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+ + + + + + +
Josiah and Nathan had ordered pizza. They waited eagerly for the explanation
of what had happened while they were in Knoxville. Buck was too tightly wound
to say anything when he first arrived at the ranch. He poured himself a large
glass of whiskey and drank it as fast as he could. The burning sensation
caused a deep shuddering in his body as he stared at the stone fireplace.
Vin and JD sat, waiting for the older agent to speak.
Buck? Can you talk about it? Josiahs voice was tender.
He acted like he didnt recognize us. He kept looking at the gate.
His eyes were
burning from the inside. Then Vin went blank.
Nathan turned suddenly to study the young agent. What do you mean
blank?
Like Chris, his eyes went blank. JD called my name and I saw
JD picked up the thread of the conversation. Vins eyes went blank
like Chris. Buck shook him out of it and he said that Chris was in agony.
That he was smothering or something. He said Chris was worried about someone.
He was expecting someone else with us.
Hes looking for Ezra. I felt it in his mind. Hes scared
because we lost Ezra. Vins voice was somewhere between awed and
horrified.
What made you decide to let them use the ECT? Nathan wanted to
drag them back to what he needed to know.
The doctor said he didnt need our blessing. The commitment order
gives him the right to treat Chris as he sees fit. He assured me that it
wouldnt hurt him. I stayed with him right up to the last minute. I
couldnt watch them do it to him. The anguish in Bucks voice
brought JD to his side.
I watched it, Buck. His hand trembled for a second, his expression
never changed.
Wilmington wrapped an arm around the kid and sighed. Thanks, I needed
to know that. He spoke to me afterwards. He knew who I was.
Nathan digested that important bit of information. It was a good sign. It
meant that maybe they could draw him out of the shell. All they had to do
was find the guilty party. He waited for Buck to collapse into the recliner
before briefing them on what they had found in Knoxville. They were still
waiting for the results from the lab.
Josiah dropped Nathan at his place before going home. The eldest member of
Team 7 was weary. The flight to and from Knoxville had taken a lot out of
him. The week separated from the team had been hard. The constant worry about
Chris was like an open wound.
+ + + + + + +
The judges body was thoroughly checked for evidence. The lab technician
made pictures and measurements of the bruises around Crosss neck. He
removed the bullet from the body and sent it off to ballistics. They found
a couple of hairs on the body.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra stared at the man across the desk from him with disdain. He had answered
all of the mans nosy questions. He was dangerously close to losing
his temper. Maude had told him that this was a done deal and yet the manager
of the casino wanted him to jump thru hoops.
Mistah Garalucci, either you want me or you dont. Either way,
Im not here to tell you about my exploits with the ATF. The information
is private and classified. Now, if you have any questions about my qualifications
to deal in your casino, I will answer them, if not, Im leaving.
Youre hired. Report to HR for the paperwork. You can start on
the six to one shift tonight. Mondays are slow so you wont have
any trouble getting back into the swing.
The green eyes were passive as Ezra stood to shake hands with the manager.
He walked down the hall and entered the HR office. An hour later he had his
casino ID and an employee handbook in his hand. He returned to his mothers
apartment. He had spent the past week chasing down leads. One of his friends
in the FBI office in Atlanta had contacted him to tell him that the Cottman
kid had something that he needed to see.
+ + + + + + +
Your car needs a tune up. If Im to get around in the city, I
need something reliable, Mother. He made no attempt to hide his bitterness.
Now, son, is that any way to talk to your darling mother? I will have
your beloved Jag brought from Denver if you wish. Or we can go out and you
can pick out whatever you want from the dealers lot.
Not now Mother, Im going to take a nap. I have to work tonight
from six to one. Before I go to work though, I expect you to fill me in on
exactly what you have in mind for me.
+ + + + + + +
Monday morning when Team 7 assembled in their offices, there was a stranger
waiting for them. Judge Travis escorted the woman into the conference room
and took a seat at the head of the table. Six pairs of eyes studied the woman
before Orin spoke.
Gentlemen, allow me to introduce Michaela Evers. Shes been
transferred here from the Phoenix office. Shell be taking the place
of Agent Standish. Youll find her bio in your folders. Your next assignment
is also in there. We received a tip that a shipment of guns is coming down
from Montana. We traced them thru Casper and Cheyenne, Wyoming and they should
arrive here any day now. You have all the information available to us at
the moment. Our contact on the inside is Jose Ramirez and we have already
set him up with Agent Evers photo and address. He will contact her when he
arrives. I will leave you to get acquainted and check back tomorrow.
