NINETEEN
Jack
I’d returned to my apartment after my meeting with the Lieutenant, resisting the urge to visit Eden. Home, but somehow… not. I frowned as I’d looked around the small space I’d called home for a few years now. The area seemed empty, colorless. Something was missing.
Or someone. Eden.
I sighed, throwing my clothes off casually, walking naked across the kitchen to the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. I stretched my muscles, rolling my shoulders and loosening my neck muscles. I was tired, but felt good. I felt alive, strong. Like a man.
Eden entered my mind once again as I stood naked at the large window, staring out over the town below me. Cool air brushed my naked skin, invigorating me. I imagined the look on Eden’s face as we had sex, contorting with pleasure as she reached orgasm. I sighed with longing.
I looked down to find myself slightly aroused and struggled to shake the thoughts of sex from my mind.
I’ll see Eden tomorrow or Monday. Plenty of time for that later.
My face hardened as I thought of the task ahead of me. Taking down a big meth operation single handed. Sure, I had all the good cops in the department at my disposal with one quick call to the Lieutenant. He’d told me he’d be by the phone, ready. Bullet proof vest on, gun loaded. He said if I needed immediate backup that he’d be there himself in less than five minutes.
One last hurrah, he’d said. But I’m gonna try my best to do this one on my own. Now it’s personal. No one fucks with Jack Storm, takes him for a fool.
I finished my water and headed for the shower. I had a quick workout as I waited for the water to heat up and the room to fill with steam. I washed quickly and headed to bed, deciding to make it an early night. Or try to at least.
***
I didn’t sleep much. Not with everything swimming around in my mind. My intelligence was a burden sometimes, and it was often impossible to switch my brain off.
Well, apart from when I was with Eden, lying there contentedly after passionate sex. That seemed to do the job quite nicely…
I restlessly rose from bed and quickly ate breakfast after doing some pushups. Powerful muscles lifted my torso up and down easily, and I lost count of how many I’d done. Breakfast was washed down with a strong, black coffee.
My morning ritual complete, I dressed and started to prepare for the long day ahead of me. I pulled on some boxer shorts and a tight white vest. I adjusted myself in the tight underwear, putting myself into a comfortable position. Satisfied, I headed to my wardrobe and grabbed my police issue bullet proof vest and put it on over my shirt, slapping down the velcro and adjusting the snug fabric.
Never been shot, but not gonna take any risks today. Never know when your luck’s gonna run out…
I was incredibly lucky in general and mainly attributed it to my lack of fear, instinct and quick thinking. People sometimes attributed bad luck to their own hesitation and subconscious doubts. Traits I had rarely experienced.
I twisted in front of my full-length mirror to ensure my vest was covering my back properly. Then I dressed in jeans, socks and my snakeskin boots. I put on a stiff, starchy white shirt, buttoning the shirt up to cover my vest. My outfit was completed with my leather trench coat I rolled my shoulders forward as I donned the jacket and turned the collar up.
Well, now I look the part, at least.
I headed to the kitchen and reloaded the clips of my guns that were sitting on the dining table. I took a box of bullets from a drawer and filled a spare clip for each, clicking the bullets into place deftly.
I checked the action of both pistols, clicking a bullet into the receiver, unloading the clip, clicking the bullet out and catching it as it was flung from the side of the pistol. All completed in one swift movement.
Satisfied both pistols were working, I clicked the ejected bullets back into both clips and loaded the guns, holstering one at my hip and putting the smaller of the two into my trench coat’s inside pocket, safeties on.
The Lieutenant had warned me to be cautious, to wait for backup if necessary, but I had other ideas.
My first step was going to be to get to the place. I’d already checked an online map and had visualized its location, the large blue building etched into my memory. There were two main approaches. The large building stretched between two roads on the industrial estate. That was the obvious entry. From what I’d seen as well, there was a narrow alleyway that snaked away from the building to the west, running along a large portion of the wall.
That’s my escape if I need to get the hell out of there. I should probably leave my car near the exit if possible.
The plan was to watch the building for a while from a distance, using my police issued binoculars to spot any signs of activity. Then make a decision based on what I saw. I found I was good at making decisions under pressure and trusted my instincts to see me through this encounter.
I grabbed my binoculars and black, thick rimmed sunglasses as I headed for the door, car keys jingling in my hand as I left the apartment.
A short while later I was in the car, driving casually toward the industrial area of town. I approached my destination from the east knowing where I could park my car just outside of the sight lines of the building. I’d seen what looked like CCTV cameras on the grainy image I’d inspected earlier.
I would be far enough away that my car would likely be a dark blur on the edge of a small screen somewhere in the dingy building. Only a super paranoid, criminal mastermind would think it suspicious, let alone notice me arriving in the first place.
