Joe Mannix pulled the Barracuda to a stop in front of Martini’s grocery and turned to his companion. “I won’t be long, Peg. Are you sure you don’t need anything?”
Peggy Fair turned towards the man beside her and smiled. “Not that I can think of, Joe. Adam is bringing the wine. I’m sure I have everything else.”
“As long as your sure,” Mannix gave her a cocky grin as he opened the door. He knew Peggy loved Martini’s store and would find it hard to resist going in. They’d been dating since they came to an understanding at Eagle Lake. Joe shook off the memory of that time. He’d taken Peggy and Toby on a camping trip to the Tobias cabin and ended up being attacked by convicts. He looked at Peggy and swallowed the lump in his throat. He’d nearly lost her to those animals and vowed he’d give their relationship a chance. That was six months ago and everyone knew they were seeing each other on a personal basis now.
Peggy didn’t miss the shudder that ran through his body and she knew where it came from. She still had her own share of nightmares from the experience at Eagle Lake. Joe Mannix nearly died from the injuries he sustained at that time. She forced a smile to her face as she reached for the door. “Maybe I’ll just come take a quick look around,” she said as Joe opened the door for her.
“That’s what I thought you’d say,” the dark haired detective laughed. He reached for her hand and helped her from the car.
The streetlights cast an eerie glow around them as they walked towards the well-lit store. Through the window they could see Martini standing at the cash register. He seemed to be talking with a pretty young blond. The elderly man was turned away from them and they couldn’t see his face. The woman was smiling as she placed a few items on the counter.
Joe opened the door and ushered Peggy inside. Martini’s was a small compact grocery store and he kept his prices low by having his family working with him. His wife and two sons shared in the work and the profits the store made. It wasn’t a lot but it kept them happy and in business. The shelves were well stocked with canned goods and the smell of fresh baked goods permeated the area.
“Smells like Mrs. Martini is baking again,” Mannix said with a grin. His mouth watered at the thought of her apple pie.
“Maybe we should pick up a couple for dessert?” Peggy suggested.
“A girl after my own heart,” Joe smiled as he headed for the counter. He waited for Martini to finish with the blond and smiled at the older man. He heard the door open and watched the young woman move away from the store. He turned his attention back to the storeowner. “Mr. Martini, any chance we can get a couple of those pie I smell baking?” he asked.
“Ah, Joe, the pies are not ready yet. Mrs. Martini is a little late getting them in.”
Mannix saw the nervousness in the old man’s eyes and was instantly on alert. Using the mirror above the counter he looked around the store. A young man was going through the magazine rack; a young woman with a stroller was walking down the baby food aisle. Except for him and Peggy they were the only ones he could see. He let his gaze drop back to Martini and again caught the strange look of fear. Martini had his hands below the counter and was pointing to the two men at the magazine rack. Joe gave a slight nod of his head and turned to search the area for Peggy Fair. He spotted her talking to the young woman with the stroller. He smiled in spite of the niggling feeling on the back of his neck. Peggy was like a baby magnet; if there was one around she’d find it. He didn’t want to do anything with the two of them in the store, but was unsure how to get the two women and the baby out without alerting the man looking through a fishing magazine.
Peggy looked up and he caught her eye. She watched as he tilted his head towards the door. She knew Joe Mannix long enough to know he was trying to tell her to get out. She instinctively looked around the store and spotted a young man moving towards the counter.
Joe watched him moving and turned back to Martini as if having a simple chat. He felt movement to his right and flinched as he heard the click of a revolver. “Damn,” he swore. Joe Mannix moved instinctively and reached for the hand holding the gun.
“Joe!” Peggy screamed as she moved towards the front of the store.
“Stay where you are!”
Peggy turned back to see the young woman with the stroller pointing a gun in her direction. Her head moved back and forth between the woman with the stroller and the two figures struggling for supremacy over the gun. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Martini moving towards the bakery as a second man stepped out. She spotted Mrs. Martini and held her hand to her mouth as she spotted the gun at the silver haired woman’s head.
“Stay where you are, Old Man!” the newcomer shouted and Martini’s hand went to his mouth at the threat to his wife. All eyes went to the two men fighting for dominance at the front of the store.
