Thread: Blind Spot

Chapter Three Three weeks later..... Arrrggghhhh! Katya growled through clenched teeth as she tried not to shake her tablet in frustration. Hearing the laughter next to her brought a, And shut up! from her lips. Her fingers swiping back and forth, bringing up pictures to compare with grainy security cam footage. We get pictures of them from the worst cameras and none from the good ones. Its a bloody conspiracy I tell you! She and Kyle had been tracking down a new group that was busy doing armed robberies around town. They didnt wear masks and half the robberies were half-assed but they kept one step ahead of the cops. The best description they got from the victims were that they were Funny looking. More than most people. After the last person said that Katya proclaimed to Kyle I will into the squad room stark naked if I hear that one more time! All her fiance said was that he would bring his camera. All I can tell Kyle is that theyre progressing, she finally said, looking over at him. They started out with gas stations, then mompop bodegas, then the higher end stores. Theyre going for a bank and soon. But theres no pattern.... Theyre hitting everywhere in the city. Unless...that is the pattern.... It was getting near quitting time and Katyas butt was sore from sitting on it all day. As Kyle watched, she pulled up a city map on the tablet with all the robberies marked. Where are you.... she whispered. Listening to Katya, Kyle shared her frustrations. Theyd been working this case for most of the past two weeks, in addition to the half dozen or more other cases they were working too. It should have been an easy case to solve, the perps werent exactly professionals, but it was proving to be a helluva lot harder than it should be. There was no pattern to the crimes, theyd started out hitting gas stations and convenience stores then progressed and although so far no one had been hurt during the robberies both Kyle and Katya knew that wouldnt last. Either someone would try to be a hero or, more likely, one of the gang would end up killing someone. Leaving his seat on the other side of their shared desk, Kyle came around to stand behind her, the door to their office was closed and the blinds were down, so they were hidden from watching eyes. Looking at the display on her screen, he gently began to massage her tired, stiff, shoulders as he tried to make some sense out of the map that was displayed. Shed marked and numbered all the crime scenes, starting with the earliest, but that didnt really help. There really didnt seem to be any pattern, any rhyme or reason to the robberies and it just didnt make any sense. Unless...He stared at the screen, something wasnt right, besides the obvious. Pull up all the robberies in this area for the past year, he said, as he continued to stare at the screen. It was a long shot, but it was all he could think of and about the only thing they hadnt tried yet. Some of the robberies had been on the same block, others almost a half mile away, which was at least part of what was foxing them. Most crime sprees happened in a fairly concentrated area, close to the perps home, where they felt safe, and they only escalated once they began to feel confident outside that safety zone. Sighing heavily, Katya did as he asked and called up all the reported robberies in that area for the past year, another dozen or more markers appearing on the map. Most of those were squarely in the area where most of the later robberies were concentrated, convenience stores and one gas station. Now, at least, it seemed as if a pattern was appearing and, as he glanced at Katya, he could tell she saw it too. It wasnt much more to go on, but at least it was something. He glanced at his watch, it was almost five in the afternoon and theyd been stuck in their office for pretty much the whole day, trying to get an angle on the case. I need some air, lets go grab some decent coffee, he said, as he moved back to his own chair and lifted his jacket from the back of it. He slipped his jacket on, covering the shoulder harness he wore and the Remington R1 that hung beneath his right armpit, the black leather of the shoulder rig standing out clearly against his white shirt. Maybe theyd run into Devon and Mikey at the coffee shop, they could run this new theory by both of them, see if it made any sense to them. Mikey definitely had an eye for seeing patterns where no one else could. As Katya grabbed her own blazer the two of them left the office and headed for the elevator down to the parking lot. Within ten minutes they were pulling up to a halt outside the Dunkin Donuts where they always met up with Devon and Mikey, and sure enough there was the familiar mustang parked a few cars ahead. Leaving the car, the two of them headed across to join their friends, and as Katya pulled up the map on her computer Kyle began to explain his theory. Feeling Kyle hands on her shoulders got her to actually purr. Dont do that Kyle.... Ill melt into a puddle and maintenance will have to come mop me up.... Hearing his request, Katya looked up at him for a second before doing it. He had something rumbling through that cute brain of his she knew. Even if he wasnt her fiance she would follow any lead or idea that he came up with. She respected Kyles judgement that much. Expanding the map and then pulling up the list, she muttered, Im going to get that big screen even if I have to pay for it myself.... Katya liked using the Toughbook she had bought herself more than that department issued desktop. The screen was smaller but it had more horsepower and a newer OS than the creaking dinosaur on