"Are they going to blow up one of the facilities on Ryker's?"
"No. The Tombs. They are going to kill Xie Jun. Yi Bao, the serpent's head, is here to witness his death. It is a matter of family honor."
"Family? Xie Jun is related to Yi Bao?" The serpent's head was only a rumored entity. Nic and Jared had chased the Triad down the rabbit hole many times. They'd never had names to go with the titles that were whispered with reverent voices.
"Xie Jun is his nephew."
"Jia's brother?"
"Half-brother."
"Holy fucked up families," Jade mumbled as she continued to text.
If Nic had to guess, the woman was transcribing the entire conversation, word for word and sending it to Guardian.
"But Xie Jun knew when the explosion would happen." He remembered being briefed on that or had someone told him? Fuck it, it didn't matter how he knew it, but the man ducked under a fucking table. That much Nic remembered.
"Xie Jun was told the same thing as the cops. They were taking out the judge. He was told she would be shot, to duck out of the way. He wasn't supposed to live, but they needed him to be compliant."
"But what about the death threat and the drive-by last night?" Jade asked, she didn't lift her eyes from her phone and continued texting.
"Xie Jun still has loyal soldiers. He ordered the intimidation and the drive-by. The men who are still loyal to Xie Jun will also be eliminated."
"Men like you?" Nic asked.
"Yes." The man closed his eyes, his breathing heavy and wet.
"How are they getting into the tombs? Do they have someone on the staff?"
"No. They're under it." A violent episode of coughing shook the older man's body.
Donna wedged herself in, moving Nic out of the way. She hit the call button on the man's bed. She turned and spoke to Nic, "That's enough."
"Wait…" Allen held up a hand imploring them to stop. Nic and Jade held their positions and waited for the man to rest a moment. "The devices trigger remotely. Cut the green wire first, then black, then white. Do not touch the red or it will detonate. Bao will have a remote trigger. He demanded I show him how to set and activate the timers."
The team of people who entered the room forced Nic and Jade to step away. They took refuge across the hall in the small waiting room.
Nic peered over Jade's shoulder at her phone. "What is D.C. saying?"
"They are alerting NYPD and the Manhattan Detention Complex staff."
The Tombs was actually a facility consisting of a north and south tower that were linked together by an elevated walkway. Nic could only imagine the number of people it would take to clear the sewers and tunnel system below the complex, even with the physical barriers that were erected to keep people out of the area below the prison.
"Jason is briefing the Mayor and bringing him up to speed on what Allen said about Triad people in high places. They're going to give Allen some time to rest, but every alphabet agency in the nation wants to talk with him. Jason wants to run the show here even though the case is no longer in our jurisdiction. Since we have Allen's testimony that the Triad weren't after your mom, and it is Triad infighting, not domestic terrorism, our presence here is tenuous at best."
Nic stopped short and grabbed Jade's arm. "If the Mayor okays it, we can run the operation?"
"Well, yeah… but…"
He held up his hand and palmed his phone, pressing a contact button. "Carmine, you need to reach out to the Deputy Mayor."
Nic stared at Jade. Her eyes held his, and he shook his head as Carmine launched into a tirade. Nic interrupted him mid-sentence, "No,this is the way it is going to happen. If you want any justice for Mom's murder, get the Mayor to okay Guardian's involvement in the ongoing investigation."
"You've got fucking nerve, Nico. She is dead because you didn't do your fucking job." Carmine's voice boomed across the line.
"She is dead because the Triad blew up an entire courthouse, killing not only Mom but numerous other people. Call your Dom, and get this approved."
There was silence on the other end of the line. "That bitch told you."
"Jade? No, Carmine, I've known for years, and I've never told anyone. God, I don't care about your sexual preferences, but you are in a unique position to leverage your relationship. Get Guardian on this case. Get me permission to go after the bastard that planned and executed the bombing."
Nic waited, the silence broken only by Carmine's ragged breaths. "I can't guarantee anything."