Joe’s hand wrapped completely around the hand holding the gun. He could see the light of madness in his opponent’s eyes and knew he was a drug user. He didn’t have time to think as the man’s strength came through in the force with which he fought. They stood facing each other as the gun came down between their bodies. Joe’s gaze never wavered as he stared into the face of death. Repeated drug use added years to the man’s face and Joe realized he was probably even younger than he first thought. He watched as the man’s lips twisted up in a horrid imitation of a smile. He smelled the stench of stale tobacco and cheap whiskey on the breath of the man. He could see three missing teeth as well as a couple that were blackened with decay.
“Yer gonna die, Mister,” the man sneered as the gun came between them.
“Joe didn’t take the time to breath as he struggled with the other man. He knew whatever drugs were running through this man’s system it was giving him added strength. Joe fought with everything he had. He heard Peggy scream his name and caught sight of her out of the corner of his eyes. He couldn’t take the time to acknowledge her as the gun pressed against him. His eyes locked with the dead eyes of the man he fought for supremacy. The superhuman strength given to him by the drugs was sapping Joe’s strength. The struggle continued for another two minutes, sweat beading on each man’s face as they quietly fought to gain the upper hand.
Peggy stood where she was, her eyes glued to the two men fighting at the front of the store. She felt the gun prodded in her back, but held her ground.
“Move it, Sister or I‘ll blow ya away,” the young woman said as she shoved Peggy forward. “Kill him, Billy!” she laughed as she watched her baby’s father fight with an older dark haired man.
“Yeah, Billy, stop wastin’ time and kill ‘im!” The second man hissed as he ground his pistol into the older woman’s temple. “I told ya ta stay back old man!”
Martini held his ground and met the eyes of the woman he’d been married to for nearly forty years.
“I’m gonna waste ya, Mister!” Billy hissed as his finger slowly forced the trigger back. “Gonna blow a hole in ya and watch ya bleed out on the floor!” he cackled, sending foul breath into Joe Mannix’s face. A shot rang out loudly in the store.
Peggy cried out as the shot was fired. She watched as both faces went blank for a few seconds. Nothing moved, no sound issued forth as the two men stood silent under the bright overhead light.
Peter Reynolds was a cop who’d worked patrol in this area for ten long years. He knew the Martini’s and made sure he checked on the elderly couple. He loved Mrs. Martini’s baking and always stopped by as she finished her baking. He usually orders her apple dumplings with caramel sauce and tonight would be no different. He parked beside a Barracuda and smiled. This was a car he appreciated and would one day like to own himself. He smiled at the thoughts of fulfilling that dream. A gunshot shattered the silence and he glanced to wards the window in time to see two men fighting. He raced back to his patrol car as one of them began to slide to the floor. He kept his eyes on the front window of the store as he reached for the mike. He clicked the button on the side and spoke quickly. “This is car four. I’ve got shots fired at Martini’s grocery on Crenshaw Blvd! One man’s been shot! Need help down here, Now!” He heard his call acknowledged and knew other patrol cars were on their way.
Peggy watched the scene unfolding before her eyes. Time seemed to stand still as the two men looked into each other’s eyes. The gunshot echoed in her ears and she screamed as Joe Mannix slid bonelessly to the floor clutching his abdomen. She ignored the woman’s voice shouting for her to stop. She reached Joe and knelt beside him. She placed her right hand over his and felt the blood running through her fingers.
“No, oh, Joe,” she cried tears streaming from her eyes to drop soundlessly onto their hands and mingle with the crimson fluid leaking from his body.
Mannix fought against the nausea and pain and forced his eyes open. He looked into the face above him and saw a mixture of pain and worry there. He felt her warm touch even as his body began to tremble with cold. He felt white-hot pain reach out to engulf him and bit back a cry of pain. He knew the bullet was still in there, felt it grind against the bone in his right hip each time he breathed.
“P...Peggy,” he gasped.
“Joe,” She sniffed as she released her grip and tore the corner form her blouse. She pulled at his hands but he held tightly to his bleeding side. “I have to stop the bleeding, Joe,” she said, the tears continuing their downward trek on her face. “Please, Joe, let me see!”
