“Should we put them in one of the boats?” said the officer who had a hold of Gunnar’s elbow to keep him from falling. Easy for the ERT. They were wearing cleats.
“Yeah. Use the boat closest to us,” said the ERT leader, who was standing behind the car. “Who piloted the lifeboat?”
“A crewman from the Golden Harvest,” mumbled Cartwright.
“Is he still on board?”
“Probably.”
“Armed?”
“Probably.”
“How many women are on board?”
“Thirty-four.”
“What’s the capacity of the boat?”
“Thirty. The captain didn’t want to put an extra boat in the water.”
Once Cartwright and three of the perps were hauled down to the narrow dock and the short distance to the boat, the team leader and two of the ERT headed to the dock. They gathered at the front end of the lifeboat; its mooring ropes pulled taut as it strained against the storm.
The ERT leader pulled up Brandeis on his dedicated comm and filled him in.
“Is the lifeboat safely moored?
“Yes sir.”
“Do we know anything about the sailor?”
“He’s still on board and probably armed.”
“Don’t move on the lifeboat yet. I don’t want a hostage situation. Let’s try to figure something out that doesn’t put the women in jeopardy. Kwan was forced to disarm the pilot on the other lifeboat, but circumstances were a lot different, and he had no choice. We still need to bring that second lifeboat to shore and arrange transportation and accommodation for everyone.” Over the storm, Brandeis could hear someone yelling.
“What going on officer?”
“Good news,” said the ERT leader. “The crewman piloting the lifeboat has just surrendered. We have him.”
“I’ll tell Kwan to bring the other lifeboat ashore.”
Chapter 29
Alex looked at the map on his knee. “Turn here. Cartwright’s driveway will be the fourth one in, your side.”
Corporal Hunt turned right onto a gravelled road. Everything, including the street sign, was covered in ice. There were no streetlights, no visible landmarks and not a car in sight.
The street was served by rural postal delivery service; an ice-encrusted mailbox sat just off the road beside each driveway. The fourth driveway featured a gate which stood open.
“Park the car so it blocks the exit,” said Alex. “We’ll go the rest of the way on foot.”
Hunt parked and they headed up the driveway, a potholed mud track now under a layer of ice. They moved to the short brush beside the driveway. It was easier going. They hadn’t gone far when they rounded a bend; a cabin was dead ahead. Dim light shone from the only window in front. A van was parked near the front door. The lights were on and exhaust was visible from the tailpipe.
Alex pulled out his pistol and motioned Hunt to move to the back of the cabin. “We want these guys alive,” he reminded him.
“Copy that,” said Hunt as he pulled out his gun and headed round back. Alex gave him time to get into position, then moved over the rough, icy turf to the small window. It was glazed over with ice, but he could make out two figures standing close together in the main room. As he watched, one of them turned and appeared to be headed for the front door. Alex moved to the shadows just beyond the door, gun out and ready.
Moments later, the door opened and Kirigin stepped gingerly onto the icy stoop. Grabbing the door jamb with both gloved hands, his turned his back to Alex and hunkering down, lowered his right leg slowly to the ground. Still holding tight to the jamb, he pulled his left leg to the ground. He carefully moved both hands to the stoop now and turned towards the SUV, just beyond the stoop. A second man appeared in the doorway holding a leather case.
“Greg. You’re blocking my way. Move to the car so I’ve got room to step down!”
“Have you got my case?”
“Yes.”
“It’s glare ice out here!”
“Just hold onto the step and let yourself slide toward the car door,” said Severall. “Once you get the door open, you’ll be able to pull yourself into the car.”
Gingerly, Kirigin transferred his weight to one foot. It slid out from under him and he let out a scream as his legs scissored beneath him. Severall put the case down on the stoop and moved as quickly as he could to help him out. Once he was on the ground, he reached for the side of the stoop to steady himself, but one of his feet slid into one of his partner’s outstretched legs and he fell to his knees. Kirigin screamed again. Severall reached for the stoop to pull himself up just as Alex stepped out of the shadows and moved quickly around the front of the stoop.
