One Murder Too Many

by Terrell Bowers

  Grady and Hampton were at Kari’s apartment. The police had taken away the three shooters and their SUV. Several uniforms had been posted to watch the complex and were checking IDs of anyone going or coming.

  ‘The one you killed was Mike Sirocco,’ Hampton reported to Jason and Kari, who were sitting together on the sofa. ‘The other two were brothers – Chico and Felix Rojas. All three had phony California IDs.’ He gravely added: ‘And all three have outstanding warrants and are known to have worked with the Colombian cartel.’

  ‘Why would they target us?’ Kari asked. ‘I haven’t learned anything of value concerning the drugs in this valley.’

  ‘Rumor has it that, you have,’ Grady told her. ‘I spoke to Rick Cory a few minutes ago on the phone. He said he had just heard about a contract being put out on you from Radar. The word on the street is you have located a source who knows the inner workings of the cartel.’

  ‘So they sent a hit team,’ Hampton stated. ‘These three men were contract killers, professionals. I doubt we’ll get a word out of either of the brothers. A team of lawyers showed up at the hospital,’ he snorted contemptuously, ‘while Chico was still in surgery. Those guys will probably do a few years for attempted murder, but they won’t talk.’

  Kari found solace in having Jason’s arm around her shoulders, but even that was not enough to quell her inner terror. ‘If they truly believe I know something, they’ll be back.’

  ‘We’re going to try to back-trace who leaked the information on the street,’ Hampton promised. ‘Radar told Cory this bit of information had the same feel about it as the tip about Chock Lincoln. It seemed to materialize out of nowhere.’

  ‘You think this information was released by someone not actually connected with the cartel?’ Jason asked.

  ‘We don’t know,’ Hampton admitted. ‘This could tie in with Dom and Juno, or it could be that someone thinks you two have discovered something new.’

  ‘We’ve got to concern ourselves about Miss Underwood’s life right now,’ Grady told him. ‘We need to figure this out, before another team of killers tries to fulfill the contract on her.’

  ‘We’re leaving three sector cars here and six uniforms to protect you tonight,’ Hampton advised them. ‘Tomorrow we’ll move you to a safe house.’

  Jason patted Kari on the shoulder and rose to his feet. ‘I’d like a word in private, Detective Hampton. Do you mind?’

  The two of them went into the bedroom, while Grady stood uncomfortably next to the loveseat.

  ‘Are you going to face an inquiry for Jason having a gun?’ Kari asked the detective.

  ‘After him being forced to use that very gun to save your lives?’ Grady grunted. ‘Only an idiot would try and make something out of that. I’m glad he is a good shot.’

  Kari laughed, a humorless mirth. ‘I didn’t see anything of the fight. Jason pushed me down under the dash and I was busy ducking the flying glass. Next thing I know, he’s telling me to call the police and he has the shooters in custody.’

  Grady grinned. ‘Your boyfriend proved he is cool under fire. He only took two shots and hit his target both times.’

  ‘It’s all so frightening,’ Kari said. ‘I can’t get it out of my head – those men wanted to kill us both.’

  ‘Everything will be all right.’ Grady’s voice conveyed his compassion. ‘You’ll see. We’ll have the entire department and every snitch in the city working twenty-four-seven until we figure out who put a contract on you. Then we’ll shut them down … every dammed one of them!’

  Hampton and Jason returned shortly and the pair of detectives left the apartment. Jason and Kari were alone at last.

  ‘I don’t think meeting Reggie for dinner is a good idea tonight,’ Jason said, displaying a charming smile. ‘I’ll ring him up and let him know. What do you say to us roughing it a bit and cooking for ourselves?’

  ‘What did you and Detective Hampton talk about?’

  ‘I wanted to outline an idea for him, then make sure he chose a secure location for the safe house.’

  ‘And did you agree on where that should be?’

  ‘I suggested my place in Sutton, but he said the department wouldn’t spring for the airline tickets.’

  The jest caused her to smile. ‘Hard for me to write my story from there, too.’

  ‘The good detective said the location will be a tightly guarded secret. I told him I didn’t think you would tell anyone at work. But your friend – Dee? You said she’s very intuitive.’