“O...okay,” he mumbled as pain became his whole world. He let his hand drop away from the wound.
His eyes met Peggy’s as she pulled his shirt away from the wound and pressed the piece of her blouse against the puckered wound. She didn’t take time to look at it as she looked up to see a patrol car outside the window. The sounds of sirens rang shrilly in the night air and she kept pressure on his wound.
“Shit! The damn cops are ‘ere, Mike!” the man who shot Joe hissed, he reached out and touched the control for the blinds and watched as they closed off the outside world. He moved to the door and did the same there. He reached up and slid across the bolt lock, effectively shutting out the outside world.
Reynolds swore sharply as his view of the inside of the store was quickly and effectively cut off. There was nothing for him to do now but wait for help to arrive. He prayed it wouldn’t be too late for the man he’d seen shot.
Adam Tobias turned his car in a circle as the call came over the airwaves. He was officially off duty and on his way to pick up his wife. They were going to Peggy Fair’s house for dinner and a game of bridge. He took out the ball and placed it on the outside of his unmarked car. He turned it on and immediately saw the circling lights and heard the wail of the siren. He wasn’t far from Martini’s and he prayed he’d get there in time to help the elderly couple.
”Lady, get away from him! Jake, get her away from the window, Margie, you get the baby into the back room. Make sure the doors are locked and get back out here.” Mike ordered. Margie wheeled the stroller towards the open bakery door as the two men took care of the people in the store.
“Please, he’s hurt!” Peggy shouted as Jake grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the pale man.
“He’s gonna get dead if ya don’t do as yer told,” Jake hissed, his face inches away from Peggy’s. He pulled her to where the Martini’s now huddled together on the floor. “What about him, Mike?” he asked pointing his gun at Mannix.
“Drag him over here,” Mike ordered.
Jake did as he was told and moved back to the front of the store. He shoved his gun into his pocket and reached for the injured man. He lifted him forward, laughing as Mannix bit back a cry of pain. “Bet that hurts!” he snickered as he reached down and pressed his hand against the bleeding wound.
“No!” Peggy cried as she heard Joe Mannix gasp in pain.
“Shut up, Lady!” Mike hissed, kneeling beside her and shoving his gun under her chin. “Now you best be quiet or we’ll just have to make sure he can’t cry out anymore!”
Jake lifted Mannix’s upper body off the floor and smiled as he saw the hidden holster. “Well lookie here!” he said as he dropped the shoulders.
“What is it, Jake?” Margie asked as she came back into the main store.
“I think we got us a cop!” Jake sneered as he pulled the 38 police special from the holster.
“Shit!” Mike hissed. “Margie watch them!” he snapped as he hurried towards the front of the store. He kicked the injured man in the side and watched as he doubled onto his left side in an effort to protect himself. “You a cop, Mister?”
Joe couldn’t see through the haze of pain washing over him. He tried to breath, but each inhalation caused his stomach to churn. His head thumped and he realized he was losing a lot of blood. The man’s boot caught him a glancing blow to the ribs just above the wound. “N...not a c...cop,” he stammered as Mike knelt in front of him.
“Then what’re ya doin’ with a cop’s gun? You steal it or somethin’?” Jake asked.
Joe felt the man beside him going through his pockets. Hands pushed and shoved at him, oblivious of the pain and discomfort they caused. He bit his lip as the man pulled his wallet from his back pocket, gasping for air as he once more curled himself around the gunshot wound.
Mike opened the wallet and smiled. “He ain’t a cop. Leastways he ain’t no real cop. Are you, Mister?” he laughed as he shoved Joe onto his back.
“Whatdaya mean he ain’t a cop. Why’s he got a police gun then?” Jake asked.
“He’s one of them private detectives. He goes around playin’ at bein’ a cop. Hey, Mister,” he said shoving at the injured man once more. “You like spying no women who cheat on their husbands. You some kinda pervert gets his kicks outta ruinin’ things fer other people? My sister had trouble with one of your kind. He caused her to lose her house and her kids. Maybe I should shoot you now.”
“No!”
