9 Killer on the Run

Grumbling, Joe reaches over and grabs his ringing cell from his nightstand. Being woken in the middle of the night is one of the few things he hates about his new job: that and the endless paperwork tied to the higher rank. "Captain Bower," he bellows into the phone.

"Joe, it's Rachel. Five heavily armed dudes just broke into my apartment, and I need your help," she whispers.

The captain springs up in bed. "Say that again."

"I have five gunmen in my home. I shot the one who tried to climb through my window, but five others barged in through the front door."

Putting the phone on speaker, Joe grabs his clothes from the worn antique chair. It was his mother's favorite. The only keepsake he has left. "Where are you?"

"Mom, Emma, and I are in the bathroom. We're safe for now, but I'm not sure how long that'll last."

"Can you crawl onto the fire escape from where you're at?"

"The window is too small to squeeze through."

Scooping up his keys and his phone, he says, "I'll be right there." He and Rachel live in the same complex a few buildings down. He helped her get the apartment when she decided to live on her own. Joe believes it was a win-win for everyone. She has a decent place. He has his best friend near, and her parents said they'd worry less knowing he's close by.

Joe runs through the apartment to find Rachel bleeding on the floor. Throwing caution to the wind, he races to her side. Putting pressure on her wound, he says, "Hold on, Rachel. The ambulance will be here soon."

Joe hears the click of a gun. He then feels something pressing hard against his head. A deep voice growls, "I told you we'd meet again."

A perp's face suddenly comes to mind. "You don't want to do this, Gonzalas."

"If I had it my way, I'd take out all you pigs. Slaughter you one at a time."

A second guy steps out of the shadows. His gun pointed at Joe. "That's just what I'm going to do."

Pulling his gun from his waistband, Joe tries to squeeze off a round. The trigger wouldn't budge.

The intruder continues towards their victim. He smiles and says, "So long, captain."

A high-pitched noise startles Joe out of his fitful sleep. Springing up in bed, he glances around. Thank god it was only a dream, he thinks, gasping for much-needed air. Hearing the squealing again, he reaches for his phone. "Captain speaking...Three people are dead?" Putting the phone on speaker, he grabs his clothes. A horrific thought stops him in mid-motion. I'm doing the same thing I did in my dream. The nightmare replays in his mind.

"Are you still there, Captain?"

He pushes the thoughts aside. "I'm here," Joe grumbles sliding into his pants.

"I've sent the address to your phone. Forensics and the ME are headed there now."

"I want you and Jerry to secure the scene. I'll pick up Rachel and meet you there."

He starts to dial the sergeant's number when his nightmare replays again. It was only a dream, besides, the gunman is probably long gone by now. He punches in a few numbers then stops again. Maybe I should let the guys handle this one to be safe.

***

Sirens continue to sound all around him. Red and blue lights flash across the dark starless sky. The gunman hobbles along the edge of the woods towards his car. Pain courses through every inch of his body, intensifying with even the smallest move. He quickly discovers that it even hurts to breathe. Shuffling a few more feet, he looks up to find his vehicle is still a distance away. I should've parked closer to the house. Clenching his teeth, he continues. Luigi imagines how fatal the plunge could've been. I wouldn't be walking out of there at all if it weren't for the trampoline. Opening the car door, he eases onto the cold, leather seat.

It may not have gone the way I'd hoped, but at least I know the Maroni's will never hurt anyone again. Another thought comes to mind. He smiles despite his pain. I imagine they did grieve over the old man's demise, and the old bitty was probably shocked when she found out about her husband's affair.

He starts to put his key in the ignition when he sees cruisers heading his way. He falls across his seat. Pain surges through his body worse than before. I either endure a little discomfort or spend the rest of my life behind bars. His body trembles his heart pounds furiously in his chest as the sirens continue to get closer. They should be passing me soon, he thinks, trying to push his agony aside. He glances out of the windshield to find red and blue lights race by. Just a few more seconds, and I'll be home free. The sirens quickly weaken to a dull roar. He sighs with relief. I've been calling it close all night.

Luigi starts to sit up when he hears tapping on his window. His body tenses up. His heart pounds harder than before. The intruder knocks again. Just when I thought I was free.

***

Jerry sees Kirk heading across the yard when he pulls up to the scene. Climbing out of the car, he walks over to greet him. He scans the busy scene, turns towards him, and asks, "What happened here tonight?"

"This is what I know so far, sir." Pulling a notebook from his pocket, he begins. "There are three victims: the mother and her two daughters. The two girls were shot in their beds, and their mother was found on the girl's bedroom floor. The housekeeper said she heard the youngest child scream, so she went to check on her, and that's when she discovered their bodies."

"Could she give you a description of the shooter?"

"She said she saw a guy with long black hair and a red striped jacket jump out of the girl's window when she stepped into the room."

"So the gunman is dead?" Jerry asks as he continues across the lawn.

Kirk sprints to keep up. "I wish it was that simple, sir. The trampoline broke his fall, which helped him escape."

Jerry turns towards his detective. "Jeff, check the hospitals for anyone with broken bones or internal bleeding. Then narrow it down using the maid's description."

"Yes, sir." Jeff walks away.

Jerry pivots towards Kirk. "Where's Joe?"

"He and Rachel haven't arrived yet, sir."

"If you see him before I do, tell him I'm in the house."

"Yes, sir." Reaching for his ringing phone he says, "That's the captain now."

********************