As soon as Travis left the room, all eyes turned to Buck.
Okay. Well, Agent Evers, Im Buck Wilmington, leader of Team 7.
This is our resident profiler, Josiah Sanchez, sharpshooter, Vin Tanner,
computer and electronics expert, JD Dunne, and Nathan Jackson, explosives
and team medic. Youll want to give him your blood type and any pertinent
medical information.
Michaela studied the faces of the men around the table. She knew that they
had taken a bad hit with the loss of both their original team leader and
their undercover agent. The judge had briefed her extensively on them and
she had read their bios.
Buck studied the bio in the folder. The woman was recruited out of college
by the FBI. She held a BA in criminal science and a masters in psychology.
He chuckled to see that she had minored in drama. She carried a very high
score on marksmanship and had a black belt in karate. It was a very well
rounded profile.
He raised his eyes to study the woman herself. She was tiny, standing just
55 and weighing only 110 pounds according to her bio. Her auburn
hair held a slight tint of red and when she looked directly at him, Buck
was startled to see green-gold eyes.
After a couple of minutes of awkward silence, Michaela came to her feet.
Im pleased to meet all of you. Judge Travis has filled me in
on the situation here. I know Ive got some pretty big shoes to fill.
I just want you to know that I am proud to be considered worthy to work with
such a highly decorated team.
Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the team. Josiah stood
and offered her his hand.
Once the ice was broken, the others also found their voices and welcomed
the woman. They spent the next half hour reviewing the file on the gun shipment
that was headed their way. It was awkward and uncomfortable for the younger
members of the team. JD and Vin shied away from the woman like she carried
the plague. They slipped out of the conference room together and Buck followed
them into the mens room.
A woman! Can you believe that! How in the world are we supposed to
work with a woman? Jeez! What is the judge thinking?
Calm down, JD. The judge wouldnt have picked her unless she was
the best.
He should have let Buck have some say in the matter! He is the leader
now, isnt he? They let Chris hand pick all of us, Buck just got stuck
with her!
Wilmington rounded the wall and stood quietly, watching the two young agents.
Vin was the first to realize that they were not alone and his gaze rested
squarely on their leader.
Okay, I realize that this is going to be hard for us but we have to
do our jobs. Lets at least give her a chance. According to the bio,
shes the best the judge could find.
Yeah, Buck, thats all well and good. But who gets stuck with
her? I dont want her watching my back! I mean, suppose she gets PMS
or something?
Buck chuckled. Come on, lets get back to work.
The three men left the restroom and came face to face with Agent Evers. The
two younger men back peddled at the sight of the woman.
Ill meet you in the gym in half an hour, Agent Dunne. When Im
thru mopping the floor with your ass, maybe youll have a little
respect!
The woman turned and headed for the elevators. Buck turned to face the two
young agents. He shook his head as he took in the chagrined look on JDs
face.
I hope you can walk with your foot in your mouth, JD.
Walk where? You dont think Im actually going to the gym
to fight with her do you?
I not only think you are going, were all going to watch.
Michaela was sitting on the floor stretching her hamstrings when the team
showed up. She was wearing her ATF sweats and had braided her hair. Her
green-gold eyes flashed with anger as she glared at JD and Vin.
Do you want to box or hand to hand? Her voice was cold with
challenge.
I dont want to fight with you Miss Evers. I didnt mean
for you to overhear what I said. The kid was clearly trying to talk
his way out of this.
But I did hear it! So lets just get it all on the table at one
time! You dont think I can get your back? Step in here and let me show
you just how chauvinistic that remark really is.
JD changed into his sweats and walked to the mat like a condemned man to
the electric chair. He sat on the floor and went thru a few quick stretches.
Donning the safety helmet, he moved to the center of the mats and took up
a defensive crouch.
In only took about fifteen minutes for Michaela to demonstrate that she was
more than capable to defend herself. She had tossed JD around the mats like
a rag doll. Although the two were evenly matched in height, she was lightning
fast and agile. The kid never laid a hand on her.
JD slunk over and offered his hand to the woman. He had been whipped and
he knew it.
