Holding a Hero

by Layne, Lyssa

  Brad and Joe moved hesitantly until they were in the exact same position as that night.

  “I was standing right here.” Brad pointed to the ground near the front door. Then pointing in the other three directions he continued, “That door over there on the left is where Dean was to have entered. He said it was locked so he had to come back around through the front door to get in.”

  Joe pointed to the back of the warehouse. “Thanks to the barrels it took me additional time for me to get in.”

  Brad pointed to the door on the right. “Marty came in through that door over there.” He had to stop and breathe. His chest pounded and his head ached, concentrating to make sure everyone was in the exact location.

  After a deep breath, he continued, “I entered first at eight forty-seven. Within a couple of minutes, I heard a noise coming from the back. I thought it was Dean coming in, so I moved along this wall in the opposite direction, I thought I’d run into Marty. When I didn’t, I moved towards the back where Joe was supposed to enter.” Brad looked around. “I was right about here—yeah, right here because I bumped into this dumpster and when I turned at the flash of light over my left shoulder, that’s when I was bumped from behind and knocked into this drum and my gun went off.”

  “Okay, slow down Brad.” Christine touched his forearm. “You said you were here, right?” she asked, moving Brad into place. “Joe, move to the back into the same position you were in and call out when you’re there.”

  Joe moved away from them. In a matter of about two minutes he yelled out, “Okay, I’m in place. I was right here when I heard the first and only shot fired.”

  “You’re sure you only heard one shot?” she asked.

  “Positive.”

  “This is where I want Jared’s help. I’m going to stay here with Brad. Jared, you know what to do. Call out when you’re done and I’ll leave Brad in place to come to the two of you.”

  Jared moved to join Joe.

  Christine drew closer, taking hold of his hand and squeezing.

  “So, how does this work?” Brad asked, praying she was onto something.

  “Jared will put Joe in the exact location he was in that night. Then he’ll take him through a series of steps, relaxing techniques, pushing his mind back to the shooting. I’m convinced that with Jared’s help, Joe is going to remember seeing the flash from the shot he claims he didn’t hear. And if I’m right, that first shot came from a gun with a silencer. I’m willing to bet you a custom made latex leg that by the time Jared is done with him, Joe remembers seeing two flashes, not one.”

  Brad’s face was covered in sweat. He used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe his brow. “What’s that going to prove?

  “Well, besides the obvious that two shots were fired. If we can get him to remember the location the first flash came from, we’ll have a better idea which way to look for the missing bullet. Remember, the flash was to your side, but directly in front of Joe.”

  “How’d you get so damn smart?”

  “Let’s just say I have a penchant for cop shows, and leave it at that.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that there’s a whole lot more to you than that?”

  “Probably because when I was in school, my major was forensics. I had three months invested in the academy before my accident. I went on ride-a-longs every chance I had. Unfortunately, you know what happened and I no longer felt I could pass the basic fitness requirements.”

  “Are you kidding? As far as I’m concerned, the only disability you have is that you didn’t give yourself enough credit to follow through. With a mind like yours and your ability to think on your feet, you’re definitely an asset.” He ran his hands up and down her arms, as much for her benefit as his. He needed contact with her.

  “I appreciate you for saying that, but I think I’m much better off doing what I’m doing now. There are plenty of terrific officers just like you and Joe, but the disabled world, whether through disease or accident, has way too few helpers. I’m better off doing what I’m good at, helping my way.”

  “Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know—on second thought, let Joe know, he’s got an in with Captain Roberts.”

  Christine leaned in to kiss him. “And after today, so will you.” It was a quick kiss with the promise for more later.

  Brad and Christine waited in silence for Jared to call out. When they finally heard his shout, Christine practically pulled Brad’s arm out of socket when she ran off in the direction of the back of the building.

  As soon as she joined them she knew she didn’t have to say a word, Jared and Joe’s faces said it all.

  Joe exclaimed, “Brad’s right, there were two shots. The first shot came from the direction we expected Dean to enter. Since that door was locked I can only surmise that’s where the shooter was hiding.”

  Chris put a finger to her lips to hush Joe’s excitement. “Okay now Joe you go stand where you believe the shot came from. I’m going to head back over that way.” She made her way to the other men. “Jared when I’m in place I want you to join Brad and pretend to be Marty,” she ordered, then turned toward Brad. “Brad, you move Jared into place. Jared, I want you watching me. Joe, as soon as Brad has Jared in place, yell out and I’ll join you and shine my laser directly where Marty would have been. With any luck, that’s where we’ll find the bullet. Once we find that bullet, we’ll work on finding Brad’s.”

  She returned to Joe’s position. “I have my laser pointer.” She pulled the light from her pants pocket and continued to make her way, cautious of her footing, until she stood next to the side door Dean was expected to come through. Joe called her to where he believed the first shot originated.

  Joe put her in place facing Brad and Jared.

  “I’m going to shine my light straight toward Jared. Let me know when the light hits Jared, where it would have hit Marty.”

  In a matter of seconds, Brad called out, “There, stop there!”

  Christine directed Joe to move to the other location just before the shots were fired.