Mike looked towards the pretty woman sitting with the Martini’s. His eyes raked over her body before returning to the man on the floor. “She your whore,” he looked down at the wallet in his hands. “Mannix? You sleeping with her?”
“G...go to h...hell,” Joe snarled.
“Gonna make your life a livin’ hell, Mannix. Now get up!” Mike ordered.
Joe tried to do as he was told. He forced his hands under his body and shoved upwards. His strength gave out and he dropped back to the floor, gasping as pain ran the length of his body. “C...can’t,” Joe groaned as the man stood up and brought his foot down on his left hand. Joe again cried out, but couldn’t move. His eyes closed and he tried to breathe past the pain that threatened to envelope him in a cloak of darkness.
Adam pulled in beside the patrol car and jumped out, keep his door open for protection. “What have you got, Pete?” he asked.
“Not sure, Lieutenant, there’s at least two men in there. I think I spotted the owner by the counter before the victim was shot.”
“Any idea how many people were in the store?”
“No, Sir, I was just getting out of my car when I heard the shot and saw the man fall. They pulled the blinds just after that.”
“Was the victim alive?”
“Unknown, Sir,” Reynolds explained as a third and forth car pulled into empty slots along the street.
Adam looked at the newcomers and began shouting orders. “Jacobson, you and Harolds cover the back. Mitchell, you and Craig check the building on the right. Carter, you and Marsh take the one on the left.” He heard running footsteps as the six officers hurried to do as he ordered. He stood up and moved to his right, joining Reynolds. His eye caught sight of the familiar green Barracuda. “Pete.”
“Yes, Sir?”
“The victim didn’t have dark hair did he?”
“As a matter of fact he did. How’d you know?”
“Do you know Joe Mannix?”
“Only by reputation. He’s a damn good private detective.”
Adam smiled at the apt description. “I’m gonna check the registration on that Barracuda. I have a feeling Joe Mannix may be in that store.”
“Sir.”
“What is it, Pete?”
“If it was Mannix, he’s hurt pretty bad. That gun went off between them.”
“Shit!” Adam hissed and hurried to the green car. He opened the passenger side door and reached for the glove box. He searched through the papers and swore silently as his worst fears were displayed in the shadow of the overhead streetlight.
“Are you all right, Sir?” Reynolds called softly.
“I’m fine, Pete,” Adam placed the papers back where he’d found them and closed up the glove box.
“Is it...”
“Yeah, it’s Joe,” Tobias interrupted. Sirens rang out again and he knew the captain was no the way. He also knew they’d need the swat team involved because of the hostages. He knew an ambulance was already on the way and he prayed they’d get Joe Mannix out in time for it to of use to him. He briefly wondered if he should phone Peggy Fair, but decided he’d wait until he knew what the men wanted.
“Bring her over here, Jake,” Mike ordered. He smiled at the pain filled eyes glaring up at him from under dark lashes.
“Don’t!” although his voice was a mere whisper it carried the weight of a man whose anger was written on his face.
There was none of the weakness associated with someone near death and yet Mike felt a shiver run down his spine. He shook it off and watched as Jake pulled the pretty woman towards them.
Peggy pulled free and knelt beside Joe, her hands reaching down to touch his cheek as Mike lashed out and gripped her arm in a vice like grip. “Oh, no you don’t, Pretty Lady. Now see, you and me got us some business if this guy Mannix here doesn’t get on his feet and get over there with the old man and his old broad.” He stood up, dragging Peggy with him and smiled down at the injured man. “It’s up to you what happens to her, Mannix!” he leered as he ran his gun down Peggy’s neck, coming to rest in the hollow between her breasts.
“Leave her a...alone!” Joe snarled as he once again forced his hands under his body.
“What’s that, Mannix? I didn’t quite hear you,” Mike laughed as he slid the gun further down Peggy’s blouse.
“I said l...leave her alone!” Joe ground out through clenched teeth. He slowly pushed his upper body off the floor, ignoring the blood running from the wound on his right side. His hands were slippery and he found it hard to hold himself in that position. He squinted his eyes as the room swam in concentric circles. Taking slow, shallow breaths in order to quell the rising tide of bile in his stomach he clambered to his knees.
