"One Last Love" PART TWO
"Let's see…How should this be worded?" Katheryn crimpled the corner of her blank notebook and chewed on the end of her pen as she thought out loud.
"You know, you don't have to take this that seriously…." Detective Sandoval announced his presence as he stepped out onto the back veranda of the H.O.P.E. center.
Katheryn looked behind from where she sat on the porch steps, her knees crouched near her as they propped up her writing notebook. "I'll have you know, detective, that this is a vital part of the operation at hand."
"Oh?"
"Indeed," she replied quickly. "The young lady I am posing as is a writer…and so am I. I am just keeping my skills sharp."
"I see," the detective replied as he descended the steps, turning to fully face the young woman. "How old are you?" He blurted out.
"Um…twenty-one. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason," Detective Sandoval ran a hand through his hair and sighed as he bent down to be seated next to Katheryn for a brief rest. "Are you sure you are prepared for this operation?"
Katheryn contemplated his question before she spoke. "How could I have been prepared? It was rather surprising to me as well."
"I just want to know if you're prepared…mentally…for the task."
She now thoroughly understood his meaning. Capping her pen and laying it aside, Katheryn inhaled, "I suppose I shall be forced to place myself in the shoes of one of my fictional characters and try my best to play my part well. But…in reality, I—I can't say for sure."
A silent pause rested between them both.
"Well," he stood first, sighing sharply with determination, "They'll be expecting us at the store soon to go over the plan once more with the storeowner."
Katheryn nodded once and firmly with her lips clasped tightly together as she struggled to sort through her own thoughts. She rose and led the way inside the building to gather her things and freshen up before returning this time to the front porch to find the detective waiting for her by his unmarked police car alongside the street. He courteously opened the passenger door for the young woman and crossed to the other side, glancing the street over protectively as he walked. The quiet street provided them ease of speed as the detective put the car in drive and accelerated forward. His police radio issued static followed by a muffled voice alerting him to nearby activity.
Katheryn tried not to be nosy. But she was curious nonetheless as to how the man went about his job. It was fascinating. She made a mental note as she observed his actions that she should write a novel set in his line of work someday. Perhaps even the Texas Rangers could use the spotlight of publicity for good to. The public deserves to know what truly goes on in our law enforcement besides some fanciful picture painted by money-hungry wannabe writers, she concluded with a nod she had hoped was not seen.
More static emanated from the radio. Detective Sandoval wrinkled his forehead as he listened to the report. "Robbery in progress on fifth and main. I repeat. Robbery in progress on fifth and main."
The officer drew up the microphone and sped up as he drove. "This is Detective Sandoval. I'm about five minutes ETA of robbery location."
"Send for backup?" the dispatcher replied.
"Yes," the detective quickly answered as he replaced the device back onto the radio and turned on the lights and siren in his dashboard. "Hang on," he forewarned as he rounded a corner rather quickly. The tires squealed in resistance as he gained control of the car and continued forward.
The passenger remained quiet and on alert while secretly enjoying the rapid evolvement of events.
A gunshot rang out as they descended upon the robbery location. It appeared that the criminals were attempting their escape.
"Get down!" the detective called and flung open his door, crouching down below the window and rising swiftly to return their gunfire.
Katheryn ducked below the dash and remained quiet. All she could do was pray that they would both come out of this all right.
The robbers returned rapid gunfire, one after the other, before all piling into a van and speeding off. The detective nicked one just as the van sped forward, causing him to tumble to the ground. Back-up arrived just then. It was the Texas Rangers who sped forward in pursuit of the van that carried away the other criminals.
Detective Sandoval held his gun steadily over the door as he ceased fire. They were safe for now. He drew his hands back and holstered the pistol. He took a deep breath as he recovered from the ordeal. He wiped the sweat from his brow with the bottom hem of his beige sweater as he sat back down inside the car. "It's all over," he informed the young lady as she raised herself into view.
She sighed. "Are you alright?"
The detective nodded and looked her way. Their eyes met briefly as their concern for one another increased.
A fellow police officer appeared at the driver's open door. "Are you okay, Sandoval?"
Sandoval turned his attention to his comrade and nodded as he got out of the car. "You best follow the Rangers. They'll probably need backup."
"Sure thing." The officer hurried back to his blue and white patrol car and flipped on the siren, leading another patrol unit behind him as he sped away.
The detective stooped down, leaning inside the car and taking hold of the radio microphone. "This is detective Sandoval. In need of an ambulance at fifth and main. One robber has been shot."
"Right away," the dispatcher announced as more static followed.
"You stay here," he lifted his eyes to the young woman. "I'm going to go see to the folks inside."
