The Negotiator

by Dee Henderson

  “True.” Jennifer glanced at the clock and grinned. “I think I’ll give it another half hour before I call.”

  Kate laughed.

  “Ready to go, Kate?”

  “On my way, Stephen.” She squeezed Jennifer’s hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Stephen’s car was blocking hers. “Stephen.”

  He paused halfway down the driveway. “Yes?”

  She leaned against her open car door. “Would you mind coming to the gym a few minutes early?”

  “Want to shake the rust off before Marcus arrives?”

  “I would hate to get embarrassed on the court.”

  He tossed and caught his keys, considering it. “Will you go shopping with me to find Rachel’s birthday present?”

  Kate knew a good deal when she heard it. Stephen could carry the packages. “Deal.”

  She drove home without the radio on, content with her own thoughts. The fatigue that accompanied a day of emotions was beginning to set in. What else did Jennifer have to say? It was private. She had no idea what that meant. The clock on the dash read 9:48. If she waited until she got home, she could avoid a call to Dave by saying it was too late to bother him. The guys would accept that, but it was a weak excuse. She had never been a coward. If Dave said no, he said no.

  She reached for the car phone.

  Dave picked up his empty bowl. “Sara, you want more popcorn?”

  She was stretched out on his couch using her husband Adam’s lap for a pillow. “Sure.” She handed him her bowl from the floor. “We can pause the movie.”

  “I’ve seen this part.” Besides, he didn’t want to give her a reason to move. He liked seeing her relaxed and content with Adam. They had come out to his house for the afternoon so Sara could look through old family picture albums, then had stayed for dinner and a movie. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Dave found himself a cold soda while he waited for the popcorn to finish. When the phone rang, he grabbed it before the second ring.

  “Richman.”

  “Sorry to call so late.”

  He smiled. “Didn’t I say you could wake me up if you wanted to?” Pulling out a chair at the kitchen table, he sat down and stretched his legs out, making himself comfortable.

  “It’s not that urgent.”

  “It doesn’t have to be.” From the background noise he could tell Kate was on the road somewhere. The fatigue in her voice bothered him. “Where are you?”

  “I think I’m lost.” There was amusement in her voice.

  “Want me to come to the rescue? You can send up flares or something.”

  “One wrong turn in construction, and I can’t tell north from south.”

  “Well, that’s easy. Go toward the tall buildings, and you’ll eventually hit the lake. It’s large. Very hard to miss.”

  Her chuckle was better than the fatigue he had been hearing. “This is better. I just found Yorkshire.” He heard a car horn in the background. “Sorry for the tangent. Why did I call you?”

  He laughed softly. “I don’t care. I’m just glad you did.”

  “Tell me what you’ve been doing today while I try to remember.”

  “I had a quiet Sunday. Church with Sara and Adam. Shish kebabs for dinner. There are leftovers if you’re interested. There’s nothing new on Bobby Tersh.”

  “It’s been seventy-two hours; relax, Dave.”

  “Just be careful when you get home, or I’ll come camp out on your doorstep again.”

  He was expecting a comeback not a quiet sigh. “You can shoot me anytime.”

  “What did you forget?”

  “My sister got engaged.”

  “Ouch. Okay, you got more than a little distracted. Which sister?”

  “Jennifer.”

  “You must be thrilled.”

  “I think I am.”

  “Not sure yet?”

  “It will be a big change for the O’Malley clan.”

  Adam came into the kitchen, and Dave smiled. “Speaking from personal experience, in-laws aren’t too bad.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow. “Kate,” Dave whispered. Adam smiled, finished fixing the popcorn, and disappeared with the full bowl.

  “I haven’t met Jennifer’s fiancé yet. He’ll be up here for the Fourth of July.”

  “Sounds like it will be an interesting holiday.”

  “We’ll be nice. Jennifer has already stamped all the votes approved.”

  “Good for her.” He heard a radio turn on. There was a comfortable moment of silence.

  “I’ve got an offer for you.”

