CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY....)
Jim Brass parked the car directly in front of the two- tiered building with it's tan and brown facade. He noted the faded lettering of the sign which announced 'Payless Lumber' displayed along the front of the second story.
He even recalled buying some plumbing supplies here once. He could fix a stopped up drain if the need arose. He removed his sunglasses, tossing them into the center console of the car. He took his time approaching the group of men gathered around the massive glass doors that constituted the entrance of the building.
Brass made eye contact with each of the young men holding position. He unsnapped the tab of his holster, removing his Sig Sauer P226. The weight felt comfortable and familiar as his fingers curved to the handle. He pointed the weapon down and away.
He never liked drawing the damned thing, not once getting the rush of adrenalin most of these men felt, if the perspiration on their faces or anxious darting of their eyes signified anything.
They were on a high..a mixture of healthy fear and stress, that only this type of situation could produce. If Brass felt these things, he no longer allowed them to register. They interfered with the job.
Jim locked eyes with Chad Davidson. The kid's features were tense and serious. He had known his Dad..Mike, from his Academy days. Chad had carried on the family tradition. He had earned his spot at the head of his team, so..Brass gave him his due.
He nodded directly to the young man, giving his consent. Chad's mouth sat grimly as he called up a burly officer from the rear of the ensemble. "Take it down."
Everyone stepped back slightly, shielding themselves from any flying glass as the man heaved back the 'persuader' as the large ramming device had affectionately been dubbed and in seconds, had shattered the bonded glass into several workable pieces.
The 'bond' had held, little glass fragments actually breaking apart from the whole but large sections were pulled aside, peeled away by capable hands sporting protective gloves. Brass watched as the complete left side of the door was discarded on the pavement to his right.
Chad Davidson lost no time in entering the darkened building, followed by three of his elite. Jim stepped over the door frame, moving to one side, allowing his eyes to adjust from the brightness of a rather pleasant day.
The threat of the storm had passed, leaving a very early morning dew covering everything outside. The sunrise had been a brilliant one. Jim had driven directly into it making his way here.
Last night had been hectic with co-ordinating tactical units, briefing divisions and requisitioning weapons, vehicles and men power.
Unlike the cop shows on the boob tube, in real life..one did not just simply conjure up an entire tactical unit out of thin air.
The process took time and planning. After ordering three black and whites to stake the building, thereby blocking any path of escape while he prepared the rest.
He put his faith in Haley Meadows, hoping that he would not be forced to make a move..one he did not wish to make until he was certain they could bring this guy down and bring him down hard.
He refused to think about the fact, had he made the wrong decision, it could mean Haleys' life.
He agonized over it all the time he had sat, waiting on the cul-de-sac. But, now..he was operating on pure instinct. He knew also..had it been a normal woman inside with that fucking joker, he would have acted differently.
He would have to live with whatever outcome the day would bring. Just as he knew, it would affect him for the rest of his life.
He made his way slowly along the empty aisles, his eyes scanning..his mind calculating..his senses strained and ready.
Despite evidence to the contrary, Haley was not stupid. He sensed a good cop under all those layers of..disorder. He had actually read her dossier, despite her belief that he had not been interested enough to do so.
She was unorthodox, yes..but no one could argue with the results of her efforts.
Serial killers, bank heists, high profile murders. If it was Federal in any way, shape or form, Duvalier was handed the case. If the media could exploit the matter when it turned sour..his team was given the chance to defuse the situation.
Brass recalled reading about the incident at the high school in Delaplain, Arkansas. It made the news. Four students with semi-automatic weapons and home made pipe bombs and a big time grudge against life in general..converged on the school one rainy afternoon in October, 2004.
Three students had been shot, two dead. It could have been so much worse had Duvalier not sent Haley in..as a student.
She talked her way close enough to disarm one of the teens, grabbed the pipe bombs, dragging them a safe distance, thereby eliminating the main source of concern.
She had gone back in, quietly removing students as the rest of her team surrounded the other three dissidents. It had taken Duvalier hours to negotiate surrender.
The 2008 kidnapping of Billionaire Ryan Sojourn's six year old daughter, Natasha Dane. Which left Haley seriously wounded.
Duvalier had distracted the kidnapper long enough for Haley, posing as a nurse, to get between the child and her abductor. Shielding the little girl with her own body, she took a direct hit from the man's weapon. The bullet had ricocheted off a rib, acting like a pin-ball, lodged within her lung
The woman spend several months in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Anthony's hospital in Rockford, Illinois.
Ryan Sojourn attempted to give the reward money to Haley, but she settled on a pair of Prada heels which Duvalier promptly insisted be returned.
She ended up with a pair of Doc Martens from the Foot Barn....which were half price.
But on the bright side..Duvalier did foot the bill for a hot dog and an Orange Julius at a nearby mall when she was better.
And so..Jim Brass had put his cards on the proverbial table, chancing that Haley could help him take this killer down.
By putting pricks like McBain, or Gossemer, or who-ever-the-hell the bastard was this week..behind bars, locked away that they could never hurt another Majorie Ann Ames, formerly of North Carolina.
Jim could not forget the cold, glassy stare of the crystal blue eyes, looking up at him from the crime scene photos on his desk.
She was so young behind that make up and red lipstick. Her true age showing through when she was all washed and clean. Even her death palor had not hidden the innocence lost. Majorie kinda reminded him of Ellie in some ways.
It was kids like Angel and Ellie that kept Jim on the job..that and Starbucks coffee, most night.
At times, if he did his job well..he could right a horrible wrong for these young women. Or at least, perhaps, give some kind of peace of mind to their families.
Jim could see Chad Davidson up ahead, off to his left, directing his men in a 'search and seek' pattern as each room or section was 'cleared'.
The squad was moving quickly..efficiently, gaining ground toward the back of the 35,000 sq. foot store.
The shelves were empty, the holding racks devoid of any products. Sunlight filtered through the numerous windows lining either side of the massive building, sending rays into the dusty atmosphere.
Brass moved cautiously forward, his weapon still at the ready, his path similar to the one Davidson trailed ahead.
He took the time to acquaint himself with the layout of the place.
Private offices lined one complete side of the complex. Each had been searched thoroughly, their doors left opened wide to signify as much.
Jim's eyes scanned the area up ahead. The loading dock was quiet and dark, no windows to aid in the search, he noted.
He held back at the hanging strips of heavy plastic that marked the entrance/exit to the large rooms.
He peered between the opaque material, pushing it aside with his free hand, having transferred his weapon to the other. The heavy metal doors of the loading dock groaned and creaked open, slowly but surely.
Brass could see the open field of over grown grass and weeds ever widening as the doors lifted upward..
A switch was thrown and the entire area lit with light from the florescent fixtures up above.
Jim glanced to Davidson but the young man had shaken his head, letting Jim know...they had found nothing of interest.
For a moment, a dark, forbidding feeling invaded Brass' mind.
This had to be the place. It had to be! He couldn't have been so wrong about...
A curt gesture from Alan Cruise caught everyone's attention. The man was waving his arm, pointing to door which had been concealed by stacks of boxes and crated up machinery.
Jim sensed the excitement coursing through his veins. He could smell it in the air.
He made his way toward the door. The first thing he noted about it was..there was light beaming from under the frame bathing the dull cement of the loading dock with a soft, luminous shade.
His heart thudded against his chest wall..he unconsciously held his breath, only just realizing he was.
He exhaled slowly, forcing his pulse to quieten..
Chad Davidson waited for a command.
Brass held up his hand, palm closed to signify..'silence'.
He nodded and Chad Davidson...reached for the handle of the closed door.