their desk. There was a pattern in there.... It wasnt obvious enough to make sense of it but in the back of her mind Katya knew there was one. She was so focused on it that Kyles suggestion made her jump slightly. Grinning, she knew just what he had in mind too. After saving her work and shutting down the tablet, Katya adjusted the vest she wore under her blouse. The thing was hot and uncomfortable but Kyle insisted, actually ordered is more like it, that she wear it. It was policy and good sense. Her own .45 Baby Glock in a similar shoulder rig and a radio in blazer pocket. So oh font of wisdom, got any ideas? Katya asked Mikey as he munched on a doughnut and stared at the screen. Computers in general vexed him, except for Xboxs, but simple things like this were understandable. The dots had been color coded and shaded to give an idea when they all occurred. You said theres three? he asked and then continued on without waiting for an answer. Theres three clusters here, here, and here. You do see them too good cuz theyre filling in between with the small shit but the big shit starts out in those areas. And it goes like this... He pointed out a spot and then rotated a finger to the next and next. Liquor store, bodega, pawn shop, etc, etc, etc. Its like they got a list and each one gets a share of it. I bet thats how theyre dividing the take up the one whose area its in gets... lets say 50 and the other two get 25 each. Thats why they hit three, so everybody gets a fair share. Katya chuckled and shook her head. Considerate bastards. So if youre right, the next one should be here and it's going to be an escalation. Her finger pointed to an area about six or seven blocks away. Mikey nodded but before he could say anything his and Devons radio went off. Duty calls pretty lady. Before getting into the car, he snuck a kiss on Katyas cheek. Watched the pair drive off, she looked at Kyle. Wanna take a drive around and get the lay of the land? Kyle had listened as Mikey had pointed out the pattern, one that now they could see it was pretty obvious but which hadnt been clear before because it seemed to be so random. Although that randomness itself had actually been a part of the pattern, either by design or, far more likely, merely by accident. As Mikey and Devon get into their car and drove off, Kyle had taken his coffee and wandered back across to the Camaro, leaning back against the hood as he lit himself a cigarette. Let me finish my smoke, first, then we can go and scope out the area, he said, in answer to her question, after a quick look at his watch. They still had a good half an hour or more before they had to be back at the barn to punch out for the day, they could take a drive up there and check out any potential targets before they had to head back. Ninety percent of the robberies had taken place in the late morning or early afternoon, times when business was slow because most people were at work, although some had taken place late at night. At least if they knew what was in the area it would give them an idea of what places to stake out the next day, his gut telling him the next robbery was going to come sometime in the next day or so. Sounds like a plan, agreed Katya, as she tucked away her computer and came across to join him, although she made sure she stood upwind of him so the smoke from his cigarette wouldnt bother her. Finishing his smoke, Kyle had just dropped the butt onto the ground when the radio in the car crackled into life. Attention all units! Attention all units! Two-eleven in progress at the Willowburg Municipal Bank. Announced the voice of the dispatch officer, the words clearly audible even above the noise of traffic. Thats gotta be our boys, said Kyle, as he dropped his coffee cup and raced around the front of the car to get into the drivers seat. There was only one branch of the Willowburg Municipal Bank, it was about ten blocks away and right slap, bang, in the middle of their target area. Buckling his seatbelt he gunned the powerful V8, shifting into gear even as Katya was fastening her own seatbelt. Reaching into the back, Katya grabbed the police light, sticking it on the dashboard as Kyle accelerated and switched the button that would activate the siren. The traffic ahead of them slowed and moved aside for the rapidly accelerating police car, Kyle skillfully guiding the Camaro through the cars. As the car reached the block where the bank was located, already they could see several cruisers parked in a cordon around the entrance to the bank, the uniformed officers taking cover behind their vehicles, weapons ready. Just outside the bank was an armored car, which had probably arrived recently, bringing extra money for the bank, tomorrow was payday for most businesses in the city and it made sense that the bank would need extra money to cover all the paychecks theyd be cashing. Bringing the Camaro to a half, Kyle killed the engine and siren, although they left the light flashing, as they left the vehicle and moved quickly towards the cordon of police vehicles. Stripping off his jacket, Kyle tossed the blazer through the open window of the car, fishing in his pocket for his badge as he approached the uniforms. Darius, homicide, he said, simply, as they reached the officers. One took a quick look at his shield and nodded, trying not to look too relieved that the two detectives had arrived. Whats the situation? Added Kyle, as he and Katya took cover behind one of the cruisers. Were not sure, sir. Three men went inside about fifteen minutes ago we got a report of shots fired and an alarm sounding about five minutes after that. Theres been no contact