St James Gate (James Webb Rescue Book 1)

by BL Burke

  Marshall clicked on a thumbnail of Dante. His face looked double its size. Yellow, black and blue bruises all over him. A red cut on his chest, was probably now a scar. Foley barely remembered anything, he was told he was lucky to be alive. Burke investigated, the case was still open with no leads.

  “Well, that’d do it,” Marshall said, thinking about the leave of absence.

  A second statement was below it, more recent. It was short, taken by the desk sergeant. ‘Dante Foley of North Farwell Ave drove around looking for the man who attacked him, like he did most nights.’

  “Where’d he get this government crap?” Marshall whispered to himself.

  ‘April 4th, about mid-block on Fratney street, just south of Capital, Mr. Foley thought he saw his attacker. Two men were fighting, one was black, the other white. The black guy hit the white guy. ‘I stopped the car and grabbed my gun from my holster and got out. The white guy stood up as I pointed it toward them. We locked eyes, I was so scared, the gun was shaking. Then both split off in different directions. I thought one would come looking for me so I leapt back in my car, hit the gas and turned at the next block…where I pulled over. Two minutes later I was looking in my rear view and I saw the white guy driving passed me in a red truck. I ducked my head and waited till he was gone before I went home.’”

  Marshall leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head. The desk sergeant wrote it up as a fight. Marshall printed out the two reports and put them in his shoulder bag, and stepped out of the office.

  Chapter 22

  “He had to know him, or of him,” Kieron said, staring at the doughy eyed mongrels. The slow drone of the fan came from the corner. “Whoever took our boy, you just don’t randomly take someone.”

  “You don’t,” Harlan said looking over at the cages.

  “Your point?” Carlito said.

  “Someone must’ve seen this guy, knows him.”

  “Who?” Darius said, watching the muted TV, a butterfly knife twirling in his hand. Kieron rolled his eyes, sometimes it was good being the smartest in the room, and others it drove him nuts.

  “Christ, are you even listening?” Harlan stared at him like a mannequin at the mall. “We gotta know something, he’s gotten at least E, probably Skitter. Who else been missing?”

  “Thought Skitter ran off with the coke?”

  “Don’t think so no more,” Kieron said. He’d been suspicious since the little guy disappeared, but until now, it didn’t click. He took the pipe from Harlan and jammed it on the glass ashtray; he kept his place clean at least.

  “We sure they ain’t just run away?” Carlito asked.

  “It’s possible, but Perry is looking for E. Skitter’s too dumb to do leave on his own,” Kieron answered.

  “Traitor ass pig,” Harlan said, staring longingly at the pipe. Kieron bit his tongue, they didn’t know he was working with Perry, he wanted to keep it that way.

  “So, what do we know?” Kieron asked.

  “You’re the boss, I know nothing,” Carlito said. Kieron grabbed the TV remote, and clicked it off.

  “Hey!” Harlan yelled “Was watching that.”

  “Dumbass, you could be next.”

  “Next what?” Carlito questioned.

  “Next guy taken, or killed. We don’t know if they’re alive,” Kieron said, sitting on his dark blue leather couch. Harlan looked at him with blank eyes.

  “What’d the pig say?” Darius asked. He almost forgot Darius was there, sitting in the kitchen alone.

  “What you talking about?” Kieron said, scratching his nose. “I didn’t talk to him.”

  “He didn’t reach out to you or nothing?” Darius didn’t seemed convinced.

  “Perry’s a moron,” Harlan said.

  “He ain’t a moron. He can actually hold a conversation, you idiot.”

  “What about me?” Carlito asked.

  “He doesn’t smoke weed daily.”

  “You smoke,” Harlan said.

  Kieron took a deep breath. “I ain’t defending myself to you.”

  “You sound like you is,” Darius returned.