"Get me in there. For Mom." Nic disconnected the phone call.
"We need to head to the Tombs. If we get approval, we need to be there and ready." Jade's quiet reply brought him back to the hospital room. "Call Jason and let him know Carmine is trying to up the pressure. I'll drive."
"Hey." Nic grabbed her arm as she started to move away. She stopped and looked up at him. "Whatever happens today, if we get the green light or not, thank you for everything you've done."
He watched as Jade swallowed hard and lowered her eyes. "I know Carmine blames you, but I'm the one who was supposed to ensure your mom was safe. I keep going over everything I set in place…"
"What? No, there was no way for either of us to know. Believe me, I get it. I've gone over everything, over and over again. I know you've done the same thing. If you could have changed anything, what would it have been?"
Jade looked up at him and shook her head. "I… I don't know."
"Exactly. We did everything we could to protect her."
"Maybe if I had been in the building with her…"
"You may have been killed, too." Nic pulled her into his arms. "No more second guessing ourselves."
"Easier said than done, but yeah… I know we did everything we could. It still hurts." She gave him one rib-cracking squeeze and stepped back.
At that moment, Nic realized Jade didn't need him to comfort her, but she'd accepted solace in his arms. That small concession was huge in so many ways. Jade was a lone she-wolf. She allowed him into her territory. She didn't need him to be there with her, but she allowed it, and that was a privilege very few received. Jade had a pack. She'd relentlessly attack anyone who went after those in her pack. The fact that they'd developed feelings for each other was huge, and he recognized it as something fucking special. The revelation didn't make her any less self-reliant or deadly. No, his little she-wolf did not need anyone. But, she wanted him. Nic smiled at his parallel. If the woman ever found out he compared her to a dog, he'd be toast.
"What?" She stared up at him. Her gaze roamed his face as if searching for what made him smile.
"Nothing. I just realized something. You're smart and beautiful. I got lucky."
"It took you this long to figure that out, DeMarco? Damn good thing you're pretty."
Nic dropped a fast kiss on her lips and motioned toward the door. "Damn good thing. You drive."
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Nic got the eerie feeling they'd done this before as Jade jacked the SUV into a partial parking space. The Tombs stood three blocks over, but the NYPD had barricaded the roadways forcing them to sprint toward the facility. A long line of The Department of Corrections buses lined White Avenue.
"Fuck! Are they moving the prisoners? That could force Bao to speed up his plans," Jade said what they were both thinking.
They stopped to flash their badges and find out who was directing on-scene actions and then jogged over to the armored special weapons and tactics van.
"I don't give a flying fuck about the money, Mr. Mayor. If you don't authorize more people, we are going to be facing a disaster that you don't want to deal with. We have 890 inmates and hundreds of staff in this facility, and we won't even count the people in surrounding buildings that will be killed if this building blows. I need more busses. Pull them off the transit lines if you have to, but get me transportation!" The NYPD offi
cer slammed the phone down and let out a guttural sound of frustration.
"Sir, we are here from Guardian. We need to get underneath the structures." Nic and Jade both flashed their badges. "We have just interviewed the maker of the triggers. We can disarm them."
Tired eyes turned toward them. "The Mayor doesn't want you down there, but the Deputy Mayor told me to allow you to in. I don't know who is running the show up there, but I need all the help I can get down here. If I lose my job over this, you better be willing to hire me on staff." He pulled down a map from the shelving unit.
"Fucking guaranteed, you have a job, anytime." Nic would pay the man any amount of money to get down into the tunnels. A job for an honest cop that was trying to save lives? A no-fucking-brainer.
"Here." The man stabbed his finger at the sewer blueprints. "Enter here. I have a ten men team heading down there." He pulled a mic from the radio bank. "Hesston, are you underground yet?"
"Negative, Captain. We are still trying to pry loose the barricades." The captain swore bitterly and keyed the mic again. "I have two specialists coming your way. They will lead the search. Standby until they get there to enter." The captain grabbed the blueprints and shoved them toward Nic. "The intersection of Centre and Walker Streets. Don't make me fucking regret this."
