AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“There are fifty-six units in the building. They are all occupied. Civilian safety remains a priority.”
The building’s blueprints were up on-screen. Eve used a laser pointer to highlight each section as she spoke. “Our information indicates that the subject occupies the top floor. There are no other units on that floor. All elevators and glides will be inoperable. Stair access will be blocked off. We don’t want him getting off that floor and taking any hostages. This unit has four exits. Two men from Team B will be stationed at each exit. Team A will handle building exits. On command, black-and-whites will move in here, and here, closing off the street to all outgoing and incoming traffic. Subject is not to be terminated. All weapons on stun, medium setting.”
She glanced away from the screen to scan faces, to judge and measure. “This is a professional assassin, and he’s managed to elude and evade authorities for more than forty years. Confirmed and suspected kills top forty during that time period. He’s smart, and he’s fast, and he’s dangerous. Containing and capturing him within the building is our top objective. If those efforts fail, the second line will take him down. Full-body armor is required for all team members.”
She turned back, used a remote to split the screen and bring up Yost’s face. “This is our man. You all have print-outs of this image. Be aware that he uses disguises. Captain Feeney will explain EDD’s function in this operation.”
Feeney sniffed, pulled on his nose, got to his feet. “Security cams on that floor will be adjusted to relay direct to Base One. We have verified the subject is in target area as of thirty minutes ago. We will reverify before moving in.
“All the subject will see if he checks his monitor is an empty hallway. We can’t stop him from scratching his ass and looking out his windows, so all team members and uniformed backups will keep to their stations until ordered otherwise. I’ll run Base One, and with Lieutenant Dallas will coordinate all movements. Communicators are to be set on Channel Three for straight interteam communications. There’s to be no chatter and bullshit during the operation. Let’s get it done and put this guy away.”
Eve nodded. “Detective McNab and Officer Peabody, along with Lieutenant Marks and myself, will move in on the subject, using this entrance. All movements will be transmitted to Base One, and to each team leader. Any questions?”
She waited, again watching faces. These were hard men and hard women. They knew their job.
“Go down to your units and suit up. We’ll begin the op as soon as the warrant comes through.”
And what the hell was taking it so long? she wondered as the room emptied. She’d called in the data and request nearly two hours before. She’d need to tag the judge again, give him a goose.
Then she looked at Feeney. He outranked her, and had considerably more tact. It was likely the judge would respond to him more quickly.
“Feeney, they’re dicking with this warrant. Want to see what you can do to expedite?”
“Politics.” He might have grumbled, but he walked to her desk ’link to make the call. While he worked, she moved over to Roarke.
“We appreciate your help with the security cams and the layout. This should go off fast and smooth.”
Should, he thought, was a disturbing word. “As owner of the building, I can insist on accompanying you to the penthouse.”
“That’s bullshit, and you know it. Keep it up, and I’ll change my mind about letting you hang with Feeney at Base One. I know how to apprehend a suspect, Roarke, so don’t distract me.”
“Where’s your body armor?”
“Peabody’s got it. It’s hot and it’s heavy, so I’m not suiting up until I have to.” She glanced back, her brow creasing as she heard Feeney’s squawk. “Something’s up,” she muttered, and had just started across the room when Commander Whitney walked in.
“Lieutenant. Your operation is aborted.”
“Aborted? What the hell is this? We’ve got his hole. We can have him in custody within the hour.”
Feeney was on his feet now, cursing at the ’link. “Goddamn double cross. Fucking political double fucking cross.”
“That’s right.” Whitney’s voice was clipped and cold, but his dark eyes burned with fury. “That’s exactly right.” His own outrage and frustration were why he was there in person instead of informing Eve of the abort order over communications. “The feds got wind of the operation.”
“I don’t care if they got wind of the Second Coming,” Eve began, then with a vicious effort yanked herself back. “This operation is a result of my investigation, Commander, of data I accessed. The suspect killed two people on my turf. I’m primary.”
“Do you think I didn’t argue those very points, Lieutenant? I’ve just spent the last half hour exchanging insults with Assistant Director Sooner, FBI, bitching to two judges, and threatening anyone I could tag. The Feebs managed to get your warrant delayed and slip one of their own through ahead of it. When I find out who leaked your request to them, I’ll happily kick someone’s ass. But the fact is we’re out, they’re in.”
Eve’s hands were fisted at her sides. Deliberately, she relaxed them. Later, she promised herself. Later, she’d beat the hell out of something. “They didn’t pull this off by sticking with chain of command or going through channels. When this is over, I want to file an official protest.”
“Get in line,” Whitney told her. “Politics is a dirty business, Dallas, but it’s my turf. Believe me, I’ll deal with this. Agents Jacoby and Stowe might think this bust will make their careers. They’re in for a hell of a surprise.”
“Respectfully, sir, I don’t give a rat’s red ass about Jacoby and Stowe. As long as they bring Yost in. I want to interview him on the French and Talbot homicides. I want to talk to him before the feds make him any deals.”
“I’m already working on that. I have some powerful connections, and Chief Tibble has even more. You’ll get your interview, Dallas.”
She didn’t quite trust herself to speak, at least not reasonably, so only nodded, then walked to the window. There were cops down there waiting to do their job. Now they had no job to do.
“I’ll tell the team,” Feeney said.