Im sorry, Maam. You can get my back anytime.
Thanks, JD. You fought a good fight, too.
After showering, the team went back to the conference room. By the end of
the week, they would have made progress toward becoming a team again.
+ + + + + + +
Sitting across the supper table from Maude, Ezra leveled a glare at her.
You have to be kidding, Mother! If I am caught doing what youre
proposing, I could go to jail for a very long time!
Now, Ezra dear, dont be so dramatic. Im only suggesting
that you throw him a couple of hands a night. He says its like eating
an elephant, one small bite at a time.
Mother, I will not assist you in your endeavor to steal from that casino!
What you are asking me to do is patently illegal! This isnt like the
innocent cons you used to run when I was a kid. You would have been better
off to have bankrolled me to play at the casino, not to work there.
Ezra, dear, this is important to me. Malcolm wants to look like a player
but he just doesnt have the skill that you have. I promised him that
I would help him! Its the only thing he wants! I just want him to be
happy!
Malcolm was Maudes current husband. A playboy, or so he fancied himself,
the man was hopelessly inept at cards. All the months of losing at the casino
had left the man deeply embarrassed and in debt to the mob. What his mother
hadnt told him was that she had actually been threatened by one of
their enforcers, she was terrified.
+ + + + + + +
Buck called the hospital before they left the office that evening. Dr. Long
told them that Chris was still talking. They were talking him thru the events
in Spencer. He was making progress toward dealing with the verdict.
When can we see him, Doctor?
Give us until the weekend. I need to work him thru the issues. Hes
dealing with the loss of his family all over again. Hes doing well
in individual therapy and were starting him on group therapy
tomorrow.
Thanks, Dr. Long. Ill call again tomorrow evening. Can we bring
him anything or send him anything?
Not yet, Mr. Wilmington. We work on a reward system here, he has to
build up enough participation points before he can have anything extra.
Ill let you know.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra glared at his reflection in the mirror. The jacket they wanted him to
wear was horrendous! The cut was all wrong. The lay of the material was pathetic.
He tugged at the sleeves once more before clipping his ID badge to the lapel
and moving onto the floor. The pit boss slid silently to his elbow and followed
him to his table.
After about an hour, the pit boss moved away from the table. Ezra loosened
up and began to enjoy himself. Before his first break, he had a table full
of ladies, flirting and giggling as they lost money to him. The manager caught
him during his break to praise him for the wonderful job he was doing.
+ + + + + + +
Jeff Franklin dug into the pie that his aunt sent for him. Everyday, his
aunt sent something special for him to eat. He still hadnt seen any
of his friends. He called Seth in the afternoon, but the conversation was
short and stilted. The young man began to wonder what there would be for
him when he returned to Spencer in his wheelchair.
+ + + + + + +
The doctor prescribed pain pills and antibiotics. Taylor Cottman had gotten
beaten in his cell that afternoon. He had a fractured jaw and a minor scalp
laceration. When he returned to his cell, his bunkmate had been moved.
+ + + + + + +
Johnny bought Seth another beer. They had been shooting pool at the bar all
afternoon. The whole town was buzzing with the news that Judge Cross was
dead. They had issued an APB for Taylor Cottman. Lightner was hopeful that
they wouldnt find the owner of the car because Taylor was one of only
two people who might betray his dark secret.
+ + + + + + +
Chris lay staring at the pattern of light reflected on the ceiling. He had
awakened in Hell and he didnt know how to get out. Dr. Fullerton told
him that he had been found guilty of murder and that he had been committed
to the facility for an undefined term. He had already been here for two weeks.
The doctor had not been able to tell him how he came to be committed to this
particular facility. The orders were sealed. Judge Travis had hinted that
he knew how it had happened, but had not admitted to the doctor who exactly
had made the arrangements.
Ezra. I know he has something to do with this. He ran everything
thru his mind over and over. Somehow, he knew that the southerner had pulled
the strings that had put him here. Chris had begged the doctor to be allowed
to call Orin but had been told that he hadnt earned enough participation
points.
+ + + + + + +
By ten that night, Ezra had a crowd standing around his table. The six chairs
were filled and there were at least four women waiting for their chance to
sit at his table. He was smiling and flirting shamelessly with the ladies
while he charmed them out of their money. One young woman, in particular,
had managed to touch his hand several times over the past hour. He smiled
at her again as she split her cards and doubled her bet.