They looked up at Alex in amazement.
“Eric Severall. Gregori Kirigin. You’re under arrest.”
Kirigin looked up at Alex, completely bewildered. “You’re supposed to be dead! Shoot him, Eric!” He continued to thrash about on the ground, trying in vain to get back on his feet.
Alex trained his gun on Severall’s chest. “Take your weapon out, very slowly, and put it on the stoop.” Severall hesitated. “Do it now!”
“Kill him, Eric,” Kirigin screamed as Severall pulled a gun from a side holster and carefully placed it on the porch. Alex grabbed it and shoved it into a side pocket.
“Why don’t you help you partner to his feet.”
That was easier said than done. Both men were wearing leather-soled boots and had absolutely no traction. When Severall finally managed to get Kirigin back on his feet, Kirigin immediately lunged for Alex, a move which slammed Severall into the wall beside the stoop. Alex grabbed Kirigin’s left arm and pulled his upper body across the stoop, planting the nozzle of his gun behind one ear.
“I’d love an excuse,” Alex hissed.
“You’re hurting my arm!”
“Help your partner into the house,” ordered Alex, releasing Kirigin.
Severall, clutching onto the stoop for balance with one hand, reached an arm out to Kirigin. Somehow, the two of them managed to scale the stoop. Severall crawled through the doorway and Kirigin, clutching him tightly from behind, was right behind him. Alex hopped up onto the stoop and grabbed the briefcase. He pushed the two men the rest of the way into the room and shut the door. Once inside, he could see that Hunt was at the back door, his gun out and trained on someone Alex couldn’t see.
“On your knees, both of you,” ordered Alex. “Hands behind your head.” Kirigin and Several looked at each other. “Now!” Alex grabbed Kirigin by the back of his coat collar and pulled his feet out from under him. He screamed as his knees hit the hard wood floor.
“I’ll kill you!” screamed Kirigin, but his hands were behind his head now.
Severall sank to his knees and did the same.
From the back door, Hunt yelled: “Drop your weapon! Put your hands in the air! Now!”
“You’re idiots. The lot of you,” Kirigin sneered.
“Corporal! Who’s back there?” But Hunt ignored Alex, his face red, both hands on his pistol, arms outstretched.
From somewhere in the back, a voice called out: “Levon! Put your hands up! He’ll kill you if you don’t!”
“Officer! Answer me!” yelled Alex. The gun in Hunt’s hand recoiled as he fired. The shot was deafening in the small cabin. Keeping his gun trained on Kirigin and Severall, Alex moved toward Hunt until he could see the doorway to the back bedroom and stopped.
A man lay face down, just outside the door. A black glove lay on the floor beside him; the other was on his outstretched left hand. Alex gazed, horrified at the beautiful, hand knitted hat that had fallen beside him when he fell. He took in the intricate design around its base and was sickened. He knew instantly who this was.
Hunt started to move toward the back bedroom, his gun leveled at the unconscious man, then stopped. He took in the empty hand, the gloved hand, the other glove on the floor. Heedless of his o
wn safety, Robbie knelt beside his brother. A shaking Hunt pointed his gun at him.
“Hands behind your head,” Hunt yelled at Robbie, who ignored him; he cradled his brother in his arms.
“You bastard! You killed my brother!” Robbie screamed at Hunt.
“Officer!” Alex yelled. They’re unarmed! Holster your weapon!” Hunt looked at Alex in amazement, then turned back to the brothers.
“Hunt! Holster your weapon! Now!” A dazed Hunt stood frozen.
“Look at me, officer!” Hunt turned to Alex. “Holster your weapon! Do it now!” Spell finally broken; Hunt holstered his weapon.
“Come here.” Hunt moved to the front of the cabin. Alex pointed to Severall. “Cuff him now.” Hunt hesitated. “I’ve got his gun. Do it. And get his phone.” Hunt cuffed him. He found the cell and handed it to Alex.
