Capture: A Crime Thriller (CJ Sheridan Thrillers Book 2)

by M. P. McDonald

  CJ re-entered the room, the camera draped around his neck and a large envelope stamped “Photographs. Do Not Bend” in one hand, and a canister of film in the other hand. “Okay, I'm ready.” He moved to the sofa and Blanche sat beside him, so Wayan took the side chair.

  “Wayan, I asked Blanche to come by because she learned of my secret not that long ago herself, but also because she has experienced it first-hand.”

  “Experienced what?”

  CJ slid several photos from the envelope and spun them so Wayan could get a good luck at them. He winced. There were several images of a man and a church. In the first, the man was walking beside the front of the building, possibly heading to the side street and a parked car. The next image showed the same man with a large chunk of what appeared to be part of the church façade about to hit him on the head. The final one showed what was probably only a second after impact. The man's head…Wayan shook his head and made a face, sickened at the sight. It was no longer shaped like a head, and the man's legs were mid-buckle. It was obvious from the head and angle of the neck, the man was dead already.

  He looked away quickly. In his line of work, he'd already seen more than his share of violent deaths, but not in still images as it happened. “What is this? I'm guessing you're some kind of newspaper photographer or something? Hate to break it to you, dude, but not sure any newspaper will print these. They're too morbid and gruesome.”

  CJ shook his head. “No, that's not it. I'm not a professional photographer, although I work for one. No, these photos were taken yesterday afternoon.”

  “Really? I didn't hear anything like this happening.” He was pretty sure something like this would be talked about by his fellow officers. Working as they did and seeing the worst of people made many of them cynical and he knew this particular scene would have been fodder for some crude jokes.

  “You didn't hear about it because it didn't happen yet.” CJ spun the last photo around to look at it. “And if I'm successful, it won't ever occur.”

  Wayan blinked at CJ in confusion. He was tired, but he didn't think he was that tired. Then he nodded and laughed. “Oh. I got it. It's a photoshoot for your boss? What, is that chunk made of Styrofoam or something?”

  “No, you don't understand. This shows what will really happen to this poor guy in about four hours unless I get there and stop it somehow. I'm probably going to prevent the man from being beneath it when it falls and that shouldn't be too difficult, but I also want to make sure that the site is safe from any other accidents.”

  Rubbing his eyes with his thumb and fingers, Wayan blinked hard and looked from CJ to Blanche, waiting for the punchline. When Blanche merely nodded at CJ's plan of action, Wayan let out a snort of laughter. “You guys are good. I mean, dude, you almost had me, but I'm too tired for this. I guess you wanted to make me forget about taking you in for questioning, and honestly, I just want to crash for few hours. I'm too tired to think this through.” Wayan rose. “Thanks for breakfast though.” He turned to leave, but CJ stood and circled in front of him.

  “I'm not joking. I'm being serious. This is real, man. Not some joke.”

  Wayan just shook his head. “Whatever.”

  CJ grabbed Wayan's arm and Wayan stepped back, his hand on his service weapon. “Whoa. Stand back. Do not touch me.”

  Blanche gasped.

  CJ lifted his hands to shoulder height. “Easy! I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking when I grabbed you. Please listen to me. I'm not kidding. Do I look like I'm kidding?”

  He studied CJ's face. The other guy was nervous, but not twitchy. He held Wayan's gaze. “I swear, Wayan. I'm just not good at explaining this. Haven't had much practice, actually.”

  He slowly lowered his hands as Wayan removed his hand from the flap securing his gun. “Okay, move back over to the couch next to your girlfriend. And don't even think about trying to stop me from leaving again.”

  CJ's expression fell. “Sorry. I just wanted you to understand how I know about Cruz's attack and why I'm not a murderer. I wasn't there to hurt anyone.”

  “It's true, Wayan. I was like you. I didn't believe CJ at first. Not even when he saved my life and that was the night we first met. In fact, I was pretty sure he had a hand in it. But then he was in my ER after he stopped that woman from blowing up a bus full of kids.”

  Something about her description of a bus and a woman stirred a memory. “Woman? Bus? You mean that incident when the lady had herself wired up with a bomb?”