Katheryn nodded and laid aside her fears as best as she could under the circumstances, breathing a prayer of thanks that neither of them had been hurt badly. The detective had seemed so under control throughout the entire ordeal. So had she, now that she thought about it.
They remained at the scene of the crime for a short while longer as the detective completed his duties and gathered vital information from witnesses and the owner of the business that had suffered the loss.
Katheryn had estimated an approximate twenty minutes passed as she waited. She grew restless at one point and even contemplated following the detective. But she remained obedient nonetheless for her own good. She didn't want to jeopardize her own safety nor her acquaintanceship with the Rangers and the detective. She enjoyed the rush of battle and the heroic rescues. Katheryn chuckled to herself as she continued to wait. Perhaps the thrill was just the storyteller side of her speaking.
Her thoughts nearly roamed onward but were interrupted as she looked up to see detective Sandoval returning to the car.
"Is everyone all right?" she asked with care as the detective got into the car and shut the door.
He nodded. "Yeah. One of the patrons had gotten into a fight with one the robbers in efforts to defend the place. But he will be alright." Sandoval reached a hand to put the car in drive but hovered over the device apprehensively. With a wrinkled forehead and tightened lips, he slowly drew his hand back, unable to complete the task.
"What's wrong?" the young woman grew concerned.
"Um," the detective tried in vain to dismiss the thought as he reached to put the car in drive once again. And again he could not.
A parting in the clouds above allowed a flood of Texas sunlight beam down upon where they sat…helpless to the unknown thoughts at hand.
He sighed. "I just wanted to say I'm…I'm proud of what you did today…."
Katheryn lifted her eyes to meet his as surprise beset her.
"You didn't…shriek…or anything," the detective continued cautiously, scratching his head softly as a diversion.
"Why would I have done that?" she raised her eyebrows playfully.
"It's just," he struggled to find the words, "Not many…women…act that way."
"Act what way?"
"Calm," he quickly interjected but then drew back. "I've yet to know many young ladies who could be calm under fire except those that are in the police force." He concluded with a sigh as if those words had been built up within him for hours.
"I see," she responded, turning her head to look out of her passenger window. She smiled. Little had she known how good of a reflection the window could put off. Her smile faded evenly on purpose as she returned to face the detective. "I must be honest also. My opinion of law enforcement has been blemished too. I used to think that the only friendly kind were the ones on television. That it couldn't exist in real life. I, um, I was wrong about that."
He nodded, absorbing her words as she spoke. "Well, all I know is that if you ever want to try your hand at entering the police force, I won't stop you."
Katheryn chuckled. "I don't know about that." Her laugh faded into a smile. "I think I would best be suited supporting someone else who was in law enforcement…as—as a—as a friend." She tried in earnest, hoping her words had not sounded as what she feared them to have sounded.
"If you say so," detective Sandoval freely put the car in drive and accelerated. A smile played at his lips as they propelled forward. His eyes glanced to his right side only once as admiration beset him.
##
"If only he would just leave me alone, Ranger Walker," the bookstore owner breathed harshly as he paced the open floor of his establishment. He was vexed. His hands were filled with perspiration and so was his forehead. He panted softly, attempting to calm himself. "What if your plan doesn't work, sir. What if they find out I fooled him, a—a—and this girl isn't my daughter. They could kill me!" He shrieked on that last note with his hands outstretched and his eyes wider than the Grand Canyon.
The Ranger placed a hand on the man's shoulder. "It'll be alright, Leo. Trust us. We have everything under control."
"I understand," Leo stammered and let out a deep, vexing breath.
"Atta boy," the Ranger Trivette commended. "Just relax. We have you covered."
"Good afternoon, guys," detective Sandoval announced his presence, keeping the door opened for his "partner" as she entered closely behind with a feigned smile.
"Afternoon, detective," Ranger Walker greeted the officer and began making introductions. "Leo, I'd like you to meet Katheryn. She will be posing as your daughter this week."
Leo extended his hand shakily to the young woman. He found it hard to make eye contact as his nervousness overwhelmed him. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"As am I," she returned, shaking the man's hand confidently.
"And this is detective Sandoval," the Ranger continued. "He will be undercover on the other side."
"I see. I see," Leo mumbled.
"Don't worry," the detective assured. "We will have Riviera behind bars in no time."
Leo nodded numbly and proceeded to stock a shelf with new copies of Kipling and Keats. "Well, girly. If you're gonna be posing as my daughter, ya better know your stuff," he threw over his shoulder.
