In The Wrong Place

Chapter 21

As Mike drove at breakneck speed down De Haro Street, he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw his daughter Jeannie running down the pavement towards him... Skidding the car to a halt beside her he exited the car leaving the door open as he went and raced around the car and seeing how upset she was he gathered her into a protective and comforting hug...

"Oh Mike..Thank God you're here!...It was awful...Steve grabbed Landers' gun so that I could escape and warn you... And then there was a gunshot Mike!...He made me promise that I would keep running and wouldn't look back...Oh Mike!..We have to get him out of there..."

Seeing his daughter so upset and frightened and hearing about what Steve had to do in order for her to escape shook Mike to the core...In that instant he prayed that Steve was ok and thanked God that Jeannie was safe. He was overwhelmed at how Steve had risked his own life without a thought to save his life and Jeannies'. Now he only hoped that he would get the opportunity to thank the boy and make it up to him...With Jeannie clinging to him sobbing inconsolably Mike hugged her tighter and swallowed back the raw emotion that had appeared as a lump in his throat...

"There, there,..shush now...It's ok..Everything's going to be alright...We'll get Steve out don't you worry...But first I need you to calm down sweetheart and tell me exactly what happened..Did Joe hurt you honey?" and with that Mike took out his clean handkerchief and handed it to his daughter to dry her tears with.

Accepting the handkerchief Jeannie dabbed at her eyes with it and for Steve's sake pulled herself together...

"No Mike...Steve never let him near me...We were waiting for you like you said..I went to get a cold compress for Steve because he was burning up and that's when Joe broke through the back door. He had a gun and said he was going to make you pay...Steve tried to talk him into giving up the gun...I think it was working too but then Joe heard the sirens and got mad again...That's when Steve tackled him and told me to run...But Mike...as I ran down the front steps I distinctly heard a gunshot..." Feeling her resolve weaken Jeannie continued "Oh Mike...do you think he shot Steve?"

"Now, now, Let's not assume the worst just yet...That bullet could have gone anywhere...Right now Steve is Joe's only bargaining chip...He's not going to do anything to jeopardize that."

The truth was Mike was very worried about the fact that while tackling Joe for the gun, it had gone off but seeing Jeannie so distraught he decided to play it down a little to stop her from worrying unnecessarily ...It broke his heart to see her so upset and to realize the horror she had just been through...However realizing that he needed more facts in order to help get Steve out of there he carefully questioned her a little more...

"Jeannie,sweetheart..What condition was Steve in before he tackled Joe?"

"He's not good Mike...His fever is high and he's getting awful bouts of shivering..And his wounds were bleeding again earlier...Mike he's not up to dealing with Landers...You have to get him out of there!..."

" Ok now, we will...I told you everything's going to be alright...What condition was Landers in? Was he drunk?"

"Yes, he was at first but I think it was wearing off a little...He was looking for more booze and he starting shaking almost as bad as Steve...What are you going to do Mike?..."

"I'm going to get Steve out of there safely...That's what I'm going to do...I owe him that much..." and beckoning Haseejian who had arrived shortly after Mike he turned and spoke again softly to his daughter "Now, I want you to go with Norm and wait in the car...Ok sweetheart? And don't you worry now...I'm going to take care of it..." and he planted a kiss on her forehead and watched as Haseejian escorted her safely to his car adding to the detective as he went.

"Keep her out of harms way Norm!..."

Mike looked around to see that since talking to Jeannie, two black and whites had arrived, Lochner and Harris and just at that second screeching to a halt beside him was a car containing Lessing, Healy and Corky Shaffer. As the three men exited the vehicle Lee ran towards Mike...

"Mike, we came as soon as we heard...Dear God Mike!..Does Joe have Steve and Jeannie in there with him? What the hell is he thinking?"

"No Lee, Jeannie is safe...She's with Norm...Steve tackled Joe so she could escape...Steve's still in there though...He's real sick and ...apparently there was another gunshot...For all we know he might have been..." Mike couldn't make his lips say the words as the lump reappeared in his throat but knowing that he was in charge and despite his personal involvement he had to remain calm and in control for Steve's sake, he continued..."Well he might be hurt again ...or Joe...We just don't know yet..."

Lee felt deeply sorry for Mike...He could tell that inside Mike was frantic with worry about his partner and thanked God that at least his daughter was safe thanks to Steve...Having seen for himself first hand earlier how poorly and exhausted Steve had been, Lee too was worried about how much of this situation the young man would be up to dealing with...

"How do you want to play it Mike?"

