Chapter 10: Bloodlines

“What is taking so long?” Alexa growled leaning against the car door. They were tracking Malcolm Foster’s movements but the computer screen in front of her indicated he hadn’t left his office. Three hours had passed since Kasper made the call to inform the final WET CEO of their demands but, he didn’t seem in too big of a rush to meet the ransom.

“Relax, A. Foster will do as he’s told or else.”

“Or else what? What did you do, K?”

“Whatever was necessary to ensure we got what we wanted. I added a little incentive for Malcolm Foster so he knew we meant business.”

“What does that mean, Kasper?”

“Jerome,” Alexa’s eyes widened and she took a threatening step forward.

“Jerome who?”

Chapter 10: Justifiable Homicide

Black smoke billowed to the sky, curling through the busted windows as the high-pitched sound of the fire alarm pierced the air. “Kasper?” Alexa groaned as she turned onto her side to stand. “Kasper!”

“Here,” he coughed and pushed away a panel of glass. “I’m here.” Alexa pulled herself up to her feet and stumbled over to Kasper. He was bleeding from a large cut on his forehead and a busted lip but, other than that, appeared fine. “What the hell happened?”

“I think someone wants us out of their house,” she replied, helping him stand. “Are those…?”

“The drives,” he said, completing her question as he clutched the remnants of the smashed electronic in his hand. “FUCK! Now what?”

Chapter 10: Pound of Flesh

“Hey! Hey what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Gavin yelled as he rushed across the hallway towards Alexa’s apartment.

“Sir, could you…”

“Put that down! Where are you going with Hannah’s things?”

“Sir, calm down. I’m Detective Curt Monroe with the Brooklyn Heights Police department.”

“Brooklyn Heights?” Gavin asked, taking a look at the man’s credentials as he flipped open his badge wallet. “What are you doing in St. Claire?”

Chapter 10: The Secret’s Out

“Baby, have you seen my file log? It’s a small, red book where I keep my cases listed. I thought I’d left it on the dresser but I don’t see it.” Gavin quietly grabbed the journal from the nightstand and set it beside her hand before going back to getting ready. “Thanks,” Alexa replied, watching him get dressed. “Hey, are you upset at me about something?”

“Nope! Why would you ask that?”

“I don’t know. It just seems like you’ve been avoiding me lately. And when we are in the same room, like now, you seem really withdrawn. Is everything alright?”

Chapter 10: It's a Trap!

Shots rang out beside Alexa as the innocent bystanders occupying the platform all screamed and ran for cover. Removing her weapon, she pulled from around the corner and began firing wildly in the men’s direction, watching as they scattered behind stationary objects themselves. Gradually she walked backwards, down toward the next column, placing her back against it as a black suit stood up on the left side of the stairwell.

He shot rapidly toward her, knocking bits of cement and plaster from the wall onto her head as she ducked for cover. From what she could see, the man was using a Ruger SR9B Semi-Automatic pistol. It had a 17-round magazine capability and he’d already fired at her 12 times. Alexa counted the next five shots, held her breath and jumped up returning five of her own, being sure to stop before her gun clicked.