CHAPTER 12 – COURAGE AND BRAVERY
~~The Brooklyn Inn~~
Carter ate her Brötchen and sipped her beer, just as she was about to order another, some masked guy runs into the bar and yells it's a hold up, she quickly assess the situation, the chances of someone getting shot and killed was great if anyone tried anything stupid, mainly her, she could reach for her gun at her back and take him down easily.
"Don't anyone fucking move, I'll start shooting, I really wouldn't care… old guy, stuff the money in a bag now, I'm watching you, you trip any alarm and I swear I'll start shooting, everyone else move over to the window, get in front it and keep your fucking hands in the air where I can see them." He barked waving the glock around.
Carter noted from his jittery movements that he was probably high on something, but lucid enough; she really couldn't afford to spook him, so she followed the crowd and stopped as he called out to her…
"Hey you- I'm talking to you bitch, why aren't you scared for your life?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?"
"Yeah, tell me why bitch?"
She was prepared to say something smart, but it wouldn't be right, instead she spoke calmly… "I used to be a soldier, so you pointing a model 23 glock .40 caliber at me, scares, me very little."
"Is that so… hmm and I guess you know a thing or two about?"
"Yes it's the truth and it's a pretty standard gun, how many rounds you got in there?"
"I know that its takes about seventeen but I only needed ten, so enough questions okay ms smarty pants- now-well since you volunteered yourself as the brave lil' soldier, start gathering everyone's personals; I want jewelry, wallets, and cell phones anything of value." He barked leveling the gun at her after she'd gathered everyone's belongings he ordered her to get the bag of cash sitting on the counter, and was glad that Amalricius was standing back shielding his wife with his body.
"Everyone else, get down on the floor, except you two behind the bar and lil' brave soldier girl, now put everything in one bag, tie it in a knot and throw it to me, I swear you try anything stupid and I'll shoot those two behind the bar first… faster than you can blink."
"Okay, no need to shoot anyone, we've all done what you have asked, just take the bag and go," she said throwing the bag to him, he caught it, smiled at her, she sensed it before he even pull the trigger, she threw her body in the line of fire drawing her gun and firing back at him as he escaped through the door, she had hit him successfully, she ignored the searing pain in her side and took off after him. She saw him up ahead hobbling, she had hit him in the leg, good she thought as she gave chase, he fired two wild shots, but she kept running gripping her side in a vice grip to stop the flow of warm liquid flowing and making her clothes heavier.
The perp turned around and seeing her gaining on him, pelt of two more shots at her, she narrowly missed the second shot by a hairs length. She kept moving though as civilians ran like wild ants trying to take cover. She hated when people started to panic in situations like this. She fought the pain and the light on coming headiness seeing her guy duck into an alley way of sorts; she approached cautiously, biting back painful breaths. She knelt down and picked up an empty can and flung it across, two shots were fired, she could either wait for him to discharge his remaining three bullets as he had confirmed he only had ten loaded but she might pass out first. She opted for the latter.
Slipping her boots of she took of her sock and then her belt, pressing the sock into her side wound, she tied it tightly with the belt, and it hurt. She gritted her teeth and stood, pressing her back into the huge blue dumpster, she started pushing it moving towards wherever the perp was hiding in the dark, just as she predicted he started shooting again, he fired all three shots simultaneously. She smiled. He was out of bullets she could hear the click-click of the empty barrel searching for its explosive companion. She walked out from behind the dumpster.
"Whoever you are, come out with your hands up, I'm a detective with the New York PD and I don't want to have to shoot to kill. Just surrender yourself there is no other option."
"Surrender, I'd rather you shoot me than I surrender because I'm, going to probably spend the rest of my life in jail."
"You're right, but it's still the right thing to do."
"I didn't want to do it you know."
"Then why did you?"
