In the Shadow of Love

by Annie Bruce

  Her head jerked up higher at his ominous words. The realization that she was now on her own sank in.

  “Is he okay?”

  “For the moment.”

  It was a game of cat and mouse and right now she was the mouse.

  “Just where do I fit in with your plans?” Her words were braver than she felt.

  ‘Well, now that depends on you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The more cooperative you are the better it will be for you.” A deliberate pause filled the air. “And your children.”

  Maggie glared at him through narrowed eyes. How dare he threaten her children. “They aren’t here.” She needed to take them out of the equation and fast.

  “I know.” He seemed to be one step ahead of her. “But they are coming back.”

  His words put a powerful fear in her heart and he knew it. She had to think of something quick.

  Stuck on desk duty, Morris knew Geridano was up to something, he just didn’t know what, but he was determined to find out and fast. Davis had returned to his office at State Police Headquarters continuing to investigate the suspicious companies and forged signatures. Too many prying eyes and too many people who couldn’t be trusted here in the district threatened any real progress - and too many unanswered questions remained about who they could trust.

  Waiting for Davis to call seemed the safest thing to do, but unable to just sit he decided to take another look at every piece of evidence hoping that something once meaningless would now be important.

  As he pulled his notes from his desk he knew it was a long shot but one he had to take. Something was nagging at him. He knew the answer was right in front of him. He just needed to step back and take a fresh look at the pieces of puzzle he had gathered so far.

  Two hours and a stiff neck later, Morris wasn’t any further along than when he started. Rubbing the soreness out of his neck he looked up to see Geridano watching him. It was time to set a trap and see how far the other detective was willing to take this game of hide and seek.

  He stood up to pull on his jacket when the desk sergeant came over and handed him a file folder thick with papers. Morris let the garment fall on his chair as he took the standard pale yellow folder from the desk sergeant.

  “Detective Morris, I almost forgot, Jones left this for you the other day.”

  Leafing through the papers he recognized them as a copy of Mrs. Rivers’ log and the autopsy report he had requested on the deceased male found at Owen Cassidy’s residence that everyone assumed to be Cassidy himself.

  Not wanting any unnecessary attention he grabbed his jacket and headed for home. At least there he’d have some control over how much of his activities Geridano could monitor. Then he was going to find out who put Geridano up to following him, unable to believe that Geridano would do this on his own.

  Navigating through the mid-morning traffic he was not surprised to see Geridano’s police unit in his rear view mirror. He had a plan for that as well. Minutes later Geridano peeled off, proceeding in the opposite direction causing him to relax and smile just a little. Morris decided to call in some of his favors with the desk sergeant who had just sent Geridano on a not-so-important call.

  Eager to review the logs and autopsy report, Morris finished the commute to his place in record time. Not bothering to get comfortable he sat at his kitchen counter and began to pour through the paperwork. The body was identified as the Captain of a ship seized by the Coast Guard and suspected of participating in a smuggling operation. The case was pending and after being booked, the Captain posted bail and disappeared. The authorities had been looking for him ever since. The connection to Titanium Industries wasn’t clear yet, but Morris could put two and two together and get several possibilities.

  Studying the log entries he quickly noticed that there was a pattern that began around the same time Maggie said Owen first started bringing her documents to review. The same car appeared in Mrs. Rivers log every time Owen visited Maggie. Someone was following Owen, but who? He had a license plate. He called Davis and waited anxiously as he ran the plate through the state vehicle database.

  “You’re not going to believe this.”

  Morris was on edge. This could be the piece of the puzzle that broke the case wide open. “Who’s it registered to?”

  The name shot back at him like a bolt of lightening.

  “Maggie!” He now knew was why he was taken off the case and that Maggie was in serious danger.

  “Davis, I need you to do one other thing for me and then I’m going to go and find me a dirty cop.” Morris then fled from his apartment.

  Putting another call into the desk sergeant he asked about Geridano’s status. Apparently the other detective had figured out that the call was a ruse and the desk sergeant had gotten an ear full.

  “Sorry about that.” He knew the desk sergeant would do anything for him and that he wasn’t a fan of Geridano yet he felt bad for putting him in the middle.

  “Not a problem, detective. I know you have a good reason for all of this.”

  And he did.

  “Where is Geridano now?”

  “That’s what’s odd.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He was at the fire location for a while but now he’s at an area that’s outside our jurisdiction.

  “Where’s that?”

  “The warehouse district.” The desk sergeant gave him an address that sounded all too familiar. Titanium Industries. What was Geridano doing there?

  “One more thing.” The desk Sergeant caught Morris before he rung off. “There was a neighborhood watch call for a suspicious vehicle in the fire location area at the same time Geridano was there.”

  “And?”

  “Only thing was, Geridano’s weren’t the only plates the caller gave.” The desk sergeant proceeded to read off the same plate numbers that Davis ran earlier. “And they’re registered to–“

  “I know who they’re registered to.” He knew all too well!