I pulled up just down the road from the building on the opposite sidewalk. A long, sturdy looking chain link fence ran perpendicular from me over to the road on the opposite side of the building. There was no gate on this side of the fence and barbed wire ran thick across the top. Only wire cutters or excellent skill in acrobatics would allow entry from this side, neither of which I had.
A fence ran the same route on the opposite side of the building, and there was a large, chained and padlocked gate leading to the alley I’d spotted on the map.
The front of the building was open to the road, a large, empty parking lot stretching from the building all the way to the sidewalk. A narrow alleyway surrounded the remaining three sides of the building.
I clicked my seat back in the car, obscured in gloom behind dark windows, sitting in the shade of a large, solid building adjacent to where I’d parked. I shuffled in the leather of my chair, settling down to a long stakeout.
I decided to watch the place for a few hours at least, biding my time until I saw something of interest. Nothing happened for a while. No movement, no comings or goings. The large door I could see at the front of the building didn’t open once. The only sign of activity was the steady, slow rise of steam from a large, metal chimney at the top of the flat roof.
Then I saw a car approaching slowly from down the road ahead of me. A nondescript, grey sedan. It pulled up lazily in front of the building, and a large, bald, older man got out. He looked around quickly, eyes resting on my car for a brief second before heading to the metal front door of the warehouse.
He knocked loudly on the metal and the door was opened a few seconds later. I peeped through my binoculars at the entrance, spotting two thuggish figures as they ushered the older man inside. I recognized one of the guys from the other day at Eden’s.
This is the place. I’d thank you, Goldie, if you weren’t such an asshole. No, the only thanks you’ll be getting any time soon is gonna be from your prison wife.
I waited a while longer for any further signs of activity. Another long span of time passed. My eyes narrowed as the steam rising from the chimney began to thicken about twenty minutes after I’d seen the guy enter the building.
Work’s started then, I guess.
I was considering my options when a large black van sped down the road from the same direction the car had come from. It swung violently around the corner, tires squealing. It broke sharply as it screeched to a halt outside of the warehouse.
Three figures got out the car, the flash of chrome from pistols bright in the view of my binoculars. All three looked mean, angry and slightly panicked. Two were white guys I didn’t recognize, but my eyes locked onto the third. Dark black skin, long dreadlocks tied behind his head.
Cathal. So why has one of Conall’s most trusted goons sped here in a hurry?
I cursed aloud, guessing something had got them spooked. I wondered what happened, and my first thought was of Eden. I hoped Lucas had got her safe to wherever he was taking her and made sure she was looked after.
The guy was looking around, his head snapping from side to side, gun held in a tight two-handed grip. His gaze rested on my car. I froze.
I could see his eyes narrow at the car and hoped his vision wasn’t great. He looked away, walking towards the entrance of the warehouse. He poked one of his thugs in the chest and waved him towards my car.
Shit.
I sat there as still as I could, holding the binoculars as the guy swaggered lazily over to the opposite sidewalk. A pistol was held casually at his side, and he was rubbing a fat hand over his clean-shaven head.
Well, I guess now’s as good a time as any. Let’s do this.
I took out my cell and wallet, everything in my pockets that would hinder me, and put them in the passenger footwell. I unclipped the pistol holstered to my hip and slowly lowered the binoculars. The guy was approaching the car, eyes narrowing as he spotted me.
I clicked open the driver's door and rolled out, coming to a kneel behind the door. I was mostly obscured from the thug’s line of sight, and any inaccurate bullets were likely to ricochet harmlessly off of the metal.
“Police!” I shouted, loudly and firmly. “Freeze, you’re under arrest! Put your hands where I can see ‘em!” The guy froze for a second, then brought his gun up to aim lazily at me.
“Fuck you!” Then came the moment I was waiting for. He shot at me, the bullets hissing high and wide above my head and to my right. The bangs echoed loudly from the building behind me.
Well, he’s just signed his own death warrant. Don’t have to justify shooting a guy that’s just shot at me first. Or any of his friends, for that matter.
In less than a second my gun was in my hand, and I clicked the safety off. I popped up out of cover, gun rising to my eye level as I aimed at his head.
I squeezed the trigger, and his head snapped back, arms convulsing as he dropped to the floor with a loud thud.
A moment later a head was peering out of the front door, looking over to see the commotion. A few gunshots rang out from the doorway, going harmlessly wide. The door was closed hurriedly as I slid over the hood of the car and began to sprint across the road towards the van, which was parked haphazardly between me and the building.
Perfect cover. Idiots.
My eyes were on the van as I approached, checking there was no one hiding in waiting. The front seats were empty and a brief glance into the back told me that was empty, too.
