Here is the next excerpt! This one is rather lengthy (4000+ words!), but it is out of necessity because this is my first attempt at scene shifting. BTW thanks to my buddy capitlaggeek for introducing me to yWriter. It is excellent for this type of work! I know this will take some heavy editing when all of the writing is done to fix some disconnects and improve believability, but in the mean time enjoy my brain dump!
Darin’s mind was so preoccupied that he almost missed the signal. Jamie had to tap him on his arm…
“There it is,” said Jamie, “thats our signal that all is clear and we can go inside. You OK? You still seem to be pretty lost in your thoughts.”
“No, no, I’m alright,” said Darin, “I’m ready to finish this up. I just hate being at odds with Toni.”
“Yeah, I noticed. It shows just a little you know,” Jamie said as she smiled.
Darin spoke into his lapel….
“All units take your positions. Detectives Carpenter and Frost are about to move in. I repeat, all units take your positions. Detectives Carpenter and Frost are about to move in. We just got the all clear from our contact, but everything still looks pretty dark in there. Stand ready for the about signal.”
Jamie spoke into the microphone that was attached to her shirt collar….
“Sound test. Testing 1-2-3, testing. Testing 1-2-3, testing.”
A single reply came back to both detectives:
“Dectectives Frost and Carpenter, we read you loud and clear. Your signal is wall wall and tree top tall.” Darin remembered from his old CB radio days that ‘wall to wall and tree top tall’ saying was simply a way to say that they could hear us loud and clear.
Darin and Jamie got out of the car and headed toward the building. Both carefully looking to try and make sure that they did not walk into a trap. Something did not feel right, but Darin couldnot put his finger on it. There was something about this setup that was all wrong, but they HAD to nail the Campinieri’s. They entered the building cuatiously through the door that was previouisly agreed upon. Now it was not clear which way to go so they watched and planned.
Click!
* * *
Both Darin and Jamie turned toward the door that they had come in. It was clear that the door had just locked, but how. Darin and Jamie both at the same time spoke into their lapel microphones:
“Abort, Abort, its a trap! Abort. Back up inside on the double.” No response. The Adrenalin began to rush.
Darin and Jamie looked at each other with a look of uncertainty. Neither was sure of what was going on. Darin could see lights off in the distance in two different directions. He judged which way was the more dangerous route and inidcated to Jamie by pointing and without speaking that he would go to the left and she should go to the right. Jamie, also having assessed the situation knew that Darin had picked the more dangerous route and wanted to swich. Darin would not have it. Jamie knew she wasn’t going to win the silent argument. They indicated with their watches that they would meet bac at this spot in 10 minutes. Very slowly both partnes crept off.
Darin had been to this buidlding before and did not remember this first level being this open. They must be doing some modfications here. Darin’s mind started to drift back to Toni. Why didn’t she understand?
And that’s when it happened. Darin was distracted long enough that he never even saw it coming. From out of nowhere someone or something pushed Jamie back and a large room divider came sliding down from above, quickly separating the two. Jamie ran up to the door and began to pound on it over and over again, but did not hear Darin answer. She tried talking into the radio, but it appeared that the frequency was dead. What was going on? Jamie drew her gun.
* * *
Jamie kept calling to her partner: “Darin, Darin can you hear me. Darin Answer me.”
No Answer. She pounded and pounded on the door more.
Darin and Jamie were never very trusting in all of this technological gadgetry and so Jamie reached into her back pocket and pulled out her back up radio…
“This is detective Carpenter, listen guys your lovely lapel mic has stopped working, but I thought to bring in a backup–thank you very much–I’m now sure what has happened here, but detective Frost and I have been separated by some type of wall. The door we used to enter has been locked. We need back up in here fast!” No need to be quiet about it, break the door down.”
“Good evening Jamie Carpenter.” A voice Jamie had never heard before.
