Page 18

Chapter 18

Tobias

Holly's call earlier wasn't a crisis situation that required me to leave like I did. I'll admit I used the call as a reason to get out of the house. Yes, I'm grateful Tim came over and I know he cares about my happiness. But right now my happiness isn't even on the back burner, it's still on ice. Which I'm sure he will say is my fault, but he doesn't understand my situation.

Sang and I have the mid-shift, so he grabbed us burgers around six thirty. I'm halfway through my cheeseburger when we hear footsteps running down the hall as Sang's and my radios crack to life.

"Charlie - Charlie, all units, ten - sixty two - Good's Sporting Goods - shots fired - officer onsite - ambulance en route."

Sang and I lock eyes and bolt upright.

"Charlie - Charlie, one Alpha and three Gamma en route from headquarters. Which unit is onsite?" Sang communicates running behind me.

"Ten Four - three Gamma, and one Alpha responding - two beta onsite. Requesting all responding units change to channel four."

I instinctively switch my radio to channel four. Holly yells out her window as Sang and I burst through the door to the parking lot in a full run.

"Let me know she's alright."

I wave my hand over my shoulder. Opening my pickup door, I flip my siren and lights on. Sang's right behind me in his vehicle.

Stepping on the gas, I call, "One Alpha - two Beta." I hold my breath waiting for Deputy Rogers to answer. I know the risks of this job, same as my deputies do, but a call like this rattles me to my bones. One of my own gets hurt…

"Two Beta here. The situation is under control. I'm alright, I got one of them. I shot one of the four."

Shit!

"Wait, they tried to break in after closing?" Sang asks.

"Yes, I came to pick up my order, and they walked in while I was here."

"Is the suspect dead?" Deputy Edwards asks. "I'm just about there. The ambulance is right behind me."

"No, but he's not going anywhere."

"Sang and I are around the corner," I tell everyone as we pull around the corner, park and jump from our vehicles. I'd be lying if I said we weren't excited. Not for the situation, but that we finally had a break in the case.

"Holly," I radio, knowing full well she would be at her desk monitoring the channel four conversation.

"Yes, Sheriff?" She answers back quickly.

"I need forensics en route."

"Already done, Erin and the team are on their way." I smile and give my head a little shake. I don't know what I would do without Holly.

"Thanks."

Sang and I switch our radios over to the main channel as we walk into the back of the store. Seeing the man on the floor reminds me of a caught calf in a rodeo. The man's dressed all in black and not making a sound. Deputy Rogers is standing next to him, a weapon in her hand. Seeing us, she unchambers the gun and sets it on the nearby display case.

"You alright?" is the first thing out of my mouth when I see her. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, sir, we're fine," Rogers answers as her cousin nods his head.

"What happened?" I ask, standing around the tied man.

"The store was closed but I knew Kyle was still here. So, I stopped to get my order. The four suspects broke in. They opened the back door, and came in like a swat team clearing a room, silent, not a word or noise. If I hadn't known who they were, I would've been impressed. I happened to be standing at the corner of the counter," she points to where she had been, "I could see them. I didn't have my weapon but I know Kyle keeps a gun under the counter. I whispered for him to give it to me, which he did. I announced myself and told them to freeze. Once they heard, they stopped moving. I yelled for them to stay put. I told Kyle to call nine one one. The four looked at each other and the lead guy threw a baton type thing my way while the others hightailed it out of here. The thrower stepped back as I advanced, he reached in and pulled a gun from inside his coat. I told him to stop. He took another step back. I said I would shoot if he didn't halt. He stepped backwards again which brought him to the door. He raised his weapon and that's when I shot him in the leg. The three others escaped." Her report is crisp, professional.

I nod, scanning the perimeter. The EMTs come in with Deputy Edwards. We back up to allow the EMTs room.

The EMT peers at the victim. "Wow, someone's got some serious shibari talents."

Not sure what he's referring to, I side-eye him while bending down to take the man's ski mask off. Removing it shows a man in his late twenties. Short brown hair, brown eyes, a nose that's met quite a few fists, and a lot of facial tattoos.

"What's your name?" I help take the ropes off of him as he winces. "What's your name?"

"Mickey."

"You got a last name Mickey?"

He looks me straight in the eyes. "Mouse, M-o-u-s-e, mouse."

We stand watch as the EMTs do their job. Once they're done and they announce he's ready for transportation, I step forward.

"Deputy Sang, read the rodent his rights, and ride with him to the hospital, don't leave his side. I'll meet you there. This one by the books, alright?" I help load him on the gurney then secure the man's arm to the side rail with handcuffs while Edwards does the other arm. "Not as fancy as the rope job but it'll do." Edwards chuckles.

