Lee had the cab drop him off at his place. He had a few things to pick up before he left to visit with York’s mother. First and most important was his Colt Python. He didn’t want to use his service piece since he was working on his own and the revolver had been his father’s. It was the first gun he had shot and it had never failed him. It had a two and a half inch barrel which made it easy for him to conceal. The gun, plus a half dozen speedloaders, would hopefully go unused.
He stuck a mini tape recorder and small notebook in the inside pocket of his jacket. He couldn’t be certain that he’d be coming back anytime soon, so he also packed two changes of clothes and his shaving kit. If York had left town, Lee would follow him. Almost as important as what he took was what he left. As he walked out of his house and into his garage, his badge sat gleaming in the soft light of his kitchen.
His 1971 Hemi Cuda pulled out of the garage. It was dark green and lovingly restored to its original glory. It was one of the reasons his wife left. He rarely drove it, except to car shows, but it was time to let loose. He had a good idea of how to get to Ms. Gutierrez’s house and wanted to arrive before dark. That required easing up on the reins and a hope that he didn’t get stopped.
Matt had retrieved a pair of powerful binoculars from Jose’s kit and stood looking out the window into the waning light. One hand rested on the butt of the powerful submachine gun slung against his side. “So run down what you’ve found out, Jose.”
Jose sat as his computer while Mama and Robin worked on dinner. “Well regarding any FBI agent that matches the description you gave, that’s a definite no. You’re right that was probably a fake. The hospital indicates that Detective Winston was released last night, but according to the duty roster he’s not on your case.”
Robin interrupted. “You broke into the police and hospital networks?”
“I’m not doing anything malicious.”
“That doesn’t make it legal.” Mama said.
Jose answered, a little anger in his voice. “No it’s not, Mama, but I’ll worry about that when the time comes. I’ve got something that you need to look ay Matt.” He spun his laptop around.
The picture was grainy and had been taken from a high angle. It showed Detective Winston facing off against the big blond. “That’s him. That’s definitely Sanders.”
Robin came around behind Matt and looked at the screen. A shiver ran up and down her spine. “Yes. That’s the man that I saw in the parking lot at your apartment complex. Where did you get this picture?”
“I hacked in to the church’s security system. That still was pulled from the camera that covers the parking lot.” He spun the computer back around and tapped at the keys for a few seconds. “There. I’ve sent it to some friends of mine. They have access to a variety of resources that may help us find out who he really is.”
Matt went back to the window and looked out. “Good. I’ve never been a big fan of running. I want to know who we’re fighting here.” His eye caught the glint of the dying light reflecting off of a metallic surface. He raised the binoculars to his eyes. “Someone’s coming.” It was a dark green muscle car. About halfway down the drive he was able to make out Lee Winston’s face. “It’s the detective.”
“How the heck did he find us?” Jose asked. He stood up and went to the window.
“Well he is a detective.” replied Mama.
Matt put the binoculars down. “Okay, here’s the plan. Jose and I are going to go out back and wait. Robin, you and Mama are going to greet the detective. Do anything you can to send him on his way. We need to buy some time. If he can find us then there’s a good possibility that Peterson, or whatever his name is can find us too.”
“And if we can’t convince him?” asked Robin.
“Then we find another way.” Matt brought the submachine gun up. “Come on Jose.”
The shrill ring of his cell phone snapped Lee out of his quiet contemplation. He grabbed it from the ashtray. It was the only thing that ever rested there. “Winston.”
“Detective? This is Dr. Jolson. I have some bad news regarding Dr. Oslow.”
His heart almost stopped before he heard her say Oslow. “Go ahead.”
She continued. “His body was brought in to the coroner’s office just about fifteen minutes ago. Preliminary indications are that he hung himself.”
Lee waited before speaking. “How’s she doing?”
“It’s… Lee it’s not good. We still don’t know what it is that she took. I’ve sent a sample to some friends at the university. None of the blood work is revealing anything new. Her kidneys are starting to shut down and her vitals are all over the place. There’s no telling.”
“Fine. Call me with any changes.” Fear and anger went through his heart like a cold knife. He stopped the car next to a brown Jeep. He got out and looked at the place. It was old and careworn like a pair of good boots. He left his jacket unbuttoned for easy access to the pistol.
The door opened and Mama G stepped out. “Hello there. How can I help you sir?”
“Are you Lucinda Gutierrez?” Lee asked, putting on his best Official Voice.
“I am.” She let the door close behind her. “And you are?”
“Detective Lee Winston. I need to find Matt. His life’s in danger.” He stepped forward.
“You stand right there Detective Winston. I haven’t invited you in and unless I do that, you can’t come in my house. That is unless you have a warrant. I’m guessing that you don’t though or there would be a large number of your friends with you.” Mama smiled. “And while I’m no expert I don’t think you have any jurisdiction here.”
Lee stayed where he was. “Yes ma’am that’s true. I’m here in something of an unofficial role. I’d love to push my way in and demand that you show me your son or tell me where he is, but I feel like even if I did I wouldn’t get anywhere.” It was his turn to smile.
“You’re a perceptive man. No I won’t tell you who my son is. And yes I know my son is in danger. I also know that he’s able to take care of himself.” Mama crossed her arms. There was something about this man she liked.
“There’s something else you should know. Your son and I have something in common. This man that’s after him tried to kill me not just once, but twice. The second time he got someone very dear to me. I want this man. After we get him your son and I can work the other thing out.” He waited for her to say something, anything as the world grew darker around him.
She gestured. “You come in and have a cup of coffee. Maybe we’ll talk some more.”
Lee came up the steps and followed her in. He saw the computer equipment on the dining room table. A young woman sat in front of it. Her skin was light brown and her hair ran back in tight braids. He nodded at her.
“Detective Winston, this is Robin. She’s a good friend of my sons. Have a seat and I’ll get you that coffee.”
He sat as directed and watched her fix the cup.
The air was growing steadily colder as Jose and Matt waited. They had gone back to the line of apple trees, which put them well back from the house. Matt had left the drapes that covered the sliding glass door at the back of the house open. He could see into the kitchen and saw Winston sit at the table. “You weren’t supposed to invite him into dinner Mama.”
“Get comfortable bro. If he’s in there and sitting down we’re gonna be out here a while.”
The black panel van pulled to a stop about a hundred yards short of the side road that would lead to the target. All three of the mercenaries were still dressed in shades of black and gray. Jordan looked at his crew of two. He couldn’t ask for a more dedicated brace of psychos. Ian had a sound suppressed Mac 9 and a pair of machetes under his black duster. Pasquale was dressed a little more fashionably, but had on a pair of solid, steel toed black brogans. His weapons of choice were all packed in a little doctor’s bag. Most of them gleamed, but a few special ones stayed clotted with dried gore.
“You guys give me about five minutes. I’m gonna run round back. And you go in fornt. You know the plan and remember, no killing right away. If the boys not here we need someone alive for Pasquale to work his magic on.” Jordan slipped a pair of the third generation might vision goggles over his eyes as did his partners in crime. He checked the pockets of his jacket, making sure that his noisemakers were comfortable. He also rubbed the handgrips on the two pistol sized shotguns strapped to his thighs. He hoped not to have to use anything as they were all so noisy. He liked his killing up close and quiet, feeling his victim twitching.
Jordan broke into a run and he was fast and not just fast but quiet. Ian was always amazed at his stealth. They waited the required five minutes, not a second less or more and began the walk. They’d be to the house in about a half hour. Then play time would begin.
