Missing
Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N:I wake up in the morning and I give to you the next chapter. You know, even if they don't consider Andre a bad guy, he'd still be charged with quite a few crimes-especially murder, and put in prison. Well enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 31 (Old Enemies)
She felt bad for leaving the old man behind, but hearing Krystal say that Nora was on the second floor gave Sam a deeper interest in pursuing this woman. The feeling in her gut said if she found Nora, she'd find Cat. Hearing David over the radio mention that Gary Malone was dead was bittersweet to her. On one hand it was satisfying to know that one of the three chief people they were after was no longer a threat, but knowing that he died before he could be arrested was a hard pill to swallow.
Thinking about what David and Jesse said about taking a life resonated very deeply with her. Even in the past when she'd been a troublemaker, she never once thought about taking a life, and even now she knew if she had to pull that trigger it wouldn't be a situation where she was able to second guess herself. It would be done to protect her life, or to protect one of the two girls that they were trying to rescue.
"Thank you for cooperation," she muttered while handcuffing the criminal Andrew. She had him thrown up against the wall, primarily because he did try and fight back. The man let out a grunt as she guided him out of the door. "You're under arrest, and you have the right to remain silent-I so hope you will shut up until I hand you over to the kind officers that will escort you to the patrol car."
Andrew rolled his eyes and looked off to the right as a police officer came running in their direction. So far the job hadn't been difficult. With Andrew in custody, and David reporting that Krystal was in custody, it left only two people left on the floor that she needed to worry about before getting Cat.
"Do tell me, is Catherine Valentine on this floor?"
"Fuck you bitch!"
"Not the answer I was looking for." She rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to strike the man. The officer took Andrew and she feigned a polite smile. "Good day Andrew, I'm sure you will have many opportunities in jail to fuck and be fucked." Andrew's face turned white, and a laugh escaped the officer. "By the way Officer, how is Deputy Vega?" Though retired, she still thought it was appropriate to refer to him with his honorific.
"He's a tough old man," the officer replied, "He'll be fine. He's taking a few minutes to regain his composure and is insisting on getting back into the action."
"Alright. That's good. Let the others know Andrew is in custody. So far, Tyler and Nora are the only ones confirmed to still be on this floor." She turned to leave, but stopped as a brief bout of guilt struck her. "Also, tell Deputy Vega I'm sorry for rushing off. I know he didn't want anyone separating from each other, I just have a feeling Cat is somewhere on this floor-probably with Nora."
"Yes ma'am."
She closed her eyes and brought her fingertips up to her throbbing temple. It amazed her that even after all these years, Nora was still an active force in her life. She felt like Tori did and wanted to end Nora's life today, but she thought better of it. "As a cop, I cannot kill for revenge, no matter how angry I am."
If she had to fight the woman, she would. Doing her job and doing it right was important to her. If she could save Cat without having to kill anyone, she would.
It is easy to take a life, but strength meant not doing so.
Sam made her way down the hallway until she came to a door that was open partway. She moved her gun up to her chest and used her free hand to push the door. Inside, a man lay sleeping on the bed. His hands were folded over his stomach and a ball cap was positioned neatly on his chest.
"And I just found Tyler." The only reason she knew was due to having been a part of the team that arrested him six years ago. "I swear he needs to get that sleeping issue resolved, he was asleep the last time we got him." She removed her handcuffs from the belt and walked to the bed, smirking as Tyler rolled onto his side. "He snores like a whimpering dog…"
She reached for him and held her hand above his body, stopping only when he sputtered in his breathing. Tyler then rolled onto his stomach, giving Sam a golden opportunity to grab his wrists and throw on the cuffs. His eyes shot open and he let out a startled cry. "What's going on! Dear god!"
"Tyler, remember me?" The man looked up and the color drained from his face. "Yeah drug addict that kidnapped that little girl, I was one of the arresting officers, right? Well congrats, you're under arrest. Again. For aiding a kidnapping." She clicked her tongue and squinted her eyes. "Again. I suggest a career change."
"Jesus Christ…" His head dropped onto the bed and Sam yanked him up to his feet.