with anyone inside since then, but as far as we know the bad guys are still inside, answered one of the patrolmen, a sergeant with a fifteen year service stripe on the left cuff of his dark blue shirt. Turning away from the sergeant, Kyle unsnapped the safety strap on his shoulder holster and drew his pistol, racking the slide to chamber a round and then setting the safety. Were going in, he said, softly, after a couple of seconds, turning to Katya, who nodded her agreement. They didnt have a whole lot of choice, really, unless they wanted to wait for the bad guys to come out. But, if they waited until the perps came out and they had hostages...things would get ugly. Okay, heres how were going to do this. We split up, circle round and come up either side of the bank, we take a look and check out the situation, and then we go in. Together. He finished, with another look to Katya. Again she nodded, before the two of them moved out. Kyle heading right and Katya left, the two of them making a big circle around the parked cars and staying away from the banks big, plate glass, windows so their approach would remain unseen. As she was waiting for Kyle to finish his smoke, Katya was running through some ideas in her head.... Cant alert the banks cuz theyll just panic and that would be very bad. Maybe the managers and have them keep it quiet and BOLO anybody looking funny looking. Maybe grab a couple of patrol guys and stick them in plain clothes to stake out places. They like plain clothes. Gotta tell them NOT to do anything. Should we stick a couple of M-16s in the trunk just in case? Id shoot my foot off by studly knows what to do and boy does he ever! Last night was.... Stop that! Focus. On. Work. It was nice what he did.... The alert from the radio brought everything back into focus as Katya jumped into the car and they took off. After putting up the light, she unlocked a box under the seat that contained a few extra clips for their weapons, a pair of shooting glasses, tactical gloves, and ear plugs. Just some extra stuff that hopefully they wouldnt need to use but good to have. 27 Zebra Henry responding to the 2-11 at the Bank, she said into the radio. The last thing Katya did was put a ball cap with Police on and fed her through the opening in the back. One thing she didnt need was to mistaken for a civilian. That had happened before... Copying Kyle in dumping her jacket, she attach her badge to a chain around her neck and tugged on the gloves. Giving each palm a punch to make sure they were seated right. Listening to what the sergeant said, she kept watch on the bank. When Kyle gave the orders she gave him a glance with a raised eyebrow. Then she grinned and pulled out her own weapon to lock a round in the chamber. Its the wrong day to forget to bring the flash-bangs, she chuckled and got a grin from Kyle. This might be the bestest idea but a good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect executed next week. If it was good for George Patton then it was good for her! Before they separated, Katya gave him a brief kiss on the lips. For luck! Moving fast, but carefully, Katya got to her side of the back. There were some nice windows that she had to duck low to get passed without being seen. The glass was too thick to hear through and she didnt dare to and look up. Finally she was on the brick and stone wall next to the entryway. Taking a deep breath with her gun against her chest, Katya looked over at Kyle and nodded. Keeping low, using vehicles for cover, Kyle had moved around to the side of the bank until he reached it. Pushing his back against the cool stone and brick wall, Kyle took a few seconds to catch his breath as he waited for Katya to join him on the opposite side of the main entrance to the building. The front of the building was a good twenty meters wide, most of that being taking up by the huge, tall, plate glass windows. Fortunately the windows didnt stretch from the ground up there was a short, maybe three feet high, brick wall at the bottom that would hide his final approach to the door. As Katya reached the doorway on the opposite side of the bank, Kyle took a deep breath and then took a peak through the window. At first he couldnt see much, the inside of the building being a little darker than the outside and it took his eyes a couple of seconds to adjust. As everything came into focus he could see a uniformed body lying on the floor, either one of the armored car crew or the banks security guard, a pool of blood spreading around the corpse. He could see empty desks on one side of the main entrance, papers scattered across the floor around them, as well as a cluster of people sitting on the floor in front of the tellers booths. What lay beyond the teller booths he couldnt see, but he could guess that was where the bank manager had his office, along with the secured entrance to the bank vault. He couldnt see the robbers, though, but he could be sure at least one of them was in there, covering the bank customers and employees whilst one or more of his colleagues hit the vault. Having seen enough, he pulled back, dropped down and then crouching low beneath the window, he quickly moved to join Katya by the door. Okay, weve got one guy down, probably the security guard, he began, trying to quickly explain everything hed seen to his partner, along with his plan. The plan was still rough, but one thing hed learnt in the marines was that things rarely, if ever, went to plan anyway and even the best plan could go wrong. This was why marine officers were trained to think on the fly, reacting to the situation as it evolved, maintaining control even