+ + + + + + +
Buck arrived early to the office the next morning. He wanted to be there
when everyone arrived. To his surprise, Agent Evers was already there. She
had made coffee and was sitting in one chair with her feet resting in another.
Across her lap was the Phoenix paper and on the table lay the New York Times
crossword puzzle, neatly completed in ink.
Good morning!
Morning! I couldnt sleep so I came in early. I didnt know
what the protocol was for the coffee, but I made a pot.
Who ever arrives first usually makes the coffee. If its JD or
Vin, youll want to be very careful, they make it so strong that it
will take the paint off of your car.
A smile lit her face as she considered what hed said.
It was Wednesday afternoon before Evers got the call she had been expecting.
Ramirez had arrived with the shipment of guns and was looking to make contact
with his girlfriend. They set up their date at a little bar on
the outskirts of Denver. Vin and Buck were going in early to provide backup
for Michaela. JD was in the surveillance van and Nathan and Josiah were in
the tracking vehicle.
+ + + + + + +
The apartment was quiet when Ezra awoke that morning. He showered and dressed
before going in search of coffee. Delight showed in his eyes as he saw the
espresso machine on the kitchen counter. After a double espresso, he felt
more alert and went in search of the newspaper.
As he was reading over the paper he heard the familiar chirp of his cell
phone. He had almost let the battery on the phone go dead but plugged it
in at the last minute. Laying the paper on the coffee table, he reached for
the charger and looked at the caller ID. Travis, Orin he read
and opened the phone.
Standish.
Orin Travis. How are you doing, Agent Standish?
Shouldnt that be Mr. Standish? I did tender my resignation a
couple of weeks ago.
I dont want to go into that right now, Ezra. I just thought you
should know that Chris is improving. Hes finally starting to come out
of his shell. The team is still following up on leads on the side. They found
the body of Judge Cross in a landfill in Spencer.
Thats unfortunate. Somehow theyll find a way to blame that
on Mr. Larabee, too.
I doubt that. Ezra, I just want you to know that your job is still
here if you want it. The team misses you. Buck said that Chris knew you had
left when they saw him. He was pretty upset about it.
The silence on the other end was filled with static as Ezra considered
Orins words. He didnt have anything to say. He had made a deal
for Chris and he had to stick with it.
Tell him that I am well and I will visit when I have an opportunity.
I will try to write and explain it to him as soon as he is ready to deal
with everything. I have to go now, Orin. Thanks for calling.
He hung up the phone and put it back in the charger. After picking up the
newspaper, he found that he couldnt concentrate. Folding the paper,
he powered up his laptop computer and began to do some research. He was relieved
that the judge hadnt cancelled his computer access as he entered the
ATF database and began pulling up names.
+ + + + + + +
Michaela sat at the bar nursing her drink. Buck was making time with one
of the barmaids. Vin was shooting pool with another man. All three agents
were wired to send but only the men were wired to receive from the van.
The two men entered the bar and Ramirez immediately made for Evers. She slid
off the barstool and wrapped herself around Jose. After a long, passionate
kiss, Michaela looked over his shoulder to the other man.
Jose, you didnt tell me you were bringing company, I was hoping
we would have a private dinner and a little cuddle time while you are
here.
Mickey, meet Calvin. Were making good time on our route so he
said it would be okay to stop and see you for a couple of hours. There
isnt time for a cuddle, but we can have a couple of drinks together.
Calvin, nice to meet you! I appreciate that you let Jose stop while
hes in town, we see so little of him since hes taken up driving.
Would you like a drink?
The plan was for Michaela to keep them busy while the other two put a tag
on the truck. They had to get proof that the guns were in the truck before
they could move on it. The judge also wanted to know who was at the top of
the crew that was shipping the guns across the country.
+ + + + + + +
After his group therapy session, Chris earned enough participation points
to make a phone call. He agonized over whom to call. His first instinct was
to call Ezra but he didnt know how to get in touch with the southerner
since he had resigned. His next instinct was to call Buck but he didnt
have anything to say to his friend just yet. He finally decided to call Orin.
Travis.
Orin? Its Chris.
How are you doing, son? The relief in the older mans voice
was evident.
