker glanced at his watch as he finished his coffee then put the cup in the sink. "I better get going. We're all going to meet at headquarters before the bust." With that he grabbed his hat and headed for the door.
"Y'all be careful," Sam called softly before shutting the door behind him and sitting on the couch.
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Greg stood in the loft of the old barn watching the men on the main floor. A few stood guard around an unmarked truck while the rest watched the windows and doors. He glanced behind him at The Boss, who stood staring out a window with clouded eyes and a deep frown. Greg didn't know what was wrong, but ever since The Boss had come in last night tension had been high. Everyone was on eggshells, wondering when his mood would improve.
"Boss!" called one of the men from below. "Someone's coming."
Granger walked to the end of the loft near the door and looked out the window there. He saw a limousine approaching and made his way down the stairs, followed by Greg. "There's Mr. Thomas!" Granger shouted to his men. "Everyone look alive!" He moved to a table that had been set up in front of the truck. Laid out on the table was a varied assortment of weapons, including a number of handguns and rifles, AK47's, grenades, and a shoulder mounted rocket launcher. He waited patiently as a door was opened and a tall, slim man with thinning gray hair entered and stepped toward him. His apparel and air denoted his wealth and etiquette.
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Walker and his team were entrenched in the trees that surrounded the property. "Is anyone in the house?" he inquired of the man next to him, who had been standing guard most of the night.
"When I got here everyone was in the barn. We haven't seen anyone leave," he replied, speaking of his counterpart who was stationed on the other side of the barn.
Walker turned to Trivette, Gage and Max, who were all with him. "We have to make sure we get Granger. Keep your eyes open for him." They all heartily agreed. Turning back to the barn they all saw a black, stretched limousine pulling up the drive. The driver stepped out, carefully looked around, and then opened the back door, allowing an older gentleman to exit.
"That's him!" stated Trivette excitedly. "That's Arthur Thomas!"
"Good," commented Walker. "Let's get ready to move in. Gage and Max, your goal is to make sure we get Granger. Work together and stay on top of him. I don't want him escaping again." Here Walker reached for the radio and called to the other units, "Everyone move in. Stay low and quiet. Let's try to keep them inside."
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Syd pulled her car into a parking spot in the alley behind C.D.'s. Then she and Sam alighted and entered through the back door. Syd went to the jukebox and set it to play random selections, and Sam started a pot of coffee and turned on the espresso machine.
"So, Sam," queried Syd, "What's coming in this morning?"
"A food shipment," she replied. "Some of it is perishable. I need to get it off the truck and into my freezer. That's why I couldn't postpone it. Besides, some of it is for tomorrow." She forced a grin as she looked across the bar at Syd, but could not hide the concern she was feeling.
It was apparent to Sydney that Sam's thoughts were divided. Her eyes kept darting around and she was very subdued. Then Syd saw her do something that she had never seen Sam do before. She carefully pulled out her gun, checked to make sure the magazine was full and a round was in the chamber, and then switched off the safety before returning it to the holster inside her waistband. Now Syd's own worry spiked.
"They'll get him you know," Syd stated quietly. "Do you really think you need to carry hot?"
"Syd," answered Sam, her voice full of apprehension, "I know they are the best at what they do. But I also know that Toby has an uncanny ability to escape anything. In the unlikely event that he gets away and comes here, I don't want anything standing in the way of me being able to defend myself."
Syd just nodded at her friend. They sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts, until they heard a knock at the door. They cautiously approached, and were relieved to find that it was the delivery they were waiting for.
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"How are you this morning, Mr. Thomas," Granger called out as the buyer approached him.
"Fine so far," Thomas replied in a thick Louisiana accent. "And you? I trust you've had no problems with my order?"
"Not at all," stated Granger. "Everything that you've requested is here. As soon as we conclude our business, one of my men will drive the truck back to your warehouse. All that is left is for you to approve the order and pay for it."
"Just as we arranged," Thomas concurred as he inspected the arms set out on the table. "Fred, my briefcase please," he called to his chauffeur. Once Thomas had taken it, he opened it up to reveal stacks of bound one hundred dollar bills.
"Very good, sir," Granger said. Just then the doors burst open and the Rangers, state troopers, ATF and FBI rushed in. Toby was shocked to look into the eyes of Sam's friends as they came straight for him. He turned and ran past the truck then ducked behind it. Then he rushed up the stairs at the back of the barn to the loft, made his way to one of the windows, and climbed out.