Katheryn smiled and stepped forward by the man's side. "'To noble heart Love doth for shelter fly, As seeks the bird the forest's leafy shade; Love was not felt till noble heart beat high, Nor before love the noble heart was made.'"
The man relaxed for the first time, turned around, and happily chuckled ever so softly. "You might work out after all."
The Rangers and even the detective managed a smile at the small discourse.
"Now," Leo further relaxed and placed a firm hand atop a stack of books on his cart, "Could you see fit to make sure these find their rightful homes, little lady?"
"I sure will," Katheryn beamed.
"And when you're done," a twinkle formed in the man's eye, "Could you read some Keats with me? My girly always does that during lunch."
She quickly glanced towards the detective, maintaining her smile just as Sandoval answered her unasked question with a nod. "I'll see what I can do," she promised the older gentleman and set about her task. For her undercover work had seemed to have just begun.
"Well, seems like everything is settled here. Carlos, see to it that our volunteer is prepped with the hidden mic just in case," Trivette delegated as the threesome approached the door.
Detective Sandoval turned back, and handed Katheryn a small box.
Taken by surprise, she hesitated.
Sandoval opened the small box himself and extended it.
Her eyes grew a bit larger. "Those aren't real diamonds are they?" There was an emphasis on the word real.
Sandoval nodded as a mischievous smile formed on his face just a bit as he flipped the pendant over. "There's a mic hidden in the back. You should wear this all the time if you can."
Katheryn sighed sarcastically. "And here I thought it was a legitimate gift."
The detective feigned a sad face. "I'm sorry I disappointed you."
Katheryn smiled back at him. "That is quite alright. At this point, a hidden mic is far more valuable than any gem could ever be to me."
"Here, let me," he loosened the necklace from the case and slid around behind Katheryn. She lifted her hair slightly as he slipped his hands around her neck and caught the necklace from the other side. He secured the clasp and then let it fall gently about her neck.
Katheryn let her hair fall back into place.
He delayed a few moments before stepping around her to face her again. "Does that work? I can bring it up some if it's too low."
"No," she was quick to answer with a smile. "It—it's okay."
"Alright then," he reached in his pocket and drew out a slip of paper. "Here's my undercover number. If you need to call, you can."
"But won't you have to keep your cover?" she questioned.
"Trust me," he smiled and started for the door, leaving Katheryn to stand in indifference and watch him leave. She pondered to herself why his leaving disturbed her so. But she brushed all useless thoughts aside, tucking the paper gently in her pocket and pointing her attention to stocking the shelves before her and minding the store.
##
Noon came and went. Before long, dusk descended upon the little store and Leo announced it was time to close up.
"Thank you, girly. You're a mighty fine help," the older gentleman beamed as he stooped to lock the entrance doors from the inside.
Katheryn sighed, catching her breath as she lifted a large stacks of books onto the checkout counter. She attempted a smile. "My pleasure."
"You know, I wouldn't complain none if you still visited me and Darla even after she comes back."
"It would be…." The young lady attempted to reply cordially to no avail as the nearby phone rang vigorously and threatened to come loose from its place on the wall.
Leo's lips turned down as he crossed the small space, muttering complaints to himself. "Yes?" he voiced aloud as he placed the receiver on his ear. Mumbled voices were heard through the small device. Katheryn strained to attempt to hear the voices without being noticed. It was no use. The man's face grew pale as he listened.
"What is it, Leo?" Katheryn whispered quietly. Her voiced was strained against her dry throat. She swallowed hard, attempting to tame her own nervous tension.
"I see," Leo replied flatly, staring into the unknown distance. The voice said something else inaudible before Leo, without saying one word, eased the device from his ear. He moved his hand downward, allowing the receiver to rest on his shaking shoulders.
"Leo?" Katheryn urged in her normal voice. An edge of authoritative caution laced her tone.
"He—he said I got twenty-four hours to hand over my daughter Darla to them…or…or…" he choked up, "he'll burn my store to the ground…and worse." With this, the fragile man buried his face in his free palm and sobbed quietly.
Katheryn moved to his side, putting a hand on his quivering shoulder. "It's okay, Leo."
"No it's not, miss," he insisted. "I don't want a pretty gal like you losing her life just because of my problems."
Katheryn braced her thoughts and carefully chose her words, speaking them in a level and matter-of-fact tone. "I assure you, I will be okay." Yet even as she spoke these words, she questioned them and checked her own heart. Her trust waivered, was for certain, then wavered again.
"I don't know," the man said through his sobs. "Maybe I should just sell the store and move to Canada. I've got relatives there, you know."