"Thank you for making it so easy on me. I'd suggest a neurologist about that sleeping disorder you've got, but you're going to be a little cooped up for a while." She called it in on the radio, requesting an officer to retrieve the man. "While we're here, Tyler. I'd like for you to tell me what you know, if anything. Tell me about Cat Valentine's involvement? Did she commit any crimes?"
"I don't know. As far as I know, she's the one with the clean record-as trapped as the woman in the basement."
"Okay." She smiled and pat his back. "Thank you for the cooperation. Tell me about Nora…"
"Holly hired her just because of the connection to Cat." His head fell and he started to mutter. She smacked the back of his head, causing him to flinch. "Jesus…Okay, as far as I know, Nora kind of took over all of us when they killed Robbie. Also, once she found out the girl was pregnant-" Sam's heart stopped and her grip on his arm tightened, causing him to scream out in pain.
"Cat's pregnant? How is she pregnant!"
"I don't know! She just had pregnancy tests up in her room somewhere and Nora found them. I think it might be that Andre guy's kid, those two are close." She pressed her lips and looked out the door, demanding to know what room Cat was in. If the girl was pregnant, then one thing was certain, it was of utmost importance that she get her out before anything else happened. "Just keep walking that way-" He motioned his head in the right direction. "Take a left down the long hallway, and Cat's room is at the end of the corridor. Please stop crushing my arm!"
"Sorry." She cleared her throat and walked him out of the room where another officer was ready to take him. Her eyes slid back into the room where the television was still on, and to her amazement the news media had already picked up on them. Tori's plan of blocking the mansion from view and keeping the media across the street worked, but it was still frustrating to see all the persons of interest on the news.
They had a picture of Trina, a picture of Holly and Gary, and were going on about the possibility that Trina was to be found alive.
"As if we need more bad news." She bolted from the door and rushed in the direction that Tyler had given her. Sweat trickled down her face as her anxious heart pounded in her chest
The closer she came to Cat's room, the more she could hear a familiar voice shouting at someone, while Cat was crying. Sam turned sideways at the door, she was bent slightly and had her gun pointing diagonally at the floor. She radioed in for backup just in case, then kicked the door on.
"Drop your weapons and put your hands into the air! Now!" She aimed at Nora's back and narrowed her eyes. Nora was standing before Cat, one fist was in the wall to the right of Cat's head, and her other hand was clutching a gun. Cat looked past Nora with wide eyes. "Nora Dershlitt. Do exactly as I say. Turn around and put the weapon on the ground."
Cat's hands rose to her mouth and her eyes clenched shut. Muffled sobs filled the air and broke Sam's heart. Her nose wrinkled as Nora started to turn.
"Samantha Puckett." Sam growled at the smug woman. "How did I know it would be you? It seems Cat held out so much hope you'd come find her." Nora brought her hand to her chin and slid her fingers along her jaw. "We were just having a little chat about the phone that I found stashed away in this room along with her pregnancy tests."
"Why are you working for Holly? Are you still obsessed about-"
"Don't get me wrong. I don't give a shit about you iCarly assholes anymore." Nora walked forward and Sam tensed while pushing the gun forward an inch.
"Do not move!"
The woman stopped and spread her arms out. "Are you going to shoot me, Sam?"
"I am going to arrest you. You're under arrest for aiding a kidnapping."
"And murder!" Cat exclaimed. Nora rolled her eyes and slowly tilted her head to the right. "She's responsible for Robbie's death. She and Holly both."
"And it's Sergeant Puckett to you, Nora." Her hands felt heavy and every impulse in her body was telling her to take the shot. "Listen, if you cooperate you could get less time maybe. Put down your weapon, put your hands behind your head."
"You're going to have to shoot me."
"I'm not going to." Nora rolled her eyes once more, then snapped her arm in Cat's direction, aiming the gun at Cat's head. The redhead screamed and Sam's eyes widened. "Nora, don't! Don't do it. Right now it's just an accessory charge. You haven't killed anyone, you don't want to go in for murder." Her chest throbbed and the adrenaline burned like wildfire in her veins. "Again, drop the weapon, Nora."
"I was hired by Holly because she wanted me to cause some sort of mental anxiety towards this chick here. More control. I did not join her because of Cat, I didn't know Cat was a part of this little crew of hers."
"Nora. I won't tell you again. Put down the weapon."