Peggy watched as Joe Mannix did the impossible and finally gained his feet. She twisted out of Mike’s grip and hurried to his side. “Joe,” she said as she took his arm.
“I’m okay, Peggy,” he tried to reassure her.
“Well, ain’t that a pretty picture,” Mike snarled as he reached for the woman once more.
“Don’t!” Joe hissed menacingly in spite of the pain flooding through him.
“Please, just let me help him,” Peggy begged and was surprised when Mike released his grip.
“Get him over with them or I’ll finish him off right here and now,” Mike snapped. “Jake, see what the cops are up to out there. Margie, if they try anything shoot Mannix!”
“Sure thing, Mikie,” she laughed as the two people came towards her.
Joe forced himself to place one foot in front of the other. It was impossible to ignore the wound in his side now. He held his right arm tight against it as Peggy held his left arm over her shoulder. He stumbled twice and was surprised by the strength in the petite woman beside him. As they got closer to the storeowners, Martini stood up and helped them. Joe felt every move as he slid down to the floor. His eyes never left the man holding the gun. He knew Mike was the most dangerous of the three and would be the one he would have to take down when the time came.
Jake lifted a corner of the blinds and looked outside. He saw movement everywhere and knew there were to many cops for them to make a run for it. “Mike, there’s four or five cars out there.”
“See any cops?” Mike asked.
“There’s lots of ‘em. They’re running along the street. Want me to shoot one of ‘em?” his voice was hopeful.
“Not yet, Jake. We need their help and we ain’t gonna get that if we kill one of ‘em.”
“I already shot one of ‘em, Mike,” Jake’s voice was laced with a nervous edge.
“Not the same, Jake. That ones a private cop. He ain’t a real one, but ya know what?” he came forward and once more knelt in front of Joe Mannix. “he might just have friends on the force and we can use ‘im or his pretty lady to get out of here. What do you say, Mannix. Should we take you or the woman?”
“L...leave her,” Mannix mumbled.
“Will you cooperate?”
“Y...yes,” Joe gasped.
“Alright then. Now we gotta stop ya from bleedin’ to death. Margie, get on over there and find something they can use to bandage him up with,” Mike ordered. “Jake, keep tabs on our friends out there.”
“Sure, Mike,” Jake felt better knowing he hadn’t shot a real cop.
“Here!” Margie smiled as she threw a package of gauze pads and tape at Peggy.
“I need something to clean the blood with,” Peggy told her.
“Well, ain’t that just too bad,” Margie laughed.
“Margie, get her a bottle of peroxide. Gotta make sure we keep the private cop alive until we get outta here. Then maybe I’ll let you have him,” he smiled at Mannix. “See Margie has this thing for people in authority. She just don’t like ‘em. Last one who tried to tell her what to do ended up deader than a chicken in a the middle of a pack of weasels. Just as cut up too.”
“Want me to get the bullet out?” Margie asked as she returned with the bottle of peroxide.
“No!” Peggy glared at her as she took the bottle of peroxide. “Mr. Martini, can you help me lie him down?” Martini took Joe’s right side and between the two of them they soon had him lying flat on the floor.
“He’s hurt bad,” Martini observed when they had Joe on his back.
“Yes, Mr. Martini, he is.”
“You let Peggy take care of you, Joseph,” Martini said as Mannix tried to move away from her touch.
“I’m sorry, Joe,” Peggy sobbed as she pulled the blood soaked cloth away from the wound.
“It’s o...kay,” Joe tried to reassure her as fought back the call of darkness.
“I’ve got to clean it, Joe,” she whispered, ignoring the man and woman holding guns on them.
“I...I know.” He held himself rigid as she slowly poured the peroxide over the open wound.
Peggy couldn’t look into his face as she cleaned the blood from the wound. She used one of the pads to put pressure on the ragged hole to try and stop the bleeding. Peggy smiled gratefully as Mrs. Martini opened a new pack of gauze and handed it to her, while her husband cut strips from the tape. She looked into Joe’s eyes and saw the pain he tried to hide from her. Peggy knew how much this was hurting him, but she let him think he was doing a good job of it.
