FriscoDreams19

The teams from North Beach Division and the SIU had taken their positions in the club when Nash Bridges arrived. Walking into the surveillance room, he found Ron Jameson and Tom Nelson finishing a last minute check of the recording equipment. "Good Evening, Gentlemen. What's say we do a quick sound check before the action starts.” Taking a seat at the table, he pulled the voice-activated microphone closer and spoke. "Joe, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, Nashman. Ronnie and I are seated at a table that's about two away from Bastille's. You should be able to see us on the camera."    Nash looked up at the monitor to see that Joe and Ronnie were smiling and waving. "That's not funny, Joseph."   Shrugging, Joe turned to Ronnie and said, "I thought it was funny."

Shaking his head, Nash continued. "Cassidy, where are you?"

"I'm working the floor,” she answered in a breathless voice. Sitting the tray loaded with empty glasses on the bar, she continued.   “I'm a waitress, remember?”   This was her first major assignment and Cassidy was nervous. Tonight could make or break her career as an SIU officer. It was also a chance to honor Evan’s memory by helping to protect his sister.

“Cass, think about all of those tips that you’ll be getting.” He teased.   “Rachel, how about you?”

“We hear you fine, Nash. The sound is the least of our problems. Could you have some hot coffee sent out to us?   Harrow, Grant and I are freezing our backsides off.”   Rachel and the two North Beach Officers had parked the black sedan just outside of the club’s main entrance. Their orders were to follow Bastille’s limousine when he and Casey departed. The cold San Francisco night was making the wait very difficult.

“I’ll talk to Chuck about the coffee. Hang in there, guys. Things should be heating up very soon.

Rachel: “Cute Nash.”

With a chuckle, Nash continued.   “Harv, what about you and Antwon?”

“No problem, boss.”    “Loud and Clear.”   Harvey and Antwon answered simultaneously.

“Nice to see that the two of you are in sync.” Nash replied.   Leaning back in the chair, he nodded his head as he watched the monitors. The stage was set; all players were in place and on high alert as they awaited the arrival of Ramone Bastille and company.

*

“Where’s your gun?” Stephanie asked when Casey walked out of the dressing area.   No way she could be wearing it on her person in that outfit.   “It’s in my purse. Don’t worry; I’m not leaving without it. But this should make you feel better.”   Casey lifted her skirt and revealed a 38 snubnose strapped to her thigh.   “Well aren’t you the smart one. I didn’t know that you owned one of those?” Stephanie remarked.

“I don’t, it’s Harvey’s. He bought it from Evan.” Casey told her. She reached into her bag and took out a small black velvet box. “Harvey gave me something else too.”

Stephanie’s eyes widened when she saw the box in Casey’s hand. It was definitely a box that held some type of jewelry. “OH MY GOD! Harvey proposed?”

“What? No, this is not a ring.” Casey told her.   “Check these out.”   She opened the box, took out a pair of diamond earrings and handed one to Stephanie. “There’s a tracking devise implanted in the setting of each earring. Harvey called in a few favors from a PI friend. He loaned us the earrings and a top of the line tracking monitor. It’s set up in the back of Twon’s SUV.”

“Very impressive.” Stephanie said as she helped Casey put the earrings on. “Harvey truly cares for you, girl. He’s worried about you.”

“I know” Casey quietly replied. “Steph, thanks for agreeing to watch out for Chuck and Jen tonight. One more favor, please?   Keep an eye on Harvey for me.”

“No problem,” Stephanie said as they shared a hug. She took a step back and gave her friend a reassuring smile.   “Good luck, partner.”

*

Despite some technical problems with the equipment, the crowd noticed nothing unusual about the band’s performance. The North Beach Officers went through the motions of performing as a country music band but remained focus on the task at hand. After the set, the band members exited the stage but Casey remained behind. She sat down on the steps and stared out at the sea of faces. Caring friends and co-workers surrounded her, but at this moment she felt scared and alone. The reality of the situation was suddenly all too clear. “Why am I doing this?” she thought. Tommy and Evan had lost their lives while on undercover assignments. During a bank robbery, a gunman had shot and killed Cody simply because he was wearing a uniform. She had come dangerously close to losing her own life because of this assignment and now she was risking her life again. Was this job worth all of the pain and suffering?   Did she really want to be a cop anymore?