  ‘She ought to be an interrogator for the police,’ Kari agreed. ‘She knew the very first time we …’ she hesitated and finished, ‘the first time we were intimate.’

  Jason laughed, but grew serious at once. ‘One thing the attack settled, I’m not returning home just yet.’

  Kari moved over to put her arms around him. ‘What a crazy relationship we have. The only way I can keep you here is if my life is in jeopardy!’

  The next morning was like something from a movie. Kari’s vehicle had been towed away the previous night, so three police cars escorted Jason’s rental car to a parking garage. From there, Jason and Kari, both wearing protective vests, were ushered to Captain Mercer’s office. Grady and Hampton were there as well.

  Jason was interviewed first with the three men alone. Then Kari was brought in and sat down next to him.

  ‘Miss Underwood,’ the captain began. ‘I have to ask, do you have any idea how a hit team from California happened to be waiting at your apartment complex?’ At her negative reply, he next wanted to know, ‘Is there anything you have learned pertaining to the drug cartel that you haven’t told us?’

  ‘Nothing at all,’ Kari replied. ‘I only did the one story on the cartel. Like your department, the single case I’ve been working on lately is the murder of Dom and Juno … and that is finished!’

  ‘There is the blackmail angle,’ Grady pointed out.

  ‘Yes, but without access to certain records that’s pretty much a dead end.’

  ‘The DA was curious as to how a visiting officer from the Sutton CID happened to be carrying a weapon,’ the captain advised Jason. ‘I told her it was a preventative measure that saved both of your lives. She didn’t feel that we would have any trouble defending our action or yours in court.’

  ‘As expected,’ Grady interjected, ‘we got nothing out of the two perps. Their lawyers were at the hospital almost before they arrived. Neither attorney will admit who called them for their client.’

  The captain spoke to Kari again. ‘If the drug cartel is after you, we have no choice but to hide you. We have a place in mind where you’ll be safe until we figure out who is behind this and why.’

  ‘I really didn’t want to go into hiding.’

  ‘We’ll put every man on this,’ Captain Mercer promised. ‘Grady and Hampton will work on this exclusively. We won’t give up until we find out who’s behind this.’

  ‘Knowing these are very powerful people, they will have eyes and ears everywhere,’ Grady warned. ‘It means keeping you in a secluded location and not using a phone or email. We’ll let your bosses and family know you’ll be out of touch for a while. It’s best if you don’t contact anyone personally. The slightest mistake could lead a second hit team to your door.’

  ‘We’ve a foolproof plan for moving you,’ Hampton said. ‘But you need to give us your phones for the time being. We’ll provide you with a couple clean ones that can’t be tracked for emergencies.’

  ‘Are you going to assign a number of police officers to stay with us?’ Kari asked.

  ‘No,’ the captain answered. ‘Inspector Keane will be your only physical protection. We believe the fewer people involved, the safer the both of you will be.’

  ‘We’ll provide enough supplies for a day or two,’ Grady said, talking directly to Jason. ‘If you need anything, you can call me and I’ll see you get it.’

  Hampton also gave a meaningful nod to Jason. ‘Yeah, this shouldn’t take longer than a
day or two.’

  ‘Jolly good,’ Jason replied.

  Kari frowned at the cryptic exchange between him and the detectives. ‘What on earth can you learn in a day or two?’ she queried. ‘We might be locked away in a private prison until we’re old and gray!’

  ‘Trust us,’ Hampton said. ‘This is how it has to be.’

  Kari gave Jason a sharp look, but he seemed agreeable to the idea of being confined in a gilded cage. With a sigh, she asked, ‘So what’s next?’

  Gloria entered the captain’s office and waved her hand at the numerous empty desks out on the main floor.

  ‘Did a fire alarm go off that I didn’t hear?’ she asked the captain. ‘Where is everybody?’

  ‘We have three details out right now, all working together to move Miss Underwood and her British sidekick to a safe house. Two cars are being used as decoys, in case the drug dealers are watching.’

  ‘You really think that’s necessary?’