Jade jumped out of the vehicle and spun to follow Nic. They ran down White Street and turned left on Centre, sprinting past businesses that should have been bustling with activity but were now vacant. As they approached the intersection, they saw several city crews waiting next to an open manhole cover.
Jade slid to a stop and let Nic go down the stairs first, flashing her badge at the workers.
"You won't get cell reception down there unless you're directly under a manhole cover, and even that isn't a guarantee.
"Got it. Get the fuck out of here. Clear out!" She watched the men scatter before she made quick work of the ladder leading into the bowels of the city.
The stench of the underground system reared up and slapped her with a viciousness that would have made her vomit if she'd eaten anything this morning. She flipped the flashlight on her phone and illuminated the concrete walkway for both her and Nic. The sound of voices led them to a huddle of men.
"I'm Nic DeMarco, this is Jade King. Your captain sent us down here to lead the search. I'm breaking us into four teams of three. Jade and you two will head here. He pointed to the west corner of the tunnels. I'll go here, he pointed to the east side. You, what's your name?" He pointed at the man closest to him.
"Hesston."
"Hesston, you take two men and go here." Nic looked at another man who gave his name without prompting, "Mason."
"Mason, you take the last corner. Cells and radios probably won't work unless you are right under a manhole, even that isn't guaranteed." He eyeballed Jade, and she nodded. "We are looking for four devices. The C-4 would need to be substantial so look for a package taped to the wall or maybe on the ceiling. The triggering devices will be the way to disarm the bomb. Clear all the way to your assigned locations but keep your eyes open, nothing says they are placed strategically. As soon as you clear your area, report in to me. Get your cells out and give me your numbers. He added the numbers to his phone and sent out a text to each of them, including Jade. "We have a fuck-ton of territory to cover. If you find the device cut the green wire first, the black wire second and then the white. Don't touch the red."
"Red equals dead." Jade's voice pulled everyone's eyes to her. "What? I don't want to fucking blow up." She blinked back at them innocently, but she knew they'd all remember the comment.
Nic smiled at her, and she winked at him. "Get going."
Jade spun on her heel and took the lead. The men assigned with her used their flashlights to illuminate the tunnel. They continued down the tunnel as quietly as possible. She held up her hand, and the men held, instantly pushing their lights against their thighs. A sweep of a flashlight down the tunnel in front of them sent her heartbeat into overdrive. She rose and crept cautiously forward. They moved almost soundlessly down the tunnel and stopped at a three way split in the passage.
The distinct sound of tape ripping off a roll echoed around them. A muttered phrase in some language, definitely not English, extinguished all sounds from her team and eliminated the glow of their flashlights which had illuminated the underground tunnel moments before. Jade prayed the men behind her would remain silent. She heard footsteps approaching. Reaching back, she placed her hand on the nearest man's arm and tapped him three times. Hopefully, he understood. She felt his body move and prayed he was relaying the instructions to the other man.
Jade listened as several people moved closer. They were coming from the right. She tapped the arm next to her once. She felt his hand reach down toward the flashlight. Thank God. She tapped him again and felt his muscles bunch under her arm. She heard a shoe scuff directly in front of her. That is where she would launch on three. Jade tapped the man's arm and pushed through her legs lifting her arms to protect her head and neck. She closed her eyes not wanting the flashlights to blind her. She connected with a warm body and threw her elbow. Two ear-blasting percussive blasts split the air. Jade rolled up and ducked into her ready position. The man she fought smiled and dropped, preparing himself to fight. She could sense life or death struggles happening around her, but she couldn't break her focus on the threat directly in front of her. An onslaught of fists, feet, knees, and elbows flew her way. Jade reacted on instinct. She pulled her weapon, but the bastard sent it flying in a move she'd never seen. Skill, training and some damn fine luck helped her to deflect all but one blow of the next flurry of fists, strikes, and kicks. She could feel the skin over her ribs burst with a sharp searing flare. Fucker. A warm drip told her the bastard had cut her. Jade deflected another round of blows, careful to block the bastard's right hand and the small knife he wielded. She dropped down and swept his legs. The fast son of a bitch was up before she could link another move. Jade could still hear furious struggles going on behind and beside her. The flashlights laid scattered on the walkway, abandoned but illuminating grotesque shadows on the tunnel wall. The bastard in front of her advanced again. The exact same movements. That was his fucking mistake. Jade sidestepped his attack and dropped, grabbing the flashlight. She swung the light hard and took out the bastard's knee.