*
Harvey was unusually quiet.   Casey held his attention but he would cast an occasional glance towards the front entrance of the club. He didn’t know which was worse, waiting for Bastille to show up or seeing the woman that he loved in such pain. He knew that it wasn’t just a physical pain that she was feeling. Both of their hearts were hurting and the argument they had earlier in the day hadn’t helped matters.

“Casey looks a little down, Harv.” Antwon’s comment interrupted Harvey’s thoughts. “Yeah, I noticed. Something’s not right; I can feel it.”

Nash Bridges had overheard the comment that Harvey had made. “What was that about Casey, Harv?”

“Nothing boss. I was just thinking out loud.”

Nash caught sight of Casey as the camera zoomed in on the stage area. He studied the monitor for a moment and then asked, “Is there something I should know about, Harvey?”

“It’s personal, Nash.”

“So that’s why Harvey is so dead set against her meeting with Bastille. He’s in love with her,” Nash realized as he continued to watch the monitor. He smiled to himself as he thought of the struggle that Harvey must have been having with his conscience. What would Evan think of their relationship? Was it wise to become involved with a fellow officer? Nash knew well the stress that came from dating a co-worker. Leaning towards the microphone, he softly spoke. “Hang in there, Bubba. This will be over soon.”

“I hear what you’re saying, Nash,” Harvey answered. A few minutes later, his attention was drawn to the front entrance. “Looks like it’s showtime boys. They’re here.”

*
Ramone Bastille entered the club followed by Mario Baptiste and their entourage. They made their way to the table and sat down while several members stood guard. Bastille placed a drink order before getting down to business. “Any word on Hector?”

Baptiste: None. He’s nowhere to be found. One of my boys heard that a couple of Texas cops were looking for him. He probably blew town to avoid expedition back to Amarillo. The man stood to make a cool mil tonight but opted to run. His loss! I guess that means more money for us, right Ramone?”

Bastille gave him a stern look and advised, “Stay focused on the plan, Mario. After Santieago is safely on board the ship, THEN we will talk about the money.” His attention turned to Casey as she walked towards the dressing room. “Just a few more hours, my friend. Then we celebrate.”

*

Casey lay down on the dressing room couch and placed a cool cloth to her forehead. She didn’t want anyone to know that she wasn’t feeling well. Hopefully, with a little rest, she would be fine. She was dozing when a knock on the door startled her. “Please don’t let it be Bastille.” She thought as she got up from the couch. “Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Harvey replied and she quickly opened the door. “Hey, I need to fit the wire to you.”

Casey avoided making eye contact with Harvey as he placed the mike inside the front of her dress. When his fingers accidentally brushed against her skin, she trembled. Harvey noticed her reaction to his touch but didn’t acknowledge it. Instead, he began explaining about the equipment. “I’ll be recording and listening in on your conversation with Bastille. We will be tracking you with the monitor so try no to worry.” Casey nodded that she understood instead of speaking. She was afraid that he would hear the fear in her voice.

“Casey, look at me.” When she didn’t comply, he playfully put an index finger under her chin and lifted her face. “Look at me” he repeated in a soft singsong manner. “This will be over very soon, baby. Just stay strong for a little while longer.” He leaned down and kissed her gently but she pushed away from him. “I’m sorry, Harvey, I …”   He smiled and put a finger to her lips to quiet her. “It’s ok, I understand.   When this is over, however, you and I are going to have one hell of a long talk.”

As he opened the door to leave, he looked back at her. He wanted to tell her but this was neither the time nor the place. Harvey quickly closed the door behind him before he had the chance to change his mind. Casey sat down at the vanity and freshened her lipstick. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and picked up her jacket and purse. “Let’s do this.”

*

Bastille stood up to greet Casey with a kiss on the cheek. “Are you ready to leave?”

“Absolutely” she replied. Looking around at the large entourage, she asked, “Are your friends coming with us?”   Bastille laughed and told her that they would be following in another car. “Fine, shall we go?”   Casey turned around and found herself staring up at one of the large bodyguards. “I need a moment” he told her.

“I beg your pardon?”

Bastille leaned down and spoke softly in her ear. “He needs to check for electronic devises. In my line of work, I can’t afford to take unnecessary chances.”