  ‘It was a professional hit team that went after them at Miss Underwood’s apartment. If not for the Brit having a gun.…’ He didn’t have to finish.

  ‘Yes,’ Gloria sanctioned, ‘it was rather unorthodox to arm a foreign police officer, but it proved to be a wise decision.’

  ‘We’re moving those two where they won’t be found for a few days. Maybe we’ll get lucky with the new information Miss Underwood has uncovered.’

  Gloria lifted a sculpted eyebrow. ‘New information?’

  ‘Keane is pretty sure it will expose the blackmail plot. More importantly, the reporter said she has proof concerning the leader of the cartel.’

  ‘How can that be?’

  ‘Well, it seems Miss Underwood took some notes when she interviewed Juno and Dom. She didn’t think the two boys had said anything of interest until this attack on her. Now she is certain the information is in her head. She need only remember some odd slang terms Dom used.’

  ‘Sounds pretty iffy to me.’

  ‘She and Keane are going to sort it all out while they are under our protection.’

  Gloria hid the dread that swept through her. ‘I certainly hope they come through for us,’ she said, taxing her raging emotions to sound enthusiastic. ‘It’s time we ended the cartel’s drug trade and put the death of Judge Westmoreland’s son to bed.’ Then, after a short pause. ‘You’re sure about this safe house being secure? Those drug people always seem to know what’s going on.’

  ‘We’ve used the Copeland house a number of times. It’s off the beaten track, and sits by itself, among the trees and brush. Being up above Cottonwood Boulevard and mixed in among several mansions, it’s the perfect spot for them to hide.’

  ‘Good thinking.’ Gloria gave her approval. ‘Who would think of looking for anyone up there?’

  ‘Was there something you needed?’ Captain Mercer asked. ‘I’ll have some detectives free shortly.’

  ‘No, I only stopped by for a progress check. I thought Cory might have learned something about the hit team or who hired them.’

  ‘I talked to him earlier and he had nothing. If this is cartel business, that’s pretty much par for us … we always end up with nothing.’

  ‘All right. It seems you have everything under control. I’m charging the Rojas brothers with attempted murder of a police officer … even though Jason Keane is not a member of our own law enforcement. That will allow a little room for plea bargaining. Facing a death sentence if we convict those two of trying to kill a police officer, they might give up a name or two.’

  The captain didn’t think so. ‘Good luck with that,’ he said. ‘Those boys know the system, and their lawyers are specialists at getting deals without giving up any real information.’

  ‘There will be no deals, not for such a savage attack. They will be old men when they eventually take a breath of free air again.’

  ‘Glad to hear it,’ the captain said.

  She bid him goodbye and left the office. Even before she reached the street she was digging in her purse for her cell phone to make a call.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  THE COPELAND HOUSE had been seized by the Feds during a drug bust. At one time, the basement had been a lab, used to manufacture a host of amphetamines and barbiturates. Because of it’s seclusion and a great deal of caution, it remained in business for years. Now renovated, it was a normal looking house with a yard that had become overgrown with weeds and shrubs. The ‘For Sale’ sign hanging on a post out front was faded from the weather and was nearly unreadable. Although the location was spectacular, most potential buyers were nervous about buying a house that had previously been a drug lab.

  Kari and Jason made a quick inspection of the house and discovered a room in the basement that was not mentioned in the property listing. It was what is known as a panic or safe room. The drug dealer must have been paranoid, as the room was built to withstand almost anything. The steel door could be bolted from the inside and it had reinforced walls and roof, over a thick concrete floor. The room also included an emergency light and hardwired phone. There was a secondary air supply to the room, which was provided by a vent that popped up out among some trees, fifty feet from the house. The piping had been disguised as part of an abandoned water pump.

  Grady escorted them through the house and showed them the grounds. Afterwards he took a walk around the outside perimeter while they waited inside, out of sight. Ten minutes later he met them back at the front door.

  ‘What do you think?’ he asked.

  Kari answered. ‘The stove is in working order and we’ve got plenty of groceries. I didn’t see a lot of pots and pans, but we’ll make do.’