"I don't know,"
"That's fine, we never know why we do wrong when we do, we just have to accept the consequences so I am urging you to let's not make it worse than it is, give yourself up, and let me get you some help for the gsw, I promise you I'm not going to press charges personally and neither will the bar owner, but you're going to be facing a good amount of prison time, maybe in 5-10 years you'll get out on good behavior."
"Why do you want to save me?"
"I don't know, but I do know I don't get satisfaction out of killing anybody good or bad even if some may think they deserve what they get and we really need to hurry because I need to get my own gsw treated."
The perp walked out from behind the last dumpster, standing face to face with Carter, he drops the bag and his gun and turned around. She cuffed him and then turned him to face her.
"What's your name?"
"Luke_"
"You got a last name Luke?"
"Klion_"
"How old are you Luke Klion?"
"Twenty day after tomorrow."
"Well you got time to change, and while you're in there make it count, they got programs you can take to get a job or skill set besides robbing and shooting, so Luke Klion, you're under arrest for attempted robbery, shooting at civilians, and use of an unregistered weapon. You have the right to remain silent_." She could hear the sirens drawing closer; she hoped a bus was accompanying them. They walked slowly since he couldn't move any faster and neither could she, she blocked out the sounds of civilians clapping victoriously, throwing words of praise and damnation she really didn't care to hear.
Things were starting to blur, she felt like she was beginning to float, and just as the first squad car pulled up to them she passed out.
"Mr. Reese…"
"What you got for me?"
"I think I found the danger, it would appear that the Banes house keeper Ms Waters used to be married to a Ricardo Turin, he gambled a lot, racked up a huge amount of debt roughly about $620,000.00, subsequently he was killed in a suspicious accident, but when I looked into Ms Waters finances every week she is paying out a thousand dollars to an account, I haven't got the name of but I think in a bid to be rid of her husband's death she has organized for the 'BANES' daughter to be kidnapped.
"Where is, Ms Waters?"
"Her phone triangulates that she is at the Banes residence, no doubt she is sticking close to the situation."
"Okay, I am going to get the girl and her boyfriend, get them somewhere safe and deal with Ms Waters and her friends, let me know if anything changes." He said cutting the connection.
He called Fusco next…
"Yeah this is Detective Fusco,"
"Are you busy… never mind I need your help on a kidnapping?"
"Right now…?"
"Right now Detective Fusco unless you got something better to be doing?"
"I do- don't you know, you always know first…"
"Know what Detective Fusco?"
"John- its Carter, she's been shot, some perp tried to rob a bar she was at and she took a bullet in defense for the bar owner and his wife, and took off after the perp even though she was wounded. She lost a lot of blood; they found her passed out in the street with the perp handcuffed, he was begging someone to save her life."
"How long ago did this happen?"
"A good half hour, where are you?"
"Somewhere- but its fine, go on and get to Carter, I'll call you back for an update."
"I just want to make sure that she's alright, then I'm going to call her family and let them know, afterwards I can help with your situation."
"I'll call and let you know if I still need you, Detective Fusco." He said disconnecting the call and redialing Finch.
"Mr. Reese is something the matter?"
"Did you know about Detective Carter being shot?"
"I just found out myself?"
"Don't lie to me Finch,"
"I assure you Mr. Reese that your personal life is of no importance for me, I wasn't aware that we were keeping tabs on Ms Carter."
"We're not," he said ending the call with Finch.
Feeling murderous and so many other things Reese intended to take his frustration out on Ms Waters's friends. He instructed Jep to drive to Theresa's house, and to act normal. He got low in the car and waited, about ten minutes out from Theresa's house, the sudden screech of tires caused Jep to stop, he told Jep to stay calm, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to them.
As soon as Theresa's door was yanked open he sprang into action, he grabbed onto the guy that tried to grab Theresa and hit him in the face the distinct sound of bone breaking echoed in the car, he then got out and took off after the other guy, who was more than surprised by the sudden attack. John shot out the two back tires and walked around to the driver's side.
"Get out…"
"LO-look man it wasn't my idea okay I am just the driver, my gun isn't even loaded."
