Return to Innocence

Part 6

Peter had tried to sleep before the 1:00 a.m. meeting, but he couldn't get the feeling of dread out of his mind. He tried to take comfort in his father's words, but found that they could no longer dispel his worries.

He entered the briefing room to find Michael had already arrived. The sight of a friendly face brought some comfort to the detective.

"Hey there," Peter said as he walked in and made a beeline for the coffeepot in the corner.

"Not used to these late shifts, huh?" Michael smiled.

"No. I've been working days and evenings for awhile. I haven't pulled this shift in ages. Think I'm getting to old for this." Peter returned his friend's smile.

"You'll get used to it. We've been working the 11 to 7 shift for so long that it doesn't even phase me anymore."

"Guess you don't do a lot of task force work in the daytime, huh?"

"Too hard to pin the dealers down then. It's much better to wait until night. They have to sleep sometime," Michael shrugged.

Other team members began filtering into the room. Soon, Barnes walked in, and the room became quiet. "All right, we have confirmation that our targets are at home, so we're on for tonight." Barnes looked at each of the men, eyes serious, "Check your equipment out and we'll meet at the vans in fifteen minutes."

The men dispersed quickly. Peter followed Michael to the equipment room, where they grabbed bulletproof vests and extra ammunition. The detectives slipped the vests over their street clothes and then put task force jackets over the vests. Peter checked the clip on his Barretta and slipped an extra clip in his pocket.

Michael then motioned for Peter to grab one end of a small battering ram. "We'll need this. These jokers don't usually open the door for us," he chuckled.

When the officers had gathered at the police vans, Barnes voice assembled them into a group. "Rosen? Gonzalez? Your teams will strike at exactly 2:00. That'll prevent our suspects from being able to warn each other. Don't take chances with these guys. Hit quick, restrain them, search the place, get the evidence and make the arrest. That's all." The two leaders nodded in confirmation. "You have the warrants?" Both nodded again.

"Precinct units will be on the streets to back you up. Call them in as soon as the premises are secured." Barnes glanced at his watch. It was almost 1:30. "As soon as the arrests are made and the evidence is gathered, meet back here for debriefing. Any questions?"

The room was silent. "Okay, men. . .let's do it." The officers began to wish each other luck on their operations and then they separated and headed for their respective vans.

Michael climbed behind the wheel of Team 3's van. Barnes climbed into the passenger seat. Peter climbed in back, next to two other team members, Pearson and Wilson. Peter looked at his fellow team members and saw eagerness in their eyes. Each was clearly looking forward to seeing action tonight. He had to wonder why he felt so lost. . .so depressed. . .filled with dread.

He shrugged off the feeling and looked out the window, appreciating the silence. Suddenly Barnes' voice broke the calm, "Caine?"

"Yes Sir?" Peter responded obediently.

"A few ground rules for you. We do things a little differently in this unit than what you're used to." Barnes said authoritatively.

Peter said nothing, waiting for Barnes to complete the sentence. No words followed. "Like what, Sir?"

"Let's just say that we don't follow the same procedures as regular police units." Barnes looked over his shoulder at the younger man. "I don't want you trying to take the lead in this. Let my men handle this. You watch. . .learn. . .back up their actions."

Peter cringed at the thought of being dead weight on the operation, "But Sir. . ."

Barnes cut him off, "No 'buts' Caine. After you've worked a couple of these operations, things will be different. For now, you let the me and the other three take the lead."

Peter sank back in the seat, "Yes Sir." The words were difficult to say, but Peter realized it would serve no purpose to argue. He would be there regardless, watching out for his fellow officers.

 

At 1:55, the van pulled in front of the apartment building which housed Theordore Watson's studio apartment. The men quickly and quietly left the van and proceeded through the main door of the building. The halls were poorly lit and they had to use a small flashlight to find the apartment number that belonged to the suspect.

Finally, they found the apartment numbered 302, the apartment of Theodore Watson. The five men approached the door, careful not to make a sound, but finding it difficult to cross the old wooden floor of the hallway without creaks and moans echoing through the building.

Barnes motioned for Wilson and Michael to take hold of the battering ram, one standing on each side of it. He then motioned for Peter to get behind Michael and Pearson behind Wilson. Barnes stood behind the four, looking at his watch. The four men looked at the leader and watched him count down the seconds to 2:00. He held up his left hand, holding his gun in his right. Peter and Pearson prepared their weapons at the same time. Barnes spread his fingers wide and then collapsed each one in a five second countdown. He mouthed silently, "Five. . .Four. . .Three. . .Two. . .One" and then he pointed to the battering ram.

Michael and Wilson swung the device with all their strength against the wooden door. The sound of the battering ram connecting with the door created an eruption of noise in the quiet hallway. The door bulged with the impact, but did not break. Barnes pointed again. Michael and Wilson swung their arms backwards and then forward again. This time when the battering ram hit the door, it collapsed inward. The momentum of the heavy equipment caused both men to stagger into the room. Peter and Pearson followed, with Barnes behind them.

Peter started to yell out "Police!," but before his mouth could form the word, there was an explosion which filled the room. Peter knew the sound all too well. . .the sound of a hammer hitting a bullet and the bullet leaving the chamber.

"NO!" Peter screamed and then a heavy weight collapsed against him and he fell to the floor, darkness overtaking him.

End Part 6

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