Not good. What in the Hell is happening down there? Why did you let
Ezra go? The team needs him! We worked too hard to get him into the team
to lose him now!
Im sorry, Chris. Hes a grown man and I cant tell
him what to do. He felt that he might live longer if he went into business
with Maude.
Shes blackmailing him, isnt she? Thats the only reason
he would give up a job he loves. What is she blackmailing him with? You have
to find out what it is and neutralize it. Thats the only way to get
him back.
I already know what it is. I cant neutralize it, Chris.
Its because of me isnt it? She pulled the strings that
got me committed instead of sent to prison, didnt she? This place reeks
of something she would have her hands into. He gave up his life so I could
be closer to the guys, didnt he?
He made his decision, based on what he felt was in the best interest
of the team. It was important to him that you be safe and close to the
others.
Hes just showing the greater love.
I beg your pardon?
Greater love has no man than he would sacrifice himself for another.
He had the pull to get me into this place and sold his soul to the devil
to do it. Do you know where he is?
Dealing cards at a casino in Atlantic City. I spoke with him earlier
today.
Oh God! Shes setting him up for something. Orin, you have to
stop him! Shell sacrifice him for whatever scam shes running!
You cant let her do that to him!
What can I do, Chris? Hes a grown man.
Lean on him, Orin. Get him back! I need him!
Chris was filled with rage and conflicting emotions as he sat in the dining
room that evening. He had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. Ezra
would do whatever his mother told him to do as long as she held all the cards.
He would almost have preferred to go to prison than to know that one of his
friends was making that kind of sacrifice because of him.
+ + + + + + +
The second week went much the same as the first. Ezras table was surrounded
by women, three and four deep. He charmed and flirted his way thru to his
first break. The pit boss met him again to tell him how pleased they were
with his work. When he returned from his break, the woman from last night
was there again. She oozed charm and flirted shamelessly with him as she
played.
When he returned from his break, Malcolm was at his table. He stared hard
at his stepson as he placed his chips on the table. At the other end of the
table, the woman from before leaned on the table and leered seductively.
Ezra dealt the cards and smiled.
By the time his second break came, Malcolm was up a couple of hundred dollars.
The woman, Jeannie, was up almost a thousand. As Ezra sat in the employee
lounge, he considered what his mother had asked him to do. He shook his head
at the thought of cheating at cards so that his stepfather could win.
Returning to the table, he was relieved to see that Malcolm had moved to
another table. Jeannie was still at his table when he got back and she proceeded
to win and lose a few hundred dollars over the course of the rest of his
shift. She pressed a card into his hand at the end of the evening with her
phone number on it.
+ + + + + + +
Michaela and Jose continued to play the amorous lovers while Cal sipped his
drinks at the bar. Vin eventually approached and invited Cal to shoot a game
of pool with him. Buck got word from JD that the truck had a GPS tag on it
so that they could track it. He signaled to the rest of his team so that
they could begin to extricate themselves. Vin quickly lost the pool game
he was playing and Buck made a pass at Mickey so that Jose could pick a fight
with him.
Cal pulled Jose off of the mustached man and shoved him toward the door.
Mickey pressed a quick kiss on her boyfriends lips before
he slipped away. After they were certain that the truck was truly gone, the
three agents returned to the office to discuss the evening. The tracking
signal was loud and clear and they would try to set up a roadblock to justify
searching the vehicle.
+ + + + + + +
The party in the Fielders barn was in full swing. The kegs sat in large
trashcans filled with ice. The stereo system cranked out music at a volume
that was almost uncomfortable. Kids from all over the county were drinking
and dancing. Seth had gotten hold of a bottle of Ecstasy and was passing
it out to the girls at the party. Johnny was drinking and dancing with several
of the high school girls.
+ + + + + + +
Team 7 went over the plan once again. They would set up a sobriety checkpoint
and Jose would try to get Cal to drink so that they would fail the test.
That would give them a reason to search the truck and impound it and the
weapons.
+ + + + + + +
The bedroom door burst open and the lights came on suddenly. Malcolm jerked
Ezra out of his bed and slammed his fist into the startled mans stomach.
After slamming around the room and into several pieces of furniture in the
room, his stepfather began to shout.
You didnt do what she told you! You were supposed to help me
win! I needed the money! Theyre going to hurt her!
The green eyes burst open and filled with horror.
Mother? Whos going to hurt Mother? What are you talking about?