"Thanks for telling me, but you still gonna get it and I am really in a pissed of mood..."
John rammed his fist into the guy's stomach causing him to double over and dragged him back to where his other friend was laying on the ground in pain.
"Don't move_" he said coldly, going over to Theresa and Jep. "Just give me a minute to tie these two up; I still have to talk to Ms Water's."
"Ms Waters, what's she got to do with any of this?"
"Everything and that's all you're getting." He tied the guys up and threw them in the van and then got in the car.
"Drive," he said a few minutes later he rang the doorbell and waited, Ms Waters answered the door. He grabbed her by the hand and yanked her outside,
"Ms Waters how nice of you to answer the door, were you expecting someone else?"
"No- who are you?"
"I am the guy that foiled you kidnapping attempt."
"What- I don't know what you're talking about."
"Figured you would say that, so let's go see what the other two has to say, maybe they can vouch for you."
"I'm not going anywhere, unhand me now, Theresa call the cops."
"Go on Theresa call the cops, let's get her and her friends in a nice little cozy room and see which of them rats first."
"I- no, don't it- who are you?"
"No one you need to know- you need to start talking?"
"Yes- ok…"
"Good. Jep loan me your car will you I'll get it back to you tomorrow."
"No problem man."
"Thanks, Theresa call your parents, expect the cops to show up with a full confession, you're both gonna verify Ms Waters story."
John drove back to where he left the two other guys and shoved them into the trunk of Jep's car and drove to a secluded place, he beat them first and then told them to talk and give names as he taped everything via one of the perps phone, then he taped Ms Waters confession that they had organized the kidnapping attempt on Theresa Banes. He tied her hands and put her in the car while he shoved the other two guys into the trunk roughly. He drove back to their panel van and sat them in it, tied up then called Lionel.
"Detective Fusco how's Detective Carter?"
"Not good at all, but I know she's a fighter, she's a really tough soldier, this isn't going to keep her down."
"Okay- well why don't, you get over to Wesley Hills at 5697 Bolder Drive, look for a white panel van I have left you gifts. Take care, of the rest for me will you." he ended the call.
Luke's GSW was treated, Carter's shot had been clean, she didn't hit any crucial ligaments, but he'd be hit up for at least a month.
Carter on the other hand, was too damn stubborn for her own good, instead of treating her own injuries she chased the guy down, she lost a lot of blood, not to mention her wound was already infected. The bullet had remained lodged in her rectus abdominis the muscle between her fifth, sixth, and seventh ribs and cartilages, what they feared was that she might have done some serious damage to her lumbar spine area, they wouldn't know until she woke up.
They had managed to stem the flow of blood loss and extract the bullet but they wouldn't know anything for certain until she woke up.
Mrs. De Gauzon and Taylor got to the hospital a little after 3am, they were allowed to see Jocelyn for a little bit but then they had to wait till 8am for visiting hours.
The front headlines of most newspaper had a picture of her while the headline screamed …
"HERO COP SAVES BAR FULL OF PATRONS…'
Another one read "NYPD TOP DETECTIVE IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER FOILING A ROBBERY ATTEMPT…
The most recent heading read… 'NEW YORK FINEST SAVES THE NIGHT,"
John was at his wits end, he'd bought a copy of each newspaper that had her picture splashed on the front. This wasn't supposed to happen and it wouldn't have happened had he followed his gut and been there, even if he was lurking in the shadows watching out for her. He'd never forgive himself if she died, in fact he didn't think he'd want to exist anymore if she didn't make it.
He wasn't a man big on faith; he had too many wrongs to think that his prayer would be answered, to think that anyone out there would listen to him. But if she lived, he was going to change a few things between them, for one he was going to let her know how he felt and he wasn't going to go away until she gave him a chance, because he knows that she feels the same way about him.
He was going to take better care of his life, he was going to be honest with her always even if they both didn't like it, but by some kind of miracle they would be together and he wasn't going to let her go, her tombstone would at least read, Jocelyn Reese mourned by her son, her mother and her husband, John Reese dammit.
