“Josh is right, Officer Brooks. We are just trying to prepare you. Though, honestly, nothing can really prepare you for having to pull that trigger. With any luck, you won’t have to. We are trying to take him into custody if possible. We will be in this room. Next door to you.” Chief Steelman continued. “You just say the distress word, ‘Charles’, and we’ll be in this room before too much can go down. Alyson, you and Shelley are the backup. If he can’t say the distress word for whatever reason, you so much as whisper it and we’re here, Tara. You just focus on covering your civilians, but when all else fails, you know the word to utter.”
Shelley nodded, but said nothing. Tara gave a quiet verbal affirmative. Alyson turned and placed a trembling hand over her mouth.
Placing his hands gently on Alyson’s shoulders, Alex turned her toward him, locking eyes with her.
“Last chance, Aly. You don’t have to do this. We can find a plan B. These ladies can go in without you, kiddo.”
“No,” she said, her voice racked with nerves. “Reggie is right. We’ve got this. Between the four of us, we can do this.”
“I can’t give either of you a gun,” Alex said, looking first at Shelley, then back to Alyson. “So if anyone starts shooting, get down. Just get down. Get behind a bed, behind a wall, a chair. Get behind someone with a gun. I don’t care where you hide, but you hide.”
Taking Shelley’s hand in his, Chief Steelman said, “You’re a brave young lady to do this, Shelley.”
A tear fell to her cheek, hanging there for a couple of seconds before falling helpless to the carpet. Seemingly unable to meet the chief’s eyes, her gaze trailed toward the floor, as if following the single teardrop.
As Alex walked over to comfort her, Josh approached Alyson. He made no attempt at speaking, deciding to wrap his arms around her trembling body.
“You’re gonna save me, right?” Alyson whispered, as her own tears started to fall.
Letting loose his hug, he pulled back and lifted her chin. “Babe, to quote Reggie, I got this. Mr. Highland so much as burps too loud and we’re in here. He’s going down today, and if he tries to hurt you, he’s going down hard.”
The radio squawked. “Alex, Billy just radioed me”
“He was supposed to call me on my cell!” Alex called back.
“Said his cell phone wasn’t getting reception. Relayed through dispatch that Highland has left his house. It was dark, but said Highland’s car is on the mood and a male figure was driving.”
“Thanks, Escalante. Let us know when he gets here, okay?”
“10-4. Out.”
Walking toward the door adjoining the next room, Chief Steelman checked the doorknob.
“Alyson, make sure you unlock this door as soon as you go in. I don’t want to have to break it down or shoot a stray bullet through the door hitting one of you.”
She nodded, clung noticeably closer to Josh.
“I’ll do it, Chief.” Tara interjected, placing a hand on Alyson’s back.
“Reggie, before I forget. It may not be in those files, but Highland studied Judo for a number of years. I don’t know what belt he made it up to, but he studied for at least five years from what we can tell. I understand he’s an older man, but be prepared.”
“Okay, Gang,” Alex said, loud enough that everybody could hear him. “I have an odd request if y’all don’t mind.”
Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to finish his thought.
Holding out his hands, Alex said, “I’d like everyone to join me in prayer. I know that some of you may not exactly believe. Some of you may just not be comfortable with it. But this is deeply personal for all of us. I’m going to pray. I’m inviting everyone in here to join hands and pray with me. Together. One voice. You can leave the room if you don’t want to pray with us. Step into the bathroom for a second if you want. No one will think less of you.”
Looking at Shelley, Alex smiled and reached for her hand. When she reciprocated, Alex looked over at Alyson, who had already grabbed Josh’s hand and was taking Tara’s in the other.
Looking at the nearby table, where Agent Barbara Kinney sat, being assisted by Cade and Officer Karen Mason, Alex said, “You folks want to join us?”
Without saying a word, they joined the circle.
