« What you have in front of you are Barrett M98B or M98 Bravos. This is the Tactical .300 Winchester Magnum version. This is a precision rifle that some of you may need to master for long range shots. Maximum range is approximately 1600 yards".
Caitlin picked up the rifle, she was very familiar with it. "It's got a great muzzle brake to your shoulder and a 10-round detachable magazine. One of it's advantages, is that it has a thumb-operated safety that can be accessed without compromising the firing grip that allows you to maintain a solid weld to the adjustable cheek piece".
She took the rifle in her hand and showed it to the recruits. "You can mount on the rail substantial optics as well as night-vision devices and other accessories".
The recruits nodded as they listened and watched her.
"This rifle alone is worth almost 5000$, so don't tamper with it, otherwise, you'll be handing over your first year's salary to replace it".
The crowd made some noises of amazement.
"Alright, so we're going to start with targets at 500 yards in the Prone Shooting Position and we'll finish today at 700 yards. Now show me what you got"!
They all grabbed a rifle, geared up and headed to their designated spots.
"Pretty impressive". She turned around.
"Hey, what are you doing here", she said upon seeing Jay.
"That time of the year again. So came to train a bit".
"You're alone"?
"Yeah, Kevin dropped me off on his way home. How's it going"?
"Good. Did tactical training this morning and now on to these beautiful babies".
"Wow! You're absolutely right, they are beautiful".
She smiled at him. "Come on, take one and try it, I know it's killing you right now"!
"Really? Ok but only if you do too. I kind of miss our competitions", he said as he nudged her.
She hesitated, but just as he finished his sentence, she overheard two of the recruits talking together. "I bet, she can't even reach 200 yards with a rifle like this… Why do they have women teach shooting"?
Jay lifted an eyebrow and was ready to reply to the guys when Caitlin put her hand on his arm and shook her head no.
"Alright Detective Halstead, I will accept your challenge", she said loud enough for all the recruits to hear. They immediately all stopped what they were doing and turned their attention over to them. "Range 1600 yards"!
He looked at her and cocked his head. As they walked over to their positions, she looked at him. "Actions speak louder than words"!
"Are you sure about the 1600 yards"? he said as he settled down on the ground next to her.
"Remember the last time you doubted me? I think you still owe me that drink".
He laughed. "Fair enough".
All the recruits had left their positions and were watching. They watched as Jay started calibrating his rifle and Caitlin looked around.
"My bet is on the Detective", one said. "Yeah, I'm with you on that one", said another.
Caitlin looked left and right at the trees and clouds. She closed her eyes for a moment and then reopened them to start calibrating her rifle. She inhaled and exhaled twice. She then took her last inhalation and paused her breathing as she fired the rifle. Jay shot his target only seconds later. They both stood.
One of the other instructors walked over to Jay's target. "Red"!
The recruits cheered.
The instructor then walked over to Caitlin's. "Yellow".
The recruits blinked a couple of times.
Jay put his arm amicably around Caitlin. "I owe you two drinks now". They walked past the recruits and he looked at them. "And that gentlemen is how it's done. Oh and by the way, never, ever, underestimate your instructors"!
"Halstead, can you hear me"? they both heard on his radio.
"Yeah, what's going on"?
"We've got one of your CIs found deck out near the docks. Alvin's on his way to pick you up"!
"Roger that", he said. He then looked at Cat. "Shit"!
"Had a CI working on something"?
"Not really, but two of them left me messages last night about something they felt was going down. I was supposed to meet with them tonight. Fuck"!
He said it loud enough so that a few recruits turned their heads and watched.
Caitlin put her hand on his shoulder. "Jay, this is not your fault. You couldn't have known that this was going to happen".
At that moment in time, the SUV came up to a screeching halt on the parking lot that overlooked the shooting range of the academy.
She looked at Jay again. "What ever happens, you have got to remember that you are not responsible".
"Why do you say that"?
She cocked her head to the side and smiled. "Because I know you and you take things way too personally and it messes with your head".
"Jay! Let's go man"! They heard Al shouting from outside of the car on the tarmac.
Jay ran up the stairs as Caitlin narrowed her eyes. She motioned to Al to wait a minute as she headed up the stairs. When she met up with him, Jay was already in the car.
"Don't take him with you", she said to Al.
"He'll be fine", he said.
"Al, you know him. No one knows what's happened and he's already blaming himself".
"I'll keep an eye on him OK. I promise".
He kissed her quickly and got back behind the wheel of the SUV and sped off, leaving Caitlin on the tarmac, with her arms crossed and concerned.
Sam Flanigan looked at the scene from afar. She had many qualities; she was a Voight, she was beautiful, a great shooter and knew members of the Intelligence Unit. The only flaw she had, had just become apparent to him; she was already taken. He never took no for an answer and he always got what he wanted!
As Caitlin walked down the stairs as he watched her, she could never have imagined that the most promising of her recruits, had a vengeance and she had been chosen as a pawn, solely because she was a Voight!