“You don’t know who I am, but I have long waited to meet YOU. The pleasure is all mine. Please, enjoy the rest of your life detective, for it won’t be very long. I’m sorry that your radio communications are falling on deaf ears…..or should I say dead ears. Heh, heh, heh. We tried to buy your communications guy out but he opted for early retiremnt….from life”
“Oh No, not Harley!”
“Oh, is—uh was Harley his name? He was very loyal to you guys. He did not die easily, but that just made it a little more fun for us.”
Jamie Dropped her radio, it was useless to her now anyway. She stood there in shock. Harley dead? He was just a boy! A boy with a big heart and a very pregnant wife. How was Jamie going to break the news to her……Was Jamie going to get out of here and be able to do that. The shock of the sitution had Jamie frozen and not not knowing what to do for the first time that she could remember. Then a one word thoght flooded her mind all at once……. Darin!
Jamie snapped out of whatever trance she was in. She had a partner who was behind a wall, with no backup, no outside support and no idea what was facing him on the other side. Whats more is he was on somebody’s hit list and Jamies was knew one thing was certain! It wasn’t going to happen on HER watch! How could she explain it to Toni…..would Toni even talk to her….and the kids…..and the unborn baby! “Hang in there partner,” Jamie thought to herself, “I’m on my way.” Jamie reached inside her jacket and flipped a switch…….
* * *
First reaction was automatic…..separated from his partner, in an unknown location, dealing with an unkown adversary, on unknown terms…..Darin drew his gun.
“Jamie! Jamie! can you hear me?” Darin tried shouting to his partner.
No response.
“Jamie! Can you hear me!”
Still Nothing.
Darin pounded on the wall hoping to get a response. Each pound seemed to canceled out and became a flat thud that only reverberated on his side. Nice touch, Darin thought. Whoever set this up wanted anything that went on to go unnoticed to those on the other side of the wall. The wall had some type of noise cancelling quality.
Then he remembered the radio!
“Frost to Carpenter, do you copy?” Darin spoke into the lapel mic. Nothing. Darin exclaimed as harsh as he dared while still maintaining his testimony for the Lord. How he hated some of new technology that he had not had the opportunity to test before.
Darin reached into his back pocket and pulled out his backup radio. Frost to Capenter or anybody out there do you read me?
Darin didn’t get a response like Jamie did. His radio was obviously being jammed somewhow. Darin was greeted to stereo concerto of static. The first thing that went through Darin’s mind was that somebody on the team had given information to “the other side.” This was a setup and he had walked right into it. Darin would have like to taken the time right at the moment to figure out exactly who that might be, but that was fruitless thinking at this point in time. He has himself in a predicament that that he neeeded to find a way out of.”
So…if they were blocking the frequency, Darin thought, then they either had some borad spectrum frequency blocker which would do a blanket block of all for the channels–which would effect a broad range of people and attract lots of attention, or they must know the frequency that was going to be used—information only given to a handful of people—-that wouldn’t be hard to track down—and they could block the specific band. Darin was hoping this was the case.
Darin and Jamie were always read for the radio problem contigency. If their contingency plan for this particular case did not work then either Darin or Jamie had sold out. Darin knew that was not the case. Darin made sure his back was still to the wall and reached inside his jacket and flipped a switch. He was greeted with just what he hoped to hear…and open communication channel. Darin was about to speak when he heard a voice behind him greet him:
“Well, hello detective. We meet again.”
Darin looked down and the radio, not able to believe his lack of luck.
* * *
Jamie didn’t hear anythign after she had first flipped her switch and thought for sure that something had happened to Darin. But a few seconds later she heard the communication channel open. She was about to speak into the radio when she heard two things that stopped her:
There was a vooice that was speaking to Darin! It was the same voice as the guy on the Walkie Talkie. This was getting very itneresting. But at the same time, Jamie could hear footsteps approaching her ffrom two different directions. She had to find a place to hide. But where? Everything was so open
* * *
Perhaps luck was not the term Darin wanted to use in this particular case. There he stood staring right at Mikey Capminieri. Darin’s first thought as he stared into the face of this face of this disgusting slime ball who had to have all sorts of vermin running through his blood vessels was: ‘they may take me out, but all of have to do is raise my gun and fire and the world could be rid of this slime.’ But Darin also considering what his selfish act would do to his wife, his children and his partner. He had to buy time if he was going to stay alive. Darin remembered his Dad use to always tell him ‘Son, you have enough time and you can do just about anything.”
