by V. K. Powell
Outside, Keri’s words crackled through the receiver. “Okay, guys. That’s the signal. Everybody move in.” Beth radioed the other units. “Go, go, go! Get the ram and pry tool on that door now!”
The hairs on Keri’s neck stood at attention as the stale room swirled around her. Seconds crawled. She suddenly couldn’t think of another thing to say to Sonny Davis besides “you’re under arrest.” Just being in the same room with him made her skin crinkle with loathing. She ached to exact a little cop’s revenge for the despicable atrocities he’d perpetrated on so many innocent people with his drug peddling. If backup didn’t arrive soon, Keri was certain she’d lose control.
“What’s the matter, honey? You look a little stressed. Why don’t we sample that fine nose candy you just bought?” Sonny jeered, easing his slimy tentacle of an arm around her shoulders.
“Police! Open up, search warrant!” a voice announced from behind the door. Heavy pounding accompanied the subsequent demands for entry.
Finally! Keri’s shredded nerves crystallized into trained, automatic responses. She shoved Davis away and pulled the baby Glock 9mm from her ankle holster, yelling, “You’re under arrest, Davis.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Cappy reach for the holster at his waist. She leveled her gun at his chest. “Freeze!”
He pulled the weapon out.
“Don’t make me shoot you, Cappy.”
He raised the weapon toward her. The pounding continued behind her, followed by three sudden earsplitting booms. Cappy fell in front of her, a crimson stain covering his chest and the floor beneath him.
Sonny Davis’s face paled momentarily, then glowed a brilliant red. His eyes bulged beyond their socket capacity as he lunged toward Keri. “You’re a damn narc, you little bitch. I’ll fucking kill you.”
Keri sidestepped his swinging fists and glanced at Cappy. He didn’t move. Police procedure dictated that she couldn’t shoot an unarmed man, so she reholstered her weapon and set herself for Davis’s next charge. Adrenaline coursed through her system. She felt invincible and so ready to whip his ass.
Davis steadied himself and rocketed a right hook toward Keri’s head. She anticipated well. His fist sliced the air and threw him off balance. Keri locked her hands together and brought them back over her right shoulder. She knew she’d only have one chance. As he lunged toward her again, she stepped forward and smashed him in the face with all the force she could gather. She jolted from the sudden impact and rejoiced in his corresponding wail.
Simultaneously an excruciating pain slammed her chest. The room faded to black.
*
The commotion continued from the surveillance receiver—shouting, cursing, and then three unmistakable sounds, gunshots, followed by flesh pounding flesh. A tremendous crash reverberated off the tin walls of the van and faded into silence.
“Shots fired! Repeat, shots fired,” Beth announced on the radio.
Alex clutched the walkie-talkie in her hand until her fingers ached. She felt the blood drain from her face. Chills racked her body but she was sweating profusely. The possibility of life without Keri flashed before her eyes.
I knew something terrible was going to happen. I should never have let her go in there alone. This was my responsibility. If anything happens to her, I’ll… She couldn’t let herself go there. In a voice devoid of emotion she said, “Steve, get me mobile—now.”
Steve gunned the gas pedal and headed toward the warehouse.
Beth grabbed the mike. “Any unit on the scene yet, advise.”
No response. Alex’s fingers tightened around her walkie-talkie as if she could squeeze some life from it. Keri had to be all right. The universe wouldn’t play such a cruel joke—give her hope only to have it shattered. Every muscle and nerve in Alex’s body contracted as time dragged like a slug.
Police and ambulance sirens wailed in the distance. Alex’s anxiety about the operation and her fear for Keri skyrocketed.
“Hurry!” Alex urged Steve, her nerves raw.
The drive seemed to take an eternity. Worst-case scenarios horrified Alex for the remainder of the trip. Skits of torture, forced drug use, rape, and mutilation violated her logic and challenged her training and procedural knowledge. Visions of Keri bruised, beaten, and bleeding scrolled through her mind like a bad movie, ending only as Steve sounded their horn and tugged on the wheel to miss a patrol car that braked suddenly in front of them.
