Junior was growing impatient when the passenger door finally opened. He checked his watch. It was just before nine when Michelle Swirsky stepped out of the Mustang and the boy pulled away slowly. She stood in the shadow of the building and waved good-bye as he honked his horn twice and burned rubber onto Military Trail. Now she was alone and had to walk to the end of her street to get home. Finally, his moment had arrived. She would have to walk directly past him.
Junior had pulled in at an angle in the parking lot of the plaza down the street. The most reasonable path she would walk would take her directly past him. He swiveled his head quickly in all directions to ensure there were no witnesses. This was it. There was no escape. He was giddy with excitement, his hand trembling as it touched the butt of his pistol. He savored the feeling and now had his eyes glued on the tall, athletic form of Michelle. As soon as the Mustang was out of sight she crossed the street just as he had expected, then turned to walk toward her house.
He remained motionless in the car, watching her through the rearview mirror as she slowly strolled closer and closer. Michelle looked like she was daydreaming. His heart pounded in his chest like a piston. Sweat poured off his forehead and soaked his underarms.
When she was at the rear of his car, he jerked the handle and popped out. The surprise was total. He had her by the upper arm before she realized someone was near her. He didn’t even bother with his pistol.
That was his mistake.
With no windup, Michelle threw an elbow hard into Junior’s side. The blow knocked the wind out of him and forced him back toward the car. Before he could regain his balance she threw a knee, then a front kick directly into his abdomen, dropping him into the open door and onto the front seat.
Michelle grabbed the open door with both hands and slammed it onto his outstretched left ankle. The agony made him grunt like a pig as it shot up his leg and connected with the pain radiating from his cracked ribs. This was not going the way he had planned.
Junior struggled to sit up and see Michelle darting away toward her house. Even if he managed to get the car rolling, she’d be at her front door before he caught her. He reached for his pistol, wondering if he could make the shot. She couldn’t have seen his face clearly, but she was the first witness who knew anything about him at all.
He sat straight in the seat, fighting through the pain, and squealed the tires backing out of the spot and speeding away from the area. Every breath was agony, and his left ankle throbbed. He would have to deal with Michelle Swirsky, not only to keep her from being a witness but because he owed her big-time.
* * *
Darren Mori didn’t really want to interact with this crowd. He wanted to listen and learn. John Fusco seemed to sense that and pulled him to the side, saying, “I wore one of my best suits. To use one of your own terms, I wanted to impress upon everyone that I was the alpha dog on this case. Remember that, Kato, you can make a big impression with your clothes. Even a uniform if you wear it right.” As he said it, Fusco brushed something off of Darren’s K-9 T-shirt. He didn’t mind; Fusco seemed like he was sincerely trying to help him.
Then the detective turned and said, “You guys did a great job last night.”
Darren realized this was another mind game and Fusco was really saying, Step aside, now. The real cops are here.
Right now they were on the street behind the compound where Arnold Ludner and his sons lived. The three K-9 handlers were tired. At the moment, they all stood quietly or slouched against one of their unmarked Chevy Tahoes.
Fusco said, “We should be able to cut you guys loose pretty quick. As soon as the probation jerk-offs get here, we’ll take a quick run through the property and see what we can find.”
Tim Hallett said, “You’ll find Arnold Ludner. We saw him last night, and he hasn’t left the property since.”
“I hope we find Arnold Ludner, and I hope he confesses to all the shit that’s gone down the last few weeks. But experience in the detective bureau has taught me that you never know what’s going to happen.” Fusco turned to look at a Ford Taurus as it pulled to a stop next to their group. “You guys sit tight while we figure out what we’re gonna do next.” He looked at Darren and said, “Why don’t you back me up?”
Darren and Fusco turned to greet the probation officers. They looked like a comedy team walking toward them. The younger one was tall and geeky with wavy hair, and next to him was a man who was mostly round and squat with a Pacers hat covering his thinning hair. His bloodshot eyes and shambling walk screamed “alcoholic.” Both men were dressed in similar cheap white dress shirts with short sleeves and clip-on ties and hiking boots.
Fusco leaned in and said, “I can’t remember the tall guy’s name. The shorter one is Bill Slaton. He’s an asshole. Just take any shit he gives us now. We need them.” As the probation officers approached, Fusco pointed at their feet and said, “You guys look ready for the Appalachian Trail.”
Slaton answered, saying, “We learned to wear heavy shoes during a search when one of our guys stepped on a syringe that popped right through his loafer.”
They joined the group. Slaton looked directly at Tim Hallett and said, “Are you the guy that screweded up Ludner’s case and allowed him that sweet deal?”
Darren thought it was out of line, but Hallett’s scowl shut down the probation officer.
Claire Perkins stared down the testy PO. “He also saved a girl’s life.”
“But did he cost others?”
Fusco stepped in and said, “Let’s get this show on the road.”
Slaton’s eyes cut over to the dog handlers and then back to Fusco. “We don’t need a parade going in there. All we need is one uniformed cop to show his authority and let them know we have some backup.”
Fusco said, “I’m coming in, too.”
“I don’t see what you can add. You got no uniform. You’re dressed just like us.”
“First of all, I am not dressed just like you. This is a damn thirteen-hundred-dollar suit. Secondly, it’s my case and I’m going in. It’s not open for discussion.”
Darren noted Slaton’s pissed-off look and dismissive attitude.
Fusco turned to face the entire group. “I need one of you guys to come with us.” He looked each one of them in the face. “I want to impress the Ludner brothers right off the bat with a show of authority.” He strolled past each K-9 unit like a general inspecting troops. He stopped and winked at Claire. “You look too good to scare anyone.” Then he stared down Hallett. “Too much history with the family.” Fusco looked at Darren and said, “Kato, you and your dog…”
Darren said, “Brutus.”
“Whatever. You and Brutus are in the box. We need you to come with us.” Fusco looked at Hallett and Claire and said, “You guys cover each side of the compound.”
Darren liked the idea of being in the front of the pack where the action happened. It was a new experience.