| Ten-One Chapter 30 |
| Nash Bridges stormed into David Katz’s office and tossed a report onto the FBI agent’s desk. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about this sooner?” Katz held a finger to his lips and then pointed towards the ceiling. “Now Nash, I can explain. Why don’t we discuss this over lunch? I’m buying.” As they walked from the Federal Building, Nash noticed Katz checking out the surroundings and glancing a few times over his shoulder. “Feeling a bit paranoid today, bubba?” “I think there’s a leak in my department, Nash. I didn’t want this information falling into the wrong hands.” “Katz, the information never fell into the right hands. I find it appalling that you withheld information about a contract on one of my men.” “I didn’t really withhold the information, Bridges. It was delayed. Things happen.” “What things?” Nash closed the distance between them and stared at the agent with angry intent. “I’m going to suggest that you start talking…right now!” “All hell has broke lose in Vegas, Nash. There’s been a major shakeup in Roy McNair’s organization. Our operatives could be in serious danger.” * “GOOD MORNING!” Casey announced as she entered the bedroom carrying a tray of food. “Breakfast in bed, sir.” Harvey sat up and rubbed his eyes, still not quite awake. “What have I done to deserve such a treat?” “What have you done?” Casey placed the tray on the bedside table and playfully climbed onto the bed and stretched out next to him. “Let’s see…you took care of me while I recuperated from the stabbing, you’ve saved my life several times over the past few months, you gave me your friendship and unconditional love. And if that’s not enough, six weeks ago today you made all my dreams come true by saying, ‘I do’. Happy anniversary, darlin.” Harvey twirled a lock of her hair through his fingers as he quietly listened while she talked. He loved the way she could touch his heart and stir his feelings by simply speaking what was on her heart. Pulling her into his arms, he held her in a grip so tight that she found it almost impossible to breathe. “Six very happy weeks.” Casey closed her eyes and clung to him with equal strength. She reached for his hand and clasped her fingers with his, holding tight. Somehow the playful mood had turned into an extremely emotional moment. She shifted towards him, rising over his chest to brush her lips lightly against his. “I should get moving. I have a meeting with a client at B&D this morning.” “Not just yet.” He refused to let go when she attempted to move. “Five more minutes, ok?” As they shared a lingering kiss, Harvey quickly threw back the comforter and reached to loosen the sash of her robe. With one quick motion, he flipped Casey onto her back. He gazed down at her with great satisfaction and grinned mischievously. “Ok, so maybe I meant forty-five more minutes. Happy Anniversary, baby.” * Harvey’s mood was pensive as he stood at the upper deck window and stared out at the bay. The dim lighting cast shadows upon his face and his eyes appeared darker, almost moody. His gaze never wavered and he seemed oblivious to his surrounding. That’s how Casey found him. She arrived early for their lunch date and slipped in through the rear entrance. She took out the camera that she carried whenever she was working a case for B&D and snapped a photo of her new husband. When the flash from the camera didn’t faze him, she walked up behind him, slipped her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “Penny for your thoughts, Inspector.” A slight smile came to his lips and he covered her hands with his as he glanced over his shoulder to see her smiling face. “Hey baby. What brings you down here so early?” “It’s almost noon. We have a lunch date, remember?” She slipped easily into his arms when he turned to face her. “You looked so sad just now. Is there anything you need to tell me?” “Yes, there is something you should know.” Harvey hugged her closer and brushed his lips against her hair. “I love you with all my heart, Casey Leek. Please don’t ever forget that.” Pushing away from his embrace, she frowned as she looked up at him. “Harvey, you’re scaring me. If there’s something going on, then please, tell me.” “There’s nothing going on, baby. I guess I’m obsessing over something that Nash told me earlier.” “Want to talk about it?” “Uh…no, I can deal with it but thanks for the offer. I’m afraid I have to break our lunch date. We have a meeting with David Katz.” Seeing the worried look on her face, he forced a smile for her benefit. “Stop worrying about me, ok? I’m just having a bad day.” “Hey Harv, Katz is here. He’s in interrogation with Nash and Joe.” Officer Ronnie stopped short when he saw that Casey was with Harvey. “Sorry to interrupt. Hi Casey.” “Hi Ronnie. How’s it going?” “Thanks Ronnie. I’ll be right there.” “Duty calls.” Harvey sighed and leaned down for a quick kiss. “I’ll see you later. I love you.” “And I love you, too. Probably more.” She added with a laugh. As he reluctantly walked away, he held on to her hand until it eventually slipped from his grasp. Casey took a deep breath hoping to calm her nerves. Her senses seemed to be operating on high alert and her stomach felt as though it were tied in knots. Harvey was keeping something from her but she knew that pushing the issue would only lead to an argument. Maybe after a relaxing dinner at home tonight, she could coax the information out of him. * “You pathetic son of a bitch!” Harvey pulled David Katz from the chair and slammed him against the wall. Thankfully, Antwon pulled Harvey away before punches could be thrown. Harvey paced the length of the table a few times before flopping down on a chair. He struggled to regain his composure