Chapter 17

 

Nick was shocked to see the tears in Kevin’s eyes.  Had he ever seen him cry?  He forgot for a moment about what was happening around him and focused on his older friend.  Kevin looked absolutely lost.  He was always their rock, their calm in the middle of the storm, and now he reminded Nick of a small child.

 

Kevin noticed that Nick was looking at him, and turned quickly away, ashamed that the younger man caught him in tears.  Nick reached out with his hand and touched his arm.  Their eyes connected, and the love and understanding that Nick felt in that moment seemed to give him strength.  Kevin took that strength offered him and reached into the depths of his soul, searching for the control that defined him.  He grasped onto it, and pulled it back to the surface.  He managed a tiny smile, his face full of thanks.

 

It was Howie who asked the question.

 

“Who was it?”  They didn’t even recognize his voice.  It sounded dry and hollow, and full of defeat.

 

For a moment, Daniels just stared at him.  Then he turned to Stevens and nodded.  Stevens raised Howie’s phone and dialed the number.  Painful seconds went by before a voice answered.

 

“Do you have my money?”

 

“We need to know who died.”

 

“Do you have my money?”

 

“We’re still working on that.”

 

“Then why should I tell you?”

 

“For the sake of the loved ones waiting outside,” Stevens spat.

 

The criminal became furious.  He lunged across the room towards Brian, who was tending to Lila.  He grabbed him by the arm, and without even allowing him to stand up, dragged him across the floor.  Brian let out a yell, and A.J. stumbled to his feet in a mad attempt to stop him.  Thief number 2 was too quick for him.  He shoved the gun to his forehead, slamming him back against the wall.  Lila shrieked.

 

Once he had Brian over where he wanted, he kneed him hard in the stomach, knocking the breath out of him.  He brought his hand down cruelly over his shoulder blades, knocking him flat.

 

Brian gasped in pain.  It took all of A.J.’s self control to keep still.  He was fuming with anger, and the helplessness of his position was killing him.

 

“You tell them that if they don’t pay up, I will do more than shoot you dead.”

 

Brian glared up at him, his sides heaving.

 

“Go to hell.”

 

“Tell them!”  He shoved the phone into Brian’s ear.  Brian said nothing.  His tormentor kicked him savagely in the ribs, and he cried out in agony.

 

“Damn it Brian, do it!” A.J. cried.  Lila began to sob.

 

He couldn’t stand this.  Even as he said it, he knew why Brian didn’t answer.  A.J. would have done the same thing.  He was too proud.  At the same time, he couldn’t handle watching his friend be beaten.

 

“I want to talk to Kevin,” Brian rasped, as the crook prepared to deliver another blow.

 

“What?” he bellowed.

 

“Put Kevin on, and I’ll talk.  Only to Kevin.  You can beat me to death if you want.”

 

The punch came swift and hard, this time to his head.  He rolled over, stunned, and lay there unmoving for several moments.  A lump rose in A.J.’s throat, and his nails dug into his palms, drawing blood.

 

“Put Kevin on the fucking phone,” he hissed into the mouthpiece.

 

Stevens raised an eyebrow.  He had heard the commotion over the line, and knew things were going wrong, but he was unprepared for this.

 

“Do it!”

 

He handed the phone to Kevin, who stared at it wide-eyed.  He took it with a shaking hand, and spoke.

 

 

“Hello?”  Upon hearing the new voice, the thief once again thrust the phone down to Brian, who still hadn’t moved.

 

A.J. was relieved when he reacted, moving his head to accommodate the phone.

 

“Kevin?” he whispered.


Kevin’s heart almost broke at the sound of Brian’s weak voice.

 

“Hey cuz,” he said softly.  “How are you?  They treating you ok?”

 

“Just fine,” he murmured.  Kevin could tell he was in pain.

 

“Is A.J. still with you?”

 

“Yes.  So is Lila.  They shot a woman.”

 

Brian heard the click of the gun being cocked near his head.

 

“Tell him.”

 

Brian squeezed his eyes shut, praying for the strength he needed and fighting back the hatred that was ready to consume him.

 

“They’re telling me to tell you that if you don’t come up with the money, they are going to do more than just kill us.”

 

A small noise escaped Kevin’s lips.

 

“We’re going to get you out of there, don’t you worry.  I promise, do you hear me?”  The sound of Kevin’s voice reassured him more than anyone except A.J. could ever know.  He hated the thought of upsetting his cousin, as he was sure he was, but he just had to hear one of their voices.  Knowing that the other three were out there, waiting for him, trying to rescue them was something he desperately needed.

 

“I hear you.  Tell Nick and Howie I said hi.”

 

The foot impacted his back, and the phone flew out of his hands and clattered to the floor.  His assailant scooped it up.

 

“There.  You have 18 minutes.  Get it done, or I’ll make good on my threat.”

 

 

Kevin threw the phone forcefully to the ground, and turned away.  He placed one palm flat on the trunk of a squad car and covered his eyes with the other, bent over in grief.

 

“Oh God,” Howie whimpered.  “One of them is dead.  One of them is dead.  Oh God…”

 

“No,” Kevin croaked.  “They’re both ok.”

 

Howie’s knees almost gave out he was so relieved.  Nick steadied him, and they both went over to Kevin, followed closely by Stevens and Daniels.

 

“What happened?” Nick asked quietly.

 

“They put Brian on the phone.  I… I think they were beating him.”

 

Howie moaned softly.  Kevin repeated the message Brian had delivered, not without difficulty.

 

“Please stop them.  Please get them out alive.”

 

Daniels met his pleading gaze and gave a solemn answer.

 

“We will do everything within our power.”

 

“And if that’s not good enough?”

 

“Just pray that it is.”

 

***

 

 

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