  ‘We can leave a couple cops here,’ Grady offered. ‘I don’t like the idea of your being on your own.’

  ‘It’s only a quarter-mile to the road and we’ve neighbors on both sides,’ Jason replied.

  ‘Neighbors you can’t see for the trees,’ Grady reminded him. ‘These lanes wind around through the forest and there’s an acre or more between each home. This housing development was designed back when this was nothing but a wilderness area.’

  ‘We’ll be fine,’ Jason said. ‘We both have the mobiles you provided, I’m armed, and the safe room looks impregnable.’

  ‘All the same, you both keep away from any open windows,’ Grady warned them. ‘No need taking any chances.’

  Kari stood alongside Jason as Grady got into his car, backed around, then drove up the lane and was lost in the trees.

  ‘It smells wonderful here,’ Kari said. ‘There’s still dew on the leaves and the sun is shining. I wish we could take a long walk and enjoy this beautiful spring weather.’

  ‘We had best stay inside and keep an eye out for anyone snooping around,’ Jason told her.

  ‘But this is a safe house,’ Kari objected. ‘No one knows we’re here.’

  ‘Not unless we were followed, or if someone figured a way to track us, or if one of the police involved in our protection detail is being paid off by the cartel.’

  ‘You sure know how to kill a mood,’ Kari complained.

  ‘Let’s just be careful for the first little while. As we learned from yesterday’s experience, these drug people play for keeps.’

  ‘OK, I’ll see about rustling up some lunch. We only have a six-pack of Pepsi and a gallon of milk. Don’t know how long that will last us.’

  ‘You didn’t bring any tea?’

  Kari giggled. ‘Oh, did I forget to mention tea?’

  Jason grinned. ‘You do us a brew up and I’ll check and make sure all of the doors and windows are locked.’

  ‘And keep the curtains closed,’ Kari added. ‘Remember what Detective Grady said – no enjoying the natural scenery.’

  They spent the day watching a little television and enjoying each other’s company. Supper was a simple salad and bowl of soup … followed by a cup of tea. Then, after the sun disappeared over the Oquirrh mountains to the west, Jason kept watch from a darkened window while Kari washed up the few dis
hes.

  Like any good sentry Jason, a careful man, took notice of the shapes within his vision. When darkness came, he could then pick out each one and recognize any …

  Jason caught his breath. Was that …? Yes, he caught a glimpse of a shadow that moved quickly between the trees. After a few moments he picked up another form, barely visible amongst the thick brush.

  ‘We’ve got company!’ he warned Kari.

  ‘What?’ Kari cried. ‘Is it the police?’

  ‘No.’ Jason said firmly. ‘Get to the stairs. I’ll kill the lights and be right behind you.’

  Kari stared at him in disbelief. ‘How could they have possibly found us?’

  ‘Get going,’ Jason instructed, no longer concerned about the how. He was now concerned about staying alive. ‘Call for help, but do it on the way down to the safe room!’

  Kari disappeared through the hallway door, quickly making her way downstairs. Jason gave her a few seconds before he reached for the wall switch and shut off the lights. Unfortunately, killing the lights appeared to be a signal for the end of the world!

  Gunfire blasted through the windows and blew holes in the front door. Jason dove for cover and crawled the last few feet to the stairway.

  A powerful explosion took out part of the front wall and shook the entire foundation. Lunging through the entryway, Jason rolled down the first few steps in his effort to escape being hit by the hail of gunfire. Kari was shouting wildly into the phone as Jason got his feet under him and scrambled down the remaining stairs. He grabbed her by the arm as a second explosion rocked the upstairs. The sounds of men’s feet entering the house and a guttural snarling of orders could be heard.

  ‘Get in to the room!’ he ordered, practically dragging Kari through the door. Once inside, he slammed the door closed and used the massive deadbolt to lock the attackers out.

  ‘Did you get the police?’ Jason asked, feeling along the wall until he located a switch that turned on the single battery-operated light.

  ‘I couldn’t get through,’ Kari panted, breathless from the terror of being attacked a second time. ‘The 911 operator – I tried to tell him, but I lost the connection when you pulled me into the room.’