Later on in the evening of next day, Jocelyn woke up, her son and mother present at her bedside.
"Tay-lor, why are you here, where am I?"
"Mom- you're in the hospital,"
Then it all came back to her, the bar, Luke, shots fired. Her voice scratchy, she asked… "Is Luke alright?"
"If you're asking about the guy that nearly killed you, then yeah he's fine, Detective Fusco and they took him out this morning." Her mother replied with distaste.
"Mom he didn't intentionally shoot me- um could someone get the doctor, my freaking stomach is killing me." She said closing her eyes and gritting her teeth in anguish.
After the doctor had completed his physical of her, informing her that she would need at least 6 weeks to at least make a complete recovery and give her rectus abdominis muscles a chance to heal after which she would have to do a follow up physical. He told her she would be released the following day.
"Mom, you're like a super hero, they just can't stop talking about you, and can I see the scar… I bet it's better than the one on your thigh."
"Boy, don't make me get up of this bed and club you over the head, getting shot is not cool or anything to be proud of and I didn't do it to be a hero."
"I know that mom, but I am so proud of you, I mean I can't help but think that my mom's a hero and totally super cool."
"I'm not… did you go to school today?"
"G-ma said I didn't have to."
"Don't be calling you grandma, g-ma, show her some respect boy, and grandma used up her stay away from school pass for the month, so you're going tomorrow,"
"But mom, you're here I want to be here with you, besides its Thursday can't I stay home tomorrow Friday and start fresh on Monday?"
"Not a compelling argument, I said you're going and that's final."
"Jo, give the kid a break, he nearly lost his mother."
"But he didn't, my getting shot is no reason for Taylor to miss two days of school, he's going and that's final."
"Taylor can you excuse us," his grandmother said
"Is something wrong mom?"
"I don't know, why don't you tell me what's going on with you and Lizzel?"
"Nothing, we're cool, did she say otherwise?"
"She didn't have to, poor girl came in here crying, asking you to live, and sobbing about how sorry she was that she hurt you and it wouldn't be fair for you to leave if she didn't try and make things right."
"What's done is done; neither of us can go back and change it,"
"When did things go wrong between you two?"
"A long time ago, look its nothing, I simply told her that I was tired of having to bail her out of trouble, that I have other priorities and that she needed to grow up."
"Okay don't get your-self worked up, we'll leave it at that but don't think I won't ask again. So we'll be leaving now and I'll be back tomorrow to pick you up."
~Midnight~
John had easily slipped into her room ten minutes ago, while she slept. She looked peaceful and frail and just a bit like the woman he'd slept next to in Kef.
It was also the first time in a while that he had been this close to her. He shouldn't have come here much less be in her room, but even when he tried to talk himself out of it, he found even more reasons to want to be near her, to breathe the same air as her.
He reached a cold hand out and gently ran it over her pinky finger; his cold butterfly touch had been enough to rouse her instantly.
"What are you doing in my room?"
"Who do you think is in your room?"
"Someone I don't want to have anything to do with, get out."
"You could be dreaming,"
"Then I guess when I wake up you'll be gone, here goes," she said shifting a little, and wincing.
"I guess I'm not really a dream then."
"I could have you arrested,"
"You could but it's gonna be hard to catch me,"
"What do you want?"
"To talk_"
"I have nothing to say."
"But I do,"
"So what, go see a shrink."
"Joce_"
"Don't call me that."
"How did you know it was me in your room?"
"Your scent hasn't changed."
"And what scent is that?"
"Why are you here?"
"Look I don't want to further upset you, can we please talk, in a more civilized environment."
"The next time you come around me, I'm going to shoot you, its fair warning."
"That's fine by me, I like a good fight… so expect to see me soon… il mio cuore bella." He replied huskily, opening the door and slipping out unnoticed and quietly as when he'd entered.