when the shit hit the fan. Youve got empty desks down the left side, use them for cover and try to get into a flanking position but stay in cover. Most of the staff and customers are being held down the front, by the teller booths, probably being covered by at least one of the bad guys. The other two must be in the back, in the vault. We take the one by the customers first, see if we can get them out before the others return from the vault, added Kyle, outlining his plan. He knew the plan was far from perfect, in fact there were a lot of variables that could really screw things up, but he knew that if he was one of the robbers hed be looking to leave the bank with at least one hostage. Because if they had a hostage, they could get away clean and free. So, stopping the robbers from escaping with a hostage was their first and main priority. Katya nodded in understanding, gripping her pistol tightly in her gloved hands. You wearing your vest? He asked, needlessly, he knew she was wearing it but he just wanted her reassurance. Waiting for an answer, he took the two clips from his shoulder rig and slipped them into a back pocket, where they would be easier to get to if he needed them. Yes. Are you wearing yours? She answered, as her thumb moved to release the safety on her Glock. Always, he answered her, before he moved to the side of the door and slowly eased it open. Go, he ordered, once the door was open enough for her to squeeze through. Giving her a couple of seconds, Kyle eased the door open a little further and then slipped inside the bank. Inside, the bank was a lot bigger than hed realized. At least a hundred and fifty feet across and probably two hundred feet or more deep, the high, vaulted, ceiling supported by several tall pillars spaced at about five meter intervals. Holding his pistol low and ready, Kyle released the safety catch as he moved to the nearest pillar so he could use it for cover. He passed the motionless body on the floor, being careful to avoid stepping in the blood pool, keeping his movement quick but quiet. Glancing at the abandoned desks, he tried to spot Katya but couldnt, which he assumed was a good thing. Peering around the edge of the pillar he was hiding behind, once his eyes had adjusted to the light inside the building, Kyle could see one of the robbers, a young woman held across his body like a human shield as he waved a handgun towards the rest of the cowering hostages. There was at least a hundred and fifty feet between Kyle and where the hostages were, the gunman maybe ten feet closer, whilst beyond them he could see the empty offices, doors open, for the manager, whilst way off in the far right corner was the open, gated entrance to the vault. Ducking back into cover, Kyle took a deep breath and then crouched low as he moved forward until he reached the next pillar and took cover behind that. Pausing another few seconds Kyle moved to the next pillar, and then the next, edging closer to where the gunman stood with his hostage, until he was just fifteen meters away. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at his weapon, checking the indicator to confirm the chamber was loaded, before he stepped into the open. Willowburg police, lay down your weapon and release the woman, said Kyle, identifying himself. His voice was loud as he spoke, if things went pear shaped and they had to shoot it out, he wanted to be sure that at least one person in the bank, besides Katya, had heard him identify himself as a police officer. Fuck you, replied the gunman, pivoting his body towards Kyle even as he kept his weapon and hostage between himself and Kyle. Youre not going to do anything, tough guy, he added. I said, drop your weapon and release the woman, repeated Kyle, his weapon held steady and unwavering on the gunman, although the muzzle was lifted slightly so he wouldnt accidently shoot the woman. This is your last warning, he added, after a few more seconds. And I said fuck you, pig, was the only reply he received. Unless you want the pretty lady to die, youre going to let me and my friends walk right outta here, he added, moving his weapon to push the muzzle of his gun against the side of the womans head. Help me, pleaded the woman, her eyes locked firmly on Kyle even as the gunman pressed the muzzle of his pistol harder against the side of her head. Her eyes were wide, full of fear, as she tried not to struggle against the grip of the man that held her. Youll be okay, maam, said Kyle, his pistol not moving as he held the gunman in his sights. Willowburg police! Now drop that fucking gun right now, said Katya, as she emerged from her hiding spot behind one of the huge square planters that were spread around the interior of the bank. What happened next was so fast, taking place in less than ten seconds, although it seemed to play out in slow motion and take much longer. The gunman started to pivot towards Katya, exposing his side to Kyle. At the exact same second one of the other robbers emerged from the entrance to the vault, opening fire with his Uzi sub machine gun as he saw what was happening. Kyle dropped and rolled, getting out of the line of fire as bullets shredded the air where hed been standing a split second before. Rolling into cover behind the pillar, Kyle moved to the right side of the column, bringing up his pistol as he came back out into the open. Framed in the entrance to the vault, the gunman was a perfect target and Kyle only needed a couple of heartbeats to bring his sights to bear on the gunman. Squeezing the trigger, the explosion of the shot was loud in the confines of the bank, the sound of the shot merging with