  Brad looked around. “I was here when I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye just before Marty slammed into me.”

  “Brad,” Christine called out, “since Joe and Marty are about the same height, put Joe in the exact position Marty was in, including the way he was facing when you noticed him. And from here on in, guys, we move extremely slow.”

  Brad placed Joe facing Christine then walked back to his position.

  “Jared, I’m going to shine my light directly on Joe. Brad, tell me to move the light until it hits Joe where the bullet hit Marty. Then Jared, on Brad’s directions, you're to turn Joe the exact way Marty fell.”

  Christine’s laser pen hit Joe in the head, just as Brad had stated.

  On Brad’s word, Jared turned Joe until they were in the same position as when Joe and Dean found Marty dying in Brad’s arms.

  “Jared, now that we know where Marty stood, I’m going to hit you with the light, then I want you to stand aside. Wherever that light shines is the direct path of the bullet. And since Brad stated Marty just fell back, that means he didn’t spin on the way down.”

  Jared traced the flash of light in an effort to find the bullets trajectory. He grinned at the sight of a gouge in the dumpster, then yelled in triumph as he traced the path to a stack of tires near the dumpster. With a flashlight illuminating the black rubber, he felt around with his fingers until he let out another whoop at his discovery. He announced, “It's here!” He rejoined the little group.

  “Don’t touch it. We'll leave it there for now. Let's get back into positions and finding the other bullet.”

  On Christine’s orders he left the bullet in the tire then moved back to the men waiting for Christine to join them.

  Brad was in shock. What the hell had Jared said to Joe to remember the second flash and more than that, how was it that Jared found the bullet when the forensics team failed. He was starting to think the team was in on it. Whatever i
t was.

  Christine hugged Jared. “I knew you could help them remember.” She went on to explain. “Jared has many talents. Through his visualization techniques, he was able to help me replay the night of my accident, for court. He was the best weapon my defense team had. All Ray’s money, couldn’t sway the truth of the accident.”

  Joe pulled out his phone and took a picture of the precise location of the shooter’s bullet.

  “Okay gentlemen, one bullet down, one to go,” Christine said.

  Brad and Joe stared at each other completely dumbfounded. They’d found one bullet. Now what about Brad’s? He was afraid to jinx their luck.

  “Brad, which way were you facing when your gun fired?”

  Brad stood still staring at the stain of dried blood then closed his eyes. He took a deep breath trying to find the exact position. He blew out an exasperated breath.

  “What’s the matter?” Christine placed her hand on his forearm.

  “This is where I get foggy.” He dragged his fingers through his hair.

  “Forget it. Jared, time for you to do your thing on Brad.”

  Christine took Joe by the arm, moving them away from Brad so Jared could work his magic.

  Wasting no time, Joe showed Christine where Jared found the bullet.

  Minutes later, after Jared performed his miracle again, he called out, “Christine, we’ve got our answer. Jared pointed to the blood that pooled where Marty died. "When Marty got hit, he flew back into Brad, which is what caused him to fire his gun. Brad is now in the exact location he was in when his gun discharged. Bring that laser light and let’s see if we can make it two for two?”

  Christine put the laser in Brad’s hand as if it were the gun. “Hold still.”

  Then Christine and Jared one on each on one side of the light, they followed its path, stopped and faced the direction Brad’s gun went off. Christine scanned the area where the light met the wall, scrutinized it carefully and checked where it might have bounced off the metal wall and settled.

  Jared let out a whoop of excitement, capturing Christine’s attention and pointed to a flash of the casing embedded in the wood bracing of the interior wall. “Brad. Joe. Jared found it.”

  By the time Brad and Joe joined them, it was like one big celebration.

  Christine jumped from Jared’s arms to Brad’s, taking a moment to pull Joe in on her circle of joy. “I still don’t understand why forensics didn’t find these bullets. I’m starting to think they’re in someone’s pocket. But who? Why? Especially after Evan’s attitude.”

  Joe quickly sobered. “That’s exactly what I’m wondering. What’s the connection between Marty’s death, the shots fired at Christine, and whoever is out to take down Brad?”

  “Shh—listen. She pointed to lights, and the tires of a vehicle crunched in the dirt outside.”

  Joe swore and grabbed the laser light from Christine. “Looks like Evans called the office. Beat it you guys. I’ll get the evidence and turn it in myself and meet you at Christine’s.”

  Brad, Jared, and Christine slipped out the open side door.

  Joe pulled out his notebook, writing up notes to back up how and where he found the bullets.

  Evans entered, Roberts, Van Norton, and Billings were hot on Evans’ heels.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Billings copped an attitude from the second he arrived.

  “Like I told Evans, someone has to try. You guys aren’t doing squat. And good thing I did, I believe I found both casings.”

  “Yeah right, sure you do.” Evans said. “Probably used your throw away just to make it look good.”

  Joe leaned in nose to nose with Evans. “Listen dick wad. At least I’m trying to help my partner, what have you done other than stand around with your thumb up your ass?”

  Vince stepped between them. “Break it up.”

  Van Norton butted in. “What are you doing her Gallagher. You were told to stay away.”