  Kieron wanted to punch the three in the jaw, break Harlan’s extremely large nose and knock out Carlito’s gold tooth and shave Darius’ dreads off. He took a deep breath. He thought about that damn professor, the one who kept yelling at him, the one who wanted him to do better. What did he tell him? ‘Listen to all sides and come up with your conclusions, think critically.”

  “When was the last time you saw E?” Kieron asked.

  “The fight,” Carlito said. Harlan nodded, Darius flipped open his butterfly knife.

  “Me too,” Kieron said, watching the blade shoot beam of sunlight around the room, “and the last time you saw Skitter?”

  “Shit, I don’t know,” Carlito said.

  “A few weeks ago… at the fight on 9th,” Darius said.

  “Yeah, I remember him there,” Carlito said. Harlan was watching the blade spin.

  “So... they are taken after a fight?” Darius suggested.

  “Or during,” Carlito said.

  Kieron shook his head. “I was with E when he left, and they found Ade in E’s van, so he made it there at least.”

  “And?”

  “Whoever grabbed him waited till he was at the van.” Kieron sat down on the couch and leaned his head back. “He knew what vehicle E drove.”

  “He’s watching us, why?” Harlan said.

  “That’s the question… Who didn’t you know at the fight?”

  “Some rich kids from Marquette, I think…” Carlito said.

  “Yeah, they was throwing money around. Woulda robbed them if you ain’t said no.”

  “Repeat business, besides one of them was E’s guy.”

  “So they’re okay?” Carlito tried to clarify, Kieron shrugged. “Is this some sort of damn puzzle? Do you know something we don’t?”

  “A lot, but why did they grab them there, that’s the question.”

  “Maybe they are animal lovers,” Darius said. “I got a cousin who loves animals, he volunteers somewheres.”

  Kieron rubbed his chin looking at Darius, his dreadlocks were pulled tight in a bun. The knife kept spinning, like somehow the combo helped him think. “Animal lover?” Kieron said quietly.

  “Dog lover is my guess,” Darius said.

  “Right. One guy, maybe two, if they were there they were probably quiet, didn’t throw much money down, probably more pissed then excited.”

  “There was one guy, came alone and was in and out like he took a piss,” Carlito said.

  “What’d he look like?”

  “I don’t know… white?” Carlito said. “They all look alike.”

  “Fuck you, you look Mexican,” Harlan said.

  “I’m Puerto Rican,” Carlito said, raising his voice.

  “You look like a Mexican!” Harlan and Carlito pushed off their seats and stood moving their noses inches from each other.

  Carlito pointed his finger in Harlan’s face, “And you look like a dumb ass C…”

  “Enough!” Kieron said, “Carlito, can’t you do any better?” Carlito and Harlan slowly parted, their eyes still burning into each other. Darius stopped spinning the knife.

  “I think he was like your height.”

  “Bout six feet.”

  “Little longer hair than you, I think.”

  “The white Kieron?” Darius said.

  “Nah, skinny face, small nose” Carlito said, sliding his hand toward an open bag of Doritos.

  “Compared to me or Harlan?”

  “All noses are small looking at that thing,” Carlito said. Harlan got back up. Kieron just raised his hand and looked directly at Carlito. “Try to visualize the guy.”

  “I don’t know, man, he looked white…”

  “Close your eyes and describe him.” Kieron said.

  “Don’t know, dark blond hair, maybe brown eyes or blue. He seemed twitchy.” Carlito flipped his eyes open. “He h
ad something in his arm...metal? And he wasn’t messed up.” Carlito continued to describe as best as he could. Kieron took out a pen and started to write it down. Minutes later he stepped into his bedroom to make a call. It went to voicemail.

  “Perry, it’s me. I got a description, call me.”

  Chapter 23

  James opened the door into the Public Market and took a few steps in. He kept his head down, skimming the half wall and slipped into the seats beneath the huge Marlin. A few tables were open, while others had people sucking down seafood and beer from the shop across the corridor.

  As the contact said, he went to the open seat from their last meeting. He sat down next to the window, it looked out on St. Paul. Through his sunglasses, he saw a waitress crouched starting to erase the chalkboard sign on the other side of the street. Newer cars and people maneuvered passed each.