She spoke with more firmness and swept her thumb to the hammer of her gun. "Come on Sammy, you want to kill me don't you? You're just itching to do it, I know you are."
"That's where you're wrong. I haven't taken any lives while working on the police force, and I don't want to do it now."
"Even if taking a life means saving one?"
"I know when it's necessary, but it's a last resort. You don't have to die today, Nora."
Nora's head swayed to the right and her eyebrows fell flat over her eyes. "Do you know what happened to my parents? My father died in prison, and my mother went crazy-she killed another inmate and is now in maximum security. I have no siblings, I have no friends to go back to. For all intents and purposes, I have no life and do not exist. I'm just a name on a list…"
The woman turned her gun away from Cat, then aimed for Sam. "I'd love a life outside of prison, but that's never going to happen. I've dealt with you two times before, Sam. Today will be the last time I deal with you."
"Nora…"
"Goodbye." Nora pulled the trigger and Sam felt a sudden pain strike her torso. She fell to the ground and Cat cried out in terror. Her hand moved up to the vest she was wearing and she peered down with a gasp while Nora approached. "Fuck it, I forgot the police would be wearing those stupid things. Should have aimed for your head instead."
As the woman's shadow fell over her, a sense of fear struck her and the survival instinct kicked in. Tears flooded her eyes as she threw her gun upwards and emptied her clip. Nora's body jerked back and shook as blood rushed from her body.
"S-Shit…"
Sam froze, whimpering as she watched the woman fall to the ground. It was a necessary kill, but the sight of Nora's blood drenched body sickened her. She turned her head away, groaning as the nausea spun violently inside of her.
Cat rushed to her side and threw her arms around her, sobbing frantically. "Sam, I'm so sorry Sam." Sam hugged Cat back and kept her mournful eyes on Nora. Her skin turned white and clammy, and her lips trembled while the image burned into her mind.
She understood now what Jesse and David had said earlier. "It's terrible feeling. Oh god." Her body shook and her hand moved up over her eyes. Two officers rushed into the room and looked from her to the body. "Okay…there's still more work to be done."
"What are your orders, Sergeant?"
Sam tried to stand, but nearly fell over again when she looked at the body. Cat put her arm around her to help steady her. She shook her head and turned to the girl. "Cat, we can't take you out just yet because it's not safe. Stay with these officers." Cat's lips closed and she replied with a firm nod. "Also. You're pregnant?"
"I am. It's Andre's. He and I, well it's complicated…"
"Have you sustained any injuries?"
"N-No. Nora didn't get around to hitting me yet…" Sam's hand moved to her stomach and she let out a soft groan. "Trina's in the basement, but you have to go through the kitchen. The last I heard from Andre, he was standing guard there."
"Andre. He's been the subject of a lot of anxiety, you know." Cat's brow furrowed and her lips fell into a deep frown. "Just whose side is he one?"
"Everything he's done lately…has been done to get Trina and myself out of here. He's not on Holly's side."
"Thank you, Cat." Sam wiped away the sweat on her forehead and her neck, then turned to the officers. "I want you two to remain on this floor with Cat. I need to press ahead and make sure the others are clear." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "When we find Trina and have cleared the mansion, we will signal you. For now, it's safest here-there are still criminals around that might try and attack if they saw us taking Cat out."
"Yes ma'am," the officers replied.
"Sam? Am I in trouble?" Sam titled her head back and let her body fall with a sigh.
"You're not being charged yet, but you'll still have to undergo trial." Fortunately there was evidence as well as statements to prove Cat was under duress, so it would truly help. "I think everything's going to be okay. I'll be back for you."
Before she could leave the room, Cat blurted out one last tidbit of startling information. "Trina might be pregnant." Sam's hand landed on the door frame and her body froze. She looked over her shoulder and felt her heart's pounding grow violent.
"What?"
"That date with Jesse. She lost herself in the same feeling that I had with Andre. Safety, security…Andre snuck out and got a pregnancy test, it came out positive."
"Fuck! I need to tell the others." The level of urgency just increased tenfold. Jesse and Tori weren't going to like hearing this, but it had to be done. Sam grabbed her radio and fled the room. "I'll be back."
Cat's safe, and that's what matters, but Sam will never forget this day. She was forced to make that call. Well, the next chapter will be back to Tori. Tell me your thoughts of this chapter.