Chapter 19 - Takedowns and Traitors
Hector POV - Holding Cell #1
I can't believe Rodriguez would betray Ranger. We were just 21 when Ranger found us and helped us get our acts together or at least my life together. We were part of a gang based in Newark with sects all across the major cities of the northeast. I wanted out and was putting myself through community college using the money my sister left when she died. While I was doing that I also started to hack on my own time but due to my financial and living circumstances I was still ingrained into the gang culture. Rodriguez was a fellow member of my gang and we had been friends since 7th grade. We started hacking at the same time but he didn't have the money to go to college.
Myself, Manny, and Rodriguez saved Ranger's life one day from an apprehension gone wrong during his early bounty hunter days. One of the gang leaders from a now defunct gang had his lieutenants set fire to the building after Ranger had entered. We were able to hose down one of the back doors of the building and then I went in and we got Ranger out. After that we helped Ranger set up his Trenton branch the second after Miami. We ran down leads on business associates, helped him reputation on the streets of Trenton, and improved the security systems and search services. He repaid us with jobs, a steady salary, and a place to live.
That's why I can't fathom why Rodriguez would betray Ranger like this. If not for him we would not have the lives we do. He would have never met his life Maria and have his two wonderful children. He just threw all that away. I asked Tank if I could be the one to interrogate him and be the first one to serve some justice. His loyalties may not lie with Rangeman anymore but mine certainly did.
I entered the holding cell in the basement to find Rodriguez handcuffed and leg shackled. To the chair that was bolted in the room. This particular room was designed to be uncomfortable with only a table and chair. Instead of walking over to stand in front of him I stayed by the door and waited for him to speak.
Fifteen minutes later he finally broke. "I fucked up" He stated in a dejected and distraught tone.
"The question is why."
"It wasn't because of Stephanie or Ranger even I… I just fucked up. Everything just started falling apart."
"How?"
"Maria she left and took the kids three months ago. She said she couldn't stand the man I've become. I told her that I think it was actually who I was all along. I'm sorry Hector I betrayed everything good that has come to us. Three years ago when we got pregnant with Layla I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure if I was ready. We were only 23 just turning our lives around. I couldn't cope so I ran away. I ended up in Atlantic City. Met up with Rascal and Cheetah from the old gang. We ended up in the backroom of one of the casinos where the high roller games take place. We started winning. I suspected they were cheating but weren't caught. Eventually I started to learn the game and actually became rather good. Over the last two years I've been able to earn a lot of money. It's why I was able to move my family into a house so quickly. Well I've continued gambling now online mostly but about 4 months ago I made a bet on a few games and started losing in the online poker games. As a last ditch effort to earn some money back I went to Atlantic City. I lost it all. I lost more money than I've ever had possession of. Maria found out when I came home drunk as a skunk and a month later her and the kids moved away to live with her parents."
I would have to look into his finances later and make sure I gave Maria some money to support her and the kids. However I needed to know why he betrayed Ranger and helped attempt to end Stephanie's life.
"Yes you fucked up but why did you betray Rangeman and Rnager and Manny and Me?!"
"About a month ago I was sitting in a bar after work trying to drink the pain away. I was approached by a man I came to know as Blade. We started talking and he offered me what I needed to get out of the sinkhole I had built. All I had to do was get him information on when Stephanie would be alone. A time when she'd be available to talk. I told him that she was rarely alone to talk but if he wanted to slip her a note that when she was on a client call of a distraction would be best. He asked if I could get her client schedule but since she hasn't been alone for her client calls lately a distraction would be best. The bar was the perfect opportunity. I had no idea he was actually planning to execute her. I just thought that he had information he wanted to share with her."
"Accomplices?"
"None that I know of"
"How much?"
"4 million"
"Paid?"
"No, 24 hours for new information or off the table."
"Contact?"
"Burner phone only number" I nodded and left the room to return to the conference room. We had less than 24 hours to come up with a plan and take out Blade. It was time to get Ranger and Stephanie involved.
RPOV - The Batcave
"10-4 eta 25 minutes" I hung up the phone with Tank. I turned to my Babe to explain the situation.
"Babe, they believe they apprehended the mole. Rodriguez turned on Rangeman due to his gambling debts. We have 24 hours to come up with a plan to take out any remaining players. I have to go back. Bobby and Cal are already en route to stay here with you and Julie. This satellite phone is a direct line to the core team please keep it on you. Also please keep your panic button on you and have Julie do the same. Hector also sent a computer with them to bring to you. We need you to run background checks on Rodriguez and Blade. We also need the three of you to go run checks on all the men in Trenton and then also the men from the other offices. We aren't just looking for your enemies but also the core teams Bobby and Cal will direct you what to do."
"Carlos, I understand. Thank you for helping me of course I will make sure we go through every man. But please don't make me sit on the sidelines when it comes to the final takedown. I can handle it. It's my life. I should be the one protecting it."
"Stephanie. But I can't promise that. It is your life but now it's mine too and I want to spend the rest of my life with you so if I don't call you I need to know you'll forgive me. It doesn't have to be immediately but you need to understand that I am only doing it to keep you and our future safe. I love you."
