Chapter 15
Boris watched as Jane came tearing out of the house and he rolled down his window.
Jane shouted over to him, "We're headed to Johnson Shoes over on D Street. Frank Conte's brother owns the building!"
Boris nodded and started his vehicles as Jane motioned Dean and Crowe to hurry up. Once they were in the car, Jane dialed her cell.
"Hey, any luck?" she asked Korsak.
"Not a damn thing," he said frustrated. "There's nothing here."
"Frank Conte's step-dad owned Johnson Shoes, according to Nina. We're on our way there now. I'm forwarding you the address."
Korsak pulled the phone away said, "Everyone mount up. We're going to Johnson Shoes!" He then spoke into the phone again and said, "We'll back you up."
Unknown to Vince, back at the shoe store, Frank and Joe had been watching the detectives at their respective homes.
Harris smiled. "It's time. You know what must be done," he mentioned to Conte. "To the death, if need be."
"To the death," Frank replied with a firm nod. He pulled out an AR-15 and inserted the clip. Harris gave him a firm pat on the shoulder and made his way downstairs.
When he got to the bottom of the landing he found Maura laying on the air mattress. Her right cheek was bruising and the rest of her face had spots of grime after their brawl.
"I'm going to free you," Dr. Harris told her. "Would you like that?"
Maura wasn't sure what to make of the situation. She didn't trust her voice so she just nodded slowly.
Harris cleared his throat. "Good. Relax your arms completely," he told her in a soothing voice. "Close your eyes and pretend you are weightless."
Maura wanted freedom so much she simply did as she was told. Harris, for his part, smiled because his plan was coming together...beautifully. He knew that Hoyte, his mentor, would be proud of the hell he was about to unleash on Jane Rizzoli.
"To the last penny," he muttered softly.
Outside, Frank Conte was on the flat-line roof of the store in a crouched position. There was a small ridge around the roof's parameter that allowed him to stay conceal while on his stomach. He watched as Dean parked the car across the street and the trio exited the vehicle.
At the car, Jane pointed behind the store. Something unmistakable caught her eye.
"Oak tree," she muttered, more to herself than her companions.
"What?" Crowe asked in annoyance.
"Maura's here," Jane said louder and with great certainty.
From above the street, Conte watched as they began their approach. He was grateful that, as Harris expected, Jane lead the pack. He put his finger on the trigger and opened fire.
Harris heard the gunfire outside from the AR-15 and realized it was only a matter of minutes now. Jane Rizzoli's world would never be the same again. He felt triumphant. With Maura's eyes still closed, Harris removed her handcuffs and in a gentle voice said, "You'll do exactly as I say."
"Exactly as you say," Maura muttered in an almost sleepy tone.
Harris smiled sinisterly.
Outside, Jane had two choices for finding cover – run back to the car or toward the building. She watched as Crowe and Dean fell into the street. Protected by their bullet proof vests, they managed to stumble and crawl behind their car. Now, just as Harris had planned, Jane was one step closer to that basement... and separated from her team.
"There will be no complications," Frank mutter triumphantly.
Conte smiled at his handiwork as he began to take aim at Crowe's head, which was exposed behind the car trunk. He was about to take the kill shot when he heard another shot ring out. Almost simultaneously, he felt a jolt from his left that made him drop the riffle.
He immediately hit the deck and noticed that he'd been shot, blood pouring from his shoulder.
"What the hell?!" he exclaimed as he peeked up to see another plain clothed man in black taking aim at him from behind another vehicle.
On the street, Boris saw Conte peek his head up and he took the shot, but before he could make the connection, the snipper ducked down.
"Damn it," Boris sighed. He immediately took shelter behind the vehicle. He knew what was coming and as he expected a barrage of bullets soon started to rain his way.
By now, Dean and Crowe began to return fire at the roof gunman. Boris took the opportunity to cross the street and hid behind the tail-end of another parked car.
"Keep going. I'm right behind you!" Boris yelled to Jane.
She nodded and continued on. The glass front door was locked so she opened fire and created a hole. From that hole she was able to break out an even larger area with the butt of her gun. She reached inside and unlocked the door, carefully avoiding the glass. Darting inside, she looked left and right. She didn't see any immediate danger. Directly in front of her was a hallway that seemed to split into two directions.
"Jane! Stop!" Dean called out as she crossed the threshold.
His warning was drown out by the sound of gunfire. Even worse, she didn't see what transpired after she made her way inside. Boris had taking a round in the leg and now he was unable to advance. Unbeknownst to her, with no immediate back up, she continued her walk down the hallway alone just as Harris had orchestrated.