“All done, Joe,” she said as she taped the bandages in place.
“T...thanks,” Joe rasped through his dry throat. He knew he’d lost a considerable amount of blood and was in danger of going into shock. He smiled as he heard Peggy voice his thoughts.
“Look, he’s lost a lot of blood and needs something to drink.”
“You’re getting a bit to demanding, Bitch,” Margie scolded, a smile on her face.
Peggy turned to the man named Mike and hissed. “You want him alive then you’d damn well better let me do the things I need to help him!”
“Margie, get him some juice from the cooler. Mr. Martini can put it on his bill,” Mike laughed.
Peggy picked up Joe’s left hand and gently washed the abrasions caused by the hoodlum’s boots crashing down no it. She felt Mannix tense up under her ministrations and knew there were probably a couple of broken bones in the hand. She smiled as Mrs. Martini handed her a roll of gauze to wrap the hand in. Between the two women they wrapped the hand in a gauze like mitt and settled it down beside Joe’s body. Although his eyes were closed they knew he was awake.
Adam took the bullhorn from Captain Carter and spoke into it clearly. His voice came out loud and clear as he called. “You in the store. This is the police. Release the hostages and come out with your hands up. You have five minutes to comply.”
“Shit, Mannix, looks like there’s no rest for you,” Mike said as Margie handed him a plastic bottle of apple juice. “Here! Make it fast,” he told Peggy as he handed her the bottle.
“Here, Joe,” Peggy ordered and watched as he fought to open his eyes. She knew he was getting worse and wished there was some way out of this. She looked at Mike pleadingly. “Look, let him rest. I’ll go with you.”
“N...no!” Joe snapped as he sat forward, groaning as it pulled on the wound. “I’m okay, Peg.”
“Good, then let’s go see what your pig friends have to offer. Margie watch them.” Mike watched the smile cross Margie’s face and wondered how long he’d be able to control her. He shook the thought off and pulled Mannix to his feet. He looked into the detective’s eyes and snarled. “You try anything at all and Margie will shoot the pretty lady. Understand?”
“Y...yeah,” Mannix snarled as he was dragged towards the front door.
“Jake, go help Margie watch the others. Me and Mannix got some business to attend to.”
“Sure thing, Mike,” Jake whistled an out of tune song as he walked towards the other four people.
“Your five minutes are up. Release the hostages,” Tobias called through the bullhorn. He turned to see Captain Carter standing beside him, his eyes glued to the front door of Martini’s store.
Carter was going to let Adam run the show especially once he heard Joe Mannix was probably one of the hostages. He knew the two men were friends and he, himself, had a great deal of respect for the private detective. Mannix helped him out on a few private thing sin his own life and he was grateful for the closure. He pointed to the front door as he noticed movement behind the blinds.
“Something’s happening,” Carter supplied.
Joe used every ounce of strength he had to make it to the door on his own. He felt Mike’s hand on his arm and the gun was trained on him. If it wasn’t for the guns being held no the others Joe Mannix would’ve made a move on this man. For now, he had to bide his time and wait for a chance to get the upper hand. There was no way he was gong to put Peggy or the Martini’s in danger by pulling anything in his condition.
“Open the door, Mannix, but don’t try anything stupid.”
Joe reached for the door and pulled it inwards. Bright spotlights shone from the patrol cars, blinding him momentarily.
“Tell them to shut off the light, Mannix” Mike snarled.
“Joe are you alright?”
Mannix recognized the voice of Adam Tobias and smiled thinly. “A...Adam, turn the damn lights off. All three of them.” Joe prayed he would get the hint. He’d seen only two lights and was hoping Tobias would realize he was trying to tell him how many people were holding them.
“Kill the lights,” the lieutenant shouted and the two lights instantly went out.
Mike moved directly behind Mannix and yelled. “You cops better listen up! I got me four hostages in here!”
Mannix repressed a laugh as he realized the con was giving out information that could help the police in the long run.
“I want a car full of gas and I want one hundred thousand dollars parked in front of the store by first light! Then I want this street cleared and clear road all the way to the airport. I want a plane and a pilot waiting there! You hear me cop?”