Malcolms hands tightened on Ezras nightshirt. He drew back his
fist and prepared to throw another punch. His eyes were filled with fear
and anger. He finally shoved the younger man away from him and raced out
of the room to answer the phone.
After pulling on his wrapper, Ezra ran to the living room to hear only one
side of the conversation. As soon as Malcolm hung up the phone he grabbed
his stepson and shoved him toward his room.
Shes in the hospital! We have to go! Come on, get dressed.
A half hour later, Malcolm and Ezra stood over Maude in her hospital room.
She wasnt badly hurt, thankfully. The doctor said that they would release
her after breakfast. She had a slight concussion.
After the doctor left the room, Maudes blue eyes opened and she looked
up at her husband and her son. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes
as she reached for one of each of their hands. For the first time in his
life, Ezra saw fear in his mothers eyes.
+ + + + + + +
Seth opened the door to the corncrib and stuck his head inside. He had been
looking for Beth and someone said she had gone in that direction with someone.
In the small, dark room he saw a couple in the act of copulation. Quickly
closing the door, he moved to the next crib. In the lighted circle of his
flashlight, he saw her legs. Climbing into the crib, he crept up on the unmoving
body.
Johnny sat on the trunk of the car smoking a joint in the moonlight. The
music from the barn was still vibrating pleasantly on his clothes. Out of
the corner of his eye, he spotted a couple engaging in serious foreplay.
As he watched the girl pull off his sweater, he caught a glimpse of her
bellybutton ring, so much like the one Wyn wore.
+ + + + + + +
Team 7 met at the office again that morning. Judge Travis met with them to
review what had happened the night before. He also wanted to let them know
that he had spoken to Chris the night before. Without giving all the details,
he confirmed to Buck that Larabee was concerned about Ezra.
What am I supposed to do about that, Judge? Hes a grown man!
Im just telling you what hes feeling. Hes concerned
for the team.
The team will go on just fine without him! Youve already replaced
him! Why all the sudden concern for Ezra anyway? I didnt think you
especially cared for him!
You owe him, Agent Wilmington. You owe him more than you know. When
all of this is over, you and I are going to sit down and talk about Agent
Standish!
Travis walked out of Chriss office, leaving Buck sitting behind the
desk with his mouth hanging open. The door slammed and the blind rattled
for several seconds. Four pairs of eyes followed the back of the angry director
as he entered the elevator. Only one person looked to the door that had been
slammed. Vin silently got up and headed for the door.
What was that all about?
Ezra. The judge says I owe him, we owe him, and we dont know
what for. I cant get over the feeling that there is more going on here
than meets the eye.
After Vin left the office, Buck logged on to his computer and began pulling
up files. He spent the rest of the afternoon researching his question. When
Josiah knocked on the door later, he found the team leader staring in disbelief
at the computer screen.
Whatcha looking at boss?
A deal with the devil, Josiah. Buck switched off the computer
and stood up to head out with the others.
+ + + + + + +
Vin and Michaela returned to the bar to meet Jose and Cal. The sharpshooter
struck up another game of pool with Cal and bought him several drinks. By
the time the two men left the bar, both were drunk. Vin radioed to the
surveillance van and the chase car to tell them to get ready.
Buck sat in the chase car with Josiah.
What did you mean about a deal with the devil?
Someone pulled strings to get Chris sent to Devonshire. Who do we know
with those kinds of contacts? Who would do something like that and not tell
anyone about it?
Ezra? You think he had something to do with it?
Im sure of it. What I cant figure out is why he left.
A couple of hours later, the agents stood on the edge of the highway as the
sobriety checkpoint was in full operation. They moved forward to help the
state patrol with the checks. The truck was only a quarter of a mile from
the line.
+ + + + + + +
Maude was discharged from the hospital a few hours later. Malcolm and Ezra
supported her as she stepped from the wheelchair and into the car. Ezra took
the car keys and drove the car away from the hospital. He headed away from
the apartment and took them to a safe house he had arranged thru Judge Travis
while he was waiting for his mother to be discharged.
Ezra, darling, what are we doing here? The doctor said I should go
home and rest. What is this place?
Its a safe house, Mother. You and Malcolm are staying here until
I find the people who hurt you. I dont want you calling anyone while
youre here. Is that clear?