  Dave leaned forward, hearing the awkwardness in Kate’s voice. “What’s that?”

  “We’re having a basketball game tomorrow morning before Marcus has to fly out. Would you like to join us?”

  “When and where?”

  “Six, at the gym on Haverson Street.”

  He was not a morning person. “I’ll be there,” he replied without hesitation. The things he did for a friend. There was no way he was going to mention this to Sara.

  “Thanks. I told them to be nice to you, by the way.”

  “Did you?”

  “I don’t know if this is a good idea, but I would like you to meet them.”

  “It’s a great idea. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Then I’ll see you in about eight hours. Thanks, Dave.”

  “My pleasure. Good night, Kate.”

  He held onto the receiver for a few moments after the call disconnected before smiling and walking over to hang up the phone.

  “Who was that?” Sara glanced up from the movie for a moment as he resumed his seat in the living room.

  “A friend.”

  He was glad the movie had her too preoccupied to follow up. Adam, however, looked over at him, shook his head, and slowly smiled.

  Seven

  The gym echoed with the sound of a one-on-one intense basketball game. The bounce of the ball, the scuff of tennis shoes, an occasional huff of expelled air. The backboard sang with the impact of two hands on the rim.

  Dave was immediately impressed with the intensity of the game being played. Kate and Stephen were the two on the court. They had apparently been playing for a while; her jersey was wet with sweat. Dave glanced at his watch and saw he was on time.

  “So much for her being rusty.”

  He looked to his left and recognized from Kate’s picture that he had been joined by one of the O’Malleys.

  “I’m Jack. You must be Dave?” The man’s smile was friendly, his handshake solid.

  “Yes.”

  “Glad you could come.” Jack glanced at the court, shook his head. “I’m getting tired of buying her breakfast.”

  Dave noted the protest was said with a smile. “The price of a loss?”

  “Typically.” Jack grinned. “But it makes the occasional wins all the sweeter.”

  Skirting around the game, they walked across to the bleachers and set down their gym bags.

  Kate nailed a long two-point shot from the corner. “Yes!”

  Stephen laughed and hugged her. “Good game.” The two of them came off the court together.

  Dave enjoyed the grin Kate turned toward him. “Hi, Dave.” She sat down on the bench and picked up her water jug. She was breathing hard, looking pleased with herself for the win.

  “You looked good out there,” Dave said.

  “Just warming up. You’ve met the other half of the dynamic duo?”

  He glanced at Jack. “Yes.”

  Stephen accepted the second water jug Kate offered. “Jack, we’re going to have to do something to earn us a different moniker.”

  “It would have to be something spectacular. We’ve been the dynamic duo since we were fourteen.”

  “How about the ‘twin towers’?” Kate offered. Jack dropped a headlock on her, which made her giggle. “Where’s Marcus?”

  Jack gestured to the door where Marcus paced, talking on his cellular phone. “Washington called
.”

  “Figures.”

  These were the guys who had shaped Kate’s life. That she was comfortable with them was obvious.

  Dave leaned over to her and whispered for her ears only, “Anything on our friend Tersh?”

  She shook her head. “No word on his location; no more black roses.”

  Marcus joined them. “Sorry.”

  “Everything okay?” Kate asked.

  “It will wait for another few hours.” He smiled and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you in person, Dave.”

  Dave didn’t miss the assessment being done as they shook hands. “Marcus.”

  “How do you want to play this?” Stephen asked.

  Marcus and Kate exchanged a look. “Three on two. Kate and I will take you guys on. It should be about even.”

  Jack grinned. “Oooh, I think that was a challenge.”

  Stephen picked up the basketball. “I do believe it was.”

  Kate dropped her towel and grinned. “Let’s talk strategy, Marcus.” The two of them moved to the top of the key to huddle.

  Dave watched the two of them for a moment, then looked over at Stephen. “Let me take Kate.”

  “She’s good outside, she can jump, and she’s fast,” Stephen summarized. “You sure?”