  They both nodded. “That was what? Two months ago?”

  CJ nodded. “Yeah. About that.”

  Then Wayan remembered seeing the footage on the news. He hadn't worked that scene, but he'd heard a lot about it. “You're that guy? The one who shot the woman with the bomb?”

  A flicker of sorrow flashed in CJ's eyes. “Yeah. That was me. I didn't know how else to stop her.”

  It was as though CJ thought Wayan was accusing him of wrongdoing when he was just clarifying the situation. “You did what you had to do. I'd have done the same.”

  Then he remembered another related incident the same night as the near bombing. It had to do with an ER. Wayan had heard the rumors that the same guy who stopped the bombing had been caught in a shootout in the very emergency room where he'd been taken after some kind of injury at the site of the bombing. “And the ER shit? You're that guy too?” It had been the talk of the department for days. Oddly, not much had been in the newspapers. Now, after meeting CJ's father, he wondered if his position with the FBI had something to do with keeping it mostly out of the press.

  “Yeah. Blanche was there for that one.” He looked at Blanche, who took in a deep breath.

  “Wayan, I wouldn't be here if CJ hadn't saved me. The guy he killed in the ER was the same man who tried to rape me a few weeks earlier. He would have murdered me if CJ hadn't been there.”

  “Okay, so what is it you want me to do?” Wayan was curious, but he was also beat.

  “I want you to go with me to watch while I stop this guy from getting flattened. So you can see first-hand that I'm not making this up.”

  “Aw, shit, CJ. I'm dead tired. I have to go home and sleep.”

  “I know, but I can't change the time this is going to happen. I know this sounds crazy and I sound desperate, but until you believe me about this, you'll never believe me about why I was there when Cruz was taken. You'll always suspect I had a role in that, and if you think I had something to do with that, then you'll also believe Hamilton when he tries to pin the murder on me.”

  * * *

  Wayan sighed and CJ knew he'd won him over.

  “You win. What are a few more hours?” Even as he spoke, Wayan yawned and CJ felt bad for keeping the guy awake for so long.

  “You can sleep here if you want, then you don't have to waste time going back home.”

  “No. I'd feel weird doing that.”

  “Didn't you ever crash at someone's house after a party? Just think of it like that.” CJ knew he sounded desperate, but he just didn't want Wayan to agree then go home and sleep right through the impending save.

  Wayan rolled his eyes. “I barely know you. Kind of a different situation.”

  “Yeah. I guess.” CJ's shoulders slumped. He was losing Wayan and there wasn't much he could do about it.

  “What if CJ and I stay out of the living room? You can sleep here on the sofa and we'll go out. Maybe back to my place or something, then come back in time to get to the save.” Blanche looked from CJ to Wayan and then smiled.

  It had to have been the smile, because Wayan caved. “Yeah. Okay. I'm not sure I can drive home without falling asleep anyway.”

  “Great! I'll get you a pillow and blanket. The bathroom is right down the hall if you want that.”

  CJ went to the linen closet and grabbed a clean pillowcase and the spare pillow and blanket from the top shelf and returned to the living room. Wayan must have gone to the bathroom because only Blanche was there. “Thanks. You did it.” He tossed the p
illow on the end of the couch and laid the blanket beside it. Glancing to make sure Wayan wasn't out of the bathroom, he stepped up to Blanche and cradled her head between his hands. “I know how we can spend our time waiting…” He dropped a soft kiss on her lips, then smoothed her hair back.

  She grinned. “Oh, I just bet you do. Sorry. I have some errands to run. You get to go with me.”

  “Please tell me you're going to a sporting goods store. I could use some new running shoes.”

  “Nope. I'm getting my hair trimmed, and then, I have to take my car to get the oil changed.”

  “Maybe I'll just stay here and—”

  “Oh no you don't. You told Wayan he could have the place to himself.”

  “I suppose I could take the camera and get that done for the day.” CJ picked up the camera from the coffee table. “I have film in my car. I can grab it when we leave.”

  “Yeah, we can do that first, drop them off at the one hour place, then we can run my errands and then swing by and pick them up on the way back here.”