But you dont know these people, son. They wont hesitate
to hurt you if they dont get their money. Thats why I wanted
you to have the job at the casino.
Well talk about this later, Mother. Now, you will be all right
here for a couple of days. I will be in touch.
Ezra drove away from the safe house, leaving his mother and stepfather. When
his cell phone rang, he pulled it from his pocket.
Standish.
Ezra, that guy you have us holding, Cottman? We just got an APB on
him from Spencer, Tennessee. His car was found with a dead judge in the trunk.
We can only keep him here another day or two and then we will have to turn
him over.
Got it. Thanks, Linc. I appreciate you doing this for me. That kid
knows something and I need to get him to talk. Ill be there in two
hours.
+ + + + + + +
Calvin saw the line of brake lights and tried to get off of the highway.
The four ATF pace cars prevented him from changing lanes. Jose pretended
to panic as he realized that they were headed into a sobriety checkpoint.
As they got closer to the state troopers, Calvin pulled a gun and prepared
to shoot his way out.
Ramirez keyed the code into his pager that would tell his team that the man
in the truck was armed. They didnt want any deaths among the highway
patrol. He tried to talk the other man out of shooting at the police.
Theyll kill us, man! And for what? We didnt do anything
wrong! Were just the drivers! Someone will bail us out, wont
they? They wont want us to talk!
Cal shoved the gun into the crack in the seat and nodded curtly. He hoped
that they werent checking every vehicle and that maybe they could get
thru without being stopped. It appeared that they were only checking every
other or every third car.
+ + + + + + +
Deputy Davis ran into the diner. Sheriff Wilhelm was just finishing his lunch.
Sheriff, we got another dead girl. They found her in a corncrib at
the Fielders barn. Seth and his friends had a party last night. Kids
from all over the county were there.
Wilhelm dropped a ten on the counter and ran out of the diner following the
deputy. At the Fielders barn, the coroner was already preparing to
move the body into a body bag. The FBI agent that had been assigned to Spencer
had already taken the pictures.
The sheriff knelt beside the dead girl. She could only have been about 16
or 17. Her eyes were open and her expression was frozen in shock. Around
her neck was the same bruising that had been on Wyn.
+ + + + + + +
Buck drew his windbreaker more tightly around his Kevlar vest and approached
the truck. He waived the vehicle to the shoulder as Josiah approached with
portable scales. The plan was to fool Calvin into thinking that they were
just going to check their weight and driving records. He took a deep breath
as he waived the driver down from the cab.
You have your driving records, sir? I need to see them. Can you step
right over here, please? Shining the flashlight onto the paperwork,
Buck pretended to study the tiny, cramped writing. Have you been drinking,
sir?
Calvin was suddenly bathed in sweat. He looked around at the four or five
other people who were taking field sobriety tests on the shoulder of the
highway.
No, of course not! Its against the law to drink and drive!
Cal protested.
Would you mind stepping over here and taking a little test for me?
Wilmington took hold of the mans arm and began to steer him gently
away from the traffic. Josiah fell into step alongside of the panicked driver
with a smile.
Fifteen minutes later, Calvin was sitting in the back of a police cruiser
while Team 7 searched the back of the truck. They recovered six cases of
handguns. Buck and Josiah removed the cases for Nathan and Vin to load them
into the waiting van.
+ + + + + + +
Ezra walked into the holding area and looked at Taylor Cottman. The young
man had been beaten by his cellmate and still had the bruises to show for
it. He didnt look quite as cocky now as he had at first. The young
man actually flinched when the southerner walked around behind him.
The guard handed something thru the bars and Ezra took it in his hands as
if it were a gift from God. He turned to face the young man and held out
the object.
Just tell me how you came to be in possession of this jacket. You see,
there is an APB out for you over in Spencer. They are going to pin the murder
of Judge Cross on you. His dead, strangled, shot body was found in the trunk
of your car. That will get you the death penalty.
Cottmans eyes widened in horror as he looked at Ezra. He looked from
the leather jacket back to the man pacing angrily along the other side of
the holding area. His knees bounced uncontrollably under the table as he
looked around.
What are you talking about? I didnt kill Judge Cross. I havent
seen my car since the bank robbery in Knoxville! Farnam brought the jacket
and the gun! I dont even know where they came from! You gotta help
me, mister!