but continued to stare at the FBI agent with contempt. Adjusting his jacket, Katz made an attempt to hide the fact that Harvey had intimidated him. “We didn’t have all the facts on the alleged contract, Leek. I didn’t feel the need to cause undue worry to you or your family.” “YOU put my family in harms way, Katz. YOU should have notified me the moment you knew that someone had put a hit out on me.” “Alright, that’s enough.” Nash stepped up to end the argument before it escalated into something more serious. “Let’s move on to the matter at hand…protecting Harvey.” “Precisely why I’m here today. Gentlemen, you’ve all heard about the situation in Las Vegas. In three weeks, we launch Plan B. Everyone should start making preparations now.” “No, no…wait a minute, Katz. I just got married. I can’t just up and leave my wife without an explanation.” “YOU volunteered for this assignment, Leek.” “That was over a year ago, Katz.” “Look…Harvey…this is the only way I can guarantee your safety until we can figure out a way to get this contract cancelled.” The men continued to debate the issue and twenty minutes later Harvey threw up his hands as if in surrender. Katz departed and Nash continued the discussion while Harvey slumped down in the chair looking as if his world had just ended. * It had been a long frustrating day and Harvey felt somewhat relieved when the shift ended. Now he faced the task of explaining the assignment to Casey. He gathered his things and headed for the door with Antwon following behind. “Hey Harv, I’m going to stop by CJ’s for a beer. Wanna join me?” “I can’t tonight, man. I have to discuss this assignment with Casey.” As Harvey pulled on his jacket, Antwon’s attention was drawn to the small white car that was slowly circling the parking lot. When one of the darkened windows was lowered, the sunlight flashed on something metal. “Gun! Get down!” Harvey and Antwon dove to the ground as shots rang out. They were like sitting ducks as they lay on the walkway with no way to seek cover. The commotion brought Nash, Ronnie and the other officers running from the SIU to offer assistance. Antwon yelled for the officers to cover them and he and Harvey made a mad dash for the SIU entrance. The shooter fired another shot and the SIU officers looked on in horror as a bullet hit Harvey in the back and threw his body forward. “NO!” Nash shouted instructions to the officers as he began making his way to his wounded friend. Harvey felt as though he were moving in slow motion. He could hear the sounds of chaos all around with men shouting and guns blaring. Using the walkway railing, he pulled himself to his feet. As he dragged himself along the guardrail, Harvey looked up to see Nash running towards him and reached out to him. Another shot rang out and Harvey felt himself fall forward before everything went black. With their mission accomplished, the car sped out of the parking lot and turned the corner headed for the docks. Antwon and Joe charged the parking lot, firing shots at the car in an attempt to thwart their get away. Nash and the other officers were frantically searching the water around the barge for Harvey. The last shot had caused him to fall over the rail and into the water. “Someone call 911. We need search and rescue out here on the double.” Nash instructed several of the officers to split up and search the area. Harvey would need medical attention when he was found and he could be somewhere on the shore waiting for help. Turning back to the bay, he scanned the dark water in hopes of finding his friend. “Come on, Harvey. Where are you?” * Casey found it hard to concentrate on the case she was working on at the B&D offices. She couldn’t seem to shake the feeling of dread that followed her when she left the SIU earlier in the day. She stared at the phone and thought about calling Harvey to check in with him. At that moment, Nash and Joe walked into the office. “Hi guys. I met with the people from Kennemer’s Artworks this morning and they hired us. I took the liberty of making up a computer file so you can find all the info…” It took a moment for Casey to notice the solemn expressions on the two men’s faces. Without a word exchanged between them, she knew what they were about to tell her. “It’s Harvey, isn’t it?” “There’s no easy way to say this. There was a drive by shooting at the SIU this afternoon. Harvey took two bullets in the back. He didn’t make it, Casey. I’m so sorry.” “NO! DEAR GOD, NO!” Casey lowered herself into the chair and covered her face with her hands. Hearing the words sent a cold chill through her body but she knew it was true. She felt a surge of anger followed by a feeling of helplessness and frustration. Finally, she felt numb. She wanted to cry but the tears wouldn’t come. “I want to see him. Where is he?” “He’s still at the hospital but I don’t think that you should see him.” Nash kneeled down beside the chair. “What you don’t know is that when Harvey was shot, the impact caused him to fall from the barge into the water. His body was found just a short time ago. Casey, I identified him. It was difficult…the body suffered some trauma. Maybe it would be best to remember Harvey as he was the last time you saw him. Trust me on this, please.” “But Nash, I need some kind of proof. I need to know that the person you identified is really Harvey.” Nash reached into his pocket and took out Harvey’s necklace and wedding band and placed it in her hand. As she stared at the items, the tears finally began to flow. “He never took them off. It’s true, isn’t it? He’s really gone.” Tears filled Nash’s eyes as he held her while she cried. “Yes Casey, it’s true. Harvey’s gone.” |
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