Casey turned around to face Bastille and smiled up at him. “Let me explain this to you in plain English.   If he touches me, you don’t.

Bastille didn’t answer right away and Casey turned to walk away. “I guess I have my answer. Goodnight, Mr. Bastille. Thank you for spoiling what would have been a lovely evening.”    Bastille caught her arm and apologized as he waved the guard off. “I have a few enemies and I have to be careful.” He motioned for the others to join them and then put his arm around Casey’s waist to escort her out of the club.

“Spunky little thing, isn’t she?” Nash exclaimed as the other men laughed. Before making their way to the Cuda, Nash notified the other officers. “Rachel, they’re headed your way. All units move out.”

*

Bastille had Casey exactly where he wanted her; in the backseat of a limo with no way out. When he tried to kiss her, she turned her head. “Let’s talk first. I believe that you are the one who said that we would celebrate AFTER your meeting.” Casey knew that there was only one way to get the information that they would need for a conviction. “You intrigue me, Ramone. You are such a powerful man but your life is such a mystery. Can’t you give me a little hint about what’s happening tonight?” Wrapping his tie around her hand, she pulled him close. “Please?” Bastille moved closer to her. If she wanted to play games, then he wanted to see how far she would go to win. “Why are you so interested in my business?” he asked while tracing the outline of her neck with his fingers. As much as his touch repulsed her, she pretended to enjoy his caress. “Because you are a dangerous man, Mr. Bastille. The combination of power and danger is so…well…stimulating!”   He watched as she crossed her legs and then placed his hand on her thigh. Casey caught her breath when his hand almost touched the pistol. Turning to face her, Bastille asked, “So, I tell you about my business and then what happens?” Casey leaned in and began to whisper what she knew he wanted to hear.

*

“What the hell did she just say? I’ve never heard her use that word before.” Harvey was absolutely livid listening to the conversation that was taking place in the back of the limo. “OH NO YOU WON’T! Did you hear that? She’ll do that over my dead body!” Antwon and Stephanie found Harvey’s ranting rather amusing but suppressed their laughter. Antwon glanced at his partner through the rearview mirror and tried to calm him down. “Harv, get a grip man. She’s acting.”   Harvey shook his head as he pushed the headphones off. “I can’t listen to this. I should have forbid her from doing this.”

Stephanie turned in the seat and looked back at him in disbelief. “Harvey, you can’t stop Casey from doing something once her mind is made up. Believe me, I tried but she’s so darned stubborn.”   Harvey thought for a moment about some of the things that Evan had done over the years. “Evan was stubborn too. It must be a family thing.”

*

Over the next twenty minutes, Bastille revealed information that the SFPD would need to arrest him. “The cops are looking to make a drug bust but it has nothing to do with drugs.” He finished describing the plan and looked rather smug when he revealed, “Santieago gets his freedom and I get several million dollars in cash. And the sweetest part is that the cops don’t have a clue.”

“That’s amazing” Casey told him. She felt rather smug herself knowing that every word he had spoken had been recorded.

The cars pulled into a deserted spot on the docks and parked. “Wait here. This shouldn’t take long.” Bastille and the driver got out of the car and began walking towards a cargo truck.   Casey quickly informed Harvey of their location. “We are at the north end of the docks. The truck with Santieago has arrived and Bastille’s men are moving towards it now. The name of the ship is the Amazonian at Berth B.”

Harvey acknowledged the information. “Alright Casey, we copy that.”   Keying the mike on the hand-held communicator, Harvey issued instructions to the other officers. “Units A and B, get read to move in on my signal.”   Putting the headphones back on, Harvey continued to monitor the tracking signal. “Casey, we are almost there. You stay put and we will handle Bastille and the others. The units are standing by for your signal to move in.”

She watched as two men emerged from the back of the truck. One was an older man with shoulder length white hair. “They are moving Santieago. It’s going down now. Move in!” She grabbed the gun from her purse and in the rush to get out of the car, the transmitter wire became disconnected.

“Casey, say again I didn’t read you. Casey? Damn it, we lost her.”   Harvey threw the headphones off as he reached for his gun and radio. Antwon brought the car to a screeching halt and the three officers ran towards the dock with weapons drawn. Harvey was yelling instructions over the radio to the units. “Officer needs assistance. Get in there…now!”