  Joe rubbed his eyes. “I couldn’t sleep. I’ve got this feeling that something bigger is going on. Almost as if, whoever is behind this, has hands in the department. Too many things aren’t adding up. Think about it. How in the hell are Marty’s death and Miss Jansen’s shooting connected except through Brad. Unless we find and extract both casings and get them to ballistics, Brad’s career is over. As soon as I found the casings I planned to call you so they could properly be documented for chain of command. I’m going to personally taken the evidence in. We can’t take any chances.”

  ***

  The killer ducked down in his car and waited until Gallagher left the building then moved to the back door to make sure the hall was clear, before pulling out a ring of keys from his pocket, trying several of them until he found the right one. Once he checked the log book he knew exactly where to look. When he found the appropriate evidence box, he carefully lifted the lid and removed the top marked envelope from its hiding place. He smiled, satisfied that his tracks were once again covered. Exiting via a rear door, he was neither seen nor heard before he disappeared in the morning sidewalk traffic. It sure paid to have friends in high places.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Brad answered the knock at Chris’ door.

  Joe was practically dancing as he pushed past him ready for the celebration to commence. The only problem was that by the time he arrived, rather than being ecstatic, Christine and Jared stood unmoving, each staring into space, immobile as zombies.

  Joe turned off the sink faucet sink near where Jared stood. Tears flooding Christine’s eyes. One huge tear rolled down her cheek “What happened?”

  “You’re not going to believe it,” Brad started. “I just received a call from Captain Roberts, calling from the property room.”

  “And?”

  “He wanted me to know that although it’s documented that you dropped off the two plastic bags containing spent casings. The evidence is missing. Sometime after you left the lab, there was a break-in.”

  “What? That’s impossible?” Joe clamped his hands on his hips.

  “Obviously not, because that’s what’s happened.” Brad stood shaking his head.

  The look on Chris’ face said it all.

  “What is this, a fucking conspiracy against Brad?” Joe voiced his opinion, then snapped his fingers. “What about the camera facing the property room? Isn’t there one in the property room as well.”

  “I'll check.” Brad jumped to call the lab. “Maybe with any luck, at least the pictures will answer some of I.A.'s questions about me.”

  Joe scratched his head. “But, I watched him box it up and put it away. No one else was in there, and Vince even double checked the door to make certain it was locked before we left.”

  “Someone knew, because while Billings was in roll call they broke into property room and removed the evidence.” Brad responded, his hand over the phone stuck on hold.

  “So what, we’re back to square one?” Joe leaned on the kitchen counter.

  “Not even. At least at square one, we had the physical evidence to locate. Now we have nothing. And, Captain Roberts refuses to take your word or that of Billing’s because he never got a chance to check it against ballistics.”

  Brad spoke into the phone, murmured and listened.

  “Son-of-a-bitch. Sorry Christine.” Joe added.

  “Don’t bother, I’ve already said worse.”

  What are we supposed to do now?”

  “The lab is checking for fingerprints and they want Christine down at the department to take her prints,” Brad interjected.

  “Oh, yeah, like they wouldn't have notice me out of place there,” Christine let out an indelicate snort.

  “And I was ordered to stay away,” Brad swore. “That’s what I told Roberts, but he wants us all there nonetheless.” Brad slammed the phone down. “Now.”

  ***

  After Christine was fingerprinted, she and Brad were put in separate interrogation rooms. Sticking strictly to the story they’d come up
with, that they’d spent the evening sequestered in Christine’s apartment so she could rest, Brad and Christine were released. Each were warned they were under surveillance.

  Brad ushered Christine out into the fresh September morning.

  She watched him as he scanned the crowds coming and going, off to work, to school, to wherever, as if they hadn't a care in the world. It broke her heart to see the dismal look in his eyes.

  She let out a soft growl under her breath, her frustration taking over. She nudged Brad around the corner of the building because he appeared to be walking aimlessly. She glanced back and made sure he followed before stepping off the curb at the crosswalk and headed for her car.

  The squeal of tires made her freeze. The sounds transported her back to the other night. At the last minute she glanced up.

  She didn't have time to scream before Brad grabbed her and barrel rolled them to the curb on the far side of the street.

  “Are you okay?” Brad helped her up, and dusted her off while checking her for visible injuries. She hugged him, needing his warmth to chase the haunting images from her mind.

  “I'm fine. Are you hurt?” Christine, breathless from another narrow brush with death, patted his chest and scrutinized his face looking for blood or broken bones. She caught sight of several men from the graveyard shift coming to their aid.

  “Geez, are you guys all right?” One of the men helped Christine brush dirt off Brad's shirt.

  “No license plate on that car that I could see,” a second man said.

  “Dark Sedan. Same as the one we saw the night someone shot you.” Brad scowled. He put a protective arm around Christine. “This is no coincidence.”

  She shivered in his embrace. Fear for both their lives invading her every sense. Things were getting worse by the minute and not a suspect in sight.

  “That’s it. You two, inside with us now,” the senior officer said.

  “If Roberts and Van Norton don’t act now, we’re as good as dead.” Brad put a protective arm around her waist.