Free Fall

67

“Where are we, Boyle?” asks Chief Roy Rossi.

The way he says it, I know I can’t crack back with “inside a pizza joint on the boardwalk, sir.”

So I give him the short version of what’s been going down-including doing our best to stop a drunken bum from bopping a button that’ll send David Rosen hurtling to his death.

“I’ve heard good things about your shooting,” the Chief continues. “Can you handle this Sniper Weapon System if need be?”

“I could try.”

“Try?” This from Mayor Sinclair. “What kind of amateur operation are you running here, Chief Rossi?”

The Chief ignores the honorable jerk.

I take my eyes off Mr. Ceepak for two seconds. Do a quick visual sweep of the room. I see the Chief, the mayor, and maybe twelve other cops plus a couple paramedics from the rescue squad. The medics brought their big first-aid kit. And a body board with neck restraints.

But if David Rosen goes flying, none of their gear will do him any good. We’re gonna need a spatula.

All the uniforms have their weapons out and up, mirroring my stance, elbows on the countertop to steady their two-handed grips on their guns. It’s like we’ve set up a reverse shooting gallery at the front of the walk-up pizza stand. Instead of a dozen guns aiming into a booth, we’re all aiming out of one at a clown whose balloon definitely needs popping.

“You have seventeen minutes, Johnny,” snarls drunken Joe. “Seventeen minutes till I show everybody how that little girl up in Michigan died when she flew out of her seat on this very same ride.”

“Shut him up,” barks Mayor Sinclair. “What he’s saying isn’t true. This is not the same ride. It has been completely refurbished.”

“Be careful, everyone. Joe is a very angry drunk.”

I take my eyes off the target again. Glance over my shoulder.

Adele Ceepak is in the pizzeria. Christine is with her. Officer Jen Forbus escorts the two of them up to the counter.

“You okay, Danny?” asks Christine in a nervous whisper.

“Hanging in.”

“Who the hell are all those people over there?” snarls Joe Ceepak, who must’ve seen movement in the shadows.

“Not knowing, can’t say,” replies Ceepak, who is still standing like a brick wall halfway between the pizza place and the StratosFEAR control shack.

“Is he drinking vodka?” asks Mrs. Ceepak.

One of our guys with binoculars zooms in. “Clear bottle poking out of the bag. Could be gin or rum.”

“No, it’s vodka,” says Mrs. Ceepak. “He used to keep a bottle in the freezer. Slurp it down like it was maple syrup. How can I help here?”

“He wants one million dollars,” I say.

“Then he should try playing the lottery.”

Believe it or not, just about everybody chuckles a little when she says that.

“We need to buy some more time,” explains the Chief. “A State Police SWAT team is on its way.”

“Okay,” says Adele. “Should I go out there and promise him whatever he wants?”

“No.” This from Christine. “It’s too dangerous.”

“Not as dangerous as sitting up there in David Rosen’s shoes,” says Mrs. Ceepak. “And don’t worry, hon. Johnny will watch out for me. He always has. My son is a very brave and courageous young man.”

I’m thinking he got a lot of that from his mom.

Chief Rossi squeezes the button on the battery-powered bullhorn he probably borrowed from Dylan Murray down in the parking lot.

“Mr. Ceepak? This is Chief Rossi, SHPD. Your ex-wife has arrived. She would like to come out and discuss your financial demands.”

“Hang on,” says Ceepak, inching backward. “Danny?”

“Locked and loaded.”

“Back-up?”

“Twelve. The target has been acquired.”

“That’ll work.” Ceepak moves a step closer to his father. “Sir? As you just heard, you ex-wife is willing to discuss your request.”

“Good. Go get her. Hurry. We’re down to twelve minutes.”

“If you make a move toward the control panel …”

“Yeah, yeah. I heard. Your buddy Boyle will blow my brains out. Now hustle, jarhead.”

Ceepak hurries into the pizza parlor.

“Good of you to be here,” he says to his mother. “I’m sorry we had to drag you into this …”

“Come on, John. Time’s a-wasting.”

“We need another fifteen, twenty minutes,” says the Chief, getting real-time updates from the SWAT team on his earpiece.

“We’ll try to buy it for you. You ready, Mom?”

“Are you kidding? I was born ready.”

“Mrs. Ceepak?” says Christine.

“Yes, dear?”

“Be careful out there.”

“Oh, I plan on it. And when this is all over, I want you and Danny to come over to my place for a cookout. Just the two of you.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Stay behind me at all times,” Ceepak says to his mother.

“Even when I’m talking to Joe?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’d like to look him in the eye, give him a piece of my mind …”

“Mom? I need to be your shield.”

“Fine. You’re the boss, honey. Let’s just do this thing.”

And the two of them, son and mother, with Ceepak in the lead, march back out to the darkening no-man’s land between the pizza parlor and the Free Fall.

I just hope nothing happens to ruin our cookout plans.