Gage and Max were focused on Toby and left his men to everyone else. They saw him look right at them before turning to run. Each took one side of the truck to follow him, and they reached the bottom of the stairs just as he reached the top. Charging after him, they got to the top just in time to see him go through the window. Both rushed over and looked out. Beneath the window was a large pile of hay, and running toward the trees was Toby. In seconds, Gage and Max were out the window and following him.
A fracas erupted upon the entry of the peace officers. Several of Toby's men pulled guns and began firing. A few went down in the exchange of bullets. It wasn't long before the rest were trying to fight their way out. Walker and Trivette moved to restrain Mr. Thomas and his chauffeur. They were surprised when Thomas simply put up his hands and waited. It was all over in a matter of minutes.
"I choose my fights carefully, sir," stated Thomas as Walker cuffed him. "I could see that this was a losing battle."
"So are you going to tell me what you were doing here?" questioned Walker.
"For that I will need my attorney," he replied quite cordially.
"Walker," called Jimmy from across the room, where he stood with another officer and Greg Palmer.
"What is it, Trivette?" queried Walker as he came closer.
"This is Greg Palmer, The Boss' right hand man," said Jimmy in introduction. Both men could see that, although the man was very sullen, he was even more afraid.
"Are you willing to talk to us?" Walker asked him.
"No," was all Greg said.
"Will you identify The Boss for us?" persisted Walker.
Greg remained silent.
"That seems to be the general consensus among all the men, Walker," commented Trivette. "Everyone is too afraid to talk."
"Where are Gage and Max?" continued Walker.
"I saw them head out the upstairs window," responded Jimmy. "They went after The Boss."
"So," Walker directed his words to Greg, "your Boss takes off like a coward and leaves you here holding the bag, and you have nothing to say?"
Greg simply looked up at them and kept his mouth closed.
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Granger glanced back as he neared the tree line and swore under his breath, furious to find Gage and Max coming after him. He ducked into the trees and began to weave through them, making his way in the general direction of the road. It wasn't long before he reached it. He couldn't believe his luck when he saw a car approaching. Toby jumped in front of the car and began to wave his arms. He heard the tires squeal as the driver slammed on the brakes and swerved. Then he quickly made his way to the driver's door and drew out his revolver.
"Out of the car!" yelled Toby as he pulled open the door and yanked the driver out. Then he pushed the man to the ground and shot him before climbing in the car and speeding away.
Gage and Max followed Toby into the trees and glanced around, trying to catch a glimpse of him. Gage saw him snaking between them several yards ahead and pointed him out. They knew he was headed for the road and hurried to catch up to him before he could reach it. Suddenly they heard a squeal of tires, shouting, and a gunshot. They rushed the last few yards to the road and saw a car zipping away from a man that was lying in the road.
"Help…me," called the man. "He...sh-shot m-me."
They knelt beside him and Max began applying pressure to the wound.
"Sir," Gage asked as he pulled out a picture of Granger, "was this the man?"
"Y-yes," gasped the man just before he gave his last breath.
"Shoot!" yelled Gage as he stood up. Then he grabbed his radio. "Walker, you read me?"
"Yeah, Gage," crackled the response.
"You're not gonna believe this. You and Trivette need to get to the road that runs along the south side of the farm right away. Granger killed a man and stole his car."
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Not ten minutes later Walker pulled his truck to the side of the road not far from where he saw Gage and Max pacing. He and Trivette jumped out and approached the younger Rangers. A patrol car parked right behind him.
"Gage, what happened?" asked Walker.
"Boss, we were chasing Granger and we saw him enter the trees," began Gage. "He made it to the road before we did. We heard tires screech, yelling, and then a gunshot."
"By the time we got here," put in Max, "Granger was zooming away. This man identified him from a picture just before he died. We need to go after him. We all know where he's going."
"He's right, Walker," added Jimmy. "He'll either go to his warehouse or after Sam."
"I know," agreed Walker. "Let's get back to the farm and pick up your car, Gage. Then you and Max go to C.D.'s and Trivette and I will take the warehouse." With that the four men piled into Walker's truck and sped back to the farm.
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"Alright, Honey," said Syd into her cell phone. "We'll be careful. I love you back." She ended the call and turned to Sam. "That was Gage." They stood looking at each other for the next several seconds. Syd's expression told Sam everything she needed to know.
"He got away, didn't he?" It was more statement than question. "I had a feeling this might happen. Well, let's lock the doors." Syd went to the front and Sam went to the back. After making sure the doors were secure they returned to putting the stock away in the kitchen.
"Gage and Max are on their way here," stated Syd. "And an unmarked car should be here in a few minutes to watch the road."