Police cars and two ambulances already littered the lot when they arrived, their flashing lights casting ominous shadows across vacant buildings. The scene reinforced Alex’s worst fears. So many emergency vehicles in the same place meant only one thing—something had gone terribly wrong and Keri was in the middle of it.
She scrambled out of the van and sprinted to the warehouse door just as an officer pried the metal frame off its hinges. Alex drew her weapon, crouched, and scanned the interior of the building. The main facility was empty. She focused on the small enclosed office in the back and motioned for officers to cover both sides. Moving directly to the door, she violated the first rule of entry procedure by standing in front and kicking it open. Procedures be damned. Keri was in there and she could be hurt.
When the door flew back, Alex’s worst nightmare flashed before her eyes. No one was moving. The space reeked of gunpowder residue and blood. Keri was lying on the floor. Fresh red blood pooled under her head and streamed into the center of the room. Panic choked Alex’s first attempt to call out and hot tears stung her eyes. She forced down the bitterness in her throat and tried again. “Medic!”
Alex ran to Keri and cradled her head in her lap. “Keri, Keri, talk to me.” Oh God, please don’t let this be happening. I’ll do anything, just let her be okay. She checked for injuries, feeling Keri’s scalp and body to determine where the blood had come from. “Keri.” No response. Alex felt her own life draining away as she felt the weak pulse in Keri’s neck.
Paramedics rushed to her side. “Lieutenant, we need to take her now.” Alex didn’t move. “Lieutenant, let us help her.”
Beth knelt down beside Alex and placed her hands over Alex’s where they rested on either side of Keri’s neck. “Alex, you need to let these guys get Keri to the hospital. Now.”
It was as if Beth had slapped her. Alex’s head snapped up. “Right, of course.” She moved away but watched the medics closely as they assessed Keri’s condition and loaded her on the ambulance. “How is she?”
One of the attendants responded, “I’m not sure, but I can’t find any obvious injury. I don’t think the blood is hers. We won’t know anything further until we get her to the hospital.”
“Go now,” Alex ordered and started toward a marked patrol car. Then she stopped and looked back at Beth. “Will you take care of things here?”
“Of course, get going. Keep us posted.”
*
As Keri lingered between consciousness and oblivion she heard a familiar voice but couldn’t focus. She drifted back into the darkness.
“Here you go, Officer.” The nurse directed Alex to a small exam room. “She’s right in there. You can go on in.”
Alex watched her own trembling hand reach for the door. Weakness consumed her body and rendered her almost incapable of movement. She was usually impervious to the unmistakably rich smell of blood mixed with antiseptic scents of Betadine and alcohol, but today her stomach lurched into spasms and she moved the door far enough to step inside. She fought the desire to rush to Keri’s bedside and gather her in her arms. Her next impulse was to find Sonny Davis and kill him in the most painful and humiliating manner possible.
Keri’s beautiful olive complexion was pale and ashen. Red, bloodshot circles surrounded the unopened eyes and deeper crimson splotches formed on her cheeks and arms.
“How is she?” Alex asked.
Renee Siler rose from the chair beside Keri’s gurney and stepped back as Alex approached. “She’s going to be all right, Lieutenant. There’s a possibility of a concussion. She h
asn’t regained consciousness yet.”
Alex made eye contact with Renee. “Why did it take so long to get into the building?”
“Lieutenant, we were there within seconds. The minute Keri gave the signal we were on that door with the battering ram and a pry tool. No one knew it was a reinforced metal door. By the time you arrived, we’d already been working on it for a while.”
Alex carefully studied Renee’s face for any indication of deception. Seeing none, she relaxed a bit. “I just hate it when we miss details like that, details that get someone hurt. Sorry. Didn’t mean to jump you.” She looked at Keri’s pale face again. “Renee, would you mind waiting outside?”
When she heard the door close quietly behind her, Alex dragged the aluminum and plastic chair closer to Keri’s side and took her hand, relieved to feel the warmth. She caressed the helpless fingers, bringing them to her lips for a single, lingering kiss. Her heart pounded hard against her chest, each beat more painful the longer Keri remained unresponsive.