  Traveling at the fastest speed possible through the city he raced to reach Maggie before it was too late. The siren from his vehicle and the flashing multi-colored lights cleared a path on the busy streets, save for one vehicle that pulled in front of him. Morris adeptly averted a collision, swearing under his breath at the careless driver.

  Nearing the warehouse district, he turned off his siren and flashing lights then radioed back to the desk sergeant for Geridano’s precise location. Morris approached cautiously, watching Geridano’s figure silhouetted in his police unit parked out of view. He was clearly on a stake-out of the warehouse, but why?

  Morris had the element of surprise as Geridano continued to watch the warehouse entrance, unaware as Morris crept up on the driver’s side and yanked the door open, grabbing Geridano by his overcoat and dragging him mercilessly from the comfort of his vehicle.

  “What the hell?” Geridano looked surprised yet angry enough to kill.

  “I was just about to ask you the same damn thing.”

  “I’m working a case.” Geridano spat the words back at Morris.

  “What case?”

  “None of your damn business.”

  “Look,” losing any patience he might have had when he arrived on the scene, “you’re going to tell me what’s going on even if I have to beat it out of you.”

  The look of fear on the other man’s face told Morris he was understood.

  “That’s better.” He relaxed his grip on the other man, but not completely.

  “Now, who’s inside and why are you so interested in Titanium Industries?”

  “The Lieutenant went in with your girlfriend about an hour ago.” Geridano paused long enough to catch his breath. “I followed them from her house.”

  A mixture of fear and anger flowed through his veins at the thought of Maggie being in danger. “What’s the Lieutenant up to?” When Geridano didn’t answer right away he shoved him harder against his vehicle.

  “I
don’t know.” It was said through gritted teeth. “That’s what I’ve been waiting here to find out.”

  Morris believed him. Why else would the other man have to follow the Lieutenant from Maggie’s house and then stake- out the warehouse. If he was part of the plan he’d be inside with the Lieutenant.

  Stepping back, he eyed Geridano, sizing him up to see if he could finally trust him – at least enough to get Maggie out of harm’s way.

  “The Lieutenant’s a dirty cop.” Morris tested the other man with the truth.

  “I figured that out when he went into your girlfriend’s house with his weapon drawn.”

  The image of Maggie being threatened at gun point sent fear coursing once again through his entire body. It also gave him a sense of anger he hadn’t known in a very long time. Not since his parents tragic death at the hands of a drunk driver, or the unnecessary death of his partner.

  “What were you doing at the fire site in the first place?” Morris demanded.

  “After that wild goose chase you had the desk sergeant send me on I figured it was the best place to look for you.”

  He owed Geridano his gratitude and that didn’t set very well with him at the moment. He was about to find out just how far he could trust the other detective he had despised for so long.

  Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by the opening of the large warehouse doors. An oversized van approached from the other side of the field. Both men ducked down behind Geridano’s police unit even though they were well out of view of the approaching vehicle.

  The two men who had once been sworn enemies now shared a common foe as they watched the van pull into the warehouse. The massive gray steal doors closed, their bulk causing the tracts and cables to grind under their weight.

  “What now?” Geridano’s voice broke the silence that hung in the air.

  “We go in.”

  Chapter 16

  Morris reluctantly gave Geridano credit. The other man didn’t hesitate to follow him into the warehouse despite the danger they both knew lay ahead. He knew what his motivation was – Maggie. He couldn’t lose her now. But Geridano? What was in it for him?

  The two veteran detectives searched the outside of the building for an entrance, each going in opposite directions hoping to find an unsecured entry point. Finding an opening he radioed to Geridano. When he didn’t answer right away, Morris began to worry. Another try and he finally made contact.

  “Looks like we got more company.” Geridano was whispering. “You go ahead. I’m going to keep an eye on this end.”

  His gut told him he couldn’t wait any longer. Entering the building without Geridano was his only option if he was to get to Maggie in time. He just hoped neither one of them would need backup.

  Finding an old crate that had been haphazardly discarded he stood on the makeshift stool and looked through a window that was slightly ajar. The area inside was mostly used for storage. Perfect. Knowing security guards the way he did, he should be able to get inside and through the room unnoticed. Once inside he’d figure the rest out as he went along. He had inspected enough security systems in his time to know how most of them were configured. Surprise was important if he didn’t want to get caught.

  Climbing through the open window he lowered his body down the other side of the wall, carefully placing his feet on an upright steel drum as he paused to survey his surroundings. The security system in the storage area wasn’t as sophisticated as he had expected, at least not for a company the size of Titanium Industries. No cameras, no roving guard – so far – but then who would want to steal what appeared to be windshield wiper fluid according to the outside markings. Scores of large drums lined the floor of the massive warehouse.

  Muffled voices sounded suddenly and he quickly lowered himself the rest of the way to the floor, hiding behind a row of drums.

  “Stop your complaining, Jones.” A gruff male’s voice echoed through the room as an arc of light preceded two men through a now opened door. “I don’t like this assignment anymore than you do, but orders are orders.”

  “Yeah, but I ain’t never killed nobody before.” The other man’s voice was younger, less hardened. “I don’t like it.”