Ezras hand clenched on the leather jacket as the helpless frustration
welled up in him. He snatched the jacket from the back of the chair and stormed
out of the holding area. As he passed the desk, he slammed his hands on the
counter.
Send him to Spencer. He cant help me. Struggling to hold
back an emotional display, he stormed out of the jail and into his mothers
car.
+ + + + + + +
Dr. Fullerton agreed to hypnotize Larabee in an attempt to get past the block
he had in his mind. He had been able to remember everything up to Wyn being
pulled from his arms. At that point his mind simply refused to deal with
what hed seen and he passed out.
It had been three weeks! Chris was desperate to remember whatever was buried
in his mind. The doctor had allowed him to keep the picture of the team in
his room. He had pleaded with the man to do whatever was necessary to clear
his mental block.
The doctor sat in front of Larabee and studied the hazel eyes. He had given
the patient a drug to lower his resistance to the procedure. The first time
he had tried to hypnotize Chris had failed because he could not let himself
relax enough to relinquish control. The mild opium derivative would relax
the mental barriers. After checking the breathing and pulse, the doctor began.
+ + + + + + +
The casino was crowded when Ezra took his place at the table. He was surprised
to see Jeannie at his table again. He took a deep breath as he let the stress
of the day slide out of his mind. Before going to work that evening, he had
Fed-exd Chriss jacket to the office with a note to Buck detailing
where he had gotten it.
By the time his break came, Ezra noticed that the pit boss was watching him.
When he reached the employee lounge, there were several strangers waiting
for him. He looked around the room and noticed that the woman, Jeannie had
also followed him into the room. His internal alarm began to sound as he
stood just inside the door.
Come in and sit down, Agent Standish. We have a few questions for
you.
There must be some mistake. I dont work for the ATF any more.
He protested as the woman led him to a chair and guided him into it.
Thats unfortunate because you probably could have used their
pull. You have been accused of cheating at the table and defrauding the casino
out of a considerable amount of money.
The green eyes widened as he shook his head. His heart began to race and
he felt the sweat break on his brow. This was nearly as bad as the accusations
that had been made against him while he was with the FBI.
There has to be a mistake. I-Ive been dealing well. The pit boss
and the manager both told me so themselves. No one has taken more than a
thousand from the table while I was dealing! Youve got the tapes, certainly
they will clear this up.
Do you know a man named Malcolm Fiengold? One of the men asked.
I know a Malcolm Von Haulken. He is my mothers husband.
Ezras mind raced as he tried to figure out how Maude could have gotten
mixed up in this mess.
Is this the man? A picture of his stepfather was shoved across
the table.
Yes, thats him.
And you deny that you took the job here to help him defraud the casino
out of money?
Yes! I most definitely deny it! My mother asked me to deal him winning
cards and I refused! I told her that she would have been better off to have
bankrolled me to play. I can win without cheating!
He turned on the woman, Jeannie.
You were at my table. You know I didnt deal him anything
illegal!
Where is your stepfather now?
I left him with Maude at a safe house until I could figure out who
had tried to hurt her.
Someone tried to hurt your mother?
Yes. You can check with the local hospital if you dont believe
me!
Would you be willing to help us capture Von Haulken?
As long as my mother goes free.
+ + + + + + +
Team 7 met at the saloon on Friday night to celebrate the successful bust.
Vin and JD were busy with a game of killer foosball at one of the corner
tables while Josiah and Nathan indulged in a game of pool. Buck sat at the
table watching Michaela. She was smiling at the other ATF agents at nearby
tables. A barely touched drink rested between her hands.
You dont have to sit here with me if you dont want to,
you know. We just get together here to blow off steam.
No, its fine. I just dont drink much. Upsets my stomach.
So, tell me about the guy I replaced. The judge didnt tell me much.
Not much to tell. He was the best. Hed jump into anything, head
first. Took a few too many chances for Chris but he got the job done.
Hey, Mickey, come on! You gotta try this! You cant be a real
member of the team until you play killer foosball with us! JD goaded
the new undercover agent.
Mickey threw back her head and laughed. She slid out of the booth and followed
the young agent to the table. Buck got up to watch as she whipped both Vin
and JD at the game. Peals of hysterical laughter caused more agents to encircle
the tables and an all out war ensued. By the time they left the saloon that
night, Mickey had made a place for herself.
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