“We hear you. I’m not sure we can get that much money by morning....”
“You’d better, Cop, or I kill one of the hostages.”
“I didn’t say we couldn’t. I said it was going to be hard and might take a little longer. The man you’re holding is hurt. Why don’t you let him go...”
“Forget it, Cop. This guys our ticket out of here. We’re gonna go back inside now before he bleeds to death. Don’t worry his girlfriend’s here with him and she’ll take care of him.” Mike laughed as he pulled Mannix back inside. He slammed the door and shoved the injured man towards the other hostages. He walked over and called his two friends away from the four hostages.
“Dammit!”
“What’s the matter, Adam,” Carter asked.
“Peggy must be one of the other hostages,” Tobias explained.
“What makes you say that?”
“He said Joe’s girlfriend was with him. Peggy could’ve gotten a ride with Joe. I’m gonna call her neighbour and see if she’s picked Toby up yet.”
“Have one of the others do it, Adam. I want you here in case they make any more demands.
“Yes, Sir.” He turned to the uniformed officer next to him and said. “Pete, I need you to check something for me.”
“Sure, Lieutenant,” Reynolds took the number and went to make the call.
Carter watched Tobias’s features and knew the man was thinking about something. “What’s on your mind, Adam?” he asked.
“Something Joe said,” Tobias answered.
Carter waited patiently, knowing the officer needed to concentrate. He could almost see the wheels turning in Adam’s mind as the lieutenant finally turned towards him.
“Joe said all three lights, Right?”
“Yes, he did. Why?”
“There were only two lights. Joe was trying to tell us something.”
“He’d been shot, Adam. Maybe he was seeing things.”
“I don’t think so, Sir. He said turn out the lights, Adam. All three of them. That’s something specific...”
“He’s your friend. What do you think he was trying to tell us?”
“I think he was letting us know how many people are holding them,” Tobias explained.
Carter’s dark eyes met the younger mans. “You’re saying we’re dealing with three men?”
“Could be three men, or two men and a woman or any combination. I’m sure he was trying to let us know how many are in there.” He stopped as Reynolds came back. “Were you able to get through to...”
“Yes, Sir,” Reynolds interrupted. “Toby Fair is still with her.”
“Dammit!” Tobias swore. He turned his eyes to the closed blinds, worry and fear etched no his handsome face. ‘We’re supposed to be at a dinner party at Peggy’s house,’ he thought.
Peggy climbed to her feet and hurried to help Mannix sit down. She checked the bandage and saw it was once more soaked through. “Mrs. Martini...” she didn’t get to finish as the older lady passed her a couple of new gauze pads. It wasn’t long before they had Joe’s wound re-bandaged. She sat down beside him and pulled his head onto her lap. She rubbed his shoulders as his body trembled uncontrollably. She knew he was in danger of going into shock, but there was nothing more she could do for him.
“Peggy.” She looked up and met Mrs. Martini’s eyes. “He’s strong.”
“I know,” she answered softly. She ran her hand through his hair and felt the heat emanating from his forehead. ‘God, don’t let him die,’ she silently pleaded.
Joe felt her shiver as she held him and lifted his hand to her cheek. “Peggy,” he moaned.
Peggy looked down at his hand. She could see the dried blood still present on his fingers and embedded in his nails. She closed her eyes as tears formed behind her lids and slowly seeped out. ‘How could this night turn into such a nightmare?’ she thought.
“Peggy,” he tried again.
“I’m okay, Joe,” she assured the injured man as she took her hand in his and rubbed it along her right cheek.
“T...try to g...get a...away if...can...” he whispered.
“I won’t leave you, Joe,” she whispered back.
“You two be quiet over there,” Mike snapped.
“You bully!” Mrs. Martini snapped. She stood up to her full height of four foot eleven and placed her hands on her formidable hips. “He’s hurt.”
“Sit down, Old Woman!” Margie ordered.
“Sit down, Sophie,” Martini ordered as he reached for his wife.
“No! Joseph is hurt and I’m not gonna sit here and do nothing. I’m going to get a blanket and pillow from the back room!”