  James looked out and saw his contact step out of a bright blue Celica from a decade ago. He looked like he was going to the beach not a meeting. The man hopped up the curb and into the door.

  James nodded at his contact. Zeta, as the man called himself, took the chair across the table. “Mr. Catcher,” he said as they sat down. “You called?” Zeta asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Hardware still working?”

  “Of course,” James said.

  Zeta smiled a pair of large beaver teeth under his trendy thick rimmed glasses. “Did you doubt me?”

  “I have a new job.” He glanced at the young couple next to them. They were engaged in their own little world.

  “Same deal?” Zeta asked. James thought he smelt beer on his breath and wondered if he’d been drinking all day.

  “Yep.” James reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope of cash, just far enough for Zeta to see.

  A young red head walked into the dining area staring at her phone. She wore an apron and a name tag, probably working her way through school the honest way. She smiled at the James and Zeta and came to a quick stop at the side of their table.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen. I’m Nicki. How are you today?”

  “Fantastic,” Zeta said with a big smile, “How are you my dear?” Was he trying to pick her up?

  “I’m great…” she said.

  “Could I get a Riverwest,” Zeta asked. “Tall if you would.” She nodded writing in her pad.

  “Same,” James said looking back at Zeta.

  “Absolutely, be back with your drinks. Will you be wanting any food?”

  “Maybe later,” Zeta said still looking at James. She disappeared passed the corridor and a group of Saturday shoppers.

  “Cheery one, isn’t she?” James said. He took off his hat and set it on the table. Slowly he placed the envelope under it.

  “Yep,” Zeta said. James glanced around and down the corridor. “Looking for someone?”

  James turned picturing Austin and one of his hick friends coming around the bend. He looked directly at Zeta. “Just making sure we weren’t followed.”

  Zeta never moved his glare, “I wasn’t. Any reason you’d be?”

  “No,” James said. Zeta leaned back and put his hand to his ear. He pulled out a little thing that looked like a black jelly bean.

  “You haven’t,” he said. James could feel the sweat on his forehead begin to form. His palms felt clammy.

  Nicki came back with the two beers. She placed a pair of napkins on the table and set them down. She looked curiously at James’ hat, a corner of the envelope was poking out.

  “That was quick,” Zeta said. James grabbed his and took a drink.

  She smiled, “I believe in prompt service. Do you want menus?”

  “No,” Zeta said grabbing his beer in his hand. “Thank you.” He smiled at her again.

  “Alrighty then, just let me know,”

  James waited for her to turn away. “What is that?” he asked.

  “An ear bud, so my security can communicate with me.” James felt the lump in his throat, he took a deep breath.

  “Your security?” James swallowed.

  “My lookout… a buddy from my organization,” Zeta sat back in his chair, grabbing his beer he looked away.

  “Your organization?” James asked.

  “Loosely,” he said, waiving a dismissive hand.

  “And they’re in… they do what you do?” James asked quietly. Zeta nodded. “Why do you need a lookout?”

  “To make sure this isn’t a setup. “

  “Me too.”

  “You’re not doing a very good job,” Zeta returned. “You didn’t bring anyone.” He grinned and took a big swig of his beer. James felt this was it, the man knew all about James, he had to, and he probably knew his name, occupation, probably had access to his social security and all his credit. The hackers, the hardcore computer guys could get whatever they wanted.

  “I didn’t think I needed any,” James said. “It’s a business deal.”

  “That it is, that’s why I have every one of these cameras sending their images to my guy.” James felt his heart beat faster. “And he’s watching everything.”

  “Everything?” James clarified.

  “Well, almost,” he said. “We’re in a blind spot, the camera over there,” he nodded behind James, “misses us by about two feet… the one over the door, hits the ground a yard or so behind my chair. I could go on, but needless to say, you weren’t followed and we aren’t being recorded.”