"You will do no such thing. This store means everything to you. And those bad guys know it. They want you to run away. Fear is their weapon of choice. It can be more powerful than a bullet or fire ever could. Fear can kill the soul just like a bullet can kill a person. And being afraid clouds your knowledge. From then on you aren't able to discern what your best defense could be. And that is how you fail. Fear will only hinder you from living…truly living."
Leo raised his face from his hand, attempted a nod. "You are wise for your years, girly. That you are."
Katheryn smiled and stepped back, taking three books in her arms. "I'm going to go put these in the back storeroom. Are you alright, Leo?"
Leo took Katheryn's free hand in his and patted it gently as a grandfather would, nodding as he looked into her hazel eyes.
"Great," she returned with a smile and started for the storeroom.
Detective Sandoval stood waiting as she entered the room and turned right. "You are good undercover."
Katheryn accepted his complements with a smile as they both moved to where a small station was set up in a secluded corner of the storeroom. There sat a technician and Ranger Trivette. Before them were two visual camera monitors and audio sound equipment.
"I assume you heard what Leo said?" She turned to the detective as they came to a stop in front of the equipment.
Sandoval nodded. "Yeah. We weren't able to trace the phone call. It was too short. Our best guess it came from an unidentified cell phone inside their warehouse."
Katheryn furrowed her brow in thought. "How come you've never been able to secure a search warrant on these guys? If they've committed crimes before, surely you'd be able to get one."
"We've tried. Each time they've managed to hide their goods so well that we couldn't book them on any charge," he sighed. "But we are hoping that'll change soon."
"What is your plan?"
Ranger Trivette spoke up. "We have received word from a snitch that they plan to do something big tonight sometime after midnight. We have reason to believe that involves arson to Leo's store here since they assume he won't comply with their wishes."
"But in sending me to them like they want, it'll buy some time," Katheryn finished the thought aloud.
Ranger Trivette smiled towards the detective. "Looks like we have a smart girl on our hands here."
"That we do," Sandoval agreed and reached over Trivette for the map that was before them. "Here's where we are. And here is the warehouse. I have scheduled a meeting with them at ten o'clock tonight. They think all that I'm doing is delivering the money I promised to prove my loyalty as a new supplier. But what they don't know is that I'll be bringing you along too."
Katheryn listened carefully.
"By capturing Leo's daughter and handing her over, I prove my loyalty even more."
"But won't they question how you knew about me…or Leo's daughter?"
"Yes. But I'll say that Leo has been a bit of a bother to me also and I forced the information out of him since he was an enemy of theirs also."
"I see. Sounds like it will work," Katheryn replied, still holding her stack of books.
"We are definitely hoping so," Trivette applied with confidence.
"I hope you're a good actor," Sandoval teased.
"Oh? Why is that?" Katheryn questioned.
"Because I am a hard man to be mad at. And you'll have to be afraid of me."
"I see," Katheryn nodded, stifling a smile. "I'll try my best."
Trivette nearly cackled as he pecked a few keys on the keyboard in front of him but managed to keep them at bay and reserved to a simple smirk.
Katheryn looked down at the bundle in her arms and grinned. "Here." She planted them in the detective's arms. "I should go see how Leo is holding up."
Detective Sandoval grunted softly under the weight of the rather large books and nearly dropped them.
"Careful!" Katheryn called over her shoulder as she walked back into the bookstore.
"Haha," Trivette grinned.
"What's so funny?" the detective struggled to keep the load in his arms and finally found his footing.
Ranger Trivette carefully enunciated each word, "She has got you wrapped around her finger already."
The detective did not agree and furrowed his brow. "Um, no she doesn't."
"Yes, she does."
"NO, she doesn't."
"Fine," Trivette threw his hands up, feigning a surrender. "Have it your way. But you know I'm right."
Sandoval shook his head and rolled his eyes as he turned to a nearby shelf and deposited the books with a sigh of relief. "There."
"You really ought to cut the girl some slack," Sandoval insisted.
"Oh?" Trivette remained focused on the monitor before him.
The detective propped himself against the shelf as he thought back to earlier in the day. "She was amazing. Bullets were firing everywhere…and she stayed calm."
Trivette paused, wheeling himself around to face the detective whose thoughts were far from their conversation. The Ranger only stared and took in the pathetic display before him.
"When it was all over, she wasn't freaking out or anything. She seemed…happy." Sandoval lifted his head in surprise as he spoke these words to some unseen party in the room.
Trivette smiled, shook his head, and turned back to his task at hand.
Detective Sandoval looked upward, drawing himself out of his reverie. Embarrassment tempted his actions as he cleared his throat, clapping his hands together one solid time and smiling nervously to himself as he proceeded towards the door. "Well…duty calls."