Melting Steele Part 8

Chapter Twelve.

I thought this was over and done with, but then Logan called demanding I come down to the lab. Here I sit, with my second cup of coffee, waiting on Logan. He pulls Will into the conversation this time. I caught him driving Mirandaas minivan to work. He looks beyond tired, but the DA told us Brandt was still alive in isolation. Weare both happy.

aMinivan, huh?a aMiranda blocked my car in.a aCouldnat move them around?a aI was tired.a aA huh.a aFine, she needed my truck to help move a friend. I thought I was off today. Didnat think Iad be sitting here with you and the lollipop guild.a aWow, the lollipop guild? You just aged yourself man.a aYou knew what I was talking about.a I go to respond, but heas right. I do know who heas referring to. Well, s.h.i.+t. Logan rushes in like a hamster on a few too many espressos. He drops Brandtas laptop on his desk. The drops his bag on the floor. He sits down, pulls out a bottle of water and lets out a deep sigh.

aYou okay, Logan?a aYup, just one too many espresso energy drinks. I had no idea they actually made those kinds of things. Once I had one, they tasted so good you end up having like four or five. Before you know it, itas five in the morning but you totally uncover some great stuff.a aLogan,a Will holds up his hand, aitas a bit too early on my day off. Mind explaining to me why weare here. Slowly?a Logan animatedly takes a few breaths before calming down.

aThe laptop is a bust, sort of.a aYou couldnat crack it,a I ask flatly. I had hoped to find more information on Garrison in the depths of the hard drive.

aNot all of it, but what I did manage to do might help us.a aDo what?a Will looks exhausted and this conversation is hard for the two of us with little patience.

aCatch Kiernan Jones.a That got both our attentions. We a.s.sumed she would pop up eventually and that would be our chance to grab her. There was nothing else to go on.

aHer apartment was cleaned out. Wherever she went, sheas off the grid. So, how are you going to find her?a aSheas coming to me.a aCome again?a I ask.

He turns the laptop around to show us a tree of email correspondence. I wish I could understand half of what we in them, but I a.s.sume it must be juicy.

aExchanging p.o.r.n,a I say and Will stifles his laughter. Logan looks confused for a moment before shaking his head.

aNo, detective, I bought drugs from her. She posted on various Dark Web sites that she has a surplus of inventory she needed to move right away. Her price undercut a lot of sellers. Sheas meeting me at the subway station at 42nd and 7th, by the 1, 2, 3 lines in six hours.a aHow the h.e.l.l can we corner her in the busiest subway station, during rush hour?a Will asks me.

Logan looks lost, but I donat think he had a choice of meeting places.

aWe flood the station with plain clothes officers. Make sure the majority of the people on the platform are ours. We use the new cameras to maintain visual and pray like h.e.l.l. Is she expecting you, Logan or did you give her fake information?a His face falls and I understand that his energy drinks knocked him a bit off his game. He gave her his real name, that might haunt him in the future.

aDoes she know anything else about you?a aNo, just Iam a geek in college needing a fix.a aOkay,a Will speaks up, awe flood the station, keep tabs on Logan here and somehow make sure we bring Kiernan in. Piece of cake.a aExactly.a Somehow when the captain told me to go home and relax, this was not what I was thinking. Maybe when this is all over. Maybe.

Have you ever watched ants in their home? They climbs all through the tunnels. Even though they have a distinct order, they walk all over each other. Some trying to get out. Some trying to get in. Some might just be looking for the queen for some nookie. I donat have a clue. But standing here in the middle of this subway station, I feel like one of those ants.

aSteele, you have eyes on the subject yet?a aNegative.a She hasnat shown up yet. I donat blame her. She might be turning tail and running. I would. My bigger concern is that she did some digging into Logan and found out who he really was.

aSheas on her way down, northernmost staircase.a One of the officeras voices rings in my ear. I turn my attention to Logan. If something happens to him Hadley would have my head. My job is to keep him safe, one hundred percent. She pa.s.ses me and walks right up to Logan. Sheas not wasting any time, but heas slowing her down.

Sheas desperate, looking around frantically. Each time I lower my hair to block my face. Logan keeps digging through his pockets looking for more cash. Heas good at this acting stuff. Maybe he should make a film with Hadley. No, maybe not, that sounded better in my head.

aHurry up!a I hear Kiernan say to Logan.

aIam trying to get it out of my pocket. Itas a lot of money, my mom told me not to keep it all in one place.a He replies.

