Page 102 of Rules of Engagement

"Yes," said Maddox without missing a beat.

"Where's Lexi and Garrett?"

"Back at the police station, interviewing the guy that was previously suspended from the flagpole."

"Huh?"

"You didn't see that when you left?"

"A guy on a flagpole? I’m sure I would have remembered that."

"A few minutes after you left, someone dumped the shooter from the hospital in front of the police station. We considered that great news. Garrett went to interview him with Lexi watching. Then I spoke to someone from Boston PD who said you were suspended. You didn't come back so I came looking for you."

"Did you drive here?"

"Yes."

"Good. Toss me your keys. Slowly."

Keys hit the floor with a jangling thump. "That's your idea?" scoffed Maddox. "You're going to steal my car?"

"That's right. I need wheels unconnected to me."

"Do I even want to know what you think you're going to do with me?"

"That depends on how well you behave," said Damien.

I gently backed down the stairs, careful to ensure my feet hit every tread so I didn’t slip. I didn't need to hear anymore of Damien's plan. It was obvious he would come downstairs at some point and Maddox had been careful to say I was somewhere else. With the two men pointing guns at each other, and me without a weapon, there was nothing I could do. Except, I knew where the gun safe was. Two against one sounded like good odds to me.

I counted the steps, listening to Damien's cool voice as well as Maddox's. Neither sounded agitated but it could only be a matter of time before one of them decided to end the standoff. As my foot hit the floor, I pushed myself up and tiptoed across the lobby and into the kitchen.

It didn't look like Damien had been in here. The cabinets were all closed. I popped open the false front concealing the gun safe, entered the code and reached inside for a weapon. My gun was with Delgado at the hospital but Solomon left his gun inside the safe. I used it before with Solomon at the firing range and there was a fully loaded clip. I wasn't completely comfortable with it yet but I felt more secure than not having it. I slid the clip into the gun and pressed the safe door shut, looking around for the best place to conceal myself until Damien came downstairs. If I could catch him unawares, perhaps I could end this.

Instead of a hiding place, I spotted the house phone. I grabbed it and dialed Garrett's cellphone. "Pick up, pick up," I whispered into it, hoping he was out of the interview. After ten rings, he answered.

"It's Lexi," I whispered.

"Why are you whispering?"

"We found Damien."

"Where is he?" asked Garrett, his voice suddenly sharp.

"At my house. He's got a gun and he and Maddox are having a standoff. He's talking about taking Maddox's car. Send everyone."

"On our way," said Garrett. "Do not engage. Lexi. Do you hear me?"

"I can't hear you," I said.

"I mean it. This could get ugly. Let Maddox handle it. He's trained for this."

"Okay," I agreed. "But if he can't handle it, I'm stepping in."

"Do you really want to risk shooting Solomon's brother?"

"More than I want him to shoot Maddox," I said, not even taking a second to decide. "They're coming down. I have to go."

"Lexi..."

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