Time.
Time was really a commodity that Darin did NOT have. Right now he was not in charge of the clock.
Mikey Campinieri stood there in his tailor made, three-piece, pimp looking, navy blue suit with blue pin stripes. He was wearing a white cloumbian hat with a borad brim. and a black band. In his mouth was a hand rolled Cuban cigar. Not lit. Mikey Campinieri hated the smell of cigar smoke and did not permit smoking around him, but he really liked the ciagar in the mouth look, so he adpated it. Mikey liked the taste of the tobacco leaves from the Vuelta Abajo region of Cuba for their smooth, spicy, sweet flavor. He always had some on hand.
Mikey’s henchmen stood flanking him. Two on each side. Mikey figured that would be enough to handle Darin if anything should go wrong with his little plan. What could go wrong? So far everything had worked out perfectly. Mikey was pleased. Nobody would have ‘buy the farm” for this one, Mikey thought.
“Darin,” said Mikey, “I hear that you’ve been dying to meet me.” Mikey began to laugh at his own pun because dying was exactly what he had planned for Darin. He stopped laughting and galnce around at his henchmen on either side when he realized he was the only one laughing at the joke. The Henchmen got the message quickly and all began to laugh…whtether they really wanted to or not. Since not laughing meant sure loss of life, they wanted to!
“I wouldn’t exactly put it that way, Mikey. And pardon me for not laughing at your poor attempt at humor.”
All of the laughing stopped. The Henchman were not sure what to do about this insult that had just been thrown into their bosses face. It seemed like hours but only a second passed before two of them pulled their weapons and trained them on Darin.
“Hold your fire boys,” said Mikey, “I don’t want anybody to ruin my plans for the good detective. Now, Darin, be a good boy. Play nice and put down the gun. Very slowly. I don’t suggest you try anything stupid like shooting at me. There are guns than these trained on you.”
Darin slowly laid his gun down on the floor.
“Very good. Very good,” said Mikey, “I really thoughth this would be a little tougher. I’m kind of disappointed. Oh well. Such is life. Now Darin—Oh my, look at me,” said Mikey mockingly, “Look at my poor manners. We have never officially met or been introduced. Do you mind if I call you Darin? After all it is only going to impact the next few minutes of your now rather short life/”
Darin did not answer.
“No Answer? Perhaps you’re worried about your little friend.”
Darin cringed when Mikey referred to Jamie as his little friend.
“Ahh, now we get a reaction out of the brave detective. Well, if everything goes according to plan, Detective Jamie Carpenter is about to “buy it” any second now. I have four guys with pretty heavy firepower coming at her. Two from either side. Problem is she doesn’t know that. That little lady is a goner. Somebody turn on the speakers. I want to hear the action.”
Every could now hear some scuffling and movement and then a series of gunshots. Then an exclamation from Jamie, the her begging for her life, another round of gunshots and quiet.
“Machine guns! I heard Machine guns! Excellent touch! Whoever thought to bring the machine guns gets a $100,000 bonus! Oh I wish we had time to get the camera’s installed.”
Unbeknownst to Mikey and his boys, Darin could hear the sounds on their poor quality speaker and his state of the art communications. When Darin heard the shots and then the silence, his whole countenace sunk low…
* * *
“Well, if everything goes according to plan, Detective Jamie Carpenter is about to ‘buy it’ any second now. I have four guys with pretty heavy firepower coming at her. Two from either side. Problem is she doesn’t know that. That little lady is a goner. Somebody turn on the speakers. I want to hear the action.”
Jamie could hear Mikey loud and clear throgh he communication device that she and Darin shared.