I look past them and see Will and the others in position on the opposite end of the platform. The plan is simple. Will gets her attention, she turns and runs into me. I grab her arm, handcuff her and lead her out of the subway. Itas an easy arrest. In theory.

aYou know what, just give me what you have. I canat stay here much longer.a aOkay.a aHave a great high.a She turns and walks directly into me, not part of the plan. What did I expect, this entire case hasnat gone to plan very well. I get pushed by a surge of people and lose my grip on Kiernan. She grabs Logan by the sleeve and drags him past me. This is not going to end well.

aSheas on the move, back up the north side. Crowds causing issues. Sheas got Pevy. I repeat, suspect has a hostage.a I push back against the crowd, fighting my way to get closer to her. I can hear the train coming on the express track. Itas about a minute or two away. Thatas going to make it difficult to hear anyone or call for help. Once I break free of the horde, I must be five maybe six steps behind her when a man pushes her hard. Logan and Kiernan fall onto the train platform. I rush to the side but the same man pulls me back.

The trains brakes squeal loudly, hurting the ears of all those down here. Too late. My screams blend with the metal hitting metal. I failed Logan. I elbow the man behind me in the gut. He letas go and rushes to the exit. I turn my attention and growing rage back to the male running through the crowd looking for an escape.

aSteele, in pursuit of suspect!a I run as hard as I can, pus.h.i.+ng and shoving my way up the stairs. He jumps the turnstiles and runs up the stairs to the street. Iam only a few steps behind him darting up the corner, gasping for real air. I rush into Times Square and spin around frantically. Whomever he is - heas gone.

Will follows a few steps behind me, barely out of breath.

aWheread he go?a aI have no f.u.c.king clue,a on the island of thirteen million people, he can hide in plain sight.

aSteele, Everts, report.a Captain Tyleras voice crackles in my ear.

aWe lost him.a I pull the earpiece out. I want to kick something but I work in a concrete jungle. It will hurt me more than it helps.

aLogan?a aLittle s.h.i.+t hid with the rats under the platform. We got him out on the other side. Captainas sending him to the hospital for a checkup. He told me to not tell Hadley anything.a aKiernan?a aVictoras on his way down.a aWhomever did this, they were following her. Waiting for the right time to strike.a aYouare talking a calculated murder. You think Garrisonaa aNo. I was actually thinking when you are in a desperate situation you have a tendency to do stupid things. She was undercutting other dealers to get rid of her stash. She made more enemies in a few minutes than Garrison probably has in his lifetime. Not that this doesnat help him.a aIf she was connected, she can no longer deal. Case closed.a The case is closed. The only player left is standing trial. The rest are all dust in the wind.

Itas been almost six months and the mysterious man in the subway tunnel hasnat turned up on any surveillance. We looked through every sc.r.a.p of video. Every facial recognition software. We tried everything at our disposal. The man was truly a ghost.

Seeing the rows of trailers brings a smile to my face. Hadley finally accepted a role in a new local drama series. It isnat a huge part, but the possibility for future episodes is there. Sheas finally feeling comfortable in her own skin to go back to work. I have to thank Logan for that. Heas helped her heal when I couldnat. Sometimes family can fail one another, but he has proven worth of Hadleyas adoration.

I havenat given him the whole hurt her and I know where to bury you speech. Frankly, head probably have his tech friends hack my phone or something to ensure they find him. Maybe develop an app that traces you when youare in trouble even if the phone is off. I laugh at myself for sounding like I understand the words coming out of my mouth.

aJazz, youare here,a Hadley rushes out of her trailer and wraps me up in a tight hug.

aSorry Iam late.a aNo worries, Loganas been bored out of his mind these last few days with me. You guys can talk about some case or whatever. Oh maybe he can help you with your cell phone!a aMs. Moreno, youare wanted on set.a aComing,a she hugs me again, aIall be back soon and weall all go for lunch.a aGo break a leg, preferably not yours.a She laughs at me before straightening up her wardrobe and walking away. The clicking of her heels on the pavement the only sound. Part of me wants to follow and make sure sheas okay. I know sheas had fittings and read-throughs, but this is her first shot of the day.

aSheas got to do this on her own.a Logan puts his hand on my shoulder and itas the first time I realize the man is taller than me. His video game s.h.i.+rt giving away his geek side. Sadly, I have the same one.

aIam worried.a aSo am I, but we have to let her do this. One thing Iave learned, if she needs you she will ask for it. Come on, Iave got a sweet computer setup inside.a aHow are you feeling? Any residual pain?a aNope, all back to my normal geek self.a Logan heads back to the door on the trailer and Iam torn. My feet want to walk away but my brain canat seem to catch up. I know itas a selfish thing. I have this need to make up for not being there. I want to make it right, even if she says thereas nothing to fix. Itas purely selfish. Itas more about me than and I know it, but you feel what you feel.