Keri struggled to open her eyes. A warm, soft hand held hers. “Keri…” a feminine voice whispered. “Please…” There was a definite sense of urgency in the tone. Alex’s face came into focus.
“I’ve never been so happy to see anyone in my life.” Keri managed a weak smile. “What happened?”
“Don’t worry about that,” Alex said. “You got him. You were all three out cold when we got in. You had the wind knocked out of you, maybe a concussion. It took forever to break down the metal door.” She still held Keri’s hand, stroking the smooth skin, unwilling to release her grip.
“So I did okay, huh?” Keri grinned, her eyes never leaving Alex’s.
“You did great.” Alex paused. She couldn’t contain her feelings. You have to know. I’ve waited too long already.
“What’s wrong, Alex? We got the bad guy, the drugs, and I’ll be fine.”
“I need to tell you something. This probably isn’t the best time or place, but it can’t wait.” The tightness in Alex’s chest began to loosen as she looked into Keri’s eyes and prepared for the most important words she’d ever say. “I’m—”
The door of the small examining room burst open and Bobby Morgan hurried to his daughter’s bedside. “Are you okay, girl?” He was oblivious as Alex released her hold on Keri’s hand, rose from the chair, and back stepped out of the room while Keri’s eyes begged her to stay.
Keri’s pulse pounded in her temples. Was it her injuries or the simple knowledge that Alex was about to say something that would change both their lives? Torn between her desire for Alex and the need to reassure her father, she watched Alex fade from the room like a fantastic dream she prayed would never end.
“What happened? Are you going to be all right?” Bobby self-consciously patted her hand while surveying her face and arms. “Who did this to you?”
“Daddy, it’s going to be fine. It was just a little scuffle, no major damage. Trust me, he’s worse off than I am. You taught me to take care of myself, remember?”
Bobby Morgan’s face seemed to darken and the well-worn lines of his face thickened. “Yeah…” He looked away, unable to meet her eyes. “I’m sorry about that. I’ve been trying to tell you for a while now.”
Keri had never seen her father look so vulnerable and ashamed.
“I should’ve never laid a hand on you. It takes a sorry man to beat a woman, especially his own child. And I should’ve been there for both of you when your mother was…” Bobby’s eyes grew misty and he lowered his head, stuffing his hands into worn jeans pockets. “Can you ever forgive me?”
Keri rubbed her father’s flannel-clad arm. “Dad, we all do things we regret. It’s important to learn from them and do better. You’ve done way better.”
Bobby bent down and hugged her awkwardly. Keri felt the moisture of his tears against her neck. She knew he was sincere, but it would take a long time to rebuild her trust completely.
After a few seconds, he straightened. “Well, guess I better go fill out the paperwork. I wouldn’t do anything until they let me see you. Besides, there’s a bunch of cops out there waiting to get in here. I’ll be back soon.”
When he opened the door, most of the task force came pouring in, everybody talking at once. Keri half listened, responded periodically, and constantly watched for Alex, but the lieutenant didn’t return. After offering congratulations and a few jabs about how to take down a suspect, everyone except Steve and Beth left.
“I’m lying around like I don’t have anywhere to go. I’ve got to get out of here. My job’s not over yet. I need to debrief Chad and interview Davis.” And find Alex.
“Hey, wait up, cowgirl,” Steve cautioned. “We can handle the rest of the show. You’ve done more than enough for one day.”
Beth’s voice was stern. “You’re not going anywhere, young lady.”
“And just why not, Sarge?” Keri asked. “No disrespect intended, but if I recall I just made a drug arrest and I have follow-up to do.”
“Have you forgotten that you haven’t been discharged from the hospital? Besides, we have a whole team of officers who can process a suspect, execute and document a search warrant, and tag and bag evidence.” Beth gave Keri a stern gaze.
“Sergeant, please don’t do this. I need to see it through. I’ve been primary on this case from the start and it’s only fair that I finish it. Please, I feel fine. I promise to take it easy. You can even send Steve to baby-sit if you’d feel better.”
