Page 32 of Trusting Laurence
“No thank you, Mrs. Wilson. I was just wondering, is there a back gate on the property?”
“Yes, dear. Why? Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“No, ma’am. There’s something I need to check out, and it would be easier if I could go out the back.”
For long moments, Mrs. Wilson searched his face, as if trying to read his mind to decipher what he was up to. He could see the questions she was dying to ask in her eyes but was pleasantly surprised when she simply stood and said, “This way, dear.”
Larry followed the older woman out the back and to the gate. She unlocked it for him and stood back to let him out.
“Lock up once I’m out, Mrs. Wilson. I’ll wait until you’re done.”
Once he was through, he did as he said and waited to hear the click of the lock as it closed securely. He heard her footsteps as she headed back to the house. Then he turned, rolled his shoulders, and made his way back to his vehicle. He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and placed a call for back up. When he was done, he replaced the phone while watching the vehicle parked down the street, several cars away.
It didn’t take long for an unmarked vehicle to slide in behind him, and he noted one of his most trusted, long-time agents climb out from behind the wheel. After a brief exchange, the other man returned to his own vehicle, filling his partner in on the plan.
She stepped out of the vehicle, and as they’d discussed, strolled down the street toward where the suspect was parked. When they were in place, one of the agents gave the signal, and Larry got out of his car. He headed for the mark, and this time, he approached with more stealth, intending on catching the driver unaware.
As he approached the vehicle in its blind spot, he slid his Glock clear of its holster. He crept up to the window and tapped on the glass. The driver jumped and turned to look out. Panic flashed across his face as he recognized Larry.
“Come on out, Hector. Let’s chat a minute.” He saw the man’s hand move toward the ignition. “Uh-uh, you don’t want to be doing that. I’m feeling a little edgy today, and there’s no telling what my trigger finger will do if you touch that key. So best you come on out for that chat.”
Hector opened the door, and Larry braced. He didn’t know what to expect – did the man have a weapon? Would he come out swinging? With no way to know, he’d far rather be prepared for anything rather than get caught on the back foot.
Once Hector was fully clear of the door, Larry indicated for the other man to close the door and to step away from the vehicle. He stepped forward and patted Hector down for any concealed weapons. He found a gun tucked into the waistband of Hector’s jeans. Removing the weapon, Larry put it in the pocket of his jacket.
“That’s my property, man. You got no right to take my stuff.”
“I don’t trust you not to use it.”
“Fuck you, man.”
“Thanks for the invite, but you’re not my type. Besides, I’m far more interested in why you’re staking that house out,” Larry said, indicating Mrs. Wilson’s house.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Me and my homie are just sitting here chillin’, man. Why you always gotta bust my balls, man?”
“Playtime’s over, Hector. I’ve seen you watching that house for days now. I want to know why. So, you have a choice. We can do this the easy way, and you can tell me what I want to know right now and be on your merry way. Or I can haul your ass downtown, and you can share what you know there. And then you can have the pleasure of telling your employer why you were at the FBI building. Your call.”
“No, man. Why you gotta do me like that, man?”
“Last chance.”
If he hadn’t been watching for it, Larry would not have seen the telltale sign in Hector’s eyes a split second before Hector braced to bolt. He reached out and grabbed the man’s wrist in an iron grip.
Like the lowlife worm that he was, he wiggled and squirmed in an attempt to break the hold. Despite the fact that Hector was a good five inches taller and probably twenty pounds heavier, Larry made short work of subduing and cuffing Hector’s hands behind his back with the handcuffs he pulled from the rear pocket of his pants.
“Come on, dude. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
Hector struggled like a man possessed. He cursed a blue streak and called out to his friend to help him. Larry’s ears pricked up when he heard the passenger door open. He swung them around, maneuvering their bodies so that they were facing the direction of the sedan. He didn’t want to be caught from behind. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his two agents take a step toward them, training their weapons on the youngster climbing out.
Bringing his weapon up, he pointed it at Hector’s companion. “You’re gonna want to stop right there. I don’t want to have to put a bullet hole in you, but trust me when I tell you, I would do it in a heartbeat if I had to.”
Hector’s young companion held his hands up to show he was unarmed.
With his weapon, Larry indicated for the man to get back in the vehicle. “Get back in and stay there. Keep your hands where I can see them.”
His young face was a mask of fear and uncertainty. Larry estimated him to be no older than late teens. Maybe seventeen. It burned like acid in his gut when he saw them get sucked into this life. Nodding furiously, the kid got back into the sedan and closed the door, his hands in full view.
Larry twisted a fist in the hood of Hector’s hoodie and marched him over to the other agents’ vehicle. “This makes me very unhappy, Hector. I have an appointment, and now I’m going to be late because I’ve gotta drag your sorry ass over to the office.”