“Thanks Mikey,” she said, more for Darins benefit than anybody else’s, “Now that I know what I’m up against I know how to deal it. Darin I know you can’t respond, but just remember that I told you, you can never have too much fire power on operations like this.”
With that Jamie started reaching into pockets and piecing together a compact version of a german Uzi. This one was customized though. It fired from two barrels at once and held 40 bullets clips for each barrell. Jamie had it togehter in no time with the two spare clips ready to go on. She was crouched down and walking backwards. It was dark so as long as he didn’t hit any light that angeled a reflection, she was OK. Typically for this types of operations she dressed in dark and non reflective clothing. Today was not exception. Her face was blackened so that she was not so detectable in the dark.
Jamie could hear Mikey still cackling over the open communication channel with a little impatience because his men had not started shooting yet. He was threatening to send another couple of guys out. Jamie didn’t need to complicate the odds so she thought she would force their hand. They were obviously trying to locate her so that they did not shoot each other.
Jamie reached into her pocket and pulled out two time released low level flare. She activated them and then counted to three before throwing them acorss the room and in opposite directions from each other. As the flares landed they lit. Two of the assailants fired on one flare and two fired on the other. Jamie squeezed off every round she had in a sweeping motion back and forth as whe fired where she saw gunfire coming from. Her reaction was faster than their reaction. Then there was silence.
Jamie pulled out a light and found that she had dispatched her enemies. She went over to one of them making very heavy foot falls and picked up one of their guns. She then in a mocked mens voice said,
“Hey! She’s still alive”
“WHAT! STILL ALIVE? KILL HER!” She heard Mikey say, even though it appeared the men had no way of hearing him, had they still been alive. Jamie fired two rounds
BAM! BAM!
She then screamed in her own voice…
“UGGGGGGH! No, please, I’ll give you whatever you want. Pleaaaaaassssssse. Noooooooooo!
And while she was screamin no, she fired one more time…. BAM! Then in her mocked male voice she said, “Well, she got one of us, but dat bullet in duh head should take care uv her for a good long time!”
Jamie could hear Mikey jumping up and down with glee and he promptly gave to order to cut off the speaker. There would be nothing else enjoyable to hear.
When Jamie heard the click to confirm that the speaker was off she said into her open channel….
“I’m OK partner. The next few seconds are crucial if we’re gonna make him buy this scenario. Now is the time to look despondent and unresponsive. Shedding a fake tear or two would be a nice touch, but even Mikey would think that out of character.
“I’m looking for a way through this wall, when I find it….I’ll be there.”
* * *
“I’m OK partner. The next few seconds are crucial if we’re gonna make him buy this scenario. Now is the time to look despondent and unresponsive. Shedding a fake tear or two would be a nice touch, but even Mikey would think that out of character for you, so skip that.
“I’m looking for a way through this wall, when I find it….I’ll be there.”
Darin’s countenance had already fallen becasue he thought there was a bad turn of events when he heard the other voices. When Darin heard Jamie’s verification that she was OK, he wanted to jump up and down and leap with Joy. God was watching out for them
Darin poured on the lost and distraught act. He would not look up at Mikey (which was starting to make Mikey angry) and he would not respond. But he knew not to keep it up too long or he might jeopardize his ability to draw out the time and give Jamie the time she needed.
Darin looked up at Mikey. Mikey beagn to glow again.
“So,” said Darin, “What do you plan on doing with me? Gun shot to the head. Kill me execution style like you did Alexander Jameson?”
Mikey was shocked for a second but then got almost a look of pride on his face as he said,
“Oh, you know about that do you? I think I did a pretty good job on that hit. Didn’t want to pawn that one off on anybody else. He hurt the family. I didn’t want an extended arm of the family doing that job. I did it myself. You shoulda heard him beg!”
“I know Alexander Jameson—-”
“Don’t you mean KNEW Alexaner Jameson?” Mikey interrupted.
“He wouldn’t give you the pleasure of begging. I don’t care what you tell you buddys and minions. I bet you got so angry with him that he wouldn’t beg, that you offed him right there. And tell me how many of you men did you have holding him, because if it was a one to one battle you wouldn’t be standing her right now.”