An empty van. So they came here to grab something in a hurry. Looks like Conall is cleaning house, but unfortunately for him he’s a little too late.
I was one step ahead of him, but I had to act quickly. The element of surprise was in my favor, and I didn’t want any more backup to shoot me in the ass before I could act.
I weighed up my options and decided on a plan of attack. The front door was probably locked and guarded, guns trained on it. I’d have to find another way in and fast.
I jogged quickly to the wall of the building, head low. I was out of sight of the camera as I reached the tall, corrugated metal wall. I rested my back against it and chose a direction. I headed right toward the side of the building. I popped my head round to find a figure standing at the doorway, head swinging from side to side. He didn’t spot me.
“Ain’t no sign of him, Cathal! Where the fuck is he?” he shouted angrily.
I heard a muffled shout in response from the building, followed by the bark of another. A third voice shouted something inaudible in response.
“I ain’t going out front! You go! Who put you in charge, anyway?” the guy shouted, head looking back into the building.
A voice sounded from the other side of the metal wall behind my head. I could just about make out the words.
“Conall put me in charge, mon! Now get out dere before I fuck you up!”
The guy swore in response, foul language spilling out in a torrent. I heard him turn to head my way.
I took a breath and popped out from cover, raising my gun as I turned to steady myself.
Surprise, you ugly scumbag.
I shot him in the chest as I raised my gun and once in the centre of his forehead. He dropped to the floor, eyes wide in surprise.
I didn’t give myself time to think, acting on instinct. I ran to the open door as voices started shouting from within the building. I guessed there were four more of Conall’s men inside, at least.
I risked a peep through the door, seeing figures heading for cover around old, grey metal industrial equipment. A large, solid looking unit sat a few feet away from the wall to my left, and I couldn’t see anyone near if. It was about four or five feet from the doorway, I guessed.
Perfect cover. Here goes nothin’.
I threw myself powerfully into the doorway, dropping into a forward roll, my shoulder thumping heavily against the solid metal as I rose to crouch against it. A few loud gunshots pinged against the metal wall behind me, but I was too quick for them to get a decent shot.
Movement over to my right caught my eye, a head peering out from behind a large cylindrical shaped piece of equipment, chrome shining dully in the gloom.
I popped up from cover and shot the guy through the temple. He fell against the wall, twitching violently as he dropped to the floor with a thud.
Screams of anger and alarm sounded from across the building. I heard the clang of what sounded like a hatch opening. I peered around the side of cover to see the older guy who had arrived a while back popping his head up from a basement hatch.
“What the fuck is going on? I’m trying to work down here, you mor…”
“Police are here, mon! Hide! I’ll call you when it be safe!” I heard Cathal’s voice from over to my left, but I couldn’t see him.
“That’s right. The police are here! Now listen up, ‘cause I’m only gonna say this once!” I shouted loudly, eyes alert for any sign of movement.
“I’m taking you down, one way or another! Make this easy for yourselves, drop the guns and walk out slowly with your hands on your head! Do it now!” My voice echoed slightly from the building. It was met with silence.
“I’m a yardie, motherfucker! Ain’t no way I surrender to no police!” Cathal’s angry retort sounded loud, closer than before, off to my left.
Two shots sounded, clanging off the metal in front of me. A large figure moved in my peripheral vision ahead of me. I took a quick couple shots at the guy, satisfied with the shout of pain as a bullet tore through his arm.
Then sudden movement to my left made me turn instinctively as Cathal stepped out from cover, moving quicker than I expected such a big man to be able to. I was still faster, gun aimed before he had time to set sights on me.
I shot him in the left knee and right shoulder. He screamed in pain and anger, his gun dropping to the floor from his now useless hand. I ran over to him in a low crouch, kicking the gun away and quickly tying his arms and legs. I searched him for weapons, taking a large knife he had in his pants and putting it in the pocket of my trench coat.
He cursed at me, writhing as he struggled against the plastic cable ties at his wrists and feet. Blood began to seep onto the dirty floor. He was out of the fight but alive. I figured he’d be useful if he decided to talk later when I’d got Conall.
“Cathal! Cathal, did you get him?” I heard the slow pad of heavy boots crossing the building, heading my way.
“Look out, idiot! He’s shot me!” Cathal’s warning came too late. I was already leaning out from behind the cabinet Cathal had used to approach me. Head and shoulders showed above the desk. I raised my gun and shot him, then froze in silence as I waited to see if there were any more.
The only sound was the whimpering of Cathal behind me.
I walked furtively forward, gun held in a low grip, ready to shoot at anything that moved.
“Ok man, I give up! I’m gonna put my gun down! My hands are on my head, don’t shoot me alright?” A voice echoed loudly around the building. I guessed it was the guy I’d just shot in the arm.