“If it’s any consolation, Sergeant, I’ll look after her.” Steve offered his best cherubic smile, which brought a grin from Beth. “We just need to question the guy for a few minutes. I can do all the paperwork.”
“Let it go right now, Steve. We’ve all got enough on our plates tonight.”
He took the hint and headed back to the waiting room.
Before Beth could follow, Keri asked, “Where’s Alex? I need to see her. She was about to say something when my father came in.”
“She gave me instructions to take care of you and then left.”
“But…” Keri’s heart and mind screamed for the woman she now knew loved her. She was certain of it. “Then please let me finish this case. If I can’t see her, I have to be doing something meaningful.”
Beth seemed to understand the pleading look in Keri’s eyes, the need for distraction fueled by the desperation of passion. “You can go on three conditions—you’re released by the doctor, your father approves, and you take Steve with you. Oh, make that four. You deal with Alex’s wrath when she finds out I let you do this.”
“Deal.” Keri gave Beth a weak smile, “And I promise to take it easy.”
After a long chat with her father, a consultation with the ER doctor, and another private session with Beth, Keri got dressed, and she and Steve headed back to the station to confront Sonny Davis.
*
When Keri and Steve walked into the small interview room, Sonny Davis lunged across the table and shouted, “I’ll kill you, you damn bitch.”
Fortunately for him, the shackles restricted movement beyond a threat, denying Keri a reason to go after him again. “Back off, you drug-dealing, flesh-peddling, bottom-dwelling piece of slime,” Keri countered, pleased with her verbal skills in spite of the nauseating headache.
“Fucking dyke,” Davis mumbled.
Steve balled his fists and started to rise from his chair. Keri knew what came next. Her partner was very protective. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “Steve, he’s not worth it. Let it go.” Turning to Davis, she said, “You know, Sonny, if you’re the alternative, being a dyke looks pretty good.”
Steve erupted in laughter as Davis’s face turned splotchy with anger. “The good news, scumbag, is that you’re not injured. The bad news is, you’re not injured. Now you’re ours.” He read the Miranda warnings to Davis and waited as Keri pulled a chair close to the table.
Keri spread her notes out on the table between them. “Let’s talk about your case.”
“I got nothing to say to you about nothing, bitch.”
“Not even if it could help you?” She hoped Davis wouldn’t talk. The thought of cutting him any slack for any reason made her insides churn.
He eyed her. “I might have some information that you want. But you have to be willing to work with me.” Davis leaned back in his chair and stared smugly at Steve.
“I can’t make you any promises. Does it pertain to an ongoing case?”
Davis stroked his stubbly beard, leaned back in his chair. “I think you’d call a dead girl an ongoing case. But I have to get immunity on this one.”
“Keep talking.” Steve encouraged.
“It’s about a young girl that got iced a while back. Does that sound familiar?”
“You’ll have to be more specific than that,” Steve answered, feigning indifference. “No details, no deal.”
Davis looked around the room, seeming to weigh his options. “This one was found behind a warehouse.”
Steve scratched his head and played dumb. “What warehouse?”
“Near the one we were at tonight. God, you cops are thick sometimes. What I’m saying is somebody popped a cap in her. She was getting too nosy for her own good. Got what she deserved.”
Keri’s head pounded harder and the blood in her veins started to surge. The cause of death for Tiffany Brown hadn’t been released. Not even the newspapers had gotten hold of it yet. Davis was definitely involved.
“I just put it all together myself. Cappy took her out.”
His sneer sent Keri over the edge. Visions of the young woman’s body, cold and lifeless, flashed in a tormenting slide show. The thought of her orphaned child was too much. “You slimy bastard.” Keri made a grab for Davis’s throat.
This time it was Steve’s turn to intervene. He positioned himself between Keri and Davis just as she lunged.
“Fuck you, bitch.” Davis laughed. “You can’t touch me and you know it.”
“Let me show you how to kill somebody, you piece of garbage.” Keri tried to push Steve out of the way, aching to wipe the smirk off Davis’s face.