the roar of automatic fire and the heavier boom from Katyas own Glock. A pair of 230 grain .45 semi jacketed hollow point round slammed into the gunman, each hitting with close to the impact energy of a small truck. Controlling the heavy pistol from the recoil, Kyle unleashed a second shot which impacted less than an inch from his first, the three bullets knocking the gunman off his feet as he fell to the floor. Another gunman appeared behind him, spraying more fire from an automatic weapon in the general direction of where Kyle was hiding. Bullets ripped through the air, punching through the stone pillar and showering Kyle with splinters of marble as he took cover. Dropping to his belly, Kyle rolled into the open, knowing he was safe below the hail of bullets, squeezing off six shots in rapid succession before the slide of his pistol locked open on an empty chamber. Ejecting the empty clip, he reloaded quickly, unleashing four more shots in rapid succession. When the shooting had started the gunman with the hostage had turned towards the newer threat, Katya, trying to keep the woman between himself and the female cop. Seeing the woman he opened fire, his two shots striking the planter she was hiding behind, sending chips of stone spraying into her face. He could hear the gunfire from behind him, knew his friend was keeping the other cop occupied, as he concentrated his own fire on the female cop. The cop moved into the open a little, her fire aimed at the second gunman by the vault who was spraying her partner with nine millimeter slugs from his Uzi. Die, bitch, hissed the gunman, as he opened fire on Katya. The first four or five rounds missed Katya, but the next two slammed heavily into her body. She felt the impacts on her vest, two solid blows that felt as if shed been kicked by a horse and knocked her off her feet. As she fell her head struck the planter shed been hiding behind earlier, and that was all she knew before oblivion took her. Unaware that Katya was down, Kyle had his own problems to deal with. The gunman by the vault was spraying his position with fire from his Uzi, hosing the air with a deadly, buzzing, spray. Reloading once more, Kyle dropped low, steadying his aim as he rested his right elbow on the ground and squeezed off two shots in rapid succession. The two rounds slammed into the gunman, dropping him almost instantly as the bullets shredded his heart and left lung. With the immediate threat eliminated Kyle turned his attention to the last, remaining gunman. The man was shooting at something to the left, which had to be Katya, his left side exposed and Kyle took careful aim before he fired. The heavy slug ripped into the gunman, shattering ribs before it stopped a fraction before it hit his spine. The gunman fell, dragging his hostage down with him, his pistol sliding from his grip as he landed heavily. Not about to take any chances, Kyle cautiously approached the gunman, keeping his weapon trained on the man all the time. Reaching him, Kyle kicked the pistol away from his outstretched fingers, before he roughly grabbed the mans hands and cuffed them behind his back, ignoring the howls of pain that came from the gunman as he did so. Checking the hostages were okay, that none had been hit during the gunfight, he suddenly realized that Katya was missing. Katya! Katya! He called her name, looking around for her as he finally set the safety on his weapon. The hostages had just confirmed that there were only three gunmen. Looking around, he suddenly saw something lying on the floor, over by one of the planters. Recognizing Katya he moved quickly, reaching for his radio as he saw the blood on her head and realized shed been hit. Officer down! Officer down! He yelled into the radio, even as he tried to remember his training. It looked like she had a head wound, which meant he shouldnt touch her, although he did tentatively check for a pulse, and he slumped to the floor, feeling worse than helpless, as he waited and prayed that she would be okay. As she had listened to Kyles plan outside Katya two against three with hostages caught in the middle was not the best thing to try. However they had to try because things had gone south already with the three killing someone. They had to take the initiative back from the bad guys and they would never believe what was going to happen! Getting into the bank was actually quite easy. She guessed the robbers were so focused on what they were doing that they hadnt kept an eye on the door. The hostages were all down on the floor and certainly not looking up. The planters were nicely big that they hid her well. Crouching low, Katya risked a look up to get the lay of the land. Frak. She couldnt get an angle on the gunman with the hostage. Slight movement in the vault area. Didnt see the third. In the vault too? Kyles announcement. She stayed hidden for a few extra seconds. When she pops up itll throw them off balance. And....up she goes! The one with the hostage turning, giving Kyle an opening. Perfect....Frak! Uzi! The Glock booming in her hand. Aiming but also to keep him busy. Kyle was the sharpshooter. Frak! The third! Switching her aim, the last round fired at the first hit him high in the upper right chest to blow his shoulder apart. Final four rounds knocks plaster and marble pieces at the second to make him duck. Easing the fire on Kyle. Dropped down to reload and flinch at the bits of debris hitting. Thinking the second Uzi is pot shotting her. Up and fire. Distract him for Kyle! Glock booming again. Gunman flinched. Round barely missed head. Next one will be on.... KICKED BY A MULE!! OWWWW!!!! Blackness....