Looking around, Alex saw a complete circle. Resisting the urge to launch into a rambling sermon, Alex simply said, “Thank you, everybody. I know we all come from different backgrounds. I’m not asking anyone to accept anything he or she doesn’t already believe. But, those of you who believe, I am asking you now to add your faith and hopes to my own. Now, if you’d bow your heads.”
As everyone bowed their heads, Alex looked up, “Chief, you want to do the honors?”
Chief Steelman opened his eyes and raised his head. “Not at all, Alex. This is your show. Lead us into battle, Son.”
With every heart joined in unison, Alex sighed, closed his eyes, bowed his head and prayed like he’d never prayed before.
As he ended his requests for protection, guidance and leadership, Alex clapped his hands together. Let out a relaxing breath.
“Okay, everybody. Places.”
***
Monday, October 17
8:49 p.m.
“He will keep you in perfect peace.” That is what the Bible says about those who believe in God. In that moment, the peace in Alex’s heart was anything but perfect. He was doing well at hiding it, he hoped, but he was a nervous wreck. Alex was new to this idea of faith. His church attendance was sporadic. Having read the Bible in depth, his retention had not been nearly what he desired. So, to say that he felt equipped to enter battle with a person who obviously thought himself some reincarnated deification of The Lord and Savior Himself would go down in the annuls of Mendez history as a great misstatement.
Amid a momentary mental retreat, Alex recalled the various times Jesus would tell a person their faith had saved them. It wasn’t, according to Christ’s own words, His power that had saved him. It was, by His own declaration, the belief in Jesus as the Son of God that had healed, restored, lifted and raised. Faith the size of a mustard seed. Alex had seen a mustard seed once. Comparable to the size of the sesame seeds on the bun of his quarter pounder, it didn’t seem like much faith at all. But, according to Scripture, that much faith is all it took to move mountains. His faith alone might, or might not, be sufficient to move the mountain that lay before him, but he knew that two or three gathered for the Singular Will would definitely be a powerful force.
Despite the absence of four people, the small hotel room seemed to be no less crowded than it has just moments ago. The bathroom door was open, providing very little room. The door to the hallway was closed, for obvious reasons. No curtain-covered window was available, not that it would have helped to look across the narrow hallway to the closed door of the room across.
Only a single lamp was turned on, but the room was surprisingly bright, due to the illumination of two computer screens, two video monitors and a heat signature display, courtesy of the federal government.
“Mic check. One at a time. Reggie. Do you hear me okay?”
“Loud and clear, Cap. How am I?”
“Good to go, Reg. Alyson? You getting me?”
“Loud and clear, Cap,” she chuckled, nudging Reggie. Alex resisted the urge to chastise her, knowing that her actions were just the necessary tension-breaking of a nervous civilian.
“Shelley?”
“I’m good. Got you.”
“And Tara?”
“Five by Five,” she announced. “I always wanted to say that.” On camera, she winked and nudged Alyson, who shared a juvenile giggle.
“Reggie, I need you to go into the bathroom. Make sure the hidden one is functioning. We don’t have any movement in there, so we need to verify.”
“You want me to test the movement in the bathroom?” Reggie laughed, walking out of the room. Nervous chuckles echoed. “Great.”
As Reggie strutted into
the bathroom, he waved to the camera, positioned in the shower curtain. Removing his purple bowler hat, he twirled it, fumbled it in mid-air and watched it fall to the floor.
“Seeing me?” Reggie asked, uncharacteristically professional, especially for him, as he bent down to pick up his hat.
“In all your glory, Reg” Steelman announced.
“SpongeBob undies, Reg?” Alex joked, causing Reggie to lurch up, smack his head on the towel rack behind him.
“Wait, how did you—Hold up! I’m not wearing SpongeBob undies!”
Laughter filed through the room, first Alex, then Josh, Cade and the rest.
A knock at the door froze everybody in their tracks.
Chief Steelman cursed. “He’s early!”
“Wait, we don’t know if it’s him,” Alex whispered. “Alyson, ask who it is.”
“Who is it?” She called, her voice shaking. Clearing her throat, Alex watched as Alyson shook her hands, twisted her fingers and flexed several rapid fists.