Jade had to give the guy credit, he stayed standing, and he did not go on the defensive like a wounded animal. No, instead of protecting himself, he launched forward and hit her with a flying body tackle. His weight covered her, driving her into the ground. His fists pounded rapid punches against her ribs as soon as they landed. Jade kicked the knee she'd just shattered, slowing her attacker's onslaught. She reached to her ankle, but the bastard doubled up his fist and punched her in the face. Pinpoints of white light exploded behind her eyelids. Jade rolled up and tucked her arms to protect her ribs and head. She felt rather than saw the bastard struggle to his feet. Jade grabbed her ankle, released her holster's catch, and drew her secondary weapon. She palmed the grip of the automatic, which released the safety. Jade fired three rounds at center mass, which happened to be the fucker's chest and then double-tapped the bastard between the eyes. She rolled and took aim at another bastard who was kicking the fuck out of one of her men. Two rounds later, all sounds of struggle silenced.
She saw one of the officers she'd been assigned with moving. "You okay?" Jade asked, but her words seemed garbled even to her own ears. The fucker that she'd been fighting had one hell of a punch.
"I'll live. Cunningham is unconscious. You put down the fucker that took him out."
Jade closed her eyes and fought a wave of emotion. She didn't know the men she worked with, but losing a brother in arms would have gutted her. "Position him so his airway isn't obstructed. We can't take him with us. When we get word out about this, we'll send in the medics. Any other surv
ivors?"
"Ahhh…give me a minute." She heard him move and closed her eye, giving herself a second to assess her own injuries. The cut on her ribs was going to leave a scar, but it was a flesh wound. Her face felt like a fucking exploded watermelon, but she could see out of one eye, and she could think straight. Good enough to deal. "No. Just us."
"Need to disarm the bomb." Jade pushed up and sucked in a sharp breath. Fuck, she really needed to train more. This getting her ass kicked was new, and it sucked sweaty monkey balls.
Yeah, they were damn lucky to be alive, but they wouldn't be for much longer if they didn't get to the bomb. She braced herself against the side of the wall and used her free hand to grab a second weapon and then the handle of the flashlight.
She waited for the officer to come back to where she was, because fuck no, she wasn't walking any further than she absolutely had to walk. Together, they checked on Cunningham. He had one hell of a lump on the side of his head, but he had a strong pulse, and he was breathing with deep, clear pulls of air filling his lungs. When he woke up, he'd have one hell of a headache; but unlike their three assailants, he would wake up.
Jade lifted away from the officer and ensured the Triad surrounding him were down and out. Three shot dead, and the fourth's neck had been broken. She bent down turn over a body, just to make sure the man was dead. The groan the movement elicited from her echoed down the empty tunnel. She stood, waved toward the primary tunnel, and they headed out. Both had their weapons extended as they turned, searching for anyone who might still be waiting by the device. The passageway echoed in its emptiness. Thank God. Jade dropped her hand and limped to the device taped to the side of the tunnel. It was closer than she'd anticipated. She surveyed the detonator and then at her partner. "I need a small knife. That piece of shit had one." She motioned toward the tunnel where they'd come. Even if she had her Interceptor 911, the blade would have been too big to work on the small detonator.
Jade (The Kings of Guardian Book 9) Page 24
