All the windows have blackout shades orcurtains, including the small window in the back door. We changedout the locks and added deadbolts to all the doors. Cameras areplaced strategically around the yard, under the eaves, and one overthe back door and another over the front door are intentionallyvisible. The alarm system is rigged to the windows and doors, andany breach will be sent to the Melrose PD, as well as the FBI.
The doorknob jiggles, and the sound ofsomeone trying to pick the lock in the knob makes me think thisidiot is a garden variety break-and-grab asshole. I signal Cam togo back upstairs and call 9-1-1.
Adam and I wait while the mastermind fumblesfor a minute or two before he gets the lock open only to realizethere’s a deadbolt in the door. Now he has two choices. Back off,or break the window and try to reach in to get to the interiorlocking mechanism. That’ll be difficult – intentionally – since thethick blackout shade is sealed to the door.
The intruder walks off the back stoop,probably looking for a rock or something to smash the window.Definitely not a professional. Before he returns to the door, wehear two sets of footfall circling to the back. The cops are here,and we want the locals do their thing.
Two beats go by then a heavy thud hits thenorth side of the house.
They got him.
Adam and I stand and stick our weapons intothe backs of our pants. As we wait for the cops’ knock at our frontdoor, Adam stretches out the bottom of his tee, then pulls it down.I button up my shirt. Cam comes to the top of the stairs and seesus leaning against the wall waiting. He nods and returns to thesurveillance room.
A couple of minutes later, there’s the knockat the front door.
We wait a few moments, creep up the stairs,make noise coming down, and then we turn on the lights.
Adam asks, “Who’s there?”
“Officer Batson, Melrose PD,” a deep voiceresponds.
Adam moves the curtain alongside the windownext to the door to “check” that it is indeed Officer Batson, thenturns the locks and opens the door.
Batson says, “You guys all right?”
“A little rattled, but fine, officer. Thanks.Do you want to come in?” Batson turns and nods to an officer in asecond cruiser, who takes off, presumably to book the wannabeintruder. The cruiser’s lights are going, strobing red and blue,cutting through the night.
Batson comes in, and we all walk to thekitchen, where a lone store-bought pumpkin pie sits on the island.Adam, Cam, and I took turns eating turkey sandwiches and chips infront of the TV, watching football. It’s the first Thanksgiving Iwasn’t home with my family.
“What happened?” Adams asks.
“We apprehended a male, mid-to late twenties,prowling around your back door.” Batson looks to the door. “Did hebreak the glass?” Batson walks across the kitchen and looks at thefloor.
“No, but we think we heard the knobjiggle.”
Batson lifts his chin, then says, “I’ll beback after I try to lift prints off the backdoor and knob.”
“We’ll turn on the outside lights for you,”Adam says.
“’Preciate it.” Batson leaves out the front,and on his way says, “Lock up.”
After he leaves Adam and I grin at eachother. “He’s tight,” Adam says.
“Yeah, but he’s dying to know if we are whowe seem.” I turn on the outside lights, and we both return to ourrooms to divest ourselves of our guns.
About ten minutes later, Batson knocks again,and Adam answers.
“Don’t know if I got anything, but we havethe intruder.” He sticks his hand inside his top pocket and pullsout a couple of business cards. “Call me if you find anything, orif you need anything. I’ll be in touch within the next couple ofdays.”
Adam sticks out his hand. “Thank you,officer.”
Batson shakes it, turns on his heel, andleaves. We lock up and turn off the inside and outside lights. Thenwe head upstairs to look at the surveillance footage from theexterior cameras.
What we find does not make us happy. Our“novice” is no novice. He played us, tried to draw us out – why hewasn’t so quiet – to find out who moved into the house across thestreet from his base of operation. The man Natalia ID’d as Viktorapparently doesn’t mind pleading guilty to trespassing, amisdemeanor. I’d bet my boots Viktor wore gloves and the only thingthe cops can charge him with is trespassing. They sure don’t haveenough for attempted breaking and entering.
First shot across the bow, and we’re in greatshape. We called the cops, the fucktards across the street saw Adamopen the door and let the cop in. All they know is they can’t seein the house, and we have a deadbolt on the back door. Big deal. Alot of people like privacy, and most people have deadbolts on theirdoors. Especially if they live in a major metropolitan area.
This attempt to learn if we’re who we’repretending to be told us all kinds of things. Not the least ofwhich is those bastards don’t want to have to move their operationagain. My guess, other arms of their organization have girlsalready, and they plan to hold them in the house across thestreet.
