| Play Me A Country Song Chapter 5 |
| Saturday morning found Casey at CJ's bar discussing the investigation with Chuck and Jen Tanner. Casey: "I know this is tough for the two of you but with a little luck, we should be able to get the evidence that we need to wrap this thing up within a few days. Just keep keep your guard up at all times. Be aware of the people around you. If trouble starts, I want both of you outta here. I don't want either of you to be in a position to be taken hostage or worse. Will you promise me this? Jen Tanner had seen that look in Casey's eyes before. It had been there everytime Cody had went undercover or on a stakeout that was more than a little dangerous. She remembered many nights just sitting and talking with Casey, doing nothing more than trying to keep her calm until Cody could call. Jen: "Don't you worry, baby girl. If trouble starts, we'll be out of here so fast you won't even know we were here to begin with." Casey: Good! I don't have anything to worry about then! (checks the time) I've got to get changed for the show so I'll see the two of you later. As she exited the club, Casey noticed a young boy watching her. He was talking on a cell phone but wasn't close enough to hear the conversation. Boy: The woman is leaving now. She's driving a 2001 dark blue mustang...it's a rental. What's she look like? Maybe 5'6", long dark brown hair...she's pretty. Yeah, I got the tag number.... * Nash Bridges(answering his phone): Captain Bridges, SIU. Antwon: Captain, we've got a DB that fits the pattern drug smuggling murders...only this one's kinda messy. Nash(rubbing his eyes): Where? Antwon: Baker Beach. Nash: We're on our way. (gets up from his desk and begins walking towards the door) Come'on Joe...let's take a ride. * Nash and Joe arrived at the crime scene and an officer held up the yellow tape to allow them to enter the area. Antwon and Harvey walked over the car to greet them and fill them in on the details. Nash: What have you got, Harvey? Harvey: A young girl, possibly 16 or 17. She was shot at point blank range and then someone sliced her stomach open. My guess is that she was carrying drugs. (leans against the cuda and takes a deep breath) I tell you man, I've seen some pretty gruesome things in my years on the force but this one takes the cake. Antwon: CSU is checking the area now. A knife was found a few yards from the body and there were traces of blood on the blade. Terrell has already sent it in for testing to see if the blood type will match that of the girl. He said he would get the autopsy report to me as soon as possible. The men watched in silence as the body of the dead girl was carried to the coroner's van. Even after all of their years on the force, it was still hard to understand how such a young life could be snuffed out by such a violent act. Nash: Gentlemen, we need to find out who's behind these murders before another innocent kid dies. Put the word out on the street....let's see what information turns up. Oh and Harv....see what you can dig up on Ramone Bastille and his gang. Harvey: I'm already on it, boss. I began running a check on him this morning. Nash(slapping Harvey on the back before walking away): Nothing slow about you, Bubba. Harvey(laughing): All those double lattes, you know. * Casey arrived at the apartment to find a bouquet of flowers waiting for her. The card simply read "Good Luck, Sister! Love, Steph." Even from many miles away, her friend was offering support and encouragement. Casey took a quick moment to send Steph an e-mail thanking her for the flowers then began to dress for the show. Black leather pants, A white poets shirt with a black leather belt and boots would do for the first show. She brushed her hair and flipped it back over her shoulder. " This looks alright... I guess" she mumbled aloud while checking the outfit in the mirror. Her stomach was tied in knots and she noticed that her hands were shaking just a little. "Get a grip, Casey" she thought to herself as she leaned against the bathroom wall. Casey closed her eyes and could almost hear Tommy's voice telling her: "Remember your training....remember what I've taught you." She opened her eyes and finished applying her makeup. There was a job to be done and she was determined to see Hector Gonzales brought to justice. * Eight o'clock...showtime! The band members made a last minute sound check with Officers Harrow and Grant, who were set up in a back room at the club monitoring the equipment. Each member had a set of two earphones, one to hear the music and one to stay in contact with the other officers in the club. Christine had just finished her sound check as they walked to the stage entrance and waited for Chuck to introduce them. Chuck: "Ladies and Gents, CJ's is proud to present a new addition to our little family. We decided that a live band was just what this place needed to get you people on your feet. So feel free to use the dance floor and don't hestitate to order the drinks either! It's my pleasure to introduce our new band... The Enforcers." Casey had taken a drink of water while waiting and when Chuck announced the band's name, she all but choked. Casey(laughing): Who came up with that name? Why not just call us the Undercover Officers? Oscar just shrugged and laughed as the band members walked out onto the stage and began to warm up their instruments. Casey: Thank you all for coming tonight. Now, let's have some fun! The band began playing an up-tempo song and the crowd lined up to dance the electric slide. Hearing the applause, cheers and whistles after the song put the band members at ease. The crowd was convinced that they were a real band. They performed for half an hour before taking a break and mingling with the crowd, shaking hands and chatting with the crowd. All the while, each officer was checking for familiar faces. Casey walked over to the bar and took a seat. She checked to see if Harrow and Grant had picked up anything on the cameras but the reply was "nothing". Their first night ended unsuccessfully, the suspects had not shown up. The team was somewhat discouraged but each one knew that there were many nights yet to come. * * * |
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