  “We don’t have to kill her. We just have to drug her and put her in a barrel.”

  Morris heart almost stopped. They were talking about Maggie. He had to find out where she was and fast. His pulse raced as he looked for a way out. First he’d have to deal with the two men ordered to end Maggie’s life.

  They worked their way to the far side of the room. “Here, these are the empty ones.” The older voice said.

  The screeching sound of metal scrapping across the concrete floor made Morris cringe.

  “Jones, look out!” The older man screamed in alarm as one of the drums started to fall, but it was too late. The steel drum fell on top of the younger man pinning the lower part of his body underneath it. The older man rushed to his younger co-worker to see the extent of the damage.

  “Jones, you okay?”

  “No, man!” he said through teeth clenched in pain. “It hurts like hell!” The younger man referred to as Jones squirmed under the weight of the metal container. “Get this thing off of me.

  The two men struggled to free Jones from his painful trap. The older man grunted as he strained against the metal obstacle.

  “Hey, this thing’s leaking.” Blue liquid seeped across the floor.

  “Don’t worry, it’s just washer fluid.”

  “Since when did washer fluid smell like – like alcohol!” The younger man was now covered in blue liquid.

  The older man touched the puddle of fluid and held the evidence to his nose. “What the hell?”

  “Stay there, I’ll get help.”

  Morris knew he had to make a move and fast. He couldn’t let the other man bring reinforcements. He had to stop him. Jumping in front of his path the man looked startled then fearful as Morris held his weapon directly at the other man’s face.

  “Step back nice and easy.” Morris’ voice was calm. It always was in situations like these. His heart was racing inside his chest as he worried about Maggie and her safety but his hands were steady as was his gaze.

  The man on the floor looked up at Morris in total helplessness as his partner in crime backed up in his direction.

  “Who the hell are you?” The older man had regained some of his composure but still obeyed the persuasion of Morris’ weapon.

  “The police and you’re going to help me.” Morris’ tone was unforgiving and left no room for argument or negotiation. Showing his badge he wanted the two men to fear and trust him. He might need their cooperation later.

  Retrieving his handcuffs Morris instructed the older man to get on the floor while he handcuffed the two together. It didn’t take any further persuasion for them to talk, and talk they did, telling him exactly where Maggie could be found.

  “If you’re smart you won’t make any noise.” His eyes sought out those of the injured younger man. “I’ll send help as soon as I can.”

  Reluctant to call in on his police radio for fear of alerting the Lieutenant to his presence, he navigated the halls of the outer rim of the warehouse and found the room where Jones said Maggie was kept. The younger man was only too eager to help the one man who could summons help for his injured body.

  Listening at the door he waited for any kind of sound. Silence. Either he was given bad information or Maggie was alone. He didn’t have time to second guess.

  He opened the door to a room bathed in darkness and quickly entered, closed the door and hugged the wall behind him. Allowing his eyes to adjust to the darkness he heard the uneven tempo of shallow breathing across the room. Flipping the light switch he saw her tied in a chair, her mouth duck-taped. She struggled to communicate through the barrier across her mouth, her eyes large with fear. A finger to his lips, Morris silently cautioned her to stay still as he slowly crossed the room. He cleared his way past the furniture without detecting
the presence of anyone else.

  “This is going to hurt a little.” His voice was apologetic as he crouched in front of her, his eyes asking her forgiveness as he gently tore the gray, sticky tape away from her mouth leaving red marks where the adhesive material had been.

  “He’s a cop, Morris. He’s a cop!” Maggie spit the words out as fast as she could.

  “I know.” Morris’ voice was full of anguish, disappointment and rage. “It’s Lieutenant Baxter, the Chief’s second in command.”

  “What are we going to do?” her voice a whisper as he worked to free her from the ropes that bound her to the chair. “What if he comes back – and those two men,” Maggie’s voice began to choke. “Those two men were ordered to kill me.”

  He grabbed her into his arms. “Shhhh. I took care of those two. They won’t hurt you. Ever!” He held her closer, tighter until there wasn’t any room or air left between them.

  “I thought I’d never see you again.” Tears fought for words as Maggie held onto him.

  For a short while he had felt the same but he couldn’t say it, didn’t want to say it. “Nobody’s ever going to hurt you again.” He hugged her even closer. “That’s a promise.”

  She leaned her head back and looked up into his eyes. Their green color glistened through the mist of her tears. He gently stroked her face as he peered into the depth of her soul looking for the truth. And he found it. She loved him. It took his breath away.

  “I love you, Maggie.” His voice was raw with emotion. The thought of nearly losing her brought tears to his eyes. “I want to be with you for the rest of my life. If you’ll have me.”

  Before she could answer, Morris lowered his head towards hers and kissed her with all the depth and passion of a man who was telling the truth.

  Struggling to catch her breath, her cheek resting next to his as she clung to him she whispered, “I love you too.”

  He didn’t want to lose the moment but getting Maggie to safety was his number one priority. “Right now I have to get you out of here.” He pulled her arms down from his neck and steadied her away from him, his body now aching from losing contact with hers.