Darin could see in Mikey’s eyes that what he said was the truth. Mikey was having a hard time trying to contain himself from this man who seemed to have the aiblity to see right through him and know that he was lying.
Mikey said, “Yeah. OK, so it closer to like what you said.”
Darin grinned.
“Wipe the smile off yer face Frost. I got something planned for you that you’re really gonna love. Take a look around you at the four doors located at the four corners of the room. There is hungry pitbull behind each one of them. Haven’t been fed for four days, just wating for this moment. I messed up with Alexander Jameson. There was too much of him left to identify. If there is anything left to identify you by, it will take them a very long time to do it. Although I don’t think these dogs will leave very much of you.”
Mikey laughed and as if on cue his henchman laughed with him.
“Now Frost, just to make you sweat, the doors are on time released swtiches. You won’t even have the luxury of knowing exactly when they will open and you will meet your demise. That I’m sure will be all the more enjoyable. I would really like to stay for the festiviites, but you know how things are. I have a family to run. Thank goodness I will be able to run it without your pesky interruptions now. But I must admint Detectvie Frost, you have been a very formidable opponent in these matters. You made me think!”
“Really? said Darin, “I didn’t know you could do that effectively with your third grade education. Think that is!”
“I OUGHT TO BLOW YOU AWAY RIGHT HERE AND LET THE DOGS EAT YOUR DEAD MEAT. Nobody Disses Mikey and lives! NOBODY!”
Whew, Darin really hit a chord that time. Mikey turned red as he yelled and and was so animated that his picture perfect hairsytyle was shaken all out of place. But Darin got just the reaction he wanted. The one that would buy some more time. He knew that Mikey would not leave angry, that way he would not feel as though he had the upper hand. So, Mikey would have to calm down and compose himself before he could strut out of the room in a much more confident and sure manner.
“Come to think of it, ” Mikey said in a voice that was beginining to get calmer, you won’t be alive when the dogs are done, so that little matter will be settled. You really had me going there for a second Frost. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I think its time to fold,” Mikey said making reference to how a poker player surrenders.
“Now you have to wonder why you’re still alive and why I’m here talking to you.”
“You know, I was kind of wondering about that, ” said Darin.
“Well then, let me help you out. You have something and we want it. Alexander Jameson gave you some information that could hurt the family. Know what I’m talking about?”
“Sure do.”
“Well then why don’t you tell me where I can find it”
“Why? You’re already gonna kill me. You killed my partner, you’ll proabably knock off my family just for a good touch. What is the benefit of telling you where that information is?”
“The way I see it, Frost, you simply have no choice.”
“Sure I do and i have exercised my choice already. Before coming here today, I made sure that all of the evidence I had to date would be handed over to magistrate Thomas in the morning.”
“Excellent,” said Mikey, “I own him. I have for a while. In fact all own all but four of the magistrates. I’ll be working on Lewis, Simpson, Minasi and Cambell in the coming months. But we have other things to do right now.”
That was exactly what Darin needed. He needed to know who was on the Campinieri payroll and who he would be able to trust. And if not him, he knew that Jamie was hearing it all.
“Well men, looks like the detective has taken care of everything nice and neatly for us. We’re out of here.” With that Mikey and his henchman turned to leave, but not before Mikey turned back and took a stab…….. “Oh detective, am I to understand that you hate dogs?” And Mikey burst out laughing, his henchmen joining in on cue.
“I see you’ve done your homework, Mikey. Am I supposed to be impressed?” Darin called to Mikey, “Hey Mikey, I”ll call you tomorrow. Lets do lunch.”
As Mikey and his minions left the builiding he made sure th call back, “This time tomorrow Frost, I’ll be sending the police an anonymous tip about where to find your remains. You wont’ be doing lunch with anybody anymore. Enjoy your buddies…….whenever they get lose!”
With that Campinieri and company were gone.