"I have a bad feeling about this, Syd," remarked Sam as worry creased her face. They worked together quietly for the next several minutes, with tension thick in the air.
"Sam, I'm going to get another cup of coffee," Syd finally said. "You want one?"
"Sure." Sam watched her friend make her way to the front room. Then she cautiously followed her when she heard Syd begin to speak.
"Hey!" called Syd. "How did you get in here? We're not open yet!" She was shocked to see Toby standing near the back door.
"My business is with Samantha," he snarled. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of it. Now where is she?"
"I'm right here, Toby," answered Sam as she came out of the kitchen and into the bar to stand beside Syd. "Now how did you get in here?"
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Gage raced along with the siren blaring and the lights flashing, constantly checking his watch. Max was in the seat beside him, fuming at the recent turn of events.
"Gage, I swear, if anything happens to them he won't need a lawyer."
"He'll need a mortician," finished Gage. "I'm right there with you, Max."
Max pulled out his gun and checked it, making sure it was loaded and ready.
"Shoot first, ask questions later?" inquired Gage.
"Naw," replied Max. "This is a last resort. Why waste a bullet when your hands will do the trick."
"That's true," remarked Gage with a hard smile. "Besides, a bullet's too good for him."
"I hear that."
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"It's really not that difficult to pick a lock," Toby said. "I chose the back door since there was nobody guarding the alley. Of course, I did park a few blocks away and sneak up here, just to be safe."
"What do you want?" demanded Sam.
"I came for you, Samantha," stated Toby with determination. "I have to leave town, and you're coming with me."
"No, Toby, I'm not," she replied with just as much resolve. "I told you, I want nothing more to do with you."
"Did your Ranger friends put you up to this?" he queried. "I won't try to hide anything now, since I'm sure you know more about me than you've ever let on. I'm guessing you're a Ranger, too?" He directed his question to Syd. "Imagine my shock when they burst in to arrest me in the middle of my first big deal in Dallas. However, I don't know which surprised me more, that they showed up this morning or that you didn't tell me they were Rangers to begin with. Now I just need to find out who led them to me in the first place, and take care of them."
"I can solve that for you," responded Sam.
"What are you talking about?" questioned Toby with a frown.
"You never should have come back, Toby," Sam answered grimly. "My uncle saw you at the bust in Houston. They know you are The Boss and they know you killed that DPS officer. Uncle Jake called Ranger Walker and told him you might be headed this way, because he had a feeling you would be coming for me. And he was right. You've had a tail since you left here yesterday morning. Were you so consumed with not having me that you didn't notice? You led the tail back to your warehouse and he overheard all your plans for today. That information allowed them to set up the bust this morning. It, also, gave the Rangers everything they needed to make their case against you, and you gave them your client, too. Your obsession with me has been your undoing. I'm telling you, Toby, you should have left well enough alone."
"It wasn't well enough!" shouted an enraged Toby. Then he continued, low and mean, "I don't care if they know I'm The Boss or that I killed that cop. You are mine! And I'm not going to do without what is mine any longer."
"No, Toby," stated Sam definitively. "I'm not yours. Like I told you at Travis' wedding, I never have been and I never will be."
"No one says no to me," he snarled as he stepped close and backhanded her, knocking her to the floor. He was shocked when the next second he found himself there, the result of an uppercut from Syd. When she moved in to restrain him, he kicked hard at her left thigh, grinning when she cried out in pain and fell to the floor as she grabbed her leg. Then he stood up and kicked her in the chin, sending her sprawling backwards, barely conscious. Next he grabbed Sam around the throat and dragged her to her feet. He squeezed, watching her struggle to breathe, as he pulled her face just inches from his own. "It was supposed to be you and me, and now it's gonna to be. And no cop is going to stand in my way!" With that he pulled out his revolver and aimed it at Syd.
Sam took advantage of his eyes diverting from her to use a tactic Walker had shown her. She quickly stretched out her hand and placed the side of her middle finger like a bar under his nose then pushed up hard and fast. The pain and pressure caused him to cry out and release her. When he did, she grabbed his gun hand and forced it into the air. As he struggled to regain control, they fell and rolled, both standing back up a few yards away from Sydney and next to the bar. They faced each other not ten feet apart.
Syd was just regaining her full senses as she became aware of Sam and Toby tussling near the bar, but she couldn't see them because of the tables in the way. As she shook off the effects of his blow she heard him yell, "If you won't be mine, you won't be anyone's!" Then she heard several rapidly fired shots.
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To be continued….