“Come out, slowly. Any sudden moves and you’re dead!” I shouted loudly, turning to face where the voice had come from.
A figure slowly emerged, hands flat on his head as he stepped awkwardly into the dim light illuminating him from above. Fear and awe showed in his eyes as he looked at me.
“Don’t shoot me, please. I got kids, man. Two boys.” He kneeled down slowly, then dropped to his face, hands still on his head.
“It’s just me left and the old guy left. Ain’t no point me dying for nothin’, you’re too good,” he said, voice muffled.
That’s right. I can see you’ve done this before. Not the first time you’ve been arrested. Well, that’s one more scumbag off the streets. And another witness to use against Conall.
I approached the guy as he lay there still as he’d promised. I quickly tied him up and searched him for weapons, not finding any. I then searched the building. What the guy had said was true. No one left. Except…
I walked over to the hatch.
“Listen to me, old timer! Game’s up. Come out of the hatch with your hands on your head! Try anything stupid and you won't even have time for your scummy life to flash before your eyes! Get up here now, slow and steady!” I shouted, voice loud and clear as I waited for the guy to do what I said or make a grave mistake. My gun was trained on the hatch as it opened slowly.
“Ok. I’m coming out. I’m not armed. Don’t shoot me alright? I ain’t a bad guy, I’m just the cook. Don’t know nothing about guns,” he said, as his head appeared slowly. Boots thudded as he walked up the stairs, hands raised.
“As far as I’m concerned you’re one of the bad guys. You’ll be going downtown with these other two morons. Get on your face, like your friend there. Slow and steady, old man.”
He sank to his knees and dropped heavily to the floor, grunting as his face slapped the tiles.
I tied him up and checked him to make sure he wasn’t lying about guns.
Nothing, just a pack of smokes. Good.
I walked over to the hatch and peered in. My eyes widened at what I saw.
The equipment filled the small basement, jars, burners, chemicals and tubes connected in a mind-boggling setup. By far the biggest I’d seen.
I walked slowly down into the basement, taking in a deep breath as I studied the room’s contents. There was no one else down here. Just a shit load of drugs and equipment.
Time to call this in.
I jogged back up to the ground floor and checked to ensure all three bindings on the perps were secure. Cathal had passed out, and the other two were motionless.
Satisfied, I ran back to my car, eyes sweeping for movement. I didn’t see anything.
I grabbed my cell, and my breath caught in my throat.
Five missed calls from Lucas. Shit.
It started ringing again. Lucas was calling me, desperate to get hold of me. A tight coldness entered my stomach, and I feared for the worst.
“Lucas, talk to me!” I said after swiping at the phone.
“Jack, fuck. Glad you answered. I’m hurt, man. Real bad.” Coughing sounded on the other end of the line as Lucas spoke, his voice cracking with pain.
“Conall! Conall O’Rourke came here, man. Beat me up. I can’t move, Maria's holding the phone…” He coughed again.
“He came in, took me by surprise. I wasn’t quick enough, Jack. He threatened to kill my wife and kids if I didn’t tell him where Eden was. I’m sorry Jack. So sorry…” His voice trailed off and I heard sobbing coming from Lucas and his wife.
“Lucas! Listen to me, don’t apologise. You done great, alright. You did everything you could. If it weren’t for you, he’d be at her house now, smashing in the door. Tell me where she is, and then get Maria to call you an ambulance!” I said quickly. I memorised the location he gave me, visualising the long straight road out of town that would take me to Eden. It was about ten minutes from where I was.
Lucas told me through gritted teeth and waves of pain that Conall had just left a little while ago. He had a headstart on me. I shouted for Maria and told her to call an ambulance for Lucas. I promised I’d get a cop to them in as soon as possible.
I called my Lieutenant, and he answered in a second.
“Jack, what’s ha…”
“Sir, I’ve busted the lab. Didn’t have a choice, they were packing up. Conall must have panicked. I need you to come here with backup and arrest the guys I’ve tied up. One is hurt bad, you better call an ambulance for him or he’s gonna bleed out.”
I gave him the location of the lab and told him about Lucas. He cursed, and said he’d get a cop over to look after them immediately.
“Sir, I’ve gotta go. Conall’s on his way to Eden now. He beat the location out of Lucas and threatened Maria and the kids. I gotta go.”
“Ok Jack. Go!” he said and hung up the phone.
I sped off, heading towards the motel Lucas had given me directions to.
Time for a showdown with Conall. I just hope I get there in time.
I cursed at myself, having not saved Eden’s number into my cell yet. I flicked through recent calls, trying to find the number she’d called me on. Then my phone rang. It was Eden. Conall was there already.
I put my foot hard on the gas, jaw clenched with concentration as I drove wildly for the motel.