  Dave smiled. “I’m sure. Besides, it has to be easier than taking on Marcus.”

  Stephen laughed. “All right. I’ll take Marcus, and Jack can cover.”

  The game was more intense than Dave had expected. They were playing for fun, but they were playing to win. As the score rose, the depth of the talent on the court began to make itself clear. They were all good players, but Kate and Marcus played in a rhythm that suggested years playing together. She was a dynamo on the court, always moving.

  He pulled in a deep breath, fighting to get oxygen into his muscles. He was in excellent shape. He had to be in his profession. Playing with this group reminded him why he should not take those occasional days off from his workout routine.

  He coiled the speed he had left and cut right, determined to go to the basket. He cleared Kate’s leaping block by mere inches and watched his shot bounce around the rim and come back off the left side. Kate grabbed the rebound with elbows out. Dave knew what trouble was. It was Kate smelling victory.

  He would make her earn it.

  Hands warily out, he watched her eyes. She didn’t telegraph her moves. He had never met someone with her skill for concealing her intentions. She could abruptly pull up, cut, then reverse.

  She made a pass without looking. He pivoted to see Marcus go to the rim with the ball. How did she do that? Three against two and they were still getting beat.

  “One to go.” The satisfaction in her voice was clear.

  Dave took the ball Stephen tossed him and dried his hands on his shorts. “It won’t be easy.”

  She grinned. “You’re stalling.”

  Dave took the ball to the half court line with a half grunt, half laugh. He touched the line and cut left. Stephen broke free. Dave passed him the ball. Marcus forced Stephen to pass it back. Dave glanced at Jack and then drove for the basket.

  Kate stepped in front of him.

  The fear was instantaneous. He pivoted hard to avoid the collision but couldn’t avoid crashing into her. She slid to a stop on her backside a few feet away.

  “Charge.”

  To hear her, she had just won a crown rather than a bruise. He offered her a hand up. “Kate, winning is not that important!” His voice shook with anger and lingering fear.

  She looked at him, puzzled.

  Marcus dropped his arm across her shoulders, breathing hard. “Kate, not everyone is used to the way you throw yourself into harm’s way for a simple game.”

  She wiped her face, then nodded. “Sorry, Dave.”

  He tossed the ball to Stephen, still scowling. “Sure you are. You’d do it again in a heartbeat to block my shot.” From her grin, she heard his muttered comment.

  “Take the ball out, Marcus.”

  The last few minutes of the game were played with a little less contact. Jack evened out the score before a blitz by Marcus came back to win the game.

  Kate collapsed on the bench. “Who’s going to carry me to breakfast?”

  Jack tossed a towel over her face. “What happened to being a gracious winner?”

  She laughed and tossed it back at him. “I’ll let you beat me at a game of tennis.”

  “I could do that in my sleep.”

  A pager went off. Dave reached for his and was amused to see everyone else reaching for his or hers.

  “It’s mine.” Jack grabbed his bag. “I’m gone. Nice to have met you, Dave.”

  “Don’t eat too much smoke!” Kate called after him as he ran for the door.

  “I’ll be careful!”

  Puzzled, Dave looked at Kate.

  “Fireman.”

  He nodded. Fireman. Paramedic. U.S. Marshal. Her brothers had interesting careers.

  She turned. “Marcus, how are you doing on time?”

  Marcus was stretched out, his elbows resting on the bleachers behind him. “A fast shower and I’ll need to leave for the airport.”

  Kate’s face grew pensive. “Call me tonight.”

  Marcus studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Sure.”

  Watching Kate with her family was watching her with people she loved. She relaxed, laughed, joked, and cared. Dave was glad he had been invited to come. He was getting to see another side of her.

  Marcus got to his feet and offered his hand. “I’m glad I got to meet you.”

  Dave felt he had passed a test. “It’s mutual.”

  “Stephen, how about you dropping me off at the airport? We’ll let Kate and Dave get a leisurely breakfast.”