aDetective?a Hadleyas doing her thing and I have to let her be. Regardless of my wants, she has to know she can do it on her own. So, I walk to the trailer and wait for her to come to me.

aHoly c.r.a.p, I am in the wrong industry!a The trailer fully decked out with a huge television, gaming system, small kitchen, eating area and a bed in the back. Logan sits in the small dining area with his laptop. I calmly slide in across from him.

aYou want something to drink?a aNo, Iam good. Had two large coffees on the way over.a aBathroomas in the back on the right before the bedroom.a aThis place is nuts.a aYup, price of hiring union talent.a Logan stares at his computer screen, frantically clicking away on his keyboard and mouse.

aI read about Brandtas trial. Good outcome.a aLife without parole works for me. If he lives the entire sentence.a aYes, there is that.a Logan continues to type on his computer, his body language is very off.

aGot something to tell me?a aYes and no. Depends on which one you want first.a aHit me with negative first.a aIrving Garrison has been tightening the ranks. Heas been doing a better job of hiding his money trails. Heas worse than Madoff.a aEven the Teflon Don Gotti slipped up and was convicted. Heall make a mistake. Whatas the positive?a aI think we can sort of flush him out with what we have.a aConsider my interest peaked. How is this possible?a aWe release the information we have to the dark web outlets and let them take it from there. Thereas no guarantee it would go viral, but with his connections to Brandt, Jones, his sonas illegal activities and the truth about your case as well as what little we can trace to his financial holdings, it just might.a aBut this is all sensitive material, releasing this could cost you.a aItas very gray. All circ.u.mstantial stuff that you can easily find on the Internet if you search for it. Iam just releasing it all in one spot as one unit. Gives it a little more credibility and strength. Might work, might not. Itas worth a shot.a aI donat want to risk your career.a aWhoas risking anything? If we do this, it will bounce around the world when it uploads from an untraceable non-existent IP address. Iam a bit reckless in gaming, not in real life. If anyone tries to track me, it would take weeks or months.a aI will take your word for it as I have no clue what you just said. I will simply trust your judgment.a He smiles, nods and cracks his knuckles. Before I can say another word, he is frantically typing away like a mad genius. Iam very thankful heas on my team, but I now know and understand a version of Logan works for the enemy. My entire life of training, studying, understanding and manipulating has to change now. Itas all impersonal with emoticons and text messages. The playing field has changed and as a good general, I need the best warriors. I just pray that the battles ahead donat make me regret my decisions of today.

### THE END ###.

About the Author.

Kimberly Amato is a freelance writer from New York and holds a Masteras Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Kimberly has managed to meld creativity and love of the human mind into a career in entertainment. Between her awards for an independent comedy project to her lauded portrayal of a psychopath in Under the Ravenas Wing, Kimberly continues to bring rich stories to life in a variety of genres.

Even though her chosen topics might be serious in nature, Kimberly always finds time to indulge her inner child. A self-proclaimed acoolest aunt evera, she would rather be writing her novels on a Disney Cruise s.h.i.+p waiting for Lilo and St.i.tch to appear than in an office. She also routinely destroys her writers' block by playing video games and renovating her home before getting back to work on future novels.

Feel free to contact Kimberly any time:.

Website: KimberlyAmato.com.

COMING SOON!.

BREAKING STEELE.

Kimberly Amato.

The 3rd Book of the STEELE SERIES: Jasmine Steele has worked hard building a case against Irving Garrison, the man she feels is responsible for countless murders including her brotheras. Always one step behind him, Steele has yet to fully uncover his operations - until now. In an effort to remove himself from suspicion, lose ends are being cleaned up. The body count is increasing and jobs are being abandoned. The finale battle between Steele and Garrison will cost someone their life.

All actions cause unexpected consequences.

OTHER BOOKS by KIMBERLY AMATO STEELE RESOLVE.

Kimberly Amato.

BOOK 1 In the Steele Series available on AMAZON!

Jasmine Steeleas life was exactly where she had wanted it to be. She had the love of her life, a job as a detective and never gave up on her dream of writing the next great novel. Itas true what they say about life, it changes without warning, and Jasmineas dreams slammed to a halt the minute her brother was killed. Between guilt, becoming the guardian of her nephew, hiding her grief a" she lost her soulmate, her dreams and ultimately herself.

Now Steele is now faced with a series of murders that pulls her back into her brotheras case and puts everyone around her in grave danger. Forced to face her demons, Steele must find out who the killer is before she loses someone else she loves. The killer doesn't care who dies, especially if it keeps Steele quiet a" permanently.

Sometimes your worst enemy is yourself.

end.