“It’s James,” he called back.
“Highland!” Alex said, a little too loud. Covering his mouth, as a scared kid in a horror movie might do while hiding in the closet from the villainous Michael Myers.
“Just a second,” Alyson called, sounding a tad less nervous than before.
“Get it together, kid.” Steelman whispered.
“Escalante?” Alex whispered over the radio. “You were supposed to warn us.”
“Warn you of what, Alex?”
“Highland is here! He’s outside the door as we speak! You didn’t warn us when he got here! Are your eyes working or what?”
Alex was trying not to yell, though it was difficult to truly express his level of urgency while maintaining a whispered tone.
“Alex, I am watching the hotel entrance. He has never entered. Baxter and Ferguson are watching the fire escape. Nothing.”
“Has anyone entered?”
“Several people. But…”
“Alex,” Alyson whispered. “Something ain’t right. It’s Highland alright. But he’s wearing a disguise.”
Chapter 42
Monday, October 17
8:52 p.m.
“James?” Alyson asked, just after the door opened out of camera view.
“And you must be Tamara.”
The chill that crawled up Alex’s spine at the unmistakable sound of Pastor Highland’s voice could not be described by the words of mere men. Without realizing it, he’d sprang from his seat, causing his chair to tip toward the bed nearby and tumble onto the floor. As the blood rushed from his face, Alex turned – slow, deliberate – and carefully placed the chair back in its upright position. For a moment, he was reminded of the scene in the Anne Frank movie where a simple chair tipping over alerted an unknown person to the presence of people hiding in the secret annex.
He met Steelman’s eyes, which were as unnerved as he imagined his to be. Listening to the goings on in the adjoining room, Alex surmised that his faux pas had gone unnoticed.
Alex could hear the door shut as they walked back into camera shot.
Alyson was playing the part well, given her inexperience. Though the image was a tad blurred, Alex noted an air of nerves about her. He doubted anyone else that didn’t know her would notice.
“She’s nervous,” Josh whispered. “Get it together, Babe.”
“She’ll be fine,” Alex said, ignoring his own agreement with Josh’s assessment.
“Looks like a pro to me,” Steelman commented. When met by concerned looks from both Josh and Alex, he chuckled. “In more ways than one, I guess. She’s convincing. She’d make a good cop.”
“I taught her everything she knows.” Alex grinned, rubbing his nails on his chest.
“Who are these young ladies?”
When Highland began to question the presence of Shelley and Tara, Alex panicked. Instinct told him to grab his gun and bolt. But he knew he’d have to play it cool for now. But something in his voice was almost benign. There was no mistaking it. Highland was doing his best to seem like the most unthreatening person on the planet. He was a trained minister, to be certain, but his voice was reminiscent of Mr. Rogers.
“Escalante.” Alex called over the radio.
“Yeah, boss?”
“He is inside. Move now. Maintain radio silence from here. I will tell you when to move in.”
“This is Bella and this is Melody.” Alyson said. On the tape, Tara and Shelley moved closer. Alex thought he caught a slight displeasure on Shelley’s face when Tara introduced her as Bella. Brave girl, Alex thought to himself. Wanting to walk away from that life, choosing to help the very people from whom she’d spent so long running.
“10-4. We’re on the move.” Escalante called.
The radio crackled silent.
Alex wrung his hands nervously. Highland said something inaudible, turned and walked out of camera shot.
“Nononono! Don’t leave!” Alex said, minding his tone and volume.
“She’ll be okay,” Josh said, putting a hand on his shoulder.
“That sounds so different when not coming from my voice.”
“Okay, boys,” Steelman said. “Shut up and listen.”
On the screen, Tara walked back in view, sat on the bed and appeared to be making herself more comfortable. Alex thought he saw her reach behind her back.
“Yes, Dad.” Alex said, smirking. When he stuck his tongue out, Steelman grimaced, smacked the back of Alex’s head. Rubbing his head, Alex said, “Okay, shushing. Hey, what’s Tara doing?”
