| 3E Victoria |
| Harvey nodded his head absentmindedly as Nash and Joe formulated their next move. No way was Harvey going to let Rick escape this time. There was too much at stake. And now that everyone at the SIU knew Marshall was behind these bombings, it was even more important for the three men keep a tight lid on what had happened the last time they tangled with Rick Marshall. Nash snapped his fingers lightly. "Harvey?" "Yes Nash?" "Haven't you been listening?" Nash scowled. "This is no time for a nap." "Sorry. It won't happen again. This situation with Marshall has me a little spooked." "I understand, but Harv I really need your help with this one." "Yes boss." He heard the strain in his own voice as he responded to Nash's warning. Ducking his head slightly in embarrassment, Harvey tried to focus on what Nash and Joe were contemplating next. "So we're all agreed?" "Yep." Joe turned his head in the direction of Evan and Michelle. "What about those two? You gonna tell them what's going on?" The young detectives were sitting at their desks, trying not to make it obvious that they were miffed about being left out of the meeting. Nash rubbed at his jaw wearily. "You know we can't-" "Do you think that's wise Nashman?" "No. But this information is on a need to know basis. And right now, they don't need to know." Nash headed towards the front of the barge. "Ok. Let's get this guy. I want him in custody before anyone goes home tonight." Harvey followed in Nash's footsteps, and then Joe fell into step beside him. It was going to be hard to continue working on this case without revealing anything to Evan. And one thing was certain, his partner wasn't going to like it one bit. ~~~~~~~~ Evan and Harvey sat in the truck, motionless and mute. Evan stared straight ahead, drumming his fingers lightly against the steering wheel, his eyes focused on a tiny crack in his windshield as if it was the most important thing in the world. Harvey fidgeted with his badge for several minutes before tucking it back into his jacket pocket. "Evan?" "Yeah bro?" "You ok with this?" "Sure." Harvey sighed heavily. "You know that if I could tell you-" "Don't worry about it Harvey. I understand." But Harvey could tell that it wasn't ok. They shared everything that mattered, past and present. Sometimes their lives depended on the trust the two detectives had built up over the past few years. "Ev-" Evan twisted his head slightly, glancing out the window and peering up into the dark, cloudy sky. "Looks like it might stop raining soon." "Right." Harvey shifted in his seat and cast another look at the abandoned multiplex across the street. Luckily it was a busy evening. Lots of traffic pulled in and out of the shopping mall parking lot so Harvey and Evan were pretty much inconspicuous if anyone happened to be watching. A few minutes later Harvey's head snapped up. "We have company." The familiar outline scurried down the sidewalk and entered the building via a side entrance. "Ok." Evan pushed open his door and stepped down onto the wet pavement. "Let's go." "Um, Evan-" "Yeah?" "I need you to wait in the truck." "Wha-?" "Please Evan, don't argue with me about this. I'll be fine." Harvey grimaced at the look on Evan's face as the younger cop hopped back into the vehicle. "Can you understand that I have to go in there alone? I can't be distrac-" "Sure Harv." Evan shrugged. "Whatever." Harvey closed the truck door, heaved a heavy sigh, and jogged across the street after his target. Hopefully his CI would give him exactly what they needed to shut Rick down. Permanently. Making a mental note of people milling about on the street, Harvey pulled on the handle of the heavy steel door and slipped quietly inside. It only took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dark interior. He criss-crossed his way through rows of tattered old movie seats, proceeded up the aisle and climbed the stairs leading to the upper balcony. If Alex stayed true to form, this wasn't going to take very long. "Hi Harvey." "Alex?" Harvey squinted into the ink blackness, trying to get a look at the shadowy figure standing before him. "Yes. It's good to see you. I-" Harvey put up his hand. "Don't- I'm in no mood to rehash the past. Besides, this isn't the time." "Ok." Alex set loose the mane of blond hair that had been hiding underneath the hood of her camel coat, and before Harvey had time to think she moved directly into his field of vision. "I shouldn't be here. You know that?" "I know. Thanks for taking this risk, but I need you help." "Why?" "It's Marshall." "Rick?" Alex's composure slipped for the briefest moment. "What's he got to do with this?" If he didn't know better, Harvey would have thought she was actually surprised by his announcement. Alex had obviously spent the last few years working on her act. "I think you know." "Me? I don't know what you're-" STOP!" "Harvey, why are you so mad at me?" "You never change, do you Alex?" Pulling a jagged hand through his shaggy hair, Harvey leaned against the back of the nearest seat. "Why does this always have to be so hard? For once, can't we have an honest conversation? Without all the bull." "I'm sorry Harvey. You know that don't you?." Harvey lifted his head and stared into Alex's face, searching for something he could believe in, even for the briefest moment. "I'd like to-" "Well, well, well- isn't this cozy?" The light streaming in from the broken skylight in the theatre's expansive ceiling illuminated Rick Marshall's twisted face. "How you doing' Leek?" "Not so good at the moment. You?" "I'm on the top of the world. This has been a good day." "So you're idea of a good day is murdering people in cold blood?" Marshall threw back his head and laughed out loud. The sound was deafening in the deserted theatre. "You're insane." Harvey shifted, trying to get into a better position. He also tried to ignore the look of phony concern plastered across Alex's face. It was false. Harvey had felt certain that she'd betray him to Marshall. Again. And unfortunately, or fortunately in this case, she had done exactly what was expected of her. Shaking his head, Rick eyed Harvey like a hunter preparing for the kill. "It was purely practical. While you and Nash