Alex holstered his gun and turned to Kirigin.
“What’s the matter,” Kirigin mocked Hunt. “Nobody told you who the bad guys are?” Alex pushed his upper body roughly to the floor and cuffed his hands tightly behind him. He searched him for a weapon. Finding none, he took his cell and SAT phone. Kirigin was incensed.
“This isn’t over you fucking indian! I’ll see you dead! And your wife!”
“Shut up, Greg,” said Severall wearily.
“Fuck you!” Kirigin screamed from the floor as Alex rushed to the side of the man he was sure was wikem.
“Please help him,” sobbed Robbie. Alex checked for a pulse; it was fast and weak.
“He’s alive,” said Alex. He rolled the young man onto his back and put his hand over the chest wound, applying pressure. “We need to get him to the hospital.”
Robbie continued sobbing beside him.
“Look at me!” insisted Alex. “What’s your name?”
“Robbie,” he whispered.
“Okay Robbie. I want you to check in the room back there and bring me sheets, towels, clothes; whatever you can find that’s clean. I need something to make bandages. Do it now!”
Robbie was up and ran to the back room. Alex continued to apply pressure to the wound.
“I thought he was armed,” insisted Hunt from the front room.
“You’re all so fucking stupid!” Kirigin spat.
Robbie returned quickly with several plaid shirts and a worn sheet.
“Give me the shirts. Tear the sheet into strips,” directed Alex. He took them and folded them into a thick bandage, then, straddling wikem, he applied two of them over the wound. Robbie helped Alex secure the makeshift bandage tightly with the strips.
“Hunt take the one that isn’t yelling out to the van. Put him in the back.”
“You can’t do that!” Kirigin screamed. “We have rights!”
Hunt pulled Severall to his feet and marched him to the front door and out into the storm.
Kirigin continued to rant, and Alex could see Robbie was becoming more and more unnerved.
“You have to ignore him! Your brother is our priority. We need to get him to the hospital if we want to save his life.”
“His name’s Levon.”
“We’re going to move Levon to the front door. I’ll take his upper body. You take his feet. You ready?”
Robbie nodded.
“Let’s go.” They lifted him and carried him to the front of the cabin close to the door, then laid him down.
“I want you to keep pressure on Levon’s wound while I take the lunatic out to the van.”
“Okay.”
Robbie straddled Levon and applied pressure. Alex moved to Kirigin and pulled him roughly to his feet.
“Get your filthy hands off me!”
“Shut up,” hissed Alex as he marched him, feet barely touching the floor, to the door and out onto the stoop. He pushed him roughly off the stoop, hanging onto his coat collar to keep him upright, then jumped down beside him. He grabbed him and shoved him, slipping and sliding, the short distance to the side door of the van where Hunt was waiting for him. Severall was in one of the back seats, belted in. They pushed and pulled the now silent Kirigin up and in. As soon as they had him seated, they belted him in.
“Okay. Stow the middle seats and pull up enough so that we can load the wounded man straight off the stoop.”
Alex returned to the cabin. He moved to the kitchen table with quickly surveyed Kirigin’s paraphernalia spread over it. A tablet lay face down at the side of the table. Alex picked it up and turned it on. Two icons, REDZ and AERIE, glowed on the front screen.
“That belongs to my brother.”
Alex handed it to him. Surprised, Robbie let go of Levon long enough to shove it into an inside jacket pocket.
“Is anything else here yours?”
Robbie jumped up and grabbed their phones and their wallets, then quickly returned to Levon.
“The police will have a lot of questions for you,” said Alex. “They can’t find that tablet on you.”
“They won’t.”
Spotting a blanket on a chair near the window, Alex grabbed it and laid it on the floor in front of the door. They moved Levon onto it, then wrapped it around him. Alex stepped onto the stoop and brought his foot down hard on the icy surface, again and again, quickly clearing a small path. Hunt had stowed the seats and pulled the vehicle up to the stoop. He pulled the side door open. Alex returned to the cabin. Robbie had zippered up Levon’s jacket and pulled his woolen hat on tight around his ears. Alex moved to Levon’s head and covered his face with the blanket, then lifted him into a sitting position.