  Kate blushed. “Marcus O’Malley—” She scrambled to grab her pager. Her look turned to one of intense frustration. “Never mind. I’ve got to go.” She gave Marcus a quick hug.

  When she paused beside him, Dave buried his worry to give her a smile. “We’ll talk. Go. Be careful.”

  She nodded and broke for the door at a quick trot.

  An hour spent talking to a woman threatening to jump from a fourth floor ledge put Kate in a quiet mood when she eventually got back to the office. In an effort to discourage conversation, she slipped on her headphones but did not touch play. It took forty minutes to complete the case notes from the incident. And when she was done, Kate felt wrung out. She could summarize the woman’s problem in two words: no hope.

  She dropped her case notes on her boss’s desk and left to take a ten-minute walk.

  There were days the job hit too close to home.

  Life had never managed to break her own will to live, but it had scarred her expectations of what life would be like. She had been a wary little fighter when she was nine. With the passing years, she had gained an appreciation of life and the things that were to be treasured, but there remained part of her that listened to “there is no hope” and resonated with it.

  For every bright spot, there was a shadow.

  She had the O’Malleys and a past so dark it still made her flinch.

  She had her job and a life expectancy that insured she would not be issued a life insurance policy.

  Would Dave ever understand the somber part of her that looked at life and better understood the shadows than the light? She thought about him as she walked.

  She smiled. Her brothers liked him. Even Marcus, the most protective, had signaled a qualified approval. It created a quandary for her: She didn’t date cops, and her brothers were going to be asking about Dave in the future.

  When she returned to the office, there was a note Dave had called. Black Rose was underlined. Something new? She hoped so. He was smothering her about this black rose thing. If he thought having someone leave her a rose was a problem, what was he going to be like when the threat was serious? The man was too good at his job; he didn’t know how to ignore a problem around him. Why couldn’t she have
been stuck in the bank with a desk jock instead of a frontline agent?

  She picked up the phone. When she got his voice mail, she rubbed her eyes, debated for a moment, then left a brief message that she was returning his call, was fine, and that she would be working on Henry Lott’s case notes that afternoon. She scanned her calendar. “I’ve also got a meeting set up with Nathan Young for Wednesday, 2 P.M., if you still want to tag along. Let me know.”

  She hung up the phone and realized she had forgotten to say thanks for playing basketball with them this morning. Call and leave another message? She ran her hand through her hair. No, better to call back later and tell him in person.

  “Hey, Kate, who’s your contact over in narcotics?”

  She glanced over to see Franklin, his hand covering the telephone receiver, leaning far enough back in his chair it was close to tipping over. “Christopher Atkins. Tall, lanky, looks seventeen—the one that broke up that high school track-and-field cocaine ring.”

  “Our Henry Lott is claiming drug money used to get laundered through Wilshire Construction.”

  “Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She shouldn’t be so cynical, but a night watchman at a construction company trying to cut a deal to get time knocked off a certain prison sentence—there were only so many things he could credibly pull out of his hat. “Want me to call over?”

  Franklin spoke briefly into the phone, then shook his head. “No need. Graham’s on his way over there now. He figured you would know the best person to ask.” He spoke for another minute, then hung up the phone.

  “Did anything else come out of the interview?”

  “No. But ATF called this morning. They traced the explosives to a now defunct subcontractor that did some demolition work for Wilshire Construction ten years ago. We’ll be able to put this one to bed, Kate.”

  She looked at the case notes on her desk. “Yes.” Another couple days and the last loose ends would be wrapped up. She almost wished her pager would go off so she could avoid spending the rest of the day doing her final review of the negotiation tapes.

  Kate reached over to unlock the passenger door. “Jennifer, I’m sorry to be so late.” It was almost 8 P.M. She had completed her review of the Henry Lott negotiation tapes and had been ready to walk out the door when she had been put on standby for a call out that had never come. She still owed Dave a call to say thanks for coming to the game this morning. She had been away from her desk getting a late lunch when he called back to confirm Wednesday’s meeting with Nathan Young.