"I promise to forgive you. I love you Carlos." I kissed her gently and then stood up to leave. I ran upstairs and changed back into my Rangeman uniform and stopped by Julie's room to kiss her forehead. She was awake sensing that I would need to leave. She made me promise to come home and told me she would take care of Steph. I bid her goodbye and got back just in time for Bobby and Cal arriving at the gate. I punched in the code to let them in. They parked in the garage and I went over the safety protocols of the house including the codes for the bunker, doors, and windows.
"Don't get shot Batman."
"Don't go Crazy Babe" I gave her one last kiss and then headed out. I took the undercover car Bobby and Cal arrived in and it took me 15 minutes to get the Rangeman. I ran up the stairs and entered the third floor.
"Report!" I barked out.
"Winchester was taken in by the local police and booked. We received 200k for the takedown. The traitor is in cell one and waiting for further instructions. Hector has begun to run the general checks on the men so we can clear them to assist with the mission. We've cleared everyone who was at the bar tonight, Vince, Manny, Jace, and Fish so far. We have three patrol teams out so far looking for Blade. An APB has also been put out and the state and local troops are assisting. The FBI has taken over the investigation with Lieutenant Anders leading. We have 21 hours remaining to develop a plan."
Lester gave an update on the patrons at the bar including the injured. The Rabbi got a bullet to his shoulder but was now stitched up and in recovery as it missed all of his vital organs. The Priest got two bullets to his abdomen and was in surgery but was expected to survive. He got the names of the church and synagogue and informed them of the mens injuries. He also made anonymous donations from my personal account for their troubles.
I reviewed some of the reports that Hector and Manny had completed. They confirmed Rodriguez's story by running his finances and talking to his wife Maria. Hector said he was going to keep in touch with the wife to ensure they had everything they needed. As for the debts he was nearly 4 million dollars in debt. Hector tracked down the names of four loan sharks that he owed the money to for later. Next we went through the visitors logs of the New Jersey State prison. They showed several visits between Blade and Morelli. Cal called his brother in law who worked at the prison to inform us if any contact is made.
Ram gave an update on the evidence they found on site. They found 36 shell casings and a cut in the glass of an abandoned building with a direct line to the bar. The FBI and local police took the evidence into custody and would keep us informed if they get any leads on their part but they were mostly focusing on reassuring the patrons that they are no longer under threat and managing the media while leaving us to resolve the issue.
Finally Hal gave an update that the patrol teams had not found Blade but they did apprehend Mooch Morelli trying to break into Stephanie's old apartment and Anthony Morelli at her parent's house. Eddie Gazzara ensured that both men would be held in jail, interrogated, and charged.
After all the reports were finished we got to work putting together a plan. Ella dropped off bagels and coffee to fuel us as we worked. Four hours later we finalized the plan and called an all Trenton office meeting.
Once everyone was gathered including the satellite phone that had Bobby, Cal, and Stephanie patched in, I began the briefing. "We have chosen Safehouse Alpha for the takedown. At 0900 Lester, Ram, Hal, and Vince will arrive at the house and secure the premises. At 1000 Stephanie and Tank will travel to the house. Upon arrival Stephanie will immediately leave via the underground tunnel in the basement with Hal and Vince to return to my house. Bobby and Cal will be staying with Julie. Hector will be coordinating from Rangeman. All other men have been partnered and will patrol the area as normal and not draw attention. However when the call sign is made you shall immediately arrive at the Safehouse for the takedown. Following this meeting Hector and Manny will go down to the holding cell to get Rodriguez to place a call to the target and inform him that we plan to move Stephanie to the house at 1015. He will also share that Steph will only have one bodyguard so it would be an ideal time to make contact. Hopefully he will take the bait and enter the house but should he not Ram and Lester will be positioned in the house with snipers ready to take him out. Questions?"
"How will you get Rodriguez to cooperate?" Binkie asked.
"Offer to keep his name out of the police reports"
"So he's not going to get in any trouble?" Zero asked.
"Let me say this once. If any of you ever betray me, my family, or Rangeman you will not live beyond the days you are useful. I may keep his name out of the police reports but I never said anything about our revenge let alone those he owes money too." Everyone shifted in their seats and sat a little straighter.
"Any other questions?" No one spoke up. "Dismissed!"
Everyone mobilized immediately. I followed Hector and Manny out to watch the call while the other members of the core team and the men prepped the cars and gear for the mission.
SPOV - The Batcave
"I'm not ecstatic that I won't be involved in the final takedown but I suppose I'm happy he involved me at all." I said to Cal and Bobby after hanging up from the conference call.
We had spent the night going through background checks of all the merry men including those at the other branches. We found no additional suspects within the Trenton Branch. However we found 2 in Miami, 5 in Boston, and 4 in Atlanta that had possible connections to either Joe or one of the core team's enemies that would need to be vetted in person to ensure their loyalties. We also ran background checks on all of the current known players.
