Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 27. There were so many places to take the cliff hanger from that I had a hard time deciding. But This is what I finally came up with. FYI… Chapter 28 is almost complete and I will be starting on Chapter 29 very shortly.
Mikey Campinieri sat in his jail suite– it was certainly not a cell, in what was supposed to be a Federal penitentiary. Hardly punishment by the standards of your average incarcerated criminal. But then, not all of those who are jailed have unlimited resources.
Mikey was on a cell phone talking with his people on the outside. Whereas this was a privilege to most who were in jail, Mikey could use his phone whenever and wherever he wanted to. Right now he wanted to use it because his elaborate plan to trap and kill Darin Frost, Jamie Elliot and their partner Max was being played out. Mikey had made a study of Darin, Jamie and Max and felt that he could predict their every move now. He was now haggling with those who were at the scene who thought that Darin wasn’t going to do what Mikey predicted and he was trying to get them to wait it out….
“… He’ll do it!” yelled Mikey. “Just give him some time. He’ll do it. He’s going to decide that the best chance is to send that mutt of his in with his surveillance camera on. He’s going to play right into our hands!”
“Mr. Campinieri, I don’t know. It doesn’t look like this is going to work out. I have an acceptable plan B, Sir, if you will only allow it we could—”
“NO!” said Mikey, interrupting, “Just wait! You hear me? Just wait!”
“Yes, Sir, but what if—- Oh my, Mr. Campinieri it looks like they’re going to send the dog in just like you said, Sir.”
“Of course they’re going to send the dog in just like I said. Who do you think is running this show?”
Max was fitted with his lightweight surveillance camera and Darin began to give him instructions. The S.W.A.T. team was called in to blow the door, but they were to remain outside of the building until they had something more to go on. The safety of the prisoner was paramount.
With the charges set, everyone backed away and the door was blown right off its hinges with an almost silent explosion. That way those on the inside would not be alerted to the fact that the building had been breached and do something rash.
Max entered the first floor of the four story building. Everyone could see the multiple display images being produced by the special camera on his collar. Each of the five screens showed different perspectives.
“OK, Max, we’re going to stay on this floor until we’re satisfied. Seek boy!” said Darin into the microphone which sent orders directly to Max’s ear.
Max had now traveled the entire area of the first floor. No traps and not hostage either. Darin gave Max the command to go up one level. He had to navigate him around back to where the camera had shown an open staircase to be. Max went up to the second floor and began the procedure all over again.
“Good boy Max, keep seeking, Buddy. You’re doing well.” said Darin.
“Ok Mr. Campinieri, its just like you said, the dog has now completed his examination of the second floor and he is on his way up to the third.”
“Is the cage laid out just the way that I told you?” asked Mikey, “It has to be just the way I told you!”
“Yes, Sir. We laid it out exactly as you requested.”
“Very, very, good.” said Mikey with a little chuckle in his voice. “Now you’re gonna see something really cool. If I know that dog, and trust me I do, he’ll go right for that cage when he senses that there is a little baby in there crying. Start the tape now!”
As Max came out of the stair well on the third floor he could hear the whimpers of what sounded like a little baby. The audio came over the speakers outside and Max was headed toward the sound before Darin could even give the order.
“What’s happening now?” Mikey asked. He was just like a little kid in a candy store.
“The dog is going toward the direction of the cage, Mr. C.”
“The name is Mr. Campinieri. My father never shortened it and neither will I.” said Mikey
“Sorry Mr. C. uhh Campinieri. Sorry sir.”
“Yeah, right. So whats the dog doing?” Mikey asked
“He just turned the corner. He’s headed for the room with the cage.”
“Oh, this is just too easy,” said Mikey they’re going to spoil all of my fun if they do EVERYTHING that I thought they would. But, of course, this is the dog. He is more predictable than the human mind.”
“He see’s the cage now, Mr. Campinieri and he is headed that way. Just like you said he has now broken into a run… He’s in the cage and the door has shut!”
This is torture, pure and simple. I bet you are enjoying it….