Of course, it’s a bit late at this point.
Bear turns his radio up, setting it on the hood of the car. He hands me a pair of binoculars. "You watch. You listen. You stay here."
I nod, taking the binoculars. I know I don’t have any other choice right now. I glance over to find CJ making her way to us. "You’re not going in with them?"
"I’m not SWAT. They wouldn’t let me if I wanted." She sighs, crossing her arms against her chest. "Besides, I’m not the first person Kelsey needs to see when they bring her out." She gives me a slight, knowing smile.
"Thanks." I like CJ. I doubt if I would be quite so gracious about losing Little Roo.
"I’m glad she’s happy."
"Did Erik tell you that?"
"Numerous times." She wipes away a tear I know she didn’t want me to see. "He always was a little shit."
I wonder who was the first to call him that – CJ or Kels? "I’m sorry about what happened to him."
"So am I. He didn’t deserve it. I hope to hell Danes gives the team a reason to blow his fucking head off."
"Amen to that," I whisper.
"They’re ready," Bear announces, distracting us from our conversation.
I hand Robie the binoculars. I don’t need or want to watch the scene that closely. God, I might be sick. My stomach is sitting somewhere around my knees right now. I can taste fear on the back of my throat.
Just a few more minutes, sweetheart. Hang on.
The radio traffic is fast and somewhat garbled. It reminds me of the day I made entry with the police on what became a hostage situation at Tyler Sagemore’s house. It was the day I shot the footage that put me together with Kels. Who would have guessed six months ago I would be standing out here today? Fate has a strange sense of humor. I sure as hell hope I like the punch line today.
The eight member SWAT team busts the door, the sound deafening to me. There’s nothing subtle or secretive about their approach. They go in fast, loud and aggressive. I hope to hell he’s far away from Kelsey right now.
Five FBI agents follow the SWAT team in. Bear’s radio crackles with life and then goes silent. Dead silent.
Every nerve I have is trying to come through my skin. Someone fuckin’ tell me what’s going on.
Only my heartbeat answers.
"Shots fired! Down, down, down!"
Oh Jesus.
We all stare at the radio waiting for something else to be said. Anything else. Christ, say something!
"Residence secure."
I let out a shuddering breath, collapsing against the car. I know how boneless chicken feels now. My relief is complete.
"Two victims," is the next thing we hear.
Two? He had another woman in there?
"One male. One Female."
Oh, that explains it. The SWAT team shot his ass. Good. Saves me the trouble. But, wait, if there’s a female victim, that means Kelsey … oh God!
"Positive ID on the female victim."
That’s the code phrase Bear gave them to let us know if it was Kels in the house. It’s not part of their normal protocol, but they agreed to at least let us know if she definitely was inside.
"Dispatch two ambulances."
An ambulance. So, she’s alive. She may be hurt, but, thank God, she’s alive!
"Correction. Dispatch one ambulance and the coroner."
<fade out>
See You All Next Season! Well, Maybe.
Special thanks to:
Ruth – Co-conspirator and mirth-maker
Beth and Terry – Cajun experts
Maggie – French tutor
Taylor – Technical advisor
Mary – Sounding board
Human VCRs – Above and beyond the call of duty every week
Our Readers – For making this fun