and the rest of that motley crew were chasing around town after my phony bombs, I was pulling off the coup of all times." "Really?" Harvey hoped that he could keep Rick talking long enough, before he realized that he was being set up. And the more Marshall talked, the more evidence they would have against him in court. "Enlighten me." "My associates and I moved more than 5 billion dollars from Miami, through San Francisco and into secured off-shore bank accounts. With the SIU preoccupied this afternoon with that wild goose chase, we had no trouble at all completing our transactions" Harvey couldn't believe his ears. All those people were dead because Rick and his associates needed a distraction. He vaulted off the seat and lunged at Marshall's throat. "You son of a-" Before Harvey could do any real damage, however, the two waiting guards stepped in to stop him. Both were well armed, and within seconds the larger of the two had the barrel of his gun cradled against the nape of Harvey's neck. "Back off cop!" Harvey reluctantly loosened his grip on Rick's neck and stepped into the aisle. "Nothing's changed has it Rick? You're either too chicken or too lazy to do your own dirty work." The lines in Marshall's face tightened. "It doesn't look like you've gotten any smarter in the last seven years either. You still don't know when to shut up." He grabbed a gun from the nearest bodyguard and smashed the butt into Harvey's temple. Throbbing pain radiated throughout his skull, but he refused to give into to Rick's manic desire to inflict pain. "Did that hurt?" Harvey remained silent. "Nothing to say Leek? Maybe I should try again." "No! Please Rick-" Alex's anguished cry broke Marshall's concentration. Harvey had almost forgotten she was there. He forced himself to not hear the pain in her voice. Her remorse did very little to make up for past transgressions. Marshall grabbed her arm and motioned to one of his guards. "Take her outside. I'll deal with her after I'm done with Inspector Leek." "Don't hurt her Rick. It's me you want." Closing his eyes, he prayed that Rick would give up everything soon, before this got really ugly. Harvey fell to his knees, feigning defeat. "Ah! Alex always was your weakness, wasn't she?" Rick started pacing around again. "She delivered you to me the first time, and she's done so again. Too bad you don't have better instincts when it comes to women." Rick chuckled to himself and then proceeded to push Harvey down the steps like he was no more important than a pawn in some cosmic chess game. "You're pathetic. Did you know that?" Harvey didn't speak. Maybe his silence would force Rick to confess. "Answer me!" Rick's voice boomed all around him. Shifting all his weight onto one foot, Rick kicked Harvey in the ribs with his steel-toed boots. "What's the matter with you? Do you have a death wish?" Focusing on the small pool of blood that was dripping from the gash in his forehead and onto the faded carpet in front of him, Harvey held his breath. An image floated in his head. He wouldn't speak. Not a word. In the end, whatever pan he had to endure would be worth it. They deserved that much from him. "Agh!" Rick moved around Harvey's body, poking at him with the gun, kicking him repeatedly in an effort to provoke a response. Marshall's assault lasted for ten minutes or more. "You're just like that stubborn aunt and uncle of yours. I couldn't get a word out of them either. Over and over, day after day but they wouldn't budge. Nothing would get them to betray their precious nephew. They HAD to die. It was the only way. And now you will too-" "Not so fast Bubba." Nash emerged from his hiding place behind the seats, taking Marshall by surprise. "Drop it!" Joe got the drop on Marshall's henchman. He ordered the man to the floor and slapped a pair of cuffs onto his prisoner. Rick pointed the gun at Harvey's head. "Back off Bridges or I'll blow his head off." "Trust me, you don't want to go down for killing a cop." "I don't care. Leek's going to die!" Nash moved forward slowly. "You know I'm not going to let that happen." "One more step and they're mopping this guy's brains up with a dust buster." Harvey gauged his attack carefully. Nash was doing his best to distract Marshall. If he timed this properly, it'd be all over. One, two- A shot rang out. The bullet hit its mark with alarming accuracy. Weapon raised and ready, Nash whirled around to see where the bullet had originated. The culprit was barely visible behind the curtains draped in front of the massive movie screen. Cortez. Taking a cautious step forward, Nash kicked the gun away from Marshall's hand. "You alright Harvey?" "Nothing a few days off won't cure." If Harvey was not mistaken, at the very least he had multiple broken ribs and a nasty concussion. He stood, taking in Marshall's limp form. Rick wouldn't cause any more problems. For anyone. Harvey collapsed into one of the red velvet seats. It was over. Now his aunt and uncle could rest in peace. His eyes started to drift close. The last few days had been taxing, emotionally and physically. And Harvey still wasn't sure he and Evan would ever be able to recapture their easy friendship. Evan climbed the stairs and sat down next to his friend. "How you feeling?" "Fine." "We have to get you to the hospital." "Don't worry about it. I'm sure Nash is taking care of it." "Right." "I'm sorry." "About what?" "This thing with Marshall. There were certain aspects that I couldn't reveal to anyone. You understand, don't you?" Evan nodded his head. "Sure Harvey." "And despite what happened here tonight, I still can't tell you what went on seven years ago." Harvey waited. He knew this was going to be difficult for the other man to accept. "I'm just glad you're ok." Evan patted Harvey lightly on the shoulder. "Thanks. I do have one question though." "What?" "Where the hell did you learn to shoot like that? I don't remember that being part of basic academy training." Evan laughed and smiled at his friend wickedly. "I do have some secrets of my own, you know." Harvey shook his head in amusement. Evan never failed to surprise him. "Maybe you can tell me about it sometime. Right now I want to go home and forget this ever happened." THE END |