“You’re gonna sit down and do as I say!” Margie ordered.
Sophie Martini turned her attention to the man named Mike and spoke sharply “You said you don’t want him to die. Well he’s gonna do that if we don’t get him warmed up and stop him from going into shock!”
“Margie, you gotta go check on the baby anyway. Take her back there and let her get the blanket and pillow for him.
Margie was angry at having her orders revoked and she motioned for the woman to proceed her into the bakery part of the store.
Sophie was sixty-two years old and she knew her words had gotten her into trouble, but she hated to see anyone suffering. She opened the back door and turned no the light. Three large ovens ran along one wall, two floor to ceiling silver freezers lay along the back wall. Shelves ran the length of the third wall and in the center of the bakery was a large marble topped table. She spotted the baby’s crib sitting beside the table and hurried past it. She hurried to the shelf and picked up the blanket and pillow she kept there. She could feel the woman close behind her and she turned to face her nemesis. She saw the anger in the ice blue eyes and prepared herself for what she knew was to come. Her head reeled back as Margie’s hand connected with her cheek. Still she stood her ground. Twice more blows rocked her head back, and both times she held herself erect. She met the ice blue eyes and was surprised to see a hint of admiration in them
“Don’t ever question what I say again!” Margie snapped as she stepped aside and let the woman walk past her.
Sophie walked into the main store, her legs shaking, and her cheeks burning from the open handed blows. She saw her husband come to his feet but shook her head. She hurried over and sat down beside Joe Mannix and Peggy Fair.
“Are you alright?” Peggy asked. Two vicious red handprints were visible on the woman’s cheeks.
“I’m fine,” she assured the pretty woman. She looked down and noted a pair of fever bright eyes looking at her. A blood stained hand reach up and touched the hot cheeks.
“S...sorry,” Mannix mumbled as his eyes slid closed.
“Peggy, are you okay with his head on your legs like that?”
“I’m fine.”
“Good,” She turned to her husband and forced a smile to her face. “Roberto, lift his legs so I can put this pillow under them.” Roberto reached out and did as she asked, smiling as he watched his wife care for the injured man. He helped her unfold the blanket and cover the shivering form with it.
“Thank you,” Peggy told her as Margie wheeled the stroller back into the store.
“I gotta feed ‘im,” Margie said. “Where’s the baby food aisle?”
“Aisle three,” Sophie answered her.
“I’m gettin’ kinda hungry myself,” Jake said as he watched Margie walk away. “Think they’d bring us a pizza, Mike?”
“What the hell do ya want a pizza for, Jake. Look around the store and pick something. I’m sure Mannix won’t mind if we put it no his bill. Will you Mannix?” he asked as he walked towards the four hostages.
“He’s sleeping,” Peggy told the hoodlum.
“Oh!” Mike smiled as he bent close to her. “Maybe it’s time we let the Martini’s look after him while you and me get to know each other better.”
“N...no!”
Peggy looked down to see Joe Mannix looking at her. “It’s okay, Joe,” she soothed as he struggled upwards.
“Y...you don’t t...touch her!” Joe snarled.
“You need another lesson on who’s in charge here!” Mike snapped as he stood up. He drew back his foot and kicked out at the downed man once more.
The pointed toe of his boot connected with Joe’s right knee and he fought to suppress a groan.
“Leave him alone!” Peggy screamed in rage as Joe doubled up in agony.
Adam heard Peggy scream and picked up the bullhorn. “What’s going on in there?” he shouted.
Mike grabbed Mannix by the arms and pulled him to his feet. He heard Margie and Jake returning and knew they’d keep the other three from interfering. He held the injured man in front of him and jammed the gun into his wounded side. A muffled grunt issued from his victim.
“Now you listen real good, Mannix!” he snarled, laughing as Peggy continued to scream at him. “I’m in charge here and if I want to take your whore for a private talk I’ll do just that...”
“K...kill you f...first,” Joe ground out.
Mike laughed in spite of the chill the stammered words caused him, “From where I stand you’re the one who’ll be killed, Mannix. I got the gun remember?” He shoved the injured man back to the floor and laughed as Peggy pulled him towards her.
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