  James took a drink but kept his eyes on Zeta, the first meeting between them didn’t go this way. Zeta knew what he was doing wasn’t illegal, just a little curious. Set up some cameras, monitors and a switchboard in a basement.

  “So we’re alright.”

  “Better than when you blindfolded me.”

  “I can’t have you know where it was.”

  “No, I get it, but I could easily have figured that out,” Zeta said. James felt his head tingle like he just bit a jalapeno. Zeta was calm. “But I don’t care that much...so what’s next?”

  “I need a website, one of those sort of dark websites or whatever you guys call them.”

  “Close enough,” Zeta said looking away.

  “I want to be able to broadcast a live feed and not traceable.”

  “Most of it isn’t,” Zeta said. He pulled the cap and the envelope close to him. Slowly, he grabbed out the envelope. After a few seconds he nodded. “Must come from a rich family.”

  “I don’t,” James said.

  “When do you want me to start?”

  “Today if possible, and I want to be able to forward the link.” James slid a piece of paper over to Zeta. He grabbed it and shoved it in his pocket without looking.

  “It’ll take me a little bit, and I’ll have to hard wire the feed in,” Zeta said. James didn’t want to bring him back to the ‘gate,; trust was impossible with the hacker.

  “I got that done, and I set up a wireless router for you to hook up with. It’s not far from here.”

  “Okay.”

  “I also want to be able to add old videos to the site.” Zeta nodded like it wasn’t a problem.

  “I’ll make you an administrator when you’re ready.” He took another drink of his beer. “I’ll follow you.”

  “And your security?”

  Zeta smiled showing his big teeth again. “I trust you, he’ll stay away.”

  Chapter 24

  He waited outside the detective bureau for the captain. Minutes after finding the dog’s body in his brother’s house he was called in. The windows were bullet resistant and shatterproof. Perry tapped his service weapon against it as he looked toward the jail. What would happen if he pulled the trigger right now? Trees were starting to add their leaves, growing to an infected Q-tip that died in fall. He watched someone sweep the courtyard.

  The L shaped buildings of the police station, courthouse and jail surrounded the baron fountain and authorized personnel only courtyard with the museum taking up the other end of the block. Perry cracked the fingers on his
free hand then placed it on his opposite shoulder and massaged. Nothing helped the tightness since he saw the dead dog.

  Could I save Eddie… even if it meant killing someone without a trial? He’d be in violation of his own oath to protect and serve, to be an officer of peace. What if he wasn’t? He asked himself, it was beginning to cross his mind.

  “If I were a criminal…” he said quietly. It wasn’t just the brains; smart criminals were the hardest to catch. Like Kieron. His deal was drugs, but no one could make any charges stick… and Perry ain’t a snitch.

  Perry tapped the barrel of the gun on the window. Why did he become a cop? The military taught him a lot, not just killing. Respect for authority, though he didn’t always respect his CO’s.

  He closed his eyes and saw his sister's face, still young as it’d always be to him. His phone buzzed in his pants, he pulled it out. Charlene.

  “Hey,” Perry said bringing himself to.

  “Hey it’s me,” she said softly.

  “Hey, how are…” Perry rubbed his eyes.

  “Sadie and I are at my parent’s cabin.”

  “Door County?”

  “Yeah, planned it last night. Would’ve told you but you took off early.”

  “Sorry,”

  “Me too,” She said, “I just needed to get away for the weekend.” Perry didn’t say anything, the other cops told him of the cliché. Charlene would leave one day, if she came back, he’d be one of the lucky ones.

  “It’s okay,”

  “About Eddie… you know how I feel about him.” Her voice became slightly more disapproving. Perry knew her too well. “He’s your brother, but he’s not a good person.”

  “No, he’s not” he said exhaling. A door squeaked open behind him.

  “Well, despite my feelings, I hope you can find him…”

  “I might not. If I don’t?” Perry asked without thinking, a question he didn’t want to say aloud.