According to the number we got from the burner Rodriguez had Blade only made calls to two other people. One was a woman who we determined was a woman for hire and the other was the line at the New Jersey State prison. Hector used that information and forwarded it to Silvio in Miami who was able to pull the recordings and get confession on the conspiracy to murder not just me but Ranger as well. We packaged up the info onto a few flash drives that would be put in our safe, given to Trenton PD, and also given to the FBI.
Once I double checked that everything was in the correct piles I locked down my laptop and went to the kitchen to get breakfast ready. It was almost 0800 and Julie would be getting up soon. I cooked up eggs, hash browns, and some bacon for everyone. Julie came down a little after eight and the three of us told her the general plan of the day. She understood it was dangerous so she promised that she wouldn't give Bobby and Cal any issues and stay inside until the threats were resolved.
They cleaned up the dishes while I got ready to go. I dressed in my standard Rangeman uniform and threw a flak vest on for good measure. Then I got fully dressed by strapping a gun into a shoulder harness Ranger got me. I slipped a third gun into an ankle holster on the right side and a knife into the left boot. Then I slipped a knife onto my back in the back of the shoulder holster. Finally I put on my utility belt which held another gun, my stun gun, and a pair of handcuffs.
Tank arrived shortly before 9:30 to collect me. I hugged Julie, then each of the dogs, then Bobby, and Cal. I followed Tank out to the standard Rangeman SUV. "Don't be nervous little girl, you can do this. Just remember your training and don't let fear guide your decisions."
"Thanks Big Guy" I gently placed my hand over his on the center console and gave it a quick squeeze before returning it to my own lap and we continued the rest of the drive in silence. Fifteen minutes later we were pulling into a two story standard subdivision style home in a nondescript neighborhood.
"Did we warn the neighbors of the possible threats?" I asked now suddenly concerned with the safety of the general public.
"Most of the neighborhood isn't occupied yet except the first few homes that we passed half a mile back. This subdivision only recently started construction last fall and picked up again in April." I nodded understanding that it would be safe.
We pulled into the driveway and into the attached garage exactly at 1000 hours. He closed the garage door behind him before getting out. I waited for Tank to come around and open my door then we proceeded into the house. I was immediately engulfed into the warm and strong arms of my lover and we took a moment to ourselves before he signaled Hal and Vince. They came forward and I followed Hal with Vince at the rear down to the basement of the house and into the tunnel.
We quickly exited into the tunnel that led to a similar door. The door on the other side led into a basement similar to the one we just exited. We took the stairs up and got into a Green SUV that had been left there. Hal took the driver's seat, Vince the passengers, and I buckled myself into the back.
"Here put this on." Vince handed me a red wig with straight hair.
"The windows are tinted, why do I need this?" I asked as I slipped it on.
"Just a precaution." Vince responded. We sat in the driveway for ten minutes. Hal said that nothing was coming over the com so we should be in the clear to leave. Hald started up the SUV and drove out of the house. I sunk down into the back seat to minimize my presence even further.
We got the the end of the neighborhood and were about to turn onto the main road opposite the side of the neighborhood we entered on when my body suddenly jerked forward and I was upside down. After what felt like hours but was only mere seconds I was jolted back to consciousness. I felt up and down my body realizing I was mostly okay. I carefully turned on my side and unbuckled myself using my arms and legs to brace myself as I turned around. I leaned into the front to access Vince and Hal. Hal was unconscious but he had a pulse. Vince was disoriented but awake and looked to have suffered from a leg injury. As I looked around trying to assess how to help them I felt a sharp tug on my leg.
I tried to turn around but whomever was holding on to my leg had a strong grip and was keeping my body turned away. They finally pulled me completely out and I managed to turn and see Blade staring directly into my eyes.
"Well Well Well what do we have here? You and those men may have tried to trap me but I knew that there had to be a plan. Good thing I've been scoping out the location since 8 am. I may have only seen you go into the house but that only told me that there had to be an alternate entrance." Shit we weren't as stealthy as we need to be, we would need to talk about that when we get out of all this.
"We need to go." He demanded while attempting to pick me up and to haul him back to his car.
"No" With that I used a move I learned from Lester and swung my legs catching him off guard and taking him down to his feet. Before I could get up though he grabbed onto my leg. I remembered my training and utilized a series of moves the men had taught me in different martial arts styles as we fought. At some point I lost the utility belt, flak vest, and weapons in the shoulder harness.
I heard the sound of sirens approaching. No one was around to witness this mess since we were on the side of the neighborhood where the houses were still being built. I knew Rangeman would have called when the trackers went offline which means Carlos would be here soon as well.
With one last effort I whipped out the knife from the holster in my book and threw in one more roundhouse kick catching him by the jaw. Turning swiftly I flipped him onto his back placing my boot on his stomach and the knife to his throat.
"Move and I will end your life" I heard the screeching of cars and then the thundering of boots on the ground. Lester and Tank ran up and immediately secured Blade. I felt Carlos's arms wrap around me from behind. I immediately fell back into them as everything went dark.