  Wayan came into the living room wearing a white t-shirt, his uniform shirt draped over his shoulder and his holster dangling from his hand. “You know, if you don't want to leave, it's no big deal. I'm so tired, I'm sure I'll have no problem. You're dad isn't going to walk in the door though, is he?”

  “No. He works until about six. I'll call him too, just in case he leaves work early, but he won't. Don't worry.”

  “Be sure that you warn him. People tend to shoot first and ask questions later when they see people like me unexpectedly in their homes.”

  “People like you?” CJ swung the camera strap over his shoulder, hitching it up to a comfortable position. “They shoot cops in their houses?”

  Wayan's eyes opened wide as he swirled his hand in front of his face. “Uh, hello? Black guy? Sleeping on the couch? I can see your dad coming in and shooting me for being an intruder.”

  CJ blinked. Wayan's scenario hadn't occurred to him. “Oh. Well, no worries. Not gonna happen here.”

  “Just be sure to warn your dad.”

  “Don't worry.” CJ turned to leave. “Oh, and feel free to help yourself to something to eat or drink.”

  “I just ate, remember?” He sat on the edge of the couch and took off his shoes, setting his holster and shirt on top of them.

  “Yeah, but if you get thirsty…”

  “Go on. Get. I know how to get a drink.” Wayan grabbed the blanket then lay down. “Good night.”

  “Come on. CJ. Let the guy get some sleep.” Blanche took his elbow and tugged him to the door.

  * * *

  Tom tailed them to a Lincoln Park neighborhood, pulling behind a car parked on the street when he saw Sheridan slow and turn into the driveway of an upscale condo. He watched from a safe distance as Sheridan exited and entered the front door, Cooper right behind him. This was interesting.

  He sipped his fresh coffee and sighed. Tilting the seatback, he relaxed, watching the infrequent traffic pass him. The fourth car that went by, a little red Honda, slowed and turned around in Sheridan's driveway, parking on the street in front of the condo. A cute red head got out. He recognized her from the scene outside of the holding room. She was a nurse or something.

  Not long after she entered the condo, she and Sheridan came out while Cooper remained. That was odd. He wasn't sure whether to stay on Sheridan's tail or remain at the condo to see why Cooper hadn't left. Torn, he watched them drive past in the nurse's car, and decided to stick with Sheridan. Cooper was pretty much stuck at the condo unless Sheridan had given him the keys to his car. He supposed that was possible, but not likely. Besides, his orders were to keep an eye on Sheridan, not Cooper.

  Tom stretched. This was boring as hell. All Sheridan had done was tag along as his girlfriend ran errands. They stopped at the library, got the oil changed, went to park and took some photos, then dropped off the film. He knew that because he'd found a parking spot just ahead of theirs and decided he could use some more munchies. It was tricky staying out of their sight in the store, but they hadn't seemed to be watching for anyone and spoke in normal voices. It was easy to keep track of them in the store. When they were at the film counter, he checked out, stocked up with corn chips, snack cakes and a large bottle of water.

  He saw them exit the store and get in the car, and sighed. He hadn't even had time to eat a snack cake yet. An hour later, after a visit to a hair salon, they returned to the drugstore and picked up the photos. What was so important that they needed them in an hour? As far as Tom could tell, they had just taken spur of the moment pictures. Sheridan hadn't set up any photos and hadn't directed his girlfriend in any way as far as poses. Very odd.

  When the duo returned to Sheridan's home, Tom found a place several doors down. He parked behind a minivan and was able to see the front door. He picked up his cellphone. “Yeah, it's me. I've been sticking to him since early this morning, and nothing of note happened except he met Wayan Cooper at your district this morning. They had breakfast at a diner near there, then headed to what I assume is Sheridan's home. It's a little too swanky to be the cop's condo.” He gave Hamilton the address.

  “Yes, that belongs to Jim Sheridan, CJ's father. Keep your eyes peeled for him, too. The last thing you want is for him to find you watching his kid. I have a contact in the FBI and so far, there's nothing going on there, in regards to my operation.”

  “So why am I still out here? If everything is fine, can't you just let it go? It looks like Sheridan has moved on, and so should you.”