“Scratching her back?” Steelman surmised.
“Or reaching for her gun.” Alex said, heading for the door. He looked back, watched the two screens. In the bathroom, Reggie Brooks seemed to be waiting for an engraved invite to the party. Waving Alex back from the brink, Steelman turned toward the monitors.
“Reggie’s already missed his cue.” Alex noted, walking back to the screen. Cade, tell him to go, please.”
Nodding, Cade pressed a button on the panel in front of him. “Reggie, you’re up. Captain says go.”
Giving the affirmative sign, Reggie walked into the room.
“Tell Alyson and Shelley—“
“To block the door,” Cade finished. “I’m on it.”
“Escalante, you in position?”
“Affirm,” he whispered.
“I really hope he doesn’t have a gun.”
As they watched the drama unfold, Alex couldn’t help but worry. “Move too late,” he’d admonished Reggie, “And Alyson dies.” Move too soon, the whole operation is blown.
“Josh?” Alex whispered, his eyes not leaving the monitors.
“Hmm?” He almost grunted.
“You feeling what I’m feeling at the moment?”
Turning his attention from the monitors, he met Josh’s concerned stare. Saying nothing, he nodded.
“He’s one old man.” Alex said, trying to reassure himself. “One man against two cops.”
“And two unarmed civilians, Alex.”
“Well,”
Highland’s voice drew their attention. On camera, they could see him reaching toward the dresser. Grabbing the handle of the top drawer, Highland turned his attention completely away from the foursome, which had grouped around Reggie – Tara and Shelly to his right, Alyson to his left.
“I suppose this is going to be quite difficult,” Highland continued, pulling an object from the half-open drawer. Unidentifiable, it was wrapped in what appeared to be red or maroon felt material.
“What do you think you’re doing, boy?” Reggie asked, in full character.
“Is that a New York accent he’s going for?” Steelman asked.
“I was thinking Irish.” Alex snickered, before returning his serious gaze to the screen. His attention drawn to the felt rag that was making its way to the floor.
“Mr. Dexter,” Highland said. “I’m afraid you and I need to have a little chat.”
“Look here, Charles!”
“That’s our cue!” Steelman said, grabbing his gun.
“He’s got a gun! Move!” Josh added.
“My name is James,” Pastor Highland said, his voice filled with an eerie quiet calm.
“Escalante, get ready.” Alex whispered, unholstering his gun, heading toward the door adjoining the two rooms.
“Ready, Boss!”
Slowly, Steelman grabbed the doorknob, turned to check the monitor.
“Let’s go!” Josh whispered, through gritted teeth. Near the monitors, Cade had unholstered his weapon as well, but kept his position.
“I’m getting’ too old for this mess!” Alex grunted.
“Oh shut up, Junior!” Steelman replied.
Steelman’s face went pale.
“Chief?! Let’s go!” Alex insisted.
“The door’s locked!”
Chapter 43
Monday, October 17
8:59 p.m.
Steelman didn’t have a choice. The door was locked. When kicking it proved fruitless, he double-tapped the lock, kicked again and felt the doorframe give way. What seemed like forever took ten seconds at most, but that was a lifetime for Alex, as his mind filled with echoes of futures yet to come, where he would be forced to explain to Lisa how he’d gotten her cousin killed by being desperate for personnel. Bursting into the room, Alex found himself in a swarm of guns, all of them pointed at Pastor Highland, whose hands were pointing straight up. A quick glance to the floor revealed no dropped weapon of any kind near Highland’s feet. He could have kicked it under the bed in the melee. Scanning the room, he found nothing remotely resembling a weapon. Turning Highland around, Captain Steelman.
“Where’s the gun?” Alex said, grabbing Reggie’s shoulder. His eyes were full of fear. The rookie had done his job, but he was still a rookie and, his gun still trained on Highland, Reggie Brooks seemed lost. Lost in thought. Lost as to a correct next course of action. Lost inside Fear itself.
Connection Terminated Page 19