"Ok...first we need to get these black and whites to secure the area...I want Lochner and Harris out the back of my place in case he tries to make a run for it again...Can you take care of that for me please Lee?"

"Sure thing Mike...I'm on it!" Lee said as he raced off to start putting Mike's plan in action..The truth was Lee was glad of the task in hand as it would keep his mind of the terrible predicament his good friend had found himself in...for now at least...

"What now Mike?" Dan asked...

"Get me one of those walkie-talkie things that I can ring the house phone on Dan...Will you please? I want to talk to Joe...See what he wants. Maybe I can talk him around...For Steve's sake I have to at least try."

"Ok Mike...If that doesn't work what happens?"

"If that doesn't work I'll give him what he wants and go in there!"

"MIKE!.." Dan said horrified..."You can't go in there! He wants to kill you Mike. It would be suicide!..."

"Well let's hope it doesn't come to that Dan...But I'll be damned if I'll let Steve suffer anymore because of me! He's been through enough already Dan...I've got to get him out of there in one piece Dan...I've just...got to..." and seeing how emotional Mike was getting Dan put a hand on his shoulder as a show of support...

"I'll go get that Walkie-talkie Mike...and don't worry...We'll get Steve out...Half the department is here to make sure that happens! That's how highly thought of Steve is..."and with a smile Dan left to attend to the task at hand...

Hearing what Dan had said, Mike pulled himself together and looked around...Sure enough the street was swarming with police officers and Mike smiled at the fact that Steve was so highly regarded that everyone had turned out to do their bit... "Hang in there Steve!..."Mike muttered to himself..."And don't you quit on me!..." and then seeing some of his nosey neighbours appearing Mike went back into Lieutenant mode and barked orders to two police officers standing by their squad car...

"Get this area cleared and GET THOSE PEOPLE BACK! DON'T JUST STAND THERE !"

Meanwhile...

Inside the house at 768 De Haro Street...things weren't going according to Joe's plan... When Steve had pushed Joe back against the wall while Jeannie made her escape he knew that in order for her to have the best chance of getting to safety he had to subdue Joe for as long as he was able...In his currently very weakened and fevered state that was proving a difficult task however and it was only pure willpower and adrenaline that kept him struggling with Joe...Despite the fact that Joe was quite shaky due to his need for a new fix of alcohol ,his bulky frame and size way outmatched Steve's...As Steve fought to get the gun it went off but thankfully the bullet discharged up into the ceiling...Feeling that he had given Jeannie sufficient time to get away and feeling his whole body protest at his exertions Steve felt his strength leave him...Joe could not believe the full extent of the fight that Steve had put up considering how poorly he had appeared but despite his admiration for Steve's courage and nerve his anger at Steve for letting Mike's daughter get away got the better of him and in a moment of alcohol induced rage Joe sent a well-aimed punch into Steve's injured side..

The punch sent a sharp and intense stab of pain through Steve's side and he let go of Joe instantly and dropped to the floor...The pain intensified and seemed to reverberate around Steve's body...Blackness threatened to close in on him and Steve fought the incredible urge to throw up...He held his breath for what felt like several minutes and stayed on the floor, his left arm curled around his midsection while he inwardly prayed that the awful pain would start to ease up...

Joe raced to the door to chase Jeannie and despite his current agony Steve was all set to grab Joe's foot if necessary to trip him up to prevent him from following her but thankfully that wasn't needed as when Joe got to the door he saw the arrival of numerous police vehicles and quickly closed the door again and slid down the wall beside the front door slightly the worse for wear after his struggle with Steve and the shakes that were racking his body.. Now seated on the floor Joe quickly pointed his gun back at Steve but in that instant he seemed to realize that the young man on the floor seemed to be in great distress and for a quick moment Joe began to regret his actions as for the first time in as far as he could remember the effect of the alcohol in his system seemed to be wearing off and sobriety was returning albeit painfully...

"DAMN IT KELLER ! Why did you have to go and pull a crazy stunt like that for?..."You just can't help yourself can you? A regular hero!"

Steve was struggling to breathe through the pain and was starting to panic slightly as his side started to spasm and Steve felt himself losing consciousness ... Seeing Steve's eyes close and his body going limp Joe began to panic too realizing that he might have caused severe damage to Steve with the blow that he had struck...He hadn't intended to cause the kid harm as despite himself the kid had started to grow on him... He admired the kid's courage, attitude and loyalty... Crawling over to Steve, Joe shook the young man's shoulder...

"Steve! Hey kid...Wake up!... STEVE!...DAMN IT...don't die on me! I didn't mean to hurt you kid!.Wake up...DAMN IT WAKE UP!"