  “You have no idea how much I have riding on this. All you need to do is follow him and report what he does. I'll interpret his actions. You're just my eyes.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  CJ sat in the car as he waited for Blanche to come out of the bank. It was her last errand and he was anxious to get back to home. He hoped Wayan hadn't changed his mind and left. He wouldn't blame him as it was probably pretty awkward. He sorted through the photos they'd just picked up. None looked like future photos and while he was happy that nobody was dying in the pictures, he was also hoping the lack of any today wouldn't be a strike against him in Wayan's eyes.

  Would Wayan really have arrested him right there in the diner? He'd seemed serious about it, but CJ didn't think admitting he was there was enough for an arrest. Sure, he could bring him in for questioning, but he'd need more than CJ's admission in a diner. It would never hold up in a court of law if he didn't admit it again after being read his rights. Still, he didn't want Wayan thinking he was somehow involved in murdering a police officer. There was also his gun. He hadn't gotten it back yet. He didn't even know where it was. Did Hamilton still have it and was he planning on using it to kill another cop?

  What was Hamilton’s role in Cruz's murder? Had he ordered it? If so, why? It was the big question.

  Blanche returned. “Okay. All set. We're not running late, are we?”

  CJ returned the photos to the envelope. “No. We should be fine. I already looked up the church and it's not too far away from my dad's.”

  “Good.” She clicked her seatbelt and took the envelope from CJ. “Anything?”

  “No. Just the same pictures I took.”

  “Oh. Well, maybe that's a good thing. It'll give you time to figure out what's going on with Hamilton.”

  CJ slanted her a smile. “That's a good way to look at it.”

  He wished he would have asked for Wayan's cellphone number so he could call and tell him they were on their way back. While they weren't running late, he hoped it wouldn't take long to get Wayan up and moving. What if the guy was one of those people who slept hard and were almost impossible to wake up? CJ's first roommate in college had been like that.

  A train could have run through the room and as long as it didn't hit Adam's bed, the guy would sleep right through it. CJ breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Wayan's car still parked in front of the condo. He pulled in the driveway and got out, waiting a moment for Blanche to rou
nd the car before he went to the front door and unlocked it.

  He didn't want to startle Wayan so he just spoke in a normal tone. “Hello? Wayan? We're back.” He rounded the corner from the entryway into the living room. Wayan was sitting on the edge of the couch, dragging a hand down his face.

  CJ jangled his keys, spinning them around his index finger. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “Yeah. I guess. Last thing I remember was the door shutting, so I think I fell right asleep.” He stood and stretched. “Be right back.” He went to the bathroom and CJ folded the blanket and grabbed the pillow, setting them on one end of the couch.

  “Dude, I'm starving.” Wayan had drops of water running down his neck and his hair was damp in front, but he looked more awake.

  “Uh, well, I have some granola bars. I'll buy you dinner when we're done.”

  Wayan grumbled a bit, but accepted the bars CJ retrieved from the kitchen. “This is like, barely a snack.”

  “Yeah. I know. My dad eats them mostly, but this won't take long.” CJ threw over his shoulder as he headed for the door. Blanche went ahead of him.

  “And then you'll buy me a big juicy steak?”

  CJ rolled his eyes as he waved Wayan ahead of him so he could lock the door behind them. “Yeah. Sure. But pick some place reasonable. I'm not rich, you know.”

  “I'm just kidding. A Big Mac will do.”

  Blanche poked CJ in the ribs. “He's a cheap date.”

  Wayan laughed and got in the backseat of CJ's car. “I heard that. I hope you make this guy take you somewhere expensive.”

  “Aw, I don't need a fancy dinner. CJ's great company.”

  “Okay, now you're embarrassing me.” CJ headed towards the church.

  “So, what's the deal when we get there?” Wayan asked.

  CJ glanced in the rearview mirror. “I'm going to engage the victim in a conversation. Maybe just call him over to ask directions or something. I just need him to change his direction for a few seconds, really. The chunk of concrete will fall harmlessly, but we'll be sure to point it out to the foreman who's working the construction crew, or if he's not there, the church officials.”