As the doors close and the ambulance pulls away, I turn to Brooklyn. "You know the drill. I need that weapon for ballistics, and there'll be an investigation since you discharged a firearm."

"Standard procedure," she nods. "It was a clean shoot, Sheriff."

"I don't doubt it for a second," I assure her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But every part of this goes by the books. Go to the station and fill out your statement. Like I said, by the books, be as detailed as you can be. Edwards will get Kyle's statement." Deputy Edwards nods at me then moves toward the counter where Kyle is standing. I take my phone out and call Holly.

"Hey," she answers in a nervous voice.

"She's fine." I hear Holly blow out a breath. "Please, call the hospital and let them know who this guy is. No one goes around him unless it's for a medical reason. Sang's traveling with him, he goes where the suspect goes, stress to them that sticking with Mr. Mouse is not an option."

"You got it. Anything else?"

"I need paperwork for an officer investigation printed in duplicate and set out. One stack for Brooklyn, one for me."

Holly doesn't answer for a moment. "Oh, alright, I'll have them ready."

"We're following the playbook on this one, no room for mistakes."

Her voice sounds lighter after my explanation. "I see, I think that's a good idea."

"Thanks, she'll be on the way." I hang up.

"Rogers," I call her away from the others. "Holly will have your paperwork for you when you get there." She turns towards the back door. "Deputy Rogers," I call after her. She stops and looks at me. "I'm glad you're okay. Good job."

Brooklyn smiles. "Ten four."

Once Erin and her team arrive and I fill them in on the situation, I leave heading to the hospital. Halfway there my phone rings through my vehicle.

"Sheriff Trenton here."

"TOBIAS! I heard there was a shooting at the sporting goods store. Please tell me you're alright." Ruth's frantic voice fills my speakers.

Without knowing it, I smile. "It's okay Ruth, I'm alright." The relief in her tone warms my heart.

"Oh," I hear her breathe out, "thank goodness. Was there a shooting? Is anyone hurt?"

"Deputy Rogers shot one of the men during a break-in."

"Wait, one of the four men? But it's the evening."

"I guess they changed. How did you know about the shooting? It just happened."

"The hardware store has a scanner. They came over and told me." She giggles. "They weren't too happy you all went to a private channel."

"Which is exactly why we did." Shit, I realize I haven't talked to her since I drunk dialed her. "Ah, thanks for checking on me, Ruth."

She takes a second to respond. "I'm just glad you're alright." Awkward silence follows.

"I'm sorry. I drunk called you," I say, thankful I'm not face to face with her.

"It's alright, Tobias, I get it." Her tone sounds sincere. "Right now, you have a lot of pressure."

More silence. I feel that if I admitted the amount of stress I'm under, it would make me appear weak, and she's the one person I don't ever want to appear weak to.

"I'm at the hospital to see the suspect. Maybe we could talk later?"

"Sure," she speaks in a quieter voice, "anytime." She hangs up.

Parking in the police reserved spot, I push Ruth from my thoughts. It's time for me to get some answers.

"You're looking at armed robbery, assault, attempted murder of a law enforcement officer," I say to Mickey. My voice is calm but leaves no room for misinterpretation. "That's serious prison time. But if you cooperate now, tell us who you're working with, who orchestrated this—maybe we can work something out."

I glance at Sang. He raises his eyebrows and tilts his head to the side.

I continue, "Mickey, you do know what the penalty is for the hurt you caused?"

The man swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.

"Look," I soften my approach, leaning in. "Whatever they're paying you, it's not worth spending the rest of your life behind bars. We can protect you."

In the blink of an eye, something flickers across his face. Perhaps it was a moment of consideration. But just as fast as it appeared, the look is gone, and Mickey's back to being straight-faced.

He shakes his head minutely, eyes darting to the door as if expecting someone to appear. "I'm already dead."

"We can put you in protective custody," I push. "Witness protection, even. But you have to give me something."

The man's eyes lock with mine, and what I see there stops me cold—pure, unadulterated terror. Not of me, not of jail, but of someone else. Mickey purses his lips together and looks away from me.

I motion to Sang to follow me into the hall.

"Keep on him," I say in a hushed tone.

"Think he'll cave?" Sang glances around me.

"Something or someone's got him scared." I peer down the hall. "We might stand a chance if we can make him feel he's safe. I'm going to talk to the doctor and see when we can have him. Holly's putting together a rotation schedule for the reserve officers to babysit him. Hopefully, we can get to him before they start."

"Sounds good. I'll let you know if he says anything." With that, Sang goes back inside the room.

Leaving me to ponder if the break-ins are done. Or are they just starting?