“Slow and steady. You go first. I’ll follow.”
Hunt had moved to the side door and was waiting to help. Robbie looked over his shoulder to the van and saw him there.
“Don’t you dare touch my brother!” Hunt quickly retreated to the driver’s seat. Robbie grabbed his end of the blanket and they lifted Levon. He started to back through the doorway and onto the stoop, Alex in lockstep.
Hunt watched as the two men carried Levon across the stoop and through the van door. Once they settled him, Alex got the keys to the ERT SUV from Hunt and handed them to Robbie.
“When we get to the gate, jump out and move the SUV out of the way.” Then to Hunt: “How far is the hospital from here?”
“About ten kilometers. It’s gonna be slow. Prince Rupert doesn’t have the equipment to deal with ice on the roads. They’ll have to bring in help from Smithers or Terrace.” Hunt didn’t seem very sure of himself.
“Are you good with driving?”
“He’s not touching my brother!”
“The van has studded tires. That’ll help,” said Hunt; he gave the van some gas and started down the driveway. “I’ll take it slow where I have to.” Alex and Robbie held Levon steady as the van bumped along. When they got to the gate, Robbie jumped out and started up the SUV. There was just enough traction to get it going. As soon as Robbie gave it some gas, it slid into the thick brush beside the driveway. He got out, falling once before he reached the gatepost. Hunt inched the van forward until he was abreast of Robbie. He climbed in and Hunt turned onto Cartwright’s street, a sheet of bumpy ice in the glare of the high beams.
“Traction’s a little better out here,” he announced.
“Can you go any faster?” Alex had his fingers on Levon’s carotid. His pulse was fast and weak.
“I’ll try for more speed as soon as we turn onto the main road. It isn’t far.”
The back end of the van began to fishtail, and Hunt eased it slowly back to the centre of the road. The turn onto the main road came up fast and caught him by surprise. He made it too quickly and the van spun out in circles before coming to rest on the right side of the road. He waited a beat then gave the van a little gas. Its wheels spun, refusing to dig in. He waited another beat then tried again. At first the wheels spun, then caught, throwing the van forward a few feet. Hunt took advantage of the momentum and eased down slowly on the gas pedal. They were moving again.
&nb
sp; No other vehicle was in sight. Hunt moved the van to the middle of the road and took the speed up to sixty. The high beams pulsed across the bizarre, icy landscape. Every tree, bush and sign they passed garishly reflected the van’s yellow light back at them. The van was silent, save for Levon’s laboured breathing and Robbie’s quiet sobs. Even Kirigin was quiet.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Hunt.
Alex willed him to shut up. He was bent over Levon whose breathing had suddenly slowed. He checked his pulse for the umpteenth time. It was thready. He glanced at Robbie who clung to his brother’s feet and stared intently at the back of Hunt’s head. Alex checked the time. They’d been on the road almost five minutes.
“How much longer?”
“We should be turning onto the main road to Rupert any minute,” said Hunt. It’s hard to say. Depends what kind of shape it’s in.”
“Robbie,” said Alex. “I want you to move over here so that you’re at your brother’s head.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Levon’s pulse is weak. I want us both to be ready in case I have to do CPR.” Alex got out of the way so Robbie could move to Levon’s head, then checked his pulse.
“I don’t know how to do CPR.”
“I do. Move your head so that your cheek is close to your brother’s nose and mouth.” Robbie did so. “Can you feel his breath on your cheek?”
“Yes.”
“Stay close and let me know immediately if there’s a change.”
“Turning onto the highway now,” announced Hunt. He let the van slow to a crawl and took the turn. “Shit. Cars on the road up ahead. Stupid assholes. I’ll have to stay in my lane.” In answer, the van spun out. Hunt managed to get it under control, but the van was now heading right at a car in the oncoming lane.
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